Original subtitles

My turn to curtsy, your turn to battle. No, no, this is your basic foreign

dignitary. Just a simple smile will do.

Yes, sir.

Pitts, Herbert Pitts.

With two Ts.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir. We've just had a large convention check out and

hasn't released your room yet.

Oh, well, that's all right. I know I'm a little early.

Well, it should only be a few minutes if you'll check back.

There's someone named Kramer waiting in your office.

Must be a guy from the IRS.

You're going to wish it was.

It's the FBI.

I'm Peter McDermott. Welcome to St. Gregory. Thank you. May I present my

personal aide, David Levite. I believe you know Mr. Evan Page. Certainly. Good

to see you again. This is my assistant, Christine Francis.

How do you do? How are things at the State Department?

If it were the hotel business, I'd say we're overbooked.

I've asked Christine to personally take care of your needs during your stay with

us. A pleasure, my dear. Thank you.

Who

are

all those people?

An Israeli minister just arrived.

Here we go, Mrs. Troy.

Outside room, lower floor.

It's a bistro.

Oh, I'm sorry.

That's all right.

There's always the possibility.

Listen, could you give us about ten minutes on that room? We're very delayed

this morning.

Yes, that's all right.

Which way is the coffee shop? Just through the arcade.

Would my bags be safe here? Absolutely. Don't you worry. You just have to watch

everything these days. In a minute, they snatch your purse.

How is Mrs. Cabot?

She's fine.

Giving a tight ring on everything.

We could use her at once.

Miss. Pardon me.

Miss, miss. Here you are, sir.

Four rooms and two suites on the top floor.

Lovely entire west wing.

Good.

That will help security.

Miss.

You know who that was?

Who, the minister?

No, the chubby guy in the green suit that was just here. Oh, Mr.

Pitts. Is that the name he gave you, Pitts?

Yeah, Herbert Pitts.

Figures. What does?

That's Howard Potts.

Pitts, Potts, get it?

These guys never use their real names.

They don't?

Sweetheart, Howard Potts is the hotel and cuisine critic for Premier Magazine.

No. Yeah, there's a picture of him inside.

Of course, he had a little more hair then.

You can bet he's going to do a review on the hotel.

What do we do?

Get everyone up on their tiptoes.

Later.

We sifted through the rubble, of course.

We found pieces of photographs of this hotel.

Notes about the routines, a floor plan, and references to the minister and the

press club meeting tonight.

Billy, you beat?

Bill Kramer from the FBI.

Billy Griffin, hotel security.

Mr. Griffin? How are you?

Mr. Kramer believes there's going to be an assassination attempt on the Israeli

minister. There was an explosion in a building in North Beach last night.

Police found evidence of a hit in this hotel and called us in.

So who are we talking about?

A Mideast terrorist group.

No chance our man went up with the fireworks?

Nope. And we don't even know who we're looking for.

It's probably a check.

Have you told the minister?

No. I need your cooperation first.

Of course, you got it. What do you want us to do?

Pressure the minister to cancel.

Thank you.

I was just in the restaurant.

Hector nearly had a coronary.

Someone told him that Howard Potts is in the hotel?

Mm -hmm.

What room did you put him in?

Oh, I didn't yet.

What? Well, he reserved an economy room. The convention is late getting out.

We'll upgrade him. But don't keep him waiting. I can't do that.

We can't give him special treatment just because... I mean, he'd know that we

know, wouldn't he?

Well, if you don't tell, I won't.

Mr. Kramer, living with death threats has become a way of life

for leaders in my part of the world. Sir, we're not talking about a maybe

Would you consider postponing your speech? A different day, different

Anything to upset the plan.

Mr. McDermott, you have security.

Let everyone do his job.

Ever? The minister has never been one to compromise his position.

What he means is, I am a stubborn old...

Say, Claire, if you have another credit card, I can just run it through

telecredits. I'm so embarrassed.

I do apologize for the inconvenience. No, I understand. My husband's always

after me about going over my limit.

Just never bother totaling it up until it's too late.

Tell you what, rather than running the risk, I think I'll just give you a

if that's all right.

It's in the Bay Area.

Oh, that's fine.

I hope this will be satisfactory, Mr. Potts.

Yes.

This is mine?

My goodness.

Yes, sir.

And I don't have to pay anything extra for this?

Of course not.

We never keep our guests waiting.

Enjoy your stay at the St. Gregory.

Thank you.

Wait, please.

Thank you very much.

I'd like some soda water with lemon, please.

Thanks.

May I join you?

Right.

You don't look very happy in your work, sweetheart.

What's your fee?

Your fee, honey, what do you charge?

I'm sorry, you must be mistaken.

Excuse me, I've got to go.

Peter, I believe we're here to dispense hospitality. Now, isn't that the nature

of our business?

Yes, of course. So tell us about shootings, robberies, earthquakes, and

knows how much civil unrest.

I suspect we'll survive this as well. I'm sure, but under the circumstances, I

felt we should allow the press club some say in the decision.

Oh, you know their answer. They might want to postpone out of consideration to

the minister.

That's a little like asking both sides to stop the war while they file their

story. Victoria, we have an obligation to our guests that goes beyond bed and

board. We do.

But the minister's mere presence in this country assumes certain risks.

I know, I know. Everyone is entitled to equal consideration.

We are not going to alter the routine of this hotel because of the actions of

one deranged man.

Otherwise, you might as well board it up.

Peter.

How would my sister -in -law have handled this?

Exactly the same way you did.

Sorry for the delay, ma 'am.

I hope this will be okay.

It'll be fine.

Thank you, young man.

But you understand me. It is very important that we have room 526. Like I

in my letter, not 528, 526.

Okay, let me take a look.

Harry, for goodness sake, who cares?

Ye of little faith.

Okay, I've got 526.

It's being cleaned up now.

To tell you the truth, honey, if it's a little messy, that wouldn't be so

terrible.

Well, I think that probably covers everything.

Very thorough.

I appreciate the hotel's cooperation in this rather unpleasant business.

Oh, yes.

And in tracking down that bottle of Israeli wine, the minister does have a

particular fondness for it.

No problem at all.

As soon as I get back to Washington, I'm going to dash off a letter of

commendation to Mrs. Trent.

I'm recommending both of you for our highest civilian award.

Four stars.

Oh, at least.

Well, I'll be on my way.

Christine. Yes.

I'm eating alone tonight.

Damn boring. I don't suppose you'd care to... Well, I'm not really... It's all

right. I mean, this has nothing to do with God and country.

Just a lonely traveling man.

I'd hate to jeopardize that commendation.

I promise not to take it back.

And I promise to stay on my side of the table.

If you're really nervous about it, there is a security guard outside that door.

You mean here in the suite?

It's creepy.

I still don't know why you dragged me here.

I think I'll go home.

Now relax.

Come on, just take a nice bath.

What relax?

Your husband dies in this very room ten years ago tonight.

And you don't think that's creepy?

You hear that, Morton? You make her nervous.

Look, Irving wants me to marry him, and I just want to see what Morton thinks of

the idea.

You want your dead husband's permission to accept Irving's proposal.

Well, I always trusted Morton.

Harriet, I'm your friend.

Trust me.

You are not rowing with both oars in the water.

We're going to start as soon as Felicity gets here.

Start? Start what?

Felicity who?

It's going to be fine.

Well, get a load of the old State Department.

The State Department's not that old.

Unless you think 38 is over the hill.

You doing research, are you?

I told him I'd clear it with the boss. You know, our policy regarding guests.

Regardless of their politics.

And by the way, what are his politics?

I don't want to sound naive, but he impressed me as an honorable man.

And you're willing to make this personal sacrifice for international relations?

Well, the fact that he's handsome, charming, and intelligent is not

judgment.

To tell you the truth, I think I'd prefer you in the suite with him.

But out of the line of fire, or is that some kind of contradiction?

You'll be relieved to know that the heart attack in 302 was an acute case of

martini poisoning.

Yeah. I guess we better cancel the complimentary champagne, huh?

Hello?

526, please.

Yes?

Hello. Felicity here. Shall I come up?

May I?

Of course.

You

seem a

little nervous.

Joe.

Yeah?

Well, you seem to be alone.

You're a very attractive man.

And you're very kind.

I just thought you might like to...

Might, you know, like

a little entertainment.

Do you mean would I be interested in having sex with you?

How much do you charge for your entertainment?

A hundred dollars.

Well, another time, another place, perhaps.

Right now I have some things I must attend to.

You know, you're an extraordinarily beautiful woman.

You perhaps might allow me a suggestion.

You're not asking nearly enough.

for a little business lady.

We just found some.

They have dinner at your parents' house.

We haven't seen them in two weeks.

What about us? When was the last time we had a night off together?

We see each other every day.

Megan, I'm talking alone, no parents.

You said you liked them.

Well, not enough to give up my only night off.

How insensitive. This is the pit.

Yes? Oh, evening, Mr. Potts.

Pits.

It's a pit.

That's what I say.

Might as well lighten up, Mr. Griffin. We've taken every precaution we can.

Yeah, I guess.

You worked out a route for the minister?

Uh, we can give him the best coverage down the service elevator and through

kitchen. There's a side entrance there to the press room.

Good. Sounds right.

But we're not going to do that, are we?

No.

The last minute, have him go straight down the elevator and right across the

lobby.

Get on over there by the window, will you, lover?

I want to get a good look at what I just bought.

Not bad for an amateur.

This isn't what you agreed to. I said 200.

Come on, honey.

This wasn't exactly a weekend in a mountain cabin, you know.

We expect a quick slam back.

But you said you would. Take the 100 and be thankful for small favors.

I am not certain I agree with all your changes.

You must admit they give it the right tone.

I do not have to admit to anything.

It's the right speech, Jacob. Believe me, you're destined for the history

And what are you destined for?

Dinner with a lovely lady is my most pressing ambition.

I envy you.

I'll see you right after.

Do you remember the strength of your convictions?

Ah, Evan, Evan.

It is so difficult to be brave.

That's what I'm here for?

That's what I was afraid of.

What do you mean?

I'm Peter McDermott, manager of this hotel.

Oh. Yeah.

And I make it my business to know everyone who works at the St. Gregory.

And for some reason, we don't have your social security number on file.

I'm just being friendly.

There's a law against that kind of friendly, Patricia.

How do you know my name?

I think this belongs to you.

Your check.

It bounced.

I'm sorry.

I would have made good on it eventually.

Can I ask you what the problem is?

What difference did it make?

I won't know until I hear.

Besides, I figure you owe me the price of an explanation.

Would you believe, until today, I'd only slept with one man in my whole life.

Yeah.

And where did he go?

With the wind.

You get kids?

Oh, yeah.

And a stack of bills to go with them.

And a house.

It's all mine.

Until Tuesday, when the bank takes over.

And what do you need?

$700.

While we're out on the streets.

You got any particular work skills?

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't even been able to swing the world's

oldest profession.

I mean, say, before you were married.

Before I was married, I was an English major.

Wanted to be a poet.

Until I traded it in for a hot stove.

One course I never took was typing.

It was published once.

One of those little books of poetry you pick up at stationary stores.

Pretty corny stuff.

Anyway, um... You caught me.

Can you recommend a good hotel?

This is a good hotel.

Might as well stay here.

I'm on the hook for the room anyway.

Thanks.

Mr. Manager.

By the way... Are you any good?

At what?

Writing.

Poetry.

This room. This room has such a lovely, warm feeling.

Personally, I feel ridiculous.

Harriet, please ask your friend. Tell her that negative thoughts are to be

avoided.

Sheila. All right. All right.

I'll get it.

Mrs. Gold?

Yes. Thanks a lot.

Supply?

Listen, Harriet.

You and Felicity have a nice chat with Morton.

I'm going down to the lounge.

But you can't leave here.

No, you can't. Everything's got to be the same as it was the night the poor

Morton died.

And you were here. You drove in from Oakland to bring Morton his briefcase,

remember?

Ladies, ladies, please.

I have got to start concentrating.

Excuse me? Yes, sir. My name is Pitts.

I have a reservation.

Mr. Pitts, good evening.

Your table is waiting. Please, follow me.

If I might suggest, sir, the deal is without character this evening. However,

the stand -ups are magnificent.

Don Perignon, 1976.

Enjoy your meal.

Yes. Uh, sir?

That's quite all right, sir.

Hi, it's Julie.

What's up?

A guest called, said something about strange noises in the room below.

I'm a little tied up right now, Julie.

Well, I thought you wanted to check everything out.

You're right, I better. What room is it?

526.

be to God.

Over here, take a seat.

Lady, look, I don't know... It's only going to take a couple of minutes. But I

don't have a couple of minutes.

Look, I don't have... Listen, I just found out there were four people playing

cards here the night that Morton died. We need you to fill in.

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom.

You're an alcoholic, but definitely not lethal.

Then I guess I'm perfectly safe.

I'm surprised you're not going down for the minister's speech.

It's best I'm not there. Too many people feel I have an undue influence over

them. Do you?

Or is that classified?

Thank you, Thomas. That'll be all.

No, not classified.

My father was a career diplomat. He and Benghazi go back a long way.

Dad was instrumental in getting him off his hard -line attitudes.

And you?

I suppose I'm sort of trotting along in the same footsteps.

Peaceful coexistence.

Now, make no mistake about it. The old boy is very much his own man.

I just give him a nudge every once in a while when he looks back over his

shoulder at the past.

Are you married?

Was.

It's not me if I'm beginning to come off like the press.

No, it's not classified either.

But then you knew that before you came up here.

It's coming close for now.

I can see.

I can see.

Morton, can you see him?

Excuse me. I can see dear Morton's face.

God.

He wants me to tell you that he's happy to have died

in the arms of the woman he loved.

He also wants me to tell you that he will be happy if you and Irving

marry.

Wait a minute.

What do you mean in the arms of the woman he loved? I wasn't here.

Oh. Oh, well.

Maybe I misinterpreted the message.

But the only woman who was here all night... You?

Well, I... Maybe he meant... I know exactly what he meant.

He was always groping you, Sheila. Always patting your behind.

Harriet, that was ten years ago.

I don't know what got into me that night.

I swear.

But you know how Morton was.

Such a pushy man.

Oh, I always knew that bum was no good.

Morton.

Morton!

Morton, you're a bum.

You hear me?

Not only am I going to marry Irving, I am never speaking to you again.

Well,

good

evening, Mr. Pitts.

Is everything all right? Oh, yes. Thank you. It's just wonderful.

Any special requests?

An old favorite? No, no, no. I couldn't eat another thing.

I mean a song from the violinist. Oh.

Oh, dear.

Compliments of the chef, sir.

I think I have it.

Could he play I Get No Kick From Champagne? Of course.

Meyer, I get a kick out of you.

So do I.

I don't know.

Hey, Pat, you've got to drop this gig and get back to the precinct.

Tenor Murphy needs you on a tenor wait.

You a cop? No, no, he was just joking. I don't even know him.

What are you doing? I thought you... You thought what?

I thought you understood.

Well, I do. That's why I've been trying to find you. Look, you've got to get

your beauty sleep. You've got a job tomorrow morning.

What?

A friend of mine owns a greeting card company. He's always complaining he

find anybody to write one -liners.

He's willing to give you a try, up to $1 ,100.

Look, Mr.

McDermott, I appreciate this, but what I need, I need by Tuesday.

It's all set.

You'll get an advance.

Look, the guy owes me. I'm just cashing in my chip.

Oh.

I don't know what to say.

How can I... Why don't we just chalk it up to... Poetic justice.

Excuse me.

Hey, where you been?

Getting into the spirit of things.

Who can give me a description of Marjorie Troy?

What is Marjorie Troy?

A lady without an identity.

She ran a routine check on every guest.

Marjorie Troy of San Jose doesn't exist.

Marjorie checks in. Mr. Troy comes in later and gives him a base of operations

at the hotel.

Not bad. You should be with the government.

Thanks. I already did a little time with the government.

I'll go you one better.

I'd say that Mr. and Mrs. Troy are one and the same.

That's it. Nothing really special about her.

She's a very nice lady. Kind of folksy.

Wait a second.

There's something.

Birthmark. Sort of British.

Right here?

You check her room.

I checked out Marjorie's room. Clean as a whistle. Of course.

There's been another development.

I just got a call from the lab. They pieced together some stuff from the

of that explosion.

And?

Indications are that our man was expecting the tight security around

And that it was to his advantage.

Maybe they're after somebody else.

Somebody else?

Who's important?

Page.

I know. I promised I'd stay on my end of the couch.

And no fair changing policies in the middle of negotiations.

Do you ever get to Washington?

Only when I need to review the Bill of Rights.

Well, maybe we'll review them together.

Well, I do like to travel.

I'm serious, Christine. You like Washington. It's an exciting town.

I also like the hotel business.

A hotel's a hotel.

It all depends on who you're sharing a room with.

The hotline. Tell the president his timing is lousy.

Get that for me, will you?

Hello?

Yes? Hi, I'm Larry Black from the Tribune. I was wondering if I could get

couple of quotes from Mr. Page.

Well, he's on the telephone, but I don't think he...

Just a reporter here to write your obituary.

A few parting words.

In the bedroom.

the roof one on top side this creamer here he's made a strike i want this

sealed off

Nobody leaves who in any way fits the description.

Which description is that?

Yeah, we're looking for a man or a woman.

Maybe something in between.

I'm checking out now. I believe Mr. McDermott made some arrangements about

credit. Yes, that's all we're taking care of. Thanks so much. Hi.

Remember me from the bar?

Yes. Any chance of us getting together?

I don't think so. I'm retired.

I could make it work in a while.

I don't know.

We could have a terrific time. I told you, I'm not interested.

No,

I'm really not interested.

Hey, Betty.

I thought you were spoken for.

Sorry, pal. Patty and me made a previous plan.

Well, I didn't mean to cut you out. No hard feelings, all right?

Easy, Marjorie.

How'd you pick him?

I think he showed his hand one too many times.

Well, nice job.

You don't think I can spend the night in that room now,

do you? Oh, Harriet.

I feel so ashamed.

Get it.

You know what I'm going to do? What?

I'm going to spend my honeymoon up there.

Won't Morton just love that?

Mr. McDermott, I'm Herbert Pitt. They told me that you're the manager.

Yes, I am. Well, I just want to thank you and everyone else here for the best

time I've ever had in my whole life.

Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your stay with us, Mr. Pitts.

Oh, yes.

I'm going back to Fresno tomorrow.

And when the guys at the factory read my report, I just know that we'll have our

bowling league convention here next year.