Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

[SIRENS WAILING]

[♪♪♪]

[RUSTLING]

[RUSTLING]

Ah!

[SCREAMS]

No. No!

[♪♪♪]

The victim's name is Paula Howard.

Female, Caucasian. Age: 23.

Death by strangulation.

Same m.o. as the previous two.

Young, single, new to the city.

All right, Dr. Parkman has prepared a psychiatric profile

of the killer. Dr. Parkman.

The man you're looking for is paranoid schizophrenic.

His problem stems from a love-hate relationship

with some female.

Most likely a wife or mother who rejected him.

Now, he can't bring himself to kill them,

so he chooses substitutes, other females who reject him.

He doesn't want to kill.

That's why he writes "please" after each murder,

using the victim's lipstick.

In other words, "please catch me."

Doctor, you say he doesn't wanna kill,

and that's what the please thing is?

That's right. Well, doctor,

a lot of people are, uh-- Well, newspapers mainly.

Uh, they're reading that as more or less

a sarcastic kind of challenge.

Oh, I don't agree. He's compulsive.

He can't stop himself.

He's asking you to do it for him.

Well, we'll try to do that very thing.

The lists you've been handed contain the names

and last known addresses of males who have

committed acts of violence against women.

Bring 'em in for questioning. That's it. Let's go to work.

Uh, lieutenant, can I, uh,

talk to you for a second?

If you mean for a minute and just that, yes.

Well, I just wanted you to know about, uh,

some of the recommendations I've made to the bureau

in terms of this investigation.

Now, hold on, doctor, I'm not sure I like

the idea of you recommending anything in investigation.

I'm in charge here. I understand that,

but you're not dealing with your standard sort of criminal.

You're not dealing with your standard sort of lieutenant.

Well, there are a few small things I've suggested,

and one big thing.

Which do you want to hear first?

[SHOUTING] Absolutely not.

Pardon me, could you tell us

where we can find Lieutenant Ryker?

Heh, heh. Sure can.

You go right through that door.

Are you two come down here from the bureau?

Yes. Why?

That's what it is, man.

Parkman talked them into assigning women to the thing.

Hey, far out.

It's a good idea, I suppose. Really.

Ah, lay out the addresses of the guys we're supposed to bring in,

and I'll, uh, take the ladies to see Ryker.

This way, ladies.

This way, hmm.

Fast.

Very fast.

Captain.

Yes, Dr. Parkman's here. He's explained to me.

Well, it just seemed to me that--

Yes, sir, I understand. Thank you very much.

Ah, pardon me, lieutenant, these ladies wanted to see you.

Yes, I know. Come on in.

Lieutenant Ryker, this is Officer Conway

and Officer Dawson.

Pleased to meet you both. Doctor, you've done your job.

I'd like to talk to these ladies alone for a while.

Of course.

Uh, lieutenant, if I can be of any assistance,

don't hesitate to call.

If you can be of any assistance, you'll be the first to know.

You know you've been assigned here over my protests?

We know it now. Why the protests?

Here. This is the reason why:

Victim number one, Karen Hart.

Female, Caucasian, etcetera, etcetera.

Phys Ed teacher, all-around athlete.

Presumably capable of taking care of herself.

Broken neck.

Victim number two, Jan Tilden.

Female, Caucasian. The cautious type.

Carried a knife in her purse for protection.

The knife was still in her purse when we found the body.

Broken neck. Victim number three--

You made your point, lieutenant.

And then some.

Still so eager to take this on?

Eager?

No, but we can do the job.

Let's hope so.

Pack a suitcase and be here at 8 in the morning.

Yes, sir. Okay.

BOTH: Oh.

Hey, excuse me, excuse me.

How'd it go with Ryker, huh?

Well-- I-I'm Terry Webster.

This is Willie Gillis. Hello.

Peg Conway. Annie Dawson.

Anyway, uh, how did he greet you?

He...managed to contain his enthusiasm very well.

Yeah, I'll bet.

He was honest about what he felt.

I'll take that for starters. Good for you.

I mean: good that you'll take that for starters,

because I think that you're gonna get it for finishers too.

We'll see. Nice meeting you.

Good meeting you. DAWSON: Hang in there, fellas.

And don't forget, we're all on the same side.

Tell that to Ryker.

Yeah.

I sure would have liked to heard Ryker with those two.

Hey, Terry, uh,

do you mind a gentle kick in the tail, hm?

What?

You, my dear friend.

You're prejudiced.

[SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

Sounds like prejudice to me.

Well, that's not a word to be tossed around lightly.

Mm. I know, I know.

Okay, whose turn is it?

It's yours.

I'm not talking about being, um,

you know, deliberately cruel,

like setting out to hurt somebody.

I just mean, when it's a policewoman,

it seems like you've automatically assumed

her job's just to, um,

search female suspects and keep records.

I don't automatically assume anything.

Although I--

Well, a lot of them, uh, do do that.

That's not what the two you, um--

You just met are gonna do though, is it?

No, I never said that.

You wanna roll the dice any time soon?

Mm.

You know, acting as bait for a man who's already killed

three women's not exactly light housekeeping,

is it? No.

That's why Ryker wanted volunteers

to, uh, stake out that singles apartment.

Look.

I agree with everything you say,

but I still don't know why I'm prejudiced.

Okay, I will, uh, tell you.

Now, you do think that Ryker's

a little unfair towards policewomen, hm?

I suppose so.

And you were laughing about it.

Well...

So, what does that make you?

Who owns that property? Me.

You sold it to me two turns ago.

How much?

Six thousand dollars.

[CHUCKLING]

Uh, do you suppose Ryker found those volunteers

he wanted out at the apartment?

You got a loan? [ALL LAUGHING]

[♪♪♪]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Hi. Hi.

Oh, wow. What a terrific apartment.

Mine's super too.

You know, we've gotta be the luckiest girls

in the whole world.

Living here's like having

an all-expense-paid vacation.

Annie, I really envy you.

You're like an open-face sandwich.

Everything right out in plain view.

Heh.

Have you seen all the stuff they have here?

I mean, the swimming pool, billiard rooms,

sauna baths, Ping-Pong rooms,

and wall-to-wall men.

Any one of whom could walk right in and maybe kill you both.

Why don't we keep it closed from here on in?

What are you doing here?

Uh, we're neighbors.

Just moved in across the way.

But not by coincidence.

No, not by coincidence. No.

We are your backup.

Now, that is neighborly.

Why?

Just seems like an interesting assignment, that's all.

So far, I've been called an interesting assignment

and an open-face sandwich.

I think I lack charisma.

Well, let's face it, ladies. We're now a team.

The, uh, four musketeers.

Is that so?

Yeah. It is.

From now on, whenever you leave your apartments,

one of us will be nearby.

Whenever you return, one of us will check it out.

Make sure that it's empty.

Otherwise, we're just a couple of carefree swingers

who happened to move in across the hall.

So all we do is sit around and bask in the sun?

Not quite.

The detectives found out that one of the girls

who was killed had placed an ad in the Singles Clarion.

What kind of ad?

I mean, I've read some of those papers.

Just saying that she wanted to meet some people.

Very straight.

What about the other girls? Did they run ads?

The detectives are checking it, but the newspaper isn't exactly

in love with opening files when their big thing

is providing secrecy for their readers.

So we'll probably have to get a court order.

So girl runs ad,

Mr. Nice Guy answers it,

gets invited over to her apartment,

and no more girl. Hm.

Yeah, well, uh, that is the theory.

We bait the trap with the same kind of ad.

Not "we."

Just one of you, and you get the first crack, Miss Dawson.

[♪♪♪]

Shortest paid vacation in history.

Miss Dawson, lots of people are lonely.

They don't have enough friends. Our ads bring 'em together.

MAN: All right,

you'll be box number 162.

Box number?

Oh, uh, all replies to your ad

come to this box number here,

and then we forward them to you.

In that way if, um...

Well, you can screen each reply and eliminate any weirdoes,

and contact only those that sound compatible.

Okey-doke.

How much do I owe you?

MAN: Um... $4, even.

Your ad'll appear in Friday's edition.

Thank you very much.

Have a nice day.

Hi. How are you?

Okay, how much, uh, for the paper?

Twenty-five cents. Okay.

Oh, uh, let's see.

[♪♪♪]

Is anything wrong?

Oh, I was just thinking. Uh...

all I have to do now is enjoy myself

while I wait for a guy who likes to kill people.

Girl people.

[♪♪♪]

Hoffmann said you wanted to see us, sir.

I hate to interrupt your social life.

Headquarters thought it might be helpful

if I gave them a progress report.

No progress to report.

We've been to parties, our building and others.

Talked to career girls and bachelors, apartment managers,

cleaning women, janitors, bartenders, gardeners, nothing.

Everybody's got a theory, but nobody's got any facts.

Any new leads from upstairs?

Nope.

Dr. Parkman's psychiatric profile notwithstanding.

Well, maybe the, uh,

guy just solved his problem and retired.

Or maybe he's just charging his batteries,

waiting for another go-around.

These two females, Conway and Dawson, how they doing?

Okay. Really?

Yeah. Yeah.

They know what they're doing. Well, we'll see.

What about the ad in the newspaper?

GILLIS: It runs in tomorrow's edition.

I wanna see every piece of mail that thing draws.

I want the two of you to check in with me, or Hoffman,

if anything starts to happen. We will.

And...don't work too hard out there.

I know how unpleasant this assignment must be.

We will bear up under the strain. Can we go now?

Bit of a hurry, aren't you?

Gotta see a man about a chicken.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

I had a feeling Big Brother was watching.

Well, I had a feeling that we, uh, ought to break bread

and get to know each other.

We agreed to keep things on a professional level.

Agreed? Agreed? You agreed. I abstained.

Ah, come on, Peg,

let's, uh, break bread and have some lunch, and...

It's on the department.

Look, if you're making some kind of play for me--

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Well, I am.

Stewardess was the thing.

Well, I mean, when you're 13 years old

that looks like the best job in the world.

You think you're gonna fly to Zanzibar,

meet a prince in first class,

and go live in the Taj Mahal forever.

Didn't quite work out that way though.

Why not?

I get airsick. Heh.

Kind of blows the image, if you know what I mean.

So I thought about modeling.

But those kind of cheekbones don't come with box tops,

so I noodled around teaching school for a while.

That isn't the most thrilling job in the whole world,

so I finally decided I would turn my whole life upside down,

and I applied to the academy.

So for the last-- Hold it.

You know what?

What? You talk more and--

And faster than anybody I've ever known.

And it gets to the point where I don't hear a word you're saying.

Why do you do that?

I think I do it...

because I've never been so frightened in all my life.

That's why.

Hey, you two. What is this?

There's gonna be a get-acquainted buffet at 4:00.

Well, this is our get-acquainted buffet.

DAWSON: Well, suit yourself.

Willie,

will you be my date?

Sure.

I'm gonna get myself glued together.

See you later. Uh, wait a minute.

I've got to check your apartment first.

A likely story, sir.

A likely story.

That is a hard lady to figure.

Finished second in the class at the police academy.

Really? Gospel.

Huh.

Well, see you later, huh?

Later.

Got a feeling who finished first.

Thank you for the thought,

but I finished fourteenth.

Fourteenth? Fourteenth.

[♪♪♪]

Drying your, uh, fingernails?

No, I am returning a very nice wave of a very nice--

Just doing my bit to clear away air pollution.

Come on.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[BOTH LAUGHING]

Hi.

You wanna dance?

Uh, no, not now.

Next time around, okay?

Okay.

Willie, you're just not trying.

Annie, you're absolutely right. I'm not trying.

Come on. Let's go.

Oh, wait. I just broke a strap.

I think I better go retreat and repair.

Okay.

It's my turn now.

Sorry. There's a flag on this play.

Uh-uh. You promised me.

Hey, she'll be right back.

Go ahead, Annie.

Why don't you mind your own business, huh?

Hey.

Hey, come on, take it easy.

I said she'd be right back.

Okay?

[CROWD CLAMORING]

MAN: Get him. Get him.

[CROWD GROANS]

Come on.

Split. Come on.

Split. I'll remember you.

You okay? Yeah, I'm okay.

Where's Annie?

Let's go.

Nice seeing you again, miss.

You don't remember me, do you?

I'm afraid I don't. Have we met?

Yeah, at the Clarion.

I, uh-- I took your ad.

You did?

The man I remember...

Well, I, uh,

dress differently when I'm not working.

You can say that again.

I'd like to talk to you.

Sure. As soon as I make a pit stop.

Now.

Was something wrong with the ad?

Well, it said that you wanted to meet young men.

I'm young,

and I'd like to be your friend.

Okay. Poof. You're my friend.

You turned your back on me.

Don't you ever turn your back on me again. That's rude.

There are too many rude people in this world.

I'd hate to think that you're one of them.

On second thought, maybe you're not my friend.

Maybe I'm not.

Wait.

[♪♪♪]

[GRUNTING]

You killed her.

[SCREAMING]

No. No!

[♪♪♪]

Yes, the, uh, lab turned up some stuff.

We're not too sure what we're gonna do with it though.

The assailant was wearing a wig when he attacked Officer Dawson.

There were strands of synthetic fiber found on the floor,

the kind of thing used in the manufacture of cheap wigs.

She scratched him several times,

but, uh, fingernail specimens indicate

that the scratches were not so deep as to require

a doctor's care or emergency room treatment.

Well, that's about it. Any questions?

Uh, any idea how long the hair on the wig might be?

Probably just, uh, brushes the collar.

That could mean he's bald, or partially bald,

or that he has more hair than some of the guys

working undercover on narco and he just wanted a different look.

That's all. Anything else?

Any fingerprints?

Two. Smudged and useless.

Anything else?

All right, you men working on patrol know what to look for.

The rest of us will continue with Officer Conway

at the apartment.

Lieutenant, do you think that's wise?

No, I think it's stupid and dumb and inefficient.

That's why I am ordering it to continue.

All I meant was, we've already lost one officer there, and--

I am well aware of that, Officer Webster.

More aware of it than you can possibly realize,

because I gave the order.

And I am now giving it again.

Dismissed.

Webster...

you owe that man an apology.

Not because of rank, and not because of protocol.

But because of what I saw on his face

when he heard that girl had been killed.

You owe that man an apology.

[♪♪♪]

Whatcha doing?

Answering the people who sent flowers to the funeral.

About halfway through.

You can start stamping some envelopes if you want to.

Terry.

Do you remember how Parkman said the killer would trap himself?

That he'd give us the break we needed?

Mm-hm.

Here:

"I'm sorry. I hoped we could be friends."

No signature.

Baxter's Flower Bazaar.

How come you remember the incident so well, Mr. Baxter?

Well, the young fella that ordered the flowers

asked me to write that message on the card for him.

Said he hurt his hand and couldn't write.

See any bandage on his hand? No.

Had one on his neck, though.

Cut himself shaving, he said.

Um, Mr. Baxter, do you remember anything about his hair?

His hair?

Long, short, bald?

Oh...let's see.

It was something like...

It was something like this guy here:

It is this guy here.

Him. H-he's the one.

WEBSTER: Walter T. Bolton.

Hey, this is the same guy that took Annie's ad at the Clarion.

You sure? I'm positive.

And it wasn't somebody who reads the ads. It's this guy.

He selects his victims before the ads appear.

Thank you very much, Mr. Baxter. You've been a big help.

We may need you later for a statement.

Anytime. Happy to oblige.

Always like to be helpful, you see.

Never even try to get outta jury duty.

Fine, fine, thank you so much.

Walter T. Bolton. Busted twice for assault.

Also had a habit of knocking his ex-wife around.

How'd you miss him in your roundup?

If we brought every guy in who ever took a swing at his wife,

this city would come to a screeching halt.

Lieutenant, let's pick him up.

Not yet. First we circulate this picture

to every florist in town,

and see if he was around on the days after

the other girls were killed.

We can't arrest him for sending flowers.

No, but we can tighten the circle,

they'll have something to bring out at the trial.

How do we get him to trial?

The same way we'd always planned on getting him there.

Assuming you're still game. I'm game.

I just hope Walter T. Bolton believes black is beautiful.

[♪♪♪]

May I help you?

I asked if I can help you.

I'm not sure anybody can.

Been in this frigid city two months,

and never felt so alone in my entire life.

Well, then, you've come to the right place, and I can help

you.

You wanna run a personal ad?

I guess that depends on how much it costs.

That depends on the number of words.

Oh. Ha, ha.

My name, uh, address and phone are at the bottom there.

Mm, $4.50.

Why is it so hard to make friends in this town?

Oh, modern life.

Too many people are...inside themselves.

I mean, they don't realize that other people have needs.

City life is too full of walls.

Keeps human beings apart.

That's very nicely said.

Thanks.

All right, now you're officially box number 230.

Talk about the city being cold.

Now I'm number 230.

Well, at least I know your name, Peg.

My name's Walter.

All right.

At least you and I won't be numbers to each other.

Nope. Thanks very much.

[♪♪♪]

[SIGHS]

Bolton there? He was.

With a scratch on his neck.

[SIGHS]

You know, Peg, he's, uh,

probably killed four people.

And I have no intention of becoming number five.

Why don't you ask out of this?

Why?

Words.

Look...

I know you well enough

to know that...

I more than like you.

I don't wanna talk about love, but, uh...

I-I care

about you.

Worry about you. Don't want anything to happen to you.

You didn't want anything to happen to Annie,

for that matter.

No, but you know what I'm--?

What I'm talking about?

We shouldn't wait around here. Let's get back to the precinct.

Okay, there's four entrances to the wing we live in.

One here, here,

here and here.

Well, that can't be too tough to bottle up

once we get Bolton inside.

This garage, it's strictly for tenants?

Mm-hm.

Bolton'll have to park out front,

which means he'll probably have to come in

along this sidewalk right here.

Hey, how'd it go?

Okay, just hope I didn't lay it on too thick for him.

RYKER: If and when they come,

we'll be ready.

Communications is bugging your apartment,

so Webster and Gillis will be able to hear

everything that goes on from across the hall.

The rest of us will be staked out around the building.

Lieutenant, I do have one request.

You want out?

No, but I do want you to pull Terry off the case.

He's liable to get me killed,

and I'm not willing to take that chance.

[♪♪♪]

That's a good girl.

Gonna make you big and strong.

You've gotta be strong... [MEOWS]

[WHISPERS] ...and silky, love.

Because that's the only thing

people respond to.

Ever.

Hardly say anything.

Want truth.

Hm.

They don't.

They say they want understanding.

They don't.

They don't want understanding.

[LAUGHS]

[MEOWS]

You eat...

and you get good and strong.

And big.

And y-- [MEOWS]

Gotta look strong.

Be strong for--

Maybe Peg'll be different.

Sooner or later,

someone's got to be different.

If you guys across the hall

hear any loud thumping, don't panic.

It's just my heart.

Still think I did the right thing

having Terry pulled off

that job.

Same reason...

doctors don't operate on relatives.

[SIGHS]

Not sure if I did it to protect me or Terry.

Hey, this electronic therapy's great.

You can talk all you want and nobody talks back.

Saves the price of a shrink.

A real good deal.

Real good.

Oh, boy.

I hope she doesn't fall apart on us.

Sounds like she's having second thoughts

about blowing the whistle on Terry.

After five nights of this,

she's entitled to have second thoughts about the whole thing.

Yeah, especially since two of the florists

identified Bolton's picture.

Unfortunately, sending flowers isn't listed in the penal code.

Mm.

RYKER [OVER RADIO]: Danko, do you read me?

Loud and clear, lieutenant.

How's she holding out?

She's okay, I guess.

Did you tell her to keep her door unlocked

in case we have to come in fast?

Roger. It's unlocked. Checked it myself.

All right. Let's settle in, see what develops. Ryker out.

[BOTH SIGH]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Hear anything from Ryker yet? Nope.

Oh, Webster.

Come here a minute.

I'll bet you miss it, don't you?

Miss what? That place you're staking out.

You know, the girls and the pool and all that stuff.

Man, I didn't get that kind of duty when I was a rookie.

Let me know if Ryker checks in with anything.

You didn't answer my question.

You do miss it, don't you?

Yeah, in a manner of speaking.

Yeah. Heh-heh-heh-heh. Yeah.

[LAUGHS]

[♪♪♪]

CONWAY: I wrote a letter

to Annie's parents,

trying to find something that would make them feel

she hadn't died for no reason at all.

And the only thing that I could come up with

is that she died trying to make sure Bolton

wouldn't get to anyone else.

[OVER RADIO]: Hoffman, this is Ryker.

When the new shift checks in,

send two men in plain clothes to check the roof.

It's a long shot, but you never know.

Operator, this is an emergency.

Connect me with the police department, please.

Yes, this is Mr. Matthews.

I run an apartment house at Fourth and Union,

and I just found one of my tenants strangled to death.

I got the guy who did it holed up in a garage.

Oh, I don't know who. She was, um...

just a kid, 18 or so.

I don't know how long I can hold him, officer.

Yes.

Hey, Terry, got news for you.

They got him. They captured him?

Yeah, somebody's got him trapped in a garage at Fourth and Union.

Ryker's headed out there now. He's called off the stakeout,

and pulled off everybody except the two in front and your girl,

in case you wanna visit. Good idea, old-timer.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Peg?

Hey, lady, it's me.

Peg?

Peg?

[♪♪♪]

Peg?

Peg?

[VOICES AT HIGH SPEED AS TAPE REWINDS]

BOLTON: Just like I did to your friend.

The one I got the garage key from.

PEG: I won't say anything.

BOLTON: Shut up.

I'm sorry about what you did,

because I liked you.

When you left that day I said to myself,

"I really like that girl. I really think she's not like

other lonelies I've been trying to help."

[PEG SCREAMS]

PEG: I don't know

what you're talking about.

BOLTON: Come on.

I'll show them all to you.

PEG: No. BOLTON: Come with me,

or I'm gonna kill you right here, right now.

Come on. There you go.

[♪♪♪]

Here they all are.

All the lonelies.

Poor. Pathetic.

Sad.

"Young man, late twenties, digs surfing, hiking.

"Wants to meet young woman with good character,

with similar interests."

He was 53 years old,

weighed 275 pounds.

[SCOFFS]

Isn't that sad?

You see...

they lie to themselves.

Most of 'em do.

They lie in their ads.

They lie to themselves.

I don't lie. Walter.

I tell the truth.

You see,

I know that I'm not Prince Galahad.

I know that I'm losing my hair.

I know that.

I know that I'm not the sort that...

romance magazines write about.

But that doesn't matter.

Please.

Let me go, Walter.

No.

No, that wouldn't do, because...

you tried to stop me

from helping people, and that wouldn't be right.

You're not-- You're not helping anyone.

I am helping the lonelies.

The...

The ones who turn away.

The ones who don't have anything or anybody.

And I'm not gonna let you stop me from letting them know

how useless their lives really are.

[GASPING]

[♪♪♪]

Beautiful black chick.

Mid-twenties,

desires to meet young man

with interests in field of human relations.

You've just met him, sweetheart.

[DOOR OPENS]

[♪♪♪]

You okay? Did he hurt you?

Scared me, but I'll get over that.

Here you go.

[SIGHS]

Thank you, Officer Webster.

Thank you very much.

[SIGHS]

[♪♪♪]

That's quite a change.

No, Terry, this is back to normal.

The other way was the change.

Nice while it lasted,

but like it said on the assignment sheet:

"Temporary assignment."

Well, we're gonna do a lot more than just see each other

once a year at the Policeman's Ball, Peg.

Mm-hm. Mm.

Keep talkin' that talk.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Oh, I'm glad I caught you before you left.

I just wanted to say thank you

for everything you've done, Officer Conway.

I wasn't very cordial when you came in,

and I just wanted to say--

You've said it, lieutenant.

You've said it very nicely.

Can I ask you a question off the record?

Anything, lieutenant.

Well, I try to keep up, you know?

Try to look like I know what's going on.

I don't want to offend anyone.

I don't wanna make a fool outta myself.

You know what I'm saying? Yes, sir. No, I-- I'm not sure.

Handshakes, Webster.

It seems like every week there's a new handshake.

I mean, I go to shake hands with a guy,

he slaps my palm,

grabs my wrist, makes a fist.

I mean, I'm starting to wave at people

just so I don't look out of step with what's going on.

So how do I shake hands with you, Officer Conway?

That doesn't answer my question, but it's nice.

[♪♪♪]

I'll-- I'll walk you to the car.

Get outta here, Webster.

[♪♪♪]