Original subtitles

(SINGING) Whenever I--

ANNOUNCER: Tonight on "Wiseguy."

She's dead in this business, Johnny.

You know that.

I'm sorry.

I can't help you without a price.

Dead Dog is on the block.

I'll cut you for it.

$20 million, Travis.

That's more money than you'll ever see again in your life.

How much of my soul do I have to sell, Vinnie?

None of it.

Diana, it's Cinderella time.

This is the moment.

We're presently preparing an album.

[theme music]

[music playing]

(SINGING) Whenever I collapse, whenever

I fold in your arms, that's when I know I'm holding you,

holding you within my grasp.

Whenever I--

Dead Dog Records.

Dead Dog.

I take two weeks vacation and come back to find the OCB

turned into American Bandstand.

Whose lame brained idea was it to get

us in the record business?

OCB had a confiscated jet.

Drug Enforcement needed it, and they had a confiscated record

company in their inventory.

So, McPike made the swap.

We've been snookered.

Where is McPike?

He had a week off.

I think he's in Nags Head, North Carolina.

He should be in Knuckle Head, North Carolina

for making this deal.

Why on Earth do we need to own a record company?

OCB has done an exemplary job of uncovering payola.

Paul, payola is an old tune.

What I'm interested in are cleans.

See this?

You know what this is?

This is cash money.

Only the government doesn't print it,

record companies do, by the millions.

Now let's say this CD here is Paul Beckstead's new hit

version of "Love Stinks."

OK?

Now the record company says that they're selling a million units

worldwide, but what they don't tell you is that they're

printing two million units and shipping the second million

out the back door.

Cash and carry to distributors all over the globe

and it never shows up on the books.

The performers and songwriters are swindled out of royalties.

The United States of America is fleeced out of taxable income.

And unprincipled businessmen line their pockets

at everybody else's expense.

How big is this racket?

Maybe half a billion a year.

That's a conservative estimate.

We have to own a record company to bust this up?

Well, I don't know that we can bust this up,

but you got to be perceived as a player to get in the game.

Go ahead, Mark.

Dead Dog Records, confiscated from a Colombian cocaine

kingpin who was smitten with show biz.

Assets, five-year lease on modest office space, $25,000

in cash, publishing catalog and masters worth an estimated

six million, one stretch limousine, and one master

recording of Diana Price's "Bright Side,"

value yet to be determined.

OCB has signed over sole ownership of Dead Dog

to Vinnie Terranova.

There is one unsalaried employee, Robert Travis.

20 years experience in the music business, no criminal record.

Why is he involved?

Because I don't speak the language, Paul.

Travis does.

I can learn from him.

He's smart, he's ambitious.

He does have a big mouth.

He tried to buy Dead Dog Records,

but he couldn't get the money together.

My first day setting up shop, he pushed his way into the office.

I couldn't get rid of the guy.

He set up the deal for Diana Price's song.

Cost, 60,000 of Dead Dog's money.

You mean OCB's money.

This is private enterprise, strictly

taboo for the federal government.

It's a sting, Paul.

You are duping Robert Travis and Diana Price.

You have the federal government manipulating private citizens.

Paul, will you please let me play this out?

I think I can discount the catalog and Diana's master

enough to sell the company along with me to a major label.

And Travis?

Well, he's part of the deal.

Once he's inside, he can hustle his own career.

Diana Price?

Well, she's playing piano at some dive in Jersey.

Her career couldn't get any worse.

I'm reluctant.

I want it, Paul.

You want it.

Yes, sir, I do.

You got it.

Oh.

Well, thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Uh, well, I got to rock.

I got a meeting with Isaac Twine, Chocolat Records.

Here you go, Mark.

Here you go, Paul.

What's this?

Yeah, I hope it's your size.

It's extra uptight.

[grunting]

Come on.

Thank you.

Bobby!

[laughs] Hey!

Ah, it's good to see you.

Oh, man!

Isaac Twine.

- Vinnie Terranova. - I know.

I know.

Oh, man!

I love a man with brass, you know?

I mean, anybody willing to put himself

and his money into a crapshoot business

like this has got my admiration.

Hey, sit down. - Thank you.

Can I get you a drink?

VINNIE: No, no, thanks.

- [inaudible] - Yeah?

Listen to Diana's tape?

What did you think?

Ugh, Bobby, that's such a long shot, you know?

But she's still got it.

Yeah, but does anybody still want it?

Oh, come on, man.

You know the kind of heat we can generate around Diana's return.

Maybe one day's worth of curiosity.

Maybe a Renaissance.

Oh, maybe, maybe.

Bobby, you only sent me one cut.

I don't even have a B-side to release it as a single.

I got to fill out nine more cuts to make an album?

What are we talking here, half a million dollars?

She's got fans out there.

Yeah, but her fans don't buy music.

Their children do.

Excuse me.

We have Johnny Medley set to produce.

Yeah.

Diana's voice is pure honey.

But I wouldn't even know how to promote

it without spending a fortune.

Oh, no, it's just too risky, man.

The album is not the only part of the deal, Mr. Twine.

Call me Isaac.

Hold on, hold on.

Come on, come on.

[grunting]

Yeah!

[laughs] Yeah!

Oh, baby, I love it!

[laughs] This will just take a second.

SECRETARY (ON PHONE): Mr. Newquay's office.

Isaac Twine.

SECRETARY (ON PHONE): One moment, Mr. Twine.

WINSTON (ON PHONE): Congratulations, Isaac.

I got you, Winston!

[laughs]

WINSTON (ON PHONE): Well, actually, this makes us even.

But being even with me is probably

a victory in your book.

See you tonight.

Oh, really.

[laughs] Mm!

Now, well, you see, I'm sorry, I can't help you without a price.

Dead Dog is on the block.

The publishing catalog?

All of it.

What's the deal?

Independent employment contracts

for Travis and me, completion of Diana Price's album,

the release and promotion of it, the catalogs and the masters,

4.5 for the whole package.

Now that is a bargain.

Well, that is certainly baked.

I'll cut you for it.

Excuse me?

I thought you were a gambling man.

All right.

How about double or nothing?

9 million?

Yeah, 9 million or free.

9 million.

I don't think so.

I thought you were a gambling man.

[laughs]

Well, there is a deal to be made here.

Good to meet you. - You, too, Vinnie.

OK.

We'll talk, Travis.

Hey, Vinnie.

Yeah.

What are you holding?

Take it easy.

Claudia.

Claudia.

CLAUDIA: I'm in the dressing room!

Claudia.

I want a mural on this ceiling.

I want some billowing clouds and a turquoise

sky and some soaring--

some soaring-- [laughs] Winston, they've got your pants.

You can't go out like that.

Fix her.

Yes, Mr. Newquay.

Mr. Newquay, Robert Travis is here.

Travis.

Winston, this is Vince Terranova.

Mr. Terranova.

Mr. Newquay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Fresh kill.

Louis 13th.

I listened to as much as I could tolerate of Diana Price's demo.

You're wasting your money and my time.

You know the kind of press coverage

Diana's return will bring.

I made my decision.

Mr. Newquay, we're thinking--

Mr. Terranova is new to us, Bobby.

Why don't you as succinctly as possible make your pitch?

Dead Dog Records, the R&B publishing catalog,

masters from Lincoln Coalhouse and [inaudible] and Walker.

I know the list.

Market value, 6.8 million.

4.5 million, Bobby.

Five-year lease valued at half a million.

Fine.

All assets in inventory are available for 4.5 million,

plus two-year employment contracts for me and Vinnie.

And Diana Price's album.

WINSTON: What the hell do you think you're doing?

Well, I just figured.

If I'm in the right uniform, I get a better

chance of playing on your team.

Who do you think you are, insulting me in my own house?

I think I'm the one who's insulted.

You know, I drove an hour out here to meet you,

and you greet me without even a glance?

You refuse to talk to me directly,

and you insult my associate by interrupting his presentation.

I know where you come from, Mr. Terranova.

I'm not surprised by your vulgarity

nor am I intimidated by your reputation.

I can only guess where you come from, pal.

But it sure as hell ain't the House of Lords,

as you suggest here.

Now you've got a better chance to convince me

you're from the House of Clams in Secaucus, New Jersey.

When you come down off the conceit

or out of your playpen hair, you give me a call, OK?

Travis, the coach awaits.

Ta-ta.

Really nice calves, Winston.

[guitar riff]

Between Newquay and Twine, I think

you've got to go to clown college to get

to the top of this business.

If you wanted sanity, you should

have bought a bowling alley.

There are other labels.

Are there any bigger?

Nobody's bigger than Newquay.

But you stepped over--

excuse me-- leaped over the line with the drop your drawers gag.

Are you taking my record to Winston?

Hey, we're trying to put together the right deal.

Not with Winston.

Is that your worry?

Yes, it is.

Diana, I'm not trying to keep any secrets

from you [inaudible] involves your career.

We're trying to make the best deal we can.

And yes, we want to Newquay.

How much of my soul do I have to sell, Vinnie?

None of it.

Winston and I were lovers.

I know him.

He's Lucifer incarnate.

I've dealt with a lot worse, believe me.

You have no idea.

Honey, we've got to make waves.

We got to let people know you're back and back big.

You know that.

Hey, wait a minute.

What was the deal with the tux?

Newquay told Twine he'd see him tonight.

Why was he getting all dolled up?

BOBBY: Ah, geopolitical economics Newquay style.

He's throwing a big bash tonight for some glass-nosed rockstar.

VINNIE: Is it a big deal?

So big I couldn't get an invite.

Hmm.

Is there going to be press there?

BOBBY: Tons of it.

Well, we got to go.

You stand a better chance of becoming a nun.

Ah.

We're going.

Diana will get us in.

I can't.

Diana, it's Cinderella time.

You want to spend the rest of your life

in that roadhouse in Jersey?

This is the moment.

Don't give yourself a memory you don't want to look back on.

Tonight, I can officially announce

that Radiance Recording has entered

into an artistic relationship with Mr.

Anatol Ulyanov, one of the most popular

artists in the Soviet Union.

[applause]

I got Winston today.

Nailed him for 10 grand on the sumos.

Isn't it amazing how Winston always seems

to discover the new talent?

Oh, you know, he wasn't discovered.

He was invented.

Fine, Gorbachev comes to New York.

And the networks eat him up alive.

Even the cabbies are calling him Mike.

So Winston buzzes his friends at the State Department.

They call somebody at the Russian Ministry of Culture.

And three months ago, Ulyanov was a lounge singer in Minsk.

Today?

He's the second coming of Julio.

Oh.

So why aren't you doing the same thing?

You go to South Africa, find a really hot

looking kid in Soweto who can carry a tune.

Turn international politics into a commercial venture

of your own.

Of course, it would mean missing the sixth of Belmont.

[laughs] That sounds fantastic, but doesn't it hurt?

Excuse us, will you?

I heard you produced Diana's demo.

That's right, Winston.

I heard she clutched in front of the mic.

It's a good record.

Who's next for you, Jerry Vale?

[laughs]

She's dead in this business, Johnny.

You know that.

I heard this guy Terranova paid you 30k.

Here's to art.

If you're wondering how you'll get him into bed,

his royalty structure's already locked.

You'll have to try another approach.

You guys go ahead of me.

I'm a little camera shy.

I'm right behind you.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Over here.

Diana.

Fellas, fantastic to see you all again.

In case word has hasn't reached you,

I would like to announce that Diana Price has just signed

a long-term contract with Dead Dog Records

of which I am a partner.

What's she doing here?

I don't know.

I haven't seen her in eight years.

Well, get rid of her.

Now.

What, in front of all these photographers?

In front of all these people.

Now, Sam.

BOBBY: We're presently preparing an album, which will bring

Diana's unique sound to the millions of fans who

have hungered for her music--

Bobby, Vinnie, great to see you.

Diana, haven't learned your lesson, huh?

Let's take one of us together.

Wow, it's just like old times, isn't it?

Oh, come on, Claudia.

This crowd may be afflicted with numerous diseases,

but Alzheimer's isn't one of them.

She looks great, doesn't she?

How about a couple of shots of Diana

over by the ice sculpture?

Fellas, what do you say?

You know, my marketing people, we're coming up

with a merchandising strategy that's

going to emphasize there's a new Diana Price

to enjoy with a fresh new sound.

I don't think you understand me.

That stunt you pulled at the house

made me interested in you.

I like an imaginative man.

That's good.

Maybe we can still do business then.

No.

What I don't like is a stupid man.

And coming here like this was stupid.

Excuse me.

Vinnie, I've got to hand it to you, man.

This was the right move.

Newquay's a lit fuse.

Yeah, it's a transient situation.

He knows a marketable commodity when he sees one.

Out of circulation eight years and she walks into a room,

turns back the hands of time.

I love this business.

Who's that woman with Twine?

It's his wife, Amber, sharp lady.

Serrated, actually.

Do you know what the papers will say tomorrow?

Did you take five seconds to think about what they'll say?

Why do you care?

Because I am Mrs. Winston Newquay.

I am still Mrs. Winston Newquay despite what you did.

For God's sake, that was 10 years ago.

And it'll be fresh news by tomorrow.

So what do you care?

You can play the injured wife, and I'll

be the bitch from [inaudible] who slept with the boss.

Because it was the only way you could advance your career.

No, Claudia.

Because I felt something for him, even after he decided

not to renew my contract.

I didn't want to come here tonight.

Out of respect for me, no doubt.

No, out of pity for you, because I know the only thing

you have to hold onto, in addition to the gardener,

is some press agent's image of yourself

as the queen bee of the ladies' lunches and charity calls.

Oh, I see.

I see.

You'd like to destroy me.

No, I'm trying to survive.

Well, then, do it without Winston.

He is still my husband.

Only because he couldn't afford the divorce.

[crashing] CROWD: Oh!

Oh!

It's a party, have some cake!

Get those photographers out of here!

Get them out now!

Look what she's done to me!

Look at me!

Look at me!

Diana, come on, come on.

Are you all right?

WINSTON: Travis, you are going to regret this.

Hey, you OK, honey?

All in all, I think it went really well.

Travis ruined my evening.

Ruin his.

DIANA: I'm just so sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry about!

Hey, if you're going to crash a party, crash a party.

Bobby, can you--

I don't want to stay by myself.

Stay at my place.

You can have my bed.

I'll sleep on the couch.

We can talk about the album.

Oh, god.

I'm a mess.

I'm wearing the only food I got tonight.

How about a slice?

Will you stop?

Pull over right here.

DIANA: Vinnie, will you come with us?

Nah, I've got some things I got to do.

Listen, let me know if he gets, uh, frisky.

Good night.

Vinnie, what are you doing up?

Haven't you heard?

I'm in the music business.

What about you?

I'm an insomniac.

What do you need?

Everything you can find on Winston Newquay.

Is tomorrow soon enough?

Yeah, tomorrow is perfect.

Tell Frank I'll come to DC, OK?

MIKE (ON PHONE): You got it, son.

Thanks, Uncle Mike.

So the next step is, we got to put together

a band to go on the road.

Now I've been thinking about this.

I think maybe we ought to get, like,

an all-girl band or something, you know,

kind of jazz it up a little.

Oh, excuse me.

Excuse us, I'm sorry.

Oh!

Bobby!

Nice party, wasn't it?

Bobby!

Oh, god, Bobby!

My nose.

I think he broke my nose.

President?

What do you mean you're making Travis

president of Dead Dog Records?

It's the right move, Frank.

This might make him eligible for government

insurance coverage.

Hell of a sting you're running, Vince.

Paul, this is a high profile industry.

I can't afford to be in the spotlight.

Now what do you got on Newquay and Twine?

I got to-- you know, I got to get going.

Winston Newquay, born Samuel Fishbein,

Newquay, United Kingdom, 1938.

Son of German working class immigrants

who came to Baltimore in 1943.

'38?

You mean to tell me this guy is 51 years old?

He goes to Zurich four times a year

for blood doping and lamb cell injections.

What?

You know, it's what the rich do to stay young.

Baa.

MARK: Dropped out of the University of Baltimore

at the age of 16 in his senior year,

bounced around the southeast as a disk jockey,

called himself Bobby Big Beat.

In 1957, he was caught in part of a government payola

investigation, testified for immunity.

In 1958, he signed a slew of R&B performers

to personal management contracts, then

formed Radiance Recordings.

The same year, he legally changed

his name to Winston Newquay.

He and his wife, Claudia, a former casino showgirl,

are sole owners of Radiance Recordings, which, last year,

grossed $700 million.

They have no children from the marriage.

Well, other than a 30-year-old payola problem, is he clean?

You could eat off of him.

No, thank you.

Mark, pull up Newquay's political file.

MARK: Newquay is a maximum contributor

to both major political parties.

The short strokes are friends in high places.

He isn't going to be easy to nail, assuming there

is anything to nail him for.

Well, I always did love a challenge.

Now, look, your cover is not secure with this man.

He is owed by politicians who have access to our files.

I can't guarantee they won't discover you.

And if they do, I can't guarantee

they won't turn you out.

Twine and Newquay are investigated

on a regular basis.

Nobody can get anything on them.

Oh, yeah?

Well, they haven't dealt with me yet.

You guys take it easy.

Just be careful.

VINNIE: Yeah, I know.

When did he get so cocky?

I don't know.

It's irritating, isn't it?

Hey!

I don't want any drugs in this office, Travis.

I gave up the dummy dust along with my ex-wife.

These days, I'm snorting adhesive tape.

What happened to you?

Winston Newquay.

I'm getting fed up with this guy.

At least we got his attention.

Where have you been?

This place has fallen apart.

I had other business to take care of.

And you're being redundant.

Medley quit.

He can't quit.

We've got a contract.

It means nothing, babe.

What?

Those are his words.

And Diana wants to bail.

What, is everybody afraid of this guy or what?

I know you're being rhetorical.

The answer is yes, except for Twine.

He's nuts.

Well, I'm sorry about your nose.

It looks like I'm going to have to start

talking to Newquay in good old Brooklynese,

you know what I'm saying?

Vinnie, don't make this a vendetta.

Business and revenge do not mix.

You could be a real savvy guy sometimes, Bobby.

Now, look.

I am not anxious to get a lot of ink

as another alleged mobster in show business,

but we do need the ink.

So what I'm going to do is appoint you

president of Dead Dog Records.

60-40 deal is still the same.

Great.

[laughs] I'll send Newquay's guy over and give you 60% of this.

Yeah.

Vinnie.

What?

Twine called you a couple of times today.

Thanks.

There's got to be somebody that's dealt with this guy

without his tail between his legs.

Yeah, Isaac Twine, please.

Vinnie Terranova calling.

I like the way you make an entrance, man.

Yeah, well, that is not a universal opinion.

You mean Newquay?

I thought he'd bust a gut when you brought Diana in there.

Yeah, she does draw a crowd, doesn't she?

Want to talk a deal?

I'd love to talk a deal, but I've got cash flow adjustments

through this quarter.

Well, that's not a problem, Isaac.

Terms are easy.

I think this deal might even end up paying for itself.

OK, hustler.

Come by my office at 9:00 tomorrow morning,

and we'll talk.

See you tomorrow.

Travis.

Come on, we got to go right now.

VINNIE: Whoa, what's the rush?

Remember you asked if anybody ever got

the best of Winston Newquay? - Yeah.

One guy.

One guy who doesn't talk to anybody,

but he's talking to me.

Who?

You ever hear of James Elliot?

[music playing]

300 million records.

The man is an icon, creator of anthems

that fired the soul of a generation,

elevated to a deity.

Presidents quote him.

People hear his voice and remember milestones

in their personal history.

It ain't a job you apply for.

You worry about getting to the top.

Once you get there, you worry about staying.

Where James Elliot went is so far beyond the top,

it's frightening, especially to James Elliot.

He's trapped in the inertia of God.

Mr. Travis and a friend are here.

Who's your friend?

Vinnie Terranova.

Just bought into the business.

I'm taking him on a tour of the industry.

There's plenty of monkeys in the zoo.

Why rattle my cage?

Why not?

How many sullen monkeys do I know?

This is it, the promontory, the furthest reach.

Got to give them the full spectrum, Jimmy.

What's it like at the outer edge of the envelope?

Give us a pearl of wisdom, the ultimate insight.

Come on, open up.

Be a pal.

We'll go grab a dog, a couple of beers, cruise for some strange.

What do you say?

What do you want, money?

Bags of it.

But from you, I only want the biggest

power cord in the world.

Tell us what it's like in Zion.

Travis, the guy wants to be left alone.

Let's go. Come on.

We're going up against Winston Newquay.

Oh.

"Oh"?

What is that?

Any place in public, all I hear is "oh."

I can't even use a public restroom without "oh."

You have no idea how humiliating it

is to look up and see someone peering over a stall at you.

Then why don't you give it up?

I have.

They haven't.

The art is euphoric.

But being worshipped drains the humanity from you.

Yeah, well, look.

I want to beat Newquay, and I need your help.

[music playing]

I don't believe this.

You know, this-- this Newquay guy

was smart to change his name.

Who the hell would be afraid of a guy named Sam Fishbein?

How can I help you?

Oh.

I want your name on a Dead Dog contract,

not for recording or masters or publishing or anything.

All I want you to do is consult with me one day a month

telepathically.

Mighty big headline in billboard, huh, Vinnie?

James Elliot signs with Dead Dog.

What's in it for me?

A pastrami sandwich.

Tell you what, one game of air hockey.

I'm trying, I'm trying.

Did you see that?

No defense.

Well, that's it.

You got me.

I can't beat you, James.

You don't need my signature, Vinnie.

I once paid a guy 100,000 to get me everything

he knew on Winston Newquay.

You know what he got me?

What's that?

Sam Fishbein.

When Newquay found out, he paid me every dime he owed me

and every dime he ever will.

He's one of those pathetic soul who hates his heritage.

I'll sign with Dead Dog, Vinnie.

I like my pastrami lean.

[phone ringing]

Yeah.

Hello, Sammy!

Jimmy?

Jimmy Elliot?

I just wanted you to know before the papers get it.

I just put my name on a contract with Dead Dog Records.

What?

You did what?

Night, Sammy.

Hello?

Hello?

Herbert.

Herbert, get in here.

What is the matter with you?

What's wrong?

Crypto Trotskyite.

I'm giving him $100 million, and he signed

with that punk from Brooklyn.

I told you.

I told you to throw him out of there.

It's that bitch, Diana.

Oh, shut up.

Don't you tell me to shut up.

[knocking]

What do you want?

You called for me?

BOTH: Get out of here!

You're telling me what's true, that Terranova bastard,

he stabbed me in the back!

She's had a box for you from the very beginning!

That conniving bitch--

You don't even have to say a nursing rhyme,

and he's good with 50 million.

--and you didn't have the guts to throw her in the trash,

where she belongs.

Terranova.

Two pinky rings and a hairdo.

She's behind the whole Elliot thing.

I'm going to find out what his story is

and make him choke on it.

She's just doing it just to get back at me,

just to get back at me!

You.

Why is it always you?

It's not you, because outside of a handful of liposuction

experts, you do not exist.

You really are a pig, Sammy.

Don't call me that.

I chose my name, I chose my destiny, and I chose you.

And that's the only you I give a damn about.

You pull down $700 million, and it'll be about you.

Until then, it's me.

Mommy's hot.

You, it's always you.

Travis, I want you and Terranova to meet

me at Cleo's in an hour.

I don't know, Winston.

I got this problem with my nose.

Well, you get your nose over to Cleo's.

Why?

Because it's what I want.

I love you, Winnie.

Why did Elliot sign with Dead Dog?

Terranova's a hood.

You love me?

Unless he muscled Jimmy, threatened his kid.

Elliot's afraid of him.

Oh, baby, come back to bed, huh?

Terranova, find out who he knows

and who he owes, who's pulling his strings.

Mama's hot again.

If it's quick cash he's looking for,

I'll wrap up Dead Dog, the catalog, Elliot, and Diana

before they bring the eggs.

Good morning, Mr. Newquay.

Your table's waiting for you.

Winston, how are you?

Hi, I'm Walter.

Oh, no, I can't stay.

I just stopped by to encourage Walter to run for office.

Elected office?

Yeah, wouldn't you rather be setting

policy than carrying it out?

Well, I think about it frequently.

But seeking office is a full-time unsalaried career.

Oh, money is no problem, Walter.

So you've got a vested interest

in selling me Diana, huh?

No, I'm rich without her.

I'm telling you, her voice has a resonance and a vibrance

that it didn't have five years ago.

It oozes sexuality, man.

It's great.

Should pay more attention to politics, Isaac.

Hey, if you want me to be a clone of Winston so badly,

why don't you just go for the real thing?

He's sitting right over there!

I love you, Isaac.

OK, but all you care about is the rhythm

and roll of the dice.

Winston's always on the move.

When's the last time you sat down

with the federal prosecutor?

Aliquippa in 1967.

I was plea bargaining an assault charge.

[laughs]

It's not funny.

Winston lives on the make.

He's always building.

Or tearing down.

That man doesn't enjoy life.

He's just obsessed by it.

But me, come on, you know, I like my fun.

Yep, too much, my love.

Nobody likes working with him.

I don't like working with him, remember?

Well, you know, that's apples and oranges, Johnny.

You're an employee who's fortunate

and talented enough to pick and choose his employer.

Now we can't move on an opportunity

because we're liking our fun.

Winston's liking his power.

Are you willing to defer your fee

so Diana can finish the album?

We'll make a deal.

Terranova will talk to her.

Terranova will talk to her.

No, he's a businessman.

He's going to cut the best deal he can.

And [inaudible] Records is not in a position

to compete with that.

VINNIE: That was fast.

Gotta move with the heat.

Mr. Newquay.

Call me Winston, Vince.

We can get off to a fresh start.

Did you see the headline, Winston?

I think I knew about it before you did.

Really?

Elliot called me last night to give me the good news.

Well.

Damn, is this possible?

Yeah, we just lost Dead Dog.

It doesn't say what the deal with Elliot is.

Well, what difference does that make?

It's Elliot.

What's your deal with Elliot?

I'm not at, um, liberty to discuss that right now.

Then you haven't closed it yet.

Let's cut to the quick.

Dead Dog minus Diana Price and your employment contract

at 150% of market value.

That includes the deal with Elliot.

But you haven't even seen it yet.

I'm sure I can live with it.

It's $10 million.

Fine.

No, no, no.

Travis, Diana, and me are part of the deal.

No.

11 million.

These issues are non-negotiable.

Then give me a figure of which they are negotiable.

15?

Is that it?

Is that the figure?

Excuse me.

Good morning.

Oh.

You stopped by to gloat?

No.

I have just been offered $11 million for Dead Dog Records,

minus Diana, Travis, and myself.

And what I want to know is if you can match that offer

and include us.

I'm sorry to say I can't.

Not even with favorable terms?

Terms a man in his right mind wouldn't risk?

Can you get Diana to my office in an hour?

Well, I don't know, Vin.

There are certain things I have to consider--

Yes or no?

All right, fine.

Yes, fine. Fine.

Thank you.

Don't worry.

He's going to come around.

I know the guy.

Mr. Newquay, I'll be in touch with you.

Travis, let's go.

$20 million, Travis.

That's more money than you'll ever see again in your life.

Come on, let's go.

In a very vague way, I was threatened

by the man who just left.

If you know something about him for my own comfort and safety,

I would be so very grateful.

His name is Vinnie Terranova.

Got it.

What's the matter with you?

What-- what, are you-- are you crazy?

Or are you just a couple of fools?

What are you doing taking Diana's song to Newquay?

I could dismiss it out of you, Vince, OK, but Travis,

you've been around the block!

You know what's going to happen here?

I know what's going to happen here.

Dana, you know what's going to happen here.

What's going to happen here is you're going

to cave in to Newquay's cash.

Diana's album is going to get squelched.

She's going to be out the back door.

And I'm out 200 grand, which I'm going to sue you for.

I thought you quit.

I said, if you go to Newquay, I might as well quit.

Well, how about if I do business with Twine?

Hello? That won't work.

Too late, pal.

Newquay won't tolerate it.

You know, I really don't care what Newquay tolerates.

I guess I was right then.

I guess you are a fool.

I'll tell you what, instead of producing an album for Diana,

I'm going to be writing you a funeral hymn.

We'll call it the Dimwit's Dirge, OK?

You call my wife.

Tell her where to send the mass card.

OK.

How do I get out of here?

VINNIE: Bye now.

Bye-bye.

Ugh.

He's too rich to turn down.

Diana?

You sell me off to Winston, I don't know what I'll do.

Robert?

It's so much money, Vinny.

Oh, I don't know.

I don't want Diana to get hurt.

Bobby.

I'd be willing to share half of what

I get out of this with you.

Why?

Why not?

We're kindred spirits.

I dreamed of making my music.

Maybe I should dream of making money.

How important is it to you?

To record, I mean.

Diana, it's whatever you want.

Why?

Don't make me embarrass myself.

[phone rings]

Hello, Dead Dog Records.

If it ain't a dead dog, it ain't barking.

How can I help you?

Your Uncle Mike and I need to talk to you immediately.

VINNIE (ON PHONE): About what?

We'll do that face to face.

Nephew, your aunt come by to pick up some tapes to listen

to the current recording.

What current recording?

The one you're making as we speak.

Hold on a minute.

Yeah, I forgot you guys are listening to everything.

The bugs are there for your protection.

I know.

All right, listen, I think you ought to go

for the deal with Newquay.

I'm considering it.

Considering?

You're on the verge of cracking through to one of the heaviest

hitters in the business.

Now Twine is an overextended rambunctious gambler

with a finger on a self-destruct switch.

He's willing to let it all ride on a whim.

I know.

Everything's being examined.

Ugh.

All right, listen, Vince.

Aside from that, I think you're doing a hell of a job.

Then why are you calling me?

I'm worried about you going soft for the soap opera.

You're projecting, dude, really.

OK?

"Projecting, dude"?

Diana, Bobby, I've made my decision.

Vinnie, welcome to Chocolat Records.

Yeah.

[laughs] Oh, man!

We're going to kill her together.

Yes, we are.

Yeah.

Travis, you got a home, baby.

Come on, let me show you your new office.

Come on.

Hey, hey, hey.

Come on, let's go.

What's the matter with you?

It's cars you sell for no money

down, not record companies.

Oh, you come on.

You worry too much.

Relax.

Come on!

Come on!

Hey, dudes.

You made a deal with Twine.

That's right.

I thought I told you to go with Newquay.

Ah, yes, and Frank, honestly, I can't tell you how difficult

it was for me to ignore you.

Yeah?

Ignore this.

Uncle?

Your file's been accessed.

FRANK: You know him?

Yeah, he was with Newquay at Cleo's.

That's terrific, Vince.

That's Walter Sawyer, US attorney on the make.

VINNIE: What, I've been compromised?

He made a routine request.

He got a routine response.

So all he's got is my cover, right?

At the moment, you're just a hood in the databank,

but what happens if he decides to dig a little deeper?

Well, let's hope he doesn't.

You can't be blasé about it, Vinnie.

You might be in the music business,

but it doesn't mean it isn't dangerous.

Newquay is checking up on you, and he's using favors

from public officials to do it.

Well, then, arrest them for malfeasance.

That'd be difficult. He's a US attorney who made

a routine request on a thug.

What if the next guy Newquay asks is a congressional aide?

Winston Newquay knows people who

can get into the system deep enough to find out who you are.

Now maybe he doesn't know he knows,

but it's only because he hasn't suspected anything yet.

Do you have any idea what kind of jeopardy

you're putting yourself in?

This is not all rock and roll, dude.

[somber music]

[music playing]