The Dead Pool (1988) - full transcript

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A fire claiming three
lives in a South

Bay marine supply
warehouse yesterday...

is believed to have
been deliberately set.

The South Bay has
been plagued by a

series of fires, all
of a similar nature.

Authorities believe
arson's involved.

They have no suspects
at this time.

Jazz Composer Edward Barla was

eulogised today in a
private ceremony.

He was best known
for such tunes as

"Midnight Hearts"
and "Just For You."



Edward Barla, dead
of leukaemia at 56.

The trial of kingpin
Lou Janero ended

today. Samantha
Walker has the story.

After four days of deliberation...

the jury has found Lou Janero
guilty of murdering Paul Cirela.

Cirela, part of
Janero's organisation,

was set to testify
against Janero...

in an upcoming trial on charges
of bookmaking and tax evasion.

Assistant DA Thomas McSherry

credited Inspector
Harry Callahan...

for his part in the successful
prosecution of Lou Janero.

I'd say a great deal of credit
should go to Inspector Callahan.

He put Lou Janero out of business.

The inspector's evidence not only



implicated Janero in
Cirela's murder...

but provided the DA
the means to file

additional charges
against Janero...

for bookmaking and illegal
gambling in the Bay Area.

I'm Samantha Walker for
Channel 8. Back to you.

Get off my ass.

He's going.

Did you recognise any
of the attackers?

Does this attack have anything
to do with the Janero trial?

Has Janero put out a contract on
you because of your testimony?

Were these men employed by Janero?

Have you received
any death threats?

Has the department offered to
provide you with more protection?

Hold it. The department will
issue a complete Statement...

as soon as we've conducted
our own investigation.

$13,453.63.

That's how much an unmarked squad
car costs this department.

That's the third goddamn car
you trashed this month.

- Lou Janero.
- What?

His men shot up the
car. Send him the bill.

Very funny, Harry. See how
funny it is behind a desk.

You're off the street,
effective immediately.

All this for a frigging car?

At Lieutenant Ackerman's request.

With the chief's approval.
It's for your own good.

If you think I'm gonna
shuffle papers...

Just until we can handle Janero.

He may be in prison,
but it's clear

he's calling the shots. Literally.

And our newest hero
can't be turned into

Swiss cheese before
the commendation.

There, you see? You're
getting a commendation.

Swell.

It's time we took advantage of
the press you've been getting.

How do you propose to
do that, lieutenant?

It's my opinion that
you'd be serving best

by working with me
in Public Relations.

Well, opinions are like
assholes. Everybody has one.

I don't think you
realise what you've

done for the department's image.

I mean, you just put a major
crime figure in prison.

You've got a high
visibility right now.

- Al.
- Harry.

And for once, it's positive.

You know what that means
in terms of recruitment?

I mean, look at this. Look
at this copy we're getting.

My God, we've never been this
swamped with interview requests.

I'm not some dog-and-pony act.

It's important that
we maximise your

public-relations
value while we can.

I don't feel like
getting close and

personal with reporters.
That's not my job.

Your job is to promote the
department's positive image.

How positive would the image
be if I resigned, lieutenant?

Don't misunderstand me.

Harry, all I'm asking for
is a little cooperation.

All right. I guess
we don't have to

pull you off the
street completely.

Just be more cooperative
with the press.

Anything else?

Yeah.

Quan, will you come
in here for a minute?

Quan's moving over from Youth
Gang Task Force to Homicide.

Good, Homicide can always use
a cop with Al's experience.

I'm glad you agree.

Because if you wanna
stay on the street,

you take Quan to watch your back.

- Now hold on...
- That's final.

That's just swell, being
as that most of my

partners end up in the
hospital or dead.

Ask Al how he feels
about all that.

What about it, Quan?
Any objections

to working with Callahan?

I think I can handle it.

Get a bulletproof vest, kid.

Teaming Callahan with
a Chinese-American

would be very good for our image.

- You have any kids, lieutenant?
- Me? No.

Lucky for them.

Cut. Cut.

You're out of sync, Johnny.
What's the problem here, love?

Where is that...?
Where is that fool?

Jeff.

Jeff.

We've had a short, Peter.

You said you had the bugs worked
out. "Trust me," you said.

- Isn't that what he said?
- "Trust me."

Know how they say "fuck you"
in this business? "Trust me."

I checked it. I've
got a backup head.

Just give me 20 minutes,
we'll be ready.

All right, do it. And no
more cock-ups this time.

And that goes for the rest of you
incompetent morons. Come on.

This sucks, man.

How can I sing with shit
exploding all over the place?

It was just an accident, Johnny.

This whole movie is an accident.

How the fuck did I get
talked into this shit?

You needed a music video and I
needed a Sequence for the film.

Stop complaining. We're
both getting what we want.

Well, why can't we shoot on a warm

sound stage, instead
of a meat locker?

I need it cold so the
audience can see

your breath when you
sing. It's an effect.

Brilliant.

It won't be original,
but at least the

audience will know I
froze my ass off.

What the hell does that mean?

It means a director
with talent would have

the guts to shoot
something original...

instead of ripping off old
movies like The Exorcist.

This is not a rip-off, it's
a homage. You stupid...

Jesus, I don't believe you.

What?

You're hurting, aren't you?

I don't know what you're saying.

Don't give me that shit. You
promised not during shooting.

I know what I'm doing. I know
what I'm doing. I can handle it.

- You will not fuck up my film.
- I said, I can handle it.

Just let me go back to the
trailer and get it together.

Then we'll kick some ass.

- Okay?
- Okay.

- Can I get a coat?
- Get a coat, please, for Johnny.

Now what do we do?

Don't worry, Johnny's
like a trained Seal.

Throw him a fish, he'll
perform. Come on.

Rise and shine, boys.

Time to get up.

What's happening?

I always knew that working
Homicide would be glamorous.

I mean, meeting
celebrities and all.

Well, too bad you can't
get his autograph.

You know, Harry, they
always die in threes.

Haven't you noticed?
When a celebrity dies,

two more always go
in a week or two.

It's a fact, Harry. Celebrities
always die in threes.

Well, this one's got crystalline
powder around his nose and mouth.

Scabs up and down both arms.

Fresh puncture marks
on his left forearm.

Yeah, Homicide can
be really glamorous.

Check the dummy out, please.

Meagan.

I want a three-inch
lens, very tight.

Try not to drop it.

Let's hurry up and shoot this
and wrap this up, please.

And my second assistant and I
found Johnny in his trailer.

He was just lying there. At
first we thought it was a joke.

- But then, well...
- When did you last see him alive?

About half an hour before that.

He went back to his trailer while
we set up for another take.

Was he alone?

I don't know, but he was
alone when we found him.

Tell me, does anyone
on your set use drugs?

We don't do drugs,
Callahan. We do film.

Look, Callahan, what people
do is their own business.

As long as it doesn't
interfere with

my film, I really
don't give a shit.

What about Squares, was he using?

How should I know?

Johnny had agents,
lawyers, friends.

If he had a drug
problem, it was their

job to take care of it, not mine.

Well, that's a very
caring attitude.

What do you want
from me, Callahan?

Drugs were Johnny's trademark.

He made his career singing about
them. It made him controversial.

I can see why you'd
want him in your flick.

It was purely a
marketing decision.

Johnny Squares sells tickets.

You know, burns on
seats, love. Besides,

we needed a music video tie-in.

You have any idea who
was supplying him?

No, but if I hear of anything,
you'll be the first one I call.

Marvellous.

Make a note to check on anyone
who dealt with Squares.

- Whether it's his cast, crew...
- Inspector Callahan.

Inspector.

Shit.

We just had word Johnny
Squares OD'd, is that true?

We're in the process of
conducting an investigation.

Right as we speak, this moment.
Nothing's been determ...

Thank you, inspector.

Excuse me, are you Suzanne Dayton?

What's going on here?

Johnny?

Johnny?

Hold it. I'm sorry, step back.

- No, Johnny.
- There's nothing they can do now.

Johnny. Oh, my God.

You'll make yourself
sick. Calm down.

Hold on a second, could
we give her a little air?

Can you step out of
the way, please?

No. NO.

Off with that camera.

I'll film what I
want. Keep shooting.

This is someone else's heartache.

Right in here.

What are you doing? Give me that.

Smart.

High and Dry is the kind
of mindless film Comedy...

that's come to typify summer
films aimed at the youth market.

The humour, what little there is,
is of the locker-room variety.

Audiences seeking
more sophistication

will have to look elsewhere.

The producers...

Rock star Johnny Squares was
found dead this afternoon.

Samantha Walker filed this report.

The body of Johnny Squares was

discovered at the
Royal Meat Company...

where he was on location
filming the movie Hotel Satan.

Investigators wouldn't comment
on the cause of death...

but Squares had a long
history of drug use.

The rock star was arrested last
July for possession of heroin.

Many of his songs were allegedly
based on his drug experience.

What's that all about?

It's my past catching up with me.

When I was a kid,
I was in the gang

that hit him up for
protection money.

All my life I've been
involved with gangs.

With them, or trying
to put them away.

So I figured I'd come
over to Homicide.

It was time for
something different.

It's different, all right.

Call for backup.

Come on. Get the fuck
out of here. Hurry up.

Come on, hurry.

Move it. Move it.

Put your money on the
table. Hurry up.

Don't move.

Don't fuck with me, lady. Okay.

Come on, you guys, hurry UP.

- You forgot your fortune cookie.
- What?

"You're shit out of luck."

Get out of the way.

I think teaming up with
a Chinese-American

is good for the
department's image.

Stay behind the lines. Hey.
I'm not gonna tell you again.

- Coming through here.
- All right. Heads up, please.

Who was he?

Some poor guy in the
wrong place at the

wrong time. Dean
Madison was his name.

Does it ring a bell?

- Never heard of him.
- Well, he knew you, Harry.

I found this in his pocket.
It's a list of celebrities.

Tony Engelhart, the
pro linebacker.

Michael Cipriano, the
race car driver.

And one Inspector Harry Callahan.

Johnny Squares is also
on that list. You

see what's written
beside his name?

Yeah, "R.I.P." "Rest in peace."

You know what this is? It's a
bill for a TV camera and lens.

When I said stop
wrecking our cars, I

didn't mean destroy
something else.

They were interfering with
an official investigation.

Don't give us that. Is this
your idea of media cooperation?

Cooperation works two
ways, lieutenant.

Just what is it you
have against reporters?

Some of them are just
marvellous people.

But some walk through
a pile and track it

through an investigation.
I don't like that.

Well, you better change
your attitude fast.

Because unless we reach
an agreement with them...

it's liable to cost this city 2
million dollars, and your career.

Would you join us, please?

This is Ms Samantha Walker of
station KWSF. Captain Donnelly.

- Ms Walker.
- Captain.

- And this is Inspector...
- Callahan. Yes, we've met.

Yes, of course.
Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Ms Walker...

Lieutenant Ackerman here tells me
you have a proposal to make...

regarding the accidental
damage to a...

There was nothing accidental
about it, captain.

Well, I think the department might
have something to say about it.

Although the camera
itself was destroyed,

I have the entire
incident on video.

I see.

And your proposal?

We may be willing to drop the
lawsuit against the city...

but that all depends
on Inspector Callahan.

The inspector would
be willing to...

Just what do you have in mind?

Dinner.

I owe you an apology.

You were right about what
I did the other day.

I had no business intruding
on that girl's grief.

I get a little too
eager sometimes.

In my rush to get the story
first, I made an error.

We all make those
from time to time.

No, I should have known better.

I'm sorry.

Let me ask you something,
Miss Walker...

Sam.

Sam. Do you like cops?

As long as they're not in
my rear-view mirror. Why?

I wondered what we're
talking about here,

other than the damage
to the camera.

Oh, no, no.

I'm willing to let the insurance
company deal with that.

And I think I can be persuaded
to drop the lawsuit...

- but I want something in return.
- Oh?

- What would that be?
- I want your story.

- What do you have there?
- I've done my homework on you.

You've had quite a
colourful career.

Look at this. You see...

there's a lot of interest right
now in the Janero case...

and in the cop that
put him in prison.

So Channel 8 is doing
a series of specials

on organised crime
in the Bay Area.

But what I would like to do
is an in-depth profile...

of you, Inspector Harry Callahan.

Sorry, I'm not interested.

But why not? This
latest attempt on

your life by one
of Janero's men...

You're not interested
in doing a story on me.

All you want is blood.
That's what sells...

- No. Now, wait a minute...
- No, you wait a minute.

You people are interested
in death and mayhem...

but you don't care how
you get the story.

No, that is not fair. That is not
the kind of journalism I do.

You don't know me. I'm just a
cop with a price on my head.

And let me tell you
something, lady. I

don't like people
saying they'll kill me.

And I don't like journalists using
it as a way to increase ratings.

- That's what I was asking...
- That's the end of the story.

Sorry.

The coroner's report
last night said

that Squares was using speedballs.

Injecting both cocaine and heroin?

Only that isn't what killed him.

He was using an inhaler with
some new designer drug.

A synthetic form of heroin.

You mean something along
the lines of China White.

Yeah, only about a thousand
times more powerful.

He took one snort and went into
immediate respiratory failure.

What I'm trying to figure is
why is a guy like that...

screwing around with synthetic
junk when he's got the real stuff?

Maybe he didn't know
what he was using.

Harry.

Harry?

Sorry about that.

Get you next time.

Check the cast and crew
for prior drug busts.

I'll check with Narcotics
to see if there's

any dealers moving
synthetic heroin.

Harry, there's something
here you ought to see.

The story to be published
in today's Tribune...

reveals that director
Peter Swan and

other people closely involved...

in Hotel Satan were
playing a bizarre

game called "The Dead Pool."

Sources say the
object of the game...

was to pick eight Bay
Area celebrities...

who might die,
presumably of natural

Causes, by a predetermined date.

The winner was the
person whose list

contained the most
dead celebrities.

Now, what makes this
story significant...

is that rock star
Johnny Squares appeared

on the list of
director Peter Swan.

Although Swan would not comment
on these developments...

we have confirmed from another

source that there
was such a game...

and Swan's production accountant,
Dean Madison, was also involved.

Ironically, Madison was
killed yesterday...

in a tragic hold-up attempt
that took place in Chinatown.

There is no man who
is master of the

breath of life so
as to retain it...

and none has mastery
over the day of death.

For the Lord of all
shows no partiality...

nor does he fear greatness...

because he himself made the
great as well as the small.

And he provides for all alike.

And the dust returns to the
earth, as it once was.

And the life breath returns
to God, who gaveth.

My condolences.

Mrs Dayton, I'm terribly sorry.

Suzanne, I'm very sorry.

Thank you.

My sympathies.

Do you mind, gentlemen? I
happen to be at a funeral.

I'd like to talk to
you about your list.

It's no big secret. Most of the
cast and crew knew about it.

I didn't tell you because the Dead
Pool is just a harmless game.

It sounds pretty sick to me.

Let me tell you something.

People are fascinated
with death and violence.

That's why my films make money.

They're an escape, a
vicarious release of fear.

Same thing with this game.

Nobody takes my films or
the Dead Pool seriously.

Well, someone gave
Squares the drugs

that killed him. Maybe it was you.

You can't tie me
into Johnny's death

just because of a coincidence.

My assistant and my
effects supervisor

played too. Why not talk to them?

We will.

But nobody on their
list is dead yet.

Johnny was a major drug user and I

predicted he'd die
this year. That's all.

The whole idea is to pick
celebrities who won't make it...

because they're old, sick or
in a high-risk profession.

- Like police work?
- Nothing personal, love.

I don't like your list, Swan.
I don't like being on it.

That's what this is really
all about, isn't it?

If you have a choice...

Maybe I'll start my own Dead
Pool and put you on it.

Are you threatening me?

If you want to play
the game, you'd

better know the rules, love.

That's our report.
I'm Patrick Snow.

I'm Samantha Walker. We thank
you for being with us.

Tune in tonight for a report...

on chemical dependency
among celebrities.

Who they are, why they do it...

and the price they
pay. Tonight at 11.

- Good night.
- Good night.

And we're clear.

Thought I'd seen the
last of you, Callahan.

I saw your report yesterday.

We confirmed it with two
people in the game.

Vicky Owens, Swan's assistant, and

special-effects
supervisor Jeff Howser.

I don't suppose it occurred to
you to clear it with us first?

I had to go with the story.

The papers got the
same tip. I had the

chance to get the
story out faster.

Otherwise someone else
would get it first?

- Something like that.
- How were you tipped?

By mail. A copy of
the Dead Pool and

a letter explaining how it worked.

- It's already started, you know.
- What has?

All the media bullshit.

Newspapers print the Dead Pool, it

doesn't help our
investigation any.

No, what bothers you...

is that we found out about
the Dead Pool first.

You people take
Janero and the Dead

Pool, add the hype
and distortion...

innocent people get hurt.

Aren't you overreacting
just a bit?

I've seen it happen.

Look, I don't like the hype
any more than you do...

but it happens when reporters
compete for a story.

Why don't you start thinking about

your responsibility to the public?

You can't kill the messenger
because of the message.

Sorry if we screwed up your

investigation. That
was not my intention.

Here's the list. Now, excuse me.

Thanks.

It seems to me I owe you one.

Dinner, that is.

I was offered a job
as an anchor at

this small local
station because...

I was first runner-up
in Miss Colorado.

- Colorado?
- Yes.

We're right over here.

But I had absolutely
no experience,

just my bachelor's in journalism.

But it was a way in, so...
Thank you... I grabbed it.

But I didn't just smile at
the camera and read copy.

I did anything and
everything at the station.

Sports, news, hard news, weather.

I produced three documentaries.

I love San Francisco.

But it isn't easy.

Big city, big news.

I had to prove myself
all over again.

Have you succeeded?

Somewhat.

But apparently not with you.

I guess I shouldn't
complain. At least

you stayed for dinner this time.

I'd still love to do your story.

No, thanks.

You're wrong about me, Callahan,
and what I want to do.

I wish I could
convince you of that.

- I'll tell you what.
- What?

Let's think on it.

Sounds fair.

Thank you.

Yeah, well, it's the truth,
I don't care what you say.

Hey, Callahan.

- You're Callahan, aren't you?
- That's right.

What can I do for you?

You're the cop who put
Janero away, aren't you?

All I want is your autograph.

Can I shake your hand?

I'd just like to thank you.

It's about time Somebody did

something about
garbage like Janero.

Could you sign it to Chester
Docksteder? That's me.

- Let me buy you a drink.
- Some other time.

You know what we need? More cops
like you. That's what we need.

I gotta change my shorts.

What are you laughing at?

This is your 15 minutes, Callahan.

What?

Andy Warhol said
everybody's famous

for 15 minutes. Well, this is it.

Swell.

Was this your first autograph?

Yeah.

And I hope my last.

- Watch your step. Here we go.
- Get that squad car out of there.

You know something, Harry?

I don't think Lou Janero
likes you very much.

She's okay. Just a
little shaken up.

How're you doing, girl?

Whatever they're paying you,
Harry, it couldn't be enough.

- My colleagues.
- Yeah.

I don't want to be the news.

Let's get you out of here.

You sure you want to see this guy?

Yeah.

Hey, watch the footprints.

Here's your animal.

Hicks.

What the fuck do you want?

I brought you some cigarettes.

And what would I
have to do for you?

Nothing. Just stand
where I tell you.

Shit. Who the fuck let him out?

Stay right here.

Fifth cell down.

Hey, man, you owe me cigarettes.

That's the trouble with this
prison. They let anybody in here.

I don't like scum like you
trying to kill me, Janero.

Sounds to me like this
Dead Pool thing is

making you a little
paranoid, Callahan.

Oh, yeah. I heard about it.

Good news travels fast.

Big fucking media hero.

Hero today and gone tomorrow.

Call off your guns
now, you hear me?

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

The trouble with you is, you have
too much time on your hands.

What you need is a job.

- A what?
- A job.

I'm gonna give you a job
being a postman, understand?

It'll be your job to make
sure the mail gets through.

See that gorilla down there?

That's Butcher Hicks,
and he's killed

three men. You know how he did it?

He tore them apart with his teeth.
Didn't even find all the pieces.

You might say he has
an unhealthy appetite.

So what?

So Hicks there is my new pen pal.

I'm gonna send him a
letter once a week...

about how I'm looking in
on his sick mother...

and trying to get him
special privileges here.

And the interesting part is,
if anything happens to me...

and Hicks doesn't get his letter,
he'll be really pissed off.

And he's gonna come and see you
because you're the postman.

In fact, he'll probably
come down here

and Cancel your ass like a stamp.

So you better ensure prompt,
courteous delivery.

And pray nothing happens to me.

- That's it?
- That's it.

You see that dirtbag I was
talking to down there?

He says smoking can
cause Cancer...

and anyone who smokes as much as
you do is one dumb son of a bitch.

Fire.

Cut. Cut. Cut.

Where is that stupid fuck? Howser.

Get your ass down here.

The dummy, asshole.
You're supposed

to harpoon the goddamn dummy.

- The tide shifted, all right?
- "The tide shifted."

The ocean's incompetent, not you.

This is the third time this week.

Peter.

You'll never work on
one of my films again.

There's a bunch of
reporters down there.

Come on, come on.

Can we ask you a few questions?

Please. Please. Please.

I would just like
to say one thing.

In light of what's happened...

perhaps playing the Dead
Pool game isn't smart.

Any tie between the Dead
Pool and Squares' death?

None whatsoever. Next
question, please.

Mr Swan, will the game continue?

No, we're filming a nightmare
Sequence at the shipyards...

and we'd like to put this behind
us and get on with our job.

Johnny would have
wanted it that way.

First Squares died,
then your production

accountant was tragically killed.

Is your film Hotel Satan cursed?

People can believe whatever the
hell they want, but nothing...

I repeat, nothing will stop
me from making this film.

End of interview.

Please. Please. Whatever you want,

money, credit cards, just take it.

You ever notice how time
seems to slow down at night?

Just like in my
films. A dream world.

- Please.
- Shut up.

I can't hear the colours.
I've got to hear the colours.

That's the mark of
a good director,

you've gotta be able
to hear the colours.

You've gotta be able
to taste the sounds.

Please. I have a heart condition.

A critic with a heart.

That's a laugh.

- Do you like my films?
- What?

- I said, do you like my films?
- Who are you?

- You know who I am.
- I don't. I don't know you.

God...

what kind of a film
critic are you?

Shadows of the Dead.

Hell Without the Devil.

Night of the Slasher.

Peter Swan.

Brilliant, love.

What do you think of my films?

Give me your honest opinion.

I like them.

Liar.

The entrance was probably
through the sliding glass door.

She wasn't sexually assaulted.
Killed sometime last night.

Maid found her this morning.
Do you recognise her?

No.

Molly Fisher. Famous movie critic.

On a scale of 1 to 10,
10 being the best...

I think I'd have to
rate this one an 8.

Harry, we found this.

Thanks.

Dead Pool.

Molly Fisher's also
on Peter Swan's list.

Oh, God, it's coming.

Oh, Shit.

Those are just some of the
highlights of Peter Swan's films.

The typeface is the
same as the ones

sent to the papers
and TV stations.

And the neighbour saw
a dark-haired man

exiting Molly Fisher's
condo last night.

Mid-30s, wearing a black jacket.

I want Swan in Custody now.

It just doesn't feel right.

Doesn't feel right?

Every Celebrity on this list must

have called in the
last couple days.

They're all screaming
for police protection.

They don't understand
we don't have the

manpower to be
24-hour babysitters.

Ackerman is whining
about the negative

impact this case is
giving our public image.

And your name is on this
list too, Callahan.

Now, my gut feeling tells me Swan
is the best suspect we have...

so get his butt in here.

Donnelly.

What?

Yeah. It's for you, Callahan.

Yeah. Yeah?

Okay, we'll be right
there. Let's go.

Wait a minute. What was
that? Where are you going?

To do my job. I think
we've got our man.

You all stay back.

Everyone.

I'm gonna go UP-

Where's the news crew?

You better get them here.

I mean it. Now.

What's up?

His name's Gus Wheeler.

He said he's the Dead Pool
Killer, wants to give up.

We found him like this.

He soaked himself
in gasoline and is

threatening to set
himself on fire.

Can't Somebody hose him down?

He says if he sees
a fireman or even

a garden hose, he'll
torch himself.

- What does he want?
- To be on television.

What?

He wants a cameraman
and a reporter.

That's easy. Al and
I will pose as...

No, it has to be
someone he recognises.

Stay back. Stay back from me.

I'm gonna go up. You hear me?

Better keep those people back.

- You all right?
- Not really.

Stop right there.
That's far enough.

Mr Wheeler, I'm
Samantha Walker from...

- I know who you are.
- What is it you want?

- Is that camera on?
- Yeah.

You want to know why
I'm doing this?

- Because nobody cares.
- We care, Mr Wheeler...

No. Nobody ever paid any
attention to me before.

In order to get attention,
you gotta do something.

Well, I'm really gonna
do something. I'm

really gonna do
something this time.

Mr Wheeler, did you have
anything to do with the deaths...

of Johnny Squares
and Molly Fisher?

No, I just said that
so you'd listen to me.

I want everyone to see this.

I want everyone to remember me.

And to remember what I did here.

Oh, Jesus, Harry, he's
really gonna do it.

That's right, lady,
I'm really gonna do

it. I'm really gonna
set myself on fire.

And it's gonna be on the news...

and then finally everybody
will know about me.

About me. Gus Wheeler.

No one's gonna see you
die, Mr Wheeler.

What?

I said, no one's
gonna see you die.

Not if we stop filming.

No. No, you can't... This is news.

You can talk to me and you
can tell me your story...

but we won't film your Suicide.

What are you doing?

- Turn that camera back on.
- We're not gonna film it.

- We're not.
- She's right.

You can set yourself
into a bonfire, we'll

break out marshmallows
and weenies.

But you won't be on News at 11.

You're ruining everything.

Give me the flare.

You've got plenty of
Coverage already.

You think so?

Trust me.

Okay-

Harry.

Out of the way. Out of
the way. Out of the way.

Harry, you okay?

- You hurt?
- No, I'm fine.

Get that gurney over here, quick.

- You all right?
- Oh, God, Harry.

This man sets himself on fire.

- And it's my fault.
- It was an accident.

Thanks.

Maybe if we would've kept filming.

That's exactly what he wanted.

What you did in there took guts.

Most everyone else would
have gone for the exclusive.

Reel three, George.

Just a moment.

What is this? Why the fuck
are you people harassing me?

I was at a party the
night Fisher was killed.

I was there until 2 or 2:30.
Plenty of people can back me up.

We know that. We checked.

Somebody's trying to set you up.

They're trying to make us think

that you killed
Squares and Fisher.

Any idea of who it could be?

Are you kidding? It
could be anyone.

They all hate me. My former agent.

My producers of my last
film. My crew. The public.

It's jealousy. They envy my talent
so much they wish to destroy it.

You don't believe me? You
talk to my secretary.

She'll show you the letters I
get. Warnings, death threats...

I get so many, I don't even
pay attention any more.

I'll check on it.

Tell me...

anyone else have a
jacket like this one?

Most of my crew. Why?

Maybe it was someone in your crew,

or Who's worked for
you in the past.

Whoever's pulling off
these murders is

using your films and
you as inspiration.

Welcome to the Nolan Kennard Show.
Sex, violence, pornography:

I say it's getting out
of hand. It's time

we have guidelines
for what we watch.

I don't want Big Brother out there

telling me what to read or watch.

What's your opinion?

Anybody can watch
anything they want...

as long as it doesn't
hurt Somebody else.

Take it easy.

Give me a chance. Give
me a chance here.

The problem is, who
decides what's harmful?

Isn't that what we're
talking about here?

First Johnny Squares, then Molly
Fisher, now Nolan Kennard.

It's like I was telling you,
celebrities always die...

In threes, yeah.

At least the guy
went out with a...

A bang, yeah, I know.

- What do you have, Russ?
- Hello, Harry.

From the residue on the frags, I'd
say plastic. Probably C3 or 4.

We'll do an analysis
back at the lab.

- Let me know what you find out.
- You got it.

What's that?

I don't know.

It looks like the wheel
from a toy or something.

Have police questioned
you about Nolan Kennard?

Is his death connected
to the Dead Pool?

- I don't know.
- Is his death due to your list?

- I don't know.
- In Hell Without the Devil...

a character is poisoned. Night of

the Slasher has several stabbings.

- We can guess what Hotel Satan...
- Get to the point, love.

Are there parallels between
the deaths in your film...

- and the death of Johnny Squares?
- That's a stupid question.

Do you feel any responsibility?

You're blowing this
out of proportion.

You want to speak to Somebody?
Speak to the police.

Talk to Inspector Callahan. He'll
tell you I'm not a suspect.

I have nothing to do
with these deaths.

That's all I have to
say, now sod off.

Callahan.

You.

Harry.

I think that's about it for me.

What's that tattoo?

Oh, that.

It's one of my grandfather's
superstitions.

You see, he painted these
words on my back and chest.

It's supposed to ward off
anything that's harmful or evil.

When he heard I was your partner,
he figured I could use the help.

I was just trying to
honour the old guy.

Besides, I didn't
think it could hurt.

Listen, I think I'm gonna go home.

- I'll catch you later for a beer.
- Later.

- See him?
- I saw him.

He can't be over there.

How you all doing?

You're the last
asshole Janero sends.

Wait, you got it all wrong.

I'll kick your ass so hard, you'll

have to unbutton
your collar to shit.

It's not what you think.

Janero did hire us.

But this ain't a hit.

Janero doesn't want
anything to happen to you.

We're your...

bodyguards.

Those letters all
came from your files.

"Harlan Rook." God.

Yes, I remember him.

Every time I was
at a film festival

or a seminar, he was there.

Mr Know-It-All, I
used to call him. He

knew everything about
me and my films.

To tell you the truth, I
found it a little unnerving.

What'd he want?

He had this screenplay
for a low-budget

horror film he
wanted me to direct.

Yeah. Said it would be the
ultimate Peter Swan film.

He was crazy. I couldn't
get rid of him.

Finally, I had my attorney put
a restraining order on him.

Then what happened?

I didn't see or hear
from him again.

That must have been
over a year ago.

Is he the one?

The typewriter that was
used on these letters...

is the same one used to tip
us off to the Dead Pool.

Put in a call to Swan's attorney
and see what he knows about Rook.

And run a DMV check
on the address.

Right.

Harry, it might not
be such a bad idea

to start playing it a little safe.

Maybe I can get your
granddaddy to paint me up.

Look, Harry, I'm being serious.

Don't go anywhere you normally go,

not even home. You
can stay with me.

Thanks for the offer, but I
think I can do a little better.

Price of fame.

So this is what Ackerman meant
by cooperating with the press?

It must have been one of
those in-depth interviews.

I think I got a lead on Rook. A
psychiatrist who treated him.

Good.

- Give it a try.
- Okay.

It won't respond. Someone's
on my frequency.

Forget it. It's just not working.

Now, what the hell is that?

Harry.

Time's up, Callahan.

You all right, Al?

Shit.

Two fractured ribs.

He bled into the chest. We
drained it and set up an IV.

He's lucky, the bulletproof vest
he was wearing saved his life.

Another one of my
grandfather's superstitions.

When your partner gives
you advice, take it.

Harry.

This is Dr Friedman, Chief
psychiatrist here at the hospital.

I'm sorry about what happened.

In a way, I feel
somewhat responsible.

Your partner contacted me about
a former patient of ours.

- Harlan Rook?
- Yes.

At first, I didn't
recall the name. It

took me till today
to find the file.

He was evaluated here
about a year ago.

The diagnosis was
process schizophrenia.

- Multiple personality.
- Not exactly.

His own sense of self-hate
was so strong...

that he no longer really had
any personality of his own.

Consequently, he
substituted identities...

found in books, films...

fan magazines.

Identities with which he had
love-hate relationships.

You didn't think he was
dangerous enough to hold?

Most mentally ill people are
not violent, inspector.

By law, a person who
poses no danger

can only be held for 72 hours.

I'm sorry, this is one instance
where the system failed.

This address here, is this recent?

I assume it's still the same.

Samantha Walker.

This is Peter Swan, Ms Walker.

Your Coverage of my predicament
has been thorough...

but my side hasn't been told
as well as it might have been.

I see.

I'm prepared to grant you
an exclusive interview.

Are you interested?

No doubt about it.

He's our boy, Harry.

Explosives. Caps.

Detonator. It all connects.

Hey, Harry, you gotta see this.

Talk about obsession.

Looks like he had a real Peter
Swan shrine going here.

I'm not sure.

I could have sworn I
put it in my bag.

But I'm not sure.

- Bob, do you have my little mike?
- It's in your bag.

Thank you.

Look at this.

I'll call the TV station.

Samantha went out to the shipyard
to interview Peter Swan.

Swan doesn't know
anything about it.

- What's this?
- A payroll stub.

Sundown Security Company, made out
to Ed Butler? I don't get it.

That's the company that provides

security for all of
Swan's locations.

Ed Butler may be
an alias for Rook.

Where are you going? Harry?

Harry.

That's my car.

Yes. That's the shot
I'm looking for.

What is it you want from me?

You've got it wrong, love.

This is what you wanted.

An exclusive interview.

But you're not Peter Swan.

Shut up. You don't know.

You don't know.

I know who I am.

Do you know who you are?

- Do you?
- Yes.

All those films he made.

Those are my nightmares, not his.

Every night I dream,
and somehow...

Somehow he reads my mind.

He stole my thoughts.

He put my thoughts on film for all

to see, and he takes
all the credit.

He can't get away with it.

He has to pay.

He stole my nightmares
and made them real.

So I stole his Dead Pool.

I'll play his game
and make it real.

Let him take the credit for that.

Drop it, Rook.

You didn't die, Callahan, so I had
to find me another celebrity.

- You're next.
- Shoot me, Callahan.

Maybe you'll get lucky.

Maybe my muscles
won't contract and

drive this knife into her throat.

Let her go.

First the gun.

Drop it and kick it over to me.

Time's up, hero.
What's it gonna be?

What the fuck?

Now you've locked
yourself in, asshole.

Yeah.

Just you and me, asshole.

The gun, Callahan.

- Now.
- No.

He'll kill us both.

Oh, God.

You let me down, Mr
Famous Fucking Cop.

You let Swan get away.

You're the killer, not Swan.

I should've killed you first.

That was my big mistake.

Now kick it over to me.

Harry, don't.

Think you're smart, don't you?

Callahan, you son of a bitch.

I'm gonna kill you slow.

Give it up, Callahan.

Stay in there.

Callahan.

Come on out, Callahan.

There's nowhere left
to run, Callahan.

Don't make me come in and get you.

The game's over.

You're out of bullets.

And you know what that means.

You're shit out of luck.

- Where's Rook?
- He's hanging out back there.

Inspector, was this another
hit attempt by Janero?

Does it have anything to do
with the Dead Pool case?