(male narrator) Tonight on "Spenser, For Hire.."
(Marty) I guess the only thing we know for sure
is that a b*llet bounced off his head.
- Meet John Doe. - John Doe?
You see, I have amnesia.
You know how many legitimate amnesia cases I've seen?
- Zero. - Put him in my custody.
Alright, kid, tell us what you told the cops.
Nothin'.
We gotta move now.
We can't move without a warrant. Those are the rules.
[glass shatters]
Naughty, naughty. Uh-huh.
Who's there?
Delivery for Mr. Spenser.
[g*nsh*t]
[theme music]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter]
(Spenser) The one good thing about a cocktail party
is that it's a place where you can get a free cocktail.
But then again, nothing's free.
You pay for those drinks
in hours of mindless chatter
and bad jokes with people you never wanted
to meet in the first place.
I usually end up trying to make the best of a bad situation
and hoping to spot a familiar face.
- How's it going? - Good.
[indistinct chatter]
- Hi. - Hi.
Let me guess, your disgusting state-of-the-art
detective-wear-some new-surveillance-device?
It's Red Sox, -, double in the ninth.
'Mini TV.'
I should have known.
You know, this isn't the sorta place
I'd expect to you, Spenser.
Why, it's not everyday I get a chance to wear a suit
to try and hobnob with people who, uh..
Well, how did Thomas More put it.
Peoples whose profession it is to disguise matters.
- Hey, watch it. - Hey.
Present company excluded, of course.
I also had to get a signature on the deposition.
You just wanted to check out the score while you're at it.
You betcha. Hey, pretty fancy crowd here.
Oh, I think that's a slight understatement.
Supreme Court Justice Diseko's here
Harold Morrison, one of the best DAs in the country
and look who's over there.
Hey, you wanna make my day?
Find somebody who can introduce me to our guest of honor.
I've been a fan for a long time.
I think I might be able to manage that.
- Mr. Galway. - Oh, Rita.
Hi, I'd like you to meet someone.
Mr. Galway, Mr. Spenser.
Mr. Galway, a real pleasure.
I've been watching you on the news--
Oh, no, no, no, please, I don't want to be reminded
of how long I've been doing this.
- 'Thank you for coming.' - Uh, glad to.
I've also been enjoying your editorials
on the gambling issue.
I think you're right on the mark.
Well, ultimately, of course it's upto the voters to decide.
'But we've already got the, the lottery'
on track betting, we don't need casinos.
Hey, I'm with you.
I like a waterfront without the neon.
And I really wanna thank you for all the help
you've given my office.
Well, uh, thank you both for coming, uh..
Just now, I have a speech to make.
And, uh, what is he doing with your office?
Spenser, I can't tell you that.
- Uh, Rita, congratulations. - Thanks.
Your first grand jury, I understand
you're doing a heck of a job.
Thanks, Wayne.
I suppose you can't tell me about that either.
Nope.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.
Our guest of honor is a man who doesn't need an introduction.
He's been Boston's most respected newscaster
for the last years.
A man voted the most trusted public figure
in Massachusetts.
Known as Mr. Boston himself, Ernest Galway.
[cheering and applause]
Thank you.
I want to thank each and every one of you
for being here today.
It's an honor that ranks with the highest
I've received in my career as a newsman.
'And yet, today, there's also a sadness in me'
because today
I'm announcing my retirement from newscasting.
[indistinct murmuring]
I-I know that this comes as somewhat of a surprise
to all of you, but it is something to which I've given
a great deal of consideration.
'My years in broadcast journalism'
have been deeply satisfying.
But they've also demanded patience and
understanding..
...on the part of my family.
'I won't bore you with a recitation of the birthdays'
'and the anniversaries that I've missed'
let me just say that I've made a promise
to myself..
...and to my family..
...that I won't be missing them in the future.
Thank you.
[applause]
I can't believe he just retired out of the blue.
I mean, right in the middle of..
So is your opinion on lawyers changing
or do you still agree with Thomas More?
[laughs] The jury's still out.
Very diplomatic.
No, really, what'd you think of the whole afternoon?
It was fine, till Winfield's pinching home run.
[man groaning]
- What? - What?
I didn't say anything.
[dramatic music]
[man coughing]
Oh, my God.
[groaning]
Better call and get some help.
[coughing]
(Spenser) It's not everyday I pull a semi-conscious
guy in a tux out of Boston Harbor.
So between doing my grocery shopping
and a trip to the drug store, I thought I'd check on him.
The hospital would keep him for hours for observation.
I wanted to get there before he was released.
(Frank) Hey, how much are these chocolate molasses guys?
Forty cents each.
- I'll take it. Here. - Thank you. Have a good day.
- Spenser. - Frank.
Let me guess, PI work is slowing down
and now you're doing your good deeds as a candy striper.
Candy machine at the station on the fritz?
Uh, you here for the guy in the penguin suit
that you fished out of the harbor?
How'd you know about that?
Police report, a couple of blues took it last night.
Uh, they're bringing him down now, I'm here for a follow-up.
Yeah, did you hear what happened?
Well, the kid was not exactly in the chatty mood last night.
[chuckling] Oh, you're gonna love this.
The b*llet just greased his hair.
He got a head like a rock, it just popped right up.
'Doctor, how's the kid doing?'
A little complication since he's been here.
He should be fine, at least physically.
'However, we would like to have him back'
for further observation. Oh, excuse me.
- Hi, how are you feeling? - Hi.
I feel fine. Doc said I should avoid g*nf*re.
[laughing]
I'm sorry, that's a, a bad joke.
Oh, y-you're the.. I, I really wanna thank you.
Glad to help.
Great story, Spenser.
I was just talking to the nurse, you got a quote for me?
Weekes? Quote? Sure.
Don't fire until you see the whites in their eyes.
[laughs] Cute. Come on, Spenser.
You're gonna come out a hero on this one.
- Draggin' a guy out of the bay. - 'If you say so.'
I don't like your yellow journalism in general.
'And that rag of a newspaper you work for in particular'
now you can print that or you could print no comment.
Hey, I'm just look--
(Spenser) 'I know what you're looking for'
and I better not see it in print.
[camera shutter clicks]
[chuckles] You sure got a way with the press, Spenser.
Hey, I've got no argument with the Fourth Estate
but that guy is not a member.
- Uh, my name is Spenser. - I'm pleased to meet you.
You know, usually during introductions
people give their own name in return.
I don't know it.
What do you mean?
Uh, allow me.
Spenser, meet John Doe.
- John Doe? - 'Uh, yes.'
It's sort of alias that they give to people--
I know what a John Doe is.
Yeah, you see, I have amnesia.
Yeah, and Marty likes that explanation so well
he wants to hear it in person.
You got no wallet.
No ID. Nothing.
'You don't know who sh*t ya.'
'You don't know why or where.'
And how the hell do you expect us to help you?
Oh, come on, Marty, the kid's had a tough time of it.
Don't tell me my job, Spenser, alright?
Twenty years I've been on the force.
You know how many legitimate amnesia cases I've seen?
Zero.
So you think the kid's lying or what?
Wouldn't be the first time.
Maybe he's covering up for a drug deal that went sour.
I don't do dr*gs.
Well, you know something after all, don't ya?
What else do you know?
I know I'm in Boston.
Isn't that where the library has a big empty room
for all the banned books?
[chuckling]
[sighs]
I guess the only thing we know for sure
is that a b*llet bounced off his head.
Yes, Spenser, right...here.
Okay, so we got one vote for a cover up
one for a possible su1c1de, but how about this?
Maybe the kid does have amnesia, how about that?
Now he's out of the hospital, no money, no place to go.
Well, you know what they always say, Spenser.
Finders keepers.
[dramatic music]
Alright.
You done with him?
- Until he remembers something. - Put him in my custody.
You got him.
Come on, kid, you can stay at my place for a day or two
till we find out who you are and where you belong.
Thanks.
(Spenser) Identity is a lot like your heartbeat.
Something you take for granted
and rarely think about until it's gone.
In an era where people complain
of being dehumanized by numbers
my house guest would have welcomed
being identified by a symbol.
Anything that could tell him who he was, until that time
I figured a good night's sleep and a hot meal couldn't hurt.
Here, take a look in here. One of these should fit.
Thanks a lot.
[chuckles]
How does spaghetti and marinara sound?
(Bobby) Great. Do you think that, uh, police sergeant might be right?
Do you think I, uh..
'I mean, I must have been a really bad shape if I..'
- Commit su1c1de? - 'Yeah.'
Well, how do you feel about that?
I don't know what to think.
I didn't ask you what you thought.
I wanna know how you feel, your gut level reaction.
Well, I don't think, I don't feel I'm the type.
- But that means-- - Somebody wanted you dead.
Yeah, but why?
I mean, what could I have done that would have made
somebody want to k*ll me?
Maybe nothing.
Maybe you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You mean I got mugged?
Well, it's a big city, there's a certain element
that doesn't adhere to the golden rule.
Can you help me?
Look, I know the idea of amnesia is kinda scary
but the doctor said it probably won't be permanent.
You could wake up in the morning and remember the whole thing.
But what if I don't?
Now, I don't have any money now
but maybe I'm rich.
'I'm wearing a tuxedo.'
Hey, maybe my name is in there.
Not unless your name is "Tuxedo Junction."
I checked earlier, it's a rental.
Yeah.
'It's still worth looking into.'
I'll do that first thing in the morning.
Hey, how about a pear until we get started here?
Thanks.
And I mean that for everything.
Forget it.
Don't say that.
Spenser, I just remembered something.
I hate pears.
Well, that's a start.
Homeboy.
Why bother? Rainy season be here in another month or two.
Yeah, well, I guess my life has sense of order
if I wash it regularly.
Yeah, every six months whether needs it or not.
- Well, cleanliness is next-- - Don't say it.
Oh, by the way I can't make
the game tonight, something's come up.
Yeah, I heard. Playing big brother again, huh, babe?
Yeah, well, you see this.. Ah, it's a long story.
Always is.
Ain't no big thing, I'll find something to do.
- No doubt. - Who told you? Aha.
[laughing]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) After an hour at Tuxedo Junction
I knew more than I ever wanted to about cummerbunds
and pad and leather shoes
but nothing that would help me to find out who the kid was.
There comes a time in every case
when a detective has to drop back
and analyze the situation
use his deductive powers.
There also comes a time in every case for lunch.
What do you think of your new roommate?
It could be worse, at least he's got
a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Seems to me like you're going through an awful lot of trouble
for someone you don't even know.
Yeah, but think about it, can you imagine
waking up in the morning and not knowing who you are?
The kid can't get a job
can't file for unemployment.
Hell, he can't even get arrested.
Sounds to me like you know what you're talking about.
I've been there.
Used to get my bell rung a lot when I was fighting.
I got knocked out once, didn't know who I was for hours.
It was terrifying, the worst day of my life.
Just imagine what it's like for this kid.
And when you really think about it..
...the only thing we really own in life is our identity.
You know I'd have to agree with you on that one.
- Weekes, damn it. - What's the matter?
[coin clanking]
Well, so now may be someone will recognize him
and tell him who he is.
Well, somebody's trying to k*ll him
they'll know where to find him.
[dramatic music]
[knock on door]
[knocking continues]
Who's there?
'Who is it?'
Special delivery for Mr. Spenser.
Could you leave it by door?
Can't. I need a signature.
Maybe you better come back later.
[g*nsh*t]
[dramatic music]
[g*nsh*t]
[g*nsh*t]
Hey, kid, you alright?
[g*nsh*t]
[footsteps receding]
[glass shatters]
[music continues]
[glass shatters]
[g*nshots]
Stand back now, watch yourselves.
[indistinct chatter on radio]
(Spenser) If nothing else whoever wanted the kid dead was determined.
They were going to keep at it until they got it right.
At the moment, they had the advantage
they knew who the kid was
and why they were trying to k*ll him.
My forward progress had stopped on his opinion of pears.
Still think the kid got mugged?
I want you to sew up his mouth while you're at it.
Hey, but, Frank, then how can you benefit
from my wit and wisdom, recognize the guy?
Ellis Riley, freelancer with mob connections.
Any mob in particular?
No, he spread his work around pretty good.
He's, uh, pretty generous guy.
How's the memory doing, kid?
I forget.
You know for somebody who got contract on him
you got a pretty lousy attitude, you know that?
Maybe we ought to run him in, lieutenant.
Oh, Frank, run him in for what?
Yeah, you know, maybe a couple of days
in the county clinic will jar his memory.
(Martin) 'Maybe I run him in because he's a wise guy'
I'm a little tired of "I forget."
Well, do you ever think of maybe he's getting tired
of people sh**ting at him?
'You're frustrated.'
You've got an attempted homicide investigation with no clues.
But this kid, I mean, somebody is trying
to keeping him from growing old.
Maybe and maybe that's just what he wants us to think.
It's a little convenient, isn't it, Spenser?
A mob hitman tries to off the kid
except he don't know nothing about nothing.
Look, I-I'll find out who's sh**ting at him.
Now do me one favor, will ya?
Don't turn over anymore dead bodies.
"I forget." Ha-ha!
Pretty funny, huh, Frank?
No, that's not funny.
So the lady with the two heads
says to the guy
you probably don't remember me.
[laughing]
You know, Quirk's right, you don't seem
to be taking this very seriously.
Oh, I'm sorry.
It just popped out, I..
I guess it's my way of dealing with anxiety.
Yeah.
Hey, I was thinking
you know what he said about that dead guy?
- Yeah? - Being in the mob?
Do you think it's possible that I could be
you know, a gangster?
Not a chance.
Besides, I don't know many funny guys
in the mob.
Wait a second.
The tux.
The jokes.
[tires screeching]
[engine revving]
- Manny, he's a comic. - That's your definition.
- Not mine. - Didn't say he was good comic.
I just said he was a comic.
Then how come I never heard of him?
- I don't know. Maybe.. - I don't have the..
Maybe he's new! Maybe he doesn't much!
Well, jokes like that I can understand it.
Look, we both.. T-tell us another joke.
(Manny) 'Oh, come on, Spenser.'
(Spenser) 'We both know that jokes'
'are geographically different.'
The Catskills, Miami Beach, they are all different.
And if you don't know who he is, maybe we can at least figure out
where he is from, alright? I want you to humor me, alright?
Okay, okay. Tell me another one. Go ahead.
Doctor calls his patient at home, says I got some good news
and some bad news.
'The good news is you got hours to live.'
The patient says
"my God, what's the bad news?"
"Doctor says I forgot to call you yesterday."
Uh, tell, tell us another one.
Guy's walking down the boardwalk with a pig on leash
another guy comes up and says
"Hey, did you win that at the fair?"
The pig says "Yeah."
There's-there's your geography.
- Boardwalk. - Boardwalk.
Atlantic City. Can I use your phone?
- Local call? - Yeah.
Over there.
Keep your day job, kid.
(Hawk) 'Yeah.'
(Spenser on phone) 'You're hard man to track down.'
- On purpose. - What are you doing tonight?
- How does sleep sound? - 'Real dumb.'
You're missing the point.
Listen, if you're not committed, I could use some help.
- How soon? - How does immediately sound?
Half hour sounds better.
Alright, I'll meet you at that safe house we used last time.
Yep.
(Spenser) So my roommate was a comic.
I don't think Woody Allen's career was in danger
but then again neither was Sherlock Holmes' reputation.
All I had now was pears, comedian
and New Jersey, it wasn't much.
But on slow days you take what you can get.
God have mercy, now I remember why I don't like this place.
Well, if you scrub real hard, it's kinda homely.
(Hawk) 'Yeah, real hard, you mean, like with your eyes closed.'
Sit down, kid and make yourself comfortable.
It's gonna be a while.
Gee, Drum said you had a little off chasing with Ellis Riley.
Yeah, terminal complication.
That's not an respected man talk to better game any play.
Have you any idea who he might have been working for?
Heard that he was persona non grata with the locals lately.
'Seems his profile was little too high'
with the resident constabulary.
Maybe he is working for somebody out of town
somebody down the coast.
Hm, could be gambling types in the town
mob lawyer named Evans.
from the old school thinks he's a fancy dresser.
Sounds like he might be worth checking into.
'Look, take good care of my friend here.'
Who knows you might hear some jokes
you could add to your repertoire.
- Elephant went into a bar-- - Later.
Spenser.
Ellis Riley spares food hamburgers
playmate to New York stripper, Charles Brower, you dig?
I dig.
You play darts?
[foghorn blaring]
It's a nice boat, nice boat, Evans.
It'll make a terrific floating casino.
It'll be a good compliment to our proposed hotel.
Yeah, if the gambling bill gets passed.
Oh, no, you're worrying about things that don't need worrying.
I'm telling you, Galway was the key element.
And with his retirement
the anti-gambling coalition lost its major spokesman.
Well, I'm thinking maybe we turn Galway around.
Maybe we'll turn him all the way around
to our side.
He's neutralized, that's enough.
And besides the man is too principled
to make a complete turnaround.
I know some people who can give him some new principles.
Well, we don't like to do business that way.
Oh, I know, Danny.
You boys up here you don't like to get your hands dirty.
You're all so proper and sophisticated.
Well, let me tell you something.
If your boys played a little bit rougher
we wouldn't have these messy details.
We'll take care of the comic, we have people working on it.
Well, you tell them to work harder.
'There's a lot of money at stake here.'
Five maybe six mil a year, legit.
And I don't want to see my end going down the tubes
'because your people can't handle some messy details.'
Evans, just make sure you take care of your end
your political contacts.
We'll handle the decision making end
and we'll handle the comic.
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
Rita.
- Spenser. - Let me help you.
My God, you show up in the most unexpected places.
No, your secretary told me where to find you.
I gotta talk to you.
- Ever consider wash and wear? - Never.
Whatever it is you wanna talk about, you better make it fast
I'm on my way to court.
Oh, you must be psychic
because it is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.
Let me guess what this, uh, court date
is all about, tell me if I get warm.
How about a grand jury investigation
on, oh, say, gambling?
I'll take that for a warm answer.
How about more specifically legalized
casino style gambling in our fair commonwealth.
Ah, I'm getting hotter.
How about an investigation on the local underworld's
influence on that area?
Spenser, I'm not finding this amusing.
If you want some information, why don't you just ask me?
Well, great, what do you know about Morgan Evans?
- None of your business. - Of course, it's my business.
You're a public servant and I'm the public.
Grand jury investigations are confidential, you know that.
Well, there is an investigation then.
Why are you asking me questions you know
I can't possibly answer.
Just trying to do my job.
By asking me not to do mine.
By asking me to divulge privileged information.
Oh, well, why am I talking to you about professional ethics?
Professional ethics, I've got a client
who somebody is trying to k*ll twice.
The last hitter was a local boy with mob connections.
Now, maybe there's a connection with your, uh, investigation
'maybe there's not.'
But the body count so far is one
I don't wanna see it go any higher.
Neither do I.
I wish there weren't any dead bodies.
'But that doesn't mean it's got anything to do'
with what I'm doing nor that there gonna be anymore.
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
(Spenser) Carl Jung said that if you trace coincidence
back far enough you'd find that it was inevitable.
I don't know if Martin Quirk was thinking about Jung
when he called us down to the wharf.
But I'll sure bet he was thinking about coincidence.
(male #) 'Alright, got it.'
Well, well!
PI and pie in the eye.
Glad you two could make an appearance.
We're just doing our civic duty, Frank.
You look empty handed. No lunch wagon around.
Two bodies, one dead, one alive
that washed up at a Boston harbor
within hours of each other.
Over here, boys.
Both had head wounds
both caused by a heavy caliber b*llet.
'It's a big coincidence, won't you say, Spenser?'
Alright, hold it.
'Who do we got here?'
My God.
Recognize her?
Yes.
Well, who is she?
I don't know
but I-I've seen that face before.
Maybe, maybe you k*lled her.
- Me, why? I could-- - 'Just relax.'
He's trying to shake you up.
Hey, I ought to take him in for questioning.
Why?
He's in my custody, you know where to find him.
That was before she washed up.
Give me a couple of more hours, let me work with him.
Alright, you got it.
Come on.
Right.
[engine cranking]
Alright, alright, alright, let's, let's start over again.
Just, just relax
and let your mind wander where it will, okay?
Now you remember the girl, where do you remember her from?
- Spenser, I don't-- - I don't want to hear..
I don't wanna hear I don't know, okay? Concentrate.
Try to focus on her face, okay?
Try to see her face. Come on, try.
Come on, come on.
- Lights. - Lights. Good, lights.
- What kind of light? - I don't--
Headlights, flash lights, stop light--
- Flashing, flashing. - That's good.
- Bright.. - Come on.
- Why can't I remember? - You are remem..
You're remembering, you're doing real good.
Flashing lights, like on a, uh, police car.
- They were white. - White.
Uh, strobe lights.
- Kind of. - Uh..
Bright lights, uh, at a disco?
No, I don't think so.
Flash bulbs on a camera.
Flash.. That's good. Flash bulbs.
- Huh? - Yeah.
Yeah, that was it. Somebody was taking a picture.
Good. Good.
But what good is it, if I don't know who?
Oh, listen, take it easy.
You might be doing better than we think.
We got a pretty girl who gets washed up on the beach
with track marks on her arms
and somebody's taking pictures of her.
Pictures she maybe didn't wanna show to her mama.
Naughty, naughty.
[chuckles]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) Quirk wasn't crazy about babysitting the comic
but he did give us a snapshot of the dead girl.
By now identified as Deborah Townes
and definitely not the girl next door.
[instrumental music]
Hawk and I went through a half a dozen
p*rn photographers and smut peddlers
before we found the reaction we were looking for.
Of course, we knew going in that everyone we talked to
would deny even knowing Deborah Townes
but some people lie better than others.
Tommy Gross should have taken some lessons.
No, I never seen her before.
And this skippy ain't no sissy.
Okay, fellows, let's go. I got work to do.
Tommy, now look, we know what you're involved in
and sooner or later, one way or another
you're gonna tell us who hired you.
So why don't you just be a good citizen
and volunteer the information?
[laughs] Come on.
I know tougher guys than you two.
So do I, but they're all in the Charles Street Jail.
Hm.
Tommy, you don't seem to understand the situation.
Deborah Townes is dead, m*rder*d.
- That makes you an accessory. - 'Now, wa-wait a second.'
They just hired me to do a photo session.
- That's all-- - They? Who are they, Tommy?
I can't tell you that.
[clattering]
Look, you can hurt me
but you won't k*ll me.
The people I work for will.
Hey, Hawk, sounds like
Tommy here could use a little police protection.
'You know, I could take you down to Homicide.'
'I've got a friend over there who'll keep you safe.'
Hm.
It might make Tommy's employers nervous
knowing that he's talkin' to the man.
Oh, but they wouldn't hurt him, would they?
I mean, just because he was at the police station
doesn't mean he'd tell 'em anything.
Hm, but everybody knows that Tommy is a stand-up guy.
Look, I'm telling you, I got nothin' to give you.
Tommy, you're a real smart guy.
'So I'm sure you gave the negatives'
to the people who hired you.
But I bet, you kept some of those pictures for yourself.
You know, kind of like an insurance policy.
That's smart.
So why don't you give me the pictures
tell me who hired you, and we can be on our merry way?
We won't have to get down to Homicide.
[dramatic music]
[drawer opens]
[drawer shuts]
That's the best I can do.
No names.
Check out the lady's friend.
[indistinct chatter]
Now, you tell me something, what about you--
Alright, alright! Alright! It's a police station.
Knock it off, will you? You, get outta there.
Hey! Come on, over here. Let's go.
[indistinct chatter]
- No way! No way! - 'They might drop the charges.'
(male #) 'If you can give them any info on the Deborah Townes..'
[indistinct chatter]
[exhales sharply]
(female #) 'If that's what you get for working on the..'
[indistinct chatter]
'That was not good..'
[indistinct chatter]
Boat.
- Boat? - Yes.
Uh, flash-bulbs, the girl..
They had something to do with the boat.
I think it might be a clue to, uh, you know, who I am.
Yeah, well, that's, uh, that's really good, kid.
That's brilliant stuff.
Any idea how many boats there are in Boston?
Have you any idea what it's like going through life
without even knowing your name?
Oh, look, kid, you see
all these beautiful people?
Now, I got to interrogate every one of them
about Deborah Townes' death.
Now, after I get finished questioning them
maybe, just maybe, we can talk about boats.
But it might tell me who I am. Please.
- This is driving me crazy. - Kid, please!
I don't know whether you're talkin' about big boats
the little boats, uh, uh, toy boats
or tug boats or speed boats or..
Why don't you just go over there and sit and think?
And if you come up with anything concrete, let me know.
- Okay? - Watch out!
- Next. - Big boats, the little boats.
- 'Yeah, what is it?' - Bog boats..
Fountain..
Fountain.
- 'Oh, that's..' - 'Easy there.'
Fountain.
The boat had something to do with the fountain.
Kid, please, give me a break, will ya?
I'm busy! Can't you see that I'm..
[clamoring]
[woman screaming]
[clamoring]
Okay..
[woman screaming]
[instrumental music]
Spenser.
I'm sorry I'm late.
But people don't usually arrange to meet me in the park.
I got those from a p*rn named Tommy Gross.
I don't understand your connection with this.
Trying to save a young man's life.
I need to know who's blackmailing you.
- I was set up. - How?
There were rumors about Mob
influencing the pro-gambling lobby.
I got an exclusive interview
they had a big party on a boat
seemed perfectly safe.
'I had one drink.'
And when you woke up?
I was on a speed boat going back to the shore.
These pictures were in my mail box the next morning.
- Who set you up? - I can't tell you that.
You don't know what's at stake.
What, your reputation?
I can't believe you'd value that over a human life.
One person's already dead.
- Dead? What do you mean? - Girl in those pictures.
They found her in the harbor with a b*llet in her head.
My God!
(Spenser) 'Mr. Galway, you know who k*lled her.'
Tell me who those people are. Tell me what you're afraid of.
Nobody's going to believe those pictures.
Go public with them. Tell the truth.
Spenser, you're trying to save somebody's life.
Well, so am I.
The second picture they sent me
was my granddaughter.
I think the message is clear.
Now a lot of things are clear.
Look, don't you think I want to expose them?
- I just can't take the chance. - You have to.
You have to.
'You can't go into self-imposed exile.'
Who's the next Ernest Galway? Who's the next girl in the bay?
Who's the next child to be threatened?
She's six years old!
'You've been around long enough to know how blackmail works.'
Do you honestly think that your granddaughter's going to be safe
because you retired?
She's only safe until they need you again.
My God, man! What am I supposed to do?
Help me, and I'll try to help you.
[dramatic music]
[sighs]
Laurence Denning
and Morgan Evans set me up.
Evans' boat is the Fontainebleu.
It's berthed down in the harbor.
Pier one.
(Spenser) What had started out as a simple case
of finding one man's identity
had led me to the names of people
who tried to k*ll my no-name comic
threatened v*olence to a child
and destroy a man of integrity through fear.
I had promised Ernest Galway I would help him.
I wanted a cr*ck at him alone.
Figured Marty Quirk might wanna get his legs in, too.
I'm telling you, Marty, I think
I know who k*lled Deborah Townes.
The same people are trying to k*ll my client
which should help us find out who he is.
Let's get him in here.
Belson?
- Belson, where's that comic? - He's right over..
He was, he was right there. It..
[instrumental music]
[cat meowing]
Excuse me.
I'm lookin' for a, a boat
with, uh, the name Fountain
or Fountain in part of its name.
Yeah, the Fontainebleu. Big sea go up from Cape May.
She's on the other side of the warehouse at pier one.
Thanks.
[telephone ringing]
(Spenser) 'What are we standing around waiting for?'
I know he's on that boat.
The search warrant's being issued, Spenser.
We can't wait for that. We gotta move now.
Can't move without a warrant, those are
the rules. You remember the rules.
- Don't you, Spenser? - Rules! Your rules.
- 'Spenser!' - 'Spenser!'
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
You swore to me, Denning.
You swore to me everything was gonna be taken care of.
Hey, take it easy.
And also, use your head for a minute, would you?
This kid has been on the street for, what, hours?
If he's told the cops anything
then why aren't they here right now
tearing the place apart, hauling us in?
- I don't know, you tell me. - I'll tell you.
Because the amnesia story in the papers is true.
He can't remember anything, so he can't tell them anything.
And what if the so-called amnesia wears off?
- Look-- - Then what?
We're gonna find him.
Sooner or later we're gonna find him.
And when we do, that'll be the end of it.
Excuse me, Mr. Denning
there's someone on the dock you might be interested in.
Found him starting up the gangplank.
Wouldn't take no for an answer.
- Get him in here, now. - Bring him in.
[intense music]
[tires screeching]
You don't think they're gonna invite him to
afternoon tea, really?
Let's go.
Funny how things work out, huh, kid?
Who are you guys? What do you want from me?
I bring you up here figuring
this is gonna be a good start for your career.
Instead, it's the end of your career.
It's a shame, huh? Tsk-tsk-tsk.
You should've stuck to your jokes, kid
'instead of pokin' around where it's none of your business.'
Hey, you guys know who I am.
Just tell us what you told the police.
[music continues]
I know you! I've seen you before!
Amnesia, huh?
Alright, kid, tell us what you told the cops!
Nothin'. I can't remember anything.
[music continues]
Come on, tell me.
I can't tell you anything I don't know!
This ain't getting us anywhere.
Alright. Keep at it.
Let us know when you're finished. We'll be up on top.
Hey, wait a minute. At least tell me who I am. Hey!
[groans]
[groaning]
[grunting]
Look, I don't want this to get any messier than it has to.
Sequoia here enjoys this kind of thing, I don't.
One more time, what did you say to the police?
How many times do I have to tell you?
I can't remember anything!
You know what, kid? I believe you.
Trouble is, I can't take any chances.
[groaning]
[table clatters]
[groans]
[whispers] Yeah.
Spenser, what're you doin' here?
- How'd you find me? - Alright, forget.
Go on.
[dramatic music]
[mumbles]
[g*nshots]
[groans]
- What's goin' on? - Somebody's onboard.
- They got the kid. - How many?
- Two! - Well, take care of 'em.
[music continues]
[g*nshots]
- Where are they? - Eleven o'clock.
Behind the pylons.
[laughing]
[applauding]
- It's startin' to come back! - Don't worry about that now.
Let's concentrate on getting out of here alive.
- But I'm startin' to rem-- - Will you get down?
[g*nshots]
[laughing]
[g*nshots]
[g*nshots]
[g*nsh*t]
[applauding]
(Spenser) 'Hey, kid, where are you?'
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
[no audio]
[g*n cocks]
So long, Bobby.
Drop it.
[g*nshots]
You alright?
More than alright.
I'm Bobby Olak from New Jersey!
(Spenser) Bobby Olak, an accidental witness
to Deborah Townes' m*rder
had found his life suddenly expendable.
Now those same men who'd given Bobby his death sentence
would wait for his testimony to determine their own fate.
Poetic justice can be the most satisfying.
(Galway on TV) 'And lastly, in a move that surprised'
'law-enforcement officials and the underworld alike'
'Mob lawyer, Laurence Denning has turned State witness'
in the Deborah Townes m*rder trial.
Additionally, in exchange for immunity from prosecution
Denning will be the key witness in the grand jury probe
'into organized crime's influence'
'in the pro-gambling lobby.'
And now, on a more personal note
I'd like to say that reports of my early retirement
they've been greatly exaggerated.
It's great to be back.
And I'll return after the commercial break
with my nightly editorial.
Good to see him back.
The news just wasn't the same without him.
- Hey, speakin' of comebacks.. - Hi.
I just came by to say thank you and, uh, goodbye.
I'm, uh, heading out west. I thought I'd try Vegas.
[chuckles] You better watch out for the showgirls.
- They'll tire you out. - Nah, you'll have a good time.
Just remember what Casey Stengel said.
"Being with a woman all night never hurt a guy.
It's staying up all night trying to find one that'll do you in."
[men laughing]
That's pretty good.
I'm gonna work that into the act.
Well, thanks a lot.
- Okay. - Take care.
- See ya. - Buh-bye.
What a sweet kid. I hope he makes it.
Well, whether he does or not, it's not really important.
'At least he knows who he is and where he's goin'.'
'And that's what's important, right?'
To be yourself, to be unique.
To do what only you do best.
Right.
I'm gonna get a donut.
[all laughing]
[theme music]