All language subtitles for The Black Marble 1980

Drunk.

Terribly sorry.

Sorry.

Damn drunk. Go home.

Terribly sorry.

Terribly sorry.

Terribly sorry.

aaah!

I'm terribly sorry.

I'm-

Oh. Oh, no.

Not again, vicki.

Oh, no, love. No.

I'm too tired.

Please. Please, vicki.

Oh.

Vicki, you are impossible.

Doesn't she
have beautiful eyes,
mr. Skinner?

Look how big and round.

Big and round, yep.

Now, you gotta backcomb
that topknot, honey,
so it looks electric.

Okay.
Know what I mean?

Here, let me show you
how to strip her.

I'm scared
of those razors,
mr. Skinner.

You think I could use
a stripping knife?
Well, sure.

Sure. As long
as you're careful.

You hurt a dog
in skinner kennels...

And that little fanny's
gonna be out on the street.
Yes, sir.

Now, you gotta be
extra gentle under the eyes.

Here, let me show you.

Roll your thumb and finger
the way the hair grows.

That's it.
That's good.

You know, you ought to be
real grateful you got
this job with me, honey.

You could be workin'
for some faggot
poodle handler, you know?

Takes real talent
to show terriers.

You like terriers,
don't you, pattie mae?

Uh, w-well, yes,
mr. Skinner, but-

Well, you ought to be
real grateful that
you're with the best.

You're learnin'
from philo skinner,
the terrier king.

Philo?
Yes, mavis.
What is it?

Pattie mae, why are
you still here?

Mr. Skinner told me-
yeah, well,
mr. Skinner...

Don't worry about
payin' overtime.

You go on home.
Okay.

Philo-

You didn't feed walter.
The doberman in number six.

I almost fed walter me, mavis.
The son of a bitch went for me
the first time I got near him.

Why'd you take in
a brute like that for?
He's an attack dog!

Yeah? Well, seein'
as this kennel is so broke
the animals eat better than me,

I gotta take any dogs that
come my way so you can...

Go to the track and feed
the goddamn horses!

Now, listen to me.

I don't wanna
catch you nestling up
to that little...

Kennel bird or it is
bye-bye, terrier king!

This kennel's
in my name, philo!

Miserable bitch.

Yeah?
Good evening,
mr. Skinner.

Who are you?

I work for arnold.
I'm a collector.

Arnold?

Look, my old lady's here.
Just do me a favor, tell
arnold I'll call him, okay?

You're being
unreasonable, mr. Skinner.

Look, uh, arnold knows
I gonna get well
on the super bowl.

I got dallas and the points.
Arnold and me'll be even.
There's no problem.

But arnold thinks
pittsburgh's gonna win,
mr. Skinner.

He's afraid you're gonna
be into him for 25 big ones,
plus the vigorish.

B-but I'm
a good customer.
I'm no welsher.

I told arnold you'd be
a reasonable business man.

If your team loses,
I'll stop by to see you.

You'll have the money,
won't you, mr. Skinner?

Keep the newspaper,
mr. Skinner. Read it.

There's lots of accidental
deaths these days.

Rabbit!

Oh, my god. Mercy.

Oh, god. Mercy.

gavno. Gavno.

Oh.

- Mischa.
- Gavno. Gavno.

Mischa. Please.

hey, romero,
you're wanted on line two.

Well,

Another night of russian
potato juice, huh?

You look like
a skid row blood donor.

What they payin'
for type "0" these days?

I just need a cup of tea.

Look, while I'm gettin'
your cup of tea,

You can go in my locker
and change that necktie.

It looks like you
washed it in vodka.

And comb your hair.
Goddamn it!

I used to ride an old
sorrel horse with better
lookin' hair than you got.

Clarence? Clarence!

Uh, could you come in
for a minute?

Yeah, I'll be
right there, captain.

Man, you just gotta
cut that juice loose.

You gonna get all
"swole" up like a toad.

Look like you're
going to a funeral-
and it's yours.

Captain, you can't make
me work with valnikov.

I hate to poor-mouth
a fellow officer, but...

Even clarence has to admit
he's bombed right now.

No, he ain't bombed.
Just a little
hungover is all.

He's gotta get his shit-
his mind together.

Why me?
Lord, why me?

Natalie, we've, uh-
I've decided that valnikov
needs a partner.

I-in the short time
he's been here, I've noticed
he's a little, uh, absentminded.

Like a drunk might be.
Uh, yes. Yes,
it's true he had...

A minor drinking
problem when he was
with homicide downtown,

But clarence assures me
all he needs-
clarence? I should've known.

Assures me that all he needed
was a change of scenery...

And that here
at hollywood station,
he'd begin to shape-

Captain, why'd they
kick him out of homicide?

Pardon me.
Why did they agree
to a change of scenery?

Well, no big thing.
Just a-
just a scuffle is all.

The kind you might have
in a saloon for instance.
Uh, no.

It was just an argument
with a pathologist at
the morgue on a homicide case...

He was workin' on-
something.

So his old buddy,
clarence cromwell, decides he
needs a transfer to hollywood,

And now clarence decides
he needs a partner.

Sergeant cromwell doesn't
command this division,
I do!

Captain, I appreciate
your position. But for 18 years
I've worked my tail off...

For the los angeles
police department-
mm-hmm.

A tail!

Why me!

Well-

I hope you like
working burglary, natalie.

Yeah.

We may as well get
the partner-to-partner
biographies over with.

You married?
Divorced.

Me too.
You live alone?

No, I live
with mischa and grisha.

The kids?

Uh, no. My son, nicholas, lives
with his mother in chatsworth.

- Yeah? And how old?
- Forty-four.

I didn't ask
how old you are.
My father was amazed...

By the luxury of hollywood.

It scared him because
he was an immigrant.

Look at the place.
It's almost a slum.

Wait a minute. Let's get
this straight. You said you
lived with mischa somebody.

Mischa and grisha.
Valnikov, you said
you had one kid.

Yes. Nicholas. He's 20.

He's 20.

I don't see him anymore.
Why?

I think he doesn't like me.
I know his mother
doesn't like me.

Do mischa
and grisha like you?
Of course.

Mischa.
he only knows one word.

Gavno.

I yelled it one one time
when I burned my hand
on the stove.

It's, uh, russian.
It means "shit."

Ah, he just picks up
the bad word, of course.

Uh-huh. He's not
your kid, right?

My kid- no, no.
He's a parakeet.

Green.
And grisha is?

A gerbil.
Didn't I say that?
No. No, you didn't.

You really didn't, valnikov.

I think it's real nice
to have a partner
to talk to again.

Tutu! Tutu! Tutu!

Come on, tutu.
It's philo!

It's me, philo!

Jesus christ, man.

come on,
for christ's sake!

Tutu! Tutu!

Tutu! I knew
you could do it.

Tutu. My baby, tutu.

I knew you could do it.

Everything's gonna be okay now.
You're the sweetest dog
in the world.

Jesus christ.
Hey, I'm carryin'
a little dog here, man!

Have a nice
weekend, natalie.

Aren't you
going in the office?

Nah, I'm too tired.
Would you mind,
uh, signing me out?

I think I'll just
go home and make myself
a nice christmas dinner.

last call for wire fox terrier
open dogs to ring nine.

Last call. Wire fox terrier
open dogs to ring nine.

Nyy-855, please move it.
You're blocking traffic.

Will the owner of motor home
license number 855-nyy,

Please move it,
you're blocking traffic.

Janitor
to ring four, please.

Janitor to ring four.

Whippets to ring four.
Whippets to ring four.

Mr. Skinner?
Mr. Skinner, I'm here.

Gee, mr. Skinner,
this is so exciting.

Um, you know,
I almost couldn't find you.

Am I late?
It's half over.

The dog show?
The super bowl.

Oh. Who's playing?
Pittsburgh!

Pittsburgh's playin'.

Mr. Skinner, do you
think you ought to be-
yes, I ought to be.

Matter of fact, I want you
to run out and get me
another half pint.

I'm only nineteen, mr. Skinner.
I'm not old enough
to buy whiskey.

Nineteen.

Not old enough, huh?
Well, I'm not old enough
to draw social security.

Or to get in the racetrack
as a senior citizen.

And the dallas defensive line
is in the same goddamn boat!

The whole world's too old.

Go match that
squirrelly scottie, will ya?

pugs, go to ring two.

All pug handlers
to ring two.

Pugs to ring two.

Wire fox for best of breed
competitions to ring nine.

Wire fox for best of breed
competitions to ring-

Mr. Skinner, it's time
to show the fox terrier.

You're showing
the fox terrier.
Me?

I-I can't.
This is my very first show.
I don't even know what to do.

It's all right. Just
bait him with the liver
like I showed you...

And fold the excess lead
in your hand and don't
worry about it.

There's a horny old bastard
out there judgin'
fox terriers anyway.

An old dude
with a lady clairol dye job.

another one.

He's gonna be checkin' out
the brisket, stifle
and hocks, all right.

But not the dog's.
Yours.

You got it made with
that old hound, you sexy
little kennel groupie, you.

Mr. Skinner-

After today, I quit!
I'm not gonna work
for you no more.

pick up armbands. Pick up your-
pick up your armbands.

Winger, over for pictures
to ring one. Last call.

Winger, over for pictures
to ring one. Last call.

Janitor to ring six.
Janitor to ring six.

It's way back in the second
quarter when rocky bleier
gathered in this eight yard-

Mr. Skinner, we won!

We won!
That old judge was so nice.

He said he could
teach me a lot
about dog shows.

That dallas team's
just too goddamned old.

janitor to ring three.
Whole world's too old.

Janitor to ring three.

Janitor, ring number three.
The arena's full of dog crap!

The whole world's just
one ancient stinking
mountain of dog shit!

Does this mean I get
to show the schnauzer too?
No.

Changed my mind.
Her coat's not ready.

gee, mr. Skinner,
she really loves you.

Yeah.
When I was a mangy kid
in a goddamn foster home,

I always
shared my pinto beans
with some stray dog.

Now I'm a mangy man
and nothing's changed.

You ain't so mangy,
mr. Skinner.

Go get me some coffee,
will ya, kid?

Sure.

Sorry, tutu.

Philo has to hurt you
just for a second.

You'll feel okay...
In a little while.

Brittany spaniels
for the best of breed
competition to ring one.

Brittany spaniels
for best of breed
competition to ring one.

Toxicology, cold drinks
to ring three, please.

Afghan hounds, open bitches,
pick up armbands, ring five.

Mr. Hoyt jones,
you're wanted at your setup
immediately, please.

Oh.

Mr. Skinner,
that schnauzer's
growling at you.

I don't get it.
Just ten minutes ago,
she was licking your face.

Start packing up the dogs.
We're leaving.

Why are we leaving?
W-what about all your-

Never mind about my clients.
They'll just have
to understand that I'm s-sick.

Let's just get
the hell out of here.

Had enough dog shows
to last me a lifetime.

And I ain't "boofin'."

Madeline whitfield, please
go to chester biggs' setup.

Miss madeline whitfield, please
go to chester biggs' setup.

I don't know what happened
to vicki, miss whitfield.

But she was all right.
I think
she's been drugged.

Miss whitfield,
you better go straight home.
I'll take vicki to your vet.

Ooh, vicki.

- Hello.
- Is this madeline whitfield?

Yes.
My name is richard.

I wanna tell you that, uh-

That schnauzer bitch you have
is not vicki.

Understand me?
That schnauzer bitch
you have is not vicki.

Now, you'll know that when she
revives from the tranquilizer
that I gave her.

Uh, ex-excuse me,
I-I don't understand.

I'm telling you
that I've kidnapped
your schnauzer bitch.

You have another one.
Now, listen to me.

I want $85,000.

Uh, how much?
Eighty-five thousand.

Uh, I-
oh, that's impossible.

I don't have $85,000.
I can't get $85,000.

Yeah, you listen to me.
I know all about you.
You're rich.

You and your big house.
Just do as I say, okay?

No, listen-
listen to me, sir. I-

Uh, this big house-

I live here alone
and the upstairs
is closed off...

And I had to refinance
the house last year.

- I don't have any-
- listen, I don't-
shut up!

Shut up. Now, I want you
to listen to me, woman.

You have the money in
two days, or I'm gonna
start sending you...

Pieces of your
little schnauzer bitch,
all right?

Now, you call your rich grandma,
you call your banker.
Oh, pl-

But you get the money.

Please. Please, listen to me.
I-I can get some money.

B-but the-
oh.

Just don't
hurt vicki, please!

don't-

Sir? Oh-

I'm sorry, miss whitfield.
Vicki- vicki died.

Th-the drug,
whatever it was,
it was just... Too much. I-

The doctor says he can
do an autopsy and-
no. No autopsy.

Bring her home right now
and I'll arrange for the burial.

But, miss whitfield-
shouldn't we, uh-

Someone drugged your dog.
Shouldn't we call
the police and-

No, I forbid it.
Now, bring the-

Bring vicki home to me and
then call the pet mortuary...

And tell them
to come here tonight.

Do you understand,
chester?

Hey, nick,
gimme those 4-5-9 reports.

Oh, clarence.
Oh, that's wonderful.

Ah.

Well, I gave it a try,
captain, and it's not
gonna work out.

I've got something important
to tell you about valnikov.

what is it, natalie?
He's crazy.

Now, that's the dumbest
goddamn thing I ever
heard you say, natalie.

You think I enjoy this?

I admit valnikov's
a little eccentric-

He's crazy, bats, wacko.

Do you understand?
I'm not saying zany,
balmy or goofy.

I'm saying he's a psycho.
Name one
crazy thing he did.

It's a combination of things.
He's gone round the bend.

He's a candidate
for a medical pension.
A gold retirement badge...

And a canvas blazer
with wraparound arms.

Name one crazy thing he did.
There was
a combination of things.

Goddamn it.
Now name one crazy thing.

Okay, one thing!

He said he was
going to make himself
christmas dinner.

Christmas was two weeks ago.

Oh?
Christmas?

Uh. Clarence!
Captain.

Captain, there were
lots of little things.
Clarence, where you going?

And they spell n-u-t.
I'll be with you
in a minute. I've got-

Cl-clarence!
Captain-

I'm a little busy right now.
If you could come back
a little bit- clarence!

Nut, captain.
N-u-t.
I can't get this open.

You wanna know
what Friday was,
natalie? Hm? Hm?

Russian christmas.
His christmas. Ha.
Oh.

How you feel now,
natalie?

I don't give a damn
if it was russian christmas!
There were other things!

Did you have a nice
weekend, natalie?
Groovy.

Would you open
your jacket,
please?

I didn't forget my revolver.
I'm really very careful
about that.

I figured.
Figured?

That you did
all your tailoring
with a staple gun.

Oh, that. Um, I've been
meanin' to sew it. In fact,
I got a needle and thread-

We have an arrestee in jail.
Let's just go to work,
valnikov.

Let's see, uh,
your name's
bernie mitchell?

That's right.
You know sergeant spinks,
works auto theft?

He generally
handles my cases.

it says here you
were arrested for, uh,

Breaking into a warehouse.

- I've advised you your rights.
- You sure you don't
know sergeant spinks?

I mean,
he's a very nice fella.

He's the one gimme my nickname,
"itchy mitch," on account of...

I always
break out in hives
when I get arrested.

Do you wanna tell us
about the burglary?
Oh, sure.

Sure. It's all because
of this here limper-

Limper?
Yeah, you know,
a lemon. A real dog.

See, see, I'm-
I'm a used car salesman,

Which is how come
I always get busted
by auto theft detectives.

Sorry, mitch,
we don't work auto theft.

Oh, that's all right.
So, I take this-

This limper for a little spin,
just for a couple of days.

Just because I get nailed
at the arizona border,
they think I'm stealin'.

- I was just test drivin' it.
- What's all this got to do
with the warehouse burglary?

Well, sergeant, I was out
on bail for the auto theft.

I had to pay
my lawyer, didn't I?

And I couldn't afford another
auto theft conviction.

They might send me
to state "pris."

So I decide to bust
in this warehouse.

See, I ain't got
no prior arrests
for breakin' and enterin'.

Sarge, you look like
a very smart lady.

Maybe you could
tell me somethin'.
Yeah, mitch.

Why is it that some people
in this world...

Always seem to pick
the black marble?

Maybe you can tell me that.

Zimmerman and valnikov,
you're next.
What're you filing?

One count of burglary.

Rabbit!

Yeah.

Mr. Holman is available now.

Let's go file burglary
on old "itchy mitch."

wanna stop for a hamburger?

I can't look another
big mac in the eye.

charlie lightfoot was
so cranky in the mornings.

The only thing
he didn't hate
was an egg mcmuffin.

Who's charlie lightfoot?

My old partner.

We, uh, worked
homicide together 13 years.

He taught me everything.

Valnikov, why did
they transfer you
out of homicide?

I, uh-

Pardon, natalie.
What'd you say?

I said-

Never mind.

Tell me about charlie lightfoot.
What kind of cop was he?

He cleared
more unsolved murders
than anybody.

He- we once...

Caught a man who
strangled three children.

The killer kept a schoolbook
belonging to one little girl.

Braille reader,
grade... Two.

Charlie could never
get over the title
of that book.

It was called
happy times.

Valnikov-

Charlie always said-
valnikov.

It doesn't matter.

He always said
it all goes down
a big sewer in the end.

Valnikov,

Is charlie lightfoot
still working homicide?

What? I told you, didn't I?

Told me what?

Charlie's dead.

Killed in a...

Hunting accident, they say.

All alone in the woods.

Valnikov, let's go back
to the station.

We're end of watch.

I can't stay late, but, uh,
at least we know a couple-

See ya, val.
Good night, bob.

Oh, hi.
See you tomorrow.

Hey, valnikov.

This, uh- this lady here
wants to talk to you...

About a theft report
from the brown derby.

Oh, thanks.

I'm sergeant valnikov.
I'm, uh, madeline whitfield.

Pleasure. Be seated.
Thank you.

Uh, I-I found a schnauzer bitch
near my home in pasadena...

And I called every police
department around...

And your computer section
told me there had been
a schnauzer stolen...

Here in hollywood
last Friday.

You're a very good detective.
Frankly, I thought the dog
probably just wandered off.

Could you give me
the name of the person
who reported her missing?

It might help me-
help you?

Well, you see,
the poor little thing died...

And I had to give her
to the pet haven cemetery
for burial.

And I just wanted to
talk to the owner to see if
it really is the same schnauzer.

Uh, I can contact
the owner first thing
in the morning...

And have her
get in touch with you
if you'll leave your number.

Oh, all right.

Please, it's-
it's very urgent!

Is there
something else, ma'am?

Is there
something wrong?

oh, no, of course not.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

Natalie, is this gonna become
a goddamn mornin' ritual?

Complainin' to hooker
about valnikov?

Mm. It has to be done.

He's a cop.
He carries a gun,
and he's crazy.

Maybe it's the booze.
Christ, anybody's brain...

Could get marinated
and sanforized
the amount he must put away.

His eyes don't stop
watering until 2:00 o'clock.

Oh, look, you ain't
givin' it a chance.

Clarence, if you're his friend,
you've gotta understand this.
He's a sick man.

When he's asleep,
he-he starts crying
about some goddamn rabbit.

Bugs bunny.
Peter cottontail.
I don't know.

Oh, you've been with him
when he's sleeping?

Clarence!
You evil old spook!

This lady wants to sue
the police department
for $1,000,000.

Captain, I have something
important to tell you.
Not now.

Captain! I cooked her
20 bucks' worth of parmigiana.
Not now.

I got feelings too, huh?
He ain't gonna push me...

In a swimming pool
and get away with it.

I thought you could
trust a policeman
to be a gentleman.

- Captain, I-I need just
two minutes of your time. I-
- natalie, please.

Million dollar lawsuit for bein'
pushed in a swimmin' pool?

- She was two floors up!
- Yeah!

I got a whiplash.
I lost my contact lenses.
I ruined a very good wristwatch.

But, clarence, clarence.
She dumped my cannelloni
in the sink.

I got feelings!
I got rights, huh?
Oh, bullets, shut up!

Out! Out!
Both of you.
Yeah, shut up, bullets.

I'm sorry.
I just- out. Out.
What? What?

You see,
miss, bullets is
an emotional italian.

Oh, but he
cares about you
a lot. Mm-hmm.

Told me so himself!
We were havin'
lunch the other day...

And he says, "clarence,
I just love that woman
so much, I just-"

Valnikov, we have
so many burglary reports,

We may as well weigh them
as count them and we're
bothering with a missing dog!

This morning,
miss whitfield
seemed so, uh-

She seemed so desperate.

Hi.
I'm millie's-
hi.

Mrs. Gharoujian's houseboy.
She couldn't come.

Gosh, I hope
it isn't tutu.

come on. Let's take a look.

I dream about you

all through the day

my buddy

my buddy

nobody

I'm mr. Limpwood.
Uh, may I be of service?

Sergeant valnikov.
Ah, yes, sergeant,
about the deceased schnauzer.

Did you locate
the next of kin?

We think this young man may
be able to identify the, uh,
deceased. May we see her?

Beautiful job,
don't you think?
He looks asleep.

Terrific.

That raccoon looks like
he's just playing possum.

Oh, dear, they're
burying her already.

I didn't think burial
was gonna take place
until this afternoon.

No problem, we'll
just dig her up.
Exhume the body?

Oh, but I don't wanna be sued.
What if the next of kin
is finally determined?

Don't you
need a court order?

You only need a court order
to exhume people's bodies.

Oh, that can't be tutu.

Tutu was so beautiful!

Did she have any...
Particular marks?

She had a white toenail
on her left hind paw.

Millie's dog trainer,
mr. Skinner,

Used to paint 'em black
for the dog shows.

My god, it is white.

Hello.
Do you have
the money yet?

Uh, you must let me explain.

I've been able
to raise some money...

And I'm trying to get a fast
personal loan from the bank,

But my mother died of cancer
recently, and I don't-

There were four years of surgery
and hospitalization...

And chemotherapy and
I don't have any money left.

I'm absolutely broke.
I'm trying to find a job.

Listen- lis- let-

Hey, you, don't you
spit your goobers
on my property!

Hello? Hello,
are you there?

Now, j-just shut up
and listen to me.

You think I was born
yesterday? You think I'm
gonna believe your lies?

Hey, I know you're rich!

Listen, woman,
I never hurt an animal
in my life.

But I'm tell-

Hey, you scrawny coyote,
stop spitting goobers
on my property!

Get back inside, you fat bitch,
or I'll punch you
in your fat mouth!

That's no way
to speak to a lady, you
filthy-mouthed chauvinist!

Okay, j-j-just listen to me.
I want the money
by tomorrow night...

Or I'm gonna
start cutting off the toes
of your little bitch.

You understand me?
One at a time.
Oh-

And then I'm gonna
start on her ears.
Oh, my god, please!

Please, don't!
Just bring vicki home
and I swear I'll pay you...

A little each month
until you have it-

Ransom on the installment plan?

You wanna send me your
goddamn credit card, maybe?

You know,
you're really stupid.
Listen, woman,

I'm gonna call you
tomorrow night and you'd
better have good news!

I've had it with you, lady.

- You dirty-mouthed coyote!
- Jesus!

- what's matter with you,
you crazy bitch!

How do you like that,
garbage mouth?
Help!

I'll teach you
to respect a lady!
Help!

I'm gonna sue you,
you bitch!

andrei mikhailovitch.

I've been meaning
to stop by.

Uh, this is my brother.
Alex, meet natalie zimmerman.

Hello, good-looking.

You smell
like a cop to me and
that's a sexy smell.

So, now you've met
alex-the-bashful.

How about some borscht?
I'm, uh, overwhelmed.

Alex, uh, how about
some lunch to go?

Huh? We're on the run
between calls.
On the run?

On the run.
Mm. Oh.

You don't come by
to see your nieces
and nephews anymore.

You don't come
for christmas dinner.
Didn't you get the presents?

We don't
want your presents,
dummy. We want you.

alex, we can't stay.

Ahh, on you,
I give up.

But, you, sit down.

Excuse me a minute. Hm?

When my parents
left russia,

They carried with them
that same samovar,

An icon of st. Sergius,

And a picture
of nikolai romanov...

Clear across siberia
to vladivostok.

Oh, yes, they carried
one other thing.

Me.
Yeah.

It took us 12 years
to get to america.

In a glass, russian style.

So tell me,

Do the other cops
talk about his drinking?

My brother,
he started drinking heavy
and acting different...

After his partner,
charlie lightfoot, died.

Well, we've only been
partners for a few days.

He was always a good boy.
He was never a drunk. Why?

alex?

Oh, the murals
are beautiful, alex.
Beautiful.

Good.

enjoy your lunch, kid.

You're lucky
you got a partner
who looks like that.

You take care.

You hear me, andrushka?
Yeah.

Valnikov,
why are we coming here?

well, it's not exactly
the hollywood bowl but, uh,

This fiddler
does pretty well
with tchaikovsky.

valnikov.

Right here, natalie.

I've just gotta talk
to the fiddler.

Here's five for my favorite
tchaikovsky piece.

Let's see
what we have here.

Ahh, cabbage rolls.

And piroshki.

And wait until you
taste the black bread.

What's this stuff?
Borscht.

It cures everything
that's wrong with you.
Everything? I could use some.

It's homemade
with a touch of dusha.

That's russian for "soul."

And romanian wine.

Na zdorovye,
natalie.

You know, I don't even
know your first name.

Sergeant a.M. Valnikov.

What did
the chef call you?

Andrei mikhailovitch.

And what did
your brother call you
when he kissed you good-bye?

Andrushka.

Good wine.

How would you say
"natalie" in russian?

Mm, "natalia."
or the endearing form
would be "natasha."

Natasha. I like that.

Na zdorovye,
natasha.

na zdorovye.
That's very good.

Thank you.

Jack!
where you've been?

I've been waitin' for half
an hour. Guess who's got tickets
to the shubert theater tonight?

Captain packerton,
meet sergeant valnikov.
Jack heads west valley.

Nice to meet you, captain.
Likewise.

Come on, baby.
Let's hurry up
before we're late, huh?

Uh, "balinkov," here,
can, uh, clean up your
paperwork for ya.

Can't ya, "balinkov"?
Sure I can.

You have
a nice evening, natalie.

Oh, hey, hey, val.
That whitfield broad?

She's callin' you
every half hour.

Thanks, bullets.

Don't be
too impressed, sergeant.

There's no furniture
left upstairs except
in one bedroom.

I couldn't afford to pay
that monster if I wanted to,
and I do.

My father always said that...

There was enough
in the trust fund...

To keep my mother and me
if we were prudent.

My father was a physician
who didn't realize how imprudent
mother's cancer could be.

So the bank
will own the house
at the end of the year.

I'm sorry about
your being broke...

And I'm sorry about
your troubles.

Well, up these
winding driveways...

And behind these oak doors,
it's the same story.

There's no romance
of old money.

Just people like me
holding on.

I understand
about tradition.

I understand about
old ways. Maybe they're
worth holding on to.

When I got vicki,

There was new excitement.

Our pictures
were in the newspaper
when we began winning shows.

There was attention.

Oh, it-it sounds foolish,
I know, sergeant, but-

I don't really have anyone.

I'm sorry.

I understand.

That's how I feel about-
oh, sergeant.

I-I understand.

I'll find your doggie.

Oh, sergeant.

I will find your doggie.
Oh.

I'll find your doggie.
Oh, sergeant.

I swear.
I'll find your doggie.

Oh, sergeant.

Oh, sergeant. Oh.

Val, why don't you let
pasadena p.D. Handle that?

She's receiving
extortion calls there.
You got enough to do.

Look, clarence,
if the original theft of tutu
from the brown derby...

Is part of a continuing
extortion plot,
it's my responsibility.

Either way, lookin'
pretty good today.

No russian potato juice
last night?

Come to think of it,
I didn't have
a drink last night.

Hm.
Where was he all night?

Uh, how do you
take your tea, miss-
sergeant zimmerman?

Do you have any coffee,
miss whitfield?

Most cops drink coffee.
Oh, I'm sorry.

Of course.
I-I've got some made.

Nice house, eh,
valnikov?
Lovely.

Bet the master bedroom
is posh. Eh, valnikov?

Uh, possibly.
You know, natalie,

I've got a feeling
about this extortionist.

He prefers to commit
a theft involving
a switch...

Rather than
just coming here
to steal the dog.

He seems to be
more comfortable
at the dog show...

Than sneaking around
somebody's house.

According to miss whitfield,
he said, "I never hurt
an animal in my life."

That seemed to be
very important to him.

And he used
the correct terminology.

He used the word "bitch"
in referring to her.
To miss whitfield?

No. To the schnauzer.

Here.
Thank you.

Sergeant,
I've managed
to raise $20,000.

And I've decided that
if he'll release vicki
unharmed,

I'm going
to give it to him.

For a dog?
That's stupid.
Please.

That's stupid.
Natalie, please.

Miss whitfield,
sergeant zimmerman...

Didn't mean to imply
that, uh, you were st-
the hell I didn't.

Miss whitfield.
That's stupid.

What I'm hoping is
that we can arrange
a money drop tomorrow.

And that you'll trust me
to arrange a surveillance.

If it looks too chancy,
we'll let the money go.
Would you agree to that?

Valnikov,
we're talking about a dog.

What do you mean,
"let the money go?"

Sergeant,

You know I trust you.

I'm not running
into a burning house
to save a bowl of goldfish.

And I'm not going
to sit here...

While you two try to
convince me that we're talking
about anything but a dog.

I'm going outside for a smoke.

A dog.

Now, when he calls,

You tell him you'll
give him the money tomorrow.

And we'll take over.

We have surveillance people
who are experts
in this sort of thing.

So, you see, people will
often come through something
like this stronger than before.

You could move
to a small apartment.

And start off fresh.

But vicki-
you'll get vicki back.
I give you my word.

If I'm interrupting anything,
I can go back outside.

Hello?

Hello, this is-
wait a minute.

This is richard.

Time's up and I want
my money tonight.

Have you got it all ready?
No, um- I- it's-

It's not possible tonight.
I just need a little more time.

Don't tell me
what's possible, you bitch.

I warned you I'm gonna
start cutting on your vicki.
Do you hear me, woman?

No, wait. Wait.
Please. Please.

I've been able to raise
$20,000 and it's yours.
Please! Take it!

Wait a minute. What are
you talking about, $20,000?

I told you
I wanted $85,000.
That's not enough.

I don't have-
you lying bitch.

You wait. You're not
gonna get away with this.
Uh-uh. You wait.

You've done all you can.
It's only a dog, valnikov.

Yes?
Listen.
Listen to that!

oh, wait! Wait!

Hey, I told you.
I told you that $20,000
ain't enough, you bitch.

I told you, it ain't
enough to save me.

- I told you, and I warned you.
- Listen, you've already
killed once. Please!

Please,
don't do it again.

The little schnauzer
that you drugged is dead.

Lousy, rotten welsher.
You've been lying to me
all along, haven't you?

you let her die,
you bitch!

It's your fault
she's dead!

you welsher! You rotten,
goddamn welsher.

No! Listen to me!

Oh, please, don't
hurt her! Please!

No, wait! Wait!

wait, listen to me!

Listen to me!
Pick up the phone
and listen to me!

please, take the money.
Take the money!

oh, god!

Oh, no, no!

Aah, no!

You miserable bitch.
You made me do it.

You killed her,
didn't you?

I-

I cut off her ear.
You- you-

You made me do it.
I never hurt an animal
in my life.

Listen to me.
Just listen to me
for a minute.

Spare her life.
That's all I'm asking.

Just don't kill her.

I've got $20,000 right here.
Just tell me where to take it.

Please.
I-

I-
I can't think.

I'll-
I'll call you tomorrow.

We'll be back here
first thing in the morning.

with some
other officers.

I'll explain
our precautions.

Then it'll be up to you
whether or not you want us
to observe the money drop.

You understand,
miss whitfield?
Yes.

Miss whitfield,

If he did what he said,

Then your dog is mutilated.

She's no longer
a champion show animal.

Miss whitfield, you don't
still want to give him
the $20,000, do you?

I'd give him $85,000,
if I had it.

Now more than ever.

You know,

I think a telephone trace
will be useless for tomorrow.

Surely he always uses
a public telephone.

I heard cars
in the background
the first time.

Valnikov,
vicki is a dog.
Yeah.

I just have to keep saying it
for my own benefit. I'll drive.

I'm too hungry to travel
back at your pace.

Natalie, how about having
dinner with me tonight?

Did you have dinner with
miss whitfield last night?

No.
Do you feel
sorry for her?

I suppose so.
I notice you always feel
sorry for lonely people.

You want to take me
to dinner tonight because you
think I'm lonely, is that it?

No. No, no, no.
Because you're lonely?

I suppose so.
Okay. I just wanted
to get things straight.

But I'll pay
for my own dinner.

Will my brother's
restaurant be okay?
Yes, that's fine.

Yeah. Hmm.

One thing, valnikov.
I have someone.

A daughter. She goes to
colorado state and majors
in ski instructors,

And I don't
see her too much-
but I have someone.

And my friend
jack packerton is going to
be a deputy chief someday.

Yes. I don't wonder.
What I'm saying is,

I don't get dogs
and people mixed up.

I don't want you to get
miss whitfield and me mixed up,
not in any respect.

No, of course not.
Okay.

Let's go get
some borscht.

Let's have another vodka.
Um, natalie, russian vodka
is nothing like american.

It's the difference
between east and west.

It's, uh-
mellow.
I can drink it all night.

But it's 100 proof.
Don't you think you should
slow down a little?

I'm 30-goddamn-9 years old.
If I want another vodka-

All right, natalie.
All right.
Two more, please.

You got your case to work on.
That goddamn dog.

I got my case.
Your case?

Yeah. You.
You're driving me nuts.

You and this
stupid investigation.

You're not gonna
drive me nuts
and get away with it.

Ah, how about some
nice hot tea? Hmm?

In a glass, huh?
Russian style, no doubt.
Two hot teas, please.

Why don't you slurp
your borscht, huh?

Why do you have such
impeccable table manners?

Why don't you talk
with your mouth full
like jack packerton, huh?

Let me butter you
some nice, black bread.

Here.

Why'd your wife leave you?
Uh-
she said I bored her stiff.

She said
I was out of date.

She wanted
to go places.

Maybe she was right.

And your son?
Maybe I bore him too.

I hear he's been
in lots of trouble
since they left.

Three arrests for drugs.

Once they let him go
because his dad's a cop.

Even so, he says
he hates cops.
All cops.

He's still very young,
valnikov.

Kids change.

They change.

Thank you.

I'll bet your mother
was really great
on table manners, huh?

Your parents were
from leningrad? Hmm?
"petrograd" to them.

You know, that city is
filled with cottonwoods?

And the silky seeds
pile up against
the buildings like snow?

Under a hot August sun,
it looks like it's snowing.

I-it just piles up
against the buildings
like snowdrifts.

Sounds like you could get
a bad case of emphysema.

All that milkweed
blowing around.

Maybe.
Imagine a place...

With summer streets...

Filled with
silky snowdrifts.

That's-

I'll bet you would
run into a burning house
to save a bowl of goldfish.

Does heavy drinking
make you-

Have you noticed
that your mind...

Wanders a bit?
Maybe you've had
enough vodka, huh?

Just keep answering
my questions, valnikov.

You got your case,
I got mine.
Let's go to your case.

I mean, place.
So I can work on my case.

My-my place?

Yeah. You got any
russian vodka there?

Yes.
Yes, I do.

Um, now-

I'm not being
a chauvinist, honest.

It's just that, uh-

here you go-

Russians love
to give flowers.

Valnikov-

You're a crazy,
crazy man.

Do you know that?

Natalie?

Top of the stair,
first door to the right-

But please give me
just a minute
to straighten up?

Okay.
I don't get
many visitors.

gravno. Gravno.
Quiet, mischa.

valnikov!

Valnikov, where
the hell are you?

Welcome, natalie.

Get some vodka,
will ya?
Sure.

How about some
gypsy music?

Okay.
Balalaika?

Shoot the works.
What the hell.

Na zdorovye.

would you like me
to translate the lyric?
Mm-hmm.

He says, "I shall
drink, and drink,

"and I am always drunk-

And there is nothing
I am afraid of."

hup! Hup!

Do it!
Hit it, valnikov!

All right.
Hup!

Whoa! Hey.

Hey!

Heh! Huh! Huh!

Whoo. Whoo!

Who-oo!
Hup. Hup.

Hup! Uh-

Terrific. Valnikov,
that was terrific.

You're terrific.
I am?

Uh, you're
a terrific dancer.

what's wrong,
valnikov?

Mm, I don't know.
I just get sad
with gypsy music.

But why?
'cause a russian's
supposed to.

Valnikov, you're
a lousy american.

That's the loveliest waltz
I've ever heard.

It's called,
strinya waltz.

I can translate
the lyric, if you like.

"he sees a snowstorm howling
behind the windows."

Valnikov-

"we waltzed,
when we were young."
valnikov.

"and I loved you...

So much."

Valnikov?

Let's have another drink.

Lively ]

"naz-drov-ee-ah."
to you, very good health, madam.

What's he singing about?

He says,
"the nightingales sing
in the raspberry bushes."

Who but a russian would
write a lyric like that?

"nightingales sing in
the raspberry bushes."

that's a lovely thought.

Would you
replay the waltz?

Tell me what
the lyrics say.

"on a spring night,
an unknown voice sang
a beautiful melody.

What else?

"and- and I was young...

And I loved you
so much."

I'm awful mad at you.
I know you laid miss whitfield.

I'm sorry, natalie.

It was, uh,
an unusual night.

Well, you're
a police officer.

It reflects badly
on the whole department.

Screwing on duty.

I'm terribly sorry.

Valnikov,

What did that russian say
about the nightingales?

"the nightingales sing
in the raspberry bushes."

Damn right they do.

Natalie-
andrushka.

I-
what did you say?

I said, "andrushka."

Oh, natasha.

Oh, andrushka.

Hello, it's me.
I know.

I'm gonna settle
for the $20,000.
Oh, god.

Now, listen. I-I-I-
I want you to write
this down, all right?

Yes, yes.
Put the money
in a plastic bag.

All right? Now drive
down to that bridge
by your home.

I think they call it
"suicide bridge"?
Yes.

Okay. Now drive east
over that bridge...

At exactly ten minutes
past midnight-

"...Ten minutes
past midnight-"

And throw the bag
out the window
of the car...

When you get
to the east end.

You got it?
All right.
Yes.

Then drive home
and go to bed.

You hear me?
yes.

I'll phone you tomorrow
and tell you where
to pick up vicki.

- Is she all right?
- That was not my fault.

You made me do that.
I never hurt an animal
in my life.

And if you call the cops,
you'll never find
your vicki again.

if it's a trap, I'm gonna
jump off that bridge.

That's not the way
I planned it, lady,

But either I get the money
or I jump, and right now
I don't care which it is.

"an-dru-shka."

Yes?

Nothing.

I just love
the sound of the name.

"natasha."

Yes?
Nothing.

I just...
Love natasha.

The name.
You love the name.

Have a vodka.

I want to talk.

I don't need one.

I want to hear more
about charlie lightfoot.

Charlie.

Charlie was...
Old for his age.

"gone down the big sewer,"
charlie always said.

Human beings
were nothing more
than something...

To end up
in the "big sewer."

He liked you, didn't he?
By the end, I'm not sure
charlie liked anyone.

Especially not himself.

We had a very
bad time then.

Bad?

Five cases
of torture-murders
in one month.

All under
12 years old.

Did you get the killer?

that's just it.

They were unrelated.

two by their mothers,
two by their fathers.

One by a mother
and father.

That's too many.

Tell me why they transferred you
to hollywood from homicide.

You got in an argument
with a pathologist.

What case were you on?

The father cried.

I forgot
how he cried.

He said he was away
for several weeks,

And his wife did it.

a neighbor heard
the little boy...

Screaming
in the night...

For three weeks.

Said she didn't want
to get involved.

For three weeks?

well, lady,
if there's a hell,
you'll burn there;

If there's a hell-

There is no hell,
charlie lightfoot
always said.

No heaven.
Only a big sewer.

Do you have dreams?

Something about a rabbit?

In the dream,

The, uh,

Hunter guts the rabbit,

And...

Turns the face
inside out.

Like, uh, taking off
a rubber glove.

He treats it so
brutally, I have to...

Look, to remember
it's a-

A-

A rabbit.

The father had...
Wept...

So, I believed-
I believed him.

And later, he confessed
that they'd both done it.

Why did the hunter-
the doctor- fight with you?

He felt some granules
under the tongue...

That might
have been toxic.

And he had a swab.
But he just grabbed
a bone-handled knife...

And sliced it off,
and I said,
"goddamn you,

You've turned
his face inside out,
isn't that enough?"

He was tortured
and violated by
his own parents.

Isn't that enough?

And I looked around-

And I just...
Suddenly realized...

Charlie lightfoot
was right.

It's nothin' more than
a big sewer, and in the end,
you're nothin'...

More than-

A rabbit?

Anything else, it's just-

Is what
you make of it.

What we make of it.

I don't want to become
like charlie lightfoot!

You're not anything
like charlie lightfoot.

Would you like some eggs?
I'm a pretty good cook.

I'll just have coffee.

All right.

Tea in a glass.
Coffee in a cup.

East and west.
I hope this coffee's
all right, natasha.

I usually drink tea,
that's all.
Don't call me natasha.

That was last night.
This is morning.

Sorry.
Don't be sorry for me.

Valnikov.
Yeah?

Do you ever think about
leaving the department?

You've got 22 years.

Why not leave now?
You get a good pension.

You're still young.

Well, I have thought
about it, natas- natalie.

I have a good idea.

There's only one thing I know
besides police work.

Music.

I think if someone opened
a record store...

That had a good supply
of imported records,

It could do well
right here in hollywood.

I've got
a little money saved,

And I could live
well enough on
a police pension.

I've thought about it a lot,
but I've never had
any reason to do it.

Until now.

Valnikov,
remember itchy mitch
and the black marble?

I mean,
after your divorce,

And your kid never came
around to see you-

And those dreadful
child murders,

And charlie lightfoot
had his accident-

Didn't you ever say
to yourself,

Why do I always have to
pick the black marble?

I was always
taught not to expect
too much from life.

My parents didn't come
to america for the good life.

- It was the end
of the good life for them.
- Valnikov.

I'm running around looking
for a one-eared dog.

I'm sleeping here
with a nutty green bird
and a gentle, gentle man.

I'm even starting to call
myself by another name.
Natasha.

don't call
me that. This isn't
a goddamn chekhov play.

Valnikov, you've been
suffering from a kind of...

Breakdown.

Your life's a mess.

My life's in order.

I didn't dream about
the rabbit last night.

That's swell. I mean,
if our talking was
helpful, I'm very glad.

But, look, I have plans.

Jack packerton and I
are flying to hawaii
for a two-week vacation.

Jack's going to be
a deputy chief
in his department.

Christ, valnikov,
his life's in order too.

I see.

I don't want to be always
picking the black marble.

Yes, well-

We better
get going to work.

Gotta be ready...

When that extortionist
makes his final call.

And what do you say
about it, mischa?

Huh?

Clarence, thanks for
comin' in so early.

Were you able to get
the surveillance teams
and the helicopter?

Well, the extortionist called
miss whitfield last night,

And she dropped
the money on him.

She said she was sorry,
but she had to.

I'm gonna talk to that
dog handler, skinner.

I think one of
millie gharoujian's
playmates stole tutu.

Skinner must have known
them all when he was
the dog's trainer.

He might give us a lead.

Okay, get it out
of your system.

But you call me
if you need anything.

I guess I won't be needing you.
Would you please stay here
and take care of our paperwork?

What the hell is this?

What the hell
does it look like?

Those are nightingales
in a raspberry bush.

Hold it right there!

Don't get up!
Now, get down.

All the way down.
On your belly!

Now you crawl.
You crawl toward me.

Come on!
Crawl! Come on!

Where's your
goddamn newspaper
now, you bastard?

Where's your newspaper now?
How about the super bowl,
you son of a bitch?

Crawl!

come on.

Keep crawling.

Now crawl in here.
Crawl.

Get in there.
Come on! Move!

Move, goddamn it.
All the way!

Now you tell that weasel
arnold that he should
have tried it himself.

I don't know what-

Tell your bloodsuckin' boss
he ain't never gonna see a dime.

Well, you can tell him
I said, "adios."

Who are you?

Who are you?

Who are you?

- I asked you first.
- I'm valnikov.
Los angeles police department.

Police department?

Didn't arnold send you
to collect?

Collect? Who are you?

Who did you think I was?

You were climbing
out the window. I thought
you were a burglar.

no, no, shit!

You're philo skinner.
You stole vicki.

You didn't know that?

I thought one of
millie garoujian's
boyfriends did it.

I wanted you
to give me some names.

Oh, god. Why does everything
have to happen to me?

no! Down! Down!

No! Down!

No, brutus. Down!

Down! Down, brutus.

Hey! What happens if
I give the money back?

I didn't mean to do it!

I never hurt an animal!

Philo skinner never
hurt an animal...

In his life!

You tell them, okay?

Vicki.
Oh, vicki, you-

It's okay.
You're goin' home.

goin' home.

May I take
your coat, se�or?

Uh, no.
Gracias.

Uh, just bring me
a margarita.
Por favor?

I'm so sorry, senor.
We don't serve margaritas.

May I fix you
a nice bloody mary?

N-no. No bloody anything.
Gracias.

Well, hello,
sleepyhead.

this is the third time
you've been awake.

Gonna stay awake
this time?

Ohh.
How long have I been out?

Oh, you out and in.
How do you feel?
Ha, never mind.

That's a dumb question.

Did you get skinner?
Not yet.

But we will.

clarence?
Is there a phone in here?

You think I'm gonna let
them put an ace detective
in a room without a phone?

Uh, dial natalie
for me, will ya?

Hello?
Yes, it's me.
Clarence.

Just a second.
He wants to talk to you.

- Natalie?
- Valnikov?

I was so worried.
They said for us not to
visit you until tomorrow.

- How are you?
- I'm fine.

We heard you had
a concussion.
And there was gunfire.

Natalie, are you-
when are you going
to hawaii?

We've- we're lucky
to be able to...

Arrange things.

We're leaving
tomorrow afternoon.

It's better,
because pretty soon
the rain will come to kauai.

Hey, baby?
Who are you talking to?

Maybe I could...

Visit you
in the morning, though?

I could bring you something.

Some magazines, or-
no, no.
You needn't bother.

I've got to rest.

Now, you have
a good time in hawaii.

I'll see ya sometime.

Buenas noches,
se�or skinner.

Do you remember me?
I am doctor rivera.

We met a few hours ago.

Well, I guess you were
a bit delirious when they
took you off the airplane.

Where am I?

This is the hospital
del seguro social.

It is the best
in puerto vallarta.

All the rich americans
come here.

It hurts, doctor.

- It-it's- is it-
- it's still there, mr. Skinner.

But you won't be
using it for a while.

The pain is
from the catheter
I had to insert.

ah-ah-ah. You were
mauled pretty badly.

It was a dog,
wasn't it?

Where's my flight bag?

Mr. Skinner, I'm afraid
the police confiscated
your flight bag.

They are talking to
the american authorities, trying
to determine what happened.

Please, mr. Skinner.
Satisfy our curiosity.

The bag full of money?
The animal bites?

The staff here
has a little-
�c�mo se dice?-

Lottery going.

Most are betting
you are a bank robber.

However, I never
saw a guard dog
in a los angeles bank.

you've got
a lottery going?

Oh-ho, god!

"he who lives
by the bookmaker-"
I think...

You are a safe,
um, ah, breaker.

That's "cracker."
yes!
A safe-cracker.

I think you were
cracking a safe,
when a watchman...

Turned a guard dog
on you, and-

Mister skinner,
did you kill someone?

The watchman, maybe?
No, not the watchman.
I killed tutu.

and I... Cut off
vicki's ear,

And I shot walter-
but he deserved it.

you will be all right.

Gracias, gracias.

Mr. Skinner,
you can trust me.

You can tell me.
You killed who?
You cut off someone's ear?

Yes.
este gringo
es otro charles manson!

Doctor, doctor,
I'm sick as a dog.

Do me a favor. Just call
the los angeles cops and tell
'em to take me home, okay?

They tell me
it's raining in kauai.

Natalie.

Oh! He hurt you.
Hurt? I'm-
no, I'm fine.

I'm swell!

But, your plane-
you're not going
to hawaii?

A waste of money.
And I think I'd...

Rather invest my savings
in-in...

A music store
or something.

Here's some grease
for your crank, kid.

Play russian gypsy.

Well, how about
"occhi chornye," you know?
"dark eyes"?

Give us a shot of
"dark eyes," kid.

And don't stop
until I tell you.

You know the lyrics
to this one?

"dark eyes,

"passionate eyes,

"fiery and
beautiful eyes,

how I love you-"

Yes, go on.

The rest
of the song is sad,
like all gypsy songs.

Then, don't
tell it to me.

"your eyes...

Are like the...
Virgin in the icon."

Natalie,

I thought I'd picked
the black marble.
Oh!

I didn't want
to be like charlie lightfoot.

you're nothing like
charlie lightfoot.

Andrushka.

Natasha.

Hey!

hey, ah-

I can't afford
to get in trouble
with the management.

How about you two just
going to a motel, and I'll
refund part of your money?

Gimme a break, huh?
Gotta go to the bathroom.

Keep cranking, kid,
or you might get a hole
in your fiddle.

I can hear your heart.

I hear russian nightingales.

Why is there never
a cop in this wacko town
when you need one?

andrushka.

Andrushka.

Natasha.

the black marble.

A motion picture different
than anything joseph wambaugh
has ever written.

Welcome, natalie.

Get some vodka, will ya?
Sure.

How about some gypsy music?

Shoot the works.
What the hell.

some love affairs
are made in heaven.

This one's been assigned
by the los angeles
police department.

He's crazy,
bats, wacko.

Do you understand?
I'm not saying zany,
balmy or goofy.

I'm saying he's a psycho.

I'm terribly sorry.

sergeant a.M. Valnikov and
sergeant natalie zimmerman.

Their love story
became a bestseller.

And now, the black marble
is even a greater success
on the screen.

Because when these two cops
aren't on each other's case-

You got your case
to work on. Damn dog.

I got my case.
Your case?

Yeah, you.
You're driving me nuts.

...They're chasing the most
confused crook you ever met.

Keep the newspaper,
mr. Skinner. Read it.

There's lots of accidental
deaths these days.

Ransom on the installment plan?
You wanna send me your goddamn
credit card maybe?

joseph wambaugh's
the black marble,

An off-the-beat love story.

You know, I don't even
know your first name.

- Andrushka.
- Oh, andrushka.

How would you say
natalie in russian?

Natalia.
Or the endearing form
would be natasha.

Na zdorovye, natasha.

I'm sleeping here
with a nutty green bird...

And a gentle, gentle man.

And I'm even starting
to call myself by another name.

- Natasha.
- I don't wanna be always
picking the black marble.

joseph wambaugh's
the black marble.

Somewhere in los angeles,
a detective who gives flowers...

And a lady who gives him
a hard time...

Are giving each other
the one thing they haven't got.

Joseph wambaugh's
the black marble.

For everyone
who's ever been the underdog.