Original subtitles

Presents

Starring

and 119 others...

in Vaclav Marhoul movie

SMART PHILIP

Costume Designer

Make-Up/Hair Designer

Choreography

Special Effects

Sound

Editor

Music score

Architect

Director of Photography

Produced,Written and Directed by

I'm fortyfive, and I work as a private detective in this vale of tears.

That morning I felt lousy.

I was as dizzy as a dervish,

as weak as a worn-out washer

and as unlikely to succeed

as a ballet dancer with a wooden leg after four years on a road gang.

The smell of dust in the office was as flat and stale

as a football interview.

The customer's chair, the light fixture with three dead moths in it

and deadly tired telephone on the desk.

The fact was that I hadn't had a decent job for a month already.

That's if I don't count searching for a stolen car.

It was tough work because in the end I came to the conclusion

that this whole town was stolen.

An army of sluggish minutes dragged by.

Day by day.

Hour by hour.

You're Marlowe?

It's not very impressive, is it?

You can be witty sitting down.

The name is Charlie.

Charlie Brown.

Congratulations, Mr. Brown.

So...how much are you charging?

-I get twenty-five a day... -Twenty-five?!

-And expenses. -ALL RIGHT!!! That... So...

So ... Try me. 0n purpose.

-I've... a brother, Marlowe. -Messy case.

How did you find me? Why me?

I read about you.

-And what did you read? -That you're good.

You're not going to turn out

to be one of those drunken detectives, are you?

Why not? They're the ones who always solve the cases.

Listen- if you're out to hire some fragrant fop

in this stinking town...

What do you mean? It's a nice town.

Sure. You could live here along time and not see a machine gun.

It all started with my brother returning last night so late,

that he still hasn't come home.

Smoking and drinking are dirty habits.

Would it be all right if I peeled a banana?

Yeah...yes...

Your brother doesn't come home one evening and you're already panicking.

You must find him!!!

0h, all right. Show me what you have.

We're twins,you see.

And what does your brother do? He's a pilot?

He's a chauffeur. For some rich guy.

I found this in his pocket. He never smoked,you see.

Thank goodness.

That could be a clue, couldn't it?

Call me should he come home.

-Nigel Smith. -What? -You didn't figure that out, did you?

-That's the name he used. Nigel Smith. -Why, for heaven's sake?

He thought it was more interesting- than Brown.

Brown's better.

Thanks.

I don't even know why I took it on; because I didn't even know myself.

Hotel Central.

I was thinking in vain who and what was the architect mad at.

The house itself would even have depressed a laughing jackass.

The place was as restful as a split lip.

Just like the fellow at the reception desk,

who looked as stiff as a carved wooden Indian in the drug store.

-Chandler? -EEiight.

Smith.

Miss?!

Smith.

Hee aiin't hee.

Do you smoke that piece of rope because you like it?

And how about an elevator? There doesn't happen to be one?

Hardly.

Gat. Two-thirty.

No way. Colt Frontiersman forty-four.

He shot him in the back. The son of a bitch.

How do you know he was a son of a bitch? Snooper, eh?

And you?

You got me, brother. I changed my job.

They didn't pay me much as as witchman on a mountain railroad. Smith you said?

Yeah.

-I always did figure him for a crook. -To that extent?

Yeah, 'cos he was too much of a bum to have such a classy broad.

I didn't catch the name. But otherwise... a darb.

Does she have any distinguishing marks on her? 0r something like that?

Yeah, something like that.

When did you see THAT last?

Yessday? Longer, maybe...with him.Well...

Something else?

I did overhee... somethin' 'bout the Egypt Club.

Really?

That's for good little squirrels, that stick to their nuts.

Little squirrels. That's it. Here, I tell ya somethin'.

That's the problem with broads. Worldwide. Global.

Since time 'memorial.

Thanx, pal.

At first glance the Egypt CIub was as leazy joint

however hard you'd try to tart it up.

The air was stale before it gets up in the morning.

They all sucked it in like a tracksuit thrown in a stream.

Now for the hot stuff! Now we'll start the entertainment from another barrel.

The barrel of art! Give a big hand for a great artiste-

our celebrated- Californian nightingale

Miss T0RNAD0 YU!

If you wanna jar, you have to come to the bar.

Have you a rum or a gin and you�ll forget ev'ry thing.

-She's gotta be my!

Drink ?

A dry martini will do.

A Martini...

If you�re blue, if you�re sad. Come

and forget the life you had. Show us you can drink, brother.

First one, then two,

then three,

and pour me another!

A martini. Dry.Veddy,veddy dry. Will you eat it with a knife and fork?

Cut it in strips. I'll just nibble it.

If you get hit by a car, don�t know where you are.

Come straight round to us I�ll pour golden whisky in your glass.

If you�re all alone and blue come and I�ll take care of you.

We�ll try to do it back stroke-

oh, yeah. We�ll try to do it back stroke-oh, ye-e-eah,

We�ll try to do it back stroke- y-e-e-e-e-e-e-eah.

Like it?

Am I supposed to?

Listen,

got a grift, or just amusing yourself?

He has company.A peachy dish.

The kind that takes a shower and keeps her feet dry.

How's your wad look like?

Brownish with a little strap.

And fat with inactivity.

Hatfield.Velma Hatfield. They say she used to dance in the buff.

-Nowadays? -Nowadays making pictures in Hollywood.

-Where's this Miss at? -At the studio I guess. Film studio.

Jeeze. Thank you very much indeed.

You got to pay, doc.

We ain't buying groceries giving it away.

Keep the change.And buy yourself something glittery to wear.

And you buy yourself a bullet-proof vest.

What I don't know about filmmaking somebody could almost

crowd into the Rose Bowl.

I called an acquaintance.

He told me he'd get me a pass if I came.

I came and he got me a pass.

I belonged there like a pearl onion on a banana split.

Excuse me,where they're shooting ''Where the Reindeer live?''

Studio 5.

Well.

That's her?

0h,yes.

Bellissima! Grandiosa. Bewitching. Princess. Rosebud. Beautiful!

Yes! Yes!!!Well!Well!!! Can we start?!

Yes, boss.

Everyone in position! Stand by!!?

-Ready, boss. -Let's go! CAMERA!!! -Rollin'!

-102/81! -Clap!

Action!

CUT! CUUUTT! What's going on? What's going on??!

Jesus Christ,what's that dumb bell with the stick doing here? -Me?

Throw him out someone!!! Get out!!!

-And who's the fop alongside her? That's Jules Amthor,

known from the film ''HungryDeer''. That made him. Fast and good.

This isn't happening to me! CAMERA!!!!!

Well,just between us, big production, no story.

-Rollin'!!!! -102/82!

Clap!

Action !

-0hhh, Fred... CUUTT!!! Y0U! YES! N0! Y0U! Y0U!

-Me? -Y0U! YES!

Do you have always talk like 0rson Wells with his mouth with full of crackers?

Can't you be a bit natural?

-Bla, bla, bla, bla... -Cool it, teddybear.

You say we don't know our lines? 0r what?

No, I absolutely didn't mean to say that.

And you! Plump up that collar, please!

What is this film, in fact? Documentary?

0h, no! People go wild over this now. China, exotica, prayer wheels,

mandelas, Buddha, secrets... It's called ''Usrana Nasrata''

Hey! Do you have it arranged the way I wanted it?

Goddam it,what the hell do you want? Jam on both sides?

0kay... okay, okay. CAMERA!!!!!

-Rollin'!!! -102/83! -Clap!

Action!

0hh, Frank...

Frank?! His name is Fred! Fred! Let's get on with it!

0hh, Fred...

Wellss...

CUUUTTT!!! Boy! Boy!!!! Let's do it again!

Why are you all staring at me, like I was the Dalai Lama? I said it plainly!

-CAMERA!!!!! -Rollin'!!

-102/84! -Clap!

Action!

CUUUT!!!! MAAAAKE- UUUUP!!!!

Yes, boss?

Come here! Come over here! Look at him !

How did you put make-up on him? Probably in the dark-

- and with a sprained wrist, didn't you?

Well,we were in the dark for a moment. What's the big deal?

That's it... I've had enough!

I'd sooner I look into a grave than at you lot!

That's the lot for today...ALL 0VER!

That's nice. I'm so tired I ain't got no sense.

Dry your eyes, lover boy... It'll get finished.

No it won't. Never ever. We'll never put it together now.

I originally planned to made children's films,you see.

But I caught measles and so they wouldn't let me near the kids.

Now I do this stuff.

Velma Hatfield?

-Yes? -Yes?

Wait for me in the clubroom, teddybear.

Say, haven't I seen you somewhere?

It's possible, I get around. Name's Phil Marlowe.

-I need... -You from the press?

Your last picture was wonderful, Miss Hatfield.

But it stank.

Positively goddamned stank, you sweet lovely man.

-Tall, aren't you? -I didn't mean to be.

She has abeautiful little body, hasn't she? You ought to see mine.

Can it be arranged?

Miaow!

I'd like to talk to you.

And don't tell me you're going out with four sailors again.

-What are you offering? -I'd show you my etching.

-Just one etching? -It's just a single apartment.

0h, how romantic. I heard some people have such things.

All right, Mr. Brighteyes. But we'll meet at my place. In ten minutes.

They'll give you my address at the studios. So come and see me...

...I'll show you my... beautifully clean cooker.

CUUUTT!!

An interesting bit, huh? Asta Dial. ''Spirit of Dawn''.

Really? I just thought it was Klopstein's. ''Two Warts on a Fanny''.

You have a somewhat peculiar sense of humour, Mr. Marlowe.

Not peculiar.Just un... Just uninhibited.

0h,yeah? In that case, take a seat somewhere.

-Leave that here! You can go! -Yes, madam.

-What do you drink? -Anything, so long as it's whisky.

Fine.

-This is all yours? -Do you know what I love about Hollywood?

I adore the neurotics.

Not so much for me... I'm an occasional drinker.

The kind of guy who goes out for a beer and wakes up in Singapore.

-That ever happen to you? -Yeah, just after I graduated from high school.

Drinking at such an early age...

That could be dangerous for some.

Women don't call ''IT'' dangerous...

What'll we drink to?

The doctor only allows you one glass a day, eh? How about good health?

0r at least to what's left of it.

Light my fire.

You like smoking baseball bats?

Really cute, Marlowe. I like masterful men.

Thank you, Miss Hatfield.

My God. You big dark handsome brute.

How about women? Do they amuse you? -Now and then.Why?

Get on with it,you goof. And break that icicle off your nose!

What about I sit close to you? -I've been thinking that along time.

Ho..., don't act so hard to get!

Easy.

That kiss won't leave as car.

0r aren't you interested?

Not if it's that easy.

0h yes.

You like to do the difficuIt things in life.Well...

I must remember it.

I came here on business. I work at it, lady. I don't play at it.

I don't understand you.

Nobody understands me. I'm enigmatic.

Smith.

Cheap shamus,with a boar's tusk...

A tusk that goes rooting where it shouldn't.

Nigel Smith!

Very interesting. If one knew what you are talking about.

And one does.

And one doesn't.

Hotel Central..., Egypt Club...

Why don't you I am out of here, bud? Better scram or I'll get you!

Shut up, snowbird. Nobody- is- getting- anybody.

I'm history.

And put some rouge on your cheeks.

You look like the snow maiden after a hard night with the fishing fleet.

I needed another drink badly.

I needed to think over a lot of things. Velma Hatfield...

Dames like her lie about anything. Just for practise.

The Frenchies have a phrase for it.

The bastards have a phrase for everything and they are always right.

-Chow, Kenny...Hi, Mac. -Buenas tardes, Phil.

FEEED!

You're dying for a drink, aren't you, Chesney?

You'll die if I don't get one!

-Dough first. -Do...what?

Do- ugh.

Sure I got dough, but I left it in the car.

It's out there on its axles, ain't it...

-W'at ...? -In a pig's valise!

Turn that crap off.

What do you want to listen to, fellows?

0ut of the way, fatso.

You Marlowe?!

Phooey to you.

Take him!

0uch! It's my leg!

In a pig's valise!

You! What hand to you eat with?

Well, pick the leg up with the hand you eat with!

-0h yes... -0h yes...

Excuse me..., but who will pay... for the drink?

I said...who will pay... for the drink?

Good question.

Any trouble?

You also want a metal slug into your pumpkin, buddy?

Well, so long, punks... We gotta catch a streetcar.

You got fun, cheapie?!!

Here...you're visiting Mr Perrugini.

You're visiting several million dollars. READ ME!?

Who? Perru...Perru...

-GINNI!!! -In a pig's valise!

That's him? Did you identifucked him correctly?

First...

I don't like it,when some creep messes around with Miss Hatfield.

She needs calm for her work. Capisce?

Second...

What's your interest in my driver?

Who?

Don't play dumb, friend. I'll ask you again ...

What's your interest in Nigel Smith? Who hired you?

It's not particularly important.

I'll be the judge of what's important or not! To that's the important thing.

I'm listening.

The guy was dangerous.

He was the sort who'd stick a knife in your back

and then have you charged with illegal possession of a weapon.

There's this poker player. He owes him money.

I've a suggestion for you, Mr. Marlowe. You'll find Smith,you'll let me know

and then...you didn't hear a thing or see a thing...,you're clean...

...you're a yuppie. Five Cnotes.

Why me? What not one of these bruisers?

You look like a very capable young man to me.

No. The Community Chest thanks you.

That wasn't bad, Mr. Marlowe. Really. Don't you remember?

I haven't laughed so much since the pigs ate my mother-in-law.

I know, I'll be right with you. Wait for me in the car

while I sort something out here.

I'll try hard,

but I don't think, I'm going to... like you.

Some guys has got wrong ideas, about when to get tough.

You're plenty hard, boy... But you ain't as hard as metal!

Listen, does your mother know how you earn your living?

0n your feet, shit stain.

-Find Smith.And make it snappy.

Give him a bit more and then throw him out.

Stick to his heels. I want to know everything about him. Capisce?

Si...

I woke up as empty of life as a scarecrow's pocket.

I got my battle-scared frown back on my face and felt the back of my head.

Somebody had built a filling station on my neck.

Nothing doing. It's time to wake up and go.

Everything in my head rattle

like a loosened fan belt.

Hell, Marlowe, no clue, no prints,

no provocative match holders.

A straight forward case- as plain as the nose on my aching face.

I needed a little luck.

Hell, I needed it in carload lots.

As soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk they clung to my heels.

I pretended not to notice.

-I was afraid I'd never see you again. - Likewise.

0therwise.

-They killed Kenny. -The skunks.

Whiskey?

What's the hurry?

No, give me acoffee. Black, strong and made this year.

Por favor. 0ne sad coffee. To Kenny.

To Kenny...

-Dough, Chesney. - Do- ugh?

Dough.

0kay, I gonna get it.

I'll go to the bank opposite.

Park the body, amigo.

Goddam! Those cheap hoods are even lying around here!

Get out! Get out you cheap hoods!

You heard! Clear out!

Your name Marlowe?

With an ��e�� or not?

With. Police! We want to talk to you!

Right away?

If not sooner. We'll take you in, chum.

As a material witness?

As a material our foot, Marlowe!!!

No tricks, boy. This ain't a hot dog.

Mitts in the air! Kid..., see if this bird is wearing an iron.

-He's clean, Kid. - Put the cuffs on him, Kid.

You're under arrest!Anything you say can be used against us!

Goodwork, Kid.

Sure, Kid.

Who are you kidding.

Easy, Kid. We'll sort him out, the big mouth.

Where were you yesterday afternoon?

At home.

-Got an alibi for it, poker man?

-No?! That's very good indeed. - No. It's not that good.

What you shoot him for?

I've wondered and wondered. Who's him?

Hah! The kidder! Kenny Mattel.

That pansy in the bar. How was it? Did you shoot him? 0r what?

I can't remember. I'd have to look at my notebook.

Don't mess with us!

Yes?

No?

Go on and you'll answer yourself.

Better cough up, boy. Confession... is acircumstance.

Don't give us none of that!

I'm not giving you any of nothing.

-Could you think of any other idea? - Not in such a crowd.

So you're not gonna toot your horn? Well. Listen to this!

Hey, Kid, the two ofus are just so great.

How did God create the Kids from forty-eight.

Hey, Kid, shysters, hoods and reprobates

we intend to liquidate in precinct forty-eight.

Evil�s shaking in its shoes. When you and me are on the beat.

Hear, you hustlers, get the news Clear out of LA-retreat!

-When a driver goes too fast... -Stop right there!

-When a doggie fouls the park. -Teach that pooch!

We�re the dauntless duo who evil will subdue, oh!

Truth and love just has to win. Out the doorwith lies and sin!

This here land can sleep at ease. Kiddies needn�t be afraid.

Here�s two hard Kids who�ll keep the peace.

The hardest in the USA!

Hey!

Yeah!

Run out and buy me some candy! You should manage it between the two you.

You know, Marlowe, police business is a hell of a problem.

It's agood deal like politics. It asks for the highest type of men.

And there's nothing in it to attract the highest type of men.

So we have to work with what we get.

Try another one.

Paolo Perrugini. What did you talk about?

His people carried you out of that bar after they gunned that poor guy down.

What about Ben Goodman?

What's this supposed to be about?

He was an ace safe breaker.

Someone bumped him off last night in Canal Street.

Two rounds from a thirty-eight.

It's in the air nowadays.

You don't happen to know anything about it?

Nothing comes to mind.

Same here.

Perrugini. Perrugini has important people behind him.

How far behind?

You ain't got any enemies, have you?

-0nly the finance company. - So, try not to get anymore!

I'm not Howard Stern, but anyway you knowmy telephone...

and your duties too.

Keep your nose clean and save the gags.

Hit the trail.

What you sitting there for?

You want me to give you a great big spitty kiss?

I don't knowwhat I waited for. Cops never say good bye.

They're always hoping to see you again.

In the line-up.

Ya, I near forgot.

Some guy was asking 'bout you and that feller

I brought to you yesterday mornin'.

-The one in the straw hat? - Ya. -What gives? - Nothing.

He just went out.

-What did he look like? - You know...

-Hat,jacket and pants. - Not bad.

What about the hole in his right sock?

Hard to say - I omitted to take his shoes off.

I wasn't getting anywhere,

even though everything in this case

stick out like spats at an Iowa picnic.

I started to have the feeling that my real task was

to twist the hind leg off an elephant with my bare hands.

The telephone could mean something, but I just didn't know what.

I left it to get tired of it.

-Yeah? -Marlowe? -Speaking. - So, have you found my brother?

Yeah. They took him out in the desert and planted him among cactuses.

Whaaat?! Stop hamming, Marlowe! Don't you have any news?

You could put it that way.

That slays me! Marlowe!!! I'm paying you to do a job of work...

-And instead... -And instead you're swinging the lead.

In the meantime I've made progress.

-I don't amuse easy.What's the pitch? - Come over to my place!

Don't yell at me! 0kay! I'll come. About the time I get my third set of teeth.

That wasn't such a good joke!

I thought it was quite good.

Attention please! Stinky Miller must go home immediateIy!

The silence fell like a bag of feathers. My nose twitched at a lingering odour.

The gun was heavy and was as cold as a toad's belly.

The artillery in my hand made me tough.

Two-gun Marlowe, the kid from Cyanide Gulch.

Stinky Miller... Your mother looking for you!

The fellow on the floor looked as if someone had used a pickaxe on him.

I could tell immediately that it was Charlie Brown,

my client, by the strawboater spread

all round his head.

In one sense, it made sense.

In another sense, it no longer made any sense at all.

They can't have been looking for the notebook or they'd have found it.

Stinky Miller go home!

48th Precinct.

-There's been a shooting at 27 East Road. -Who's been sh...

Beverly Hills. That's all I was missing that day.

The Laguna Perdida Sanatorium. I parked my car.

If the parking lot attendant happened to know

that I was an important public character

he did a top job in hiding it.

I sent my plain card to the director-

the one without a gun in the corner- and I waited.

I was met by something that claimed to be a secretary.

It had enough make-up

to paint a steam yacht.

Come in!

Welcome Mister, Mister, Mister... ...Marlowe. Phil Marlowe. Conrad.

Conrad Frogg...I'm running this institute.

Now... How may I serve you?

I don't know whether you can help me, but I'm Iooking for a man.

Just one? Well, that should be easy enough. There are plenty here...

Name's Nigel Smith. Family reasons.

Nigel? Smith?

0h,yes, of course. But I'm afraid we don't disclose any information

about our patients.

Patient? He's a patient of yours?

Well, as far as I know. Yes.

But to be on the safe side I'll take a look at his file.

That would be dandy.

-In the filing cabinet. -That's a bright idea.

Here we go, then. Let's see... here we are... Smith...

So,... Baboon, Biggles, Big Mac, Smith... Smith! Here it is!

0h,yes, of course! Well, it's all here...

We admitted him last night... At his own request.

Poor fellow. He was as timid as a titmouse.

He's been given acouple of sedative injections.

Injections are therapeutic... You wouldn't like one,would you?

Thanks. It's very kind of you. Doctor,... may I see him?

Please...

Well, seeing as you asked me nicely...

Hallooooo... darling... Send me Smith. Yes. No. 0kay.

That was fast,wasn't it? We didn't waste any time, did we?

So now... we'll wait for a moment.

Excuse me... Help! Help! Isn't there a doctor here anywhere? I'm adoctor!

Hang on! I'm adoctor!

Zzzzzzz, bzzzzzz...

You're here at last!Well,...

It was a big, big, big pleasure I'll see you again some time, Mr Marold.

In you come...

We'll leave you to it, then...

Give us a knock as soon as you're ready. We're next door in room thirty.

The photos showed the city mayor and with him that school girl

that was in the car with Perrugini.

In bed. 0n the couch. 0n a cupboard. In the wash basin.

Front view, back view,with a bag, without a bag... I'd had enough...

The flat seems to me as hollow and empty as the spaces between the stars.

I felt strange. I felt alone.

There was just one thing wrong with my solitude.

Surprise.

Sorry,

but we had a key that didn't fit- any lock but yours.

We'll never make the party like this.

You like to be a one-man riot squad, do you, Marlowe?

I think you were trying to rob me.

Who?

You and Smith.

What gave you that idea?

Smith was in your office, bastard.

That old coot in the elevator remembered him.

Come, Mister... Give me those photos.

Failed.

You've betrayed my confidence, Marlowe.

What else?

Except that this buster... made jam of the wrong one.

You couldn't tell them apart. Smith's identical twin. Charlie Brown.

Nope. It was Smith. I swear it, boss.

-And you want me... swallow this? -You can swallow what you like.

Such as your little girl, for instance.

Get it. 0h! I get it now. The one's called Smith, the other Brown.

They're twin brothers. No I don't believe a word of it, Marlowe.

You know what? Go fry your face!

You turn your guts inside out nicely, sleuth.

I think you are acting a little cagey on it.

Cagey? Cagey is not the word for it.

I'd shoot you. In person.

Well? What's wrong? You're all out of the quick stuff?

Did I kill them?

I expect you saved my life, angel. I need adrink badly.

Thanks.

Shame you can uncork this popgun just twice, huh?

You won't make the party.

-Lieutenant? Yeah.

-I've got a job for you. What gives?

-A couple of corpses getting cold. -Where?

They're lolling about here on my Persian rug.

Listen, don't be hysterical, okay?

No joke! Perrugini plus one gorilla to boot.

-Ya? Who knocked them? You? -No, Hatfield.

-What? Good God, did she blow? -Moment...

-So? -No, I think she didn't blow anything.

0kay. Stay there and don't touch anything! Get me? Hey, Klusky!

Lieu...!

''Cherchez la femme.''

-What fun? -0h, no.

That's a French saying I've never managed to forget.

What do you mean?

Not what,who.

I mean Velma Hatfield.

An actress who makes sentimental B movies in Hollywood.

A sex bomb who's soon to be pensioned off.

A woman who suddenly started to think about the future.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means that you thought up a plan.

Simple and typically feminine.

But you needed someone for the dirty work.

You chose that dogs body of a chauffeur- Nigel Smith.

He wasn't up to much. But there was no one else to hand.

You used your heavy calibre.

There was no difficulty now persuading him

to do exactly what you wanted.

But you overestimated him slightly.

It wasn't so easy to break into Perrugini's safe and take the photos.

Discreetly moreover.

Smith hired some guy called Goodman- a professional safe-breaker.

What?

You didn't know, did you? Goodman did a first-cIass job...

But then he made a bad mistake.

The police found Goodman drilled through with two bullets from a thirty eight.

Smith had a thirty-eight.

I found the bullets at his place and the pistol in a locker at the station.

Goodman could blackmail him. So he had to get rid of the problem.

And then you received the news you were waiting for.

Could be cleverly coded. The rosebud's open. Good night, honey.

0r whatever. He kept the key and continued to follow your plan.

He went into hiding where it really would have been hard to find him.

He was supposed to wait for you in that looney bin- until things calmed down.

Injections are therapeutic...

But he didn't take into account the fact that the meals there are

what I'd call a bit too substantial.

Is it safe?

I don't think he'd appeal to you anymore.

But then I turned up and started asking about him.

With private snoopers you never know what they might snoop out. Do you?

But this is all nonsense, Marlowe.

And so you decided that you ought to get rid of me.

You threw me to Perrugini as bait.

You were taking a bit of a risk, but not too great though.

You were sure no one would ever find Smith again. Except...

Except...the fact that I had the photos came as a shock to you.

You had to make your mind up fast,

because the next moment the attention would have turned to you.

You're no greenhorn and you're a fair shot with a pistol.

Those photos were your big chance.

Anyone would happily pay a fortune to have them.

Then- alone, I guess- you'd make yourself scarce.

In Mexico or Europe, for good.

I underestimated you, Philip.

Marlowe, Phil Marlowe.

Just one little thing. You have a mistake there, shamus...

Really? Wait a second...

He came, then went,

then the other one came, he killed the third one,

the first one got pissed off and went away, he dialled a number,

she dialled it...

Yeah. Here...

Philip, don't torment me. What if... the two of us...

wherever,

whatever,

however,

whenever...

Get me? PhiIip!

Skip the baby eyes, brittle.

You would have let them shoot me and blow my head off.

And that's two things I don't like.

Klusky...

the next time you drive drunk I'll- I'll personally confiscate your license.

Savvy?! Boys! Get going!

I say- You figure you're a pretty smart monkey, don't you?

Says you.

I don't needyou anymore tonight. Don't leave town

and show up tomorrow morning at Headquarters! Read me??!!!

I read you, lieutenant... 0h,yeah.Just a moment.

Keep this.

I toldyou not to touch anything! What is it?

I hope you don't lay it a way in mothballs.

You are just building a sandcastle, Marlowe.

I thought you hated my guts.

No. I don't. It's all washed out of me.

The play was over.

I was a hundred dollar package of dynamite that went off with a paltrynoise.

I felt like a gilt-edged sap come back from a vain adventure.

Night had fallen.

The wet airwas as cold as the a shes of love.

Neon lights shone everywhere

and in the sky there were stars that knew enough

to keep their distance from Hollywood.

I left the window open,

took a shower, got undressed and went to bed.

I finally fell asleep.

I dreamed that a goat raised on barbed wire

and broken beer bottles wanted to vomit all over me.

Eventually I stopped dodging it and let my self-respect ride its own race.

The only one of my people who stood by me was a one-eyed yellow cook

and he had glaucoma!

Get on with it you stuff shirted mayor!

Well,what are you goggling at me for?

Clear off home, the lot of you!

This picture's over!

No one's getting their moneyback!

Do you have to go on gawping?!

Scumbags!

This is Jerry Winslow, my lawyer. He's a sweetie.

He's a dote and he loves me. And I love him too, don't I, poochie?

Jerry knows a fantastic publisher here in New York.

He says he's interested in me writing my memoirs. He says it'll be a hit.

I'm sure to do it and my pooch will help me, won't you, poochie poo?

Promoted,yeah?! Tsk. No way. There's no pleasing some people .

They push you from pillar to post. Not an ounce of respect.

Cripes,what I'd like most of all is to... So what.

Nobody understands me. I'm... enigmatic.