Original subtitles

What's this about the Mariposa Branch, sir?

The Mariposa Branch?

The Mariposa Branch.

I have a letter here.

Oh, well, this is most peculiar.

It alleges...

Irregularities at the Mariposa Branch.

Well, what regularities do we have at the

Mariposa Branch?

None that I know of, sir.

This letter states that this man...

Flock, sir?

Flock, yes.

Flock.

Who's Flock?

Acting manager, sir.

Mr. Pierce, the regular dive, sir.

Flock, a minor clerk has temporarily taken over

the duties of the deceased manager because...

Why?

He knows the computer, sir.

We intend to replace him as soon as

possible, of course.

This letter accuses the acting manager of irregularities.

Embezzlement.

Yes, sir.

Is that possible?

It's highly unlikely, sir.

However, we shall investigate it once.

It's curious that an anonymous letter should arrive

shortly after the branch manager's death.

Oh, how did he die?

Mr. Pierce died of perfectly natural causes, sir.

Oh, yes.

Well, I'll leave it in your capable hands.

Oh, yes, sir.

A leaking ship is a sinking ship, Philbert.

Sir?

The same goes for a bank.

Plug up that leak.

Yes, sir.

Oh, Philbert!

Sir?

The natural causes of Mr. Pierce's death, uh...

What were they?

He choked, sir.

Ah!

On a piece of meatloaf.

Come on, eat up, Harry, otherwise you're going

to be late for work.

Uh, what is this?

Oh, that sea kelp.

You know, there's nothing better to keep the

system clean as a whistle.

Remember poor Mr. Pierce?

Yes.

Gorging himself all the time on that heavy

meat.

Harry, come on, finish that sea kelp, because

I've got a nice soybean patty to follow.

Ugh, what's that?

Hamburger for Punky.

Where is that dog?

Punky?

Punky, come here, boy.

Time is money.

Harry Flock, you are not leaving the breakfast

table until you finish your soybean patty.

Now, you know that breakfast is the cornerstone

of the day.

I'm quite full.

Thank you, my dear.

It's amazing how sea kelp fills the stomach.

Okay, Harry, now let me fix your tie.

Is it all right?

Uh-huh.

But, yup.

Now let me look at you.

Harry Flock, bank manager.

Acting bank manager.

Oh, sure, but that's just until they see

how competent you are.

Competency is seldom rewarded, my dear.

What they're looking for is charisma.

Pierce with his capped teeth and his waxed

moustache.

Oh, sure, Mr. Pierce had a very fine

set of teeth.

But he certainly didn't know anything about his

computers.

Not like you did.

Yes.

Still, if one little thing goes wrong...

Nothing is going to go wrong.

Nothing much has gone right with my life.

Except you.

Oh, Harry.

It's true.

Pierce kept me a little humpback mole toiling

away.

Well, all that's changed now.

There you go.

Bye-bye, honey.

Bye.

Have a good day.

You too.

You know, I just can't get over this

feeling of impending doom.

What could go wrong?

Yes.

That's right, of course.

What could go wrong?

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Pocky!

Pocky, where are you?

Oh, my Pocky, where were you?

Mama was looking all over for you.

I had your cupcakes already.

Yes.

Oh, Pock.

Here you go, Pock.

Wait till you see what Mama has for

you.

Wait till you see what Mama...

Runge?

Mrs. Runyon?

Morning, Peterson.

Over.

Filbert, Main Branch.

This is Wheatley.

Bank Examiner.

Mr. Fluke.

Plock.

We are here to run a check.

A check?

I don't understand.

There's nothing to be alarmed about.

It's just a routine once-over.

Mr. Fluke.

Plock.

If you'll just produce the printouts for the

past month as well as the collateral ledgers.

Produce the printouts, of course.

I hope there's no suspicion of any irregularities.

I've never had any problems or...

No, no, Mr. Fluke.

Plock.

This is just a formality.

You know our motto.

When in doubt, check it out.

I heard that, yes.

Now, if I can just...

Excuse me.

I mean, I never...

Ah, there's never been the slightest doubt of

any...

My books are impeccable.

No, no, no, Mr. Plock.

I'm certain they are.

There's no need to get upset.

All right, everybody.

Everybody back to your places, please.

Please.

I just can't comprehend why you...

I know from time to time little...

And yet, Mr. Pierce was never audited.

I've always prided myself on my probity.

A small community like this, you know, the

slightest hint of suspicion...

Rumours spread like wildfire.

My reputation's at stake.

Mr. Pierce...

Died where?

At this very desk where you're sitting now.

He just fixed himself a cup of tea.

He...

He took the last bite of his meatloaf

sandwich and gagged.

Tea, anyone?

Yes, that would be nice.

You'll like this.

It's herb tea.

My wife grows it in our own little

garden.

Pierce blessed his soul.

Loved my wife's herb tea.

I think I'll forego the tea, Mr. Plock.

Well, I must say, Mr. Plock...

You've done an admirable job.

I've never seen books so immaculately in balance.

My compliments.

It's a lovely, lovely piece of work.

Thank you.

Well, Philbert, my work is done.

I wish the books in all our branches

were as finely tuned as Mr...

Plock's.

Well, uh...

Thank you for your time, Wheatley.

Well, if they went over the books in

such great detail, then they must know what

a wonderful job you're doing.

Yeah.

You know, Harry, I don't think it's going

to be much longer, but...

Harry, honey, what's wrong?

Huh?

You barely touched your gluten cutlet.

I'm sorry.

I don't seem to have much of an

appetite.

A visit from the bank examiner is a

very upsetting experience.

Well, that's only if you have something to

hide.

You know, they were treating me as if

I had committed murder.

Really?

Yeah.

As though I was a suspect in the

death of Mr. Pierce.

My goodness.

That seems awfully unfair of them.

I offered them some herb tea.

They were afraid to drink it.

Afraid to drink herb tea?

Yes.

You know, there's really nothing more helpful.

Of course not.

There's nothing one can drink as helpful as

your herb tea.

I can't imagine anybody suspecting you of killing

Mr. Pierce.

Or would they get such an idea?

Another anonymous letter.

It ain't got irregularities at the Mariposa branch.

I thought you told me Wheatley checked it

out.

He did, sir.

He said that everything was in very good

order and that Flock had done a lovely

job.

Well, this letter says that Flock manipulated the

computer.

He should have known better, that the books

were too well balanced.

Is that possible?

Wheatley did say they were the most perfectly

balanced set of books he'd ever come across.

All right, you go down there with Wheatley

again, and you go over everything with a

fine-toothed comb.

And don't come back until you've gotten to

the bottom of this.

And don't take Simpson with you.

Simpson, sir?

The bank detective?

This letter is more explicit.

It goes into detail about meatloaf and tea.

Meatloaf and tea, sir?

There are intimations here.

Sir?

A foul play concerning Mr. Pierce.

So in your opinion, Mrs. Runyon, Mr. Flock

is doing an acceptable job in Mr. Pierce's

position?

Mr. Flock is a very competent operative.

And with the new computers, he's just a

whiz.

Mr. Grunt, what's your opinion?

I am on to him.

I am on to Flocky.

Wilbur.

No, no, no, no.

Let's hear Mr. Grunt out, Grunt.

Well, he's supposed to be this big vegetarian,

vegetarian, my foot.

I have seen him eat hot dogs and

more than once.

Mr. Grunt is better.

He was in line for Mr. Pierce's job

until Flock caught him in a boo-boo.

It was $1.67. I was humiliated for

$1.67. What's going on?

Oh, Mr. Flock, I hope you don't mind.

I took the liberty of having everyone come

in early.

There's still a few minor problems to clear

up.

What minor problems?

I'm sure they have nothing to do with

me.

We hope not, Mr. Flock.

We certainly hope not.

Magnificent.

Magnificent.

You check, recheck.

And triple check.

Mr. Flock, I am genuinely impressed.

I have never seen books in such sublime

balance.

Fine.

Then whatever problems you're having have nothing to

do with me.

These should be bronzed and hung in a

museum.

That's beautiful.

Now, gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I have

a lot of work to do.

Not so fast.

Simpson, main branch, internal security.

This is Mr. Flock.

I deduce this much.

Now then, Mr. Flock, we want to make

it completely clear to you that you are

under absolutely no suspicion.

No suspicion?

You come in here questioning my fellow workers,

you steal my fingerprints, you muck around in

my books.

Your books, Mr. Flock?

I believe you were present when Mr. Pierce

met with his unfortunate accident.

Yes, I was.

I was in the vicinity.

He had a cup of tea.

Is that correct?

Yes.

Herb tea?

Yes.

Your wife's tea?

Yes, yes, yes!

Why am I being subjected to this?

Look, I'm only interested in doing my job.

My sole concern is, as it always has

been, for the good of the bank.

Do you know I've given my best years

to this bank?

When I first started working here, my eyesight

was 20-20.

Take a look at these now.

Where are you?

You see that?

Look how thick they are.

The hump on my back keeps growing from

toiling over the books.

I wake up in the middle of the

night in a cold sweat for fear that

I've shorted the bank a nickel or a

dime.

There, there, Mr. Flock.

Pull yourself together.

Don't you understand?

This is a very small town.

You're ruining my reputation.

Look, look.

My co-workers.

My dear co-workers, the most loyal people

in the world.

Just look at the doubt and suspicion on

their faces.

Someone is trying to sabotage me.

Why?

Why?

Surely your investigations have shown nothing.

Whatever you're looking for, you've either found or

not found by now.

Mr. Flock, please, simmer down.

Why don't you make us all a nice

cup of herb tea?

Tea?

Yes, of course.

Uh, tell me, Mr. Flock.

Uh, is this the same tea Mr. Pierce

had on the day he...

Yes, yes, of course.

I'll take that.

That's my tea.

It was Mr. Pierce's tea.

Was it enough?

It was shared by all.

Then it's time Main Branch had its share.

What's the matter, Harry?

Didn't you like the cashew casserole?

They sent a detective to question me.

A detective.

Astonishing.

Mr. Bullock has a great deal to consider.

Now, if there's the slightest suspicion of an

irregular...

A detective.

Harry.

Honey.

Guess what we're having for dessert.

What?

Your favourite, avocado whip.

I don't want any.

Harry, have you been sneaking hot dogs?

Because you know what happened to Mr. Pierce

with those hot dogs and that meatloaf and...

Yes, dear, yes.

Harry.

It's very important under these trying times that

you keep your health up.

Oh, Daisy.

You're so good to me.

What would I do without you?

Herb tea?

What do any of these have to do

with herb tea?

I have deduced, sir.

Oh, you have deduced.

Well, I have deduced.

You're a fool.

Yes, sir.

According to this lab report, apart from being

foul-tasting bilge...

Mrs. Flock's herb tea is utterly harmless.

Dust particles, air samples, fingerprints.

Is that what I'm paying you for?

It is standard procedure, sir.

Would you get to the heart of the

matter, man?

Well, but tell him what the heart of

the matter is.

The heart of the matter, sir?

The corpus delicti.

Corpus delicti.

Would you check out the body?

Get in touch with the proper authorities.

I want an autopsy performed on this man,

Pierce.

I will not count its petty embezzlement or

murder for that matter in any of my

branch banks.

Of course not, sir.

A leaking ship...

Is a sinking ship, yes, sir.

Yes.

If this man, Flock, has poisoned this man,

Pierce...

I want to know about it.

Sir, the corpus delicti will be looked into.

Mr. Philbrick?

Yes?

We found something very interesting.

Come with me.

Flock, I have just been through the most

gruelling experience.

Pierce's body has been exhumed.

Exhumed?

He realised we'd have to do it.

The circumstances surrounding his death, the letters we've

been receiving...

Letters?

Accusing you of the most extraordinary behaviour.

Now, the coroner has found...

What?

The coroner has found what?

Pierce had two gall bladders.

Rare, the coroner said, rare.

But other than that, the circumstances of his

death were perfectly normal.

As normal as a death can be when

one chokes on a piece of meatloaf.

Two gall bladders?

You dug up poor Pierce's body to discover

only that he had two gall bladders?

Well, this has been a great strain on

all of us.

I realise it's been an imposition on you.

I cannot tell you how terribly sorry I

am.

But we did have the letters.

You have pushed me to the brink and

over.

I have been maligned, abused, my character spattered

with mud.

Flock, Flock, keep your voice down.

No, no, no, no, no, I'm forced beyond

the bounds of reason.

This whole dreary matter must be settled now.

I'm going to finish this thing right now.

Flock, Flock, where are you going?

To the main branch.

I'm going to settle this thing.

This persecution must cease.

I'm going to finish it once and for

all.

Flock?

Flock, Acting Manager, Mariposa Branch.

Flock.

Oh, yes, Flock.

Oh, it's a nasty business, this whole thing.

Nasty business?

Sir, I have been maligned, humiliated, accused of

the most outrageous crimes.

Calm down, Flock.

These little things happen, you know.

I don't call being suspected of embezzlement and

murder a little thing.

Look, a week ago, I didn't even know

your name.

Now I have a stack of reports on

you.

And it seems you're doing a bang-up

job for us out there.

No more.

What?

As of this moment, I resign.

My career in shambles, my life in ruin.

Oh, not now, Flock.

Do you know that my own co-workers

look at me like I'm a common thief,

or worse?

I'm a young man.

I have a wife to consider.

I understand how you feel.

I think a great injustice has been done

to you.

And I'm going to make it my personal

responsibility to see that your good name is

restored.

Impossible!

Pierce's job is still open.

Double.

Okay.

My Harry, bank manager.

Not acting bank manager, but the real thing.

From the vicious attack of a hostile fanatic

has come a marvellous good.

Yes, the trouble with being an honest man

is that nobody ever knows it.

I could have gone years without my honesty

being recognised.

I only have one regret.

What's that?

My last letter.

Oh, Harry, it was a masterpiece.

In it, I accuse you of being a

notorious embezzler.

No sense in sending it now.

No, dear, no more letters.

The others quite did the job.

Sure did.

Well, tonight for dinner, I've prepared something very,

very special.

Tonight for dinner on this special occasion, dinner

is my treat.

Junk food?

Oh, Harry, that's very, very wicked of you.

Yes, I know.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries.

Try the corn, where's the corn?

Oh, a corn dog.

Where's the pickles?

You don't like pickles?

I

don't

like pickles.

You don't like pickles?