All language subtitles for Frankie Drake Mysteries S03E07 1080p BluRay x264-BEDLAM (1)

(spirited music)
- (woman): Hahaha! Oh, yeah!

(man): Whoa! Whoo!

(indistinct chatter)

(laughing)

Gimme that
million-dollar smile, gals!

Wow!

- Hey! Move over there.
- We need a better angle.

♪♪♪

Now, these lovely ladies
can be seen dancing six nights

a week at the TipTop Club -
seven nights

if the city fathers decide
to finally axe that Sunday law.

- Ah, don't bet on that happening.
- You're not in the Big Apple now, Irwin.

Well, you need to stay
with the times

or get left behind.
That's what I always say.

The TipTop. Got that?

♪♪♪

Irwin sure knows
how to put on a show!

This club is quite
the swanky place.

- You've actually been inside?!
- Are you kidding? That's just what I heard.

We need more New York
here in Toronto.

Is it as glamorous there
as everyone says?

- It sure is!
- You gotta live more, Mary.

(Mary squealing in excitement)
There he is:

- there's Jake Irwin.
- (Mary): Where?

Why does it take always take
an American to up the ante?

- I don't know.
- Must be something in the water.

♪♪♪
(amused): Hmm!

God!

(chuckling)

You got the moves
down aces.

- Thanks.
- You still down in the dumps?

- I'm fine.
- It happens to all of us.

Not to me.

And then it did.

(sigh)

You just gotta
pick yourself up.

Let a smile be your umbrella.

Yeah, something like that.

You're gonna come down?

- In a minute.
- The night looks nice tonight.

♪♪♪

Oh, no! Oh, no, no. Oh, no.

(theme music)

(woman scat singing)

(bell ringing)
(indistinct chatter)

♪♪♪
- I don't buy it.

My sister's death
was no accident.

And you want us
to investigate?

I may not be a city
sophisticate, but I know

the difference of right
and wrong, and what happened

to my sister is wrong.

(Trudy): What can you
tell us about her?

- Our family's from Cobourg.
- My father owns the haberdashery.

But selling notions to
housewives was never for Josie.

She always had her nose
in some Hollywood magazine,

saw every stage show she could.

She lived for dancing
and the limelight.

It sounds like you two
were very close.

Moving to Toronto
was the big time for Josie.

I always tried to keep
an eye out for her,

but she was a trusting soul
and a bit star-struck.

- Do you live in the city?
- Yes. I work at the tax office.

What makes you think that
her death wasn't an accident?

She phoned me
the day it happened.

She had something important
to tell me.

I never found out what it was,
but maybe it's why she died.

And that's why I want
a proper investigation.

Well, we're gonna find out
what we can, Harold.

- Call me Harry.
- Josie called me Harry.

We'll do what we can, Harry.

Is that an exposed wire? Aaah!

- Oh, Flo! Please be careful.
- (Flo laughing)

Ugh!

Are you sure you know
what you're doing?

- No!
- Yes.

My father was an electrician.
I sat in his workshop

every Saturday morning.
Picked up a thing or two.

(Frankie): Impressive!

I am more than
just a pretty face.

- Haha!
- Who's for tea?

- Me!
- Mary, how's it

- going with the report?
- Ah, yes.

I've got it right here.
Timmons, Josie.

Detective Matthews was sent
to the scene to investigate.

He found a whiskey flask,

almost empty, near the ledge
where Josie fell.

Was tested for fingerprints
and Josie's were on it.

So she was out on the roof
having a drink.

Yes. The detective figured
she reprised her dance,

misjudged her footing and fell.
Seems he thought it easy to do

in the dark,
wearing heels and all.

Right. 'Cause he knows
what it's like to wear heels.

Nevertheless, it was ruled
an accident. Case closed.

That's some fine police work.

Flo?

Coroner found
no evidence of foul play.

Injuries were consistent
with a fall.

I took a look
at this poor girl myself;

she died from a skull fracture.

Her head burst like a watermelon
when it hit the pavement.

The coroner did
a thorough examination for once.

- No autopsy?
- No medical evidence

to warrant an autopsy and
the family didn't ask for it.

The family was pretty distraught
about her death.

Her body's already being shipped
back to Cobourg for burial.

Josie was dancing
on that ledge,

light as air, just hours
before she supposedly fell.

- I don't buy it.
- Well, maybe she had a skinful.

No evidence of that.

Her brother Harry said
that she wanted

to tell him something,
maybe some kind of secret.

You know, she seemed to be friends
with the gal she was dancing with;

- maybe she knows something.
- Think it's time

- we visit the TipTop.
- Thanks.

(vivacious music)

(indistinct chatter)

(woman): Get a load of her!

♪♪♪

♪♪♪

- Good evening.
- Oh, hello.

Table for one, please.

- Just yourself?
- It's just me.

Sally. Find
this young lady

a table and make sure
that she's not bothered.

- Sure thing, Mr. Irwin.
- Enjoy your evening.

If you need anything, just say
you're a friend of the owner's.

- Thank you.
- Right this way.

Well, looks good, son.

It's as swell as
that Manhattan joint you opened.

- Stick around for a day or two.
- I've got a surprise I want to show you.

Hoho! Another surprise
to show my chequebook?

(Jake chuckling)
- Dad, I want you to meet

Richard Cole. You guys
actually have a lot in common.

Ah...

Nose for a good investment
no doubt.

Your son never stops
pitching his ideas, Mr. Irwin.

- (laughing): Oh, yeah.
- He's a regular Babe Ruth.

(Richard): I never cared
for the Yankees.

- Oh? Who's your team?
- Cubbies.

Oh, well, then I feel
sorry for you.

(men chuckling)
- Ah, thank you.

Keep 'em coming sweetheart,
night's just getting started.

You got it.

(Richard):
Cheers, cheers, cheers.

Thank you. He's a big tipper.

- That's Richard Cole.
- He's a buddy of Mr. Irwin.

- Spends a lot of time here.
- Big fan of cabaret?

I guess.

Mr. Irwin only picks
the best dancers.

(applause)

You wanna be
a showgirl?

I'm kind of hoping that I'll
get the spot that opened up.

Oh... I read
about what happened.

The newspaper said
that it was an accident.

(lively music)

- I guess.
- You know something different?

- 20 cents for the ginger ale.
- Well...

That dancer there?
You know her name?

- That's Annabelle.
- But she won't talk.

(indistinct chatter)
♪♪♪

Annabelle?

I was a friend of Josie's.

I'm so sorry
about what happened.

- Thanks.
- It's so hard to believe

that... that she slipped
and fell like that.

What do you mean?

The newspaper said
it was an accident.

It was awful and I don't want
to think about it.

I gotta get changed.

Did she say anything to you
when you were up there?

- Nothing.
- Nothing?

I said I don't want
to talk about it.

(soft jazz music)

(distant honk)

(melancholy music)

(footsteps)

- Are you following me?
- Shhhh!

- Why are you following me?
- Is this about Josie?

You're her friend,
so you should know, but it goes

- no further. Understand?
- OK.

She was the best dancer
out of all of us.

She didn't deserve
what happened.

Are you saying
that it wasn't an accident?

- I think Josie jumped.
- What?

It was her way out
of a bad situation.

Uh, what kind of trouble
was she in?

I think she was involved
in an unwanted liaison.

- She felt trapped.
- By who?

She didn't say, but it could
only have been one guy:

Mr. Irwin?

Really?

- Never mind.
- No! It...

No, I shouldn't
have said anything.

(footsteps)

No. Josie had no reason
to kill herself.

Last time I saw her, she was happy.
She had everything going for her.

Did she ever mention
Mr. Irwin,

- her boss at the Club?
- He was the one helping her.

- (Trudy): How?
- I came across a letter

when I was packing up Josie's room.
A Hollywood agent

was offering her a job
in a fancy club down there.

Mr. Irwin set it up.
He gave her a great reference.

If she was on her way to Hollywood,
why would she take her own life?

Exactly. Dancing in Hollywood
was her dream come true.

♪♪♪
- Do you recognize this?

Ah, I don't. Sorry.

You won't give up,
will you, Miss Drake?

- No! Of course not.
- We'll be in touch.

This is
one expensive gift.

If her brother
didn't give it to her, who did?

I'll ask the jewellers around
and see what they can find.

That's a good start.

So, what's
your take on Irwin?

He seemed like
a nice enough guy, but...

Never judge a book
by its cover.

Exactly.

I'd like to find out more about Josie
and this Hollywood deal,

but the girls at the club
are so tight-lipped.

- Wonder what they're hiding?
- I need to find a way in there.

♪♪♪
- Oh! I may have something.

I saw this this morning.

TipTop is looking for dancers.

"Mermaids."

How good are you
walking in a tail?

I guess we'll find out.

♪♪♪
- (woman): Experience?

Well, Miss Holden, I-I just performed
at the Folies Bergère.

- That's in Paris.
- I know where the Folies Bergère is.

References?

I've mainly worked
throughout Europe.

They don't really ask
for references.

- Sure you have.
- (door opening)

- Good luck to you, Miss Wilson.
- Thank you, Mr. Irwin.

Ruth, send a telegram
to the Rogers Agency

in LA. Miss Wilson here
will be on the next train.

(Annabelle): Can't thank you enough,
Mr. Irwin. I won't let you down.

- Oh, you never have.
- And you deserve

every success, Annabelle.
Give my regards to Hollywood.

- Hello again.
- Hello.

What brings you back
to the TipTop?

Actually, I am
applying for a job.

- So you liked what you saw.
- My club, that is.

- I did.
- Hire her.

I look forward
to seeing you again.

- You start as a hostess.
- What about being a mermaid?

You'll have
to audition, honey.

♪♪♪

- Annabelle, wait!
- We need to talk.

No time. I gotta pack.

The train to Los Angeles
leaves this afternoon.

What you said
about Jake and Josie...

Forget it. I didn't know
what I was talking about.

What? You seemed
pretty sure last night.

- I was upset. I got my wires crossed.
- What do you mean?

Mr. Irwin didn't do anything
to her. She made it all up.

Are you sure that's not just
the fancy new job talking?

Just forget it. I gotta go.

♪♪♪

(Flo gasping)
(Trudy whistling)

Pretty classy!

Thanks! I start tonight.

So, Annabelle did not want
to talk to me.

- Oh, she was bought off.
- Well, I mean it seems

a little convenient that
she's just heading out of town.

Or maybe Annabelle pushed
Josie off the roof, so she could

have the Hollywood gig,
and then she lied

about Irwin's advances
to cover it up.

That is
a very devious theory, Flo.

Well, I only started having those theories
when I worked with you.

(Flo laughing)
- Any luck

- on the jewellery?
- As a matter of fact,

yes. It was a special order
from Birks.

- Wow!
- Just as I thought:

- no expense spared.
- Do you know who bought it?

It was bought in cash
by a Ruth Holden.

- Ruth Holden?
- That's Jake's secretary.

So maybe he gets her
to do his shopping.

Maybe Jake and Josie
were having an affair

- and Ruth knew about it.
- Maybe,

but no one at TipTop's
gonna say anything,

they have way too much to lose.

Sounds like showgirl jobs
are rare.

Hmm.

What about the girls
who aren't there anymore?

♪♪♪
- Like the ones who quit.

Or were fired.

I bet Ruth Holden holds on
to all the records.

Let me see what I can dig up.

(indistinct chatter)
- (Jake): Good to see you.

(lively music)

- Good evening.
- Uh, Mr. Cole is expecting me.

- Yes, of course.
- Right this way.

(woman):
Are these drinks for me?

(indistinct chatter)

- Hello, darling.
- You look lovely.

- Mm. Thank you.
- ♪♪♪

Bruce, meet
my fiancée, Pamela.

- Bruce Irwin.
- Delighted.

- How do you do?
- Please.

♪♪♪

(suspenseful music)

(gasp)
- What are you doing?!

I was just looking
for whatever Mr. Irwin keeps

on the mermaids. I...

I really want
to be a mermaid.

- You wait your turn.
- But I'm good.

- And you're not the only fish in the sea.
- A girl's got to try.

♪♪♪
(bell ringing)

How are the photos
Frankie took coming out?

- Nearly done.
- We can actually see

the names of the women
quite clearly in this one.

So, the plan is gonna be
that you, me and Flo

approach these women and...

ask them if anything untoward
happened at the Club?

Uh... yeah,

but untoward sounds
a little... Victorian.

I mean, maybe we should ask
if they were harassed.

It sounds more modern.

- But harassed?
- That sounds

like they're mothers dealing
with rambunctious children.

- Oh...
- What about,

what about dishonoured?

I mean it's on
the right track, but it's still

very medieval. I mean, if we're
gonna get these gals to talk,

we gotta use the right words.

Alright, so we need something
that's not too genteel,

but not too explicit.

OK, what about
"unwanted advances"?

Oh. "Un... unwanted
affection"?

Are you sure
you're OK to do this?

Yes. I'm a morality officer,
I question ladies all the time.

(footsteps)

(door opening)
- (Flo): Sorry I'm late.

We're going
with "unwanted advances"

- when we talk to the gals.
- That pretty much covers it.

(vivacious music)
(indistinct conversations)

Here you are.

- Thanks, baby.
- Hey! Nice try.

Watch your manners, sir.

- Frankie!
- I don't run that kind of establishment.

Trudy told me
I'd find you here.

I wouldn't have believed it
if I hadn't seen it

- with my own eyes.
- I'm on a case.

- Figured that.
- (Frankie chuckling)

Just wanted to tell you
I got a big fight

coming up: Tony Wilson.

- Oh, he's a contender.
- Number one.

- Until he meets me.
- That's what I like to hear.

(camera click)
- Haha!

I hope you don't mind.
It's just not every day we have

a real name like
Moses Page in here.

- Buy you a drink?
- I wouldn't say no.

- Please. This way.
- Mm-hm.

- Trudy Clarke.
- Drake Private Detectives.

- Thanks for meeting me.
- What's this all about?

- Some rumours I heard about TipTop.
- (woman chuckling)

Why did you quit your waitress
job at the TipTop Club?

I got a better offer
at the King Edward Hotel.

Yes, I was a showgirl at
the TipTop. Why are you asking?

Well, I'm enquiring
on behalf of a gal

who worked there,
and she may have experienced...

...well, unwanted advances.
(woman chuckling)

Is that what they're
calling it these days?

You mean the staff
being preyed upon?

- Yes. But you don't seem surprised.
- No.

- Why are you asking me that?
- Just a rumour.

- Asking for a friend.
- Like I said,

I got a better offer
at the King Edward Hotel.

(lively music)
(man and woman chuckling)

You're cute.

This is for you.

If you really wanna know
what's going on at TipTop,

- go ask the cops.
- Really?

I went to the cops and filed a complaint
about things going too far

when I was working there.
I'm not just talking

wandering hands;
worse than that.

Well, of course
there was hanky-panky.

How do you think
we got promoted to showgirls?

Is that's what's
really necessary?

- It goes with the turf.
- Did you know Josie Timmons?

- She the one that jumped off the building?
- Yeah.

Not really, but I can
understand the impulse.

Come again?

Josie, God rest her soul,
was a floozie

like the rest of us.

We didn't like it, but we did
what we had to do. End of story.

The detectives I talked to
shrugged it off like

it was nothing.
That's what it was to them: nothing.

- I gotta go.
- I'm... late for work.

Uh, would you be willing
to talk to someone about this?

(scoffing)
- It's all ancient history now.

I got out.
Married me a decent man.

I'm not interested in talking
to a private detective.

Sorry, honey.

Would you be willing
to talk about it?

- Who the hell to?
- To anyone who will listen.

- Me?
- No way.

- No way.
- No way.

(indistinct chatter)
- Well, it seems

you've impressed Mr. Irwin.

You've jumped
to the front of the line.

- What do you mean?
- Means your girlhood dream

is about to come true.
You get to be a mermaid.

(people laughing)
- That's great.

Sure is. It's time
for your costume fitting.

Never worn
a mermaid tail before.

- Is it supposed to be this tight?
- Keep up

that enthusiasm. You'll make
a great addition to the troupe.

So what exactly
am I supposed to do in this?

I mean, I can't...
can't exactly dance.

Think about it:
what do mermaids do?

- Swim, I suppose.
- Exactly.

(knocking)
(door opening)

Hello, everyone.

Very nice.
Very nice work.

Give me a minute
with the new girl, will you?

So what do you think?

I'm all ready to go
for a swim. Where's the pool?

(Jake chuckling)
- All in good time.

- I should probably go as well.
- There's no rush.

From the minute you walked
into my club, I've had my eye

- on you.
- Me?

Now, you don't need
to play so coy.

Look, I... I had no idea.

Why else would you apply
for a job here?

- 'Cause I thought it would be fun.
- I think I was wrong.

So...

...here we are.

Stop!

You want to be
a mermaid or not?

Not this bad.

Who the hell
do you think you are?!

(indistinct chatter)
♪♪♪

(Frankie):
He came out of nowhere.

It all happened so fast.

One minute, Ruth and I
are joking around,

and then she leaves
the room and... uh...

and he's basically
forcing himself on me.

Thank God you got
away from him, Frankie.

I know it sounds
ridiculous, but...

- it was humiliating.
- It doesn't sound ridiculous.

Do you think he did
the same thing to Josie?

- I wouldn't be surprised.
- He's a bully.

Well, I'm gonna stop him.

Be careful dealing
with a guy like him, Frankie.

Um, Frankie can
handle him, right?

She hit him;
he is not gonna like it,

- he's gonna want to fight back.
- I'll be careful.

Did you guys get anything from
the women that you spoke with?

They all told us the same story,
more or less.

And none
of them want to take on Irwin.

I think these seductions
are a pattern, Frankie.

This one gal, Naomi,
she actually went to the police.

So I checked the file.
Sure enough, she reported

Irwin accosted her
in his office.

- What happened?
- Oh, nothing happened. Nothing.

No follow-up,
no investigation, nothing.

What's the point
of even having a police force

if they don't actually
serve and protect?

Well, the police are gonna
have to do something

- because I'm going public.
- Whatever you're trying to do,

looks like someone
beat you to it.

"How Frankie Drake
investigates"?

The cheese is
off the cracker now.

♪♪♪
- I'm telling you,

no one can resist a mermaid.

It's a winner, Cole.
What do you say?

- Sounds tempting.
- (Jake): Hmm.

You picked the wrong mermaid
this time, Jake.

You think this ridiculous article
is gonna silence me? You're wrong.

- I had nothing to do with it.
- Oh, please. Of course you did.

And good luck
suggesting that I did.

No one's gonna listen
to some girl detective

with questionable morals.

- I'm sorry?
- "Questionable morals"?

The company you keep,

sneaking into my club,
pretending to be

someone you're not,
preying on my charity.

Why, do you want to hit me?
♪♪♪

I'd welcome laying
an assault charge.

Come on. Some of these plans
will knock your socks off.

♪♪♪

What happened to Frankie
really upset you, didn't it?

It did. It was hearing
Frankie say she was frightened.

I've never seen
Frankie scared before.

It seemed like...

like maybe you knew
what she was talking about.

Did something happen
to you, Flo?

It happened a long time ago,
before I was married.

- It's nothing to dwell on.
- Did you ever tell anyone?

It was nothing.

You could tell me
if you want.

This man invited me
out sailing.

He was very dapper, a bit out
of my league. I was flattered.

We had a really good time.

We laughed a lot
and did a bit of canoodling.

And then after, uh...
he took me out

behind the boathouse
and it kind of went too far.

And I, uh... and I didn't know
how to stop it.

That's not nothing, Flo.

I guess I felt like it was
my fault 'cause I wore

a slightly revealing dress
and I laughed at his jokes

- and I kissed him.
- No!

No, his behaviour
was terrible and against

the law. And, excuse me,
this was not your fault!

How dare he treat you
like that?

Boy, you are living
in a bubble. This goes on

all the time and we just don't
want to talk about...

Like Frankie said,
look, it is humiliating!

Flo, I'm not living
in a bubble.

I'm a morality officer.

Upholding moral order
is my job and I do...

I take that responsibility
very seriously.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mary.

No, Flo. I'm sorry
I can't find that "dapper man."

(Flo chuckles as she cries.)

Irwin shouldn't get away
with what he's doing.

No, he shouldn't.

And those showgirls,
they shouldn't have to put up

with his awful advances
just to get ahead.

- But we tried, Mary.
- They won't even speak out.

Well, Flo,
we have to try again!

"We"?

I don't want
to do this by myself.

(sniffling)

Well, you sure have a way
of talking a gal into something.

(indistinct speaking)

I hate to say it,
but Irwin's right.

- It's ridiculous.
- It's OK to attack

as many women as you want,
but you can't kiss a man

- with different-coloured skin?
- Yeah, that about sums it.

What the heck is this about,
Miss Drake?

Well, you're obviously
onto something or someone.

That's why they're going after
you personally and publicly.

It's shocking!
What did you find out?

Jake has been preying
on the dancers at his club.

- Josie was one of them.
- What do you mean?

He's been demanding
"favours" from them.

(sad music)

- Oh, my God, no.
- I'm so sorry.

That's appalling. Poor Josie.

Do you think she took
her life because of it?

I think that she felt trapped
and she had no other way out.

She deserved so much better.

Please, don't let him get away

- with this, Miss Drake.
- We won't.

If you stop this man
from hurting one other girl,

Josie's death will count
for something.

I don't know
if this will help.

It's a bill from a lawyer.
Arrived for Josie this morning.

We'll look into this.

(woman):
You want to go after Irwin?

We do,
but we need your help.

- Forget it.
- Men like him are untouchable.

They are if
we let them, Maxine.

You're talking
to the wrong gal here.

I'm no angel.

No one's gonna believe
what I've got to say.

- Anyway, I-I don't like to think about it.
- I know what you mean.

It's humiliating
to be taken advantage of

by a guy who's supposed
to look out for you.

- Like a boyfriend or a boss.
- You've been there?

I kept it to myself
for years.

I didn't tell a soul.
'Til now.

And I already feel
better about myself.

♪♪♪
- What happened to you?

He was a popular guy. I was
flattered that he asked me out.

It was new and exciting,
and I thought he was my beau.

♪♪♪
- Mr. Haines?

- Yes. And you are?
- Frankie Drake.

I'm a private detective.
I was hired

by Harold Timmons
to look into his sister's death.

- I heard what happened.
- My condolences.

I'm sorry to have to ask,

but why did she need
to hire a lawyer?

She wanted to sue
her boyfriend

- for breach of promise.
- Did you take the case?

No. I told her it'd be a waste
of my time and her money.

- She couldn't prove anything.
- Meaning?

- Miss Timmons was pregnant.
- What?

She was a showgirl
with a showgirl lifestyle.

I told her no judge would believe her story,
I did her a favour.

Do... do you know
who this boyfriend was?

She didn't give a name,
but he had money,

- that's for sure.
- What makes you say that?

- He gave Josie a gift.
- An expensive pendant.

Thank you.

- Ruth.
- What do you want?

Just to have a little chat
between us girls.

I've got nothing
to say to you.

- Oh, you have plenty to say.
- You know exactly

what's going on
behind closed doors.

That's a private matter.

- Not anymore.
- I intend to expose Jake.

- How will you do that?
- This isn't about me;

this is about Josie Timmons.

You bought a pendant
inscribed "To Josie."

Was that a gift from Jake?
♪♪♪

Yes. I bought it.

But not for Jake.
It was for his friend, Mr. Cole.

Cole bought it for her?

Yes.

But take a piece
of advice from me:

Stop this vendetta
against Jake Irwin.

This is a battle
that you won't win.

(Ding!)
♪♪♪

- I'm sorry.
- Club's not open yet.

Oh, she's one
of the hostesses, darling.

Was. Can we have
a private word, Mr. Cole?

That's not necessary. I don't
keep secrets from my fiancée.

Even your promise of marriage
to Josie Timmons?

- Don't be ridiculous.
- I'd never marry a showgirl.

It's just a bit of fun.
Josie knew that.

Well, I'm pretty sure Josie saw it
as more than just a little bit of fun.

Did you know
she was pregnant?

That's a lie.

Richard told me
all about Josie.

Sad story, but I've met
girls like her.

She was a gold digger,
just like

- the rest of them.
- Josie was a daughter

and a sister
and she had a family

who loved her.
The only mistake she made

was trusting people like you.

♪♪♪

Cole seduced Josie

with expensive gifts
and the promise of marriage.

And then when she told him
she was carrying his child,

- he just abandoned her.
- Her career was over.

She couldn't go
to Hollywood pregnant.

So she chose suicide
over the shame

of telling her family the truth.

- Cole's a bastard.
- And we can't touch him.

(door opening)
- What have we got on Irwin?

(door closing)
- Nothing.

Hey, gals! Why the long faces?

It seems the forces of evil
have won this round.

Oh! Well...

...I think I might have
something to cheer you up.

Come in.

This is Maxine,

the gal who could take down
Jake Irwin. This is Trudy Clarke

and Frankie Drake.

You ready to talk?

I hear you serve a decent gin.

- So they say.
- Then what are we waiting for?

I started out as a waitress
at the TipTop.

It was alright,
tips were decent.

Some of the guys were a bit frisky,
but nothing I couldn't handle.

- You wanted to be a showgirl.
- All the waitresses wanted

to be showgirls.
But Irwin made the call on who got

the promotion. So, I started
hanging around after work,

chatting him up.
Next thing - no surprise -

I'm invited into his office.
I wasn't the first.

He had his whole thing
down to a tee.

He even had
a "do not disturb" signal.

- What was it?
- Turned on a lamp

outside the door to his office.

I walked in,
eyes wide open...

and endured
his clumsy seduction.

Now you don't need
to play so coy.

I knew there was a price to pay.

That's a brave thing
for you to say.

Hmm. All this time,

I made it like it was nothing,

like it's what you have
to do to get a job,

but... you know,
I was disgusted.

Truth be told,
I was disgusted with myself.

And that's why I quit
the business.

So why did you decide
to come forward now?

These two persuaded me.

I'm glad they did.

Maybe I'll feel better
about myself.

Hm. So what do we do, Frankie?

Well, we can't go
to the police.

They don't care.

- (Frankie): Or the newspapers.
- Irwin's got them sewn up.

So, we hit Irwin
where it hurts the most.

- How do we do that?
- ♪♪♪

Well, we're gonna need
an electrician...

...and a mermaid.

Hi, Ruth. The boss in?

Didn't think
we'd see you back here.

Never say never.

Well, look who misses
the limelight.

Hello, Mr. Irwin.

I figured you'd be back
in no time, Maxine.

I heard you're looking
for mermaids.

- I take it you can swim?
- Been at Cherry Beach

all summer. I'm a natural.
(Irwin chuckling)

Well, you always were
a quick learner.

- Hm!
- Come on in. I've got

something special planned and
you could be just the ticket.

♪♪♪
(indistinct chatter)

(men laughing)
- It's good to have you

- here, though. Enjoy yourself.
- Good luck.

- Aaah...
- Shall we?

A bit premature
for celebration, son.

Oh, please! These guys can't
wait to give me their money.

All you need to do is put
your cheque in my hand,

and they'll follow
like lemmings. We're golden.

So, bring on
the dancing girls.

Cheers to that.

- Canapé, sir?
- Don't mind if I do.

- Enjoy the show.
- This will be for Josie.

Good evening, everyone!

It's good to see all
of our investors here tonight.

Thank you for all
coming to the TipTop.

And a special thank you
to my father, Bruce,

who's made the trip
from New York.

He's having a real swell time

in your city.

But, as you've
all been promised...

(dramatic music)
...the best... is yet to come.

(crowd gasping)
(applause)

We thought we would up the ante
and bring you real mermaids!

Ladies and gentlemen,

let Mermaid Maxine

lure you into
her undersea world,

let her show you the depth...
(mic crackling)

Sorry. Just a - ahem -
momentary glitch here...

How about a kiss
to get us started?

(Maxine): Not sure
I should be alone with you.

(Jake):
Drop the coyness, Maxine.

It's not like you haven't
done this before,

many times before.
(Jake coughs.)

And that's why you came back.
This is obviously some...

- I came back to be a mermaid.
- Kind of prank, um...

You scratch my back,
I scratch yours.

(Maxine) You ask for
a lot more than just a scratch.

(Jake): Someone please switch,
switch it off!

Well, you know what that takes,
sweetheart.

You give Jakey a little love.
OK, um... switch this off!

I've missed your lips
and your hips, honey.

Come here.
Just a little bit closer.

OK! Where... where is
the band? Um,

band, please play
something! Ah...

(Maxine): Now what would
your father think, Jakey?

(Jake): This is just between
you, me and the lamppost.

I'd never tell anyone about our fun.

- Ha!
- (Maxine) Don't do that, Jakey.

(Jake): When girls like you
say "no," it never means no.

WHERE THE HELL
IS THAT COMING FROM?

- (Frankie): If only he knew.
- ♪♪♪

♪♪♪

(Jake): Come on, Maxine.

- This is the way the world works.
- Time to join the fun.

Uh, Dad,

- help me out here.
- Thank the stars

your mother's not here

to listen to this filth!

No, no. It's-it's
the hoax. I-I-I-I-I...

Here is your precious cheque.

- You were brilliant!
- You think I've got a future on the stage?

- Oh, you bet!
- You're no son of mine.

- (Jake): Ah!
- (indistinct chatter)

Please accept
the family's apology

for my son's appalling behaviour, Miss.
Good night.

You. You betrayed me.

You said you'd keep your mouth
shut if I gave you a job!

I didn't say a word.

Seems to me it was you
who did all the talking.

- Well done.
- He's humiliated.

- And broke.
- Thanks to Josie.

Without her, it would be
business as usual

- at the TipTop.
- Too bad Josie couldn't see it

for herself.
One last thing, Miss Drake.

- He's right there.
- Let's get out of here.

Thank you. Mr. Cole?

Yes?

(all gasping)

That's for Josie.
And Monday morning,

expect a visit
from the tax office.

- Yes!
- (Flo laughing)

(gasping)

(gasping)

Look at that!

Thought we should
treat ourselves.

- It's been quite the week.
- No kidding.

You know, everything
we uncovered, it's...

it's enough to put
a gal off men altogether.

- How so?
- Oh, I don't know. I just...

I think I've gone off
the whole idea of romance.

Probably won't even bother
getting a boyfriend.

Mary, don't let
one bad apple

- ruin everything.
- What do you mean?

If I'd done that,
I would never have married Herb,

and I would have missed out
on all those amazing years.

I am so glad
I told you what happened.

It really helped, and I'm glad
that it helped Maxine.

Women need to talk
to each other more.

- We really do.
- And don't shut yourself off

to happiness.
Not all men are like Irwin.

♪♪♪

You are so strong, Flo.

So are you! You're like
Boudicca in that uniform.

(both laughing)

- Really?
- Yes you are!

Keep it up.
We gals need you.

Uh! Let's eat our lunch.

I got a floater coming in at 1.
(Mary and Flo laughing)

Leaving town?

Mr. Irwin is headed
to the West Coast to start

- a new venture.
- Hm. No showgirls this time?

I don't know
what his plans are.

Well, what's your plan?

(Ruth sighing)
- You're going with him, aren't you?

When are you gonna stop
covering for him?

(Jake): Make sure
the bags go on.

Goodbye, Miss Drake.

We're all packed.

Not sorry to be leaving
this backwater, I'll tell you.

Well, aren't you
a pretty thing.

♪♪♪
A face like that,

you should be in showbiz.
Give me a call.

Coming or not?

One day the penny
will drop, Ruth.

(car door closing)
(engine revving up)

Or not.

I got to admit: I was pretty
excited to be a mermaid.

You know, the tail actually
looked good on you.

- I intend to keep it.
- Must be a nice life,

- just swimming around all day.
- Mmm,

- salt water's good for your skin.
- That's true.

We walked by
Jake Irwin's club

- on the way here.
- The place is completely shuttered.

Closed for business indefinitely.

♪♪♪

To Josie.

- To Josie.
- To Josie.

- To Josie.
- ♪♪♪

(theme music)