Original subtitles

(funky music)

- Yes Mr. White, I'll have Ms. Turner

call you as soon as she gets in.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

(phone rings)

Eva Taylor, Attorney At Law.

Yes, Snowball.

Where have they got you?

What's the charges?

All right, Snowball,

I'll tell Ms. Turner as soon as she gets in.

Bye.

- Good morning, Bee Bee.

- Good morning, Eva.

Mr. White called and wants to know if

you'd like to attend the governor's dinner Saturday evening.

- I'll check my calendar.

- Oh, and Snowball Jackson called.

He's in jail and wants you to get him out.

- What's Snowball done this time?

- Possession, and here's another one of those notes.

- Bullshit!

Call the bondsman and tell them to get him out.

And then tell Snowball to come and see me.

I'll call White myself.

- Oh, there's a young lady in your office with a problem.

She's nervous as hell,

something about her boyfriend.

- Okay, maybe she's pregnant.

- Oh don't let me think about that.

- Hello, Miss?

- Paula Thomas, are you Miss Taylor?

- That's right, now what might I do for you?

- Well, uh.

- Hey, calm down, Paula.

Whatever the trouble is I'm sure we can work it out.

Now start from the beginning

and tell me what has you so upset.

Here, drink this.

No, go ahead, it'll help.

- Thank you.

- Now start from the beginning and take your time.

- Well, you see it's about my boyfriend Johnny,

Johnny Boyles, and, like a lot of other boys,

along came Uncle Sam, and they made him

a demolitions expert in Vietnam.

All my letters I got from him said

how much he hated his work,

and I remember in one letter he said

that he had seen enough killing to last him a lifetime.

His only dream was to come back and to marry me,

and I know it must have been pure hell for him over there.

He was always so soft and kind,

it was hard for me to imagine him in any kind of violence.

Well, Johnny and I work for Mr. Springer and Company.

Mr. Springer had promised Johnny

that he'd have his job when he got back.

Well, when Johnny got back. Mr. Springer

had given his job to his son-in-law.

He said that he could come back

in about five or six months or so,

and then maybe he might see if he had another one.

Well, he turned to his son-in-law

and he said a lousy thing.

He said that all the men coming out of the Army

nowadays thinks the world owes them a living,

and he'd be damned if he'd get into his pocket book.

Well that did it.

Johnny hit Mr. Springer and then he decked his son-in-law.

Well, that, frankly, I was glad to see.

But if anyone had a free ride, he did.

- Oh. - Hi.

- That's a hell of note, huh?

- Damn you, Johnny, I come up here, plant a kiss on you

and you call that a hell of a note?

- Oh, come on, you know what I mean.

We're supposed to be thinking of our wedding day

and I don't even have a job.

That lousy Springer.

- Screw Springer!

Springer and Company isn't the only place

in the world to work, we can find new jobs tomorrow.

- We?

- Yes, we.

I can go to work for a while.

- But, honey-

- I didn't come up here to discuss Springer and his company.

Johnny, I waited a long time for this night.

- Okay, what do you want me to do?

- Do?

Oh brother, what did 'Nam do to you?

Well, first of all, you can fix me a drink,

and then we can take it from there.

- You're right.

I don't know what I'm so damn worried about anyway.

- Sure is a beautiful day.

- It is

- Have a seat, Miss?

- Cohen, Fay Cohen.

- Well, Miss Cohen, what I can I do for you today?

- I won't beat around the bush, Mr. Jacobs,

I'm not in a business that lets me

call on the police too easily.

- Oh, what business is that?

- Are you kidding?

Come on, Mr. Jacobs, I'm Fay Cohen.

I'm in the flesh business.

Like they said in the newspapers not too long ago.

I think they called me Madam Girls Incorporated.

I heard you were a sharp investigator,

maybe I heard wrong.

- Easy, Fay, I learned a long time ago,

something that should apply in your business as well,

I know nothing until I see the green light,

and you didn't give me any green light.

- Okay, you made your point.

- Now what's the problem?

- About two years ago a young woman, Judy Adams,

came to me wanting to get into the business.

Not that I'm downing my business, mind you,

but she was very young, too young.

So rather than line up tricks for her,

I put her back in school and more or less looked after her.

I couldn't help but remember that my own daughter

would be about her age, had she lived.

- Go on.

- Well, it wasn't long and she was

head over heels in love with some dude.

She seemed very happy.

I should have taken the time to meet him, but I never did.

Anyway, about six months ago, something

went wrong between them and they broke up.

Then Judy started hooking.

I tried to stop her but she just laughed.

She said she was a big girl now

and I had no right to interfere.

Well, things rocked along and she'd call or come by

every day or so, and, you know how it is,

even though I didn't agree with the way she was living,

and, don't get me wrong, I've got some good girls,

but Judy was more on the ball than to be a hooker.

- Fay, I'm not in the business

of stopping girls from going astray.

- That's not what I came for.

- No?

- No, I want you to find her.

She's been missing for about three weeks.

Yes, about three weeks ago she called

and said she needed to talk to me.

She said she wanted some advice

and wanted to have dinner with me.

Well, she never showed.

I wasn't worried at the time,

I figured she'd scored a John or whatever.

Maybe she'd even worked it out for herself.

But now I'm worried,

I haven't heard a thing from her since then.

- I wouldn't be too worried.

How about the ex-boyfriend?

Maybe they ran off and go married.

It's happened before.

- No, she wouldn't get married or do anything

that would keep her from saying hello every now and then.

Besides, she hasn't been in her apartment for three weeks.

The newspapers are stacked up outside her front door.

Her mailbox is overflowing.

Now that doesn't sound like someone

who plans to be away for three weeks, does it?

- All right, Fay, I'll take the case,

but I'll need a picture, if you have one,

and a look inside of her apartment.

Do you think you can arrange that?

- I'm way ahead of you.

Here's a picture that was taken about a year ago.

I have the key to her apartment.

The address is 2121 South Perry in Cloverland.

And here's a retainer.

- You've said the magic word.

- Find her, Rich.

- You'll hear from me soon.

- Damn it, Billy, I've been out chasing

Mrs. Woodfield's husband and his little playmates

all over town all night

and hey, baby, I'm a detective

and I can't call you every five minute.

- You just make sure you don't have a little playmate

of your own stashed out some place.

- Billy, prepare a file on this girl.

She's a missing person.

- Right.

- Al, you might want to take a look at this case yourself.

- Okay.

- I'll see what I can do, but I'm due at headquarters

on another case at this time.

Hold down the fort and I'll check with you later.

- Oh, I'll do.

- Incidentally, how you coming along on the Woodfield case?

- Well, I've got enough stuff on that case last night

to wrap it up, and, sad enough to say,

she's going to be able to take the old boy to the cleaners.

- Damn, I hate these divorce cases.

- I do, too, but it pays the rent.

- Right, so type the report and send Woodfield a copy.

Take care and I'll chat with you later.

- Bye. - Take it easy.

(dramatic music)

- Johnny Boyles!

- What the hell?

Yeah.

- Police officers, you're under arrest.

- What the hell for, what have I done?

- You'll find out when you get downtown.

- Two detectives came in.

(phone rings)

- Eva Taylor, Attorney at Law.

Yes, Mr. Copeland, I'll ring her for you.

(buzzer rings)

- Yes, Bee Bee?

- Mike Copeland on line one.

- Hello, Mike.

I would love to.

Hey, I can drive a race car as well as you,

so why shouldn't I fly a plane as well as you?

You're on for Sunday.

Goodbye, Mike.

Yes, Mike, you always seem to know when to call.

- Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

race fans, boys and girls.

Welcome to the super bowl.

We've got some of the country's top notch drivers tonight.

In addition to the prize money and trophies,

the driver's are competing for those valuable points.

Later tonight, we'll give you a rundown

on how the drivers stand to date.

Tonight's feature race is worth 2,000 big ones,

so stick around and lets see whose going to take that pot.

(engines rumble)

22 drivers off trying for that $2,000 pot.

Mike Copeland off to a good start in full position.

There's City Star reporter Mike Copeland in car number five

making his room up through the back.

Number 15 is Eva Taylor moving up

on red car number five on the back stretch,

there she goes she's out in front

going into turn number three.

And there's number 15,

Miss Eva Taylor taking the checkered flag.

Mike Copeland coming in second.

Luke Ward in car number 22 coming in third.

(clapping) (cheering)

- All right, Miss Taylor.

There you are, $2,000.

That was one whale of a race,

and you are one hell of a driver.

- It got sort of hairy for the moment,

but I made it.

- That you did.

- Hi, I was looking for you,

wanted to congratulate the winner.

- Hi, Mike, I'm glad I finally got to race with you.

You're a big name around the tracks.

- Maybe, but not anymore.

- Oh, Mike, just because I won one little old race.

- You are a groovy chick.

How about a drink with the loser?

- Where can we go looking like this?

- How about my place?

- I sort of knew you'd say that,

but what about my place?

I'd feel a lot safer there.

- Hey, I don't care where you car jockeys go

but get out of my office.

I got some work to do.

- The least I can do is carry the trophy.

- Thank you.

- Good race, kids.

(moaning) (soft music)

- Yes, sir, I'll take care of it.

No, sir, no way I'll let it connect to the company.

Thank you.

- Well, what'd he say?

- Eva Taylor's taking the Boyles case.

- Oh shit, that's all I need!

Eva Taylor gets Boyle off

and then the cops are out looking around again.

If they pin this on me and I swear-.

- Hey, hey!

Relax, Tony, everything's going to be okay.

- I never should have been the one

to knock off that old guy.

I inherit the company, Eva gets Boyle off

and then the cops are going to pin this thing on me.

- Now, look, we made a deal.

- Yeah.

- You take the company, we get a piece of the action.

You were the logical one to hit the old man.

Besides, if he would have paid us the money he owed us

this wouldn't have had to happen.

Nobody knows you hit him.

Besides, we got Boyle, he's taking the fall for this.

- Yeah, Eva Taylor's not your

typical run of the mill lawyer.

She gets Boyle off and then the cops

are out looking for another patsy and-

- Hey, relax.

Mr. Boyle just had an accident.

Yeah, he was killed in the jail.

- Right.

- Fortunately for you, man, case is closed,

Eva Taylor's got no client

and the DA's happy.

- And what accident?

- The one I'm about to arrange.

You two broads take him out there

and kind of cool him off a little bit, will you?

- Come on, baby, we'll take care of you.

- Hey, baby, what's going on?

- Hey, beat it, I'm busy.

Blackie, been looking all over town for you.

Hey, look, I'd like for you to make a hit for me.

Yeah.

Johnny Boyles, yeah, he's in County Jail.

Hey, will you do me a favor?

Get in a hurry on this one, will ya?

(buzzer rings)

- Andrews?

Thank you.

Well, hello, Bobby,

and just what can I do for the DA's office today?

Accident?

What do you mean accident, Bobby?

An inmate fight?

You know that's a crock of shit.

How bad was his face cut up?

No, you listen to me, I want my client protected.

That's right, I don't care if it

takes every damn cop in this city,

and you tell that boss of yours

if anything happens to Boyle,

I'll spend the rest of my career

nailing his ass to the damn wall.

Bee Bee, get me Paula Thomas,

and bring me everything on the Boyle file.

So somebody's nervous, huh?

Well, when I get through with this case,

whoever it is, I'll have them shitting in their pants.

- Name, full name.

- Joe John Doe.

- Come on, turkey, lets cut out the jive.

What's your name?

- John Williams.

- Address?

- 46 53rd.

- Occupation?

- Oh, I do everything.

- We're going to find out who you are.

Come on, lets go.

- Hi, Remy.

- What's going on, man?

- If you can get me a rundown on that other stuff,

I'll probably treat you to a bottle of booze.

- Hey, that's going to cost you.

I'm not giving you information,

but damn it, Rich, tell me

what in the hell you're working on.

- I don't know myself yet,

but if my hunch is right I'll let you in

on the biggest bust this town has ever seen.

- Hey.

- That's all I know right now.

- Okay.

- Hey, Mike, you son of a-

- Watch out now, I may say something nasty

in the press about Rich Jacob's Private Detective

or ex-bad boy with a badge.

- I've got to give you five for that one, man.

- Hey you got a story for me?

I could sure use one.

- Nothing now, Mike, but maybe in a few days.

- Heard they busted Wheeler with six pounds of uncut stuff.

- Small potatoes, Mike.

What I've got and what I plan to get,

I'm going all the way upstairs to the big man.

Stay on tap, you'll get the exclusive.

- Thanks, pal.

- Keep on trucking, Mike.

- You, too, Rich.

Rich, don't forget to duck.

- Hey, Mike.

Mike, I don't seem to mean nosy or anything like this,

but you kind of dig Eva Taylor, don't you?

- Yeah, so what?

- Well, the word is out

that she took on the Johnny Boyle case.

There's some heavy people that don't like it.

I thought you'd want to know.

- Hey wait a minute, Rich.

Eva's a good lawyer.

Matter of fact, there's not anything

I can think of she's not good at.

That sort of thing doesn't frighten her.

To tell the truth, Rich, it frightens me.

How about taking this as a retainer and look after her?

Ah, come on, man, it's only 100 bucks,

but I can get you a thou next week.

- Why is it my friends always want to pay me?

Yet the dudes off the street wanna beat me?

Keep your money, Mike, this one's on the house.

In fact, it's a part of the case I'm working on anyway.

- Hey, Rich, thanks.

- She'll be all right, Mike.

- Man, I hear Wheeler got busted.

- You know about as much as I do about that probably.

- You think the big people were involved?

- Out in front of his house, man,

after he got out of his corvette,

we popped him right then, we got tipped on the inside man,

it was beautiful.

- Can you give me any more information, Randy,

I got to make a living.

- Yeah, I know about you making a living,

I'm still waiting on that bottle of scotch

from the last time you were going

to help me make a living, right?

I never have seen that, have I, huh?

Thanks.

- It's coming.

Is this the same thing that Rich Jacobs is working on?

- Rich Jacobs?

I'm tired of hearing about Rich Jacobs, okay?

- Hey, didn't anyone ever tell you that it's the lady

that's supposed to be late?

I've been waiting almost half an hour.

- I'm sorry, honey, but the traffic

on the south bound freeway was bumper to bumper.

So what can I tell ya?

- I'll forgive you this time, but only this once.

I've got the tanks topped off,

flight plan filed, and we're ready for takeoff.

- Well, lets get it on.

(engine rumbles)

- Red Bird Tower, this is Cherokee 8-6-4, ready for takeoff.

- 8-6-4, taxi to runway 1-3.

- 8-6-4, roger.

(engine whines)

Hold tight, Mike, I think you're in for quite a surprise.

- Oh really?

- Really.

- Just what do you have in mind?

- You'll see.

(engine rumbles)

(funky music)

Now zip down your fly,

and I'll introduce you to the mile high club.

- Who's going to fly the plane.

- Automatic pilot, baby.

- Whoa, oh, baby.

I love sex but don't kill us doing it.

- Oh, Mike, relax.

- Whoa.

(funky music)

What time is it?

- 7:30.

- I got to go.

I got a deadline.

- Oh, Mike.

- Ginny, the editor won't wait.

- Oh come on, Mike.

- I've got to go.

- I want you to stay with me.

Don't go anywhere until we've had a talk.

- Oh hell, Ginny. - I mean it. Mike.

You just sit there and hear me out.

You owe me.

- What is it this time?

Won't the bank book balance again?

- No.

I'll tell you what's out of balance.

It's us.

And you know what's knocking us off balance?

Eva Taylor.

- Eva what?

- Come on, Mike, I know everything,

right down to the last sordid little detail.

- Oh hell, Ginny.

How did you?

- Nevermind how,

I was wondering what you're going to do about it.

- I don't know.

I honestly don't know.

- Mike, I love you.

And I have put up with your little flirtations for six years

but I don't think this is just a little flirtation.

Right?

- Yeah.

- What am I supposed to do?

Just pack up two kids and disappear?

I need an answer, Mike.

- I don't have an answer right now, Ginny.

- Okay, you've got one week to make up your mind.

And I tell you one thing,

if you decide to go with Eva,

you're going to be giving up a hell of a lot of love.

I don't even think your precious Eva Taylor

would put up with your activities for very long.

Me and the kids will.

That is the difference that love makes, Mike.

I still love you.

But sorry or not, you've got til next Tuesday.

Let us know, Mike.

(Laughing) (delicate music)

- Hey, I don't mean to interrupt your screwing around,

but I thought we had a deal.

- Hey, Tony, relax, come on in.

- Yeah come on in, baby, you ever tried it in the water?

- How the hell do you expect me to relax?

For Christ sake's, the Boyle case

has been on for four days now

and you haven't done a fucking thing about getting it fixed.

- Hey, there's nothing I can do.

They got every cop in town guarding this guy.

- I don't give a shit!

You're over here screwing around

while Eva Taylor's getting this guy off.

- It kind of looks like Eva Taylor's our problem, right?

Hey, how about getting Eva Taylor

on the phone here, will ya?

- What've you go in mind?

- Hey, man, they say everybody's got their price.

Let's see what price tag's

on this foxy female attorney, okay?

- Hello, may I please speak with Eva Taylor?

Just one moment, please.

- Hello, Miss Taylor?

This is Eldon Spencer.

If you could meet me early in the morning

at the skeet range, I got a proposition for you.

How about 7:30?

Fine, I'll see you then.

Pull!

(gun bangs)

Morning, Miss Taylor.

- Good morning, Mr. Spencer.

- You ever shot skeet before?

- Try me.

- Pull!

(gunshot bangs)

I hear you've been really busy here lately.

Quite successful, too.

- I've been pretty lucky,

but you didn't ask me out here to discuss my success.

Pull!

(gun bangs)

- That's where you're wrong, Miss Taylor,

I'm very interested in your success.

- Get to the point, Mr. Spencer,

sir, I am a very busy person.

- I hear you're defending a client

by the name of Johnny Boyle.

There's certain people who think he's guilty,

strongly enough that he's guilty,

they're willing to pay to see justice done.

- And just how much do they think justice is worth?

- About $10,000.

- These friends of yours must not think

a human life is worth very much.

- Pull!

(gun bangs)

Miss Taylor, I won't squabble over money.

Johnny Boyles is guilty, and it's worth $25,000 to see

that you're not successful.

- Double, pull!

(gun bangs)

- I thought you never shot skeet before.

- That doesn't mean I've never shot a gun.

You have my answer.

(dramatic music)

(soft music)

- Now, little baby, ain't I good to you?

Yeah, I'm good to you all right.

It's 'cause I know your needs.

I know you need to be loved.

You need to get away.

You need to feel free.

See the colors, baby?

See the colors.

Red.

Blue.

Yellow.

And gray.

The little gray book.

Where did you put the little gray book, baby?

(whispering voices)

- Red.

- Gray.

Where did you put the little gray book?

- Blue.

- Yellow.

A little gray book, baby.

Where did you put the little gray book.

- It's green and yellow and red and blue.

- And gray.

(phone rings)

Damn.

(phone rings)

Hello?

- Lenny, we've got a change of plans.

- Speak, you bastard.

- Okay, I'm calling from a phone booth,

so, no matter what, don't you call my office or home.

Things are getting too warm.

- Okay, leave a message at Mack's pool hall.

- Okay, now I want you to get rid of that broad.

- Hey, come on, I worked hard on the kid.

Just a little more time, and I'll have the book.

- Blackie, you've had long enough.

Within one hour, I want the news to tell me

about her suicide.

- But, Willy!

- One hour, Blackie.

One hour, and I'll be listening to the news.

Now, be a good boy or you'll wish you're dead.

- But, Willy!

(dial tone hums)

(phone bangs)

(thumping music)

You're so good, baby, you're so good.

- You gave blue?

(thumping music)

- We have to get ready to go.

- Go?

- We gotta take a little trip down to the sea,

and see some colors, baby.

We gotta take a trip to the sea.

- All the colors in the sea.

Oh, pretty colors. - Baby.

Right, baby, right.

(twangy music)

(soft, tense music)

(gentle music)

(dramatic music)

(brassy music)

(dramatic music)

- I wanna see you.

- Hey, Blackie, what's happening, baby, what's going on?

- You wanna make a quick 20?

- Shit, yeah, you shitting me?

- All right, call this dude at that number.

Now, he's a private detective,

looking for a missing chick named Julie Adams.

You tell him he can find her in an old warehouse

at the corner of Union and Pacific,

and you tell him, at 2:30, he can find her there

with only one dude watching.

- What's gonna happen if he asks me why I'm calling?

- Well, you just tell him you're an old friend,

and you don't wanna see her messed up.

- When do I get my 20, man?

- As soon as you make the call, Sally baby,

as soon as you make the call.

(tense music)

(phone rings)

- Rich Jacob Detective Agency.

- Yes, I'd like to speak to a Mr. Jacobs, please.

- Mr. Jacobs isn't in at the moment.

His assistant Mr. Fuller is here.

Could he help you?

- Yes, I have some information for him.

- One moment, please.

Al, there's a man on the phone

with some information for Rich.

- Yes, I'll take it.

This is Al Fuller.

- Yes, I hear you're looking for a Julie Adams.

- Yeah, that's true.

- Well, tell him for me that she's being held

at a warehouse on Union and Pacific.

Tell him that if he can make it by 2:30,

there'll only be one man there watching her.

- That's good, but, now, what's your interest in this?

- Oh, hell, I'm, just a friend of hers, you know.

I don't wanna see the broad get messed up.

Can you get this message to him in time, man?

- Yeah, 2:30, yeah, I'm sure he'll be there.

- That's great.

- Oh, but, hold, what's your name and address?

There could be a sizable reward in it for you.

- That won't be necessary.

Like I said, I'm just a friend.

(dial tone hums)

- Damn it.

Oh, Bee Bee, when Rich calls in, be sure and let him know

that I might have a tip on where Julie is.

- Right.

(jazz music)

- Name it, Rich.

- I'll take a scotch and soda, Eddie.

(jazz music)

- What'll you have?

- Scotch and soda.

(jazz music)

(man speaking indistinctly)

(jazz music)

(clapping)

(jazz music)

- Hi, Slats.

- What's happening? - I thought I'd ask you.

- Don't look now,

but you got two heavies keeping you company.

- I've noticed, but don't sweat it,

I can lose them any time I get ready.

Tell me, what do you know about a big man named Spencer?

- You don't want much, do you, pal?

- Come on, Slats, what do you hear about him?

- Heavy, heavy.

He's a top performer for the boys in Chicago.

He's the last word in this territory.

Prostitution, narcotics, gambling,

contract hits, all the organized stuff.

You know what I mean?

- There's a little girl named Julie Adams, you know her?

- Yeah, cute kid.

Hooker, but nice.

- Seen her lately?

- No, she hasn't been around for a while.

But, then, she never did stay long when she did come around.

She's a doll.

She can get a trick in nothing flat.

By the way, the dudes that followed you in,

they work for Spencer.

Some kind of bad.

He's got two broads working for him of the same caliber.

- Hey, Slats, why don't you sing

Woman Hater Blues for me, man?

- You got it, Rich.

(jazz music)

♪ She was pretty

♪ She was fine

♪ She had me going out of my mind ♪

♪ She had Satan in her eyes

♪ When she left, my heart cried ♪

♪ Those woman hating blues

♪ She wore satin

♪ She wore lace

♪ She had the cutest little angel face ♪

♪ She had Satan in her eyes

♪ When she left, my heart cried ♪

♪ Those woman hating blues

♪ Now every man in town

♪ Looked her up and down

♪ She put the girls to shame, yeah ♪

♪ She could turn me around

♪ With a smile or frown

♪ Hey, she really had my heart to play ♪

♪ She was so pretty

♪ She was so fine

♪ She had me going out of my mind ♪

♪ She had Satan in her eyes

♪ When she left, my heart cried ♪

♪ Those woman hating blues

♪ Talking about those woman hating blues ♪

♪ Oh, get on outta here, woman, 'cause I hate you ♪

♪ Woman hating blues

♪ Yeah, talking about

♪ Woman hating blues

(clapping)

(tinny music)

- Easy now, Rich, there's someone

that wants to talk to you.

- Be cool, baby,

or I'll spill your guts right here.

- It's fine, it's just a conversation.

So be nice.

(knocking)

- Come in.

- Okay, Mr. Spencer, here's your big, bad private eye.

- Hello, Mr. Jacobs, I hope we're not

putting you out too much.

- No, not yet, but don't take too much of my time.

I do have other things to do today.

And if you don't tell these boys

to get their hands off of me,

I'm gonna break their arms off.

- Woo.

- That's okay.

David, you boys wait outside.

Have a seat, Mr. Jacobs.

I got a proposition to make to you.

Number one, this broad you're looking for, forget it.

You're not gonna find her.

- You think so?

- I know so.

And, number two, I want you to stay away

from Miss Eva Taylor and Johnny Boyles.

If you don't, again, you're getting in over your head.

- Mr. Spencer, you insult my intelligence.

- I'm an easygoing fella.

Here's five grand.

If you're a nice boy, there's a lot more

where that come from.

- Damn, Mr. Spencer, you not only insult my intelligence,

you stepped on my integrity,

and here's what I think of your proposition.

- What in the hell are you doing?

David!

Get in here and teach this bastard some manners!

Get in here!

(smacking) (groaning)

(shouting)

You're dead, man.

You're dead, dead!

- I'll get you for this, Spencer.

- Now get outta here!

- Take your best shot.

- Get outta here!

(engine rumbles)

(soft music)

- Hey, Blackie, what's going on?

- I got a little job for you.

That is if you're interested in making a few fast bucks.

- Yeah, we can dig some extra cash.

- You can say that again.

- Okay, there's this black detective dude.

Correction, private pig.

Spencer wants him taken care of

because he's getting too nosy.

I hope you understand what I mean.

- Sure, baby, we get what you mean.

You want us to do this dude's number.

- So what's in it for us?

- This dude's important.

I'll pay you five C-notes.

- Ooh, for that kind of money, I'd take on the president.

Who is he and where do we find him.

- I'll make it easy for you.

I'll even set him up.

You know the old warehouse

at the corner of Union and Pacific?

- Yeah, sure, Blackie, we know the place.

- Be there at two o'clock because, at 2:30,

he'll be snooping around.

You make sure you have a good reception for him.

Here.

You'll get the rest tonight.

That is, if the spade's been taken care of.

- Don't worry, his shit's already cold.

(men chattering)

(brassy music)

- Rich, come over here and help me get drunk.

(brassy music)

- I just came by to tell you-

- To tell me she's dead?

I know already.

You're not as fast as television, Rich.

Tina, don't be so rude.

Get Mr. Jacobs a drink, and get me a fresh one.

- What do you want, baby?

- I don't think so.

- Please, Rich, please.

- All right, anything with vodka in it.

- All right, Bloody Mary then.

- They say she committed suicide.

Do you believe that?

- No way.

- She didn't, I know she didn't,

but who would want her dead?

- I wish I knew, Fay.

- Rich, I hired you to find her.

Now I want you to find out who killed her, deal?

- It's a deal, but I think it's more than you know.

- What do you mean?

- It wasn't suicide or passion killings.

It was a professional hit,

and I think I know where the contract came from.

But I can't prove it yet.

Tina, take care of her.

- All right, boss.

- Rich Jacobs Detective Agency.

- Yeah, Bee Bee, have you located Rich yet?

- I've called police headquarters

and everywhere else I can think of.

He's just out of pocket.

- Well, hell.

I guess I'll have to take this thing myself.

If Rich checks in, tell him there's a possibility

that I've located Julie.

Tell him I'm on my way to an old warehouse

over on Union and Pacific.

- Got you, and, Al, you take care.

- Right on.

Check you later, babe.

(ominous music)

(banging)

(exciting music)

(soft music)

(engine rumbles)

(soft music)

(dramatic music)

(shrill buzzing)

(phone rings)

- Rich Jacobs Detective Agency.

One moment, please, it's for you.

- Rich Jacobs.

- Rich, I've been trying to reach you all day.

This is Fay Cohen.

- Sorry, Fay, I've been on the run.

What's up?

- I was going through some of Judy's papers

and I found a book with nothing

but names and phone numbers in it.

It's even got some kind of code.

You think that could mean anything?

- Do you know some of the names?

- Are you kidding?

Looks like a who's who of the racket.

- Can you find the name Eldon Spencer listed?

- Let's see.

Yeah.

- Where are you?

- I'm at a phone booth on the corner of Main and 5th.

I can be at Charlie's Bar in two minutes.

- Charlie's is at Main and 5th, right?

- Right.

- I'll be there. - Good.

- Take care, and I'll check with you shortly.

- Okay.

(tense music)

(funky music)

- Oh, hi, Fay, just gonna sit at the bar?

- Not right now, Charlie,

I'm meeting someone in a few minutes.

- Can I get you a drink?

- Yeah, scotch on the rocks.

- All right, how about you, sir?

- No drink, thanks.

(percussive music)

(dramatic music)

(percussive music)

- Here you go, Fay.

Fay.

Fay.

Oh, shit.

(gentle music)

♪ Oh, I look up to the sky

♪ And see visions of you and I

♪ Against a blanket of gold

♪ So sing me a rainbow

♪ Now I look down Lover's Lane

♪ At the blossoms, wind, and rain ♪

♪ Sends a thrill right to my soul ♪

♪ And sings me a rainbow

♪ The master painter will create ♪

♪ A portrait of love

♪ He'll use a background of blue ♪

♪ With every color ever known

♪ Every shade, every tone

♪ Then I find that portrait is you ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to be free

♪ Come fly away

♪ Just you and me

♪ We'll find a lover's pot of gold ♪

♪ And we'll sing the music

♪ Of a rainbow

♪ The master painter will create ♪

♪ A portrait of love

♪ He'll use a background of blue ♪

♪ With every color ever known

♪ Every shade

(bell rings)

(soft music)

- Oh, hi, Ginny.

I haven't seen you in two or three years.

Come in.

- Good to see you.

It's been a long time.

- Don't just stand there, Ginny, have a seat.

I was about to fix myself a cocktail.

Would you care for one?

- Sure, why not?

- What'll it be?

- Oh, you know me, I'll go along

with whatever you're having.

- Now, tell me, Ginny, you don't wait

two or three years to visit an old friend.

Is this business, social, or professional?

Whatever it is, you came to the right person.

Are you in some sort of trouble?

You know, I'd do most anything for you.

(soft jazz music)

Now, relax, wrap yourself around this.

(soft jazz music)

Now, what can I do for you?

Is it a loan?

Name the amount.

- It doesn't concern money, Eva.

It concerns you and Mike.

- Me and Mike?

- Come on, Eva, I've known for a long time

that you and Mike have been seeing each other.

It hasn't been a platonic or a business relationship.

It's been a pretty torrid love affair.

- Now, Ginny- - Now, let me finish.

I don't mind if Mike wants to fool around once in a while.

But I'm afraid that he's really in love with you.

I've been with Mike for six years.

I love him.

I love him very much.

And our two kids love him, too.

- All right, I'll lay it on the table.

I love him, too, much more than you ever could imagine.

- Don't do this to me.

If our friendship ever meant anything, don't do this.

Look, Eva, I cannot compete with you.

Mike loves sports.

Aside from the newspaper, it's all he thinks about.

It's his whole life, and you can shoot guns

and drive race cars.

I can't do any of that.

And airplanes scare me to death!

- Is that why you think Mike loves me,

just because I can do all those things?

Or is it that I'm just a little more affectionate

and I give him all the love he needs?

Maybe you're just too damn cold.

- Listen to me, I am not cold.

- When you go to bed at night,

do you just turn over and say good night

or do you tell him, and show him,

I mean really show him, how much you love him,

and tell him he's wanted and needed?

- I have spent many nights crying myself to sleep

because he was out with you!

Look, I am not gonna lose him, not to you or anybody.

I wanted to come over here and tell you

woman to woman that you are gonna have

a fight on your hands, a bigger fight than you've ever seen

in any courtroom or any race track

or any of those damn places where you do so well.

- Oh, Ginny-

- You don't need to say a thing.

We were friends once,

but no more.

(blooping music)

(weeping)

- Say, are you looking to bring home (indistinct).

Papa's girl or cold turkey?

- Papa's girl.

- When we get there.

(speaking indistinctly)

(phone rings)

- Hello?

- Hi, is this Eva Taylor?

- Yes, this is Eva Taylor.

- Are you the famous attorney?

- Yes, the attorney.

- Are you the attorney for Johnny Boyles?

- Yes, Johnny Boyle is my client.

- Well, listen here, black girl,

I want you to know what's coming down.

Yeah, Boyles is guilty, and if you don't help

us get him convicted, baby, you may not be around

to defend anybody else.

You hear what I say?

You might not even get to see

the end of this case you're on.

Get what I mean?

- Listen, you son of a bitch, I don't know who you are,

and, furthermore, I don't give a damn,

but you can beat your life my client is not guilty,

and, after the trial, I intend to walk

him straight out of that courtroom.

- Never mind, honey, you listen to what I say,

and understand.

- So don't send any more of these threatening phone calls

or any more of those nasty notes.

If you wanna meet me in person,

I'll be happy to shove them straight down your damn throat.

- Hey!

- Now you heard what I said, so you can

just kiss my black ass,

and that's the end of this conversation, mother!

- Well, what's the scam?

- That's one tough broad.

- Ain't going for it, huh?

- I don't see why Spencer doesn't let us

go ahead and hit that bitch.

- Let's go.

(fluttery music)

- Therefore, the State has every intention

of proving that this was a case of premeditated murder,

that Johnny Boyles willingly planned and executed

the murder of one Joseph Springer

on January the 17th of this year.

Thank you very much.

- The defense.

- Slowly, the defense attorney spoke,

stating that she would prove Boyles' innocence.

- What'll it be, Miss?

- I'm looking for Willy, could that be you?

- That's what my friends call me.

- Good to know you, my name's Cindy.

I'll be your new waitress.

- Well, hell, it's about time.

I mean, I've been on the union's back

for the past two weeks.

I mean, they oughta have some consideration.

I run a union house here, I play by their rules.

What's with that cruddy outfit, anyway?

- Hey, man, don't climb on me.

I don't run the union.

And for your information, I just found out

about this job 30 minutes ago.

And, another thing, I won't work for a bartender

with a hot temper, so you can either be nice

or find yourself another waitress.

- Okay, okay, I apologize.

I do have to admit, your looks are an improvement

over the last girl who worked here.

So are you pretty fast and can you hustle?

- Fast, yes.

The second item depends on what you mean.

I'll hustle your drinks for you.

My bod, I keep to myself.

Now, if that's satisfactory, you got yourself a waitress.

- Okay, you're on.

The house piano player starts at five.

The house buys the first drink.

That's a black Russian.

Have it on the piano by five

or I'll hear about it all night.

Now, let's get a move on 'cause in 10 or 15 minutes,

this place is gonna be loaded.

Light up the candles, and make sure

you keep the drinks straight.

- Willy, baby, don't worry about me.

Just make sure that you mix them straight.

- Well, hello, Miss Taylor.

- Hello, Willy.

By the way, have you met Mike Copeland?

- Oh, sure, Willy and I are old friends.

- Yeah, I know Mr. Copeland.

He only comes in my joint when he's mad

or wants to cry in his beer.

Now, let's see if I remember correctly.

Our counselor at large drinks rum and Coke.

- Right. - And our newspaper reporter,

scotch and soda when you're mad,

and boilermakers when you're sad.

What's it gonna be today, Mr. Copeland?

- I think I'll have a martini just to blow your mind, bud.

- I was only kidding, Mr. Copeland.

- I was, too, make it a scotch and soda.

- Two minutes to five, where's the black Russian?

- Oh, yeah, thanks, kid.

By the way, folks, I want you to meet our new waitress.

Cindy, meet Eva Taylor and Mike Copeland,

two of our very good customers.

Make sure we treat them extra nice, you know what I mean?

- I try to be nice to everybody,

but for a famous attorney and newspaperman,

we'll strain to be a little bit more nice.

- Rum and coke, scotch and soda,

and the first one's on the house.

- Thank you, Willy.

- You keep an eye on that lawyer.

I've gotta go make a phone call.

- Got you.

- One black Russian.

Now that's what I call killing a soldier.

- Hey, I wanna tell you something, honey.

As weak as Willy makes 'em, I could down an army.

Go back and tell him to fix me one

and make it right, and I'll pay for it.

- It'll be a pleasure.

- You're new here, aren't you?

- Yeah, I just started.

- Let me give you a tip.

You've got some good spenders in this club,

pretty much good Joes, but when it comes to Willy,

wear your brass knucks.

He'll work you to death if you let him.

- Right on.

(piano music)

- Say, I know it's none of my business.

- You're right.

- But I heard it through the grapevine

that you're not supposed to win this case.

You're just there for a good show.

Right or wrong? - Wrong.

- I got it from a pretty good source,

and 25,000 is nothing to laugh at.

- Well, let me give you some information,

and, this time, from the horse's mouth,

I'm a defense attorney.

Maybe I'm not the best attorney in the world.

I've seen and heard a lot worse.

I've defended some good people,

and I've also been the defense of some scum.

But, to the best of my knowledge,

I've never failed to get a man off

when I knew him to be innocent.

And I've lost damned few cases when I knew they were guilty.

And that's bad enough for my conscience.

But here's one for the record,

I, Eva Taylor, have never, will never

deliberately lose any case

when I know my client to be innocent.

And that you can believe.

- Okay, okay, don't get excited.

I just don't wanna see my lady get messed up.

- Don't sweat it, how about another drink?

- Mm, rain check.

I gotta go dance my readers around

until after the verdict, you know?

- Rain check you got.

And thank you.

- See you in court.

- Hey, Willy, I'll have another.

- Right.

- Ladies and gentlemen, everybody quiet, please.

Quiet!

There's a short story I'd like to tell you.

A few years ago, there was a girl

that was a great entertainer, but her true love

was to be an attorney.

So her vocal cords sent her through college,

and now she's a fantastic attorney,

but I bet she's still a fantastic entertainer.

Eva, how about it?

One for old time's sake?

(clapping)

(piano music)

♪ If I'm supposed to smile

♪ When you say we're through

♪ That smile will be delayed

♪ For a tear or two

♪ If I'm supposed to laugh

♪ When you say goodbye

♪ That laugh will be delayed

♪ While I cry

♪ This love affair was just for fun ♪

♪ In the beginning

♪ You even told me

♪ That you were only kidding

♪ But if I'm supposed to smile

♪ And leave with a lie

♪ I'll smile

♪ I'll leave

♪ And then I'll cry

(clapping)

- Eva Taylor shocked the court

with a very abrupt end to the defense.

She merely stated to the Honorable Judge Maynard,

I don't feel the defense needs any more witnesses.

Tomorrow, Miss Taylor and District Attorney Morrow

will present their closing statements.

- Foreman of the jury, has the jury reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor.

- Would you read the verdict, please?

- We, the members of the jury, find the defendant

not guilty.

- Hey, watch out!

(banging)

(wailing)

(banging)

(chattering)

- Well, Johnny, as far as I'm concerned,

you're a free man, and, as for me,

I'm going to have a drink.

- Miss Taylor, I don't know what to say,

I don't know how to thank you.

I told you I was innocent.

- That's okay, Johnny, but, next time,

just stay out of trouble.

- You can't get away with this, Spencer.

- Shut up, bitch.

- They'll nail you to the wall.

This time, you fucked up! - You think so, huh?

- I know so.

- You should've listened to reason.

If you had, you'd have been $25,000 richer,

and everybody would've been happier.

(jazz music)

Don't try anything, I'll blow your brains out right now.

- Go to hell, fart mouth.

- That damn private eye is right on our tail.

- Let him come, I owe him, too.

(jazz music)

- Hey, hold it right there!

Hold it right there!

- Let me get this son of a bitch!

(banging)

- Let her go, Spencer, just you and me.

- Screw you, get outta here or I'll blow her head off!

- Screw you!

(dramatic music)

Thank you, Freddie.

- Come on, let's get you home.

(soft music)

- Okay, kitten, what's so urgent?

I got your message.

I got an editor blowing his stack

and a paperboy that won't even speak to me.

Have you got a story for me?

- Yes, Mike, I do have a story for you.

Maybe it won't make good copy,

but it will make a final edition.

- What do you mean?

- Well, Mike, it's like this.

We've had a lot of fun together.

The airplanes,

the racing cars.

It's been one thrill after another.

But, lately, it's become just a little too serious.

- Hey, baby, this is crazy, but it sounds

like you're trying to tell me goodbye.

- I'm not trying to say goodbye, Mike,

I am saying goodbye.

And you don't know you're a lucky man.

You have your wife, family,

and that's the type of man you are, domestic.

And, one day, you'll be very happy that you are.

- Baby, can we talk this over?

- No, Mike, let's end it as fast as we started it.

One big zoom.

(soft music)

Good luck, Mike.

(soft music)

- You ready to go home?

- Do you still want me?

- I'll always want you.

- Then let's go.

(soft music)

- I know that definitely wasn't an easy thing to do.

- Well, at least it was the right thing to do, damn it.

- Tell you what, what do you say once I've treated you

to the most fantastic dinner that you've probably had

in the last 12 years, we go by my place

for a little toddy by the fire

and discuss whether or not you can break away

for the next week or two to keep

this very handsome and lonely private detective

company on his next case.

- Well, Mr. Jacobs, sir, that seems

like a proposition to me.

- Well, this friend of mine had mentioned

something about telling a jet-setter

some place, oh, let's see, what did he say?

Kikiwiki, Waikiki?

- Waikiki?

- Hey, that's it!

Say, that he needs someone to pose as his wife

for color while he goes sailing, surfing,

gambling, you know all those things that are dull,

private detective things.

- Well, it just occurred to me that I don't have

a single thing that can't wait for the next two weeks

on my calendar, so I just might be able to help

this lonely private detective friend of yours out.

- Fantastic, we leave tomorrow at three pm.

Now how about dinner?

(light music)