Original subtitles

(eerie music)

(somber orchestral music)

- [Man] Oh, my head.

Amputation may be the only answer, I'll consider it.

Not sure that it would help the butterflies

fluttering in my stomach with three foot wingspans.

Ever have one of those days

that just should not even begin?

What feeling I did have suggested that this

was going to be one of those.

No matter how much medication I consume,

that mug never gets any better.

(sentimental orchestral music)

(birds singing)

Ah, the early morning sounds of the neighborhood.

The urgent bird songs drowned out by the traffic and sirens,

and the everyday interaction

of the good citizens of the Bay City.

That old girl has long since seen her best days.

I wonder how she came to be living on the street?

And there's a nice young man helping her with her things.

Now that's not very helpful.

(siren blaring)

Okay pal, leave the lady alone.

- Lady?

Mind your own business pops,

or I'll kick your ass, too.

- Now, there's no need to be rude,

just leave her alone and move on.

- Or what?

You're gonna do something about it, old man?

- How badly you want to find out?

Why don't you put that thing away

before things get a whole lot more serious

than they already are?

- Things are about to get more serious for you.

- Now, the next part of this maneuver

results in me breaking your arm.

So now would be a good time for you to make nice and leave.

- You son of a bitch. Who the hell are you?

Some sort of low rent superhero,

you weird-looking bastard.

Ah.

- My questionable ancestry notwithstanding,

you should start nodding your head in agreement

as I ask you one final time to leave quietly.

- This ain't over old man.

- Who the fuck are you?

Get the fuck away from my stuff.

- You know, I find it entirely possible

to go through the whole day

without the use of the universal adjective.

Here, let me help you with your things

and I'll drop you off at the shelter.

- Leave my stuff alone.

Shelters are for chumps.

Besides, how would you know I don't live around here?

- Well, you don't exactly blend into the neighborhood.

- Like you blend.

- I've seen that movie, and you're no Lisa.

- Yeah, well you're no Cousin Vinny.

Hey, instead of insulting me,

why don't you give me 20 bucks so I can go get a coffee.

- Isn't it a little early for that kind of coffee.

- Who asked you?

- I believe that was you.

I won't give you money to buy booze,

but it will take you to breakfast.

- I don't go to breakfast with just anybody.

- What about with someone who's willing to pay for it?

Come on, the Farmhouse is just up the street.

- Well, okay.

But don't think some fabulous breakfast

will get you to second base.

- Darling, I ain't even in the batters box.

- What was that kid after, anyway?

- I guess he was looking for a jacket

for the cooler weather.

I just got it from this old rich lady

who was dropping things off at the Sally Anne.

There's no way that asshole was gonna get it.

- Don't you have to pay for stuff, there?

- Not if you help people unload their cars.

- Did she also know you were helping yourself?

Did she even know she was donating that jacket?

- [Woman] The Lord helps those who help themselves.

It was in the back seat of her Cadillac.

She just forgot to put it into the box with everything else,

and she can afford another one.

That kid's not coming back.

- No, I don't suppose he is.

Thought I just saw somebody back there,

but I guess it's nothing.

- So why are you looking?

- [Man] Well, just because you're paranoid

doesn't mean nobody's following you.

What's all the newspaper for anyway?

I guess that stuff's pretty good for starting fires?

- [Woman] I like to keep the clippings

of the big stories from over the years.

I'm kind of an archivist.

You never know when something in there

will be useful one day.

So what did you do that for?

- [Man] Do what?

- Scare that damn kid.

I gotta admit that was a pretty cool move with the knife.

But why would you attack somebody who's got a knife

when you're barehanded?

Are you crazy?

- [Man] I'm a bit of a control enthusiast.

- [Woman] A what?

- [Man] A guy comes at you with a knife,

and you give him what he asks for,

he's still a guy with a knife.

I figure you might as well deal with the knife first.

- I'm not leaving it anywhere.

Fine, yeah, give the lady a hand.

I got it, I can do it by myself.

Don't touch my stuff.

(bright instrumental music)

- Hey Philip.

You finally got a date.

What can I get you?

- A date with him?

Times aren't that rough, honey.

- Good morning, Grace.

I won't be staying, but can you get the lady a breakfast?

Just put it on my tab. - Sure.

Will you by later today?

- Too early to tell how the day will unfold,

and what new cases it holds.

- What can I get you, hon?

- Steak, four three minute eggs over easy,

a stack of pancakes with whipped cream,

and some hash browns.

I may need a take-home container.

- So eggs and home fries coming right up.

- Hey, wait a second.

Is he a friend of yours, or something?

- Just a nice guy trying to do a nice thing.

No sense taking advantage of him now, is there?

- Mm-mmm.

So, how interested are you?

I mean he's not much to look at.

- Ever heard of PTSD albinism?

- What?

- It's when someone gets sick

and the color drains from their face.

- Oh yeah.

- Well he got sick a while back,

and the color never came back.

He says monochrome.

Anyways, he's not available.

- Honey, all men are available.

- Not that one.

(bright instrumental music)

- Morning boss.

(grunting)

Good grief.

What happened to you?

The color is right out of your face.

Celebrating?

- Uh huh.

- What was the occasion?

- Tuesday, I guess.

Any calls?

- Nope, but the landlord dropped in,

and not to say hi.

He scratched off another letter.

- The landlord dropped in?

- Yes, actually he did say hi.

But that was to me, because you weren't here.

Although, if you were here,

he would say something different to you.

He's much friendlier with me than he is with you.

Of course, I don't owe him money.

- How much this time?

- He said that he'll scratch off another letter every day.

He said that if you don't have the rent for him by Monday,

he'll back with the sheriff on Tuesday.

- How are collections coming?

- I'm still trying to work my way through all of your notes.

They're all old cases,

and I'm not sure when you were working for clients,

and when you were working on other stuff.

- Okay well, I'll be in my office.

- Okay, what time should I wake you?

- Cute.

Lunchtime.

- I'll go down to Harpwood's and get some coffee.

- [Philip Voiceover] When I was a kid,

I couldn't get enough of cop shows and murder mysteries.

Put Bogey next to Bacall,

and throw in some mile a minute dialogue,

and well, I was in seventh heaven.

That's why I became a private investigator

when I quit the force.

Being a cop was kind of boring,

and the pay was nothing to write home about,

but I sure was proud to put on that uniform,

in the beginning,

that is before the accident.

So there I sat in my very own office,

with my own girl Friday, her name really is Friday,

waiting for the phone to ring.

Now you'd think with all the crime in the streets

and in the boardrooms,

and the divorce rate at an all time high,

and the corruption at city hall all across the front pages,

a guy could get some steady work

peeking through keyholes.

Maybe if I bought a new trench coat,

and took up smoking again.

Ah well.

- Boss, we've got a live one.

- What?

Nice flowers.

- A customer, and looks like a rich one.

I got them from a street vendor.

- The customer?

- The flowers, not the customer.

- Well, send him in.

- He's a she.

- What do I care?

Send her in.

Hey, did you make it to the coffee shop?

- Oh yes.

- Oh good.

Did you?

- Harpwood's was very busy.

There was a long line.

- A long line?

- Yes, I was second.

- Second?

Isn't that your lucky number?

- Yes it is.

Actually I started out as seventh,

but then I asked the lady in front of me

what she was doing there.

- What did she say?

- She turned around and gave me a funny look,

and then told me she was there for a funeral.

So, I said she certainly had on

the right dress for the occasion.

And then I was sixth.

- The guy at the front of the line got his order?

- No, the person in front of me

went to the back of the line after giving me a funny look.

- You know, it's not essential that you say a thing

just because it occurs to you.

So was the next person in line a woman too?

- No, he was a man, and a really big one.

- A big man?

- Yes, he told me that it ran in his family,

but I said it doesn't look like

everyone in his family runs.

- So he went to the back of the line, too.

- Yes. The next man in front of me turned around

to see what was going on.

And he was bald.

So, I said that that man stepped outside

to get some fresh hair.

- Sensitive?

- Not as sensitive as the couple

that was left in front of me.

I overheard the man say,

"that's a mistake I'll remember."

- Why?

What did he do?

- I don't know, but I told him that there was no point

in both of them remembering the same thing.

- [Philip] Because the wife would remember.

- Always.

- So then you were third.

- Second.

- They both went to the back of the line.

- Yes.

The barista asked the woman in the front of the line

what she wanted.

She didn't even hear him.

- Why, was it loud at the coffee shop?

- No, she was too busy admiring herself

in the mirror on the wall.

So, to get her attention,

I said that her dress looked great.

Just imagine if she could find it in her size.

- The coffee?

- I ran out of time

and I had to get back here for the client.

- It's not like we've had a ton of clients lately.

What made you think we'd have one this morning?

- Even a blind squirrel can find the occasional nut.

- I guess that's true.

- If she's still out there, send the client in,

and Friday, maybe take one more crack at that coffee.

- Okay, okay.

(dramatic music)

- That'll be all Friday.

Miss?

- Perske, Betty Perske.

- Betty Perske, really?

Victor Perske's wife?

- Uh huh.

- [Philip Voiceover] Well that explains

the expensive clothes and perfume.

Victor Perske is one of the biggest developers

in the country.

What's his wife doing in this part of town?

And in the office of a second rate gum shoe like me?

The corker is that I've spent weeks knocking on doors.

Well, not that hard,

but looking for a juicy case

with an even juicier client like Missus Perske.

And while I'm sitting around my office

feeling sorry for myself,

in she walks, as big as life, to see me.

I can't wait to hear what this is all about.

Hang on a second.

Shouldn't Victor Perske's wife sag a bit more in the jowls?

What the hell?

- Who am I to argue at a time like this?

- I beg your pardon?

- Nothing.

How can I help you, Missus Perske?

- Would you mind terribly if I sat down?

- No, not at all.

Allow me.

- Thank you.

Did you hurt yourself?

- Oh no, I still have several other fingers that work.

Now then, where were we?

- Nowhere, I'm sure.

You are a very unusual looking man, Mister Chandler.

- The product of a misspent youth.

- I'll get right to the point.

I misplaced a very expensive diamond bracelet.

It was an anniversary gift from my husband.

- How expensive?

- Let's just say when he gave it to me

he said it was our millionth anniversary.

- All due respect Missus Perske.

- Betty.

- Okay, Betty.

Why not just go to the police?

I hear they have a very extensive lost and found.

- I can't go to the police.

- Why not?

- Because I know who took it.

- What?

Well, that'll make this real easy.

Let's just call them up.

- No, you don't understand.

It was my lover,

not my husband.

It was a man I love,

or at least I thought I loved.

You see, we started dating about two weeks ago,

and yesterday afternoon we just finished,

well, you know,

and he said he needed to go outside,

get some fresh air, have a cigarette.

And then so.

- And so he gives you a peck on the cheek

and you haven't seen him or the bracelet since?

- Yes.

- And you'd like me to find it for you?

Do you know where he lives?

- No.

- Does the term 'needle in a haystack' mean anything to you?

Jewelry's real easy to unload in this berg.

- You must help me.

- And hubby's not to know?

- No.

He would kill me,

if he found out about Donald.

- Your lover?

- Yes, and what's worse,

I'd be left penniless.

It's in the prenup.

You see, his mother never liked me from the beginning.

My father was a steelworker from Texas.

- So you only ever met Donny at your place.

Do you think Mister Perske suspects anything?

- Oh, no.

He travels too much.

And, when he is in town,

Donny and I just go downtown to the Plaza.

- I think I get the picture.

I charge 300 per hour.

- Here's 2000.

It's what I have on me.

I can get more if you need it.

- Oh, that's fine and dandy.

Now then, where does Lothario live?

- Donald?

Oh, I see.

Like I said, I don't know.

- Really?

- Really.

- All right,

well then, how can I get a hold of you when I have to?

- Oh, you can't call me, you mustn't.

- Okay, okay.

I'll give you my number.

Now, I need you to tell me everything else you know.

Where did you meet him?

Where does he like to hang out?

What does he look like?

You know, the dirt.

- [Philip Voiceover] I should have known at the time

that I was being set up,

but I was just too eager for this case, or any case.

And this lady was just too beautiful to refuse her anyway.

(thunder rumbling)

Looking around, I couldn't help thinking

that this was the kind of place Friday would spend time in.

Sure wasn't the kind of place

me and the lads would hang about in.

O'Leary's and Shannon's were friendly pubs

that served up tall beers, whiskeys neat,

and liberal doses of philosophical posturing.

Well, it was almost enough to put

a man off his- - what's your pleasure?

- I'm sorry?

- What can I get for you?

- Irish whiskey, neat.

- [Bartender] Coming right up.

- You're fast.

- Honey, you have no idea, 12.50.

- What's that?

- The drink, it'll be 12.50.

- Oh, right, 12.50, really?

(jazz piano music)

Keep the change.

- Thank you, sir.

- Don't mention it.

Listen, my boy, I wonder if you could do me a favor?

- Anything to keep our big spenders happy.

- I'm looking for a guy by the name of Donald Polasco.

I heard he likes to frequent this place

with pretty ladies of the somewhat older persuasion.

- Donald Polasco?

- Yeah, he's about my height,

shortcut, dirty blonde hair, 20-something.

- You mean Donny.

- Yeah, Donny.

- Why?

- We're old school buddies,

and I'm just trying to look him up.

Heard he liked this place.

- School buddies?

You went to school with Donny?

- What can I say?

I'm a slow learner.

- Mm-hmm.

- Listen, didn't want to mention this earlier.

He recently lost a rich relative,

and I'm supposed to let him know he's got some money coming.

- I see.

- I've been trying to track him down for weeks.

He doesn't show up at the lawyer's office by tomorrow,

he's gonna lose his claim.

You haven't seen him in the last couple of days, have you?

- I've seen him in the last couple minutes.

He's right there, across the room,

with a buddy of his.

- Thanks.

- No problem.

- [Philip Voiceover] Now you're thinking

that all I have to do is relax at the bar,

and wait for Donny to get tired,

and hopefully drunk enough to call it at night.

When he makes his exit,

the private eye follows him out into the street,

while looking for the opportunity

to pull him into a dark doorway,

and scare the hell out of him,

make him hand over the goods.

A little punk like him, it shouldn't be too tough, right?

Missus Perske gets her bracelet back,

her husband, none the wiser.

I get a substantial reward.

The landlord gets his rent money,

and stops scraping my name off the front door.

Friday's job is secure for a while,

and all is right with the world.

And if you're buying that load of doodah,

I'd like to hook you up

with some real choice property in the Florida Everglades

I know you're going to love.

Sometimes, I have to wonder how I got my license.

Anyway, the kid must've been tipped off.

He looks my way, then suddenly bolts for the back door.

(high-tension orchestral music)

By the time I reached the door,

Donny was out of sight

and the alley out back was deserted.

(screaming)

Well, not entirely deserted.

(doorbell ringing)

(doorbell ringing)

- What are you doing here so soon?

- I lost him.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, you were right.

He's really slow.

So I waited just around the alley, like you said,

and he never came out.

- That seems a little too easy.

Maybe he's not the detective we think he is.

- Could be.

Hey, here's your bracelet.

- You know what?

It's costume.

Keep it as a souvenir.

Here's your money.

- Thanks, good looking.

I will see you Friday night, after the buy.

- Of course.

- [Philip Voiceover] Oh Lord love us.

My head.

Yep, you guessed it.

Suckered by one of the oldest tricks in the book.

And there I sat, elbow deep in a pile of garbage,

feeling sorry for myself.

My gun was gone.

The rent money was gone.

And all I could do

was contemplate the garbage that surrounded me.

Come to think of it,

why does the garbage never seem to go away?

The piles never get big enough to clog the streets,

but they never seem to completely disappear either.

Maybe it's the city's way of controlling the rat population.

Don't give them so much that they don't want to work for it,

but don't starve them out and piss them off.

Hell, the public works department

should be running the whole country.

Maybe they are.

- Steady, steady there.

- Oh, my head.

It's you.

- Try to contain your enthusiasm.

Man, people say they can smell a pig a mile away.

Now I know why.

What are you doing here?

- Sunning myself.

- At night in a dark alley.

- I was misinformed.

I'm fine, and I'm not a cop.

Okay, maybe fine overstates the case a little.

Not bad considering I just got cold cocked from behind.

What are you doing here?

- A little late evening shopping.

The manager here sometimes stashes

an unfinished bottle for me.

No luck.

Guess I'm gonna have to come back later.

So what are you doing here?

- Apparently failing to apprehend the bad guy.

And if I was a cop, I'm pretty sure I'd know it.

I haven't been one for 10 years.

He took something from a client.

- A cop?

- No, the guy I was after.

He's got my gun and my money.

It's gonna make it harder to intimidate him,

and a whole lot less attractive to catch him.

- Why?

- Well, it's a lot easier to intimidate a guy

when I'm the one holding the gun.

And he took the fee I got from the client,

which provided pretty much all the motivation I had

to go after him.

- So, what are you gonna do?

- Well,

I guess I should continue to look for him.

Although it's gonna be tougher now

that he knows I'm following him.

- But wouldn't you do it to help out a lady?

And don't you bill by the hour?

- Aha, now you have a point there.

She is awfully attractive.

You said the manager stashes you a bottle from time to time?

- Pretty regular actually, but not a whole bottle.

That'd, that'd kill me.

- [Philip] It would?

- [Woman] Yeah, when you live

on the wrong side of the tracks,

you can't afford to screw up.

I can't get too hammered.

In my world being helpless

is the opposite of being alive.

Too many bad guys out there.

- Would you have to drink the whole bottle

just because you had it in your hand?

I mean, couldn't you save some for later?

- Oh yeah?

- Well, I've been known to enjoy

the wee dram myself from time to time,

but I don't understand drinking the whole bottle

just because you have it in your hand.

- Yeah, and I can't imagine not drinking the whole bottle

once I got in my hand.

- Yeah, I think I'm gonna go back to the club

and look for connections to Donny.

Maybe I can track him down to a less public location,

and discuss an arrangement with him.

(light jazz music)

Hey Friday.

No Friday, listen.

Friday,

this new answering machine you talked me into.

It's gonna make it less likely

that somebody is gonna hang on long enough

to leave a message.

Listen,

I just spent some time enjoying an involuntary nap

in the alley behind Scotty's restaurant.

Jumped from behind and cold cocked.

This case may turn out to be more trouble than it's worth.

I'm gonna sleep on it.

After all she did say she had more money if I needed it.

I guess I should explore that with her.

Although I'm not looking forward to admitting

that her boyfriend got the drop on me.

I'll think about it.

Perhaps you can reach out to Missus Perske

and set up a meeting for the morning.

Not too early.

(light jazz music)

(sentimental orchestral music)

Missus Perske.

How can I help you?

- This all you got?

(sexy jazz music)

I was hoping for a better class of comfort this evening.

- What are you doing here?

How do you know where I live?

How did you even get in here?

- Not as bad as I feared.

Now, where were we?

- You were just about to tell me what you're doing here,

and how you got into my place.

- Well, neither one of those questions

are as important as my bracelet.

Do you have it?

- Not exactly.

I've seen Donny, I should have the bracelet shortly.

- What did he say when you questioned him?

- Our conversation didn't exactly go that way.

We didn't so much speak, as made clear our positions.

- I don't really understand.

- Without going into all the details of my investigation,

to make a long story short.

- Too late.

- Yes well, let's just say, I know how to get my hands

on Donny and the bracelet.

- Well, it's important

that you understand what's going on here.

- I think I have a pretty good idea.

- I love my husband.

Donny was a huge mistake.

He must never find out about Donny.

That is more important than the value of that bracelet.

I would do anything to avoid hurting my husband.

Can I prove that to you?

Can you help me?

- I'll do what I can.

- I can never get this open.

It's hard, isn't it?

- I was hoping that you wouldn't, there, there.

- What do you see?

The perfect pair.

- Yes.

- I profoundly love my husband.

I need you

to save our relationship.

Can you do that for me?

- Yes, yes I can.

It might be difficult.

- There's a thousand dollars for expenses.

Don't let me down.

- [Philip] Can I get ahold of you if I need you?

- Oh, you still can't call me.

But if you need me, just whistle.

- I feel like I need a smoke.

(upbeat jazz music)

- Friday, I need you to get Donny's address for me.

- Morning boss, sure thing.

Oh my God, look at you.

Another celebration.

- Not today, kid.

- Missus Perske called here this morning.

What a coincidence.

She said that she saw you last night,

and then said something about a raise.

- She certainly got that.

Any calls?

- [Friday] Just one.

- Oh?

- Detective Sergeant Francis Michael Murphy called.

- Oh, what did he want?

- He wanted to see if you'd be in

so we can pay you a little visit.

- What'd you tell him?

- I tried to put him off, but he was very insistent.

I thought you and Sergeant Murphy

were buddies from way back?

- Yeah, seven years in the Five Two.

We didn't see everything eye to eye then or now.

I guess today's as good as any.

Do you have any aspirin?

- Fresh out.

So what's with you and Sergeant Murphy?

- Do you remember that redhead

they pulled from the harbor Saturday morning?

- Yeah, so what?

- Well, I'm the mystery man they're looking for.

The guy who picked her up from the club

four hours before she was supposedly knifed to death.

- Oh boss, oh yuck!

- Wait just a minute.

That was all part of the investigation.

She's entertained a lot of heavyweights in her time,

and she knew Rae from her days as a prosecutor.

- What investigation?

- Anyways, I'm not actually the killer,

but I'll bet that's what he wants to talk to me about.

Never mind, just buzz me before Murphy gets here, okay?

- If you say so.

- Such a sport.

- Boss, I must introduce you around.

- I heard that.

- [Philip Voiceover] Just when I thought things

couldn't get any worse, they got worse.

I'm not talking about the business with the police.

Murph and I go back a long way.

In the police academy.

We even worked together out of the same squad room

before I quit the force.

He's coming over here to make things

a little uncomfortable for me,

hoping to coerce me into finding the killer for him.

No, what I'm referring to

is worse than having to wrestle with the police.

My own secretary now thinks I'm a Saturday night special,

who gets his kicks by getting all tanked up

and going home with the first night hag that comes my way.

Not that I never overindulge,

but what am I going to do?

How will I ever be able to look her

straight in the eye again?

(buzzing)

Yeah?

- [Friday] Detective Sergeant Murphy is here to see you.

- Just a minute.

Guess I should straighten my tie for an old friend.

Damn, I wish my head would clear. (siren blaring)

Murph.

- Afraid this isn't social.

- So, business.

Look, if this is about that hooker

they pulled out of the harbor Monday morning.

- What do you know about that?

- I was with her.

- [Murphy] Yeah?

- And she was alive when I put her into the cab that night.

She was headed uptown to the Plaza,

off to meet a well-placed date, as she put him.

I heard that Senator Dumfries is in town

for a ribbon cutting.

He always stays at the Plaza.

Word is he prefers his romance without strings,

if you know what I mean.

You should check it out.

- Okay, we'll look into that.

You're always good at connecting the dots,

but I'm not here about that.

- News about Rae?

- I don't deal in cold cases, and neither should you.

- It's not cold to me.

If not that, then what?

- You know a woman by the name of Betty Perske?

- Rings a bell, why?

She's not dead is she?

- Don't play games, pal.

Look, the boys upstairs sent me to deliver a message to you,

because they figure you'll listen to me.

- The boys upstairs, huh?

I'm listening.

- Let's just say now there's two cases

you shouldn't be tinkering with.

This business you're into with the Perske woman

is a whole lot bigger than you think.

- What thing?

A rich woman fools around on her husband.

Loverboy turns out to be a scam artist,

and some very expensive piece of jewelry goes missing.

It's nickel and dime stuff, Murph.

- That's what you're supposed to think.

But believe me, there's a whole lot more

going on here than you know.

- You know, figuring out what's really going on

is sort of what I do.

- They don't want you to stepping on the wrong toes again.

- Who's they?

And what wrong toes?

Look, I'll walk on my tippy toes if I have to.

And if that don't work, I'm real good at polishing shoes.

What do you want from me, Murph?

I got bills to pay,

and an employee you can't live off of if-come.

Missus Perske pays real well.

- Find another way.

I want you out of it now.

And I don't like repeating myself.

- Okay, Murph.

Okay, I'm out.

- Good.

Let's go.

(dialing phone)

- Nancy Wake please.

Detective Chandler, thanks.

Hi Nancy.

I didn't say police detective.

Okay, fine.

Listen, I got another one for you.

The name's Donald Polasco.

I know, I know, but this is important.

No, it's not about that.

Look, this is the first live case I've had in a long time,

and one that Friday won't have to chase the money for

when it's done.

Yep.

No really, just the address.

The usual spot, say in 10?

No, minutes.

Don't you get a coffee break

in the office of the prosecutor?

Who's your favorite brother-in-law?

I understand, just let me know

when you've got something, okay?

Thanks, you're the best.

In a pig's eye I'm out.

Murphy that son of a-

- Yes boss?

- Are they gone?

- [Friday] Almost.

Good, get in here.

- What did he mean by that?

- By what?

Who?

- Murphy, see you then.

- Oh, I don't know.

Some people say that, you know.

Goodbye then.

- Well, did you get any aspirin yet?

- And miss all the excitement?

I don't know what you said to Sergeant Murphy,

but you could literally fry an egg

on the top of his head when he walked out of here.

- Yeah, well my hair's a little singed too.

You know, he came here to warn me off of that Perske file.

He's all worked up over what should be a nothing case.

Almost like he was scared of something.

I've never known Murphy to be scared of anything,

let alone headquarters.

Of course he doesn't care how much we need the work.

(phone ringing)

- Sorry boss, it could be more new business.

- [Philip] New business?

- Nope, it was your sister-in-law Nancy

from the prosecutor's office.

- You know I only have one sister-in-law, right?

- Yes, well, she says she has something for you

and is on your way here, now.

- Splendid.

- Where to now?

- I'm off to burn the butt of one Belfast boy in blue.

- Alliteration, boss!

- Oh well, I took a night course in English at the college.

If anyone calls, you never heard of me.

I'll check in later.

I wonder why it always seems that no one

can put you off like a friend can.

And I was hot, boy.

How dare Murphy order me off my own case?

He clearly doesn't understand

how badly I need the money from the wealthy Missus Perske.

She's actually paying in advance.

I've got a practice to maintain.

What would Friday do if I couldn't keep the business going?

I made a promise to her mom.

I guess I gotta get better

at collecting the money that old clients owe.

And Murphy's got to know how I take bullying tactics,

especially from him.

I can't believe it.

Anyway, I made up my mind to get to the bottom

of whatever was going on,

even if it meant I'd be hanging my shingle

outside the men's room at Union Station,

when it was all over.

No pal of mine is gonna lean on me and get away with it.

(light instrumental music)

- No sheet on the guy.

Here's his DMV file.

Can't say for sure, whether or not the address is correct.

You may have heard, not everyone plays by the rules.

- Thanks Nancy.

You don't know what this means to me.

- No charge.

At least this is for a real case.

- I only ever work on real cases.

- I suppose so.

- An attorney heads off to prosecute her first real big case

against the leader of a white supremacist group

and never shows up at court.

Still sounds like a real case to me after all these years.

- Accidents happen.

- In 2008, there were 37,422 traffic fatalities

in the United States.

- Yeah?

- Only 3.4% of those were hit and run.

- So?

- So Rae was over a hundred times more likely

to die from the flu than from a hit and run.

- You could be hit by a bus right now,

walking back to your office.

- Wishful thinking?

- You know that's not true.

As weird as you've become,

Rae loved you so you can't be all bad.

I just hate seeing you waste time

trying to solve the unsolvable.

- It's only unsolvable until it isn't.

I will find the answers.

- Rae was certainly right about one thing.

The best way to get you to do something

is to tell you not to do it.

- You know,

I take some comfort from speaking with you about Rae.

Somehow makes me feel closer to her.

- I know.

Me too.

Take care of yourself.

(light instrumental music)

- [Philip Voiceover] Anyway, I headed for Donny's place

in hopes that he sleeps in,

so that I can get the drop on him this time.

(light instrumental music)

(tense electronic music)

(door creaking)

(siren in the distance)

- [Murphy] You two, stay right here.

Waldorf, Sadler, check the other bedroom.

- Hey Murph, this'll be a fun one for you.

It's an Isidor Fink.

- Stay right here.

Don't let him leave boys.

Isidor Fink, huh?

This looks like the body of Donny Polasco

with three bullet holes in it.

- Isidor Fink.

It's just a theory I'm trying on for size.

How do you know Donny Polasco?

Who even called this in?

- Never mind that.

I'll ask the questions.

What do you know about this, Chandler?

- Like I said, Isidor Fink.

You know, the crime that's the riddle.

Door locked from the inside.

Window nailed shut from the inside.

Body with three bullet holes in it,

and no gun to be found.

Surprised I didn't hear the shots.

The body's still warm.

- I noticed that.

Oh yeah, I remember that.

Isidor Fink.

The unsolvable case.

What's your connection to Polasco?

- None really, just following up on a lead.

- A lead to where?

Surely not the Betty Perske bracelet.

- I wish she wouldn't call me Shirley.

- Knock it off.

Where's the gun?

- Like I said, Isidor Fink.

It's not here.

At least I can't find it.

And finding things is what I do.

- I know what you do but what you don't do

is recognize good advice when you hear it.

You're still on that Perske case, aren't you?

- A guy's gotta make a living.

- Grab him, boys.

- Now wait just a minute.

- I'm not gonna do that, it's already been done.

But I will throw you in the slam for obstruction

if you come near this case again.

Are we clear?

- Crystal.

- Let this dope go, boys.

- Be seeing you boys.

(tense piano music)

(dialing phone)

(phone ringing)

- Good afternoon, city morgue.

You stab 'em, we slab 'em.

- Friday, I thought we weren't gonna do that anymore.

- Just trying to throw the landlord off he calls.

- Well, what if I was a client?

- You can't be the client of your own firm.

- No, I mean what if this was a prospective client calling?

- Not much chance of that.

You and the landlord are the only two people

who still use a landline.

What's up boss?

- Well, Donny is no longer a lead to the bracelet.

He's with the angels, or otherwise.

- Yeah, I heard.

- You did, how?

- Yeah, it's all over the news.

Died mysteriously.

- All over the news already,

man things sure are moving fast these days.

I found him in his apartment, but no sign of the bracelet.

It seems like whoever took out Donny,

tried to separate him from the jewelry and got carried away.

Although I'm still trying to square away

some details of the murder.

If something looks like it couldn't have happened,

it probably didn't,

at least not in the way they think.

The crime scene just didn't add up.

- Who would want to kill Donny?

- No clues at the crime scene.

Although the academy teaches

that the most likely killer in a love triangle

is the injured party.

- Why would Donny kill himself?

- I don't mean Donny, he's not the injured party.

- Well dead seems pretty injured to me.

- I am referring to the husband

on whom Missus Perske was cheating.

- Mister Perske? Really?

He always looks so nice in the news when they interview him.

- The magic of television.

Think about it this way.

His wife cheats on him,

and a very expensive piece of jewelry goes missing.

Either one would brown off most husbands.

Although it is just circumstantial.

I think it's time I paid a visit

to the one who's really paying the bills here.

In more ways than one.

- Cool. Oh, wait I see.

Didn't Missus Perske say

that she doesn't want you to contact her?

- Well things have just changed.

This has just graduated from larceny to murder.

Besides, the cops won't be able

to connect the dots on this case

if they don't know what I know.

- Let me see if I can locate him,

just so you're not chasing him.

- Good idea.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna head over to their condo.

I hear they keep a unit in Big Harbor.

I'll check in later.

- Isn't that a secure building?

- Yep.

(tense electronic music)

The Big Harbor,

home to people who don't have to ask

what it costs to live there.

Big enough that not everyone knows everyone else.

I'm kind of counting on that.

Kind of like owning a house with a pool.

The only thing better

is being friends with someone who does.

Or, at least appearing to be friends.

Finally, my pass showed up.

I wondered what took so long to get out of the car.

What was that about?

Ah, finally.

(tense electronic music)

Good afternoon.

Was it a good shopping day?

- Yes, actually it was.

- No, let me help you.

- Thank you, young man.

- I'm going up there.

- The only down thing about Costco

is that I end up buying a life supply of everything.

It's a good thing I've got the cart.

- My pleasure, ma'am.

- Are you new to the building?

- Just moving in.

I'm just here to measure for some furniture.

What floor do you live on?

- The 16th.

Well the 15th actually.

You know they never number a floor as the 13th.

Superstition I guess.

So above all the numbers are altered.

What about you?

- I guess things aren't always what they appear to be.

- You're moving into the Watson's old place

on the top penthouse level.

- Well, as a matter of fact, I am.

Are the residents on that floor as kind as the ones on 16th?

- There aren't as many because the units are larger.

Don't get me wrong.

They're very nice.

But they're two stories, and that's not for everyone.

There are the Wismers, the Perskes,

And of course the Greens.

Betty and I went to high school together.

- You mean Betty Perske?

- No, Betty Green.

I don't know the Perskes very well,

but I think her name is Margaret.

Anyway, there are a bunch of us here called the old dolls,

and we get together every Friday afternoon for a happy hour,

around four o'clock.

Everybody brings their own drinks,

but you supply an hors d'oeuvre to share.

You and your wife should join us.

- Well, it does sound like fun.

I believe we're moving in next to the Perskes.

- That's right.

The Watsons we're in penthouse 12,

right next door to the Perskes, in penthouse 11.

- I see.

Well, the happy hour sounds like fun.

I'll make sure that we get to it.

This is your floor.

- Thank you.

I can take the cart from here.

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

The cart will just be fine.

Now, don't forget to push the button for your floor.

(tense music)

- Mister Chandler, what are you doing here?

- Looking for you.

- [Betty] You cannot be here.

- Why, is your husband here?

- Well he's due home from the airport any moment now.

And you know,

I don't want to have to explain to him who you are.

- Yeah, where's he coming from?

- He was in a conference in New York.

Why?

- Seems that Donny got bumped off,

and being the curious sort that I am,

I'm exploring the more than reasonable possibility

that he was killed by a jealous husband.

Any ideas?

(sexy jazz music)

- If my husband knew about Donny, I'd know.

Believe me, he is not the silent type.

Besides, he's been at a conference in New York all week.

- You're sure?

- Yes, I just watched him being interviewed

on television last night.

- I can confirm that.

- By all means,

but don't waste a lot of time on it.

You still need to find my bracelet.

- Yeah, where were you last night?

- I was at the theater till about 10.

Then I came home.

Hence, I watched the late news

of my husband being interviewed.

Now you need to leave, and find my bracelet,

or tell me you're off the case,

and I'll find a more focused private eye,

who appreciates the considerable financial rewards

for doing what the client asks.

- Okay, okay, I'm on it.

Just need a couple more days.

(electronic music)

Hi Grace.

Do you think I could use your phone?

- You still don't have a cell phone?

- It's a long story.

You mind?

(dialing phone)

(phone ringing)

- Good afternoon, city morgue.

You kill 'em, we chill 'em.

- Friday.

- Sorry boss, I'm having too much fun with it.

I'll quit soon.

Oh yeah. I checked up on Mister Perske.

He's due back from New York this afternoon.

- That's what Missus Perske said.

- Were you speaking with her?

- Yeah, I went over to the condo.

- You didn't see Mister Perske did you?

- No, I spoke with the client, why?

- Well, she was very clear

in keeping this whole situation from her husband.

- Yeah, she was equally clear this afternoon.

I came very close to losing this case.

- Not much chance of that.

- Why, what do you mean?

- Well, she needs you.

Who do you think has the bracelet now?

- Well, according to Betty, Missus Perske,

the husband still doesn't know anything

about the affair or the bracelet.

So whoever bumped off Donny

must know something about the bracelet.

I guess Loverboy's inquiries into a good fence

weren't sufficiently discreet.

- So, where to now?

- I'm not sure.

Friday, if you stole a piece of jewelry,

what would you do with it?

- Boss, I wouldn't steal.

- Of course not,

but what if you did.

You wouldn't wear it, would you?

An expensive piece like that?

- Maybe.

- Okay, well let's just imagine that you wouldn't,

what would you do with it?

- Take it to a fence like you said, I guess.

- Okay, but what if it was a very expensive piece?

- Downtown, the dock area.

Why?

- Okay though,

what if it was so high value and so hot

that you wouldn't want to hold onto it

a second longer than you had to? Who would you take it to?

- Well, the first thing that comes to mind,

when you want to make a quick and quiet transaction,

is Alfie, Alfie the Peddler.

- That's my girl Friday.

- Boss, I told you not to call me that anymore.

- Sorry kid, lost my head.

- But didn't I read that Alfie is a real bad guy now.

- Yeah, he's into some real bad stuff now.

And he's managed to avoid prosecution

for some pretty gruesome treatment

of some customers who didn't pay as quickly

as he thought they should.

- Yeah, I heard that.

He's a real bad guy now, boss.

They say that he's got a real volcanic personality.

Maybe Murphy's right.

Maybe you should look for the bracelet somewhere else.

- Perhaps.

(ominous instrumental music)

- [Philip Voiceover] Some things never change.

I knew where I could find Alfie,

even though he was into bigger things.

When I got there, the lady behind the counter

told me Alfie probably wouldn't be around until after dark.

I asked her to forget that I was there,

left her a tip, and drove back to the flat

to kill a few hours, and a bottle.

Pick up some bread I stashed there

and try to shake this headache.

I think I invented the long distance stake out.

(sinister instrumental music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(sinister instrumental music)

About seven o'clock I hitched a ride

with my brother-in-law back to the 147.

My headache wasn't so well-medicated

that I'd foolishly entertain the idea of driving myself.

When I got there, I began to worry

about the quantity of alcohol in my system.

Oh well, the ship had sailed on that issue.

After all, I did get a ride.

But I wasn't prepared for what I saw

when I rounded the corner.

Hold it, hold it, stop right here.

- Hey, we take tips you know.

- Look both ways before you cross the street.

- Asshole.

- Alfie, Alfie, this is not necessary.

Hey come on, come on guys.

Alfie, come on, man.

You guys (indistinct) you or him?

Alfie, Alfie, get these guys off of me.

Come on, man.

- Brothers.

- Alfie.

- Hey, long time no.

Please, take a seat.

- Oh, that's okay.

I won't be staying long.

(yelling and beating in background)

If you'll excuse me,

I just gotta go get my shoelaces pressed.

- I insist.

- I guess I got a few minutes.

It's been a couple of years since we talked, I guess.

How have you been?

- Not too bad.

But business is not what it used to be.

Here, hold this.

- You're telling me.

Although I hear you've expanded your business interests.

- One has to keep up with the changing times.

Flipping your game makes you harder to be found.

- Say, you remember my secretary, Friday.

- Friday?

Yeah I remember her.

Cute.

But unusual.

Why? You looking for her.

- Yeah, she's unique.

Smarter than you might think.

Have you seen her lately?

- [Alfie] Not since the last time I was at your office.

What are you looking for?

- Oh, nothing important.

So what's the word on the street?

- Not much happening.

What are you looking for?

- A diamond bracelet.

Real big, real hot.

You seen it?

- If I had, why would I tell you?

- I gotta get my hands on it for a client.

It belongs to the first paying client I've had in a while.

- That sound that you heard,

was not me falling off the back of a turnip truck.

You know what I do for a living.

Now why would I do you that kind of a favor?

Why would I let you in

on the best investment opportunity I've had in weeks?

The thief is an idiot and has no idea what he's got.

I'm gonna score this baby for a song.

- Well, it ain't the stuff that dreams are made of.

And that two-watt bulb has just amped his way up to murder.

He bumped off the original thief

when he took possession of the bracelet.

Although I'm still not sure how he did it.

- Sounds like an entrepreneur.

I might have some work for him.

- Now listen, I'm gonna do you a favor.

- Oh yeah?

- Well, if that's okay with you.

This morning I got paid a visit

from a local police detective,

who put the strong arm on me to back off of this one.

He as much as threatened me with my license, if I didn't.

- If that's so, how come you were sitting here

talking to me about it?

- Because this particular police detective

goes by the name of Murphy, that's why.

And I'm a little ticked off.

- You're old pal Murph.

So what's his beef?

- He says there's a whole lot more to this thing

than meets the eye, private or otherwise.

If I don't just up and walk away from it,

some very important people downtown

are gonna be real unhappy with me,

and probably anybody else mixed up in it.

- I see.

- It seems that this Donny character

somehow heisted his way into the big leagues.

Only some of the players

don't want their names appearing in the program.

They apparently feel strongly enough about it,

that the petty thief formerly known as Donny,

bit the big one this afternoon.

I found the body.

- So you think the cops bumped this guy off?

I thought you said it was this other guy?

- Still open questions.

All depends on who has the bracelet now.

The way I see it,

if these players are big enough to make waves downtown,

then it's very likely anybody else mixed up in it,

is gonna have a hard time coming up for air,

including the fisherman who reels in the goods,

if you catch my drift.

- So you're saying that this is all some kind of a setup,

and that I'm playing into somebody else's hand?

- Could be, my friend.

How do you see it?

Who knows?

Maybe you're even supposed to be in on it.

Either way, I'd say you're taking a pretty big risk.

- You might be ringing some bells here.

I did hear about an investment opportunity,

but it wasn't from a Donny.

But how is helping you gonna help me?

- Let me take your place at the meet.

- What?

- If it turns out to be on the level I'll cop the bracelet,

then you and I can make a deal

based on whatever the reward turns out to be.

Either way, your neck's out of the noose.

And at least you and I

can come out of it a little bit ahead.

- So we get to split a questionable reward,

and you get to rub your old pal Murph's nose in it.

Is that it?

- Whoever this guy is,

he's already demonstrated an unusual skill for killing.

This is scary business Alf.

My way, we both come out ahead.

- And how do I know that you're on the level?

- Well, you're just gonna have to trust me on this one.

In all our dealings when I was on the force,

did I ever steer you wrong?

- No, not that I know of,

but I was young and naive then

and you were in a uniform.

- Well, there you have it.

So, what do you say?

- You better be being straight about this.

- You want to check it out?

You've still got a line downtown don't ya?

- One more thing.

- What's that?

- I'm gonna need you to get some information for me.

- Like what?

- There's a nice house up on the ridge

that gets a lot of visitors on a Thursday.

- Yeah, I know the place.

Thursday is bread day at Mama Rose's.

Only the lucky few get to pick up a loaf.

Her bread is very good.

- And sometimes a loaf of bread has more than bread in it.

- Yeah?

Mama Rose does seem to hold a lot of influence in this town.

You know, her neighborhood's the only one

that doesn't have to put the garbage out to the curb.

- One of the periodic visitors

is of particular interest to my business.

Refuses to come to a meeting.

I need you to tell me when he leaves.

- How will I know what he looks like?

- I think you'll recognize him

from his pictures in the paper,

related to a certain ribbon-cutting ceremony.

- Senator Dumfries?

- You're smarter than you look.

- What's your interest in him?

- Now you're not looking so smart.

Let's just say that the good Senator

might need some help carrying his loaf.

If you get my drift.

- Well, why don't you go on bread day

and meet the Senator there?

- The old girl doesn't invite me.

- Oh yeah.

Forgot about that little run in you two had.

- A complete misunderstanding.

Do we have a deal?

- You know my relationship with Mama Rose.

Do I need to tell you what would happen

if she found out I was there to help you?

- Do I need to tell you what would happen

if you disappoint me?

- Okay.

Okay.

It's gonna be difficult to do without Mama Rose

figuring out what's going on.

She doesn't miss anything.

- Bruno, give Philip a buck so he can call someone

who cares about difficult.

- All right.

Where is this meet supposed to take place?

- The guy that you're meeting is called Cedric.

You'll be meeting at the back door of an abandoned warehouse

next to the Henry building up on 17th.

- Yeah?

- Friday night, 10 o'clock.

He says that he'll be wearing a lot of-

- Don't worry about that.

There won't be many guys wearing jewelry

in that neighborhood at that time of night.

Does he know what you look like?

- Never met the guy.

Anyway he wasn't expecting me, one of my guys.

I don't take meetings like that anymore.

- Yeah, of course not.

10 o'clock, great.

Well, I gotta run.

Here, buy yourself a coffee on me.

- Sit down.

- Do you remember what I said,

when you asked me if I was finished with you yet?

- I didn't ask you.

Are we done here Alfie?

- Much better.

A long life is all about respect.

I'll be in contact soon.

- Give me a call at the office early next week.

Not too early.

- It might be helpful to know what car

Senator Dumfries is driving.

I'll expect a call from Mama Rose's

as soon as the good Senator concludes his business.

(sinister instrumental music)

- Okay pal, who are you?

Why are you following me?

C'mon ya bum.

Who told you to follow me?

What do you know about the bracelet?

- I don't know nothing about a bracelet.

I was just told to follow you and report where you went.

- Why I oughta, who hired you?

- I was hired online.

Told to report to a phone number and leave a message.

Payment comes in cash in the mail.

- What do you mean, hired online?

- You know, the internet.

You look too young to be a dinosaur.

- Never mind that.

Does the name Murphy mean anything to you?

- Never heard of him.

- I'll make you a deal.

You stop following me and I won't break your legs, got it?

- Got it.

- Go on, get out of here ya bum.

- [Philip Voiceover] Now I wonder

who wants to keep an eye on me?

If he's not connected to the bracelet, then what?

I wonder if I'm getting closer to Rae's killer

and don't even know it.

Hmm.

(crickets chirping)

(tense instrumental music)

(tires squealing)

Why I oughta.

More pressing matters.

(knocking on door)

(knocking on door)

- [Philip Voiceover] Now what's Alfie's interest

in Senator Dumfries' comings and goings?

Why does he care when he leaves

with his loaf of bread from Mama Rose's?

I wonder what will be in his loaf?

Is this connected to the dead hooker?

Hmm.

Ah well, I haven't been to see Mama Rose in quite a while.

I'll get Alfie his information of dubious value,

and enjoy a good lunch in the bargain.

As I pulled up in front of Mama Rose's place,

I pause to watch a steady stream of people coming and going.

The Thursday tradition was still going strong.

There was the milkman, the mailman,

and the gas meter reader.

And one of the neighbors

walked across the street to Mama Rose's place.

I started to get concerned that Mama Rose

would run out of bread before I got mine.

- Hello Victoria.

Please come in.

(dog barking)

(speaking in foreign language)

All right Philip.

You don't look so good.

- I'll be fine.

- We haven't seen you for a long time.

- Yeah, I've been real busy.

- Too busy for family?

You don't show respect.

- You're right, you're right.

I gotta fix that.

- Okay, go in, say hello to Mama Rose.

- He called you that to your face?

- Uh huh.

- What's up with that?

- I asked him to pick up some canned plum tomatoes

on his way home from work, and he forgot.

- Couldn't he just go back out and get some?

- The stores were closed by then.

- Closed by then?

What time did he get home?

- It was almost 11.

- 11, I thought he worked days at the factory.

- He does.

Then he teaches driving lessons for extra money

so we can replace the carpets with wood floors.

- He's got two jobs and you yelled at him

because he forgot the tomatoes, really?

- He just doesn't listen.

- Nobody should call someone that.

But, if you don't want to be called that

you shouldn't act like one.

- Kif inti Mama Rose.

- Tajba grazzi.

All right, Phillip?

- Yeah well, I uh.

- Finally, you come to see me.

You stayed away a long time.

I don't understand.

It doesn't was like this before.

You used to come all the time.

- I'm fine, thanks.

Things aren't like they were before.

Everything's changed.

I'm alone now.

- So that's why you don't come to see me?

You don't respect me?

You know, when I die, I'm not gonna have an open casket.

You don't come to visit me now,

you won't get to see me when I'm dead.

- Ah, minestra, you're right.

I need to take more time for the important things.

- My children see me every week.

- Mine too.

Although they tire me out.

I don't sleep like I used to.

- Me too.

I'm up by five every morning.

- I'm up by three.

I don't know when was the last time I slept?

- Good morning, Mama Rose.

Your kitchen smells beautiful as always.

You'll be very pleased to know

that the plans for the community park

are coming along nicely.

- Hello, councilor.

You know, kids can't play on plans.

When will the plans become a playground?

- The vote will be taking place next Monday

with the council's recommendation.

So I don't think we have anything to worry about.

- Well, I'm not worried about City Hall.

When will my grandchildren be able to play in the park?

- Probably before school ends.

- No park, no bread.

- Oh, thank you.

We'll see you next week.

Goodbye. - Bye bye.

- There you go Missus Bergetti.

- Thanks Mama Rose.

- Have a nice day.

- You too.

- What's going on with you?

- Nothing unusual.

Just trying to make a living as a private gumshoe.

- Are you working on a case,

or are you wasting your time

trying to answer questions that can't be answered?

- Yep.

- Which?

- Both.

- Does the case pay real money at least?

- Yup.

- So why are you wasting your time?

- Rachel was my wife.

- She was my daughter, my little girl.

- I know.

- Sometimes an accident is just an accident.

- True, and sometimes it's not.

- What about Friday?

How is she gonna make a living

if she can't pay her bills?

- I'll take care of her.

- You have to.

You know, she's not right in the head.

Poor thing.

- I know.

- Ah, Judge Hardy.

Nice to see you.

All right?

- I'm great, Mama Rose.

Oh, the smell of fresh baked bread

fills your lovely home as always.

How are you?

- Not too bad.

My hands are sore from all the knitting,

but I have grandchildren who need hats.

What are you to do?

I like that you gave that bank robber a good sentence.

People like that shouldn't be on the street.

You know, there were families in that bank

when he pulled out his gun.

- Yes, he's a very scary man.

And he's gonna have to learn to behave around people

before we let him out again.

- He's not educated, you know?

Well, he will get some help with that.

- Oh, I don't mean school.

A girl has to grow up too quickly to be a woman.

But a mother has to make her boy into a man.

His mother didn't teach him right.

- I couldn't agree with you more.

Thank you for the lovely bread,

it's the best part of Thursday.

We'll see you soon.

- Good morning your worship.

- Good morning, Senator!

Are you in town for the ribbon cutting?

- You bet.

Nothing more important to our community

than the launch of a new business,

and the jobs it creates.

- Absolutely, I'll see you there.

- Mama Rose.

My favorite part of coming to my riding

is a chance to visit with my most important constituent.

- Any of those jobs gonna be full-time?

- They haven't finalized the staffing yet.

- Maybe you shouldn't finalize the ribbon cutting, then.

- Now you know it doesn't work that way.

- Maybe it should.

You know what they say?

You get what you pay for, Senator.

- Perhaps so.

Well, have a good day, everyone.

- May I use your phone, Mama Rose?

- Sure honey, it's right there.

Why don't you have a cell phone like everyone else?

- I'd rather not be tracked by the feds.

No offense, Senator.

- None taken, young man.

(dark music)

(dialing phone)

- Hey, he's on his way.

Dark gray Buick.

Thanks, Mama Rose.

Well, I see you're still getting visits

from the VIP's of our fine city.

- They like my bread.

What was that about?

- Oh, it's just business.

And sometimes the loaf can hold more than bread?

- And sometimes a loaf of bread is just a loaf of bread.

You don't have to be a detective in my kitchen.

(phone ringing)

- I'll get that.

Mama Rose's place.

Yup.

Okay, shoot.

Friday says hi.

She says she can't wait to see you, Friday.

You're seeing her on Friday?

- Don't say Mama Rose's place like that.

You make it sound like a restaurant.

Tell her I'm bringing pastizzi for dinner.

- Did you hear that?

She says she can't wait.

Thanks, Friday.

- At least I'll know she'll have had

one good meal this week.

More soup?

- No, I gotta get going.

- Have more soup. You have to have more soup.

You're a growing men.

- Well, I will be if I keep eating.

Thanks for the lunch.

The minestra was great, as always.

- Here, honey.

- Thanks.

- It's special for Friday.

Make sure she gets it.

And next time when you come to visit us,

then you get a loaf for yourself.

- Will do, Sahha.

- Ciao.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- What the hell are you doing here?

(gun firing)

(gun firing)

(soft instrumental music)

(lyrics muffled)

- Ah Sadie, you drank the whole bottle.

(lyrics muffled)

♪ Open my door ♪

(lyrics muffled)

- Hey sailor,

looking for some company?

- Hi Grace.

- You look like you lost your best friend.

- A friend, perhaps.

- Want to talk about it?

- Ah, you're closed up for the night.

Thanks anyway.

I think I'll just go to the apartment

and enjoy some amber comfort and my thoughts.

- I'm not amber but I'll be happy to share your thoughts,

and I won't leave you hung over.

Like you said,

the restaurant is closed up for the night.

Come on.

We don't have to talk if you don't want to.

- It's no red breast single pot still but

perhaps a better choice for tonight.

- Yeah, you're probably right.

- Want to talk about it?

- I found a note under my door tonight.

It was from Sadie.

- The homeless woman?

What did she want?

- The note said she had some information

about Rachel's death.

- Really?

Does she really know something,

or is she just angling for another free meal?

- The note said she didn't want

to keep the secret any longer.

- What does that mean?

- Don't know.

By the time I found her, it was too late.

- Too late for what?

- Somebody got to her with a lead chaser.

- She was shot?

Dead?

You sure?

- The boys who put her into the body bag seemed to think so.

- Oh, that's awful.

- She used to tell me

that she couldn't risk getting too drunk,

for fear of some bad guy taking advantage of her.

I guess she had too much of a good thing tonight.

It's just so frustrating when an innocent person dies

because she got too close to a bad situation.

I don't know if I can do this anymore,

chasing some nickel-dime thief just to pay the rent.

And I still don't know the truth about Rae.

What's the point?

- Will you ever?

How long has it been now?

- Coming up on 10 years.

Seems like forever, but feels like yesterday.

Murphy calls it a cold case,

but it doesn't feel so cold to me.

- Of course not.

- Rae changed my life twice.

My old man used to say that if I did anything,

I should strive to be the best.

Turns out my reach did exceed my grasp.

My report cards used to include the comment,

"keep up the fair work."

Not that it was all that important,

but by the time I was 16

I was trying to come to grips with the idea

that what I was best at, was being pretty average.

- Is being average all that bad?

- It is if you're my father's son.

And then I met Rae in 11th grade English.

- You married your high school sweetheart?

- She used to sit in the desk right in front of me.

She'd just emigrated from Malta

a couple of years earlier with her family,

still trying to master the language.

She was an exotic beauty with a killer smile.

She'd taken to dropping her pencil

in the hopes that I'd notice and pick it up for her.

- That's sweet.

I never noticed the pencil, but I sure noticed her.

It was swell.

This beautiful girl was interested in me?

I was no longer average.

The rest of my life was perfect,

until it wasn't.

I need to know why.

- Weren't you on the force then?

- Yeah, that's the worst part about it.

I should have been there to protect her.

But the facts just didn't add up.

The other car was stolen.

The guy driving it disappeared into the crowd.

- Will you ever solve it?

- Who knows?

What's rent money when the most important case

of my life remains unsolved?

- It's important to your landlord.

And what about Friday?

- Yeah, there it is.

That sweet kid loves her job.

You know, there's a whole lot more to her

than most people think.

- I know.

Does it have to be one case or the other?

- Having a hard time getting worked up

over some rich dame's jewelry,

when I could be getting closer

to Rae's killer and don't know it.

- I get why Rachel's case is so important to you,

but what do you really know about it?

- Well, she was off to prosecute this big case

against some real bad guys

when she was killed in a car crash

by a driver who apparently doesn't exist.

I just can't shake the feeling

that Senator Dumfries is somehow involved.

And a homeless person gets killed trying to help.

- So you have some pieces, but you're not close.

Is that it?

- That's the thing.

You never really know how close you are,

until you find what you're looking for.

The answer could be under the next rock or

in the surprisingly sharp mind of a homeless alcoholic.

- Well, it seems to me that a guy

who had worked all these years

to get justice for the woman he loves,

but also be the same guy who would take care of Friday,

solve the case in front of him,

and pay the bills.

- What do you want from me?

- It doesn't matter what I want.

The question is, what do you really want?

- Oh yeah?

- Yeah.

- Really?

- Yeah.

- Really?

- Yeah.

(sentimental orchestral music)

(horn honking) (crashing)

(explosion)

(explosion)

(phone ringing)

- Good morning, Farmhouse.

Oh, hi Friday.

Yeah, he's right here.

An early morning breakfast.

I know, first time for everything.

What's that?

Okay, I'll tell him.

All right, see you soon.

Bye bye.

- Friday may be a better detective than I am.

- She was concerned when she didn't find you at home,

so she started calling around.

She says your client is on her way into the office,

sounds pretty serious.

- It's more serious than Missus Perske thinks.

There's something about this case that she's not telling me.

I'm gonna find out what it is.

I need to wrap up this case and move on.

- You sound pretty clear on that.

Want me to make you some breakfast?

- No time.

Besides, you've already been a big help.

My head feels more clear than it has a long time.

Thanks for being there for me.

- Anytime, Philip.

(light jazz music)

- Morning, boss.

Did you have a good night?

- Yeah, a great night.

Why? Never mind.

Is she?

- Philip, I just came to see-

- And never mind that.

There's a lot going on here that just ain't square.

- Philip, you seem upset.

I don't understand. - Well that just goes to show

that appearances aren't always deceiving,

but you are.

- Philip.

I thought we had

something special. - Now you listen

here, sister.

I won't play the sap for you any longer.

This whole thing just doesn't add up.

Your boyfriend steals your bracelet.

You want it back, but your husband can't know.

And then I get knocked out in the alley,

and the cops want me off the case.

That doesn't make any sense.

And your boyfriend turns up dead.

Jealous husband?

Murphy's higher ups?

Or maybe just another small town crook

playing out of his league.

How do I know there even is a bracelet?

Before I spend one more day on this thing,

I need to know, is this case real or not?

- Philip, you're upset.

I understand.

This has been more difficult

than I could ever imagine.

- You're telling me.

- Listen, I will tell you, the bracelet is real,

and your continued search for it

is more important than anything, for both of us.

You may not understand that now, but soon you will.

Please do whatever it takes to find my bracelet.

I beg you.

- I don't know if I can do that.

I was supposed to meet the guy who took it from Donny.

- Do you think he's the one that killed Donny?

- Probably.

- Well, he's already killed once.

Please be careful.

- Careful as who I am.

But sometimes it gets in the way.

- Well, maybe we should invite the cops in on this one.

- I think I've had enough police help to last a lifetime.

I'm gonna meet this guy on my own terms.

- When?

- Tonight, at 10.

- [Philip Voiceover] It started raining

five minutes after I left the office.

Looking back on the past few days, it somehow fits.

All I needed at that point

was for Murph and his cronies to show up.

I wanted to get there real early

to make sure I had the drop on the situation.

If this guy did knock off Donny,

he might still be in the mood for a scrap.

It didn't occur to me that the crook's crook would be late.

It was almost 10:30, and still no show.

What was he up to?

The only thing I hate more

than an incompetent thief is a crafty one.

What if he was onto me?

Worse still, what if Murphy had got to him first?

I figured I'd better take a look around.

This whole business was starting to wear a little thin.

Man, I hadn't been this nervous

since I graduated the academy 17 years ago.

I wondered why this thing had the cops so clammy.

It just isn't like Murph to be such a contrary jackass.

And what the hell did Friday have to do with this?

Well, I'd have to deal with her in the morning.

At least the rain finally let up.

(siren blaring)

Oh great.

What a time for Murph to show up,

and no place to hide.

A warehouse, good.

I thanked God that the alley was so dark.

If I was fast enough, just maybe.

I was surrounded.

If the door wasn't locked,

maybe I could just slip in there

and get to the other end of that building

before they searched the area.

This just wasn't going the way I had planned.

Now, I was thinking,

if I could just get back to my flat,

and what's left of the Irish Dew,

I'd promise to forget about this whole mess

until the morning.

- Surprise!

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ Which nobody can deny ♪

(cheering)

- Friday, you did this?

I thought it was supposed to be the girl Friday

that got the detective out of trouble.

- Congratulations, buddy.

- Murphy, how on earth did she talk you into this?

- Well, when she figured

you were losing interest in the case,

after what happened in the alley the other night,

she figured a little friendly persuasion was an order.

- And you figured the best way to get me to stay in it,

was to tell me to drop it?

- Works with you every time.

- Been had by my own best, hold it.

What about that guy in the alley?

- [Friday] Uh, Boss?

- Well, did he really have to knock me out?

My neck is still sore.

Well, at least the money's not gone, right?

- He wasn't part of the plan.

- You mean to tell me that some low life

is out there having a good time with my birthday present,

all for the sake of this wonderful party.

- I guess.

Hey, there's plenty of Irish whiskey here.

Here's to new beginnings.

- Where did you get the money anyway?

- It turns out that I'm better at collections

than you are at making notes.

- Well, what about my gun?

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

What about the Isidor Fink killing?

That Donny looked pretty dead to me.

- The kid's a pretty good actor.

- I'll say.

Well I guess if something looks like it couldn't happen

then it probably didn't.

And I suppose Missus Perske?

- She's a friend from my acting class.

- Your what?

- You're not the only one that tastes classes at night.

Convincing you that she was Betty Perske,

and getting you to chase around the bracelet

was all part of an exam for class.

- But, she was in the Perske condo.

- She's a part-time housekeeper.

The Perskes are one of her clients.

While the cat's away.

- And I suppose you were acting at the restaurant.

- What was that?

- What are you doing here?

- I need to make some money.

People don't tip well at the restaurant anymore.

- And I suppose Sadie was acting too.

- Who's Sadie?

- The supposedly homeless woman who told me

that she had some information about Rae that I might want.

- Is that the one they found over on King East?

- Yeah, I called it in.

- She was very dead.

What information?

- I guess I'll never know.

- Happy birthday, Philip.

I brought some pastizzi, pizeli, your favorite.

It's there in the kitchen,

so make sure you get some before it's all gone.

- Thanks Mama Rose, I'll get some.

- Nobody needs to be alone.

Look around you.

There's a lot of people here for you.

And now, can you remember where I live?

I'll see you more often?

- Sure thing.

- Is that Councilman Black?

♪ I don't want to waste my time with another guy ♪

- And I suppose Alfie's here,

because he thinks I'm such a wonderful human being.

- No, he owed me to favor.

I called it in.

- So why did I have to go to Mama Rose's house?

- One of her bread clients owns this place.

She baked the keys into a loaf for me.

- You couldn't have just gone over?

- The ridge is way out of town.

- Hi Alfie, do I still owe you?

- I'm sure you do.

You can start by telling me

who that beautiful lady is there.

- You know what, I don't know who she is.

I'm not sure about anything anymore.

Just try calling her Betty.

- Never mind, I'll figure it out myself.

Thanks for the information yesterday.

- Yeah, no charge.

Hey wait, was that part of the-

Why'd you have me followed

when I left the 147 the other day?

- I didn't have you followed.

- Well what about my gun?

- Sorry pal, gotta go.

Apparently Senator Dumfries

didn't show up to the ribbon-cutting.

His regular driver didn't pick him up from Mama Rose's.

- How do you know?

- Well, the body for the real driver

was identified by the limo service.

Wasn't easy.

He'd been swimming with the fishes for at least 24 hours.

- My gun.

- Boss, shut up and have a drink.

- All right, well,

thanks, I think.

Maybe a soft drink.

(acoustic guitar music)

♪ Sunshine, a little ray ♪

♪ Take me through my cloudy day ♪

♪ Often they come my way ♪

♪ Always an inviting stay ♪

♪ Clear up my sky from gray to blue ♪

♪ In the morning with thoughts about you ♪

♪ Sunshine, a little ray ♪

- [Philip Voiceover] Well, there you are,

there you have it, there it is.

My first big case in weeks

turns out to be one of the smoothest scams I ever saw,

and all I have to show for it is another hangover,

and a not inconsiderable amount of embarrassment.

I still don't have anything more than just the rent money.

And I still hate surprise birthday parties.

What a week.

I gotta find a new line of work.

I guess it wasn't all bad.

Friday suddenly becomes this master strategist,

who talks everyone into helping in her plot for my surprise.

That kid sure has come a long way.

And good old Murphy turned out to be the friend

I always thought he was.

Though I saw a side of him, still makes me wonder

if I really know what's going on with him.

Poor Sadie.

It seems that knowledge was not power for her.

We need to talk about Grace,

although I'm not sure what to say,

or even what I think.

She was a friend when I needed one the most,

but I think she may want something more.

Not even sure how I feel about that even now.

10 years is a long time,

but the pain is as powerful as it ever was.

I'm still no closer to finding out who had you killed.

I'm sorry that I lost focus,

but I had to take care of Friday,

or at least I thought I did.

I swear to you that I will solve

the most important case in my life.

Meanwhile,

you continue to be the light of my life

even though you're still gone.

Nobody's perfect.

Next week, darling.

(acoustic guitar music)

♪ Sunshine in little rays ♪

♪ Take me through my cloudy day ♪

♪ Often they come my way ♪

♪ Always an invited stay ♪

♪ Clear up my sky from gray to blue ♪

♪ In the morning with thoughts about you ♪

♪ Sunshine in little rays ♪

♪ Is a warm feeling on my face ♪

♪ Often they come my way ♪

♪ Always an invited stay ♪

(muffled speaking)

♪ In the morning with thoughts about you ♪

(muffled speaking)

- I'm calling my agent.

- [Man] We got the look we want.

- Jesus Murphy Moses and Christmas.

Drop the mic.

(muffled speaking)

- I got that from the (indistinct).

- A customer?

- The flowers.

- Okay well, send him in.

- He is a she.

- What do I care?

Send her in.

Hey, did you make it to the coffee shop?

- Yes.

- Oh good.

Did you (beeping).

(muffled speaking)

- Shoot, I'm sorry.

(muffled speaking)

(man laughing)

- Nobody needs to be alone. Look around you.

There's a lot of people here for you.

- Is that Congressman Patrick?

(muffled speaking)

(light instrumental music)

- [Philip] That'll be all, Friday.