All language subtitles for Harper (1966) 1080p HDTV.en

Ah.

Lew Harper
for Mrs. Sampson.

Yes?

Lew Harper.

Park it over there.

This way, Mr. Harper.

Mrs. Sampson?

That's right.

Lew Harper.

Albert graves
telephoned,

said you needed me
for something.

Oh.

Drink, Mr. Harper?

Not before lunch,
thanks.

I thought you
were a detective.

New type.

Oh.

Albert graves is one
of our lawyers.

It's on his
recommendation

I'm hiring you.

It's about time

he threw some
business my way.

Hmm?

I've known Albert since
he was D.A. Up here.

Oh, he said
you were good

at finding things.

My husband's,
uh...

You're sitting
on my robe.

My husband's
disappeared.

Did you try
missing persons?

That might
mean publicity.

Ralph loathes
publicity.

Besides, he's got

an abnormal fear
of the police.

I simply want you
to find him

and tell me which
female he's with.

Any particular female?

I haven't
the least notion.

Ralph need never
know about this.

He'd be sure I was
gathering material

for divorce
proceedings.

Actually,
I have no intention

of divorcing him.

I only intend
to outlive him.

I only want
to see him

in his grave.

What a terrible
thing to say.

People who are in love
will say anything.

I used to love him,

before
we were married,

but after we
took our vows

I had an accident,
and that very same week,

Ralph started
fooling around

with a new lady.

It's taken me a while
to forgive him.

A long, long while.

When did your husband...

Don't you want to know
what happened to me?

Ahem.
Not necessary.

When did your
husband disappear?

Yesterday.
Our pilot Allan

flew Ralph down
from Vegas.

When they reached
the airport,

Allan put
the plane away.

When he came back,

Ralph had given him
the slip.

Any particular reason?

Drunk.

I don't like him
drunk on the loose.

He gets sloppy,
sentimental.

He gives things away.

Last time
it happened,

he gave away
a whole mountain.

He gave it to
some semi-nude

religious nut
from Los Angeles.

You know, L.A.
is the big league

for religious nuts.

It's because there's
nothing to do at night.

If you can find him
quickly,

I'd be grateful,
and, um...

If he's with
another woman,

I'd be, uh...

Well, more than
interested.

Felix?

You're lurking
in doorways again.

I did not want
to interrupt.

You can go now.

I'll have my lunch
up here, as usual.

Thank you.

Allan's down
by the pool.

Any more particulars
you want,

you can get
from him.

I'll leave
the matter of fee

up to Albert graves
to settle.

Did you drive up
from L.A.?

Leave your car here.

Felix will drive you
to Albert's office.

It's only
10 minutes away.

Bye, Mr. Harper.

It would help some

if I knew what your
husband looked like.

Oh, how silly of me.

Here.

You can keep
that one.

A poor thing
but mine own.

Where's the telephone?

I have to call
Los Angeles.

You got one with
a little more privacy?

That's the phone

the help's
supposed to use.

Hello?

Hello, Fred? It's Lew.

Is, um, Susan there yet?

Yes.

Tell her I'm not gonna
be able to make it today.

I got caught
in a situation.

And we were going to get
everything settled today.

Where is he
this time?

I'm up
in Santa Theresa.

Tell her Albert graves
called,

said he needed me
for something.

She'll understand.

Something about Albert graves
needing him,

and you'll understand.

No. No, I don't.

I've been trying to get

this divorce thing
settled for too long now,

and I have lately been
running low on understanding.

She says she's...

I heard.
Tell her that I...

We're supposed to be
handling this like adults.

Now, I don't want
a screaming match,

but the last time
we were going to meet,

something came up, too.

That wasn't my fault.

He says
it wasn't...

I heard. I don't care
what he says.

He's just trying to stall
because he thinks

I'm gonna change my mind
about this.

Well, I may change a lot
of things from now on,

but my mind isn't about
to be one of them.

Let me speak to her,
will you?

Here.

No!

Would you put her on?

Take it.

Talk to him.

I have taken it.

Every year since we were
married, I took it.

And I've talked to him, too.

He holds no more surprises.

No more nothing.

You hear me, Lew?
I don't love you,

and you can get shot
in some stinking alley,

and I'll be
a little sorry, sure,

but that's all,
just a little sorry.

Tell him that, lawyer.

Tell the man
he is not loved.

Hey.

Hey,
top of the morning.

Allan Taggert.

Lew Harper.

That's Mr. Sampson's
daughter.

Miranda.

Miranda,
Lew Harper.

Can we talk?

Sure.

Can you
tell me something...

My stepmother
Lady MacBeth

is always
going to extremes.

Meaning me,
Miss Sampson?

I'm a very
modern-type fellow.

Well, not you,
especially.

Everything she does
is extreme.

Other women fall off horses
without getting paralyzed.

Not Elaine.

I think it's psychological,
don't you?

You've been reading
too many books.

That's something they'll
never accuse you of.

She's not a raving beauty
anymore.

Can I have a sandwich?

Yes.

So she retired
from competition.

Falling off the horse
gave her a chance to do it.

For all I know,
she did it intentionally,

and you've got to admit

it's pretty extreme
hiring a private detective

when your husband's
been gone

just one night.

That may be so,
Miss Sampson.

Tell me about
Sampson's disappearance.

He disappeared.

Yesterday afternoon,
about 3:30,

we flew in from Vegas

and landed
at Van Nuys airport.

I let Mr. Sampson off

at the administration
building.

He said he wanted

to call the Bel air hotel
for a limousine.

Daddy keeps
a bungalow there.

I taxied the plane
up to our hangar

and tied it down.

When I got back
to the entrance,

Mr. Sampson
wasn't there.

I waited,

then I went
to the Bel air hotel

and I waited
some more.

What about luggage?

Was he planning
to spend the night?

He said he was,

but he didn't have
any luggage.

That doesn't mean anything.

Daddy keeps a lot of clothes
at the bungalow.

He likes to be able
to pick up fast.

So do I.

How long did it take you
to bed down the plane?

15 minutes.
20 at the outside.

That's not
very much time

for a limousine to get there
from the Bel air.

Maybe he never
called the hotel,

and maybe somebody met him
at the airport.

Will you be going back
to Los Angeles?

Yeah, after
I see a friend.

Male or female?

Sampson's lawyer.

Albert graves.

Well, you can fly
Mr. Harper there,

or you can stay here
with me.

I'll fly.

It'll keep me
from getting bored.

Hey,
you in a hurry?

Yeah, sort of.

Storing up
for the winter?

Yeah.

Come on,
let's split.

Sold.

Have you met
my friend Felix?

He's always listening.

We're friends,
aren't we, Felix?

He's some cat,
that Felix.

How come so rough
on Miranda?

How come everybody
jumps to conclusions

about me and Miranda?

Listen, she's no genius,
you know.

Besides,
she's an adolescent.

I can't help
the way she feels.

Anyway, I got myself
a real woman.

How does Miranda get along
with her old man?

Okay until
a little while ago

when he started
trying

to make her
get married.

Yeah?
Anybody in particular?

Yeah.

Your buddy.

Albert graves.

Oh!

Hi.

Well, you look like
death warmed over.

Always nice to hear
from my fans.

What's that?

Huh? What's that?

Things any better
with Susan?

Uh, yeah. Terrific.

Good, good.

Oh, I'm just
staying in shape.

I still do the old
Canadian air force exercises

every morning,
yogurt for lunch,

and then a lot of this.

It's all paying off,
don't you think?

Yeah. I've never seen
you look more ravishing

than you are
at the moment.

Did you talk
to Mrs. Sampson?

That's a sweet lady...
Warm, content...

A love.

Why did she hire me?

I talked her into it.

I think Sampson
needs protection.

He's worth 20 million
on the hoof

and he's an alcoholic,
that's just for openers.

I also think he's
losing his mind.

Did she mention Claude,
the holy man

he gave the mountain to?

Yeah, and now
Mrs. Sampson thinks

the old man is running
with another woman.

That's because
I encourage her to think that.

She'd never spend
a penny on him

if she only thought
his life was in danger.

What about
the old-fashioned custom

of calling the police?

I can't.

He's psychotic
on the subject.

If I went to them and they
found him, he'd fire me.

What kind of a weirdo
is Sampson?

Well, I can tell you
everything in one word...

Moneymaker.

He has to make money.
He's dedicated to it.

It's the only way he
can prove to himself

he's still breathing.

He had a son, you know.

A pilot.

He was killed
a few years back.

That's when he started
losing his mind.

He's got this fellow
now, Allan Taggert...

We met.
Nice-looking fellow.

Looks, looks.

Who cares
about looks?

Well, the point is,

we're less than
2 hours' drive

from Los Angeles.

What does he need
a pilot for?

Personally,
I like Allan,

but from a
business standpoint,

I feel he's an
unnecessary expense.

How do you have
an unnecessary expense

with $20 million?

Well, that's enough
exercising.

I don't want to get
too strong.

Did you, uh,
meet Sampson's daughter?

That ugly,
skinny kid? Yeah.

We passed in the night.

Oh, Lew...

Isn't she incredible?

Oh, boy...

You dirty old man.

Go on, you think
I'm too old for her.

No. When she's 100,
you'll only be 124.

You think I'm old enough
to be her father?

You're old enough
to be her grandfather.

Aw, go to hell.

Solid citizen Albert

hung up on a chick
at your age.

That's a hoot.

Lew, did she say anything
about me?

Nope.

She didn't even
mention my name?

I only saw her
for a second.

Oh, that explains it.

How does she feel
about you?

Well, she's young and cautious.
You remember how that was.

But I have
great expectations.

So do I.

My going rate
is 2,000 flat

against $100 a day
in expenses.

It is like hell,
but you can have it

if you'll mention
my virtues to Miranda.

My pleasure.

Hey, what are
your virtues?

I decided to fly
down to L.A. with you,

alright?

Hello, Miranda.

Oh, hello, Albert.

Excuse me, honey.

Say, did you
send a limousine

for a Mr. Sampson to Van Nuys
airport yesterday?

No, sir.

Well, there was this
here fellow at the airport

said he left
in a big black limousine.

Well, he called here
yesterday and asked for one,

but then he called back
and cancelled.

You sure it was Sampson
both times?

Oh, yes, I recognize
his voice.

He's been coming
here for years.

Did he sound drunk?

Sir, I couldn't give

that kind
of information.

Sorry.

Got the key?

Well?

Daddy hasn't been here
for a month.

I just asked
the desk clerk.

Terrific.

Here.

Well, I think I'll
flake out a while

and then call
some friends.

Well, I was hoping
we might do something.

The thing about you,
Miranda,

is you're
such a drag.

Wow.

No wonder your old man
took to the sauce.

I would, too, if I
had to sleep in here.

Ever since
my brother died,

I've been trying
to argue him

out of this
astrology bit,

but obviously
without much success.

Any astrologists
in particular?

None that I know of.

Harper.
What?

You work hard,
you know that?

Yep. Regular beaver.

Harper?

What?

Don't you ever feel
the need to relax?

Let's relax some,
Harper.

For what?

So the beauty
in the next room's

gonna get
all hot and bothered?

If you can't get him

hot and bothered
by yourself,

I sure ain't going
to do it for you.

Don't you think
I'm attractive?

You're young, rich,
and beautiful

and my wife
is divorcing me.

What do you think
I think?

I think you want
to relax.

Alright, honey,

if you really want
to play around,

we'll just douse the lights
and seal off the room.

Ha ha! Mm-hmm.

Feel better now, myrtle?

You know her?

No.

Hey, beauty, does Fay Estabrook
strike a note?

Yeah.

Ever seen her
with Sampson?

Mm-hmm.

Any idea where
she hangs out?

Yeah, sometimes.

She used to
a pretty hot young starlet.

What happened to her?

She got fat.

Give me another one
of those, will you?

It's 2 after 6:00.

We don't serve
domestic after 6:00,

only imported.

Terrific.

Keep the change.

There is no change.

Keep it, anyway.

Are you...
Miss Estabrook?

No? Fay Estabrook?

Shh, dumpling.

It is, isn't it?

Can I have
your autograph?

Oh, well...

It's for my daughter.

She watches
all your pictures.

She thinks you're
just wonderful.

I ain't
bothering you, am I?

No. It's no bother.

Just sign
right there.

That's alright,
just one.

Just make it
to Billie Lou,

something
real intimate.

Ain't you
got a pencil?

To Billie Lou.

To Billie Lou?

Billie Lou. Yeah.
Can I sit down?

Uh...

Actually, you know,
I don't have no daughter.

That's for me.

Oh, ha ha ha.

I don't know how many
fans you have.

You probably
got millions,

but ain't nobody
more faithful than I am.

I just watch all your movies
on television.

Ha ha ha ha.

Ah, that's nice.
Can I buy you a drink?

Oh, sure. Why not?

Bar.

Wait a minute.

When were you born?

June 2.

June 2...
Uh, Gemini.

Oh, Gemini
are cold-hearted.

Oh, are you cold-hearted,
dumpling?

Oh, hell, big dogs
is always licking my hand.

Hey!

Ohh, I'm sorry, baby.

Oh, just
what I needed, honey.

Aw, there's one
in every crowd.

Aw, you're sweet.

You ain't no Gemini.

Now, honey,
where is the, uh...

♪ Mm-mm mmm-mm ♪

♪ mm-mm mmm-mm ♪

Hey, this place
is like the morgue.

Where have all
the merrymakers gone?

I'm going
to take you home, honey.

Oh, now,
don't rush things.

Come on,
let's have another

little drinky first.

You want another
little drinky?

Nah. It stiffens up
my chewing gum.

Anyway, you're too classy
for a place like this.

You know, I am classy.

Not everybody notices.

Well, I got
just the spot for you...

The Bel air hotel.

Oh, the Bel air.

Oh, yes, that's...
Oh, wait, uh...

Hey, you think you can cough up
a split of champagne?

Oh, and let's have
a little caviar, huh?

Oh, I love this place.
I've always adored it.

I'm so glad
you suggested it.

I have a friend
stays here a lot.

Oh, yeah?

Oh, you're jealous.

You're getting jealous.
I can tell.

What is it with me

that men all the time
want to possess me?

Is your friend, uh,
staying around here now?

You really are jealous.

Oh, baby.

Out, thou
green-eyed dragon.

Oh, Ralph's much older
than you, baby,

and he's in Vegas,
and besides,

now I only do
his astrological charts

and a little
interior decorating.

I did his room
in the hotel.

I wish I could
show it to you.

I have this
fabulous taste.

You got everything, baby.

Now, who's
this fella Ralph?

Oh, he's
my oldest friend...

But he's
not a nice man.

He...
He's gotten to be

a very kinky
personality.

Kinky?

Kinky is British
for, uh, weird.

Weird. Do you
know what I mean?

Say, you're
a real pistol.

Be back in a sec.

Oh...

Ohh.

You're supposed
to be

looking
for daddy.

Come on, get her
out of here, will ya?

It happens to be
a hard night's work, buddy.

Mrs. Sampson's been calling.
She wants your advice.

About what?

She got a special delivery...

She got a special
delivery letter

from daddy.

He told her
to tell Albert

to cash in
some bonds

and get some
money ready,

about
1/2 million cash.

Are you kidding?

That's what it said.

Is she sure it's
your father's writing?

Of course.

Well, you better
get the money.

And then?

Wait... till somebody
gives us proof

your father's
still alive.

It's a possibility,

so you
might as well face it.

Why don't you
get her bedded down?

No. You're no Mexican.

I know Mexicans,
and you're no Mexican.

Si. Yo soy Mexicano.

No, you're
a phony Mexican.

What's the trouble,
dumpling?

They don't want to play
la cucaracha,

and I do la cucaracha
like nothing.

♪ La cucaracha,
la cucaracha... ♪

What do you know?

Hey, honey, he ain't
got no guitar.

Well, if he was
a real Mexican,

he'd have a guitar.

Where do you live?

Why?

'Cause if I don't
grab you pretty soon,

I'm going to get sick.

Oh, I live in
the pacific palisades.

118 Woodlawn Lane.

I'm going
to drive you home.

Alright, I'm ready.
I feel grea...

Help.

Don't try to do anything
to me tonight, dumpling.

Everything's tilting.

Some other time,

any other t-time.

Uh, yeah?

Mr. Troy?

This is Betty.
Is Fay there?

Uh-uh.

Listen, I heard she was
in the Bel air a while ago

smashed with some guy.

We don't want him
at the house

when the truck
goes through,

so get rid of him.

Where are you?

The piano bar.
Where else would I be?

Is Ralph Sampson
there?

Alright,
who is this?

I beg you not to do anything
foolish, old stick.

Is that thing loaded?

Six times.

Who are you?
What...

Beauty before age,
old stick.

I'm Miss Estabrook's
escort for the evening.

And I see the light on
in Miss Estabrook's bedroom.

What were you doing
in there?

I didn't go in there,
I swear I didn't.

No, she-she had
to go to the...

Yeah, well, she never could
hold her liquor.

Boy, that's
shocking treatment.

Ain't nothing like this
ever happen in Texas.

Oh, y'all
from Texas, huh?

Why are you interested

in an old bag of worms
like her?

She's not no bag of worms.

She's the sexiest thing
I ever seen.

Well, I disagree,
but then, you see,

I'm married
to Miss Estabrook.

I know whereof I speak.

See what I mean?

Now, my name is
Dwight Troy.

I don't think
you ever specified

what your name was.

My name is Lewis Harper.
I sell insurance.

I didn't know
she was married.

I'd sure like
to get out of here.

Relax, old stick.

I am not
the jealous type.

You want her,
you can have her,

but I do not like
strangers in my house,

so I don't think
I'd better

see you
around here anymore.

Is that a threat?

Oh, is it ever,
old stick.

Now you get along.

Do you know a place
called the piano?

Yeah. Yeah, sure,
but I don't think

you want
to go there, mister.

Oh, well, I'm a swinger.

♪ Livin' alone ♪

♪ just livin' alone ♪

♪ so I tell myself ♪

♪ that I like it
on the shelf ♪

♪ but if the truth
were known ♪

♪ I hate
this livin' alone ♪

Lew Harper.

Betty Fraley.

Nice sound
you lay down.

Oh, don't put me on.

You're probably
tone-deaf.

Maybe, but I got
every side you ever cut.

You're not very hip,
but I believe you.

Except you got cop's eyes.

Narcotics?

Listen, I did my time.

I'm straight now.

Mm-hmm?

What are you after?

Ralph Sampson.

Hey, I know your voice.

You said you were Troy.

What about Sampson?

I don't know him.

I think you do,

and I think I can
convince my friends

on the narcotics
squad

that those tracks
are fresh.

Alright, I know him.

He comes in here
sometimes and gets drunk.

He's a drunk, and
all drunks look alike.

What else you know?

Nothing.
Come on.

Nothing.
Come on.

Nothing! Puddler.

He's fuzz, Puddler.
Private.

Wise guys...

Always making waves.

I'm going
to teach you.

Hot damn. I did it.

Hey, Harper,
hey, you see that?

Harper?

You alright?

Sure you are.
Come on.

Hey, you know,

this detective work
is really fun.

Oh, boy.

Come on, let's
get out of here.

Wait a minute. Wait.

Can you make it?

Ugh.

Ooh.

Where did you come from?

I got Miranda
bedded down

so I talked to one
of my buddies out of a car

and started hitting
Sampson's spots.

This joint
was one of them.

I was coming in when
you were going out.

I'm in your debt, Billy.

Ugh.

Where are you parked?

Oh, across the street.

Hey, you really think
Sampson was kidnapped?

Who'd do it?

I don't know.
A guy named Troy.

Maybe a woman
named Estabrook.

Come on. Let's go.

Where to?

Back to the first place
I got thrown out of tonight.

What's this place
all about?

That Fraley broad
said something

about a truck
coming through,

and somebody
didn't want me around,

maybe 'cause
Sampson's in it.

You want me
to break that down?

You want to?

You really mean it?

Go ahead.

Hot damn.

Ugh.

Yeah, detective work
is really fun.

Come on.
Come on.

Aah.

Oh, boy, that hurt
a little bit, hmm?

That hurt
a little bit?

You know how
to use this?

Oh, I prefer
a Thompson actually,

but this will do in a pinch.

You dirty rat, you gave
that man oranges?

Okay,
you all through?

That truck should
come through,

or anybody else,

let me know,
will you?

Mmm.

Some other time,
dumpling.

What happened?

It's the truck.

I was trying
to blow a tire.

Hey, Lew,

you alright?

Boy, I'm awful tired

of answering
that question.

You sure the handwriting
is his?

That moronic scrawl
is unforgettable.

It's not unlikely
your husband's

been kidnapped,
Mrs. Sampson.

Kidnapping's
a federal offense.

I'm well aware
of that, Mr. Harper,

but please don't
bother suggesting

that we bring in
the police.

Kidnapping is
a federal offense.

I'm not sure
my husband's

business dealings
are completely legal,

not all of them, anyway.

You may be jumping
to conclusions.

For all we know,

Ralph may be planning
a round-the-world jaunt

with some happy harlot

and needs
some spending money.

I think your husband's
been kidnapped.

I think that note was dictated.

Your husband
keeps lousy company,

Mrs. Sampson, as bad
as there is in L.A.,

and that's
as bad as there is.

I knew it.

Oh, he loves playing
the family man,

but he
never fooled me.

Water seeks
its own level,

and that
should leave Ralph

bathing happily
somewhere in a sewer.

Daddy may be dead,
and you're crowing.

I don't believe

it's the children's hour
yet, darling.

You have such an advantage
in emotional scenes, Elaine,

being frigid.

Puss, puss, puss.

Did Allan
brush you off again?

You simpy, primping,
narcissistic...

Either I'm a narcissist
or I'm frigid, pussy.

I can't
very well be both.

Ahem. Excuse me,
ladies.

Oh, why are you leaving?

It's so attractive here.

I should think
you'd be accustomed

to not being loved
by now.

I love your wrinkles.
I revel in them.

Puss, puss, puss.

Hey.

I just don't enjoy carrying
this kind of money around.

I'm a lawyer,
not a financier.

Albert, you got
any friends

in the L.A. police

from when you were
a D.A. Up here?

I have some favors
left uncollected, yes.

Get them to run a check
on every black limousine

rented or stolen
in the last 3 days.

See if you can get them
to put somebody

on a dive
called the piano.

Dwight Troy's place.

You mean Troy...

What do you
know about him?

I had to take some papers
to las Vegas once

for Sampson to sign.

He and Troy were gambling.
I checked on Troy.

He seems elegant enough,

but people have a habit
of dying around him.

I tried telling Sampson,
but, uh...

Oh, thank heavens.

I was so nervous
bringing that here,

I got this
out of mothballs.

You always were

the most unlikely
war hero I ever knew.

Still know
how to use it?

I hope not.

Better get a cop up here
to keep an eye on that money.

You're not staying?

I'm getting buggy
sitting around here.

It's about time I visited that
mountain that Sampson gave away.

Miranda?
Hello, Miranda.

Miranda's coming.

How are you?

Suicidal.
I just had

the nicest chat
with step mommy.

How do I get
to that mountain, anyway?

Oh, here,
I'll diagram it for you.

Don't bother,
I'll take him.

I've just got to get
out of this house.

Wait till I change.

Wow.

Hoo-hoo.

I expect you
to behave in all ways

like a civilized
human being.

First it's Taggert's
boyish charm,

and now it's your
indefinable something.

Ah, poor nice Albert.

I am nice,

but do you think
she'd notice?

The bottom is loaded

with nice people,
Albert.

Only cream
and bastards rise.

Why so fast, Harper?

You trying
to impress me?

You got a way of
starting conversations

that ends conversation.

Why is your wife
divorcing you?

You got a way of
starting conversations

that ends conversation.

Why do you do this kind
of crummy work for, anyway?

What, you trying
to be funny?

I do it because

I believe in
the united nations

and southeast Asia.

You think it's funny
if your life depends

on what goes through
the Panama canal?

What about
the English pound?

Tell you
something, boy,

so long as
there's a Siberia,

you'll find Lew Harper
on the job.

Are you putting me on?

Jeez, I don't think so.

Hey, Harper,
what do you think of me?

Well, I'd say you had...

Ahem, nearly everything

and could develop
into almost anything.

What's my big deficiency?

Your sideburns.

Just that.

Stop acting like
a bitch in heat

every time anything

pretty in pants
wanders by.

Oh, so, we think we're pretty.

Well, what's your
big deficiency?

I have none.
I'm a bloody Saint.

Yeah, what about that woman
last night at the restaurant?

What could be
more saintly?

Just feeding booze
to an alcoholic

to get information.
All part of the job.

When I'm bored,
I drive fast.

I pretend I'm on my way
to meet something

utterly new...
All naked and bright.

I've gone 105 along here.

Oh, what are you
trying to do,

impress me?

Why don't you
stand on it, old man?

Oh, you're just
as stuffy as Albert,

the same Victorian hang-up.

You probably still think
a woman's place

is in the home.

Not in my home.

Well, now,
there's something

all naked
and bright for you.

Have you come
to seek salvation?

It's me, Claude.
Miranda Sampson.

This is Mr. Harper.

We're looking for daddy.
Has he been here?

No.

To my sorrow, no.

I'm sorry...

You may not come
onto holy ground.

You've not been
purified.

I was once a lost
and evil man,

blind-hearted
and sinful.

Miranda here
can tell you that.

But then the sword
of the blessed sun

slew the black beast
of the flesh,

and I was purified
at last.

Can I just look around?

He'll be risking
the wrath

of the sun God.

I'm lionhearted.

Expecting disciples
for supper?

Whoever comes to the temple
of the clouds

may be sure of some
warm beans and a bed.

Where is the harm?

Nowhere.

I know you think me
a charlatan.

I can only say
that if you were correct,

then death could not
claim me too quickly.

You obviously have some
strong connection

with the Sampsons.

Don't deride me
to them, I beg you.

The gift
of this temple

was the beginning
of my life.

I know to you
I look ridiculous,

but I only want
to increase

the amount of love
in this world.

Where is the harm?

Nowhere.

That in itself
is a victory.

Don't laugh.

Oh, I only laugh
at what's funny.

What... what's that,
the, uh...

Bedroom?

It will be.

That's nice.

How many followers
you got up here?

It varies.

With the climate?

You might say that.

Mm-hmm.

Thanks for the tour.

Walk with love.

I'll try.

Yeah, I only laugh
when it's funny.

My own stupidity, maybe.

Is Mr. graves here?

He's in Santa Theresa,

but there's a deputy
in the library.

What's going on?

Nothing much.

Kidnapping
and extortion.

Oh.

Fingerprints?

Now, I knew that. What's
the matter with me?

You got
an evidence kit?

Oh, yes, sir.
Right out in the car.

Do you want me
to go get it for you?

No, no, I just want
to stand here

for a couple of hours
and hold this.

No, listen, though,
I'll get it for you, sir.

Long arm of the law.
Good luck.

Yes?

It's Lew.
Yeah?

Uh, it's kidnapping.
I got the note.

"Deposit 500,000...

At 9:00 tonight."

Uh..."Oil field
one mile south

"of Santa Theresa.

"Leave money
at large oil pump,

"end of double row.

"After drop, drive north
and keep on going.

Too bad for Sampson
if you screw up."

9:00 tonight. That only
gives us 3 1/2 hours.

Better call
the sheriff

and have him
pay me a visit.

Alright.

Anything
on the limousine?

Nothing yet,
but we're checking.

Lew, how do you suppose

they knew the money
was ready?

I don't know. Either
they're gambling,

or they got somebody
inside the castle.

You think?

I think.

Hey!

What are you
doing there?

Uh, I...

How many phones
in the house?

Five...

Come on, quick!
Six.

Three up, three down.

Too many.

Too damn many.

Since you phoned,

I've been pondering
all this,

and it's my opinion

we give them
the money clean

and hope they come
through with Sampson.

Then if they don't,
you hunt them down.

You think?
I think.

No, no.
This note says

to drop the money
and drive north.

That means he'll be making
his getaway south.

I'll set up a roadblock
down the highway.

If you do that,
kiss goodbye to Sampson.

Well, whoever I catch,

I guarantee
I'll make him talk.

You'll make it worse,
you trip the money man.

End up with the kidnapper
in the county jail,

but Sampson with
his throat cut somewhere.

Who is this clown?

He's a private detective
working for us.

Yeah, I used to be
a sheriff

till I passed
my literacy test.

Now, wait a minute.

Gentlemen, please.

Alright.

You make the delivery.

No. I want beauty
and Albert to do it.

And what'll you do?

Are you going to rescue
my Ralph for me?

Oh, now, Elaine, I don't
want you to worry.

How can I worry
with men like you

on the job?

Now there's
a pretty brave woman.

Yeah, gutty as hell.

Hi there.

Hi.

Boy, that's going
to look terrific,

you get that
unscrambled.

You want a nice table?

Well, later, maybe.

You can help me,
though.

I'm looking
for this fella, see,

I met him
at the ball park

and he said
he'd meet me here,

but I don't see him.

Well, what's his name?

That's just it.
I don't know.

Come here.

Now, wait a minute.

I owe him some money
on a bet.

That's just, uh...

He's about, uh, 40.
He's very tall,

wears a windbreaker
and Levis,

and he drives
a small Van truck.

Come again on why
you want to find him.

I owe him money
on a bet, see.

And you're just
eaten up with honesty,

is that it?

You know what
happens to bookies

that don't pay off?

I knew you was a bookie
the minute you came in.

No kidding?

You could really tell
I was a...

You can really tell?

You been waiting tables
as long as I have,

you get to know
the types.

But you can't be
no help, huh?

Eddie's who you want.

Eddie's somebody,

only he ain't been here
for 2 or 3 nights.

3 nights. I remember
'cause he wanted

to make
a long-distance call

and the boss didn't care
for that

because sometimes
he gets stung

if it's over 3 minutes.

Eddie made the call
anyway. Collect.

I don't know to where.

How much
you owe Eddie?

Where's the boss?

Behind the bar.

Give me a can of beer.

Say, I'm looking for a fella
by the name of Eddie.

I owe him some money.

Well, he called me
long-distance from here

about 3 nights ago.

You from las Vegas?

Well, yeah.
I just come up.

You know,
I would've guessed

you were from Vegas.

No kidding?

You can tell, huh?

Oh, really tell.

You must be physic.

Psychic, you mean.

You know
where Eddie lives?

Uh-uh.

Oh, give me some dimes
there, will you?

Oh, terrific.

Hello?

Oh, Mrs. Harper?

Yes?

Mrs. Lewis Harper?

That's right.

Thank heavens.

You see, we've just
picked your name

from this enormous drum
full of names,

only you had to
be there to win.

And you are, so you have.

Win?

6 one-hour frug lessons
absolutely free.

Yes, well, I'm Austin
Schwartz-Marmaduke

of the Schwartz-Marmaduke
institute

for ballroom education.

You must've heard of us.
We're just off Wilshire.

Next to the frug foundation
in the miracle mile, actually.

I don't want
any frug lessons.

Oh, but of course
you do, dear lady.

Just think
how terrific you'll feel

the next time you and
your husband try frugging.

How enviously feminine
you'll feel.

My husband is dead.

Oh. Well, that's, uh...
That's too bad.

As a matter of fact...

No, as a matter of fact,
you're wrong.

His death did nothing

but serve the cause
of mankind.

He was a fool,
a sadist,

a functioning
pathological pervert.

You mean
he actually...

Oh, but I do.

He was grotesque
in all ways.

Can a soul
be atrocious?

Well, I've never be...

His was.

He was a degenerate's
degenerate.

Hmm...

You won't believe this,
Mr. Marmaduke,

but he used to
call me up

on the phone
sometimes

pretending
to be other people.

He actually thought
it was funny.

Well...

Listen, I'm in a bar
at castle beach,

but I'm hiding
from an idiot cop

in the men's room.
Now, that is funny.

Ha ha ha!

You're right.
That is funny!

Lew?

Yeah?

Lew?

What is it?

Kiss off.

Oh, come on, now.
Don't hang up.

What-what are you?

You lost your sense
of humor?

E-eh?

Okay, put them up.

Put what up?

Your hands.

I just couldn't.

I mean,
I really couldn't.

How'd you get here?

Matches
in Eddie's pocket.

How'd you know
his name was Eddie?

A waitress told me.

Why don't you
kiss off?

The sheriff told me
to stay on the job.

Well, then
we're all safe.

This bartender here
told me

that Eddie phoned you
long-distance

in las Vegas.

Well, I was trying
to pump the bartender.

Pump. It's a gag.

That's funny.

Now, why don't you tell me
what you found out?

I found out
that Eddie phoned

las Vegas
from here

3 nights ago.

Sampson was
in las Vegas

3 nights ago.

It all fits.

It all fits!

Oh, yeah,
it all fits.

You know,
you ought to, um...

You ought
to stick around.

This place is a hotbed
of information.

Yeah, right here.

Here.

What are you
doing here?

I got the call.
I've been converted.

Is there no end
to your sacrilege?

Stay right where
you are, fella.

Please, I don't
want any trouble.

I said please.

Now, where's Sampson?

Mis hermanos...

Hermanos de mi Alma.

Hermanos de mi corazon.

Que pasa?

Stay right there.
Tell them to stay there.

Hermanos
de mi corazon...

Aydame!

Well, well...
Do get up, old stick.

I kind of like it
down here.

Come, come,
Mr. Harper...

You mustn't give way
to the sulks.

I'm shocked, Mr. Troy.
A man of your eminence...

Involved
in something as seamy

as smuggling in
immigrant labor.

Yeah? Well, you are
right, you know.

It is beneath me,
but it pays so well.

You know they are
wonderfully cheap workers.

And deportees, they pay me
to smuggle them in,

and the ranch owners
and farmers pay me, too.

Disgustingly
lucrative.

But as you suggest,

hardly enriching
to the soul.

More important,
Mr. Harper,

at the moment...
How is your soul?

Ha ha ha!

I'll...
Pay you to let me go.

Well, you're rather low
on bargaining power,

aren't you, old stick?

Not necessarily.
Where is Sampson?

Ralph Sampson?
Well, dear boy,

how should I know?

And the 500,000?

500,000 what?

No more riddles,
old stick.

Your driver kidnapped
Sampson 2 days ago.

Eddie Rossiter?

Tonight he picked up a half
a million in ransom money.

Well, he hadn't got
the brains.

Got enough brains
to be a fall guy. He's dead.

Whoever killed him
got the money.

Oh, I see and that's why
you're here, old stick...

You suspect me.

I do if you drive
a white convertible.

Ooh, oh, Mr. Harper,

I am surrounded by
very devious people.

Claude, we are
leaving the temple.

Collect our
latest truckload,

take him to Bakersfield,
to the ranch.

Get the cash,
lose the truck,

meet me at my place
afterwards.

Hombres, vayan all.

Puddler, was Betty
at the club tonight?

No.

Is she still driving
the same car?

The white convertible,
yeah.

She still live
in the same place?

No, she moved
to the beach house somewhere.

Couple of weeks ago.

You know
where it is?

No, man, she don't
ask me down there.

You take Mr. Harper
to the usual place.

Keep him there till you
hear from me.

Au revoir,
Mr. Harper.

You make yourself
at home, old stick.

You and me are going to have
a nice, quiet time here.

Huh?

You're not gonna
cause me any problems.

Leave it open.
I need the air.

You stink.

Man, you got
a bad mouth.

You're rotten.
I can smell you.

You be a good boy...

Because I can give you
a lot more

than you can take,
you hear?

We both know what
you're afraid of.

Yeah? What
am I afraid of?

You?

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Aah!

Heh.

You know, there's
a old expression...

You kill a body...

And the head dies.

Did you ever hear that?

How'd you
like that, huh?

Huh?

Tell me about
how'd you like that?

You kill the body,
the head dies, huh?

You tell me
about it, huh?

Untie me and I'll
take your head off.

Now I get it.

You want me
to untie you

so you can
trick me, huh?

You can't trick me.

You fish-eyed faggot.

Aah!

Harper!

Harper!

You ain't going nowhere.

There go your car keys.

Aah!

Who is it?

Me.

What do you want?

Susan?

What happened?

I'm cold.

Why did you come here?

You know why.

I can't help you, Lew.
I can't...

We're not going
to get involved.

We are involved.

Were.

We've been there.
It didn't work.

Help me, Susan.

Get out, Lew.

I need you.

Now you do.
What about later?

Later, too.

No, you'll take off
on whatever lousy...

Situation you're on.

I'm through.

You're through.

No, I mean it.

You'll leave me.

I'm done,
I swear to you.

You just want
a warm body beside you,

someone you can use
for a while.

Not anymore.

I want you to go.

The hell you say.
Now go.

Not when
I'm like this.

What do you want
from me?

Just a few
kind words.

What else?

Anything I can get.

At least you're honest.

Let me... let me get...

No, not now.

Come on.

I'm not even sure
I like you.

Come on.

You used
to carry me.

That's
when I was younger.

I thought I threw out
all your suits.

Sure threw out
all the shirts.

And we were just gonna
lounge around all day.

I'll call you
as soon as I can.

Going back on it...

And what you said
last night.

Forget what I said
last night.

Oh, sure.

I understand.

Last night
you were cold.

You're really ending
things this time,

you know that.

You know that?

Why do you
have to go back?

Why?

Can't you tell me?

It's not over yet.

All this food...

I feel like
such a fool.

Our little
wedding breakfast.

Good-bye, Lew.

Bye.

Aren't you gonna
wish me luck?

Just an infinitely
lingering disease.

Hello, Albert.

Hello.

Anything new
on Sampson?

No, but we know who
the murdered man is.

I copied down the high points
of his record.

Name... Eddie Rossiter.

Usual truancy stuff,

worked his way up
to car thief...

Boy,
that's a colorful one.

Then narcotics,

arrested with sister
Betty Rossiter

by the narcotics bureau.

After he got out...

Hey, Lew baby.

How are you,
beauty?

Top of the morning.

Where does he live?

Guest house
in the back.

Uh-oh.

The sheriff is a bit putout
with your behavior.

He feels you haven't
quite, uh,

let him in
on everything.

Okay, where did you go
after you left my man

dangling
at the corner bar?

I was looking
for Sampson.

A half a million
in cash missing,

and you were looking
for Sampson.

Wait a minute,

you expect me to take
your word for that?

I don't care whether you
take my word or not, baby.

I'm not working for you.

You know, if I wanted
to be ugly...

You are ugly.

Does he know who
he's talking to?

Yeah. A sheriff with

a tough case
on his hands

and no ideas
in his head.

Well, if you'd come on
like a human being,

instead of
a leaded toy soldier,

I might have given you
a couple right off,

such as
Betty Fraley.

Put out
a state-wide alarm.

She works
at the piano.

And put her down for
suspicion of murder

of Eddie Rossiter.

And you can put out
another alarm

for Dwight Troy,
Fay Estabrook,

and a religious
nut named Claude,

for smuggling in
immigrant workers,

by using Sampson's
temple in the clouds

and they just
dropped a bunch

last night
in Bakersfield.

Oh, and don't bother
thanking me,

'cause I'm just
a law-abiding citizen

doing his duty.

Are you sure
of all that?

Sure of some of it.
Better give king Kong a hand.

What are you going
to be doing?

I'm going to crack
this thing, Albert.

I swear to ya.
It's going to be laid out.

Lew, baby.

Top of the morning.

Hey, what happened
to you?

She was a big girl.

You're a jazz buff,
aren't ya?

Oh, some kinds.
Not all.

What can I do
for you?

You're very polite.
What you really mean is,

what the hell am I doing
snooping around.

My shirt's not as neat
as it might be.

And I thought
I might borrow one from you.

Help yourself.
You want a beer?

Yeah.

You really believe
that's why I came here?

Sure.

Well, don't.

What I'm trying to do

is to tie you and Rossiter
and that Fraley broad

in on the kidnapping.

Are you kidding?

I don't know
what you're on,

but I'd like to get
some of it.

Eddie Rossiter phoned
you in las Vegas.

You told him when
Sampson was coming to L.A.

You probably told him
to rent a limousine.

The next day you got
Sampson plastered,

which isn't hard.

When he phoned
the Bel air,

you cancelled the call,

phoned for Eddie
to pick him up instead.

The cancelled call's
important, buddy...

'Cause you're
the only one who knew

that Sampson
was calling the Bel air.

Go ahead...

Give me your
Sampson imitation.

I'll bet you
it's pretty good.

Lew,

I'm on your side.

Who saved you
at the piano?

Yeah, you did,

temporarily
to throw me off the track.

It worked, too.

When you took a potshot
at that truck,

I put it down
to enthusiasm.

What you
were really doing

was warning
Rossiter to take off.

Are you saying all this

because I got
a couple of records?

You know, there's
hundreds of people

with records
of Betty Fraley.

First day I met you,

you said
you had a real woman.

Is that it?

I don't even
know her.

I never saw her
before in my life.

Were you seen a lot together?
I can check.

So check.
I mean, look sure,

I've been to the joint
a couple of times.

Just to hear her
I dig the way she plays.

But I don't
know her, Lew.

I don't. Honestly.

Okay, kid.
I believe you.

Ah, this mess has got me
crawlin' up the walls.

I'm just grabbing at anything.

But I had to pressure
you, you understand?

Sure.

Heh heh, I mean,
just for starters,

you know, the idea of you
and that Fraley broad...

I know a little something
about human nature,

and... you two
just don't cut it

as couple of the week.

This one okay?

Yeah.

She's a perverted,
no-talent junkie.

A prime nympho
on top of that.

The night I was there,

she was all over me
like a tent.

Not just me
but everybody in sight.

She swings in any direction.

She's a blemish
come to life, that one.

Can you believe
that something as rancid

as her was once a baby?

You know, if we had
the right contacts,

you could make a lot
of loot of her,

book her into all
the best freak shows.

'Course we'd only
let her be seen at night.

We wouldn't want to have
little kids looking at her.

Right, beauty?

I've seen
pigs in my day,

but can you imagine
what it'd be like

touching something
like that?

Ugh!

Like cozying up
to a piece of fungus

like what crawls out
from under a rock.

First chick I ever met

that was
a human disaster area.

They ought
to truck her back to...

You can be very cruel,
you know that?

What Betty
and I have together,

you'd never understand.

But that doesn't give
you the right

to Sully it either.

If you think
she's Aphrodite,

that's your business,
beauty.

All I want is Sampson
if he's still alive.

He is...
So far.

Then give him to me.
That's all I was hired for.

Take the money.
I won't talk, I mean it.

Killing me
gets you nothing.

Wrong, baby.

It guarantees me
freedom of action.

In this state,
it guarantees you

death by gas.

What kind of freedom
you gonna have

running with an addict
on your back?

Nobody's running.

We'll be sitting
very happily at castle beach

in our lovely little
cottage by the sea

while everybody thinks
we're running.

You can have
your lousy little cottage.

All I want is Sampson.

Top of the morning.

He was in on
the kidnapping,

he and that Fraley broad.

She was in love with him.

Do you know that I almost
stopped off in the kitchen

for a glass of water.

How could you
get caught like that?

Well, I guess I hoped
he wasn't involved.

You better get
the sheriff in on this

if he's still around.

Come on.

I wonder how Miranda's
going to take that.

Well, there's
a strong chance

she won't see
the way it was...

Really was.

I'm wondering
if, uh...

What, you want me
to tell her?

Well, I know it isn't
strictly within your province...

You got a big nerve
asking favors like that.

What have you done
for me lately?

Mrs. Sampson?

I've got some moderately
good news for you.

I have reason to believe
your father's still alive.

How do you know?

I just spoke to one
of the kidnappers.

He's dead now.

His name was
Allan Taggert.

You killed him?

He was trying
to kill me.

Albert got him.

Allan was so beautiful.

Typecast
for the hero.

You keep getting fooled
by appearances.

Go ahead.
Let it out.

Why don't you shut up?

Fooled by appearances?

I'm the grieving
daughter, right?

Not right.

I don't give a damn
about my father.

I never did.

He's a terrible man,

and whatever he gets,
he deserves.

Yesterday
when the note came,

I realized I didn't care
about anything,

and that means
I'm just like my stepmother.

So I thought, "you better
quick run and hide, Miranda",

"before everyone discovers

what a horrid
little girl you are."

Albert...

Do you think
I'm horrid, Albert?

Horrid?

No-o-o. No.

Why,
certainly not.

Why, quite
the contrary.

Actually, as
a matter of fact...

Hey?

Castle beach,
right?

Yeah.

Got a road that
runs down by the ocean?

Uh, yes, sir.

You house-hunting?

More or less.

Well, you go down here

and you take your first
left at the light.

Go down to the ocean.

It starts right there
and goes all the way.

Thanks.

Aah! No!

Oh, no!

Aah!

No! No! No!

Oh, God. Oh, g...

Oh...

Betty.

Honey.

What?

I simply cannot
fathom

your lack
of cooperation.

Betty, tell him.
Please tell him.

It's no use with him.
Tell him!

You and Eddie.

Very devious,
you know. Very devious.

Oh...

You know by now,

along
with my friends here,

that I enjoy
inflicting pain...

As well as I know

that you do not enjoy
enduring it,

so I think the sensible
thing for you

would just be to tell me
where the money is.

Well, then I must warn you,

this... last little trick
is gorgeously unendurable.

Aah!

Aah! No!

Aah! Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah! Aah!

No. The...

The locker...
In the frozen meat place.

The key's in
that black shell... oh...

Thank you very kindly,
Betty.

You killed him
in cold blood!

If you don't
stop yelling,

I'm gonna kill you.

You remember this,
don't you, buddy boy?

This?

I'll give you
everything...

I'll give you
everything I have.

It's a rich choice.
I'll take your shoes.

What?

Aah! Uh, here.

What?

Get in there.

Can you walk?

Maybe.

Oh...

Come on with me.

Fay will get out.

A fat, barefoot
alcoholic?

Sure she will.

I'm still looking
for Sampson.

Where is he?

I'll tell you
what I think.

You got the key
to the locker,

so you can have the money.

But I know
where Sampson is,

and that's
going to buy me

my one last ticket
for happiness.

Right?

Well, the happiness
market's crashed, baby.

Taggert's dead.

Now where's Sampson?

No.

You're just trying
to get me to talk.

You're right. I'm trying
to get you to talk.

But I'm not lying
about Taggert.

He's dead.

Now, you recognize
his gun, don't you?

Oh...

Oh...

The far side
of Santa Theresa.

The old section
of the pier.

There's
a deserted tanker.

Sampson's
in the first cabin

behind the engine room.

Just rest your feet, honey.
Don't go anyplace.

Albert?

Put on your skates,
buddy boy.

Yeah.

The old pier.

He's in an abandoned tanker
down there. Meet me.

You got that?
Yeah.

Think you'll be able
to find it?

I'll try.

Oh, listen, you better
call sheriff spanner.

Yeah. Have him go down

to the end
of castle beach road.

Lovely little cottage
down there

with a white Merc
and a blue T-bird.

That's on the outside.

On the inside, there's
a couple of guys

who are pretty badly
chewed up.

Better get down there
with an ambulance.

Yeah. Well, listen, buddy,
with a little luck,

we'll all be bombed
by suppertime.

What?

Stoned by suppertime!

Did you kill Allan?

No.

He was trying
to kill me.

Don't I wish he had.

You know, I could feel
a lot of sympathy

for someone as tenderhearted
as you, Betty,

except
I keep remembering

that you killed
your brother last night.

Shot him in the head.

Yeah.
My own baby brother.

I brought him up.

I taught him about music.

He taught me
about cars and...

Narcotics?

He fingered me
as a user.

Eddie never knew
I knew he fingered me,

but I always swore
I'd get him.

I got him.

You sucked Taggert in

'cause you needed
someone on the inside

for the kidnapping.

No.

No. We loved each other.
We cared.

Allan and me, we...

We needed money
so we could be together.

Hell, I don't buy
love's old sweet song

from you, Betty.

Yeah, well, it's true.

You're jealous.

Everybody was jealous
of Allan and me.

Were you there
when he died?

I bet he died...

Oh, I bet he...

His last words
were about me.

I bet he died
saying my name.

Tell me.

The truth, now.

Tell me.

Yeah, you're right.
I am jealous.

He died
saying your name.

Don't you think
I knew that?

Mr. Sampson.

Albert?

Albert.

Lew!

Lew, it's me!

Lew?

Lew?

It's Albert.

Oh...

What happened?

Oh,
the same old thing.

You going
to be alright?

Yeah.

Somebody must have been
guarding Sampson.

Our fourth man,
he really suckered me.

What kept you?

I just knew
you were going to ask that.

I couldn't
find this silly tug.

I've been in one boat
after another.

I was looking
for your car.

Sorry, Lew.

It's not there now?

No.
That's what threw me.

I didn't see it,
anyway.

Well, the guy
that mugged me

did the same thing
I did...

He just hot-wired
the ignition

and took off with Betty.

I wonder if they
took off with Sampson.

I better check everything.
Come on.

Oh...

You want to check
down there?

That's Sampson,
isn't it?

Yeah.

Well, you did
all you could.

No, if you did all you could
and you did it right,

it wouldn't have
to end this way.

Give me your car key.

Where are you going?

After Betty Fraley.

What about Sampson?

The cops will want him
just the way he is.

Come on.
Move it, move it!

How do you know
which way she went?

I know
the ransom money's

in a frozen food locker
south of here.

Well, then why are we going
in the opposite direction?

She'd want to get
as far as she can

from that money.

I got the key
to the locker.

Well, if catch her on this road,
it'll be sheer luck.

I haven't
changed spark plugs

in my crate
for 30,000 miles.

I'll catch her.

Aah!

It was pretty bad.

Uh, we found him this
afternoon, Mrs. Sampson.

Albert was there.
He identified him.

Well...

I'm sorry, Mrs. Sampson,

but, uh...

Your husband is dead.

Oh,
that's terrible.

Terrible.

Miranda.

Yeah, well, listen,

you'd better tell Miranda

I'll be there
as soon as I can.

Ralph didn't have
an enemy in the world.

He was
such a good man.

Gentle, kind.

Wouldn't
hurt a fly.

Hang this up, will you?

Miranda!

Miranda!

Mommy has something
to tell you.

Where to now?

The money.

Where now?

The grieving widow.

Sheriff spanner
seemed very confident

he'd pick up
the fourth man.

Alright?

What? I'm sorry.
I wasn't listening.

The fourth man...
The one who hit you

and got Sampson.

Spanner says there's
a waiter at the piano

who hasn't shown up
for a couple of days.

An albino.

He's the fourth man,
the albino.

Spanner says he won't
be hard to find.

What fourth man?

You're the fourth man,
fink.

You think
I kidnapped Sampson?

No, but you killed him.

What do you think
was killing me

when I got down
to that wreck?

There wasn't
any fourth man, Albert.

She took off in that car
by herself.

She hot-wired the ignition.

No strain to her.

She was taught by her brother
the car thief.

Ah, well, who cares?

Who cares?

This is what nailed you.

Really nailed you.

Do you think

a member of a kidnap gang
would deck me?

And then,
with $500,000 at stake,

he wouldn't search me
for the key,

and Betty
wouldn't tell him?

Ah, no.

No. You killed him,
Albert.

That's a 2 and 2 is 4.

What I don't know is why.

As a lawyer, I have
to caution you that

your proof is pretty
insubstantial.

Well, proving it's
not my job.

I'll be perfectly safe
in court of law.

This ain't a court of law,

just a couple of buddies out
for an evening spin,

discussing the events
of the day.

Only don't lie to me,
Albert.

I mean, lying
is for other people.

Okay?

Come on.

Well, I don't know why,
actually.

Not in any concrete way.

I hadn't intended to.

Nothing... premeditated.

But when I found him...

And was faced
with the prospect

of setting him free...

It just... suddenly
seemed for the best

that he die.

When it
came to cruelty,

he could be
incredibly versatile.

With anybody...

His wife, daughter,

a stranger
in the street.

When he found out how
I felt about Miranda,

he pushed us together.

He never would have
let me marry her,

never in this world.

Just laughs
for the client,

that's all
I was supplying.

And then today,

when she put her arms
around me,

and I felt the texture
of her skin...

Well...

Perhaps I killed him
for a kiss, I don't know.

But I do know

that his passing
will not be the cause

for universal mourning.

Going to turn me in?

Got no other choice,
buddy boy.

You don't have to.

Got a better friend
than me?

I haven't got
many friends, Albert,

but none
better than you.

He was scum, Lew.
I swear it.

Well...

You know,

when we first met,

you were gonna...
Push your way

all the way up
to be governor

of this great and powerful
state of California.

It was a pretty nasty

and... terminal thing
you did to Sampson.

Do governor-type people
do that today?

Jeez, it makes you
stop and wonder.

And you were going
to push your way up

to being the greatest
defender of justice

that the great
and powerful

state of California
ever had.

Huh?

How does it feel

to be popping
your flash bulbs

in dirty
little motel rooms,

spying
on the cheaters?

Yeah.

Well...

Things just don't turn out
the way we plan, do they?

You were hired
by a bitch to find scum.

Yeah. Every time I hope

it's going to be
prince charming

sending me out
to scout out Cinderella.

Oh, yeah.

Boy, I had a total

of about 8 pretty disgusting
months last year,

but then I had
5 or 6 good weeks.

Let me tell you
something.

I mean, it's something
that you won't understand

and Susan
sure as hell won't,

but...

Those 5 or 6 weeks...

I really felt alive.

So all I can do, Albert,

is just do the dirty job
all the way down the line.

Well, I understand

why you have
to turn me in.

Do you understand
why I can't let you?

Oh, yeah.
You still got the gun?

Mm-hmm.

Well, then,
you'd better use it

before I hit that door.

Well, the way I feel now,

if I never
make it to that door,

it won't be the worst thing
that ever happened to me.

So long, Albert.

Aw, hell.

Aw, hell.