Original subtitles

Once upon a time

there were three little girls who went to the police academy.

One in Los Angeles.

One in San Francisco.

The other in Boston.

And they were each assigned

very hazardous duties.

But I took them away from all that

and now they work for me.

My name is Charlie.

Security.

Nothing much happening. Couple of deliveries.

Yes, sir.

No.

I'm sure it will.

Good night.

It's 11.

Let's go.

Security.

You say this is the second time

your company has been robbed, Mr. Starrett.

Yes. My plant, last night.

Then one of my trucks on the road three weeks ago.

That's over a million dollars in microcircuitry components.

The security guard who was in the TV monitoring room,

he saw nothing?

No, nothing at all. Thank you.

And you believe that?

Well, yes. I mean, I...

Well, I trust him. He's been with me for years.

Makes no sense.

I know, I...

I told my insurance carrier about it this morning.

They promptly threatened to cancel my company's policy

if I didn't get some additional help.

Additional help?

Yes, I... Well, I've had a...

A private investigator

working on the case for two weeks.

He's supposed to meet me here this morning at 11:00.

That's probably him now. I'll get it.

Hello.

Hi.

I'm, uh...

Uh, looking for the, uh, Townsend Agency.

You found it.

Come in.

Oh, uh,

Mr. Starrett, I'm, uh, I'm sorry I'm late, I...

I woke up this morning and, uh,

somebody stole my car.

I had to take a cab.

Someone stole your car.

Well, it was an old car.

Uh, who... Who are these people?

These are the people you'll be working with.

What?

You...

You mean I-I-I've gotta work with girls?

And Mr. Bosley.

Old Senator, right?

What?

Old Senator?

Oh. Yes.

Uh, with, uh... With soda?

Yes.

One of my favorites.

Oh, Mr. Starrett, you didn't tell us

you already had someone working on this.

Does it matter?

Well, we usually don't work

with other investigators, Mr. Starrett.

It's, uh, sort of a rule.

Even at twice your normal fee?

Then again, rules were made to be broken.

I must warn you, Mr. Starrett,

our usual fee is not, uh... Not modest.

Well, I'm sure.

I'm a desperate man, Mr. Townsend.

Money is no object.

Well, then, Angels,

on this case you have a new partner.

Yes.

Welcome aboard, partner.

Well, uh, anyone for breakfast?

Uh, you people have a... A company car or something?

Oh, no, uh, that's my car right there.

Nice.

Uh, that one's mine.

Uh, you?

Uh, right there.

You people must be really doing well, I...

I mean, it's tough to survive in our line of work.

Uh, right?

We not only survive,

we try to endure. Good point.

Now, I'll, uh... I'll tell you what I... I have planned.

Uh, we'll, uh, have some breakfast,

and, uh, then I'll tell you how I want you to work.

I think that's a terrific idea.

I know just the place.

It's called the Kitchen Cottage.

It's on 13th, it's right near our client's plant.

Oh, is this yours?

Just a little something I picked up.

You girls are really doing well.

Thank you.

Bosley, are you crazy?

That poor man is non compos mentis.

At twice the usual fee, who cares?

What do you mean you can't get me a bloody mary?

The sign says they serve breakfast, doesn't it?

Well, we don't have spirits, sir.

I... I don't wanna be haunted, darling,

I just want a drink.

Perhaps you'd be interested in our specialty, sir.

Sounds like something you wear on your head.

Uh, I'll tell you what,

I'll have two scrambled,

also a double tomato juice,

dry toast and black coffee.

He'll have the same.

Hey, now, wait a minute.

I can't eat on an empty stomach.

I... I had a rough night.

I feel like I've been rode hard and put away wet.

Trust me.

Uh, you were going to tell us how you planned to, uh,

handle this case, Mr. Harrigan.

Uh, call me Harrigan.

Okay. What have you got so far, Harrigan?

Well, I, uh, I haven't got anything yet.

You see, I... I've developed what I call the...

The shotgun theory of investigation.

Well, how does that work exactly?

Well, whatever these eyes see,

I write down.

You mean you make notes?

Yes. Right. Lots of notes.

And I read them,

and I keep on reading them until something strikes me.

Until something strikes you.

Uh, pieces, uh, begin to fall into place.

Uh, minor, seemingly unrelated details

begin to weave themselves

into the warp and woof of the major fabric of the case.

Y-You understand what I mean?

I think I do.

Good. Good, you look smart.

Where are they now, Mr. Harrigan?

Uh, just Harrigan.

Right.

Where are they now?

Uh, where's what now?

The shotgun notes.

Oh. Oh, yeah.

Uh, back at my place.

Good idea.

Where are you going?

I've gotta call the police

to see if they found my car yet.

Anybody got a dime?

Yes.

I owe you one.

Double fee or not, this is impossible.

I mean, the man is a sweetheart,

but he's lost his north.

Why don't I take him home,

and we'll go look for his, uh,

shotgun notes

and get him out of your hair for a little while.

Good idea.

Kris, are you sure you'll be all right with him?

Oh, yeah.

I used to know someone very much like him.

Got real down on his luck, started drinking.

But, you know, when he got dried out,

he sure was a hell of a guy.

Anyone we know?

My father.

I think I can handle Mr. Harrigan.

Just Harrigan.

Uh, here, uh,

let me, uh, straighten things up a little.

Well, I, uh,

think I'll have a little hair of the dog.

Oh, would you like a little glass?

Ah, good idea.

Where are those notes?

Oh, I, uh,

I keep, uh, my files in the bedroom.

Oh. Well, I'm sort of anxious to see them,

would you mind?

Oh, no. No. No.

That may be the phone.

I'm not in.

Uh, right.

Harrigan's resi... Uh, Harrigan's place.

Ah, no. He's not in. Can I take a message?

Right.

Okay, I'll tell him.

Thank you.

They found your car.

Oh?

They find who took it?

Well, it was abandoned.

On 8th Street, in front of a saloon called O'Reilly's.

Oh, I know the place.

I... I was there last night as a matter of fact.

Last night?

Yeah, yeah.

I... I was in the... The dartboard finals

and I, uh...

choked up on a big shot.

Oh. That looks like it hurt.

Ah, I don't remember.

Do you remember how you got home last night?

I... I think somebody put me in a cab.

Harrigan, maybe your car wasn't stolen.

Hm?

Your car keys.

How could I have forgotten an entire automobile?

Why don't we take this party on the road?

Oh, uh, where are we going?

The police impound yard to get your car.

Oh.

Oh, yeah.

Um...

I'll tell you what, why don't you drive,

and I'll pour.

Oh, all right.

Oh, well.

No sense crying over spilled milk.

That's not milk.

I'll, uh, go get another one.

I don't understand.

If you were watching the TV monitors,

how could you miss someone using a torch on the door?

I couldn't have.

Did you leave the room at all during your shift?

No. Uh, you think I'm lying, don't you?

We didn't say that.

Listen,

I have worked for Mr. Starrett for 12 years,

he has been very nice to me.

How do you think it makes me feel?

I'm on my shift, I tell him everything's okay,

next morning I find out we've been robbed again.

And the gate-guard couldn't give any description

of the men in the truck?

No. Like I said, they wore stockings.

So they crash the gate,

get all the way to the building, break in,

rip off 60 boxes,

and leave without being seen.

I told you you wouldn't believe me.

Frankly, we don't know what to think.

I understand that, uh,

Trans-Allied Trucking does most of your shipping.

That's right.

Do they dispatch from here?

Mm, no. They pick up the loads here,

they dispatch from their terminal in the Valley.

It's the corner of Wilson and 10th.

Okay. Thanks a lot.

Thank you very much.

Hey, uh...

I wouldn't believe me either.

What's this one?

Hm?

"The Bunch for Lunch wagon

"entered Starrett Electronics,

"parked near Building 7."

Right.

So?

Well, so it... It might be relevant.

You mean the Bunch for Lunch wagon

doesn't go to Starrett Electronics?

No, it, uh, stops there every day.

Oh, you mean it doesn't park near Building 7?

No, it parks in front of Building 7 every day.

Well, what's the point?

Well, maybe there is no point.

That's why I call it shotgunning.

"Shoe polish, macaroni, Old Senator..."

What does this mean?

Oh, that's, uh, just my grocery list.

Uh, say, what about a... A shot of lunch, huh?

"North Valley Industrial Photo Engraving.

Truck entered the Starrett plant five days ago."

Right.

Another regular customer?

No. They've never been at the Starrett plant before

or, uh, since.

Well, that's interesting.

Yeah, they stopped in front of Building 7.

And did what?

Nothing. They, uh,

stayed there for a minute and then, uh,

drove off.

Drove off where?

Oh, out the front gate.

Now, don't you think that's a little odd?

Hm.

Yeah, it is odd, isn't it?

Maybe we better go check out

North Valley Industrial Photo Engraving.

Well, uh, uh, what about my car?

What about lunch?

Ha-ha. Work first. Then play.

Come in.

Hi.

Hi.

What can I do for you?

Uh, I...

We were wondering what sort of work you do here.

What sort of work we do?

Yes.

Well, what is it you want?

Uh...

Your sign outside said that you do industrial photo engraving.

Well, that sort of covers a big area.

Yes, it does.

And if you tell me what your needs are,

uh, I'll be able to tell you if I can be of some assistance.

Uh, signs.

I beg your pardon?

Do you do signs?

You mean, do we paint signs?

No, uh, what I mean is, uh...

Uh, do you, uh, photo engrave them?

We can, yes.

What, uh, size do you want?

Well, uh, what size do you make?

Depends.

On what?

Various factors.

Degree of the blowup,

amount of fine detail that's needed,

that sort of thing.

Um, do you have a brochure or a price list,

something that we could look at, study?

No, uh,

you see, our customers, they know what they want,

and generally how much it will cost.

I'll tell you what, why don't you come back

when you can be more specific about what you want?

Hm. Good thought.

Yeah.

We'll do that. You'll be seeing us.

So, what'd you think?

You know, he looked at you like he'd seen you before.

Well, maybe he saw me when I saw him

at Starrett's plant.

Maybe.

Lunch now?

Lunch now.

Thank you.

Yeah, this is Belkin.

Listen, two of them were just here.

No, no. Harrigan and the blond.

I don't know what they wanted.

Look, don't worry,

they didn't know what they wanted either.

They're fishing.

Okay. I'll keep playing it straight.

You gals say that you, uh...

You work for Mr. Starrett?

Yeah, Starrett Electronics.

You hauled a log for you about three weeks ago?

Oh. Yup, yup.

That was a truck that was hijacked.

Right, yeah.

We're investigating that robbery.

We were wondering if you could answer a couple of questions.

Oh, yeah. Sure, I'll be glad to if I can.

Good.

For openers, uh,

who knows what truck carries what cargo

and for what company?

Well, let's see.

Load contractor.

Billing clerk.

Uh, me.

Uh, whoever loads the stuff.

And, uh...

The driver, we hope.

In other words, it wouldn't be hard

to get information about any load going out of here.

You know, I guess not.

I mean, if somebody really wanted to know.

The driver of the truck that was hit,

could we speak to him?

Well, you could,

but I'm afraid you're not gonna get much out of him.

He's been in the hospital for three weeks with a concussion

and he didn't get, uh, a look at who hit him.

Did the police get any fingerprints off the truck?

No. Nothing.

Well, uh, if you can remember anything,

or if you hear anything,

would you give us a call?

Yeah.

I'd be glad to. Thank you.

And the next time Mr. Starrett

plans to send out a load,

why don't you let us know, we'll help you set up security.

Ah, that's a good idea.

Okay? Yeah, thanks.

Thank you. Thanks again.

Yeah, I'll see you.

Kelly?

What's the matter?

The coffee.

What... What about it?

Mr. Felber didn't offer us any coffee.

So?

Maybe he wasn't feeling very hospitable.

Yeah, but he acted hospitable.

He answered all our questions.

And he kept smiling at us.

Now, if a man keeps smiling at you,

and is drinking coffee, but he doesn't offer you any,

it makes me feel like he's...

uneasy. You know what I mean?

I'll think about it.

Hello.

Trans-Allied Trucking.

Uh-huh. Yeah.

Oh, hi, yeah.

Yeah, I can talk. Where are you?

Junk food joint in the Valley.

Harrigan's trying to drink a milk shake.

I got five bucks says he doesn't get it down.

Yeah, I figured.

Ah, listen, those other two gals were just here.

Did you tell them anything?

Don't be ridiculous. Of course I didn't tell them anything.

However the next time Starrett

wants to send a load out of here,

they, uh... They wanna set up security for him.

Yeah, that could get stinky.

Maybe it's time I... I discourage them.

I'll check you out later, okay?

What's the matter, don't you like a milk shake?

Oh, uh, milk shakes are full of dairy products.

This is true.

Dairy products come from inside cows.

I never heard it put quite that way before.

Well, the idea of putting something

that comes from inside of a cow inside of me, it...

It just doesn't seem right.

Uh, where are we going?

I thought I'd touch base with Kelly and Tiffany.

Oh.

What the devil?

What's going on? Who's in that truck?

You're looking, you tell me.

No, I-I can't see his face.

Get the license number.

Oh, yeah.

Y-7-2-2, uh, 1-5-9.

Write it done, Harrigan.

Oh.

Y-7-2-2... 1-5... What did I say?

Nine, uh, 2-1-5-9.

Harrigan, you got your gun?

Uh, no, I think I, uh, left it in my car.

Oh, terrific. That's just terrific.

Mine's in my purse.

Oh.

What are you doing?

I'm having trouble with the claps.

I mean, the clasps.

I never did know how to open a lady's purse.

Wait a minute.

Up at the top of the road here, it forks.

Now, you, uh, look like you're gonna turn left, okay?

Then what do I do?

Trust me.

When I tell you, just drive right and gun it.

Now!

Harrigan, that was very clever.

Thank you.

Where'd you learn how to do that?

Oh, it's something I dreamed up

when I was dodging German patrols in occupied France.

Well, I'm impressed.

Really?

Really.

Yeah.

Y-7-2-2-1-5-9.

Now, you're sure that was the license on the truck?

Y-7-2-2-1-5-9, right.

That's what he said.

Did you get a make on the truck, Bos?

It's a phony number. No such license was ever issued.

Well, maybe you didn't get a clear look at the truck.

I have perfect vision, young lady.

What are those?

These are cookies.

And this is milk.

Would you like some?

What is it with you girls and dairy products?

Bos, did you find anything out about Felber,

the dispatcher we talked to at Trans-Allied Trucking?

Yeah, I ran him through the computer.

Uh, his full name is Anthony Felber.

He just was recently paroled from prison

after doing six years for grand theft auto.

Along with other charges, including hijacking

and grand larceny.

I knew it.

The minute that guy didn't offer his coffee,

I knew he wasn't straight.

All right,

all we've got is that Felber

might be involved of the truck hijacking

of our client's goods.

But that still doesn't explain

how our Mr. Starrett's plant got ripped off.

Well, I think Harrigan and I

may have come up with something on that.

Oh, really?

Yeah, well, it's just a... A theory.

Love to hear it.

Should I tell them?

Oh, um, sure, go, uh... Go right ahead.

Well, this photo engraving place we went to in the Valley,

Belkin's, it gave Harrigan an idea.

Suppose Belkin took a photograph of Building 7

at Starrett's plant the day he was parked there.

And then?

And then he takes his photograph

and he enlarges it.

Life size.

And puts it in front of Building 7.

A picture in front of the building?

Right. Then he pulls the truck behind the picture,

breaks in, loads up the truck.

In the meantime, the guard in the TV monitoring room,

is looking at the picture.

And he thinks he's really seeing the building itself.

Right.

That is a very interesting theory, Harrigan.

Ahem. Thank you.

You like the cookie?

Very tasty.

I baked it myself.

Oh.

Well, uh, what do we do with our theory now?

I think we ought to bring our client

up to date on what's happened.

Okay, why don't you and Tiffany go see Starrett,

and I'll take Harrigan home.

Uh, wait a minute.

You know, I think I should go see Starrett.

After all, I'm the chief investigator.

You know what, let's let them handle the small stuff.

You and I should shotgun some more of those notes.

We might get lucky.

Right.

Right.

You ladies have certainly come up with an interesting theory.

A large photograph of Building Number 7,

in front of Building Number 7,

while the robbery is in progress.

Oh, at the moment it's only a theory.

But Mr. Bosley is running a check

on the man who runs the photo engraving place in the Valley.

His name is Belkin.

Belkin?

Harold Belkin.

Name mean anything to you?

How should it?

Old employee, old enemy?

Well, not that I can remember.

What about the dispatcher from Trans-Allied Trucking,

Anthony Felber?

Well, I'm sorry.

That name doesn't ring a bell either.

Well, Mr. Starrett,

we just wanted you to know that we're making progress.

Well, it's very encouraging.

And please, by all means, keep me informed

every step of the way.

We will.

Thank you.

Mm-hm.

Bye-bye. Goodbye.

Bye. Goodbye.

Well.

They weren't kidding, were they?

They really are making progress.

In fact, they're about gonna blow us out of the water.

Shut up!

You know it's the Townsend people. Huh?

Without them Harrigan would have stumbled around for months

and never figured it out.

Whatever possessed you to hire them?

I told you, I had no choice.

My insurance carriers insisted

that I get someone to help Harrigan out,

or they'd cancel on me.

How was I to know that drunk and those three broads

would figure it out?

So, what do we do?

We need some time.

To cover our tracks.

Maybe the two that just walked out of here

should spend some time in the hospital.

Results of an auto accident.

Well, I'll get the truck. I'll pick you up out back.

All right, what about the other one?

Munroe?

Her and Harrigan are the ones coming up with

the important information.

Yeah, they work a little too well together.

Garrett said that Munroe was with Harrigan.

Why don't you two get over there?

Fast. And... don't make any mistakes.

You mean kill them?

Like you said, they work too well together.

Hello.

Hi, Bos, what's happening?

I've been trying to get a rundown

on a place where one could fence

stolen micro-circuitry components.

Any luck?

Yeah, I came up with a dozen possibilities.

Warehouse companies, distribution companies.

The whole thing was one big crapshoot

until I decided to check on who owned these companies.

You sound like you struck pay dirt.

I struck confusion.

It seems that our client, Mr. Starrett,

owns the distribution company that handles micro-components.

It's not a crime to own more than one company, Bos.

Yeah, I know that.

But, uh, the coincidence just bothered me

so I did a complete rundown on Mr. Starrett.

Seems that seven years ago,

he was arrested for stock manipulation

and insurance fraud.

He wasn't convicted.

But guess who was arrested along with him.

I don't know, I can't imagine.

None other than Mr. Belkin and Mr. Felber.

What?

Starrett just told us he didn't know Belkin and Felber.

Well, he lied.

You know, another thought occurs to me, Bos.

The guard in the TV monitoring room said

that Starrett called him the night of the robbery.

Now, you think that phone call

could have been a deliberate distraction?

You mean to take his attention off the monitor

when they pulled that photo blowup gag?

Yeah.

Why don't we come back to the office

and reevaluate our thinking on this?

We'll see you in a few minutes.

What's wrong?

You're not gonna believe this.

Well, Mr. Starrett is not what he appears to be.

What's wrong?

Well, somebody could have been waiting

to crack me on the skull.

When a case gets heavy,

like a truck trying to run you off the road,

I get safety conscious.

Always check to see if anything's been disturbed.

Right.

"Best wishes and deepest gratitude.

Dwight Eisenhower."

You knew Ike?

Well, I, uh...

I did some special work for him in France,

during the occupation.

Special work?

Undercover, um, OSS type stuff, you know.

"Certificate of Appreciation.

Omar Bradley."

General Omar Bradley. Phew.

Can't figure it, can you?

What do you mean?

You've been coddling me all day,

keeping me out of the sauce,

out of the way so your friends can do their thing.

And now suddenly it looks like the, uh...

The dummy wasn't always a dummy.

I'm sorry, Harrigan.

Don't be.

You made all the right moves.

I'm the one that's out of step.

Yeah.

Those were good days.

Somehow, between then and now,

I seem to have gotten off the track.

To, uh, better times.

I'll make you a deal.

Yeah?

If you put that down

and talk to me for a little while,

I'll cook you dinner.

Nobody's cooked dinner for me for a long time.

Well, I'm pretty fair in the kitchen.

Okay.

Start cooking.

Okay.

I don't wanna be seen walking in there.

Let's wait till this crowd clears.

Uh, Harrigan,

I've just been through all your cupboards

and your refrigerator.

Based on what you have in this apartment,

I could wax your floors, poison a few rats,

polish, oh, 60, 70, pairs of shoes

and maybe make you a navy bean and celery omelet.

Well, uh, my wife's fed me stranger things.

You never told me you were married.

Well, she's, uh, been dead for some time.

Oh.

Yeah, we had some good times.

She and I.

We even decided to have a kid.

It almost happened but, uh,

neither one of them made it.

I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to pry.

You didn't.

She was a good lady.

Maybe that's why I went off the track.

I guess I better get to that omelet.

Which license do you have showing?

The phony, like before.

Now, let's try not to make a mistake this time.

Kel.

Yeah?

Remember the truck that tried

to run Kris and Harrigan off the road?

What about it?

Didn't Kris say it was black with dark windows?

Yeah, she did.

There's one just like it right behind us.

Tiff, there are a lot of black trucks around.

Yeah, I know there are a lot of black trucks,

but remember the license number

that Harrigan picked up,

the one that Bos said didn't exist?

Wasn't it Y-7-2-2-1-5-9?

I think so.

Yes, it was.

Well, then it does exist,

because it's on that black truck right behind us.

I can't see who's driving. Neither can I.

I don't feel like playing bumper tag on this road.

Neither am I.

Why don't we cut the formalities

and see who's driving that truck?

Good idea.

Put your hands up.

And keep your hands on the wheel.

Well, Mr. Starrett.

What the devil are you doing here?

I think I'm about to get some answers from you.

Such as?

Why you hired us for a case you didn't want solved.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about grand theft, insurance fraud,

and attempted murder.

I'm usually very good at riddles...

Drop it. Drop it, Starrett, she's got us wired...

Shut up. You shut up.

I'm not gonna face an accomplice to murder charge

if I can avoid it.

You better call Harrigan.

He sent Felber and Belkin there to kill him.

And your blond friend.

Call Kris and Harrigan and warn them.

Right.

A celery and a navy bean omelet.

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought what?

Uh, that it could be tasty.

You are saying that this is tasty?

Look, why don't we go pick up my car?

Good idea.

Also a very clever way to change the subject.

No, no, I-I really like it.

Harrigan, this is awful.

What, you're not gonna answer the phone?

Why sweat it? It's only a telephone.

But Kelly and Tiffany know I'm here.

They might be trying to get a hold of me.

Okay, go ahead and answer it but I'm not in.

Harrigan's place.

Kris, Tiff. Hi, Tiff. What's up?

Belkin and Felber are on their way to kill you and Harrigan.

What? I'll explain later.

Just cover yourselves.

Harrigan!

What's wrong?

Drop it, Belkin.

I said drop it.

All right, get your nose on the floor.

Watch him.

I'm watching.

Is it bad?

Yeah, it's bad.

It's your shoulder.

No, in my stomach.

Your stomach, where?

Inside.

Inside?

Omelet.

You're right.

It, uh, wasn't one of the greatest.

Harrigan, this may not be the time to argue about this,

but I'm a terrific cook.

Give me a rain check?

Okay.

How long have you had this car?

I've had it, uh...

long enough.

You know what I'm gonna do?

What?

What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna get back on the track.

Yeah?

I went a day without a drink and I can go another one.

One day at a time.

I think I got a chance.

Thanks to you.

Oh, I didn't do anything.

You did it all by yourself.

I just sort of hung in there, that's all.

Well, you hung in there pretty good.

Well, there's my ride.

Yeah.

Well, I, uh,

guess I'll see you at the Starrett trial.

Right. They'll definitely call you as a witness.

And I owe you dinner.

I think, uh, dinner will be on me.

We'll, uh, go some place with a little class.

I'll even wear a suit.

Okay?

Okay.