04x02 - One for the Lady

[bunniefuu]

Freeze right there!

It's quite all right, ma'am.

Operator.

This is an emergency.
Get me the police.

Mr. Mannix?
That's right.

Sergeant Noble, Homicide.

Lieutenant Tobias
wants to see you downtown.

What's the rush? I told him
I'd be in in the morning.

I don't know anything
about that, Mr. Mannix.

Just told me to bring you in.

I'll get my jacket.

All right, Adam.

What is it that couldn't wait until morning?

I'm sorry, Joe.

It was my idea, Mr. Mannix.

Couple of things you said

in your statement to the Lieutenant

I'd like you to clarify.

Who's he?

Eh, Mark Langdon, Joe,
he's in the D.A's office.

Just what is it you want clarified?

You know a man called Arnold Latt?

Who?
The man you sh*t tonight.

He had a long string of arrests.

Petty theft, burglary.

Just what makes you think I knew him?

Did you?
No.

According to your statement,

you were in the building
to see a prospective client.

That's right, Michael Weisman, Suite .

Lieutenant?

No Michael Weisman
in the building, Joe.

The rental agent says o's
been vacant for three weeks.

I don't care
what the rental agent says.

It's on my appointment pad--
his name, time, address.

You can check it out.

But can we check with Mr. Weisman?

What are we getting at, Adam?

The truth.

I hope, Mr. Mannix.

Why don't you sit down, Joe.

If what you say in this statement is true,

so far this is what we have:

On your way to see
a nonexistent man

in an unoccupied suite,

you happen on a stranger,

who is in the act of removing
some diamonds from a safe.

In an exchange of g*n fire,
he's k*lled.

That's right.

He fired at me and, uh...

I did what I usually do
when somebody's trying to k*ll me.

I fired back.

Two sh*ts, as you said
in your statement.

That's right.

And the other man also fired twice.

I wasn't exactly counting, but |, uh,

saw two flashes
and heard two g*n sh*ts.

Lieutenant?

Ballistics report, Joe.
Latt's g*n hadn't been fired.

Six chambers, all full.

The cleaning woman, Mrs.
Boyd, arrived at the doorway

just as you were very correctly
calling the police.

That's what it says.
Now I have a question.

Between Mrs. Boyd's appearance

and the arrival of the police,

were you at any time
alone with the dead man?

Yeah, I guess for a minute or two

when I sent Mrs. Boyd downstairs
to let the police in.

That wasn't in your statement.

If I thought it was important,
it would have been.

Oh, it was important, all right.

We have the jeweler's statement,

and it seems that there
was an envelope

with , dollars'
worth of diamonds

that's unaccounted for.

It was in the briefcase.

What briefcase?

No briefcase, Joe.

Well, it was there when I left.

Now I'd suggest you start asking somebody
else a few questions.

We'll do that, Mr. Mannix.

But in the meantime,

I have to ask you to consider
your license suspended.

Without an investigation?

The investigation has already begun,

as of right now.

And until it's wrapped up,

I advise you not to practice your profession.

Adam, this whole thing is a frame-up.

Looks like it, Joe.

Well, if it is, we'll get
to the bottom of it,

I promise you that.
Well, you better get moving.

'Cause if I find whoever
set me up first..

Don't look!

We'll do the digging.
You stay out of it.

That's a warning.

What's he doing, running for office?

Now this whole frame-up
is put together with spit

and you know it, Adam!

Look, Joe, he thinks he's got enough
to book you right now

and the only reason he hasn't
is 'cause I vouched for you.

Thanks.

Joe, maybe you ought
to line up a lawyer.

What I need is a good
private investigator.

Why me, Joe?

I can't recall any particular display
of friendship on your part in the past.

Well, the kind of trouble I'm in,
you're the best there is.

Like when you're sick you want
the best doctor you can get,

whether you like him or not.

Yeah, something like that.

Well, you're in trouble.

There's no doubt about it.

There's somebody out to get you.

Think you can find out who it is?

You got any ideas?

Only this.

A list of some of my clients,
both happy and unhappy,

and a few losers I help send up.

I'm expensive, Joe.

Bill me.

You can count on that.

Yes, yes certainly,
I'll give him the message

and I'm sure he'll call you

as soon as he gets back
from Acapulco.

You're perfectly welcome, Mr. Perrem.

Goodbye.

Okay, I'm back from Acapulco.

Now what was that job we just lost?

Not lost, postponed.

Mr. J. Perrem.

Great Pacific Insurance.

And he said he'll wait.

Sure.

Joe, it's going to be all right.

It could take a while, though.

So we better start thinking
about something else for you.

Like what?

Another job. I'll make a few calls.

Uh-uh, I'll go along with Mr. Perrem.

I'll wait too.

It could be a long haul.

So it's a long haul.

It's not going to do
either one of us any good

for you to sit around here
crying in your beer.

You're absolutely right.

I can do that in any one
of a dozen saloons

with something stronger than beer.

Hold it, Mannix!

No sudden moves.

Would you like me to open that
or do you want to?

Those diamonds
were planted in my car

and your boys were right there
to watch me find them.

Now add that up for me.

Well, you've been tailed for a week.

Langdon's idea?

Certainly wasn't mine.

And if they were planted,
we'll find out who did it.

If they were planted?

Thanks a lot.

Good morning, Joe.

How did you sleep?

What took you so long?

Bail, my friend. Bail.

We almost didn't make it at that.

Why not?

Well, your hard-nosed friend

down at the District Attorney's office

wanted to add suspicion of m*rder

to the charges of grand theft and possession.

m*rder?

Yeah, I managed to talk him
out of it, Joe,

but he's not going to forget it.

Not if everything else holds up.

Let's go.

Joe, you know the rules.

Don't leave town.

Stay out of trouble.

Is all you been doing so far
is raising bail?

Well, I also got a report

about the fingerprints on the diamonds.

And?

Only yours.

You didn't really take
the stuff, did you, Joe?

They've even got you believing
I did it, haven't they?

That's just great.

You f*ring me, Joe?

This frame-up stinks so much,

I don't know anybody else

who could get to the bottom
of it without throwing up.

Well, a strong stomach never hurt anyone

in our business, did it?

Now look, your job is to find out
who framed me and fast

before this thing gets to a trial.

There's no problem.

Court calendar's jammed for
the next six or eight weeks.

We've got plenty of time.

Wrong. I need my license back.

And incidentally,
the sooner I get it back

the sooner you get paid.

A worthy goal.

Oh, uh, by the way,

what do I owe you for the bail bond?

It'll be on your bill.

You're not thinking of
skipping bail, are you, Joe?

I'll find you wherever you go.

You want to bet?

Joe, do you know what
your bank balance is?

One hundred twenty-seven
dollars and sixteen cents.

Not bad.

Joe, |...

have a little something
in my savings account

and if you need some
eating money, |...

Peggy.

But thanks, anyway.

Look, if you're worried
about my eating, forget it.

I've got a whole pocketful
of credit cards.

Oh, and about you.
I made those calls.

One of them worked.

You've got your old job back at DMV.

I don't want my old job back.

Now look, you've got Toby
to worry about.

At his age he grows out
of shoes every three months.

You said so yourself.

Besides, it won't last long.

Joe, they can't really
make it stick, can they?

I mean, they can't frame you?

No way.

Maury, how are you?

Al, it's a pleasure as always.

I have your table ready.

Thank you, Maury.

Buona Sera, Signora.

I am happy to see you.

Angelo, come stai?
Ah.

E if bambino Amelio.
Oh, marvelous.

So what's good tonight, Maury?

Take the lasagna.

Hey, Maury, isn't that Mannix?

The private eye
they nailed with the hot ice?

I don't know anything about that.

Mannix!

Hey, buddy!

Can you spare a diamond
for a cup of coffee?

Hey, Mannix, didn't you hear me?

I heard you.

So how about an answer?

Johnny.

That's enough. Come here.

It's all right now, Maury.

You can put the damage on my bill.

Johnny...

You're fired.

You can't fire me.

Go home and pack.

I may be dumb, but I listen a lot.

And I heard a lot.

Go home and pack.

Maury, ask Mr. Mannix
to come over here, please.

Sure, Al

Joe, please, I'd like you
to meet Mrs. Pulverenti.

Sit down, young man.

Maury, bring Mr. Mannix another drink.

Thank you.

And you can bring my beer now, okay?

You know who I am?

You're Mrs. Pulverenti.

Hmm.

You knew my husband?

I knew of him.

You would have liked him.

Salvatore.

He was a good man.

Ah.

Grazie.

Ah, I know what people
said about him, but...

he was nice. You know?

Nice man.

He never had a conviction.

Never even had his name
on the police blotter.

Yes, I know, Mrs. Pulverenti.

Ha. You can call me Al

Everybody calls me Al

It's short for Alexandra.

Well, I'll call you Joseph, uh?

Joe.
Hmm, I like Joseph better.

Ha.

So, uh, you know my first name too.

Oh sure, more.

You're a private detective,

you're in trouble with the police.

I read the papers.

Here. Joseph,

eat some of this.

It's good.

Thank you.

And you had your license suspended

so you have no income.

I know how you
young bachelors live.

Bills are piling up.

So you got to find something
to, uh, tide you over

until-- until things are cleared up.

I must say you're very well informed.

You've got a nice gentlemanly way
of putting things, Joseph.

And a great right cross.

So how would you like to work for me?

For a while?

Well, that, uh, depends

on what kind of work you had in mind.

Well, that lightweight
you just demolished,

he was my bodyguard.

Now I don't have any bodyguard.

I got no protection.

And that is not right for a lady.

Salvatore wouldn't like it.

Well, uh, if you'll pardon
me saying so, Al,

you need a bodyguard about
as much as a tiger cat does.

No, no.

Salvatore, he d*ed eight years ago,

but some of his enemies
are still very much alive.

They like nothing better than
to see something happen to me.

Well, I, uh,
really appreciate the offer,

but, uh, that's just not my kind of work.

You mean when you're working.

Well, now there's
quite a few things I can do.

Pick grapes, for instance.

I was raised on a vineyard
in San Joaquin Valley.

And the Army taught me demolition in Korea.

So, uh, if the enemy is crossing
the Golden Gate Bridge

and you'd like it blown up,
I'm your man.

Bodyguard...

I'm afraid I'm just not
cut out for that kind of work.

Hmm, but I think you are.

You've got brains and muscles
in the right amounts.

Besides...

I like you.

The pay is two hundred dollars a week.

Your own room and bath, color TV,

and twenty cents a mile
if you roll your own wheels.

Well, uh...| don't know.

I'd like to think about it.

Okay, Joe.

You think about it.

For an hour.

If you decide yes,

you come back here
and pick me up. Okay?

And Joseph...

bring your toothbrush.

Hello, Carl.

You don't look too bad for a corpse.

Never felt better.

Joe?

Adam?

How did it go?

Well, I'm her new bodyguard.

Good.

Any idea what the caper is?

Not yet.

Yeah, well, it's gonna be big.

For what I've been through,
it better be.

You better watch your step.

Her old bodyguard just walked
in front of a hit and run car.

Dead?

Yeah.

The lady plays for keeps.

Hey, you make that look easy, Joseph.

I wonder sometimes maybe |
should take up that game.

You'd probably be very good.

No matter what anybody says,

the most important thing about golf

is a nice even disposition.

You know, these are beautiful.

Great color.

Yeah, it's called "showgirl."

It was Salvatore's favorite, too.

You've got good taste, Joseph.

These, the yellow ones,
they're my favorites.

My mother, she had these
all growing in front of the house,

up on the wall, you know, beautiful.

Salvatore,

he smuggled them back
from Italy for me.

From my home town.

I'll get it.

Uh-- that's my job, Al.

You want me to earn my pay, don't you?

Yes?

Tell Mrs. Pulverenti I'm here.

Who are you?

Don't worry about it.
Just tell her I'm here.

It's okay, Joseph.
You can let him in.

Sam, how are you?

I'm fine, Al, fine.

Thank you, Joseph.

That's Mannix, huh?

Yeah.

Nice young man.

I don't trust anybody
who used to be fuzz.

He'll be fine.

He's gonna have to prove it to me.

Oh no, just to me.

So what's the bad news?

Well, uh... we lost the Limey.

What?

Yeah, well, uh, the cops
picked him up at the airport.

They yanked him right off the plane.

I thought you had him checked out.

I'm sorry, Al.

But when we hired him in London,

he swore to me that he was clean.

I don't like people who work
for me making mistakes.

It won't happen again.

You know it won't.

It's no good.

It won't work without the Limey.

Look, I don't think we have the time

to find another powder man.

Maybe, uh...

oh, maybe we better call
the whole thing off, Al.

No.

You come back here tonight.

Bring the boys.

Nine o'clock.

Hmm. Delicious.

You're a great cook, Al.

Ah.

It's a pleasure to cook for somebody

who can put it away like you do.

Have some more zabaglione.
I got more.

No, no. Thanks. I've had plenty.

Joseph.

We get along good, don't we?

Why, of course.

So, uh, how would you like
to go into business with me?

Business?

Business.

Oh. I'm sorry, Al, but...

well, I'm in enough trouble as it is.

Thanks, anyway.

Okay.

It's all right, Joseph.

You forget I mention it.

Sure.

I'll get it.

What are you doing here?

Well, I didn't want to call, Joe.

So I just came over.

Joseph!

Who is it?

Just somebody to see me.

Clement North,

Mrs. Pulverenti.

How do you do?

At your service, ma'am.

Mr. North is a private investigator.

He's trying to help me out.

Oh, well, come in.

Come out and have
some coffee with us.

I hope you brought Joe some
good news, Mr., uh, North.

I'm afraid not.

I hope you don't mind

my just breaking in on you
this way, Mrs. Pulverenti.

No, of course not.

Uh, you rather talk alone?

No, no, it's nothing you can't hear, Al.

Good.

You take cream and sugar, Mr. North?

Ah, thanks, no.

Go ahead, Clem.

Well...

I've been asking around.

The best deal I can come up with

is a possible one-to-five
for attempted grand theft,

if you plead guilty.

Otherwise?
The book.

Thanks.

Possession of stolen goods,

grand theft, and a possible charge of m*rder.

Actually, it's not too bad a deal, Joe.

You'd be up for parole in two years.

Thanks a lot.

Well, there's one thing
I haven't tried yet.

I don't know if it'll work.
It always has before.

Dollars.

In the proper places.

Well, that's awful nice
of you to offer, Clem,

as long as you understand

I don't know how or when
I can pay you back.

Well, it, uh,

wasn't offered
in the form of a loan, Joe.

I don't have that kind of money.

But you think I do?

Yes.

Which brings up another consideration.

I've put a lot of time on this thing.

I told you, send me a bill.

Joe

what about the guilty plea
of grand theft?

I'll let you know.

Well, don't take too long.

Don't give them a chance
to change their minds.

No later than tomorrow morning.

Okay. Okay.

Joseph, would you get me
a brandy, please?

Sure.

And have one yourself.

How about you, Mr. North?

Thanks, no.

Very good, Clem.

Very, very good.

Actually, I didn't have to do a thing, Al.

Whoever framed him
nailed him to the wall.

The DA's got him cold.

Where will you go?

There are many ways a man
can drop out of sight.

I think I know most of them by now.

Al, I'd really appreciate

anything I've got coming
from this week's pay.

You're gonna need more
than that to get any distance.

I can let you have
about four thousand.

That's all I got in the house.

Sorry, I couldn't.

Ah, I can spare it.

You pay me back anytime.

I'll get by.

Well, then at least you take a week's pay.

Thanks, Al.

What are you going to do for a living?

Oh, I'll think of something.

Joseph,

how would you like
to drop out of sight

with more than a quarter
of a million dollars?

Some business you're going into.

It is.

And I need a man just like you.

Why me?

Because you...

you know how to blow up
the Golden Gate Bridge.

I see.

We had a good powder man--
the best.

But we lost him.

Did you ever hear of Paul Dalbert?

Limey Dalbert? Sure.

Commando, World w*r Two.
Decorated.

I don't know, Al.

I've always been straight.

Yeah, where did it get you?

Framed, on the run?

Joseph, it's worth consideration.

Three hundred thousand dollars

for a couple hours' work. Huh?

Why don't you think about it?

Okay, Joseph.

You've had a few hours to think.

What do you say?

Well, uh...

Once we tell you, Mannix,
you're in for good.

Hey, Sam.

Don't treat him like some punk.

He knows the score.

I'm in.

Good!

Now, I'd like you to meet

some of my, uh,
business associates.

This is Elgin Bonning.

He's our scientist.

His specialty, electronics.

He's got a Masters degree.
Right, Elgin?

A doctorate, Al

Eh, doctor.

Al
Uh--

And this is Harry O'Toole.

He used to be an entertainer.

Yeah, 'til Al made me go straight.

And now, Mr. Mannix,

I'm following
a more lucrative profession.

See, he... he does impersonations--

Can be very useful.

Show, show how you do me.

Hey, Sam.

Don't treat him like some punk.

He knows the score.

And you already met Sam Duck.

Yeah, we met.

Sit down, Joseph.
We'll bring you up to date.

We are going horse racing.

Day after tomorrow
is Getaway Day at the track.

They expect a record crowd.

The take, more than a million
and a half dollars--

Split five ways.

We got it all worked out,
except for one thing.

The stuff you're gonna use.

The expl*sives?

Yeah.

No problem.

Shut the door and turn on the light.

There's not much air in here.

Oh, yeah, you're kidding.

Well?

Uh, tomorrow afternoon.
The race track.

The whole day's take.

Good work, Joe. We'll be there.

You keep your head down, okay?

You know it.
By the way, how's Peggy?

She cries a lot.

The plastic expl*sives are over there.

So that's what the plastic
stuff looks like, huh?

You think it's better than dynamite?

You can shape it
into any form you like.

And a little goes a long way.

Hmm.

I'm proud of you, Joseph.

It's getting late.

Yeah, you better get started.

Good luck.
See you, Al.

Pack that good and let's go.
Come on.

Hey, wait a minute. Where?

It's four o'clock in the morning.

The race track's
about an hour from here.

We ain't going to the race track.

Now there's been a slight
change in location.

It's the Naval Air Station at Los Britos.

It's payday for two aircraft carriers.

And they've got the payroll there in cash.

I'm sorry I had to mislead you, Joe,

but we weren't one hundred percent
sure of you before.

We are now.

Mannix.

Give me your g*n.

Why?

You won't be needing it.
Give me your g*n.

Joseph.

Give him your g*n.

There's an injured man here
so badly scalded--

I wonder if you'd give us a hand.

Of course. Pull over.

All right. Don't move
and don't make a sound.

Get him! Get him!

Hold it!

Can I see your pass?

Good morning, Sailor.

Oh-- good morning, sir.

What happened to your car, sir?

It broke down.
I had to commandeer this thing.

Let us through, will you?
Yes, sir.

Los Britos Tower, this is Sky Hawk one.

Request permission for take-off.

Roger, Sky Hawk One.

Use runway .
You're cleared for take-off.

Sky Hawk One,
this is Los Britos Tower.

Climb to ten thousand feet

and stand by for clearance

to make high speed passes over field.

Sky Hawk One. Roger.

Good morning, sir.
Good morning.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

I don't want any calls or visitors
for the next hour.

All right. Yes, sir.

Inside. Get inside.

Los Britos Tower--

This is Sky Hawk One at ten thousand feet,

standing by for further instructions.

Roger, Sky Hawk One.

Make your first pass north
to south over Runway .

Check in with that approach position
for high-speed run.

Sky Hawk One, Roger.

Los Britos Towers.

Sky Hawk One
in final approach position.

Am I clear?

Roger, Sky Hawk One.

You're clear.
Roger.

Am commencing first pass now.

Sky Hawk One-- Los Britos Tower.

Instruments indicate an okay run,

but like a duplicate pass
for confirmation.

Roger, Britos Tower.

I'll return to approach position
and stand by.

Roger. Britos Tower out.

Can you disconnect it?

Three.

We need three-- hurry it up!

Sir-- Sir!

I thought I told you, no calls.

I'm sorry, but your coffee's here, sir.

All right. Bring it in.

Your door's locked, sir.

Uh, just a minute.

I don't know why it does that.
It keeps happening.

Uh, send for a locksmith.
Yes, sir.

Britos Tower-- Sky Hawk One.

In final approach position.

Request clearance for run.

Sky Hawk One-- Britos Tower.

Am landing transport
aircraft-- stand by.

Roger, Britos Tower.

SkyHawk One-- Los Britos Tower.

Runway still active. Please stand by.

Roger, Tower.
Sky Hawk One standing by.

Get me some tape.

Hurry up, hurry UP!

I need another piece.

Sky Hawk One-- Britos Tower.
Field is now clear.

Are you in position for confirmation run?

Negative, Britos Tower.

Am in north quadrant

and nearing final approach position.

Roger, Sky Hawk.
Advise when in position.

Britos Tower--
Sky Hawk in final position.

Do I have clearance?

Roger, Sky Hawk-- you're clear.

Roger, am beginning pass now.

Roger, Sky Hawk One.

Drop it, Duck.

Hold it!

You took a big gamble
using that much expl*sive.

You could have gone right up with it.

I couldn't think of anything else
at the time.

Peggy.

Don't you Peggy me.

Why didn't you tell me
what was going on?

I couldn't. Orders.

Adam and the Commissioner
knew about it.

And the corpse.

My office is not used to working

in the dark, either, Mr. Mannix.

I've got an answer for that, too

Hmm.

I don't usually make mistakes about people.

You're a big disappointment, Joe.

If I'd known you ten years ago,

I could have made something
out of you-- like Salvatore.

Now, I don't think you'll
ever amount to very much.

Hal

Goodbye, Joseph.

Goodbye, Al