Original subtitles

It's all here.

Everything you wanted from automatic weapons to red -eye missiles.

Usual mention distance.

Now, is this really going to be it for you? No more orders?

This is it.

Where's the rig?

I didn't bring it.

How'd you get out here?

A job.

No kidding?

How you going to get back?

I don't feel comfortable about this. I don't like putting somebody on the stand

I haven't talked to. She only got in this morning and she's leaving this

afternoon.

So, uh... Uh... Ms. Anderson?

Yeah.

Would you tell us where you were at approximately 1 .30 on the afternoon of

September 2nd?

Uh -huh. I was at the parking lot at the Westlake branch of Monument Savings and

Loans.

And what did you see while you were there?

Yeah, I saw a man come running out of the bank who was carrying a briefcase in

one hand and pulling off a wig and sunglasses with the other.

He just stuffed everything in his briefcase and he kept right on running.

He had long, wavy, blonde hair and thick lips.

Thick lips?

Yeah, real thick.

See, that's not the guy. See how thin his lips are?

Yeah, he does have moderately thin lips. Doesn't he?

Ordinarily, I don't notice the lip size on a man. I guess that's because...

I'm a man. Sure, I mean, that certainly makes sense. But, see, I'm a girl, and

lip size is one of the very first things that I notice, especially when they're

thick. Uh -huh, good.

Isn't it?

Yeah, I mean, he is not the guy. I don't even know why he's on trial, because

the real bank robber has blonde hair and thick lips.

Very thick. And that man over there has dark hair and very thin lips.

Your Honor, might I have a word with my client?

Go ahead, Mr. Madler.

You're dead.

What? You know this girl, and you put her up to this, Mr. Thin Lips. I

do that to her. She's a friend of mine.

She volunteered.

You're dead. No further questions.

What? You're dead.

Your witness.

Thank you, Your Honor.

This man whom you saw run from the bank, what color raincoat was he wearing?

Um... gray?

Well, the bank teller whom he robbed at gunpoint testified it was navy blue.

Well, maybe it was reversible.

You're dead and I hate you for it.

Miss Hawkins!

Miss Hawkins!

You lost your case, didn't you? Miss Hawkins. I knew you were going to lose

case. Miss Hawkins. I didn't want to say anything, but...

I knew from your horoscope.

Miss Hawkins. If you'd just ask.

Now you got a bad mark against you at the courthouse.

Miss Hawkins, never mind about that now.

Now, when you came to work for me, I made a big deal about not messing with

stuff on my desk.

I can't find anything.

Mr. Matlock, your desk was inside. All I did was put things in order. I don't

want things in order. I want them left just as they are.

I was working on a brief last night. It had Hartzell and Pruitt on it. Now it's

gone.

Well, how was I to know?

Mr. Matlock, I worked this way for 15 years for Mr. Gaskins, God rest his

And he never once complained.

And I did everything for him. Planning, arranging, right up to the end.

I even chose the suit he was laid out in.

Well, that won't be such a problem here. See, I only wear this one type of suit,

and this is it. All you got to do is choose the one that just came back from

cleaners. Or not.

It won't make much difference then.

A dark shade is more appropriate. I'm not buying a dark suit for that one

occasion.

You could always rent.

If I rent, I guess they take it off me right after the service and stick me in

the ground naked.

I don't want to go see Mr. Jesus naked.

Ben! What?

Can I open the door?

Hi, Ms. Duncan. Hello.

Ben! Well, I said what?

Plane ticket.

Where? Remember, you promised the publisher of the Los Angeles Chronicle

you'd defend one of his reporters when his contempt trial came up.

But I just lost the case, and I'm starting another one.

I'll get a continuance. The contempt trial starts tomorrow.

Well, I guess I did promise.

Well,

I guess I better go pack.

How important is this case?

What? Don't go.

What are you talking about? You're Gemini.

Don't go.

Mrs. Hawkins. All right. Don't listen to me, but here's your horoscope for

today. And remember, this day started with you already losing a case.

Your lunar aspect does not coincide with travel.

Business calls suggest trip. Hold off.

Be diplomatic and interested, but avoid becoming involved.

Entertain at home tonight. You'll be complimented on appearance.

Feature colors.

I'll go pack.

Can't you stop him?

What's your sign?

Um, Aquarius.

Oh, that's perfect. You're compatible with Gemini. Talk to him. Mrs. Hawkins,

really don't think... You know what Geminis are like. They're dependent on

others. They need us. They're always calling for help.

Help!

You can't close my flight?

Equipment problems.

I'm booking your flight 533 to target 945 from gate 3C.

That's three hours from now. I'm not waiting around here three hours. I'll

another airline.

This is a super bonanza weekend discount fare.

No other airline can come close to it.

You mean it'll cost me more to use another airline?

Much more.

I can't be right. I'm supposed to be in business class. Please sit down, sir.

You're blocking the aisle. Oh, well, ma 'am.

You couldn't get here five minutes earlier.

What's the count?

Thanks. You lost my bag.

Fill this out.

How could you lose my bag? You had three hours to put it on the airplane.

If we don't get your bag to you within... 24 hours, you'll receive a

-trip ticket to any city we fly to.

Now, which suitcase looks like it?

I

know,

Ms. Hawkins, I know.

Well, I warned you, didn't I?

Didn't your horoscope tell you?

You're lucky you only lost your luggage. You could have crashed. You could

have... Well, I'm here now, but I need some clothes.

Send a suit and some shirts and underwear, socks.

And whatever else you do today, for heaven's sake, avoid contact with a

Capricorn. Stay away from Capricorn.

Right, no Capricorns. And I don't care what else I have to focus on. Just send

the clothes.

Okay, I'm ready.

Well, Mr.

Matlock, it is Matlock, isn't it? Yeah, yeah. Mr. Matlock, I'm sorry.

It seems that we have... You gave my room away?

Well, since you neither arrived nor called by 10 p .m. last night, we gave

room to somebody else. At 10 p .m. last night, I was 40 ,000 feet in the air.

I'm due in court in two hours.

I need to shave, shower, and I want my room.

Please, sir, lower your voice. Not until I get my room!

Have a good one. You too, Peter.

Have you got a skeptic vessel?

You know those white things when you cut yourself?

I realize this is highly irregular, Your Honor.

I have been acting as counsel to Mr. Thorndyke on a temporary basis only.

And since the man who was to represent him in this matter seems at the moment

be missing... Ben Matlock for the defense. I'm sorry I'm late, Your Honor.

here as soon as I could.

Mr. Matlock, if you're quite ready, let's get started.

May I have a brief recess to confer with my client? No.

An hour at the most, maybe two. Mr. Matlock, this case has been continued

times. I frankly am sick and tired of seeing it on my calendar. I will

no more delays.

But, Your Honor... A defendant, William Thorndike, is charged with three

separate counts of willfully refusing to answer questions after this court's

denial of his claim of immunity from disclosure.

Your Honor, please.

Mr. Matlock, I understand that in Atlanta you have something of a

status, but I want to assure you that that will get you nowhere in my

Now, I don't want to hear another word out of you until the prosecution has

presented its arguments.

Is that perfectly clear?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Shepard, you may begin.

No, sir, I can't do it. It's not right.

I can't let you penalize my client just because my plane was late, I lost my

luggage, and my room got all screwed up. My client...

right to adequate counsel. And right now, there's no way in hell the word

adequate can be applied to me. You are in contempt.

You are instructed to take Mr. Matlock into immediate custody and place him in

lockup until such time as the hearing on his own contempt charges may be set.

What's your sign?

Huh? Your sign. You know, astrology, horoscopes.

Oh, that.

Capricorn.

Mr. Medlock?

Hearing's over.

Judge Price rescinded his order.

Oh. Guess he just wanted to teach you a lesson.

What happened after they threw me out of there? Well, Judge Price granted

another continuance.

When's the next hearing?

Well, he said he wasn't going to put it back on his calendar until he was,

quote, damned good and ready.

It's an outrage to my client.

Well, I really don't think he much cares.

So, what are you going to do now?

Well, one thing I'm not going to do, I'm not making another trip out here.

Mr. Matlock, if you're thinking of going to see him, there's something I ought

to tell you first.

What? You've got toilet paper on your face.

Can't beat that.

We're wasting time here. We got to talk.

Discussion is closed.

Raymond's right, Daryl.

He stayed in his position. He's not going to budge.

Further talk is pointless.

What about you?

You just going to roll over too?

I think Raymond is wrong.

I think I can beat that.

Hey, Judge Pryor.

Hey.

Your Honor, we've got to talk.

You're interrupting our game. I can see that.

How would you like to go back to jail on a harassment charge this time?

Judge Price, the Constitution says that my client has the right to a speedy

trial. You cannot and I will not discuss your client's case at this time. This

has nothing to do with my client and you know it. You're madder than hell at me.

Now, you will hear this case or I will file a complaint.

You're asking for trouble.

Trouble is a two -way street.

Your Honor.

Are you threatening me, Mr. Matlock? I'm trying to do my job.

My chamber's 7 o 'clock tonight.

Settle it now. My chamber's 7 o 'clock tonight.

All right. Your chamber's 7 o 'clock.

What the hell are you doing here?

Just wanted to talk.

Made up my mind, Walker.

Yeah.

I know.

You bet.

Excuse me, I'm here to see Judge Price.

Yes, he came in about ten minutes ago. Okay. One floor.

One floor.

Good price.

Yeah.

Good day.

Where do I be?

Ah.

Doing well, I guess.

Yeah.

Coming right up.

Did you know Judge Raymond Bry?

A personal friend of mine.

Yeah?

He's dead.

Yep. Yep. He was a jackass.

A real jackass, but he didn't deserve to be dead.

250.

I

guess

I'll have to owe him a count.

Yes, again.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Mr. Matlock.

Lieutenant Judd Myerson.

As you know, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and

be used against you.

You can forget all that part.

What's on your mind?

Let's talk about last night.

I don't remember last night.

At about...

11 .30, you entered Angel's Tavern. You ordered a drink.

You asked the bartender if he knew Judge Raymond T. Price.

Then you told him the judge was dead.

And then you called him a jackass.

I did.

You went to see the judge about 7 o 'clock last night. Do you remember that?

Yeah.

Yeah.

He was lying on the floor. He looked like he was dead.

He was dead, all right.

He was murdered.

You know who did it?

Do you?

Honestly, I... I saw the judge lying on the floor.

And then somebody... Somebody hit me and choked me. I must have

blacked out.

Wait a minute.

I saw somebody in the mirror just before he hit me. Must have been the murderer.

Where are your mug books?

If I can see his picture, I might recognize him. That won't be necessary.

I want to see those books right now.

According to passport records, the only fingerprints on the murder weapon are

yours.

You had a loud disagreement with the judge in court yesterday. You were seen

entering the courthouse less than an hour before the body was discovered.

And you told the bartender at Angel's Tavern that the judge was dead.

It may be hard to believe, Mr. Matlock, but that makes you our prime suspect.

You've got to be kidding.

The DA isn't.

Come on, keep it moving, guys.

Ben, Ben.

I can't believe this.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

We're going to get you out of here as soon as we can. We're fifth on the

Got some clean clothes for you back at the hotel.

I'm glad you're here.

Come on, keep it moving.

The defendant's not from this city or even this state, Your Honor, and to say

that he has no ties to this community is a gross understatement. Hey, I've been

a member of the bar in good standing since before you knew what the word

meant. Your Honor, my client, as you may know or by now may have guessed, is an

attorney. He's a member of the bar in five states. His record and reputation

an officer of the court in all of them is unblemished.

It's absurd to think that there's any risk of flight here at all. In fact, I

recommend that he be released on his own recognizance. My main concern here is

not the risk of flight.

This was a particularly heinous crime.

A jurist was murdered.

A fellow jurist.

Mail is set at $250 ,000.

Next case.

$250 ,000? That's a quarter of a million.

It's not okay. I'm not John Dillinger. $250 ,000.

By the way, Robert, you're John Dillinger.

Next case.

You stole my watch.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You can have it.

It's yours.

It's his.

See, I didn't even hock it. I didn't have time to hock it. See, it's a good

thing that I mugged you when I didn't.

The way you were staggering all over that neighborhood, you could have got

killed.

You

were

following me?

Yeah, you know, kind of casey.

I picked you up right outside of that dear warehouse.

What warehouse?

The one that you went into with the guy.

What guy?

Your buddy.

The guy who practically dragged you in.

What'd he look like?

What'd he look like? Dark hair. Brown, brown, big belt.

Ben.

Bail's been posted.

Good. Now let's see if you can get bail for my friend here. What's your name?

Sloan. Andrew Nathaniel Ridgway Sloan.

Sloan. Sloan.

Well,

hi, Conrad. When did you get here? As soon as I could.

You okay? Yeah.

Yeah, Conrad's Andrew Sloan.

This is a suite.

That's all I had.

Oh, this just came.

Airline found it in Anchorage.

Gave you a free round -trip ticket.

Why don't you take a bath?

Right now, a nice hot meal sounds better.

Well, here's the room service menu.

You order anything I like?

Yeah.

A bottle of wine. No wine!

Then I'll lock. I'm calling to see if the clothes I sent got there all right.

Not yet, Miss Hawkins, but it's okay. Michelle brought me some. I'm going to

have more clothes than I need now.

What floor are you on?

What? I said, what floor are you on? Don't go above the second floor.

Miss Hawkins.

Listen to me. The moon in your sign warns against heights.

Hello.

Hello. Show you something.

I sure wish I had a little wine. No wine.

That's why I was walking around like a drunken sailor. Oh, Ben.

You're shot up with some kind of drug.

Yeah. Did you get a blood test?

By the time I came through, it was too late and I was in jail.

So what does he have to do with it?

I hope he can help me find the killer.

There were only three people who knew I was going to the judge's office that

night. Those three fellows he was playing golf with.

But it couldn't have been one of them because I saw the killer's face in the

mirror. So the killer had to be hired by one of them. Because, like I say, they

were the only ones who knew I was going to be there. Did you get their names? I

have to call Lieutenant Meyerson back.

Better do that.

Ben,

you need to wash.

Oh, yeah.

Hey, Conrad. Yeah.

You know those airplane tickets that I threw away?

I'll just get this sterilized.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to startle you.

Although I wouldn't have minded if I caught you.

Michelle Thomas.

You're representing the man accused of murdering Raymond Price.

Ben Matlock.

That's right.

Well, I'm not... complaining, mind you, but what brings you here?

Well, according to the West Haven Country Club, you played golf with Judge

the day he was murdered.

It was Friday.

The four of us always played golf on Friday.

Well, that means you knew Mr. Matlock was going to be seeing Judge Price that

night.

Now, I want you to take a look at this.

The four of us.

Vietnam, 1968.

Green Berets.

Special forces.

Missions into Cambodia, mostly.

We trusted each other.

Depended on each other and put our lives on the line for each other.

Friendships forged during the heat of battle last forever, believe me.

Well, thank you, Mr. Prescott.

Well, do I have to run off so soon?

Next appointment isn't for another 20 minutes. I could give you a lesson.

Fly casting?

Whatever.

This is the warehouse.

This? Yeah.

I was sleeping up my wine under them there boxes.

Hiya, Tierney.

If you were asleep, how could you see anything?

The car door slid and woke me up and told me it was the cops, so I looked

I saw that brown -haired guy dragging you inside.

Oh.

What kind of car were you driving?

Dark.

Not too big.

Not too small.

You must dismiss the body.

That was it.

That was a guy. So that must have been a guy.

Just tell me you saw his license plate.

I saw his license plate.

But it was so fast I couldn't catch it.

Come on in. Make yourself comfortable.

Please.

Now, I really appreciate you squeezing me into your schedule like this, Dr.

Lehman. Well, you did indicate that it was an emergency.

Could I?

Certainly.

Never pictured myself in a psychiatrist's office before.

I'm a nervous wreck.

Shaking all over the place.

Butterflies in my stomach as big as elephants.

Well, any idea where those butterflies come from?

Maybe.

See, I'm an investigator for Ben Matlock, the man who's been accused of

murdering Judge Price.

So it's up to me to find evidence that proves he didn't do it. And I'm worried.

I mean, what if I can't do it?

What if I let him down?

So I got to thinking.

What if Judge Price was killed by someone who knew they could frame Ben

for the murder?

Like, say, one of the three people he played golf with that afternoon.

Get out of here.

Don't I get 50 minutes?

Get out of here.

You know, I feel better already.

Well,

he had brownish hair, brownish hair, about yay high, no mustache or anything.

And, oh, yeah, he's strong, muscular, very athletic.

And he drove kind of a darkish, darkish, American -made, mid -sized car.

Don't know about the car, but the description sounds like Dave. He lives

motel over there.

Always orders ribs and wonton soup.

You wouldn't know his room number. We climb those stairs often enough.

310. 310.

Break down the door.

Did you see him?

Did you see him?

Were you that good a child in Vietnam?

Better.

I represent Ben Matlock.

I know why you're here.

Arthur Prescott called you.

We're friends.

Me, Art, Gilbert Lehman, Raymond Price.

We're all friends.

What's the matter?

Art talking too fast when he explained that to you?

Guess I just like hearing it from the horse. Let me tell you something.

I got a son.

Four years ago, he needed surgery.

Even with insurance, the medical bills would have killed us.

Now guess who paid them all for it?

Raymond Price.

But like I said, it was four years ago.

You know, I tend to think you're pretty hot stuff.

And me, I think you're pain in the ass.

He ordered a drink, told me Judge Price was dead, and then called him a jackass.

Do you always remember things your customers say so clearly?

Well, I do when they try to stiff me for the drinks they order.

So you refuse to pay for his drink?

Yeah. I'll throw him out.

I suppose an event such as that would tend to stick in one's mind.

Thank you.

You're a witness, Counselor.

Isn't it likely that another reason you remember what he said so clearly was

because of the strange way he was acting when he entered your establishment?

What do you mean?

He slurred his words. He was loud. He staggered.

He acted intoxicated, didn't he?

No. I beg your pardon?

He seemed a little high, maybe.

But he certainly did not seem drunk. If he had, I wouldn't have served him.

Serving drunks is illegal.

No further questions.

Miss Hawkins, I'm real busy right now. What is it?

You're going to be in a lot of trouble, Mr. Matlock. Gonna be. Gonna be. I just

want to tell you how you can avoid it. What you have to do is focus on

reliability and durability.

You'll say, it's not easy, but I can do it.

Hello.

Hello.

Wearing a suit's one thing, but shaving.

Look at it as a way to leave behind what you were and begin afresh.

You know what tomorrow is?

The first day of the rest of your life.

Well, that's really beautiful, Ben. Would you get that off a greeting card?

Mr. Sloan, would you please tell the court what you saw on the night of

9th? Well, I saw that man there, Mr. Matlock, go into Angel's Tavern.

What else did you see?

And I saw him come out of Angel's Tavern.

No, I mean before that.

Before that?

I was just hanging out, minding my own business.

Perhaps I'm not being clear, Mr. Sloan.

When was the first time you saw Mr. Matlock that night?

You know, when he went into Angel's Tavern.

Prior to that, you saw Mr. Matlock being dragged from a car into a warehouse,

did you not?

No. You saw Mr. Matlock leave that warehouse in a drugged condition, did

not?

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

You're lying, Andrew.

Mr. Matlock, you sold out, didn't you? You did see the man I was chasing.

Only instead of blowing the whistle, you cut a deal with him, didn't you? Mr.

Matlock, sit down. Mr. Matlock, cut a deal with him.

He cut a deal with him, Your Honor. Mr. Matlock.

Another outburst like that, and I will have you placed in restraints for the

rest of this trial. Am I understood?

They cut a deal with it!

Proceed, Counselor.

No further questions.

Wish to cross?

No, Your Honor.

Witness may step down.

You cut a deal with him and I'll get you for that.

Mr. Matlock.

Sloan walked out of the courthouse. He hailed a cab and came straight here.

Recognize this friend?

That's him. That's the killer.

I'll call the police.

What I want is my money so I can get out of here.

What's in those things anyway?

I'll show you.

One man you all right Well

there goes the killer

All

right movement

People here say his real name is Walker, Scott Walker.

That's his name. According to the flight plan he filed, he was headed to

Catalina today.

Well, he could be anywhere by now.

He took that left turn, maybe he went to Central America.

Think he's smuggling drugs?

Who knows? His room is as clean as a whistle. I asked the people at his motel

about his phone bill. He made four phone calls in three days to someone at the

Lucinda Bar in downtown L .A.

Eddie Conrad ought to look into that.

I was just thinking that.

It might be interesting to take a look at all our suspects' phone bills, see if

they have a person or a place in common.

I was just thinking that, too.

Excuse me.

My name is Michelle Thomas. I'd like to see copies of the office phone bills for

the past six months, if you don't mind.

Do you work here?

You haven't been told about the independent audit that Watson and Taft

hired to perform?

No.

Huh.

Well, the senior partners are concerned that the firm's office expenses seem to

be spiraling out of control.

How far back do you want me to go? The last six months.

Okay.

You want them?

You got him.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

How about a beer?

I don't have any.

He's got a beer.

You got the last one?

I see you don't serve strangers.

This is a neighborhood bar.

What I really want is a job. I'm a bartender.

Who do I talk to?

Try the man in the moon.

These are dangerous times.

You could break your hand and leave this place with nobody to fill in. You ever

think about that?

The problem is, my friend, my customers prefer drinks you've probably never

heard of.

Try me.

A zombie, a perfect Rob Roy, and a suffering bastard.

Coming up.

Zombie.

Perfect Rob Roy.

Suffering bastard.

My name is Carlos Berman.

You can call me Carl.

All my employees do.

Well, thanks.

That's very nice of you.

I made a call while I was out to Watson and Taft just to check.

No one would confirm the audit.

That's right.

Well, it's a secret.

No one there's ever heard of Michelle Thomas either.

I'm an attorney.

I need to find out as much as I can about Arthur Prescott.

Are you going to make trouble for him?

That's not my intent.

But to be honest, it is a possibility.

Forget his phone bills.

How would you like to get into his beach house?

You could do that.

One o 'clock tomorrow.

Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. I'll meet you there.

He'll be at lunch.

At the risk of my sounding ungrateful, why are you doing this?

He's a pig.

Not good enough.

Out in 48 hours, guaranteed, or I talk to somebody else.

Shut me up!

Everybody stay put!

Keep calm and nobody get hurt!

Turn the lights back on!

Turn the damn lights on or we'll start shooting!

You!

Put your hands up.

Come on from behind there.

The little trick with the light switch is earned you a night behind bars.

Come on, get up.

Let's go.

Come on.

You too.

Let's go.

What are you waiting for?

You're the guest of honor.

What's the charge this time, Agent Wilson?

I thought I'd surprise you.

Let's go.

Where's my phone call? Don't I get to talk to my lawyer?

My attorney's on his way. I appreciate

what you did.

Getting rousted is an inconvenience for me, for my associate, it would have been

a disaster.

This happens to you all the time?

As soldiers in the illustrious war against drugs, they have a need for an

Someone they can hunt down, capture, interrogate, report on to their

One who will justify their paychecks and pension plans.

That's you.

I'm tangible, you see.

Poverty and prejudice are not.

Gentlemen.

Let's go, Carlos.

Time to talk.

I'd just soon have my attorney present.

Well, he got picked up on his way over here for speeding or something.

We're going to have to start without him.

It's just that elbow, I think. I don't know. Let's follow through.

Dr. Lehman.

Ben Matlock.

We sort of met on the golf course the day Judge Price was killed.

Could I talk with you for a minute?

Your investigators already paid me a visit. Well, I know, but that was

else. Sit down, please.

Have some lemonade.

There's a drug, Oxenol.

It's a hallucinogen. It was developed secretly by our government in the early

60s to make the enemy talk.

I'm familiar with it.

If I'm not mistaken, the only place it was actually used was in Cambodia.

Special forces were sent in to set up for an invasion. I believe mostly Green

Beret units.

Could you...

tell me about it? I could try.

Suppose a person were injected with it. What would happen?

He'd become disoriented, unable to think clearly. He'd suffer short -term memory

loss, be very suggestible.

Would he appear to be drunk?

Extremely.

Have you ever had occasion to use oxynol on one of your patients?

Nope.

I should eliminate.

Give him the keys.

All right, all right.

Get in.

Hello, Michelle.

I know this isn't what you expected, but come in.

This was all a setup?

Linda, the woman you spoke to in the accounting office, she's, uh... Well,

came straight to me that day. She's a very loyal girl.

Why didn't you come to me? I have nothing to hide.

It was your idea to come here?

Oh, I thought it'd give us a chance to get to know each other.

I don't think so.

Oh, come on. We'll talk, we'll eat, and then later I'll show you all my phone

bills.

Come on, a little crab salad, some chardonnay?

Let me take a jacket.

Make it fast.

I don't know how long I can keep her.

Call me as soon as you get back.

Right.

I've got to use your bathroom.

I'm sorry, our restroom is not open to the public.

But I'm diabetic and I've got to take a pill.

I could go into insulin shock any minute.

I'm sorry.

The last time this happened, I skipped the shock part altogether and went

straight into a coma right there in the shoe store.

Behind the counter and to your left. Thank you.

You caught us off now or we'll be destroyed forever.

It's a lost cause, Ramad.

Maybe it's time you admitted it too.

You gave your word.

For six months we've been giving you support.

What have we got to show for it? Nothing.

You squandered it. Now it's getting too hot.

Caught him listening outside the door. Anybody know who he is?

Unfortunately, I do.

I caught 27 trout that day. That is almost five fish an hour.

Mr. Prescott, you've talked about everything under the sun. And I realize

love fly fishing.

But I get the feeling you're being deliberately evasive.

Evasive? No, I'm just a little nervous. I like

you.

What about the phone bill?

Why don't we discuss that over some dessert, huh?

Mr. Prescott, would you please get my jacket?

Yeah, look, can I get right back to you?

Thanks.

Jack.

Did you

find

anything? There's nothing in that room that incriminates you or anyone else.

We're home free.

Here you go. Thanks. And thanks for lunch. The salad was terrific.

Well, I'll be sure to tell my housekeeper.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I wanted to ask you about oxynol. About what?

The drug you had access to in Vietnam.

Oxynol. The hallucinogen.

Problem is, I really don't have time right now.

Guess it'll have to wait.

Like the phone bill.

Remember your name yet?

Uh,

uh, that, that, uh, that, uh, no, no, no.

It's Ben, Ben Matlock.

Benjamin Matlock?

Yeah. This is that lawyer accused of killing Judge Price.

Seedy looking bum.

You know, my mother wanted me to go to law school.

are you guys so how'd it go the usual

wilson tried to get me to tell him what i know about drug trafficking in the

city and as usual he failed i must admit i was glad when my attorney finally

showed up you want something coffee

My attorney tells me that you have no criminal record in California.

I've kept my nose clean.

And I'm not from California.

Then how did you find out about my bar?

Friends. Who?

I was told that if an enterprising type of guy wanted to get ahead in this town,

this was the place to come.

You want names? I don't do names.

I forget names as soon as I hear them.

An enterprising young man with a clean nose.

You could prove very useful to me.

Yeah?

I have some business to attend to this evening. Why don't you come along?

Okay.

I'll call my girlfriend. We were going to go to dinner.

Business before pleasure.

Call her after work.

Hey, wake up. We've got a visitor.

Hey!

Are

you

all right?

Here, sit down.

Somebody drug you again.

Only this time you went wandering around in the middle of the San Diego freeway.

I did?

Highway Patrol turned you over to Lieutenant Meyerson. He's the one who

me. You'd passed out by then.

See that?

They shot me up and threw me on a freeway?

Ben, who did this to you? Where were you today?

Well...

I talked to Dr.

Lehman at the country club and followed him to a clothing store, and I heard him

arguing with somebody.

Then what?

I don't know.

Somebody must hit me.

Oh, that's a goose egg the size of Ohio.

Oh.

You think Dr. Lehman drugged you?

Well, he could have.

Could have been any one of those.

Ex -Green Berets. They all knew about the drugs.

I think they were all involved.

Listen to this.

I was in Arthur Prescott's beach house today. I borrowed the tape that was in

his answering machine.

We're getting together at the warehouse.

North Venice, 6 p .m.

I interviewed Daryl Wilson, and I'm willing to bet that was him.

6 o 'clock.

That's no more than a couple of hours away.

Short and sweet.

It could have been an invitation to a party.

I'm almost positive the man who left that message was Daryl Wilson.

The FBI agent? Yep.

You guys are great.

Where'd you get the tape?

I borrowed it.

Lieutenant, I'm telling you, something very big, very important is going to

place at that warehouse this afternoon and I intend to be there.

It's a free country.

Could be pretty embarrassing if what I find out blows this case apart.

I'll take my chances.

Reporters calling from all over the country.

I'll have to tell them that apathy on the part of a certain police lieutenant

forced me to take matters into my own hands.

Spell your last name with one E or two.

We'll be here right away.

What do you know?

It's Carlos Berger.

He's a very big drug boy.

Now this is getting interesting.

An FBI agent is involved.

Up to his ears.

The guy with him killed Judge Price.

What the hell is he doing here? Conrad, get out!

Hold it!

Come out with your pants up now.

Drop your weapon.

Give him mine.

Give him what we can see of him.

I'm telling you now.

Conrad, are you all right? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. What are you doing here?

When I saw you get out of that car, I thought I was seeing things.

Ben.

So they were all set to give Berman 500 pounds of cocaine.

He was all set to give them close to 8 million in cash.

Hello.

Hey, Mrs. Hawkins. Yeah, hang on. He's right here.

Yeah, Mrs. Hawkins.

Good news, Mr. Matlock. Now, don't hang up. Listen to this. Here's your

horoscope for today.

Ready? A new day is dawning.

Time to revitalize and refurbish.

Brighten the corner where you are. Mrs. Hawkins.

New drapes and a new spread and sheets and towels at Macy's. And I charged them

to your account.

Luckily, they were having a white sale. Ms. Hawkins, you had no business going

out... Hello?

Hello?

Oh, shut up.

Now, let's see.

I guess... I guess the way these guys work... I guess the

way they work was...

They'd sell their guns for drugs, and then this fellow Walker would smuggle

drugs up from Central America in that plane of his.

And he'd get word to Darrell Wilson, and Wilson then would pretend to rouse

Carlos Berman so the two of them could set up transfer, and then Wilson could

call the others with the time and the place, you know, the warehouse.

That was Lieutenant Meyerson.

He said the bullet that killed Scott Walker was a .45.

Did you see a .45?

The police were carrying 9mm Berettas and shotguns.

Carlos Berman's men were carrying Uzis.

Well, if he was shot with a .45, somebody there must have had a .45.

Hello, Mr. Prescott.

Shell, what brings you here?

As I recall from that picture you showed me, you and your friends carried .45s

in Vietnam.

I'm not going to deny that.

Still have yours?

Yes.

I have a subpoena for it.

Would you turn it over to Officer Landau, please?

Certainly.

Understand the party you were at last night got pretty wild.

No comment.

Keep it in your office?

Some of my patients tend to get violent. You never know.

So you're always prepared.

That's how I got through Vietnam.

Well, luck had something to do with that doctor. I sure hope yours hasn't run

out.

What do you want it for?

Come to court tomorrow and you'll see.

Heard the department kind of laid you off.

Well, I'll be reinstated just as soon as this is cleared up.

Now, get the hell out.

Now,

there you go.

What is this?

Open it.

Beautiful.

All right, Ben.

What's going on?

Well, that's just my way of thanking you for dropping everything at home and

flying out here to help me out.

You're welcome.

But it's my job.

You're a wonderful lawyer, Michelle.

You're smart, capable.

Of course, you know that. Thank you.

And you know that I know that.

Yeah.

Ben, what is going on?

You're going to hate this.

How do you know until you tell me?

I want to take over my own defense.

Now, this is no reflection on you. You're a wonderful lawyer, smart,

But did you always tell me that a lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a

client? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And most of the time that's true, but this is

different. What's different is that you don't trust me to defend you.

I knew it. I knew it. I knew you'd think that way.

What else would I think?

Michelle, this has nothing to do with you.

It's just with me.

Oh, Ben, you're not making sense.

I always make sense.

I'm a rational, reasonable man.

Then why do you want to defend yourself?

All right? One, I know all the facts.

Two, I'm fully prepared.

Three, I'm totally objective.

And four, some low -life jackass is trying to frame me with murder, and I'll

get another decent night's sleep until I personally pin his hide to the wall.

That's really rational, Ben.

Good. I'm glad you understand.

You make a wonderful team.

At this time, Mr. Matlock would like to assume his own defense.

As you're aware, my client is a member of the California Bar with a great deal

of experience in criminal law.

You are aware of the seriousness of the charges against you, Mr. Matlock, as

well as the dangers of representing yourself in this matter?

Yes, sir, I am.

I've tried to dissuade my client, Your Honor, but Mr. Matlock insists.

It's your decision. Call your first witness.

I call Arthur Prescott.

Dr. Gilbert Lehman, FBI agent Daryl Wilson, and the deceased, Judge Price,

served in Vietnam together, didn't you?

That's correct. And you spent much of the time while you were there behind

lines, risking your lives for your country, didn't you?

Well, we did our jobs, yes.

And when it became apparent that the United States had failed to achieve

what you were willing to die for, what so many had died for.

How did you feel?

Betrayed? Well, it's hard to feel your friends are dying for nothing, Mr.

Matlock. Yes, I felt betrayed. Yeah.

I believe the government of the United States reneged on its inherent

to democracy in Vietnam and has been reneging on that obligation in countries

all over the world ever since.

Is that how you felt?

If I'm not mistaken, you just quoted from a speech made by Raymond Price

year ago at the local bar association.

That's true, but those are your sentiments, aren't they?

I suppose they are, yes.

And when the Congress cut off all military supplies to the forces of

struggling in Central America, how did that make you feel?

I was angry.

So angry you decided to do something about it, didn't you?

What do you mean? You and your friends, those same four, used your military

connections to procure field artillery. And you sold that artillery

covertly and illegally to the forces you backed in Central America, didn't you?

Of course not. Only your fighters didn't pay you with money.

They paid you with cocaine, which you in turn sold to Carlos Berman,

a man with whom you rendezvoused two nights ago.

Isn't that right?

I'm afraid I'll have to refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it

might tend to incriminate me. What did you do with all the millions of dollars

you made in the last couple of years with such transactions?

I've refused to answer that question as well on the grounds it might tend to...

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

Answer me this.

You didn't do it for profit, did you?

You were patriots.

The four of you, as a group, in the last year and a half, have sent to rebel

forces in the Middle East nearly $12 million to overthrow a government which

you considered nothing but a religious dictatorship.

That's absurd. Not according to Ramad Hussein.

Remember? The man who owns the clothing store in Beverly Hills?

He's prepared to testify that you used his contacts in the Middle East to do

exactly that. If he wants to perjure himself, that's his problem.

Only after a while, when you realized you were supporting a hopeless cause,

in Central America and the Middle East, you decided to go to hell with them.

Decided to call it quits, pull out. But this whole guns for drugs for money

operation had proved so successful, you decided to try it one more time. Only

this time, you were going to keep all the money for yourselves.

But Judge Price was a patriot.

a real patriot and he refused to go along with you. Objection. I thought you

him killed and framed me for his murder, didn't you? I've been patient, but this

whole line of questioning is grossly irrelevant and has now swung into bare

speculation and unsupported innuendo. Your Honor, the questions I'm asking and

must ask are critical to my defense.

Against my better judgment, I'm going to allow you to continue.

Objection overruled without prejudice.

The people have a continuing objection to all lines of question in this area.

A couple of days ago, in that brouhaha that your constitutional

rights keeps you from talking about, a man was killed. A man named Scott

Now, he's the man that you hired to do all your hands -on dirty work, isn't he?

No. Dirty work that finally resulted in killing Judge Price. No. But when you

finally realized that he was going to be arrested and probably coerced.

into telling that you had hired him to kill Judge Price, you killed him.

I did no such thing.

Objection, Your Honor. How far can we let this questioning go? A few more

moments.

Overruled.

All four of you were issued .45 caliber

sidearms in Vietnam, were you not?

Yes, we were.

Do you still have yours?

I did until you subpoenaed it.

I subpoenaed all your French guns.

If I told you that police ballistics proved that the gun retrieved

from Dr. Lehman's office is a murder weapon, would you be surprised?

I'd be disappointed if Gilbert was involved in a murder.

If that's Gilbert's gun, why am I up here?

Because it's not his gun.

His gun was stolen two years ago. You didn't know that. And he went out and

bought another .45.

And according to the serial number on file at the gun shop where he bought his

new gun, this is not his gun.

His gun is the gun you gave us.

How do you suppose that happened?

You switched guns with him, didn't you?

You knew the police would discover that Walker had been shot.

with a .45. So after you shot him, you hid your gun.

The next day when you made bail, you went back and retrieved it, hooked it

to Dr. Lehman's office, and unbeknownst to him, switched guns with him.

And that's how this gun, the murder weapon, your gun,

wound up in Dr. Lehman's possession, and your gun, his gun.

wound up in yours.

That doesn't prove that I murdered anyone.

This court is only interested in whether I murdered

someone. And I believe what you have done makes that highly unlikely.

As for you, Mr. Prescott, the city of Los Angeles has a very fine

police department.

They'll connect you with Scott Walker.

They'll prove that you gave him the drug that was administered to me. And sooner

or later, they'll prove you killed the man you stood beside in the jungles of

Southeast Asia, the man on whom you depended, the man you called.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

I hope it's a good day for Gemini's.

What is your verdict?

We find the defendant not guilty.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Mr. Matlock, you stand acquitted of these charges. You're free to go.

Court is adjourned.

Yeah, want to hide up?

I'll buy.

In Atlanta.

I wonder if we should calm this hawk and give it a good day to travel.

All the hell with it. Let's go home.