04x04 - Second Chance

[bunniefuu]

I'm paying you to do a job.
So stop waffling and punch in.

You can't pay me enough
to handle this gig.

No, don't!

Zachary Lions, Jr.
But you can call me Zack.

Everybody does.

Both of us have paid our dues

But this time
we've got something new

This whole thing
is turning into
a domestic case

with very spotty overtones,

and I'm off it, as of now.

[PHONE RINGING]

ROCKFORD
ON ANSWERING MACHINE..
This is Jim Rockford.

At the tone, leave your name
and message.

I'll get back to you.

[BEEPS]

This is Globe Publications.

Our records show you did not
return your free volume of
The Encyclopedia of Weather.

So we'll be sending you
the remaining 29 volumes.

You'll be billed accordingly.

Thank you, Mr. Shapiro.

Everything went
just the way
you said it would.

It always does, Moran.

Now you have one week
to live up to
your end of the deal.

No sweat.

All I need is a couple of days
to get things wired,
that's all.

Hey, and when Joe Moran
gives his word, you got gold.

Let's go.

Hey, I could use
a ride downtown.

Take the bus.

Come on, Jimmy, man.
All's you got to do
is come up with the geet.

It's a natural way
to make money.

I don't have the geet, Angel.

And if I did,
I wouldn't put it
into a scheme

to rip off little kids.

Rip off? Isn't that
a little strong, man?

I mean, they get
and I'd do all the work.

Yeah,
all they have to do is

stand around on a corner
at rush hour
and sell carnations.

All right, who goes down
to the flower mart
at 3:00 am in the morning?

Who drops off the kids
at the corner,

picks them up, does the books,
buys the gas?
Me. That's who.

All you got to do is lay back,
pick up a penny
a bunch royalty.

Uh-huh.
And you pick up 79 cents
a bunch?

Oh, no. No, thank you, Angel.
Wilson residence.

MAN.. Sounds like
Rockfish to me.

Gandy?

Yeah. Why the bum handle?

Oh, it's that time of month,
the vultures are gathering.

How you been, pal?

Fine, Rockfish.

And if money's your problem,
I think I can solve it.

Oh, what's it going
to cost me?
Just 500.

Hey, hey, hey,
I was first.

Cheap,
when you stop to figure.

Did somebody paint an X
on my back?

Now just hold on.
Let me lay it down to you.

You see, I met this girl,
her name's Theda Best.

And she sings songs
that'll make you... Well...

Anyway, I saved two grand
and for only 500 more,
I can cut a demo.

Well, for only 500 more
I could pay
my utilities, Gandy.

You ought to hear her sing.
I tell you what,
don't take my word for it.

Come down
to the Mercury Lounge,
see for yourself.

The Mercury Lounge?
Yeah.

It's a nice little spot
down in San Pedro.

There's no such thing
as a ''nice spot'' in San Pedro.

I don't have 500
to invest in club singers

or street vendors.

Poor mouth me all you want,
but don't go calling Theda
no street vendor.

I didn't mean her
and I don't have
the 500, either.

Aw, forget the bite.

I figured
you were tapped anyway.
You usually are.

Come on down.
I know you'll dig her,

and I'll buy the drinks.
What do you say?

Since you put it that way,
all right.

But just to hear her sing,
nothing more.

I'll save us a table
right next to the stage,
about 8:00.

All right, see you later.

Jimmy, Jimmy, listen.

There's a lot of guilt
in the world.
Flowers could be big money.

Angel,
that's the worst offer
I've had all day.

All you're putting up is lip.
At least Gandy's willing
to put up two grand.

Two grand? Who is Gandy?

Hey, you think this guy,
he might like to
get into flowers?

[WOMAN SINGING]

MAN: Hey, Dixie,
two more beers.

Real nice
little nightspot, Gandy.

Quiet, Rockfish,
the lady's singing.

Make a little love

Jimmy, baby, now

Make a little love

Make a little love

Make a little love

Straight bourbon.

To me

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Yeah, yeah

Ooh!

Burn 'em down, burn 'em down,
burn 'em down, burn 'em down

Burn 'em down, yeah!

I could tell
by the look in your eyes

You've been hurt

Well, so have I

Leave behind our memories

Concentrate on just you and me

Put aside the hurt and pain

We'll make sure
it don't happen again

We'll burn our bridges
behind us

Burn 'em right down
to the ground

Burn our bridges behind us

Love's gonna keep us
safe and sound

Come to me, and when you do

Open arms are waiting for you

Both of us have paid our dues

But this time
we've got something new

[MEN CHATTERING]
We got love to light our way

Baby, forget about yesterday

We'll burn our bridges
behind us

Burn 'em right down
to the ground

Why don't you can the story
and listen to the lady sing
or get out?

Hey, this guy wants to be
an oil slick on dry land.

Hey, why don't you be nice?

Okay?

Both of us have paid our dues

But this time
we've got something new

We got love to light our way

Baby, forget about yesterday

Come on!
We gotta burn our bridges
behind us

Yeah, burn 'em right down
to the ground

[OBJECTS CLATTERING]
Come on and
burn our bridges behind us

Love's gonna keep us
safe and sound

[GRUNTING]

We'll burn our bridges
behind us

Burn 'em right down
to the ground

Come on
and burn our bridges
behind us

Love's gonna keep us

Hey, you know that
love's gonna keep us

I said, love's gonna keep us

Hey, safe and sound

[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey, who's the dude
with the chirp?

It's Gandolph Fitch.
Part-time bouncer. Why?

Gandy, how'd you get
to be her manager?

He appointed himself
two weeks after we met.

Damn right I did.
Somebody's got to get you
out of this place.

I got some tapes
of Theda singing at most of
the record companies.

They got piles of tapes.

But if the record companies
don't come through,

I'm going to cut a demo,

and I'll lean on
a few deejays
to get it played, too.

I don't think
you can muscle a song
onto the charts, Gandy.

They ain't never been muscled
by Gandolph Fitch.

Besides, once
they've heard Theda sing,

it's all over
but the signing
and the grinning.

I can't dispute that.
Theda's a good investment.

It takes a real friend
to believe
in that dream, Gandy.

Woman, when are you going
to stop putting yourself
down all the time?

Baby, I'm not
putting myself down.

I'm being a realist,
and as a matter of fact,
I'm a winner, too.

I got you, don't l?

Hey, look, I'm going
to have to be going.

But she's got
two more sets to go.

Yeah, stick around.
You may not be hit
by a flying bottle.

Well, one more set.
Sure. Sure.

Hey, Dixie,
bring another round.

[MEN GRUNTING]

Hey, you guys.
Cool it. Cool it.

A real nice
little nightspot, Gandy.

Hey, mama,
you owned me on that last set.

You kidding?
Lester almost fell
off his stool.

Well, who hears the piano?

[HORN BLARING]

Come on,
let's get something to eat.
I'm starved.

Okay.

No! Joe.

Now, get in the car.

[PHONE RINGING]

Fish, this is Gandy.
Theda's gone.
Her place's been tossed.

I'm here now,


I need help, bad.

[DIAL TONE]
Gandy? Gandy?

Lots of people
wouldn't mind hitting me
over the head,

but why'd they go
and rob Theda?
She didn't have nothing.

Well, maybe
it wasn't the same person.

Do you know
if anything's missing?

I don't know
what she's got in here.

We was just getting close,
you know.

I've only known her
a couple of months.

Where's she from?
I don't know.

I never asked about her past,
she never asked about mine.

She doesn't know
you did time?

Well, why hide that?
You weren't guilty.

Don't make
no difference anyway.

Past has got
nothing to do with love.

Well, no. But it may have
something to do

with your getting hit
over the head.

How did you meet her, anyway?

It was after I got my place.

I wanted some sounds,
but couldn't afford
a new set up,

so I answered a newspaper ad
for some used components.

She opened the door.

I bought her stereo,

and when I found out
she worked at
the Mercury Lounge,

I started hanging out,
you know.

I got friendly
with the manager,

and he hired me
for a third fist
on weekends.

After that,

Theda and me got tight.

Well, if somebody
was robbing her,
they missed this.

Well, maybe they got
what they wanted
out of those drawers.

Whatever it was
they were looking for
fit in those drawers,

could sure fit in here.

What is it?
Records.

Don't look at me.
I don't know either.

Maybe Moran is her brother,
and she changed her name.

Or maybe he's her husband
and Best is her maiden name,

or maybe none of the above.
I don't know.

Yeah, well, maybe
we ought to find the man
and ask him.

Gandy, just turn it over
to the police, huh?

That's what
they're there for.

And they'll just
drop everything

to find out
who hit a black ex-con
over the head.

Gandy.

Forget the cops.

You find Theda
or this Joe Moran

and then just step back
and leave the rest to me.

Be realistic, will you?

Not reporting a crime
is a crime.

But I was gonna ask her
to marry me after
we cut the demo, Rockfish.

And she would have
said yes, too.

Well, I'm sure
she would've, Gandy.

But, hey, don't give up
on her yet, all right?

Won't be no demo
without Theda.

I'm sorry, Gandy,
but bird dogs
are accessories.

And freebies are bad policy.

Does two grand
buy your help, friend?

Well, it may.

Only on two conditions.

And the first one is to file
a missing persons report,

and the second one is,
I am off the case the minute
it becomes a domestic case.

There ain't been a lot of love
in this rotten life,

and I just found out
how much I been missing.

Find her, Rockfish. Find her.

We ran the check
on Joe Moran.
This is what we found.

Thanks.
Here, take this down
to Missing Persons.

It's against the law
to show a civilian
someone's rap sheet.

Well, then,
don't show it to me, Dennis.

Just tell me what's in it.

Oh, of course, and give you
Joe Moran's address, too,

so you can let
that gorilla loose on him.

I promise I won't let Gandy
get within 10 miles of him.

Well, maybe
it won't be so hard
to keep them apart.

He's been in the joint
since 1972
doing life for m*rder.

So much for
my only starting point.

He won't be eligible
for parole until '79.

Who'd he k*ll, anyway?

Vincent Johnson,
plastics manufacturer.

Moran is also married
to Theda Best.

I figured that.

But Moran couldn't have
hit Gandy in the head
from inside the joint.

He made parole five days ago.

Life is seven years.

Hey, Fred, you know
you can b*at m*rder One
in five now?

They got a new thing called
Second Chance Program.

Second chance to do what?

I don't even know
why we bother.

Dennis,
who's his parole officer?

Listed as Arnold Rose.

And they don't give
any addresses over there
either, Jimbo.

RECEPTIONIST: You have to
have an appointment, sir.
Mr. Rose is very busy.

I'm terribly sorry, sir.

It's my fault, Arnold.
It's all my fault.

I was trying to tell her
this is an opportunity
that cannot wait.

You are
Joe Moran's parole officer,
aren't you?

Yeah. Who are you?

Zachary Lions, Jr.
But you can call me Zack.

Everybody does.

Yeah. Well, what can
I do for you, Mr. Lions?

Oh, it's what I can do
for Joe Moran
that's at issue here.

I'm here to offer the Big E.

See, I am the A&R man
for Trondewellyn Records,

and we're very interested
in doing a new version

of a single Joe cut for us
back in '72.

Yes, sir, we want to
remix the whole thing.

We want to lay in
a synthesizer,

put a few
''oohs'' and ''ahhs'' in there,
that kind of stuff.

You know, we figure
we get Joe and Theda

we could blow lke and Tina
right out of the box.

Of course, before we can do
a thing, we got to get Joe
back under contract.

Sorry,
that's out of the question.

Don't you think
you ought to leave that
up to Joe?

No.

I don't want him
getting mixed up
in show business again.

You think he's better
if he's working
on some car wash?

It's a cleaning plant,
Mr. Lions.

But even a car wash
would be better for him

than mixing
with music business types.

Come on, Arnold,
we're talking about
a national tour.

The Donnie & Marie Show,
the whole bit.

No, no. That's not what
you're talking about,
Mr. Lions.

You're talking about a flyer
with a man's rehabilitation.

About a business
that spits people out.

About a nose full of coke
and a trip back to the joint,
and I won't have it.

Well, Arnold,

I guess you really care
about the people
in these files.

Yeah, well, I'm sure as hell
not in it for the money.

Well, okay. Okay.

If you think
he's got a better future
working in some Laundromat,

that's okay with me.

The Shapiro
Cleaning Corporation

is hardly a laundromat,
Mr. Lions.

Really?

Yeah? What's on your mind?

I'm trying to locate
an employee of yours,
Joe Moran.

What for?
You a bill collector?

Hardly.

My name is Don Bates.
I'm with
Phoenix Life and Casualty.

There's been a death
in the family

and Mr. Moran's
come into some money,

if I can track him down.

Just a minute.

Oh, I'm afraid
you'll have to come back,
Mr. Bates.

Why?
Well, Moran's on
the night shift.

And I can't
give out his address.
It's company policy.

Darn! I was hoping
to settle this thing today.

It's my daughter's birthday
and I...

I told her
I'd get back to Phoenix

and help her
blow out the candles.

That's too bad.
How old is she?
Seven.

Seven, yeah, yeah.

It's her first birthday
since her mother passed away.

Well, business comes first.
I guess
I'll just have to miss it.

Hey, wait a minute.
Yeah?

Look, he's staying
at the Gorjanic Hotel
on 8th Street.

But don't tell anyone
you got it from me,
okay, pal?

Oh, no, no, no.
Thank you.

Farnum, what is with you?

Ten folders
went on the Pressman's Rate
last week,

and I didn't authorize it.

But, Mr. Shapiro, I...

By adjusting them up

I b*at the whole
class one overtime
on the Hilton drape job,

and I skimmed 60% off
the weekly Health
and Welfare nut to boot.

Well, that's beautiful,
but if the union
ever gets wind of it...

Yeah.

Hello.

Who are you?
I'm Don Bates.

I was just leaving.
Thank you.

Who was that?

Insurance guy
looking for Joe Moran.

I have his card here...
Somewhere.

[MACHINES WHlRRING]

Lanark.

There's a guy
in a brown checked
sports jacket

going out the west end
of the plant.

Get on him, you and Brill.

And get his story.

[SIGHS]

Hi.

Keep both hands on the wheel.

Shut up.
When the light changes,
follow that green sedan.

Any funny stuff
and I'll blow you
into next Tuesday.

Take your wallet out
with your left hand

and toss it
on the seat slowly.

Aw, come on, pal,
I only got 18 bucks.

PI, huh?
Who're you working for?

The FBI, how about yourself?

I work for Mr. Shapiro.

And he doesn't like anyone
messing around with his cons.

And we're gonna find out
who you're working for
right now.

Look, pal, couldn't
we work something out, huh?

Yeah, sure.

Tell us who you're working for
or you'll end up
in a trash compacter.

How's that?
Okay. You win.

[g*nsh*t]

Yeah. Mmm-hmm.
Mmm-hmm.

Hang on. He's right here.

Hey, Gandy, it's for you.

Who is it?

Shep Muncey. Vice-president
of Pacific Records.

Wants to talk about
a recording contract.

This is Mr. Fitch.
How can I help you, sir?

Hey, ma'am.

Please, please.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
We're closed.

This won't take a second.

You see, my wife here,

she very foolishly
lost the claim ticket
on some components

that she knows
she left in here,
and I'd like to get them out.

I thought this was only
going to take a second.

Well, please,
it is important.

How long ago was it?

Psst.

Oh, six, seven months ago.
I don't know.

What kind of components
were they?

Well, I have a list.

The name on it is Theda Best.

All right, you wait here.
I'll see what I can do.

The speakers
better be in there.

Because if they ain't,
I'm going down the tubes.
You understand?

And I ain't flushing out
alone either.





[RINGING]

Yeah?

Moran, where have you been?
I've been trying to get
a hold of you for three hours.

Who's this?

Chuck Simms,
Parole Department.

You got 20 minutes
to get your butt
in front of my desk.

Hey, uh, there must be
some mistake, sir.

My parole officer is...

Was. Was Arnold Rose.

You've just been
turned over to me.

And that's just about
one step from being back
inside the joint.

Now, you get down here.

It is now 19 minutes
or I'm pulling your plug.

Damn.
If Shapiro doesn't get me,
the man will.

You're down to seeds
and stems with me, Theda.

Now, I want to know
what you did with the stereo.

I pawned it.

You stay here
till I get back, you hear?

Yeah, Joe, I hear.

Now, you run out on me
one more time,

and I'm gonna
cancel your space.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Who is it?

Jim Rockford.

Go away, will you, please?

I just got here.
Come on, open up.

What do you want?

Oh, I think a few answers
would be nice.

I don't have any.
Is Gandy okay?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

You don't k*ll Gandolph Fitch
by hitting him on the head.

Did Joe Moran do it?
Yeah.

Did he toss your apartment?

Yeah. He was looking for
the pawn to the stereo set.

Hey, why don't you just
get out of here before
there's some real trouble.

I'm not leaving here
until I get some answers.

Don't you think
you owe Gandy that much?

I mean, he was going
to ask you to marry him.

Of course, he didn't know
you were already married.

Hey, I'm not married.
Joe's my ex.

He still thinks
I'm his property,
and maybe I am.

You've got nothing
to be afraid of.

Hitting people over the head
is a parole violation.

All you have to do
is call the cops.

They'll pick him up,
and Joe'll go
right back to the joint.

Turn over on Joe?
Yeah.

No way I could do that.

Gandy is carrying around
a $1 2 grudge in a $3 hat,

and he's not going to be
too gentle
about collecting on it.

Now, either
you give me some answers

or I'm gonna park him
on your doorstep.

You can't do that.

Watch me.

Joe and I had
a life together once.

It wasn't much of a life,
but it was ours.

We had a Vegas lounge act
way off the strip.

We were pretty good, too.
Always on the verge
of making it.

It never went anywhere

and Joe got crazy
one weekend in Los Angeles

and k*lled
a plastics manufacturer.

Is that
when you divorced him?

Yeah.

Felt a little guilty about it.
I filed while he was inside.

I went about
making a new life for myself.

Damn near made it, too.

So much for the
''Your life in the making.''

Look, Theda.

Why don't you come with me
and explain that to Gandy?

There's nothing to explain.

You can tell him
you're going back
with your ex-husband.

I have no choice
in that either.

Then, who does?
Come off it, Theda.

You're responsible
for your life

and everything
that happens in it,

including stiffing Gandy
and going back to Joe.

Listen,
I don't need any advice.

I never had any
that worked anyway.

So, why don't you
just get out of here
and leave things alone.

There's nothing
we can do about it anyway.

You got this victim racket
down pat, don't you, huh?

The whole world's against
poor Theda.

What do you know about it?
Have you ever been hustled?

You ever had
to sing to drunks?

You ever had to
deal with agents?

Boy! Gandy really blew it
the day
he bought your act, lady.

Okay, what do I tell him?

Tell him goodbye.

Lousy domestic cases.

Hey, what are you doing here?
I've been looking
all over for you.

Had to bust the latch
in your bathroom window.

You was supposed to
check in with me.

You did what?

Hey, Gandy,
what's the matter with you?

Okay, okay, you're gonna
fix that window yourself

and you're going to
pay for the parts.

Yeah, yeah.
Now, how come you didn't
check in with me?

I've been too busy.

This whole thing
is turning into
a domestic case

with very spotty overtones,

and I'm off it, as of now.

Did you find her?

Yeah.

Was she with this Joe Moran?

Yep.

Are they married?

Not anymore, but...

Then where are they?

No, no, Gandy.

Rockfish...

Gandy, don't go
King Kong on me now,
all right?

It's been a long day.

But you don't understand.
I just got to find her.

It's happened, Rockfish.
It's happened,
and now she's gone.

Happened? What's happened?

I got a call
from Shep Muncey.

He's a muckity-muck
with Pacific Records.

I left one of Theda's tapes

with a friend
of his secretary at Pacific,
and Shep heard it.

He wants to cut a record.
We made it, Rockfish.

Hey, all right, Gandy,
that's great.

Now, you tell me
where they are.

Theda's gonna
cut that record,

and I got some settling up
to do with Joe Moran.

Gandy, forget it,
will you?

Theda left you.

No. She wouldn't do that.
You're wrong.
Theda's a great lady.

Rockfish.

[PHONE RINGING]

Becker.
ROCKFORD.. Dennis?

Dennis, Gandy's going
after Joe Moran.

You've got to stop him
for his own good.

It's the Gorjanic Hotel,
room...


a little bit late, Jimbo.

Moran was found beaten
to death about
half an hour ago.

But thanks for
the information.

Fitch is now
our number one suspect.

What about Theda?
Was she there?

Nope.
You think Fitch and the girl
took off together?

No. Oh, I don't know, Dennis.

I don't even know
if he did it.

Well, we're gonna
go after them.

You got an address on him?

No. I don't know it.

Give, Jimbo.

Or you're going to be in it
up to your eyeballs

for aiding and abetting.

Dennis, I don't know
the address,

and if I did,
I don't know that I could
turn over on him.

Come on, let's talk, okay?

Just come right in
and we'll talk all about it.

I'll be in in about an hour.

Your morgue-meat husband
didn't believe you
pawned the stereo,

and I'm inclined
to agree with him.

[STUTTERING]
But I did. I really did.

Well, you'll tell us
sooner or later, honey.
You'll tell us.

Lanark and Brill
are going to see to that.

What are you doing here?
Where's Theda?

I don't know.
I'm looking for her.
What are you doing here?

I was looking for you.

I thought I might come over
and find your address.

I could come look you up
and repay a little favor.

Hold on, Rockfish,
I'm sorry about
that little tap I gave you.

A little tap?

I can still hear the ocean.

I had to talk to Theda.

You had to k*ll
Joe Moran, huh?

I didn't do it.
When I got there the place
was crawling with fuzz.

I came over here.
I would have, though.

Well, if you didn't do it,
then she's probably
with whoever did.

What would they want
with Theda?

I don't know,
but something she said
just doesn't track.

She said
Joe tossed this place

looking for a pawn ticket
to her stereo.

I bought her stereo.

Which means
there's no pawn ticket.

I've been wrong about Theda.

She didn't want to
send any bummers
in your direction.

She's been lying all along
just to protect you.

Hey, Gandy,
I'm sorry about that.

I told you
she was a class lady.

Who's got her, anyway?

I don't know,
but whoever it is,
the odds are

they really want
to get their hands
on your stereo.

But why?
It's over 10 years old.

Well, maybe
Joe hid something in it
before he went to prison.

Let's go over
and have a look

and maybe it'll give us
a line on Theda.

Oh, hey,
there's one other thing.

Feel better now, Rockfish?

At least it keeps my mind
off my headache.

[GROANING]

ROCKFORD: It's the Fremont.

GANDY: And the Sahara.

All $100 chips.

The mold, the whole works.

You're basic
counterfeit poker chip kit.

Here's the ink.

Weight specifications,
the whole thing.

That explains why
Moran k*lled
the plastic manufacturer.

He didn't need him anymore.

There's probably
a dead engraver around, too.

[DOORKNOB RATTLING]

[WHISPERING] You stay here.

Well, well, well.

Drop it. Drop it.

Okay, pal,
what's your story, huh?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

Sure, you just got
in the wrong room.

Yeah, that's right.

No, he got
the right place, Speed.

I've been meaning
to talk to you

about that little stunt
you pulled in the alley.

That was a perfectly
good automobile
you totaled.

Who are these wimps,
Rockfish?

They work for Shapiro.

I see you finally cracked
Joe's ex-wife, huh?

Get all of it, Brill.

Yeah, yeah.

These guys have Theda?

Or had. It's the only way
they could've known
the stereo was here.

GANDY: You better
not have hurt Theda.

She got what
she deserved, coconut.

[GRUNTING]

[GROANING]

[IN SHRILL VOlCE]
Knock it off.
You're gonna...

Hey, Gandy, knock it off.
Knock it off, Gandy.

He can't say anything
if he can't talk!

Come on, yeah...
Where is she?

Then I'm gonna
spill your beans.

[STUTTERING] Hold it.
She's in the cleaning plant.

LANARK: Shut up, Brill.

BRILL: What do you want
from me?

Gandy. Gandy, here.

All right, cool it man.

All right,
I'll call the cops.

No. No cops.

Hey, Gandy, come on.

No cops.

If they blow it,
I'm still on the hook
for m*rder.

Theda'll probably
get k*lled in the process.

Stay behind if you want,
but this wimp's
taking me to Theda.

Gandy, there's no telling
how many guys
Shapiro bailed out

with that
Second Chance Program.

The night shift's
probably loaded with apes
just like these two.

Then we ain't got
nothing to worry about.

Not ''we'' Gandy, you.
Count me out.

I'm paying you to do a job.
So stop waffling and punch in.

You can't pay me enough
to handle this gig.

It's a police matter now.
Now, let them deal with it.

How about 25% of my 10%
of Theda's recording deal?

Contract's going to
be signed tomorrow.

Oh, come on, Gandy.

I really need your help,
Rockford.

''Rockford''?

Yeah, Rockford.

All right, where is she?

You'll get nothing
out of me.

Hey, you got to let me
out of here.
I can't take small spaces.

Okay, pal, first
you're going to tell me
where Theda is.

Sure, sure.

In a receiving area.
In a laundry hamper.
Number 466.

Now, please, you got to
let me out of here.

How many guys in there
with Shapiro?

Three. Three!
Grazelli, Foster, Midge.

You just got to
let me out of here.
Good, good.

Hey, hey, come on.

Okay, we'll call the cops.

I'll take care
of those other wimps.
You just go find Theda.

Hey, forget it, Gandy.
That'll get you nothing
but k*lled.

[BANGING ON TRUNK]
Now you go after Theda.

[BRILL YELLING]
I'll try to
buy us a little time.

When you get her,
you bring her back here
to the limo.

If I'm lucky,
I can send you
a few customers.

You.
You're going to escort
my friend here

to the receiving area.
Any questions?

BRILL: Come on, please.
Hey, Rockford,
let me out of here!

Wait until
I'm inside the office.

Who is it?

Mr. Shapiro?

Come on in.

I just dropped by
to return one of your toys
and to make a deal.

Where's Lanark and Brill?

Let's just say
they fell short of the mark.

I have your handy-dandy
poker chip kit.

Get in. I said, get in.

Catch you later, man.

Where's the kit?

Well, first you're going to
have to deal. A trade.

The chip kit
for Joe's ex-wife.

What's she to you?

A friend of a friend.

Sounds reasonable.
Where's
the chip packet now?

Stashed,
and only I know where it is.

But before we talk turkey
on this trade,

there's one aspect of the deal
we're going to
have to get straight.

I want in.
In on what?

I want to run
the poker chip scam
for you.

We'll split my take, 50-50.

I don't know
what you think is so funny.

Surely you're not going to
try to pass
those phony chips

with this ape squad.

You're very amusing,
Mr. Rockford,

and I'd be interested to know
how you plan to pull this off.

Well, it's simple.
I'd make my move
on a Saturday night

when there's something
big in town,
like a Shrine Convention.

Hit a casino all at once,

fan out to the tables
that have
the fastest turnover

like chuck-a-luck,
roulette, craps.

I'd cash in a $100 fake,

put a $5 real one on the line,
and walk away, win or lose.

Even if you hit
most of the casinos
and it went perfect,

how much could you make?



I don't have people k*lled
for that price.

The big money's
in the cashier's cages.

And if you hit them,

you have to have
the fluorescent dye codes
and schedules.

Which you have?

I figure
it's good for a million.

For that you can
have people k*lled.

And I don't need a partner.

Now, where is the kit?

Theda, where are you?

[THEDA GROANING]
Theda?

Oh, baby.

What'd they do to you?

Oh, Gandy.

[SOBBING]

[GROANS]

Okay, all right.

So, we aren't going
into business together.

We can still
make the trade, can't we?

Sure, you give me the packet,
I give you the girl.
Where is it?

If you keep trying to have
these guys cancel my ticket,

you're not going to find out
anything, sport.

Oh, you'll tell us
sooner or later.

Okay, okay.

It's in the trunk
of the limo with Brill.

It's parked
at the side entrance.

Keys are in my pocket.

Foster, get on it.

You wait here.

Gandy?

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

Maybe one of
your minimum wage apes

just went south
with the goods.

Foster ought to be back by now
if he didn't find it.

Midge, you come back
with Foster
and the chips packet

or else
you're on your way back
to Camarillo.

What the hell
is keeping Midge?
Grazelli, go find out.

But first, take this loudmouth
down behind
the Portsmith dryer

and blow him away
and then run him
through the lint bagger.

It'd be my pleasure.
Let's go, Clyde.

Now, let's not be too hasty.

Maybe old Midge
is on his way back
right now.

You didn't deliver,
and if there's one thing
I can't abide,

it's people who don't...

All right,
which one of you heroes
b*at up on my lady?

Okay, okay.

You think we can
call the cops now, huh?

Already did.
I sent Theda
to the gas station.

Your cover of respectability
is looking a little thin,
Mr. Shapiro.

But you could be out
in five years

if the Second Chance Program
survives the scandal.

They'll never prove
I k*lled anyone.

Oh, yeah, they're gonna prove
you k*lled Moran
sooner or later.

Come on, let's go.

ROCKFORD: Hey, Gandy.

Rockford, we're knee deep
in thick gravy.

Oh, that's great,
because I could use
a drop or two.

Hey, look.
You didn't settle up with me
last night, you know,

with the excitement and all.

What do you mean?
You got 25% of my 10%
of Theda's action.

Man, you're sitting
on a fortune.

I just signed
a seven-year exclusive
recording contract

for Theda
with Shep Muncey.

Gandy, our deal was
I get two grand,
including expenses,

and I need the money
like right now.

So do I.

Well, you just
signed a recording contract.

You don't need
to cut a demo now.

No, but Shep let me buy
half the publishing
on all of Theda's songs.

For two grand.

He says
it's worth a million, easy.

You gave him my two grand?

Sure. Hey, come on up here.
Meet the man.

It's a sweet deal,
you'll see. Yeah.

Join me
for cigars and brandy,
and bring Theda.

Well, since it's on you,
because I am tap city.
See you.

Just wait till you
meet her, Shep.

She's even prettier
than she sounds.

Quite happy.

I heard her, Mr. Fitch,
and I'm a believer.

I'd like to stay,
I really would.

But I have to get to Austin.
In Texas, you know,
for the Frampton gig.

Oh, she'll be along
in a minute.

Stick around
and help a hungry lady
savor the day.

I wish I could,
I really do.

But I'll see her
at the recording studio.

I'll have my mixer
be in contact with you

and tell you
the exact time and place.

Hey, hey, just in time.

[GANDY CLEARING THROAT]

This here's Mr. Shep Muncey,
a dealmaker
for Pacific Records.

Pleased to meet you,
Mr. Muncey.

I'm your newest fan.
What can I say?

Jimmy, Jimmy.

Man, Gandy, how about that?

You've just been conned
by the worst in the business.

You mean you know Shep?

Oh, yeah, yeah.
For 15 years.

First time I met him,

he tried to con me into
a food wholesaling scheme.

Would have made a fortune.

Oh, yeah.
Trapping pigeons in the park

and selling them
to Chinese restaurants.

He was bugging me
for 25 bucks for
popcorn and wire.

He's trying to set you up.

I'm just following orders.
He told me
to do this to you.

It's not me.
Hey, Rockfish?

You and this wimp
trying to run a game on me
or something?

It's my two grand, Gandy.
And what happened
to ''Rockford''?

Hey, come on, Gandy.
Don't hurt him, Gandy.

[DISHES CLANGING]

[LAUGHING]

Don't worry, honey.
Don't worry.
He won't hurt him bad.

I'm afraid Gandy's
not much of a manager.

Yeah, well, Angel's not much
of a record producer, either.

All right!

Well, what do you say?
Shall we start with wine?

Sounds good to me.

Waiter?