Original subtitles

[ boys shouting ]

[ typewriter clicking ]

[ streetcar bell rings ]

[ softly ] OH, JESUS.

[ typewriter clicking ]

Man's voice: THE PEARLS WERE INSURED FOR $100,000.

SO WHEN THE THIEF OFFERED TO SELL THEM BACK FOR FIVE,

THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAME TO US.

THERE WAS JUST ONE HITCH--

THE THIEF INSISTED ON A WOMAN GO-BETWEEN.

THE OLD MAN SUGGESTED SUE ALABAMA,

WHO WORKED FOR US A FEW YEARS BACK.

WHEN HE ASKED ME WHAT I THOUGHT, I SAID I THOUGHT SHE'D BE PERFECT.

JUST PERFECT.

THAT'LL STOP A KITTEN IF YOU'RE LUCKY.

IT'LL STOP A TIGER IF YOU KNOW HOW TO POINT IT.

Man's voice: HER NAME WASN'T REALLY SUE ALABAMA,

IT WAS SUE SOMETHING-GREEK- AND-UNPRONOUNCEABLE.

BUT ALL OF US CALLED HER ALABAMA,

SO SHE HAD IT CHANGED BACK IN '25.

THAT WAS JUST AFTER SHE AND I TOOK

"NOWHERE" NICKLETON AT THE BILTMORE IN L.A.

SHE PRIMED HIM AND I WENT IN ON THE CLEANUP.

SEX WAS NEARLY ALL SUE ALABAMA EVER NEEDED.

SHE COULD USE IT THE WAY SOME GUYS USE A BLACKJACK.

I STILL THINK SHE WAS PROBABLY THE BEST I EVER WORKED WITH.

[ gunshot ]

[ foghorn blows ]

THE 5,000 BUCKS?

INSIDE COAT POCKET.

HE NEEDED ONE HAND FOR THE MONEY

AND THE OTHER FOR THE GUN.

HE WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO HANDLE BOTH.

IF IT ISN'T "PEN PAL" MORRISON.

HELLO, PEN PAL.

AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T HIT THE MONEY.

I DIDN'T AIM AT THE MONEY.

[ sniffs ] I CAN'T FIGURE HIM FOR A CANNON.

THE ONLY THING PEN PAL WOULD EVER USE IS THE U.S. MAIL.

EXTORTION.

THAT'S WHY THEY PARKED HIM IN ATLANTA FOR THREE YEARS.

MAYBE HE JUST GOT AMBITIOUS.

MAYBE HE DID.

NO PEARLS THOUGH.

NO PEARLS.

IT WAS A CUTE HEIST, THAT'S ALL.

JUST ONE SMALL STEP UP FROM EXTORTION.

WHERE WERE YOU GONNA FENCE 'EM, CHICAGO?

CINCINNATI.

IF YOU STILL WANT 'EM, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO USE THAT SHOOTER.

GIVE ME TWO HOURS.

WHY?

FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE.

I'LL GIVE YOU ONE.

OKAY, ONE.

Man's voice: I DIDN'T GIVE HER AN HOUR, OF COURSE.

I DIDN'T EVEN GIVE HER 15 MINUTES.

[ typewriter clicking ]

THEY PICKED HER UP AT THE UNION STATION

WITH A TICKET FOR CHICAGO IN HER BAG.

I WAS ALMOST SORRY SHE DIDN'T MAKE IT.

BACK IN '26 SUE ALABAMA AND I NEARLY GOT MARRIED.

I SUPPOSE IT'S JUST AS WELL WE DIDN'T.

[ coughing ]

[ gagging ]

[ coughing continuing ]

[ faucet running ]

[ water stops ]

[ sighs ]

[ papers rustling ]

RYAN.

JESUS, RYAN.

JAMES FRANCIS XAVIER RYAN.

HIMSELF.

LOOK AT YOU KID, YOU'RE WHITER THAN I AM.

[ chuckles ] CLEAN LIVING.

YOU STILL A LUNGER?

CURED, ALMOST ANYWAY. THIRSTY?

ALWAYS.

I LOOKED AT THIS WHILE I WAS WAITING,

EXCEPT HER NAME WASN'T "SUE ALABAMA."

IT WAS "BETTY PHILADELPHIA."

AND I DID MARRY HER. WORSE LUCK.

- YOU EVER HEAR FROM HER? - YOU EVER HEAR FROM YOURS?

[ chuckles ]

LET ME ASK YOU A LITERARY QUESTION.

SURE.

I'LL BE SITTING AROUND WITH NOTHING TO DO

AND I'LL PICK UP ONE OF THOSE PULP RAGS

JUST TO SEE IF YOU GOT A STORY IN IT.

WHEN YOU DO, IT'S USUALLY ABOUT THIS TOUGH OLD BIRD

WHO'S ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOPS AHEAD OF EVERYBODY ELSE.

HOW COME HE HASN'T GOT A NAME?

ARE NAMES HARD TO WRITE?

SHOOT, I CAN WRITE NAMES.

FOXFIRE McCABE, BITSY GLASS...

- [ chuckles ] - ...JOE PICKLES.

YOU THINK HE'S YOU, RIGHT?

I KNOW HE IS.

HE GOES AROUND DOING EVERYTHING I USED TO DO.

HALF THE TIME I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO BE FLATTERED

- OR EMBARRASSED AS HELL. - [ chuckles ]

WHAT BRINGS YOU TO TOWN?

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.

- I GOT AN M.P. THING GOING. - WHO'S MISSING?

LITTLE CHINK GIRL,

ABOUT 16-17,

PRETTY. HER NAME'S CRYSTAL.

CRYSTAL LING.

I NEED SOME HELP, SAM.

YOU KNOW THIS BURG AND I DON'T.

I'M OUT OF IT.

ONCE IN, NEVER OUT.

HELL, I BET YOU'RE STILL HALF SNOOP.

I TAUGHT YOU GOOD.

I BET YOU READ OTHER PEOPLE'S MAIL,

POKE AROUND THEIR MEDICINE CABINETS.

EAVESDROP.

WHEN I WALK DOWN THE STREET, KNOW WHAT I STILL LOOK AT?

EARLOBES, NOSES, EYEBROWS,

SCARS IF THERE ARE ANY.

SEE WHAT I MEAN?

YEAH, BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT THEM IN JAIL.

I'M JUST TRYING TO PUT 'EM IN A MAGAZINE.

LIKE I SAID, I NEED SOME HELP, SAM.

ESPECIALLY IN CHINATOWN.

I WANT YOU FOR MY TIN MITTENS.

NO CHANCE. I DON'T SCREW AROUND WITH THE COPS ANYMORE,

NOT IN THIS TOWN.

LET'S GO GET SOME BOOZE.

IN A MINUTE.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY FIRST.

YOU LIKE STORIES, DON'T YOU?

SURE YOU DO.

IT SEEMS LIKE THIS OLD BIRD

IS UP IN SOME PLACE THAT SOUNDS A HELL OF A LOT LIKE BUTTE, MONTANA.

HE HAD A SIDEKICK THIS TIME--

A KID THE AGENCY SENT,

GREEN AS GRASS.

SOMEHOW THEY GET THEMSELVES IN THE SOUP,

AND THE OLD GUY TAKES A SLUG IN THE SHOULDER

THAT BY RIGHTS SHOULD'VE TAKEN THE KID IN THE LEFT EYE.

THE GREEN KID FALLS ALL OVER HIMSELF

TELLING THE OLD GUY NO MATTER WHAT HE WANTS,

NO MATTER WHEN, NO MATTER WHERE,

JUST HOLLER.

YOU REMEMBER THAT STORY.

ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, IS NOW HAMMETT.

I'M CALLING IT IN.

LET'S GO GET THAT WHISKEY.

[ knocking ]

Woman: HI, NEIGHBOR.

CAN YOU SPARE A CUP OF BOOZE?

Hammett: HELLO, KIT. I'M ALL OUT.

OHH.

OH, SORRY.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD COMPANY.

MISS CONGER, MR. RYAN.

HOW ARE YOU?

KIT'S A LIBRARIAN DOWNTOWN.

WE WERE JUST GOING OUT TO MAIL THIS, BRING YOU BACK SOME BOOZE.

OKAY, LET ME GIVE YOU THE MONEY.

SO WHERE ARE YOU FROM, MR. RYAN?

BALTIMORE, BIRMINGHAM,

BUTTE-- YOU NAME IT.

Conger: ANY PLACE THAT BEGINS WITH A "B."

I LEFT OUT BILOXI.

YOUR NEW STORY SET IN ANY OF THOSE PLACES, SAM?

Hammett: YEAH, MAYBE. MAYBE NOT.

Ryan: SOUNDED LIKE BALTIMORE TO ME.

- DID YOU MAKE A CARBON? - NO.

ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU'RE--

IS THAT WHAT YOU WEAR TO THE LIBRARY?

THAT'S WHAT I WEAR UNDERNEATH WHAT I WEAR TO THE LIBRARY.

YOU NEVER SEEN ANY BEFORE?

COUPLE OF TIMES. MAYBE THREE.

FOUR COUNTING THE REDHEADED CONTORTIONIST FROM YAKIMA.

CUTE DISH.

YEAH, VERY.

- [ cat howls ] - I HEAR YOU LEFT PINKERTONS.

YEAH, THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO.

LONG HOURS, SHORT DOUGH.

ANY MONEY IN THE WRITING RACKET?

PENNY A WORD.

WRITE A MILLION WORDS, YOU'LL BE SET.

LIKE "WAR AND PEACE."

BRING YOU BACK SOME GIN.

GIN'S FOR OLD LADIES. MAKE IT SCOTCH.

[ men singing ]

CHRIST, YOU'RE SURE LOOKING FLUSH--

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A BOOTLEGGER AND A BANKER.

Ryan: GOT MY OWN AGENCY UP IN TACOMA NOW.

A LOT OF DIVORCES IN TACOMA.

NO WONDER. HELL, IT RAINS 350 DAYS OF THE YEAR.

WHAT'S YOUR TOWN LIKE? FREE AND EASY?

YEAH, MORE SO THAN MOST.

WHO RUNS THINGS?

SAME PEOPLE THAT RUN THINGS EVERYWHERE.

THE COPS, THE CROOKS AND THE BIG RICH, HUH?

[ chuckles ] WHO ELSE?

- WHERE? - A LITTLE TO YOUR RIGHT AND BACK SIX YARDS.

I'D SORTA LIKE TO LOSE HIM.

- YOU STILL KNOW HOW? - YEAH, I THINK I MIGHT REMEMBER.

CORKSCREW OR SPLIT AWAY?

CORKSCREW. LOOKS LIKE I TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING AFTER ALL.

[ coughing ]

KNOW WHO THAT PUNK REMINDS ME OF?

- WHO? - REMEMBER BLACKIE MALCOLM?

- MY GOD, YOU'RE RIGHT. - WAIT, I GOTTA MAIL THIS.

- MAIL IT LATER! - WAIT A MINUTE.

- WHAT? - COME ON, MOVE IT.

- [ coughing ] - YOU OKAY?

[ coughing ] YEAH. IF WE LOSE EACH OTHER,

MEET ME AT COOKIE'S.

- WHAT'S THAT, A SPEAK? - YEAH, ASK ANYBODY.

[ coughing ]

[ man shouts in Chinese ]

[ shoes tapping ]

[ firecrackers exploding ]

WHERE'S MY STORY?

I LOST MY MANUSCRIPT!

COME ON!

FOR GOD'S SAKE, LET'S GO!

LET'S GET OUT OF THIS MESS!

BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MANUSCRIPT?

[ people shouting, screaming ]

YOU SEE WHERE THE BIG GUY WENT?

- THE GUY WITH THE HAT. - [ speaks Chinese ]

[ men speaking French ]

SAILOR, YOU SEE A BIG FELLA COME THROUGH HERE?

NO, MONSIEUR, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYONE BUT VERY PRETTY GIRLS.

- I DON'T LIKE PRETTY GIRLS. - PRETTY ONES.

- YOU LIKE PRETTY GIRLS? - Woman: TWO BIT FOR ME.

NO, THANKS.

I'M TRYING TO TAPER OFF.

- Woman: MY DAUGHTER WORK WITH ME. - [ woman #2 speaking Chinese ]

MISTER? MISTER?

HAVE YOU TIME? HAVE YOU TIME?

TWO DOLLAR?

ONE DOLLAR?

JIMMY!

- Woman: JIMMY! - [ women giggling ]

- Woman: JIMMY! - Woman #2: JIMMY!

- Woman: JIMMY! - Woman #2: JIMMY!

HELLO, TOM.

SAMUEL.

Hammett: I SEE YOU'RE NOT PARTICULAR ABOUT THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.

THEM THAT WORKS, EATS.

HELLO, O'MARA.

WHAT BRINGS YOU DOWN TO THE DEPTHS?

CAME DOWN HERE WITH A FRIEND OF MINE,

BUT HE SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN LOST.

WHAT ARE YOU OFFERING FOR HIM? A NICKEL REWARD?

FOR YOU, O'MARA, I'LL MAKE IT A DIME.

HE WOULD'VE TAKEN THE NICKEL, SAMUEL.

A LITTLE OFF YOUR REGULAR PATCH, AREN'T YOU, HAMMETT?

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD CHINATOWN ROPED OFF.

I DON'T, BUT SOMETIMES I THINK IT'D BE A HELL OF AN IDEA.

SURE YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS FRIEND OF MINE, TOM?

A GUY ABOUT 50 OR SO, 6', TAN OVERCOAT WITH A VELVET COLLAR.

- FANCY. - CERTAINLY HAVEN'T SEEN THE LIKES OF HIM.

WHAT WOULD YOUR FANCY FRIEND BE DOING DOWN HERE?

LOOKING FOR A CHINESE GIRL.

OH, AIN'T WE ALL?

YOUR FRIEND A PRIVATE COP?

MAYBE.

MAYBE THERE'D BE A LITTLE...?

COULD BE, YOU NEVER KNOW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, TOM?

THAT'S UP TO YOU, LIEUTENANT.

WHO'S THE GIRL?

NAME'S CRYSTAL LING.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, HAMMETT--

I NEVER HEARD OF ANY CHINK GIRL CALLED CRYSTAL LING.

IF YOU WERE HALF SMART, YOU NEVER HEARD OF HER.

IF YOUR FANCY FRIEND WITH THE VELVET COLLAR IS HALF AS SMART AS YOU--

WHICH WOULD MAKE HIM ONE-QUARTER SMART--

HE NEVER HEARD OF HER EITHER.

THAT'S A "LAY OFF" SPEECH IF I EVER HEARD ONE.

GO HOME AND TYPE, HAMMETT.

SAMUEL, THAT AIN'T BAD ADVICE.

WHAT'S UP?

HOW YA DOING?

SAY, YOU'RE DASHIELL HAMMETT, AREN'T YOU?

THAT'S WHAT MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE SAYS.

I'M A BIG ADMIRER OF YOURS.

I'M A WRITER TOO.

- REALLY? - NEWSPAPERMAN.

SALT-- GARY SALT.

I REALLY LIKED THAT "YELLOW WOMEN."

I GUESS YOU WERE JUST FOLLOWING ME IN THIS ALLEY

TO GET MY AUTOGRAPH, RIGHT?

NO, ACTUALLY...

THE FACT IS, THE FELLOW WHO WAS WITH YOU THERE--

YOU MEAN JIMMY RYAN?

THAT'S IT, MR. HAMMETT.

WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH HIM?

I HAVE SOMETHING FOR HIM.

OH REALLY?

THAT'S INTERESTING.

HE'S PROBABLY OVER AT COOKIE'S.

COME ON, I'LL INTRODUCE YOU.

YEAH, UH, GEE THANKS, MR. HAMMETT.

COME ON, SALT.

I WON'T LET 'EM HURT YA.

- Man: HI, SAM. - HELLO, MIKE.

I DON'T WANNA HEAR THIS CRAP!

Woman: NOT JUST NOW, THANKS.

- HELLO, ELLEN. - Ellen: HOW YOU DOING, SAM?

- SORRY. - EXCUSE ME.

- SAM. - HOW'S TRICKS?

YOU'RE KINDA LATE TONIGHT, AIN'T YA?

I GUESS.

LOOKING FOR A PAL OF MINE-- CAMELHAIR COAT, BROWN HAT,

ABOUT 6'.

NOBODY HERE TONIGHT EXCEPT REGULARS.

THANKS ANYWAY.

- WHAT'LL IT BE, PAL? - NOTHING, THANKS.

HE ISN'T HERE.

DON'T WORRY, HE'LL BE HERE.

WHY DON'T YOU DO YOURSELF A FAVOR

AND TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT HIM FOR?

IT HAS TO DO WITH CHINATOWN.

Man: MY WIFE LEFT ME. SHE JUST WALKED OUT.

FREELANCE. IT'S A FREELANCE JOB.

LIKE I SAY, I BEEN WORKING ON THIS THING

FOR QUITE A WHILE...

[ hoarsely ] EXCUSE ME.

OH, SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU WERE A PAL OF MINE

I USED TO WORK WITH IN THE CIRCUS. GOOD EVENING.

ALL RIGHT.

- HELLO, SID. - HOW YOU DOING, SAM?

LITTLE GEEZER WITH THE BOW TIE, YOU SEE WHERE HE WENT?

NOT HERE.

[ man humming ]

[ humming ]

THAT'S GREAT COVER, KID-- THE NEWSPAPER. I REALLY LIKE THAT.

I KNEW A GUY ONCE USED TO DISGUISE HIMSELF AS A FIRE HYDRANT.

OF COURSE HE DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DOGS.

I'M GOING HOME TO GET SOME SHUT-EYE.

WHY DON'T YOU SKIP THE SHOESHINE AND TAKE A TAXI?

THERE'S A SWELL DOORWAY ACROSS FROM MY PLACE.

YOU CAN STAND THERE ALL NIGHT LONG.

- BRING A GOOD BOOK WITH YOU. - [ hoarsely ] YOU BETTER GET YOUR PICTURE TOOK, CREEP.

YOUR MAMA WON'T KNOW YOU WHEN I'M FINISHED WITH YOU.

SEE YOU LATER, KID.

BY THE WAY, YOUR PAPER'S UPSIDE DOWN.

LUCK'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, POP.

REMEMBER?

HELLO, SAM.

HELLO, MIKE.

- HOW'S CRISTA? - Mike: GREAT.

WE NAMED THE BABY AFTER YOU-- SAMANTHA.

SWELL.

DRINK UP, SON.

SKIP THE GUTTER.

[ shoes tapping ]

AIN'T YOU GONNA ASK ME ABOUT YOUR LATEST?

IT JUST COME IN THIS MORNING.

THAT SURE IS FINE WORK, SAMUEL.

Hammett: GLAD YOU LIKE IT, POP.

Mike: SAM, SAM, SAM.

FOLEY AT THE WINTERLAND GAVE IT TO ME STRAIGHT.

PUT YOUR MONEY ON MICKEY WALKER.

Hammett: THAT'S A SUCKER BET, MIKE.

- Mike: THEY'RE LAYING EIGHT TO FIVE. - SMART MONEY'S ON POLESKI.

- Mike: HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT? - Hammett: I'LL GO 50 ON POLESKI.

YOU'VE GOT IT, SAM.

[ shoes tapping ]

[ crashing ]

[ hoarsely ] WHAT'RE YOU TRYING TO PULL?

NOBODY MESSES WITH ME LIKE THAT--

NOBODY. YOU JUST MADE YOUR BIG MISTAKE.

I'M GONNA FIX YOU, SUCKER.

[ laughing ]

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SAY "I TOLD YOU SO"?

TRY ME.

- I LOST MY MANUSCRIPT. - I TOLD YOU SO.

WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? WRITE IT OVER?

I'LL WRITE A BETTER ONE.

IT'S BEEN A FULL EVENING, ANYWAY.

I MISPLACED JIMMY RYAN SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY.

MAYBE HE'S UP IN YOUR PLACE.

JIMMY?

Ryan's voice: THE AGENCY AND I TOOK YOU IN OFF THE STREET, HAMMETT,

TAUGHT YOU DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING YOU KNOW.

I TAUGHT YOU SURVEILLANCE, THE FALLBACK,

EVEN HOW TO LIE.

IT TOOK ME YEARS TO LEARN THAT.

AND I TAUGHT IT TO YOU FOR FREE.

YOU TAKE IT AND SELL IT ON THE STREET

IN A CHEAP MAGAZINE.

- [ typewriter clicking ] - [ boys shouting ]

[ knocking ]

OH, NOW WHAT?

[ knocking ]

HMM.

WHAT DO YOU WANT, SALT?

CAN I COME IN FOR A MINUTE?

SALT, I'VE GOT A STORY THAT WAS DUE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.

SO WHATEVER YOU'VE GOT TO SAY, MAKE IT SNAPPY.

THE TRUTH IS

I'M REALLY NOT A WRITER.

I JUST COLLECT GOSSIP FOR THE PAPERS--

FOR "THE POST" AND "CALL."

I WAS TRYING TO WRITE A REAL STORY FOR ONCE

ABOUT THE SLAVE RACKET IN CHINATOWN--

12-, 13-YEAR-OLD GIRLS COMING RIGHT OFF THE BOATS

AND INTO THE CRIBS.

I MET HER THERE.

CRYSTAL.

LOOK.

- OH. - ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL?

YEAH, SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. SHE'S VERY BEAUTIFUL.

- SO WHAT? - A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK TO HER.

I'D LIKE TO TALK TO HER MYSELF.

WHY IS EVERYBODY INTERESTED IN THIS CHINESE DAME ANYWAY?

TELL YOUR FRIEND RYAN I WANT HER BACK.

BACK? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME?

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. BELIEVE ME,

I'M ALREADY OUT ON SUCH A LIMB.

TELL YOUR FRIEND RYAN IF HE DOESN'T WATCH HIS STEP, HE CAN WIND UP DEAD.

YOU TELL HIM I MEAN IT.

YOUNG WILD WEST, EH?

[ phone ringing ]

- HELLO. - Ryan: Sam, it's me.

RYAN, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

I'm in a jam. Look in the dictionary.

Your big dictionary.

I can't talk now.

I've got to find that girl.

[ dial tone ]

SWELL.

WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO START?

CAN I GET ANOTHER COPY OF "THE CHRONICLE" FOR JANUARY 3rd?

Man: Coming right up, Sam!

THANKS, HANK.

[ shoes tapping ]

MAN ALIVE, THIS GUY GOT IT RIGHT.

[ bell rings ]

[ shoes tapping ]

"MR. CALLAGHAN WAS PROMINENT IN LOCAL BUSINESS AND CIVIC CIRCLES...

RECENT FINANCIAL REVERSAL... DESPONDENT...

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FAMILY ATTORNEY,

E.L. HAGEDORN."

ENGLISH EDDIE HAGEDORN.

[ shoes tapping ]

[ whistling ]

♪ I WISH THAT I...

[ whistling ]

- [ humming ] - [ clicking continuing ]

- ♪ COULD WRITE A SONG ABOUT YOU... ♪ - HELLO.

HELLO.

- REMEMBER ME? - ELLEN.

- ELIZABETH. - CHRISTMAS EVE, 1924.

THAT'S RIGHT. I'M MARRIED NOW.

HMM.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

[ pats ]

[ whistling ]

LEE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO IN CHINATOWN

TO FIND A GIRL WHO'S RUN AWAY FROM THE CRIBS?

THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE--

THE MISSION HOUSE ON SACRAMENTO STREET.

[ horns honking ]

YES, MAY I HELP YOU?

HOW DO YOU DO? I'M PETER COLLINSEN FROM "THE CHRONICLE."

I'D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH MISS CAMERON IF I MAY.

A NEWSPAPER REPORTER.

YES, MA'AM. I'M FROM "THE CHRONICLE."

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON A STORY ABOUT THE SLAVE RACKETS DOWN HERE.

I'VE GOT A PROBLEM I THINK YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME TROUBLE LOCATING OUR PRIMARY SOURCE.

WHO IS "WE," MR. COLLINSEN?

IT WOULDN'T BE FONG WEI TAU, NOW WOULD IT?

WAIT A MINUTE-- I KNOW WHO HE IS, BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.

YOUR SOURCE CAME TO US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

WITH NOTHING BUT THE CLOTHES ON HER BACK,

CRAZED WITH FEAR.

SHE WOULD ONLY TELL ME SHE HAD ESCAPED FROM FONG.

FONG PAID $5,000 FOR HER

WHEN SHE WAS BROUGHT HERE FROM CHINA

AT THE AGE OF 12.

$5,000!

SO HE COULD SELL HER BODY IN HIS PARLOR-HOUSE.

IF SHE'S CAUGHT, IT WOULDN'T BE A LIFE WORTH LIVING,

NOW WOULD IT?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE SHE IS NOW?

A YOUNG MAN TRICKED ONE OF MY STAFF

INTO LETTING HER LEAVE WITH HIM.

I'LL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF FOR BEING OUT THAT DAY.

THANKS, THAT'S SWELL.

IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT, I'LL LET YOU KNOW.

YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME,

MR. HAMMETT.

I'VE LIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO SINCE 1895, YOUNG MAN.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OUR CITY.

YES, MA'AM, I SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER.

- ELI. - WHERE TO, HAMMETT?

THE MORGUE.

- YOU BACK ON THE GAME? - SORT OF.

I WAS WORRIED THERE FOR A WHILE.

I THOUGHT YOU WAS GETTING HALFWAY RESPECTABLE,

LIKE ME.

- [ knocks ] - Man: COME IN.

HELLO, DOC. I HEARD YOU RETIRED.

I GOT 13 KIDS, HAMMETT.

YOU DON'T EVER RETIRE IF YOU GOT 13 KIDS.

[ laughs ] EVER HEARD OF A DOCTOR WITH 13 KIDS?

[ laughing ]

I WAS SURE I HEARD YOU RETIRED.

I HEARD YOU QUIT DRINKING.

I GUESS WE WERE BOTH WRONG.

[ shoes tapping ]

YOU KNOW WHAT MY PROBLEM IS?

I'M A HALFWAY HONEST MAN

IN A 9/10s DISHONEST WORLD.

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?

SUICIDE.

MY ADVICE? DON'T HESITATE.

[ coughs ] NOT MINE.

C.F. CALLAGHAN'S.

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK.

HAD A GUY IN LAST WEEK

ASKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.

THE GUY HAD A FANCY TAN TOPCOAT

AND A HAT TO MATCH.

HE WAS ON THE EXPENSE.

[ shoes tapping ]

- YOU ON THE EXPENSE, HAMMETT? - NOPE.

WE GO BACK A WAYS, YOU AND I, DON'T WE?

QUITE A WAYS.

COLCORD THING IN '21.

I WASN'T IN ON THAT ONE, DOC. WHAT ABOUT CALLAGHAN?

YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT ON THE EXPENSE LIKE THAT OTHER FELLOW?

I'M SURE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I GOT?

WHAT?

BAD KIDNEYS.

[ toilet flushes ]

[ chuckles ]

LIKE I SAID,

A MOST INTERESTING CASE.

[ spits ]

THE VICTIM STRUCK HIMSELF IN THE HEAD

WITH A BLUNT INSTRUMENT,

AND THEN PUMPED A .38 ROUND INTO HIS HEART.

OR MAYBE IT WAS VICE VERSA.

SUICIDE... [ laughing ]

IS OFTEN FASCINATING.

I'LL SAY.

- [ horse snorts ] - [ siren approaching ]

- [ door closes ] - [ whistling ]

- [ speaks Chinese ] - [ gasps ]

CRYSTAL LING, RIGHT?

[ strong accent ] DO YOU ALWAYS LEAVE YOUR DOOR UNLOCKED, MR. HAMMETT?

WHY NOT? NOTHING OF VALUE.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL COME IN.

I GUESS NOT.

WHILE WAITING FOR YOU HERE,

I FELT SO SAFE--

PROTECTED.

IT'S SUCH A MASCULINE PLACE.

SAFE FROM WHAT?

YOUR FRIEND MR. RYAN.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME AND RYAN?

YOU AND HE WERE IN CHINATOWN LAST NIGHT.

NOTHING THERE GOES UNOBSERVED.

WOULD YOU TELL YOUR MR. RYAN

TO STOP LOOKING FOR ME?

I AM NOT LOST.

WHAT ABOUT A GUY NAMED SALT? GARY SALT.

- [ sighs ] - HE ALSO SEEMS TO THINK YOU'RE LOST OR STRAYED.

SALT.

HE'S A EVIL LITTLE MAN.

HE'S CORRUPT.

HE IS WORSE THAN FONG WEI TAU.

NO, THAT IS NOT TRUE.

NO ONE IS WORSE THAN FONG--

NOT EVEN SALT.

SO WHY COME TO ME?

IN CHINATOWN,

YOU ARE KNOWN AS A KIND MAN...

A JUST MAN.

I CAME BECAUSE I NEED

A SAFE PLACE TO STAY FOR A FEW HOURS.

NO MORE THAN EIGHT.

I NEED A HAVEN.

IF YOU COULD HELP ME...

- I WOULD-- - YOU'D DO WHAT?

ANYTHING.

ANYTHING WHAT YOU WANT.

I BET YOU WOULD AT THAT.

FIRST YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME.

AFTER ALL, I AM A KIND MAN, A JUST MAN.

ANYTHING.

ANYTHING AT ALL.

TELL ME ABOUT YOU AND C.F. CALLAGHAN.

I CANNOT.

WHY NOT?

I WAS THERE WHEN SHE KILLED HIM.

WHO'S SHE?

HIS WIFE.

OH, MRS. CALLAGHAN.

I FLED AND...

LATER THE POLICE CAME

- AND-- - CALLED IT SUICIDE.

SUICIDE.

WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING THERE?

[ clears throat ] YOU SEE, MR. CALLAGHAN,

HE BOUGHT ME.

BOUGHT ME FROM FONG.

YOU SPIN QUITE A TALE, SISTER.

IT'S TRUE, MR. HAMMETT.

IT'S ALL TERRIBLY, HORRIBLY TRUE.

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND,

I WAS A WHORE--

A VERY VERY SKILLED WHORE--

UNTIL I FOUND CHRIST, MY REDEEMER.

AT THE MISSION?

YES, AT THE MISSION.

I WAS MADE TO DO SUCH...

TERRIBLY WICKED THINGS.

I THINK MAYBE I BETTER GO NOW.

MR. HAMMETT--

CAN I STAY?

SURE, OKAY. LOCK THE DOOR.

DON'T LET ANYONE IN AND DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE. I'LL BE BACK LATER.

I WAS SO VERY WICKED.

YEAH, I CAN BELIEVE THAT.

[ door opens, closes ]

[ knocking ]

[ footsteps approaching ]

HOW ARE THE WONDERS OF THE ORIENT?

I SAW HER GO UP.

SHE'S A FAVOR I OWE RYAN.

SURE SAM, ABSOLUTELY. YOU BET.

THERE'S A COP I KNOW WHO IS A LITTLE SHIFTY,

BUT HE'S BASICALLY OKAY.

HIS NAME'S BRADFORD.

TOM BRADFORD.

IF I'M NOT BACK BY THE TIME YOU GO TO WORK TOMORROW,

CALL HIM AND TELL HIM TO COME LOOKING FOR ME AT FONG'S.

- THAT'S ALL? JUST FONG'S? - YEAH, HE'LL KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

THAT'S GOOD.

WHAT ABOUT THE LITTLE FORTUNE COOKIE UPSTAIRS?

YOU'D BETTER STAY AWAY FROM HER.

WHY, IS SHE TROUBLE?

[ chuckles ]

SHE'S A DISASTER.

Man: HEY!

[ people speaking Chinese ]

THREE FLOWERS. TWO CRACK, ONE BOUND.

CRAPS, ROULETTE, BLACKJACK?

I WANNA SEE FONG.

I'LL BE AT THE BLACKJACK TABLE.

- TWO DOLLAR. - LUCKY PEOPLE HERE.

EVERYBODY WINS. GOT THE CARDS?

OKAY. EXCHANGE, SIR.

ANYONE ELSE?

PLACE YOUR BETS.

DEALER HAS ACE SHOWING.

INSURANCE, ANYONE?

DEALER HAS 21.

YOU, COME WITH ME.

MR. HAMMETT, I AM HONORED.

YOUR RENOWN PRECEDES YOU.

YEAH? I'VE HEARD A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOU TOO.

INDEED?

PERHAPS YOU CAN GET RIGHT TO THE POINT OF YOUR VISIT?

I WAS WONDERING IF A FRIEND OF MINE'S BEEN AROUND-- JIMMY RYAN.

RYAN. JIMMY RYAN.

HEARD THE TWO OF YOU HAVE A MUTUAL FRIEND,

A NIFTY LITTLE GIRL NAMED CRYSTAL.

PERHAPS WE ARE A BIT TOO PUBLIC HERE.

PLEASE COME THIS WAY.

Dealer: PLACE YOUR BETS, EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY WINS HERE.

EVERYBODY WINS. NO MORE BETS.

VERY NICE. SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT.

I LIKE YOUR PAINTINGS.

YOUR FRIEND JIMMY HAS BEEN HERE.

INDEED, HE IS STILL HERE,

ENJOYING MY HOSPITALITY WHILE I CONSIDER

A PROPOSITION HE HAS MADE ME.

WHAT KIND OF PROPOSITION?

CRYSTAL DID YOU SAY?

AN INTERESTING PIECE OF WORK, MR. HAMMETT.

MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THE DETECTIVE GENRE.

IS THIS PURE INVENTION

OR DO YOU DRAW YOUR MATERIAL FROM LIFE?

REAL LIFE, FONG.

I'LL BE GLAD TO SHOW YOU SOME OF MY POEMS SOMETIME.

BUT IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LIKE TO HAVE THIS BACK.

NOW NOW, MR. HAMMETT. COMMON SENSE WOULD DICTATE YOU LISTEN QUIETLY.

PERHAPS YOUR WORK HAS MADE

THE HABIT OF FANTASY TOO STRONG IN YOU.

YOU WILL FIND THAT I AM NOT SO EASILY DEALT WITH...

AS YOUR PAPER VILLAINS.

IN THAT CASE, I THINK I'LL BE LEAVING.

THANKS FOR THE TEA.

[ groans ]

EVIDENTLY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS

I TALK TO THIS LADY,

SO PLEASE DON'T BE SILLY.

JUST TELL ME WHERE SHE IS.

SURE.

DO YOU REALLY INSIST ON THIS FOOLISHNESS?

GO TO HELL.

PHYSICAL HEROISM

IS NOT THE WRITER'S METIER, MY FRIEND.

REMEMBER ABOUT CRYSTAL QUICKLY

AND SAVE YOURSELF A GREAT DEAL OF VEXATION.

[ lock thuds ]

[ man laughing ]

- [ gunshot ] - YOU GONNA BE ABLE TO CUT IT, LADDIE BUCK?

OH GOD.

WHY COULDN'T THEY BE GIANT SPIDERS AND PINK ELEPHANTS?

WHERE THE HELL IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

IT'S A MEXICAN CRIB JOINT.

CHRIST, YOU PICKED IT OUT.

[ horse whinnies ]

Hammett: I DID?

I TOLD YOU HE WOULDN'T REMEMBER.

Ryan's voice: THIS IS IT, KID.

THIS IS WHERE THEY MAKE THE BIG PAYOFF--

GENERAL CALAVERAS AND HIS BUNCH.

20 CRATES OF SPRINGFIELD 03s

FOR 85,000 MEXICAN SILVER DOLLARS.

NOW DO YOU REMEMBER?

Crystal's voice: WE'LL HAVE TO WORK IT WITHOUT HIM.

AND YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BACKUP.

JESUS, SOME BACKUP.

AHH.

[ music playing ]

[ mechanized laughter ]

[ girl giggling ]

WHO ARE YOU?

[ giggling continues ]

[ typewriter clicking ]

[ giggling ]

JESUS.

WHERE ARE WE?

[ people chatting ]

[ girl giggles ]

WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME?

CUTE LITTLE DICKENS.

[ women shouting ]

[ scattered screams ]

- [ speaking Chinese ] - COME ON. NO.

[ speaking Chinese ]

NO, THANK YOU.

[ shouting Chinese ]

Hammett: GET LOST, KID.

RYAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THERE?

GET THE LID OFF, KID.

[ giggling ]

IS IT LOCKED?

WHY THE HELL SHOULD IT BE LOCKED? I CAN'T REACH IT.

GIMME YOUR HAND.

[ groaning ]

[ sighs ]

WHOA.

JESUS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

THE DEAL WENT A LITTLE SOUR.

THAT'S ALL.

- I'LL SAY. - JUST A LITTLE SOUR.

[ men shouting Chinese ]

LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

DAMN.

[ shouting Chinese ]

[ shouts Chinese ]

[ coughing ]

Ryan: SADDLE UP!

[ laughing ]

DOWN BELOW!

[ coughs ]

ALL RIGHT, YOU TWO. LET'S GO.

TOO BAD YOUR GIRLFRIEND CALLED US.

I COULD'VE TAKEN YOU OUT OF HERE IN A BOX.

COME ON, GET IN.

[ coughing ]

SO YOU'RE THE FAMOUS JIMMY RYAN, HUH?

YEAH, I'M RYAN.

YOU AND ME, BUCKO-- YOU AND ME,

WE'RE GONNA HAVE A LITTLE TALK.

GET IN.

[ coughing ]

[ engine starts ]

KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO YOU, RYAN?

YOU'RE FALLING APART. YOUR NERVE'S SHOT

AND YOUR BRAIN'S PICKLED.

YOU KNOW THE ONLY MISTAKE I MADE? I FELT SORRY FOR YA!

NOBODY HAS TO FEEL SORRY FOR JIMMY-- NOBODY.

WHY DON'T YOU START WITH THAT DUMB PHONE CALL

ABOUT THE DICTIONARY AND GO FROM THERE?

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING, RYAN? SOME CUTE SHAKEDOWN?

A LITTLE EXTORTION, MAYBE?

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PHONE CALL WAS?

YOU THE GREAT DETECTIVE STORY WRITER?

THAT WAS A CLUE, YOU SIMPLE SON OF A BITCH.

THEY WENT AFTER YOU AND I WENT ABOUT MY BUSINESS.

ALL RIGHT, HAMMETT.

ONE MORE TIME.

WHY HAVE YOU BEEN ASKING ALL OVER TOWN

ABOUT CRYSTAL LING?

I HAVEN'T BEEN ASKING ALL OVER TOWN.

YOU ASKED ME.

YOU ASKED TOM.

YOU ASKED FONG.

YOU EVEN TRIED TO BRIBE ME AND TOM.

AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, DIDN'T HE TRY TO BRIBE US, TOM?

IF GOD IS YOUR WITNESS, LIEUTENANT,

HE CERTAINLY TRIED TO BRIBE US.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GO HOME AT NIGHT, TOM?

- THROW UP? - I DRINK, SAMUEL.

I DRINK A WHOLE LOT, THEN I THROW UP.

RYAN SAYS YOU'RE HIS GO-BETWEEN.

- HIS TIN MITTENS. - RYAN'S LYING.

GET YOUR PAWS OFF ME!

COME ON!

COME ON.

WHERE WERE YOU AT 3:13 THIS MORNING, HAMMETT?

I TOLD YOU I WAS AT FONG'S. WHY?

BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN IT HAPPENED, THAT'S WHY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

ALL RIGHT. TAKE HIM DOWN, SHOW HIM

AND THEN THROW HIM OUT!

COME ON, SAMUEL.

CRYSTAL LING.

SHE GOT IT EXACTLY 3:13 A.M.

IT WAS AT THE END OF THE LINE

ON THE #19 TROLLEY RUN.

THE MOTORMAN AND THE CONDUCTOR

BOTH JUST LOOKED AT THEIR WATCHES

WHEN THEY HEARD HER SCREAM.

HOW MANY TIMES?

DID SHE SCREAM?

JUST ONCE.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HER FACE?

SHE GOT IT BASHED IN, DIDN'T SHE?

THEY FOUND A BASEBALL BAT NEXT TO HER BODY.

SHE WAS STRUCK ON THE HEAD NINE TIMES,

MAYBE 10.

SEXUALLY ASSAULTED?

WE HAVEN'T RUN THE TESTS YET,

BUT IF I HAD TO GUESS, I'D SAY PROBABLY.

Bradford: WE AIN'T QUITE THROUGH YET, SAMUEL.

[ film projector clicking ]

[ Hammett chuckling ]

Hammett: HMM.

[ chuckles ]

THINK I GOT THE IDEA.

THAT'S ENOUGH.

THAT'S ENOUGH, DAMN IT!

WHERE'D YOU GET IT?

IT'S BEEN MAKING THE ROUNDS OF THE STAGS

FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

WHO MADE IT?

HMM, THAT'S WHAT WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE TELLING US.

ME?! YOU GOT THE WRONG GUY.

- YOU SHOULD BE TALKING TO-- - YOU BEEN NOSING AROUND ABOUT HER, SAMUEL.

- YOU GOT US CURIOUS. - WHAT'D YOU DO WITH RYAN?

- WE LET HIM WALK. - YOU DID?

SWELL, I THINK I'LL DO THE SAME.

SAMUEL.

YOU WANT A NIP BEFORE YOU GO?

I COULD USE A SNIFTER AFTER THAT.

[ sighs ]

MR. HAMMETT, YOU LOOK TERRIBLE.

BEAT IT, SALT.

I'M TIRED.

I HEARD YOU AND RYAN GOT PICKED UP.

DID HE TELL 'EM ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT CRYSTAL?

WHAT WOULD HE TELL THEM ABOUT CRYSTAL?

FOR THAT MATTER, WHAT WOULD YOUTELL THEM ABOUT CRYSTAL?

FOR PETE'S SAKE, MR. HAMMETT,

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

Hammett: HEY, LOOK AT THAT. IT'S GOING TO BE

THE LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN THE WORLD.

THE GRAFT'LL PROBABLY SET A WORLD RECORD TOO.

BEAUTIFUL.

YEAH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I JUST HOPE I LIVE TO SEE IT.

LOOK, SALT, I'M GETTING TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE A VILLAGE IDIOT!

LET'S JUST PRETEND-- LET'S JUST PRETEND

I'M GONNA SLAP YOU TO SLEEP

UNLESS I GET SOME STRAIGHT ANSWERS.

IT WAS YOU THAT TOOK CRYSTAL AWAY FROM THE CAMERON DAME, WASN'T IT?

- NO. - SHE WAS ON THE RUN,

BUT IT WASN'T SOME PENNY ANTE BULLSHIT, WAS IT?!

NOW CRYSTAL'S DEAD, SALT.

SHE'S DOWN THERE ON A SLAB WITH A SHEET OVER HER HEAD!

GO ASK THE COPS!

[ coughing ]

HELLO, HANK, WHAT'S COOKING?

WHERE YOU BEEN HANGING OUT, SON?

GOOD GOD, SAM,

YOU LOOK LIKE SOMETHING THE CAT DRAGGED IN.

- WHAT HAPPENED? - NEVER MIND.

YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME IF I TOLD YOU.

- WOULD YOU LIKE A SNORT? - I'D LIKE SOMETHING TO TAKE HOME, POPS.

I'M OUT.

THE BLUE PLATE SPECIAL.

I'VE BEEN SAVING IT FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY.

FAT CHANCE.

OH, MR. HAMMETT,

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

SLIPPED ON A BANANA PEEL, ROSE.

OH, I'M SORRY.

[ Rose speaks Chinese ]

Boy: ...45, 50, 55, 60,

65, 70, 75, 80,

85, 90, 95, 100.

READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!

[ softly ] ARE THEY UP THERE?

[ silent ]

[ chuckles ]

[ door closes ]

GOOD GOD.

[ sighs ] I DON'T KNOW WHICH LOOKS WORSE--

YOU OR THIS.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE BLOOD.

IT PROBABLY BELONGED TO A CHICKEN.

- A WHAT? - OR A DUCK.

MAYBE IT'S JUST ANOTHER CASE OF SUICIDE.

IN ANY CASE, IT'S A JUST WARNING-- MAYBE THE THIRD OR FOURTH,

I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY.

WARNING TO DO WHAT?

LAY OFF.

IT ALL STARTED WITH RYAN.

AFTER RYAN CAME GARY SALT,

AFTER SALT, THE COPS. AFTER THE COPS, CRYSTAL LING.

ALMOST ONE, TWO, THREE. NOW RYAN'S GONE,

AND CRYSTAL LING'S ABOUT TO BE BURIED BY THE COPS.

THAT LEAVES ONLY GARY SALT, DOESN'T IT?

WHO'S GARY SALT?

GARY SALT'S A GUY WHO LAST THURSDAY

PUT 50¢ DOWN ON 777.

- NUMBERS. - RIGHT, OKAY.

YOU FIGURED OUT HE PLAYS THE NUMBERS. WHAT DO THE NAMES MEAN?

HERSON, CHAMBLERS, NORSETTE, CREEL, MICHAELSON, DORN.

MONEY-- POTS OF MONEY. SIX OF THE RICHEST MEN IN SAN FRANCISCO.

RIGHT AGAIN. WOULD YOU BE A DIPPY ENOUGH ANGEL

- TO SPEND A LITTLE SHOE LEATHER? - DOING WHAT?

LOOKING FOR GARY SALT.

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU NOW,

HAMMETT THE WRITER OR HAMMETT THE DETECTIVE?

I THINK YOU LEFT OUT HAMMETT THE FOOL.

WHAT A WASTE.

KIT, THIS IS ELI,

THE LAST OF THE I.W.W. ORGANIZERS.

ARE YOU REALLY A WOBBLY?

NO, THAT'S JUST HAMMETT TALKING.

WHAT I AM NOW IS SORT OF AN ANARCHIST

WITH CYNICALIST TENDENCIES.

ELI,

WHO USES PINK NUMBER SLIPS?

OH, PROBABLY FRANK NESTER OVER IN THE OLD MISSION DISTRICT.

HE RUNS A NEWSSTAND.

LET'S GO HAVE A WORD WITH HIM.

I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE A STRIKEBREAKER

WHEN YOU WORKED FOR THE PINKERTONS?

I WAS. THAT'S WHY I QUIT.

♪ JUST DOING MY JOB, IF YOU PLEASE. ♪

Eli: FILL 'ER UP.

626.

THANK YOU.

YOU LOST, PAL.

LOOKING FOR THE GUY WHO BOUGHT IT.

YEAH, SURE YOU ARE.

- YOU A COP? - WHAT ABOUT HER?

WELL, YOU CAN'T FORGET HER EVER.

THAT STUDIO UP THE STAIRS--

SHE USED TO COME AND GO, IN AND OUT.

THANKS.

- SHE IN TROUBLE? - Hammett: MAYBE.

- Man: DAMES LIKE HER... - Hammett: STICK AROUND, ELI.

...THEY LIVE ON TROUBLE.

[ lock clicks ]

WHAT A GRAND DUMP.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

WISH I KNEW.

MAYBE WE'LL FIND YOUR MANUSCRIPT.

I KNOW WHERE THAT IS.

TOO BAD YOU DIDN'T GET TO READ IT.

SOMEBODY IN IT YOU MIGHT BE VERY FAMILIAR WITH.

A GIRL?

MAYBE.

SHE HAD EYES TOO CLOSE FOR TRUSTING,

YET WIDE ENOUGH FOR BEAUTY.

HOW'D YOU GUESS?

BECAUSE ALL YOUR WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT.

HOW COME YOU NEVER WRITE ABOUT WOMEN

WITH EYES LIKE LOST LAKES?

BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES, PRECIOUS.

LOOK AT THIS-- JAMES RYAN,

$100 RETAINER.

IT'S DATED THE 27th.

THAT'S A WEEK AGO.

JIMMY RYAN'S BIG TIME CLIENT-- GARY SALT.

BOUGHT RYAN FOR 100 BUCKS.

THIS MUST BE THE BEDROOM.

Hammett: GUESS AGAIN.

MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO HAVE A BRASS BED JUST LIKE THIS.

OH, SHE USED TO HIDE HER OLD LOVE LETTERS IN HERE.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A BIG SECRET,

BUT MY BROTHERS AND I USED TO READ THEM.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER-- HOW IS OLD LIZZY?

I HAVE TO WRITE HER.

- OH LOOK, THERE IS SOMETHING IN HERE. - [ soft thud ]

YEAH? WHAT IS IT?

SHH!

[ man speaking hoarsely ] KEEP MOVING, SWEETIE.

WE'RE ALMOST THERE.

Salt: I KEEP TELLING YOU, I HAVEN'T GOT 'EM.

I SWEAR I HAVEN'T.

Man: HAGEDORN SAYS YOU GOT 'EM.

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

Salt: HAGEDORN'S WRONG.

Man: HAGEDORN'S NEVER WRONG, SWEETIE. NEVER.

Salt: LOOK, CAN'T WE MAKE A DEAL?

- [ door opens, closes ] - Man: I DON'T MAKE DEALS, SWEETIE.

YOU OUGHTA KNOW THAT BY NOW.

- Salt: I CAN CUT YOU IN. - Man: NO.

YOU CAN HAVE MY END OF THE SPLIT.

Man: I SAID NO.

I JUST WANT WHAT I'M SENT FOR.

BUT I HAVEN'T GOT 'EM!

THEN YOU BETTER FIND 'EM.

PLEASE, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

WE'VE JUST RUN OUT OF TALK.

GET IN THE BEDROOM, YOU SQUIRM.

I WANT 'EM NOW, PALLY.

- NOT TOMORROW, NOT THE NEXT DAY. - [ gun cocks ]

NOW.

I HAVEN'T GOT 'EM ANYMORE.

I SWEAR TO GOD, I HAVEN'T GOT 'EM.

WHAT YOU'VE GOT IS FIVE SECONDS.

ONE, TWO...

- DON'T. - FOUR.

FOR GOD'S SAKE.

LOOK, I--

FIVE.

[ whistling ]

[ glass clinks ]

[ Kit screams ]

DON'T BE A CHUMP. LET HER GO.

JUST ONE MORE STEP, SWEETIE, AND SHE GOES,

BUT SHE GOES SLOW.

REAL SLOW.

I SAID LET HER GO!

COME ON, THAT OLD WHEEZE?

YEAH.

- CALL IT. - REAL SOON.

I'M GONNA TAKE YOU RIGHT OFF THE COUNT REAL SOON.

HOW 'BOUT RIGHT NOW, GOD DAMN IT?!

[ heavy thud ]

[ gasps ]

WHAT THE HELL?!

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT.

WHERE'D YOU GET THE ARTILLERY, ELI?

YOU SHOULD PUT WHEELS ON IT.

YOU NEED A LITTLE PROTECTION WHEN YOU DRIVE A HACK IN FRISCO.

[ laughs ]

SAN FRANCISCO.

I HACK HERE, LADY. I CALL IT FRISCO.

THE ENVELOPE-- WHAT WAS IN THAT ENVELOPE, KIT?

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

I DIDN'T LOOK.

YOU'RE A SWELL DETECTIVE, SWEETHEART.

RECOGNIZE HIM?

SIX ON THE LIST?

YEAH, AND SALT'S DEAD.

OHH.

SHOULDN'T WE CALL THE POLICE?

SHOULDN'T WE DO SOMETHING LEGAL?

FIRST WE'LL DROP YOU OFF, ANGEL.

YOU CALL THE COPS AND I'LL GO SEE HAGEDORN.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL THE POLICE?

TELL THEM YOU KNOW WHERE THEY CAN FIND ANOTHER BODY...

THAT WE KNOW WASN'T A SUICIDE.

AND NO NAMES. HERE,

TUCK THESE AWAY SOMEPLACE SAFE.

YOU KNOW THE NICEST PEOPLE.

[ chuckles ]

WHERE'S YOUR GUN?

IN THE TOP DRAWER OF MY DESK.

OHH.

NEED A GOOD MONKEY WRENCH, ELI?

PRETTY FANCY.

Eli: YEAH.

HEY, ARE YOU GONNA BE A LONG TIME?

NEVER EARLY, NEVER LATE.

- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? - THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY.

I'M ONLY HUMAN. I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

SURE SURE, I DON'T BLAME YOU.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

PIDDLE AROUND HERE FOR A WHILE, THEN WE'LL GO HOME.

- DEAL? - YEAH, DEAL.

[ footsteps approaching ]

[ hoarsely ] WHO'S THERE?

YOU DON'T WANT A BELLYFUL OF DAYLIGHT.

[ bird squawks ]

COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP.

[ squeaks ]

Bird: YOU'VE GOT SHIFTY EYES.

[ squawks ]

HOLD IT, SON.

YOU GOT SHIFTY EYES.

LET'S GO. IT LOOKS LIKE EDDIE'S GONNA NEED A NEW BOY.

[ bird squawks ]

A LITTLE KID TOOK THIS AWAY FROM HIM,

BUT I MADE HIM GIVE IT BACK.

YOU SON OF A BITCH. I'LL STRANGLE YOU WITH YOUR OWN GUTS.

PEOPLE LOSE TEETH TALKING LIKE THAT.

WHAT'S IN THERE? GET IN, OPEN IT.

HOW DO YOU DO, MR. HAGEDORN?

I THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE CHAT.

INDEED, SIR.

I FEAR YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF ME.

TRULY, SIR, I DO.

WHAT'S THE STORY ON YOU AND JIMMY RYAN?

MY GOD, SIR, I THINK YOU AND I ARE

GOING TO GET ALONG PERFECTLY.

I LIKE A MAN WHO FAVORS THE FORTHRIGHT APPROACH.

YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSUASIVE STYLE, SIR.

PERHAPS A LITTLE LACKING IN FINESSE,

BUT THEN POLISH ISN'T EVERYTHING.

WHOM HAVE I THE HONOR OF ADDRESSING?

SAM HAMMETT.

[ steam hissing ]

SAMUEL DASHIELL HAMMETT,

FORMER PINKERTON MAN.

NOW WHAT?

MASTER OF THE PENNY DREADFUL.

- GETTING RICH? - SCRAPING BY.

AREN'T WE ALL?

WELL, SIR, NOW WHAT SHALL WE TALK ABOUT?

FIRST OFF, HIM, YOUR GUNSEL.

WHY'S HE TAILING ME ALL OVER TOWN?!

DOES HE THINK I'M PRETTY OR WHAT?!

GUNSEL?

MY WORD, SIR, WHAT A PRECISE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

YOU KNOW THE SYNONYM OF GUNSEL, OF COURSE?

CATAMITE, NANCE, FAIRY, PUNK.

BY THE WAY, YOU SHOULDN'T LET HIM CARRY THIS.

SMACKS OF ILL WILL. AGAIN, WHY IS HE TAILING ME?!

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR MR. RYAN, ACTUALLY,

WHO WE FEEL MIGHT BE IN POSSESSION

OF CERTAIN INFORMATION USEFUL TO MY CLIENT.

MRS. CALLAGHAN, WHOSE LATE HUSBAND KILLED HIMSELF SORT OF.

WHY DID CALLAGHAN KILL HIMSELF? IF HE DID.

SIR, HE WAS RUINED-- FINANCIALLY, I MEAN.

WHAT WAS IT-- LIQUOR, WOMEN, GAMBLING?

HE GUESSED WRONG ON THE COMMODITY MARKET.

THE MARKET ROSE AND HE COULDN'T COVER HIS SHORT POSITION.

I SEE. WHAT ABOUT CALLAGHAN AND CRYSTAL LING?

THE LATE CRYSTAL LING. [ laughing ]

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

I UNDERSTAND HE BOUGHT HER FROM FONG.

MY WORD, SIR,

YOU HAVE BEEN AMONGST LIARS.

I'LL SAY.

CRYSTAL WAS ALMOST LIKE A DAUGHTER TO THE CALLAGHANS.

OH, I'M SURE THEY HAD SOME SWELL SUNDAY DINNERS.

ANYWAY, THEY'RE BOTH DEAD NOW.

ONE MURDERED AND ONE A SUICIDE--

ACCORDING TO THE COPS, THAT IS.

NOW THERE'S A THIRD BODY IN THE MORGUE YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN.

NOT A SUICIDE, VERY MURDERED--

WITH A WITNESS.

MIGHT I ASK WHOM?

GARY SALT.

- SALT? - A SHORT PORNOGRAPHER.

MURDERED, YOU SAY?

AS IN BUMPED OFF BY YOUR LITTLE ROOMIE.

SEEMS HE GOT IMPATIENT WHEN HE WENT AFTER THE DIRTY PICTURES.

MAYBE HE JUST LIKES HIS WORK.

ALL I KNOW IS HE BLEW A HOLE THROUGH SALT'S CHEST!

OH DEAR.

[ groans ]

[ snoring ]

[ groans ]

I HAD TO SEARCH YOU, MR. HAMMETT.

MY CLIENTS WOULD NEVER HAVE FORGIVEN ME IF I HADN'T.

YOU DO UNDERSTAND?

OF COURSE.

I SHALL MISS MY WINSTON, MR. HAMMETT.

WELL, I WON'T.

WE WERE TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME. A VERY LONG TIME.

WE... UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER.

BUT AS AN OFFICER OF THE COURT,

I HAVE MY SWORN DUTY.

WHO ARE YOU CALLING?

WHY, THE PROPER AUTHORITIES OF COURSE.

WHO'LL DO WHAT?

TIDY THINGS UP, NATURALLY.

- JUST LIKE THAT? - YES, MR. HAMMETT, JUST LIKE THAT.

YOU'RE AN ORIGINAL, HAGEDORN.

THE FRONT DOOR IS TO THE LEFT.

THANK YOU.

- [ knocking ] - Bradford: OPEN UP, SAMUEL.

I'M ON THE PHONE!

MAKE IT SNAPPY!

[ whispers ] KIT!

- WHAT? - MY LAWYER'S JIM WELCH.

HE'S IN THE BOOK. CALL HIM AS SOON AS I GO THROUGH THE DOOR.

I DON'T THINK I LIKE THIS NEW CAREER OF YOURS.

IT ALMOST GOT ME KILLED TONIGHT.

AND FOR WHAT? ANSWER ME THAT, SMART GUY.

WHAT WAS IN IT FOR ME?

A PEEP IN THE CESSPOOL? A ROLL IN THE HAY?

A ROLL IN THE HAY AT LEAST.

I'M SERIOUS.

YOU WENT BECAUSE I ASKED YOU TO.

BECAUSE YOU KNEW THERE WAS NOBODY ELSE I COULD ASK.

[ pounding ]

TAKE IT EASY, TOM.

HELLO, TOM, WHAT'S THE GOOD WORD?

I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF IT, SAMUEL.

- SO YOU DID. - SO LET'S GO.

DON'T ASK ME WHERE AND DON'T ARGUE.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARGUE, I'M GONNA PUT THE CUFFS ON.

I GUESS YOU BETTER DAMN WELL DO THAT.

HOW'S THAT?

[ foghorn blows ]

Bradford: SAMUEL, FROM NOW ON YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.

AND GOD HELP YOU.

THANKS.

WELL, I'LL BE DAMNED.

WELCOME, MR. HAMMETT, WELCOME.

WE HAVE GREAT NEED OF YOU, SIR. GREAT NEED.

YOU KNOW MR. FONG AND LIEUTENANT O'MARA, OF COURSE.

THE OTHER GENTLEMEN--

I CAN MAKE MY OWN INTRODUCTIONS, HAGEDORN, THANK YOU.

LET'S SEE, SHIPPING, ISN'T IT?

AND YOU GO FOR LITTLE MISS MUFFET, RIGHT?

BIG INSURANCE.

AND YOUR PREFERENCE--

LITTLE BO PEEP.

RAILROADS. GRANDPA'S RAILROADS IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.

CINDERELLA. LITTLE OLD, WASN'T SHE?

WHY, YOU OLD DOG.

AND YOU'RE SUGAR--

MAYBE HALF THE WORLD'S SUGAR.

LET'S SEE...

DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL, I'D SAY,

BUT I COULD BE WRONG.

AND YOU'RE OIL.

USED TO BE MR. ROCKEFELLER'S OIL, BUT NOW IT'S YOURS.

QUEEN OF THE SIXTH GRADE, OR FIFTH.

FOURTH, MAYBE.

WHAT THE HELL. YOU'RE JUST THE IDLE RICH, RIGHT?

GOOD WORKS, CHARITIES,

ALWAYS A BIG POWER IN THE REFORM MOVEMENT.

AND YOU LIKE, WELL, LET'S SEE...

LOOKS SORTA LIKE THE POOR LITTLE MATCH GIRL.

- Hagedorn: MR. HAMMETT, I MUST-- - SHUT UP, HAGEDORN!

LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIGURE OUT THE REST.

- IT MUST'VE STARTED-- - MR. HAMMETT, I MUST ADVISE YOU--

- LET HIM SPEAK. - YOU TWO MAKE A SWELL PAIR.

IT MUST'VE ALL STARTED AT A PARTY-- A STAG PARTY.

NEW YEAR'S EVE, MAYBE?

ANYWAY, A BLUE FILM WAS THE NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT, RIGHT?

STARRING CRYSTAL LING AND THE WOLFMAN.

THEN WHAT? A WEEK LATER, TWO WEEKS LATER,

SOMEBODY-- MAYBE SOMEBODY LIKE GARY SALT--

COMES AND WHISPERS IN YOUR EAR THAT YOU TOO, FOR A SMALL FEE,

CAN TAKE A TURN IN THE HAY WITH CRYSTAL.

SO ONE BY ONE YOU SNEAK UP INTO THAT BACK ROOM

AT THE FRIENDLY PORNOGRAPHER'S

AND BINGO, IT'S "ARABIAN NIGHTS"--

NO FANTASY TOO WILD, NO TASTE TOO BIZARRE,

EXCEPT THAT ALL THE TIME THE CAMERA'S CLICKING AWAY.

THEN SOMEBODY GRABS THE NEGATIVES AWAY FROM SALT, RIGHT?

CRYSTAL MAYBE. AND YOU TURN SAN FRANCISCO INSIDE OUT LOOK FOR HER.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CRYSTAL'S DEAD

AND THERE'S A BODY IN THE MORGUE TO PROVE IT,

BUT NOW THE BLACKMAILER LANDS ON YOU.

YOU EITHER PAY UP OR PRINTS OF YOU AND CRYSTAL

WILL BE SENT TO EVERY RITZY CLUB BETWEEN HERE AND NEW YORK,

NOT TO MENTION YOUR WIVES. AM I RIGHT SO FAR, HAGEDORN?

YOU ARE SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT, SIR.

I'VE LIVED IN THIS TOWN FOR WHAT? SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS NOW.

IT'S NOT A BAD TOWN. CERTAINLY MORE FUN THAN MOST.

STREETS GET SWEPT, THE GARBAGE GETS PICKED UP

AND THE GRAFT GETS PAID.

BUT THE POLITICIANS DON'T REALLY RUN THIS TOWN.

THEY NEVER HAVE. THEY RAN IT BECAUSE THEY HAD THE MONEY.

NOW YOU RUN IT BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT THE MONEY.

YOU RUN IT TO SUIT YOURSELVES. AM I LOSING ANYONE? GOING TOO FAST?

YOU BUY THE POWER, YOU TRADE IT, YOU SELL IT. YOU KNOW WHAT?

WHEN YOU DIE YOUR PICTURES WILL GO UP ON THAT WALL WITH THE OTHERS.

NOT ONE OF YOU-- NOT A SINGLE ONE OF YOU

EVER HAD TO SCRAMBLE FOR ONE LOUSY VOTE.

MAYBE THAT'S WHY I DON'T SEE THE MAYOR HERE OR THE D.A.

JUST THE COPS, THE CROOKS AND THE BIG RICH.

AND ME. THAT'S WHAT I WANNA KNOW. WHY ME?

BECAUSE, SIR, THE PERSON WHO HAS WHAT WE WISH TO BUY

INSISTS UPON YOU.

SO WHAT IF I DO MAKE YOUR BUY-BACK FOR YOU?

WHAT THEN? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

NOW, MR. HAMMETT, WE FINALLY COME TO THE ESSENCE OF THINGS.

YOU WILL FIND US, SIR, MOST GENEROUS.

- MONEY, HUH? - INDEED, SIR.

TO HELL WITH YOUR MONEY! I WANT TWO THINGS.

FIRST I WANT MY STORY BACK. IT MIGHT NOT BE MUCH,

BUT IT'S MINE. IT'S WHAT I DO AND I WANT IT BACK.

SECOND, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING--

I WANT TO BE LET ALONE.

SO WHAT'S THE BLACKMAILER ASKING, A MILLION?

Hagedorn: $1 MILLION.

[ chuckles ]

THAT'S A LOT OF DOUGH. WHERE AND WHEN?

IN ONE HOUR'S TIME, SIR.

YOUR AUTHORIZATION, CREDENTIALS

AND COMPLETE INSTRUCTION ARE IN THIS ENVELOPE.

ONLY ONE OTHER THING--

AFTER I GET THE MILLION BUCKS,

WHAT'S TO PREVENT ME FROM TAKING THE NEXT BOAT OUT?

YOUR GOOD JUDGMENT AND THE HIGH VALUE

YOU PLACE ON YOUR OWN LIFE.

THAT'S WHAT I FIGURED.

HAVE A NICE EVENING, GENTS.

[ sighs ]

[ chuckling ]

Man: 100 TIMES $10,000.

SIGN HERE.

FIRST DAY?

Hammett: HERE I AM, 34 YEARS OLD

AND THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE I CAN TRUST IN THE WORLD

ARE A LIBRARIAN WITH A SMART MOUTH

AND A WOULD-BE BOMB THROWER.

YOU GOT TWO YOU CAN TRUST, YOU GOT TWO MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE, HAMMETT.

WHAT DO YOU GOT IN THE BAG THERE, HUH?

- MONEY, AND A LOT OF IT. - OH?

WHAT ARE WE DOING? A BUY-BACK?

- THAT'S RIGHT. - HOW MUCH?

A MILLION.

YOU SHITTIN' ME?

- PARDON ME, LADY. - ELI.

- PARDON ME. - WATCH THE ROAD, ELI.

RICH PEOPLE.

WHAT ARE THE RICH GONNA BUY BACK FOR A MILLION BUCKS?

THEIR REPUTATIONS.

[ foghorn blows ]

I GET TO COME?

YOU STAY PUT.

I'LL WAIT THERE. IF I HEAR A SHOT OR A YELL--

OR EVEN A SPLASH.

--OR EVEN A SPLASH,

I YELL FOR THE OPERATOR,

SCREAM FOR THE D.A. AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.

I HOPE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

DON'T WE ALL?

[ laughing ]

HELLO, CRYSTAL.

[ no accent ] STOP RIGHT THERE, HAMMETT.

PUT THE VALISE DOWN AND OPEN IT.

I HOPE I HAVEN'T KEPT YOU WAITING.

NOW MOVE BACKWARD FIVE STEPS AND PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR NECK.

- THE NEGATIVES. - THE WIDOW CALLAGHAN,

SHE REALLY DID KILL HER HUSBAND, DIDN'T SHE?

- JUST LIKE YOU SAID. - DASHIELL HAMMETT,

STILL THE "ONE FLOOR UP" AND SAME DETECTIVE.

YES, SHE KILLED HIM. I MADE HER JEALOUS.

VERY JEALOUS. IT WASN'T DIFFICULT.

YOU AND HE WERE SORTA STUCK ON EACH OTHER, HUH?

WE WERE LOVERS.

THE BLACKMAIL SCHEME WAS CALLAGHAN'S.

HE WAS BROKE, SO HE AND I COOKED IT UP.

AND SALT. NICE ALIBI YOU GOT FOR YOURSELF AT THE MISSION HOUSE.

I ALSO LIKED THE WAY YOU FIXED THE COPS. YOU'RE GOOD.

BY THE TIME CALLAGHAN WAS KILLED I'D ALREADY ACQUIRED SOME...

INFLUENCE, LET'S SAY.

THE DEAD CHINESE GIRL WITH THE THICK ANKLES

THEY TRIED TO PALM OFF ON ME AT THE MORGUE--

YOU DID THAT TOO, DIDN'T YOU?

I NEEDED A DAY OR SO WITH NO INTERRUPTIONS.

SHE WAS A USEFUL PAWN, I SUPPOSE.

THERE ARE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS MORE LIKE HER IN CHINA--

- AND ME. - I WOULDN'T BET ON IT.

I THINK YOU'RE ONE OF A KIND.

I'LL TAKE THOSE NEGATIVES, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

CLOSE THE VALISE AS YOU DO SO.

YOU ARE BAD, AREN'T YOU, SISTER?

EVIL CLEAN THROUGH. HOW DOES IT FEEL?

- REALLY FEEL? - EVIL?

WHAT IS EVIL?

SHOW IT TO ME.

MY PARENTS SOLD ME WHEN I WAS NINE FOR $5,000.

I TURNED MY FIRST TRICK WITH A CAUCASIAN AT 11.

AT 17 I AM A MILLIONAIRE.

I WONDER WHAT I'LL BE WHEN I'M 21.

- [ footsteps approaching ] - DEAD.

YOU THINK SO?

POSITIVELY.

YOU WERE ALMOST LATE, MR. RYAN.

I THOUGHT I WAS RIGHT ON TIME.

HOW ARE YA, KID?

HELLO, RYAN. WHAT ARE YOU, HER NEW PIMP?

MORE LIKE A PARTNER. RIGHT, SWEETHEART?

I KNEW YOU'D GONE SOUR, RYAN,

BUT I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D GONE SIMPLE. SHE'LL EAT YOU ALIVE.

YOU'RE NOT REALLY GONNA TRUST OUR LITTLE

MADEMOISELLE BUTTERFLY HERE, ARE YOU?

WHO WOULDN'T TRUST A FACE LIKE THAT? WE'RE PARTNERS.

I ALWAYS TRUST MY PARTNERS, REMEMBER?

- UP TO A POINT. - [ laughs ]

DON'T DROP IT. JUST TOSS IT OVER THE SIDE SO I CAN HEAR THE SPLASH.

[ splashes ]

HERE'S YOUR STORY, KID--

MY PART OF THE DEAL.

I HAD TO PAY A LOT TO GET IT BACK FROM FONG.

MORE THAN IT'S WORTH.

I EVEN READ IT AGAIN.

I STILL DON'T LIKE IT.

NEEDS A BETTER ENDING.

HOW 'BOUT THIS?

THE OLD BIRD PULLS OFF A GRAND SLAM

AND LEAVES TOWN WITH A MILLION BUCKS.

[ laughing ]

YOU THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS OVER, HAMMETT.

IT'S JUST BEGINNING.

YOU WANT SOMETHING REAL TO WRITE ABOUT,

- WRITE ABOUT THIS! - [ gunshots ]

[ coin jingling ]

OPERATOR, THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.

GET ME THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

NOT JUST YET, LITTLE LADY.

[ foghorn blows ]

HE NEEDED ONE HAND FOR THE MONEY

AND THE OTHER FOR THE GUN.

HE WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO HANDLE BOTH.

I READ IT TOO, HAMMETT.

I LIKED THE ENDING.

SWELL.

- WAS HE A FRIEND OR WHAT? - YEAH, HE WAS A FRIEND.

HE WAS GOOD.

HE BROKE IN FROM NOWHERE,

TRACKED ME DOWN, FIGURED IT ALL OUT

AND CUT HIMSELF IN.

- HE WAS GOOD. - HE WAS THE BEST...

IN HIS HEYDAY.

MAYBE YOU DIDN'T KNOW HIM TOO WELL.

MAYBE I DIDN'T KNOW HIM AT ALL.

[ heavy accent ] TAKE HIS PLACE, HAMMETT. COME WITH ME.

YOU CAN BE MY BODYGUARD AND BIOGRAPHER.

MY LOVER, MY LAPDOG.

DON'T BE A SIMP.

I'M GONNA GIVE IT TO YOU STRAIGHT.

YOU DON'T REALLY THINK THEY'RE GONNA LET YOU WALTZ?

YOU MIGHT GET TO BERLIN OR CONSTANTINOPLE,

MAYBE EVEN HONG KONG-- WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING.

BUT ONE DAY YOU'LL TURN THE WRONG CORNER AND WHAM!

CURTAINS. NO MORE CRYSTAL. YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!

YOU'RE GOING UP AGAINST $100, $200, $300 MILLION.

YOU'RE GOING UP AGAINST THE POWERHOUSE, ANGEL--

THE BIG STEAM.

I CAN BEAT THEM.

SURE. LIKE HELL.

I'LL SHOW YOU I CAN BEAT THEM.

[ footsteps running away ]

NO GRAND SLAM, JIMMY.

YOU LOST IT ALL.

EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING EXCEPT YOUR NERVE.

[ seagull squawking ]

[ typewriter clicking ]

IT'S OKAY, ELI.

MESSENGER BOYS.

LET'S HAVE THE NEGATIVES, HAMMETT.

NOW YOU AND THE LITTLE LADY

CAN MAKE ALL THE PHONE CALLS YOU WANT TO.

RYAN'S LYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOCK, SHOT DEAD.

SHE GAVE HIM THE WORKS.

WE'LL GET SOMEBODY TO SWEEP HIM UP.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF HIM, SAMUEL.

IT'S NOT LIKE IN ONE OF YOUR STORIES, IS IT?

NEVER IS LIKE A STORY.

- [ silent ] - [ typewriter clicking ]

[ silence continuing ]

[ chuckles ]

MMM.

[ instrumental music playing ]