Original subtitles

What's happenin'?

Well, I want to go over to my place

and start, you know, gettin' it on,

because I'm just tired of this song, you know?

I was terrible.

Yeah. Did you ever take ballet?

Weak ankles. Do you have a quarter for them?

What about me?

You'll see.

A lot of fun you are.

You're supposed to tease me. Give me hints.

Make me guess.

Oh look, that's terrible.

He's not hurting anyone.

Neither are we.

Oh, God.

Every time I see one of those old guys,

I always think the same thing.

What do you think?

I always think that he was once somebody's baby boy.

I do. I think

he was once somebody's baby boy.

And he had a mother and a father who loved him.

And now there he is, half dead on a park bench.

Where are his mother and his father and all his uncles now?

Anyway, that's what I always think.

How's he doing up there?

I always think how when they had the--

Well, we're getting better than 40%.

How about the second position?

It's not so good.

I've got to get in to J.M.'s

and get some shopping done.

Whoa-ho, what have we here?

Okay, come on, you little babies, now wet your lips there.

All right, give me some tongue.

Just give me a little tongue there.

Come on.

Come on, just a little tongue. that's nice.

A nice wet French kiss now. Come on, a nice wet one there.

Come on, come on, pay attention to your recording.

She's coming in loud and clear.

Look, Mark, do you see him?

The man with the hearing aid like Charles.

No. Where?

Right there with the shopping bag.

Well, that's it for Paul. They spotted him.

Give me the phones.

He's been following us all along,

he's following us close.

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

We're spending too much time together here.

No, let's stay just a little longer.

- I got burned, Harry. - Yeah, yeah.

- She looked at me. - Yeah, yeah, I know. We heard.

Oh, did we hear.

What do you think?

I got some good pieces-- 25%.

Oh yeah?

Listen, Paul, I'll call you in a couple days

if I need you again, okay?

Hey, Paul, you going to the convention tomorrow?

You bet. Hey, how about you, Harry?

Yeah, maybe.

Throw the party like we did two years ago, huh?

Huh? Hey, Stan?

- I'll see ya. - Okay.

Here, here.

He's a nice guy for a cop.

You go. I'll stay here awhile.

Who's interested in these two anyway?

I don't know for sure.

- The justice department? - I don't know.

I figure it must be the "infernal" revenue.

Their tapes always put me to sleep.

Since when are you here to be entertained? Here.

Sometimes it's nice to know what they're talking about.

I don't care what they're talking about.

All I want is a nice fat recording.

Hello, Mr. Caul.

And happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Harry.

Happy birthday.

Hello?

Miss Evangelista?

Yes, this is Harry Caul From upstairs.

Yes.

Well, thank you very much. Thank you.

Yes. Well, you're-- You're really very nice.

Yes.

Uh, but-- I know.

Uh, yes. I found it. Yes.

But what I wanted to talk to you about was:

how did you put it in the apartment?

Right.

Well, what about the alarm?

Oh you did, huh?

Well, yes. I thought I had the only key.

Well, what emergency could possibly--

All right. Yes.

See, I would be perfectly happy

to have all my personal things burned up in a fire

because I don't have anything personal--

Nothing of value.

No, nothing personal except my keys, you see?

Yes, which I really would like to have the only copy of,

Miss Evangelista.

Miss Evangelista, how did you know it was my birthday?

No, I don't remember telling you.

Would you like to take a guess how old I am?

44.

Well, that's a very good guess.

Miss Evangelista, as of today

my mail will go to a post-office box with a combination on it

and-- and no keys.

Goodbye.

Hey, Harry.

'Morning.

Man, there's an article in here about the convention.

- It mentions your name. - Oh yeah?

Yeah, you're one of the notables that's going tomorrow night.

Did you know that?

Yeah, I told them I'd be there.

Listen to this here.

"Among those preeminent in the field

expected to attend

are Hal Lipsit and Harry Caul from San Francisco.

Uh, Kenneth Spary will speak on surveillance and the law."

Wait a minute. Listen to this.

Where the hell is it?

"Also attending will be William P. Moran of Detroit, Michigan."

Since when did William P. Moran of Detroit, Michigan,

become preeminent in the field?

Oh, he's very big there. You want some coffee?

He's the guy that told Chrysler

that Cadillac was getting rid of its fins.

That was a while ago, but it was a big thing at the time.

December 2nd, 1:00 PM,

shopping bag, unit A.

December 2nd, 1:00 PM, parabolic, unit B.

December 2nd, 1:00 PM,

City of Paris, unit C.

I don't know what I'm gonna get him for Christmas yet.

He's already got everything.

He doesn't need anything anymore.

Well, I haven't decided what I'm gonna get you yet.

get him for Christmas yet.

He's already got everything.

He doesn't need anything anymore.

Well, I haven't decided what I'm gonna get you yet.

You'd better start looking.

What about me?

You'll see.

Lot of fun you are.

You're supposed to tease me-- give me hints, make me guess.

you know?

Does it bother you?

What?

Walking around in circles.

Oh look, that's terrible.

He's not hurting anyone.

Neither are we.

Oh god.

Every time I see one...

What do you think?

Every time I see one

of those old boys,

I always think the same thing.

What do you think?

I always think that he was once somebody's baby boy.

Really, I-- I do.

I think he was once somebody's baby boy

and he had a mother and a father who loved him

and now there he is, half dead on a park bench.

And where are his mother and his father and all his uncles now?

Anyway, that's what I always think.

I always think how when they had the newspaper strike

in New York, more of those old guys died.

Good afternoon. May I help you?

Uh, yes, extension 746, please.

One moment, please.

Director's office.

Yes, this is Mr. Caul. And--

I have the material and I'm calling for an appointment.

I'm sorry. The director has already left for the day.

We'll call you back tomorrow morning.

May I have your telephone number, please?

No, no, I'm in a pay phone.

And I don't have a home telephone.

Hold on one moment, please.

- Mr. Caul? - Ye-- yes .

2:30, tomorrow afternoon.

2:30 in the afternoon? Is that payment in full?

Whatever was arranged.

Okay. Thank you very much. I'll be there.

- Harry? - Hello, Amy.

I didn't think you were coming.

I brought some wine,

Um, someone gave me as a birthday present.

I didn't know it was your birthday.

- Do you want some? - Yeah, I do.

How old are you now, Harry?

42.

Sweet.

Does something special happen between us on your birthday?

Like what?

Something personal.

What?

Like, um,

telling me about yourself-- a secret.

I don't have any secrets.

I'm your secret.

You do have secrets, Harry. I know you do.

I know you do.

Sometimes you come over here and you don't tell me.

You know? Once I saw you up by the staircase hiding

and watching

for a whole hour.

You think you're gonna catch me at something.

You know? I know when you come over.

I can always tell.

You have a certain way of opening up the door.

You know, first the key goes in real quiet

and then the door comes open real fast.

It's like you think you're gonna catch me at something.

Sometimes I even think you're listening to me

when I'm talking on the telephone.

What are you talking about?

I don't know. I just feel it.

Really I do.

Why are you singing that?

It's pretty.

- What's the matter? - Nothing.

It's just that

somebody else was singing that today.

- A girl? - Yes.

- Who was she? - No, no, no, it isn't--

- I'm jealous. - No.

It's just somebody at work.

She, uh...

She reminded me of you.

Where do you work, Harry?

Oh, different places, different jobs, you know?

I'm kind of a musician, you see?

A free-- freelance musician.

Where do you live?

I mean, why can't I call you over there?

'Cause I don't have-- I don't have a telephone.

Do you live alone?

Why are you asking me all these questions?

Because of your birthday.

I don't like people asking me a lot of questions.

I want to know you.

Yes, I live alone.

I don't feel like answering any more questions.

Your rent is due.

Here's the money for it.

You never used to ask a lot of questions.

Harry,

I was so happy when you came over tonight.

When I heard you open up the door,

my toes were dancing under the covers.

But I don't think I'm gonna wait for you anymore.

I have a package for the director.

All right, I'll take it.

No, I'm supposed to hand it to him personally.

I have an appointment.

- Are you Mr. Caul? - Yes, I am.

A Mr. Caul is here.

All right, make yourself comfortable.

The director's assistant will be right down.

There's some nice Christmas cookies there I made.

You want one?

They're good.

No, thanks.

What do you see?

Here's your money-- $15,000 cash, as you asked.

And these are our tapes?

I had an arrangement with the director.

I was to give those to him, you see, personally.

I understand.

But he's not here this afternoon.

As a matter of fact, he's out of the country.

And he asked me to get the tapes from you and give you the money.

I guess I can just wait on this.

Now look, don't get involved in this, Mr. Caul.

Those tapes are dangerous.

You heard them. You know what I mean.

Someone may get hurt.

Mr. Caul, be careful.

His father was a-- was a lawyer...

Excuse me.

What about me?

You'll see.

A lot of fun you are.

Who started this conversation anyhow?

You did.

Did not.

Yes you did. You just don't remember it.

Pretend like I just told you a joke.

Does it bother you?

What?

Walking around in circles.

Oh look,

that's terrible.

He's not hurting anyone.

Neither are we.

Oh God.

Every time I see one of those old guys,

I always think the same thing.

What do you think?

Yeah, what do you think?

I always think that he was once some--

Hey, Harry, what do you say we take a break?

Come on, we'll go to Al's Trans Bay.

I'll buy you a beer, huh? How about that?

No, I want to finish this.

I thought you turned those tapes in?

Stan, be quiet, will you?

All right, all right.

Do you think we can do this?

I'm tired of drinking anyhow.

What a stupid conversation.

Stan, please, I'm trying to work.

I'm tired of mostly everything.

Tired of me?

Tired of you, but not today.

What the hell are they

talking about, for Christ's sakes?

Stanley, please, I'm trying to get this done.

All right. Don't get excited.

Well, I'm getting fed up.

About what?

About your asking me questions all day long.

- Jesus. - Don't say that.

For Christ's sakes--

Stan, don't say that again.

Please don't use that word in vain. It bothers me.

What's the matter, Harry?

Your work's getting sloppy.

Later in the week,

Sunday maybe.

Sunday definitely.

I mean, we'd have a much better track here

if you'd paid more attention to the recording

and less attention to what they were talking about.

I can't see why a couple of questions

about what the hell is going on

can get you so out of joint.

'Cause I can't sit here

and explain the personal problems of my clients.

Jack Tar Hotel,

3:00,

room 773.

Harry, if you'd fill me in a little bit once in a while--

- Did you ever think of that? - It has nothing to do with me.

Even less to do with you.

It's curiosity. did you ever hear of that?

It's goddamn human nature.

Listen, if there's one sure-fire rule

that I have learned in this business,

It's that I don't know anything about human nature.

I don't know anything about curiosity.

I don't-- that's not part of what I do.

What I-- This is my business. And when I'm...

I'll see you later.

I think he's been recording my telephone.

I love you.

We're spending too much time together here.

No, let's stay just a little longer.

I think he's been recording my telephone.

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

It's been three months since my last confession.

I--

These are my sins:

I've taken the Lord's name in vain

on several occasions;

On a number of occasions, I've taken newspapers

From the racks without paying for them;

I've...

Deliberately taken pleasure in impure thoughts;

I've been involved in some work

that I think--

think could be used to hurt these two young people.

This has happened to me before.

People were hurt because of my work.

I'm afraid it could happen again.

And I-- I was in no way responsible.

I'm not responsible.

For these and all my sins in my past life,

I'm heartily sorry.

Hi. Can I help you?

Well, you could explain your system to me.

Mr. Caul, I'm Jim Storey.

- How do you do? Let's see. - Come in and...

Take a look here at the system.

This is for the surveillance

of telephone communication systems.

I see.

...is now available.

This is the new L.T. 500.

If you're in surveillance, you belong

into the L.T. 500.

From here,

you hear the sounds here...

...and know exactly which door has been violated.

And you get your local alarms on the doors,

which I'm sure you've heard is quite noisy.

It has a super 8mm camera in here

and a dot right through here-- the 10:00 dot--

will show exactly what the camera sees on the back.

It's a magazine-loaded camera, super 8mm...

William P Moran--

William P Moran of Detroit, Michigan,

house courtesy telephone, please.

Got your automatic recorder actuator.

It undetectably starts a recorder

when the phone is lifted

and shuts it off when the receiver is put back.

- What? - It's real nice, you know.

It's not your old-fashioned voice actuator,

you know, always starting the recorder

when nobody was talking

or shutting it off in the middle of an important conversation.

Is it anything like the Moran actuator?

The Moran E27 is a copy.

I won't let him even smell my equipment anymore.

You in surveillance?

Law enforcement or private operator?

Private.

You mind if I take your name and address

for our mailing list?

"Harry Caul" --

Harry Caul?

I didn't recognize you.

Say, I wonder, will you take a model 5-10E,

free of charge, just to test it?

Say in return that we can print in our flyer that you use it?

I build all my own equipment. Thank you.

Maybe we could take a picture of-- of you holding it?

Or take a picture of you in front of our booth?

It'll be a great honor for specter.

...may be affixed to the subject's automobile.

Slide.

And will transmit a pulsating tone signal.

Slide. Which is highly detectible.

- Harry. Good to see you. - Good to see you.

- Beautiful suit. - You like it?

It's French.

Let's go get a drink and talk.

Guy's a bore. Not a laugh in the whole room.

The T.A.-30

may be installed and concealed

under the dash in a matter of seconds.

Hey come on, there's somebody over here I want you to meet--

A competitor.

- Hey, Bernie old buddy? - Yeah, Paulie, what's up?

This is Harry Caul.

- William P. Moran. - Harry Caul. My pleasure.

My friends call me Bernie. I've heard a lot about you.

Thank you.

Bernie just moved in from Detroit.

He's the fellow that let Chrysler know

that Cadillac was discontinuing its fins.

That's right, I heard.

Harry Caul, you're a tough man to get ahold of.

I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time.

Hey, can you take five? we'll get a drink.

Yeah, maybe in a couple of minutes. Honey?

Honey sweetheart, showtime, right?

I'd appreciate it if you stuck around

for a demonstration, Harry.

Um, ladies and gentlemen!

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here

is a Moran S15 harmonica tap.

This electronic model can be installed

in a matter of two minutes.

You notice here it has its own nickel-cadmium power source...

...so it cannot be detected

on the line.

Once installed, it can be phoned

from any telephone in the world--

Singapore, Karachi, even Moscow.

I say Moscow 'cause you looked a little Russian there,

sir, with the beard.

You just dial the target's phone number,

pause before the last digit,

blow the harmonica tone into the phone,

press the last digit.

The phone will not ring in the target's house.

Instead the receiver will be turned

into an actual room microphone,

Thus enabling surveillance to take place.

And now by way of an actual demonstration,

we've installed one of these units in my very own home.

I will now dial that number.

Here.

I pause before the last digit.

Harmonica.

I dial the last digit.

You will note the phone does not ring.

- Can we get away? - I don't know.

Maybe I can.

Where's your husband?

He's out at a convention.

When will he be back?

Not till late.

April fool. Just a little joke, folks.

It shows you the possibilities of the Moran S15.

Larry Peterson Burns...

Thank you. The demonstration is concluded.

I'd like you to take a little literature with you on your way.

Well, what'd you think of that? How'd you like it?

That's a good item.

It's good for the catalogue suckers, huh?

Here you go, Harry, have a free pen.

- You too, Paulie. - I'd rather have a free drink.

Hey, me too. Wait a minute.

Wait, Stan-- Stanley? Stanley, do me a favor.

Huh? Come on. Mind the booth, all right?

Come on, that's what I pay you for.

Just a couple of minutes.

I just want to get a drink, all right?

Hi, Harry.

That's right. You two used to work together, huh?

See that son of a bitch sitting there? He stole my latest idea--

A lot of nice ladies around here tonight.

Say, how about that pastry? Can she come with us?

Come on, forget it. She's a part-time nun.

We'll get something--

Hey, Harry, where you going?

You guys go on without me. I'm going to talk to Stan.

We'll meet you later at the chrome-dome exhibit.

Don't be long, huh, Harry? Come on.

Since when do you work for Moran, Stanley?

Since yesterday.

Listen, that wasn't serious. It was just a stupid argument.

That wasn't it, Harry. It's just that I figure

it was time I move up, that's all.

You don't understand.

I don't want you telling anybody about my things.

Now that's not ethical.

There isn't all that much you ever let me in on, Harry.

- Maybe that's the problem. - Okay, all right.

Now I'll bring you along faster. I'll show you some of the stuff.

You won't show me anything. You'll keep it all to yourself.

You know damn well you will.

No really, understand, wait a while.

Will you think about it?

Don't do this to me now.

Somebody's following me.

Who?

I don't know.

It has something to do with the assignment last week.

I don't know what it's about, but I don't like it.

Okay. All right.

Okay. Thanks, Stan.

It's junk.

I'm sorry, but you have reached a disconnected number.

Will you please make sure you--

Information.

Uh, number for Amy Fredericks, please.

It's a new listing.

One moment, please.

Sir, I see no listing for an Amy Fredericks.

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

Take it easy. I'm just a messenger.

I brought you a drink.

I don't want your drink. Why are you following me?

I'm not following you; I'm looking for you.

It's a big difference.

How'd you know I was here?

It's a convention of wiretappers, isn't it?

Oh, excuse me, surveillance and security technicians.

- It was a snap. - Look, I'm telling you,

I'm not giving those tapes to anybody but the direct--

Yeah, I know what you told me, Mr. Caul.

All right. What's the message?

We want you to deliver the tapes on Sunday at 1:00.

The director will be there.

He'll accept the tapes from you in person.

You tell him I'll think about it.

Come on! Come on, let's go!

Lurleen, someone get in the back here.

And Stanley, get-- come on, Harry.

And what the hell are you doing?

I'm trying--

Come on, I'm trying to dress up for the party.

Hey, Bernie...

Hey, no, no, wait a minute. All the girls up front.

I think you take a right somewhere around here.

Whoa! Sons of bitches. Those smartasses.

Who the hell do they think they're tangling with?

Okay, easy, easy. Come on, we're gonna have a party.

Aw, he can drive, man.

Really, make him stop.

Oh relax, honey. Paul's the best tail man in the country.

Hey, Meredith, you hear that? Huh? Ha ha!

Ha ha.

Headquarters, 111.

I'm driving East on Lombard.

I'd like a Rolling 1028

On California 560...

Boy Adam Lincoln.

What are you calling for a 1028 for?

Thanks.

Hey, Willie Sanchez!

63654 14th Street, 162 lbs., 5'10" and a half,

Shithead!

You've got to be shitting me!

You want me to pick that lock for you, Harry?

Oh, it's freezing.

Oh boy, Harry.

Okay. All right, the bar is now open.

Thank you, thank you.

- Stanley? - Yes, sir?

How about a little music?

The man wants a little music.

Harry, you got a nice shop here.

You know, I was rereading "Dear Abby" the other night.

And there was this article and a letter

from a fellow called "lonely and anonymous."

I think it was Harry.

Hey.

Where's the club soda? We got any club soda?

Let me tell you something about Harry Caul.

There you go.

I know you've heard this 1,000 times, Harry,

but let me say it again:

here's to Harry, the best, bar none.

- I'll drink to that. - The best what?

The best bugger on the West Coast.

And who's the best bugger on the East Coast?

Me. I'll drink to that too, huh?

I'll bet you will.

I'll bet you will.

Ooh!

You know, it's really funny we never bumped into each other

in New York, Harry.

Why is that funny?

I don't know. we work in the same business, same city.

I figure we'd bump into each other.

Hey, I didn't know you came from New York, Harry.

- Yeah. - Are you kiddin'?

Harry's famous in New York.

You know, the only one I couldn't figure out though?

One what?

The welfare fund back in '68.

How'd you know about that?

Everybody in the biz knew about it.

But nobody knows how you did it though, Harry.

- How'd you do it, Harry? - Harry?

10¢ a dance.

Come on!

You all right?

- Did you hurt yourself? - No, don't worry about my head.

It happens all the time.

In fact, when I was a little baby,

I used to love to bang my head up against the wall.

No really, I did.

Sometimes I still feel like doing it

because it's comforting.

You know, I tapped my first telephone

when I was 12 years old, Harry.

I mean, that's a fact-- 12 years old.

It was the hallway pay phone right in the tenement,

right where I lived.

Everybody in the building--

for six months they didn't know who it was.

My father-- my father, he was proud as hell.

He was beaming.

Yeah, boy. "That Bernie's got a real brain," he said.

From then on it's been all uphill, Harry.

I mean I got contacts now you wouldn't believe.

- Well, bring him over. - Bad thing, honey.

Take a cab over.

Nothing's sacred with you, is it, Harry?

Sure, the more the merrier! We'll be here all night.

I feel like I'm back in grammar--

All right.

Oh, old timer!

All right. What's the matter, Harry?

- Can't you take a-- - You are amateurs,

you know that?

When you gonna get a new scrambler, Harry?

This went out with the Trojan war.

Harry, come on. I want to hear all about you.

Where you from?

Really obsolete, you know that, Harry?

Harry got himself a girlfriend.

Hey, where you goin'? Watch out. Watch out, Harry.

- Watch out, come on. - Where are you from?

New York.

I used to live in New York.

Yes, first I worked as a receptionist

and then I got promoted to secretary.

And then I was promoted to Gal Friday

and special assistant to the boss. and then I married him.

Do you live far from here?

Harry?

You still married?

Oh, I don't know. Probably.

I mean, I don't know.

Last time I heard, he was--

Well, he was trying to scrape up enough money

to-- to buy another hardware store.

Mmm, yeah.

And I ended up back here in San Francisco unemployed,

which is the entire story of my life up until tonight.

Here's to you. Salud.

You don't like me very much, do you?

You don't want to talk to me or anything.

I didn't say that.

Something is on your mind. I wish you'd tell me.

I really do. I wish that--

I wish that you'd feel that you could talk to me

and-- and that we could be friends.

I mean, aside from all of this junk.

Would you, um--

Well, if you were a girl who waited for someone...

You can trust me.

I mean, you never really knew

when he was gonna come to see you.

You just lived in a room alone,

and you knew nothing about him.

And if you loved him and you were patient with him

and-- even though he didn't ever tell you

anything about himself personally...

Even though he may have loved you,

would you--

Would I what?

Well, would you--

Would you go back to him?

Well, how would I know--

How would I know that he loved me?

Yeah.

You'd have no way of knowing.

Hey, harry!

See, honey, you're safe.

Know something, Harry?

12 years ago, I recorded every telephone call

made by the presidential nominee of a major political party.

I don't want to say which party.

But everywhere he went, that's where I was.

Coast to coast, I was listening, Harry.

I'm not saying I elected the president of the United States,

But you can draw your own conclusions, Harry.

I mean, he lost.

Harry, tell him about the time

you put the bug in the parakeet.

Parakeet?

No kidding.

He actually-- Harry one time actually put a microphone

- in a little parakeet. - Is that right?

Parakeets don't happen to be my thing, Harry.

But I sure would like to know how you did the teamster local

- back in '68. - What was that?

What's the matter? Don't you get papers in Chicago, Miller?

Probably out on strike.

Yeah? It was all over the front pages.

Harry was working for the Attorney General's Office

at the time.

You didn't know I knew that, did you, Harry?

Anyway, the president of this teamster local

back east set up a phony welfare fund, right?

I mean, you correct me on the details, Harry.

I may be a little fuzzy on them.

There was only two people that seemed to know about it--

The President and his accountant.

And they only talked about it

on fishing trips that they went on.

On a private boat--

That was the only place they talked details.

And that boat was bug-proof.

I happen to know that for a fact, Harry.

They wouldn't even strike up a conversation

if there was another boat even on the horizon.

That didn't stop Harry though, did it?

No, he recorded everything.

Nobody knows how you did it though, Harry.

Caused a hell of a scandal too.

- Why? - Why?

No reason. Three people were murdered, that's all.

Harry's a bit too modest to tell us how he did it though.

It had nothing to do with me.

I mean, I just turned in the tapes.

President thought the accountant had talked.

Well, nobody really knows for sure.

No, that's right.

Three days later,

they found the accountant and his wife and kid.

They were all naked, tied up in their house--

hands and feet tied up with rope,

all the hair on their bodies shaved off.

Their heads were found in different places.

They killed them?

No, no, they gift-wrapped them.

Hey, cut it out, Bernie.

No, no, this is ancient history now, Harry.

How'd you do it?

What they do with the tapes are their own business.

That's the first time I heard about you, Harry.

Next thing I knew, you moved out of New York.

Had nothing to do with me.

Come on, Harry. Show and tell-- How'd you do it?

For god's sake, Harry, tell him.

Turn it off, Stan.

- What for? - Stan, turn it off!

They ought to hear this, Harry.

It's the best thing you've ever done.

What was that, Stan?

It's the assignment that Harry did this week.

- Gonna make history. - Oh yeah?

I'll bet you there's no moment between human beings

that I cannot record.

And there's no method that I cannot figure out, huh?

I could figure out any of Harry's schemes, right?

Well, come on, come on, try me.

Let me give him the assignment, Harry.

Yeah.

Come on.

Now this is a quad in the center of the city.

All right? Now these are steps coming in here.

Right? Benches all around.

Now it's 12:00 noon, which means that it's lunchtime

for all the people that work in these offices around here.

Okay, now people are walking, talking, having lunch.

- And it's crowded. - Naturally.

Come on, Stanley.

Okay, now two people

are constantly moving in circles in and out of the crowd, right?

We don't know whether they'll sit down or what.

They're convinced that they can't be recorded

because they're in a crowd and constantly moving.

Yet they're the target.

Now the assignment is to get everything they say.

How would you do it?

First of all, one system won't do it.

All right.

Hell, I could have told you that.

- Yeah, why didn't you? - Go on, figure it out.

Second of all, it's easy.

All you do is get to their clothes first.

You pre-rig their clothes, huh?

No, there's no way of telling what they're gonna be wearing.

You get somebody to bump into them then.

You just get a drunk or something-- bump into them.

You plant a pin mike on them.

They've been bugged before. It's too risky.

Ha ha. I got it.

You hire a lip-reader with binoculars.

No, the client wants their actual voice.

Why?

So he can believe it.

All right, all right. I'll figure it out.

I don't know. It must have been an expensive show, huh?

Who was so interested in them?

- Yeah, was it us? - Who's "us"?

- Federal government. - Private party.

It would take at least four passes.

- I did it in three. - Three?

That's very nice, Harry. What'd you use?

Three-stage directional microphones

with a MOSFET amplifier of my own design.

Then we got another 20% conventionally.

We just tailed 'em. Paul did it.

It was beautiful. It really was-- It was a work of art.

- There you go. - Hey.

You should have seen it though.

These new microphones are just incredible.

They really are. I could hardly believe it myself.

We were over 200 yards away

and it was absolutely readable-- everything.

I broke in a couple newsreel cameramen.

And you should have been there, Bernie. It was really--

What did they do?

Well, they took the crosshairs of the telescope

and they lined it up on the mouths of--

No, the boy and the girl. What did they do?

Oh, I don't know. But it was really beautiful--

Really something to see.

Yeah, sounds very pretty.

I'd like to take a look at that mike too.

There it is. Oop!

I always said we should be partners, Harry.

I mean, I always said you're the best, right?

That you and me together, that'd be tops.

All I need is a quick look

at some of your plans and devices, you know?

Just to-- just to get an idea.

I got all the manufacturing plants.

We could make a fortune selling stuff to Uncle Sam, Harry.

Listen, did you hear about the fag wiretapper

who could only tap a princess phone?

No.

Made that up yourself, huh?

That's pretty funny.

Excuse me, can I cut in?

He's got a hell of a sense of humor.

I'm talking about making millions.

He's making with the jokes.

- Come on! - Thanks a lot.

What do you say, Harry? Come on, how about--

How about going into partnership, Harry?

I could use a partner, so could you.

50/50-- How about it? Huh?

- I don't need anyone. - No, no.

Hey, hang it up, baby.

That's all right. I do pretty good on my own anyway.

You got to give credit where credit is due, right?

I mean, abracadabra, Harry.

See, I'm #2, Harry. I have to try harder.

What if you had a girl waiting for someone?

You can trust me.

Harry, that's you and me from when we were out there.

- What? - Oh shit.

Hey!

Moran Super P7 pen mike--

That's terrific! The bugger got bugged, huh?

He got you, Harry.

If you loved him and were patient with him

and-- even though he didn't ever tell you

anything about himself personally...

even though he may have loved you.

What do you say, Harry?

That is wild. When did you do that?

Hey, how do you like it, Harry? What do you think about it, huh?

Would you--

would you go back to him?

I think you'd better turn it off and get out.

Are you kidding? It's just a joke for Christ's sakes.

Uh, Bernie,

Harry don't like you to say "Christ's sakes."

Oh no? Well, I'm sorry, Harry. I apologize.

- Are you crazy too, Stanley? - Hey, Harry, what's wrong?

Come on, let's have a party here.

What do you say?

Paul, it's getting late.

Come on, take it easy.

Hey, Miller.

You know what these things cost, Harry?

This costs 1500 beans. Go on-- On the house, from me to you.

Very nice.

It was only a joke.

You ready?

This guy's got no sense of humor. He's on edge.

Paul?

Okay.

Forgot my bag.

Harry, I'm really sorry.

I didn't mean anything...

- Come on, Stan! - See you Monday, Harry.

You want us to turn the lights out?

'Night, Harry!

Yeah. Good night, Harry.

What do you think?

I don't know what I'm gonna get him for Christmas yet.

He's already got everything.

Harry, are you going to give me a hard time tonight?

Harry?

Harry!

Come on, come back.

Turn it off.

Does she seem frightened?

What does-- Does she seem frightened?

I don't know what I'm gonna get him for Christmas.

It's no ordinary conversation.

He doesn't need anything anymore.

It makes me feel...

I haven't decided what I'm gonna get you yet.

...something.

Forget it, Harry. It's only a trick.

What?

The job. You're not supposed to feel anything about it.

You're just supposed to do it.

That's all.

Relax, honey.

A lot of fun you are. You're supposed to tease me...

Relax.

...make me guess, you know.

Does it bother you?

What?

Walking around in circles.

Oh look, that's terrible.

He's not hurting anyone.

Come on.

Neither are we.

Oh God.

Oh god. Oh god, listen to the way she says "Oh God."

Come on.

Every time I see one of those old guys...

Come on, come on.

...I always think the same thing.

What do you think?

I always think that he was once

somebody's baby boy.

Really, I-- I do.

I think he was once somebody's baby boy

and he had a mother and a father who loved him

and now there he is, half dead on a park bench.

And where are his mother and his father and all his uncles now?

Anyway, that's what I always think.

I always think how when they had the newspaper strike

in New York, more of those old guys died.

50 of them froze to death in one night.

Just because there were no newspapers?

Really. Keeps them warm.

That's terrible.

Who started this conversation anyhow?

You did.

Did not.

Yes you did. You just don't remember it.

Pretend like I just told you a joke.

Where'd you hear that?

It's my secret.

Later in the week--

Sunday maybe.

Sunday definitely.

Jack Tar Hotel,

3:00,

room 773.

Look, Mark, do you see him?

The man with the hearing aid like Charles.

- No, where? - Right there

with the shopping bag.

He's been following us all along--

he's following us close.

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

Oh, angel.

It'll be so good to be finished with all this.

I love you.

It's all right, baby. It's all right.

We're spending too much time together here.

No, let's stay just a little longer.

"He'll kill us."

He'd kill them if he had a chance.

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

Oh God, what have I done?

I have to destroy the tapes.

I think he's been recording my telephone.

I can't let it happen again.

Listen.

Listen, I'd better get back there. It's almost 2:00.

- Please don't go... - It's true.

The family was murdered because of me.

I know.

I know, Harry.

Oh God, there's no protection.

I gotta get going.

I can hear them.

Bye, darling.

Wait, there's something in your eye.

I just wanted to kiss you.

I forgive you. I forgive you, darling.

I forgive you.

Listen! Listen, My name is Harry Caul.

Can you hear me?

Don't be afraid.

I-- I know you don't know who I am.

But I know you.

There isn't much to say about myself by...

Sick when I was a boy.

I was very sick when I was a boy.

I was paralyzed in my left arm and my left leg.

I couldn't walk for six months.

One doctor said that I'd probably never walk again.

My mother-- My mother used to lower me

into a hot bath-- It was therapy.

One time the doorbell rang. She went down to answer it.

I started sliding down.

I could feel the water--

Started to come up to my chin, to my nose.

And when I woke up, my body was all greasy

from the holy oil she put on my body.

I remember being disappointed I survived.

When I was five, uh,

My father introduced me to a friend of his

and for no reason at all,

I hit him right in the stomach with all my strength.

and he died a year later.

He'll kill you if he gets a chance.

I'm not afraid of death.

I am afraid of murder though.

Meredith?

Hey!

Bitch.

Good morning. May I help you?

Yes, extension 765, please.

One moment, please.

Director's office.

Yes, I'd like to speak to the director's assistant, please--

Mr. Stett, Mr. Martin Stett.

Mr. Caul is on the line.

One moment, please.

I'm sorry, that's impossible now. Can we get back to you?

No, I-- I have to talk to him.

Can we have your name again?

Caul.

Would you mind spelling that?

C-A-U-L, Caul.

I'm putting you on hold.

Wh-What--

Mr. Caul, we'll get right back to you.

No, wait, you don't have my telephone number.

Hello?

Yes?

Mr. Caul? This is Martin Stett.

How'd you get this phone number?

We prepare a full dossier on everyone

who comes in contact with the director.

You know that means we've been watching you.

We have the tapes. They're perfectly safe.

The director was very anxious to hear them as soon as possible

and you seem to be, I don't know, disturbed.

I couldn't take the chance that you might destroy our tapes.

You understand, don't you, Mr. Caul?

Our tapes have nothing to do with you.

Why don't you come over now and bring the photographs?

- Yes... - The director is here

and he's prepared to pay you in full.

Oh God.

Every time I see one of those old guys,

I always think the same thing.

What do you think?

I always think that he was once somebody's baby boy.

Really, I-- I do.

I think he was once somebody's baby boy

and he had a mother and a father who loved him

and now there he is, half dead on a park bench.

And where are his mother and his father and all his uncles now?

Anyway, that's what I always think.

I always think how when they had the newspaper strike

in New York, more of those old guys died.

50 of them froze to death in one night.

Just because there were no newspapers?

Really. Keeps them warm.

That's terrible.

Who started this conversation anyhow?

You did.

Did not.

Yes you did. You just don't remember it.

Oh Mark, it's all right. We can talk.

I can't stand it.

I can't stand it anymore.

You're going to make me cry.

I know, honey, I know. Me too.

No, don't.

God.

You want to hear that again?

You want it to be true!

No, I don't.

I just want you to know whatever you need to know.

That's all.

Your money's on the table.

Do you think we can do this?

I'm tired of drinking anyhow.

I'm tired of mostly everything.

Tired of me?

Tired of you, but not today.

Later in the week--

Sunday maybe.

Sunday definitely.

Jack Tar Hotel,

3:00,

room 773.

Look, Mark, do you see him?

The man with the hearing aid like Charles.

- No, where? - Right there

with the shopping bag.

Please count your money outside.

He's been following us all along--

he's following us close.

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

It'll be so good to be finished with all this.

I love you.

Here's the pictures you asked for.

We're spending too much time together here.

No, let's stay just a little longer.

What will you do to her?

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

I think he's been recording my telephone.

Listen. Listen,

I'd better get back. It's almost 2:00.

Oh no, please don't go back there,

not just yet.

All right. All right, I-- I won't.

15,000 bucks.

That's not bad for a day's work, is it, Mr. Caul?

What'll he do with them?

We'll see.

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

Later in the week--

Sunday maybe.

Sunday definitely.

Jack Tar Hotel,

3:00,

room 773.

I wonder if you could give me room 773?

773?

That is occupied, sir.

The rooms are all basically the same, however.

Do you have a room that would be adjoining-- close by?

Adjoining? Just-- Yes, I do.

You do?

I'm tired of this lying, all right?

I'm tired of lying!

I now, Mark, it's all right. We can talk.

I can't stand it.

I can't stand it anymore.

You're going to make me cry.

I know, honey, I know. Me too.

No, don't.

I have no idea what you're talking about! No idea.

This is all a waste of time. Don't you understand that?

No, I don't.

I love you.

I asked you to watch out for the bump.

Will you cut that out?

How can you yell at me like that?

And in my condition!

You're not really the father of my child.

Oh, what is this?

I'm just trying to act like Wilma.

Well, you're overdoing it.

All right, pull over.

What's the big rush?

I'm taking my wife to the hospital.

She's having a baby.

I gotta hand it to you, buddy--

you sure got intestinal fortitude.

You better sit down, Fred.

You're wearing a groove in the floor.

Look at Wilma out there.

How can she be so calm when she knows what I'm going through?

How are you, Fred?

How do you think I am?

This waiting, waiting, waiting is tough!

Betty, you go back out there and tell...

Wait, I-- Richard!

- I want to see the director. - He's not in today.

I'm afraid you'll have to leave now.

I--

Let's clear an aisle.

Let these people through and we can move on upstairs.

Clear the way here.

We'll answer your questions upstairs,

just let these people through.

Let these people through.

No pictures.

Do you suspect any foul play in the accident?

- No comments. - Please!

What about your corporate control?

Will your stock now give you control--

What kind of insurance do you have?

What's going to happen to the company?

Not very fair questions.

What do you think?

I don't know what I'm gonna get him for Christmas yet.

He's already got everything.

He doesn't need anything anymore.

Corporate control...

Do you anticipate any changes to the structure--

There's an enemy within the company?

- Please. - Foul play?

Is there any--

He's not hurting anyone.

Neither are we.

Oh God.

Did he have a history of drunk driving?

I can't stand it.

I can't stand it anymore.

Oh! Take it!

Take it!

Give it a break.

- Conference upstairs. - I want to know.

People, the conference is upstairs.

Do you think we can do this?

Later in the week--

Sunday maybe.

Sunday definitely.

Jack Tar Hotel,

3:00,

room 773.

He'd kill us if he got the chance.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

We know that you know, Mr. Caul.

For your own sake, don't get involved any further.

We'll be listening to you.