Bad, Black and Beautiful (1975) - full transcript

[music playing]

Yes, Mr. White.

I'll have Ms. Turner call

you as soon as she gets in.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

[phone ringing]

Eva Taylor.

Attorney at Law.

Yes, Snowball.

Where have they got you?

What's the charges?

All right, Snowball.

I'll tell Ms. Taylor

as soon as she gets in.

Bye.

Good morning, Bee Bee.

Good morning, Eva.

Mr. White called

and wants to know

if you'd like to

attend the governor's

dinner Saturday evening?

I'll check my calendar.

Oh, and Snowball

Jackson called.

He's in jail and wants

you to get him out.

What's Snowball done this time?

Possession.

And here's another

one of those notes.

Bullshit.

Call the bondsman and

tell them to get him out,

and then tell Snowball

to come and see me.

I'll call White myself.

Oh, there's a young lady in

your office with a problem.

She's nervous as hell.

Something about her boyfriend.

OK.

Maybe she's pregnant.

Oh, don't let me

think about that.

Hello, Ms. um--

Paula Thomas.

Are you Ms. Taylor?

That's right.

Now what might I do for you?

Well, uh--

Hey, calm down, Paula.

Whatever the trouble is,

I'm sure we can work it out.

Now, start from the

beginning and tell me

what has you so upset.

Here, drink this.

Mm.

No, go ahead.

It will help.

Thank you.

Now, start from the

beginning and take your time.

Well, you see, it's

about my boyfriend

Johnny, Johnny Boyles.

We went together in high school,

and like a lot of other boys,

along came Uncle Sam.

And they made him a

demolition expert in Vietnam.

And uh, all my

letters I got from him

said that how much

he hated his work.

And uh, I remember in one letter

he said that he'd seen enough

killing to last him a life

time, and his only dream was

to come back and to marry me.

And--

[sniffing]

I know it must have been

pure hell for him over there.

He was always so soft and kind.

It was hard for me to imagine

him in any kind of violence.

Well, Johnny and I work for

Mr. Springer and Company.

And Mr Springer had

promised Johnny that he'd

have his job when he got back.

Well, when Johnny got back,

Mr. Springer had given

his job to his son in law.

He said that--

[sniffing]

He could come back in about

five or six months or so,

and you know, then

maybe he might

see if he had another one.

Well, he turned to his son and

law and he said a lousy thing.

He said that all men coming out

of the army nowadays are-- uh,

thinks the world

owes them a living,

and uh, he'd be damned if

he get into his pocket book.

Well, that did it.

Johnny hit Mr, Springer and

then he decked his son and law.

Well, that, frankly,

I was glad to see but,

but if anyone had a

free ride, he did.

[knocking]

Hi.

Hi.

That's a hell of a note, huh?

Damn you, Johnny.

I come up here

planting a kiss on you

and you call that

a hell of a note?

Oh, come on.

You know what I mean.

We're supposed to be

thinking of our wedding day

and I don't even have a

job, that lousy Springer.

Screw Springer.

Springer and Company

isn't the only place

in the world to work.

We can find new jobs tomorrow.

JOHNNY: We?

Yes, we.

I can go to work for awhile.

But honey--

I didn't come up

here to discuss

Springer and his company.

Johnny, I waited a long

time for this night.

OK, what do you want me to do?

Do?

Oh brother.

What did Nam do to you?

Well, first of all,

you can fix me a drink

and then we can

take it from there.

You're right.

I don't know what I'm so

damned worried about anyway.

[music playing on radio]

Sure is a beautiful day.

Yes.

Have a seat Ms. uh--

Cohen.

Faye Cohen.

Well, Ms. Cohen, what

can I do for you today?

I won't beat around

the bush, Mr. Jacobs.

I'm not in the business that

lets me call on the police

too easily.

Oh?

What business is that?

Are you kidding?

Come on, Mr. Jacobs.

I'm Faye Cohen.

I'm in the flesh business, like

they said in the newspapers

not too long ago.

I think they called me

Madame Girls Incorporated.

I heard you were a

sharp investigator.

Maybe I heard wrong.

Easy, Faye.

I learned a long time

ago something that should

apply in your business as well.

I know nothing until

I see the green light,

and you didn't give

me any green light.

OK.

You made your point.

Now, what's the problem?

About two years ago a

young woman, Judy Adams,

came to me wanting to

get into the business.

Not that I'm downing

my business, mind you,

but she was very young.

Too young.

So rather than line

up tricks for her,

I put her back in school and

more or less looked after her.

I couldn't help but remember

that my own daughter would be

about her age, had she lived.

Go on.

Well, it wasn't long and she

was head over heels in love

with some dude.

She seemed very happy.

I should have taken the time

to meet him, but I never did.

Anyway, about six months

ago, something went wrong

between them and they broke up.

Then Judy started hooking.

I tried to stop her,

but she just laughed.

She said she was a

big girl now and I

had no right to interfere.

Well, things rocked

along and she'd call

or come by every day or so.

And you know how it is,

even though I didn't agree

with the way she was living,

and don't get me wrong,

I've got some good girls,

but Judy was more on the ball

than to be a hooker.

Faye, I'm not in the

business of stopping

girls from going straight.

That's not what I came for.

No?

No.

I want you to find her.

She's been missing

for about three weeks.

Just about three weeks

ago she called and said

she needed to talk to me.

She said she wanted

some advice and wanted

to have dinner with me.

Well, she never showed.

I wasn't worried at the time.

I figured she'd scored

a John or whatever.

Maybe she'd even worked

it out for herself.

But now I'm worried.

I haven't heard a thing

from her since then.

I wouldn't be too worried.

How about the ex boyfriend?

Maybe they ran off

and got married.

It's happened before.

No, she wouldn't

get married or do

anything that would

keep her from saying

hello every no and then.

Besides, she hasn't been in

her apartment for three weeks.

The newspapers are stacked

up outside her front door.

Her mailbox is overflowing.

Now, that doesn't sound like

someone that plans to be

away for three weeks, does it?

All right, Faye.

I'll take the

chase, but I'll need

a picture if you have one and

a look inside her apartment.

Do you think you

can arrange that?

I'm way ahead of you.

Here's a picture that was

taken about a year ago.

I have the key to her apartment.

The address is 2121 South

Parry in Cloverland.

And here's a retainer.

You've said the magic word.

Find her, Rich.

You'll hear from me soon.

Damn it, Billy.

I've been out chasing

Mrs. Hoodfield's

husband and his little playmate

all over the town all night.

And, hey baby, I'm a

detective and I can't

call you every five minutes.

Hey, you just

make sure that you

don't have a little

playmate of your own stashed

out some place.

Billy, prepare a

file on this girl.

She's a missing person.

Right.

You might want to take a

look at this case yourself.

OK.

I'll see what I can do,

but I'm due at headquarters

on another case at this time.

Hold down the fort and

I'll check with you later.

Yeah, I'll do that.

Incidentally,

how are you coming

along with the Hoodfield case?

Well, I've got most

stuff on that case

last night uh, wrapped up.

And it's sad enough to say,

she's going to be taken

to the board, disciplined.

Damn, I hate these

divorce cases.

Yeah.

I do too but it pays, right?

Right.

So type the report and

send with the yellow copy.

Take care, now.

Check with you later.

Bye.

Johnny Boyles?

What the hell?

Yeah.

Police officers,

you're under arrest.

What the hell for?

What have I done?

You'll find out when

you get downtown.

PAULA: Two detectives

came in and--

[phone ringing]

Eva Taylor, Attorney at Law.

Yes, Mr. Copeland.

I'll ring her for you.

[buzzing]

Yes, Bee Bee?

Mike Copeland on line one.

Hello, Mike.

I would love to.

Hey, I can drive a race

course as well as you,

so why shouldn't I fly

a plane as well as you?

You're on for Sunday.

Good bye, Mike,

EVA TAYLOR

[VOICEOVER]: Yes, Mike.

You always seem to

know when to call.

[music playing]

ANNOUNCER: Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen,

race fans, boys and girls.

Welcome to the Super Bowl.

We've got some of the

country's top-notch drivers.

In addition to the prize

money and trophies,

the drivers are competing

for those valuable points.

Later tonight we'll 2, you a run

down on how the drivers stand

today.

Tonight's feature race

is worth 2,000 big ones,

so stick around and let's see

who's going to take that pot.

22 drivers off trying

for that $2,000 pot.

Mike Copeland off to a good

start in pole position.

There's "City Star"

reporter Michael

Copeland in car

number five making

his move up through the back.

[car engine roaring]

Number 15, Miss Eva Taylor,

moving up on red car number

five on the back stretch.

There she goes.

She's out in front going

into turn number three.

[car engines roaring]

And there's number

15, Miss Eva Taylor,

taking the checkered flag.

Mike Copeland, coming in second.

Luke Ward in car number

22 coming in third.

[applause]

All right, Miss Taylor.

There you are. $2,000.

That was one whale of a race and

you are one hell of a driver.

It got sort of hairy for the

moment, but uh, I made it.

[chuckling]

That you did.

Hi.

I was looking for you.

Wanted to congratulate

the winner.

Hi, Mike.

I'm glad I finally

got to race with you.

You're a big name

around the tracks.

Uh, maybe, but not anymore.

Oh Mike, just because I

won one little old race?

You are a groovy chick.

How about a drink

with the loser?

Where can we go

looking like this?

Hm.

How about my place?

I sort of knew you'd say that.

But uh, what about my place?

I feel a lot safer there.

MAN: Hey, I don't care

where you car jockeys

go, but get out of my office.

I've got some work to do.

The least I can do

is carry the trophy.

Thank you.

MAN: Good race, kids.

[music playing]

[moaning]

[music playing]

Yes, sir.

I'll take care of it.

No sir.

No way I'll let it

connect to the company.

Thank you.

Well, what did he say?

MAN: Eva Taylor taken

the Boyles case.

Oh shit.

That's all I need.

Eva Taylor gets Boyles

off and then the cops

are out looking around again.

They pin this on me and I--

MAN: Hey, hey.

Relax, Tony.

Everything's going to be OK.

I never should have been the

one to knock off that old guy.

I'm here at the company,

Eva gets Boyles off,

and then the cops are going

to pin this thing on me.

Now look, we made a deal.

Yeah.

You take the company, we

get a piece of the action.

You were the logical one

that hit the old man.

Besides, if he would have

paid us the money he owed us,

this wouldn't have

had to happen.

Nobody knows you hit him.

Besides, we got Boyles.

He's taking the fall for this.

TONY: Yeah, Eva Taylor's

not your typical

run-of-the-mill lawyer.

She gets Boyles off and

then the cops are out

looking for another patsy and--

MAN: Hey, relax.

Mr. Boyles just had an accident.

TONY: Yeah.

Yeah, he was

killed in uh, jail.

Right.

MAN: Fortunately for

you, man, case is closed,

Eva Taylor's got uh, no

client, and the DA's happy.

And what accident?

The one I'm about to arrange.

You two broads take him

out there and kind of

cool him off a

little bit, will ya?

Come on, baby, We'll

take care of you.

Hey, baby.

What' going on?

Hey, beat it.

I'm busy.

Blackie?

Been looking all

over town for you.

Hey look, I'd like for

you to make a hit for me.

Yeah.

Johnny Boyles.

Yeah, he's in county jail.

Hey, will you do me a favor?

Get in a hurry on

this one, will you?

[buzzing]

Andrew?

Thank you.

Well, hello, Bobby.

And just what can I do

for the DA's office today?

Accident?

What do you mean

accident, Bobby?

An inmate fight?

You know that's a crock of shit.

How bad was his face cut up?

Now, you listen to me.

I want my client protected.

That's right.

I don't care if it takes

every damn cop in this city.

And you tell that boss of yours

if anything happens to Boyles,

I'll spend the rest

of my career nailing

his damn ass to the wall.

Bee Bee, get me Paula Thomas.

And bring me everything

on the Boyles file.

So somebody's nervous, huh?

Well, when I get through with

this case, whoever it is,

I'll have them shitting

in their pants.

MAN: Name?

Full name.

John Doe.

MAN: Come on, turkey,

let's cut out the jive.

What's your name?

John Williams.

Address?

46 53rd.

[tapping]

Occupation?

Oh, I do everything.

We're going to find

out who you are.

Come on, let's go.

[phone ringing]

Hi, Randy.

RANDY: What's going on, man?

If you can give me a

rundown on that other stuff,

I'll probably treat you

to a bottle of boon.

Hey, that's going to cost you.

I'm not going to give you

information, but damn it, Rich.

Tell me what in the

hell you're working out.

I don't know myself yet,

but if my hunch is right,

I'll let you know the biggest

bust this town has ever seen.

MAN: Well, hey--

Uh, that's all

I know right now.

OK.

Hey, Mike, you son of a--

Watch out now.

I might say something

nasty in the press

about Rich Jacobs, private

detective or Tex bad boy

with a badge.

I've got to give you

five for that one, man.

Hey, you got a story for me?

I could sure use one.

Nothing now, Mike, but

maybe in a few days.

I heard they busted Wheeler

with six pounds of uncut stuff.

Small potatoes, Mike.

For what I've got and

what I plan to get,

I'm going all the way

upstairs to the big man.

Stay on tap.

You'll get the exclusive.

Thanks, pal.

Keep on trucking, Mike.

You too, Rich.

And uh, Rich, don't

forget to duck

Hey Mike.

Mike, I don't want to seem

nosy or anything like this,

but you kind of dig

Eva Taylor, don't you?

Yeah.

So what?

Well, the word is out that she

took on the Johnny Boyles case.

There's some heavy

people who don't like it.

I thought you'd want to know.

Hey, wait a minute, Rich.

Eva's a good lawyer.

And in fact, there's

not anything I

can think of she's not good at.

That sort of thing

doesn't frighten her.

To tell the truth,

Rich, it frightens me.

How about taking this as a

retainer and look after her,

Aw, come on, man.

It's only $100 bucks but I

can get you a thou next week.

Why is it friends

always want to pay me?

Yet [inaudible] selfish

people want to beat me.

Keep your money, Mike.

This one's on the house.

In fact, it's a part of the

case that I'm working on anyway.

Hey Rich, thanks.

She'll be all right, Mike.

Randy, I hear

Wheeler got busted.

You know about as much as

I do about that probably.

You think the big

people were involved?

Out in front of his house, man.

After he got out

of his Corvette,

we popped him right then.

We got tipped on

the inside, man.

It was beautiful.

Can you give me any

more information, Randy?

I gotta make a living.

Yeah, I know about

you making a living.

I'm still waiting on

that bottle of scotch

from the last time

you were going to help

me make a living, right?

I never have seen that, have I?

Huh?

Thanks.

MIKE COPELAND: It's coming.

Is this is same thing that

Rich Jacobs is working on?

Rich Jacobs?

I'm tired of hearing

about Rich Jacobs, OK?

Hey, didn't anyone ever

tell you that it's the lady

that's supposed to be late?

I've been waiting

almost half an hour.

I'm sorry, honey,

but the traffic

on the southbound freeway

was bumper to bumper.

So what can I tell ya?

EVA TAYLOR: I'll forgive you

this time, but only this once.

I've got the tanks topped

off, flight plan filed,

and we're ready for takeoff.

MIKE COPELAND: Well,

let's get it on.

EVA TAYLOR: Redbird tower,

this is Cherokee 864.

Ready for take off.

CONTROL TOWER: 864,

taxi to runway 13.

864, roger.

[engine roaring]

EVA TAYLOR: Hold tight, Mike.

I think you're in

for quite a surprise.

MIKE COPELAND: Oh really?

EVA TAYLOR: Really.

MIKE COPELAND: Just what

do you have in mind?

EVA TAYLOR: You'll see.

[engine roaring]

[music playing]

Now zip down your fly

and I'll introduce

you to the mile-high club.

MIKE COPELAND: Who's

going to fly the plane?

EVA TAYLOR: Automatic

pilot, baby.

MIKE COPELAND: Whoa, oh baby.

I love sex but don't

kill us doing it.

EVA TAYLOR: Oh Mike, relax.

MIKE COPELAND: Whoa.

[music playing]

[moaning]

What time is it?

7:30.

Mm.

I've got to go.

Uh uh.

I've got a deadline.

Oh, Mike.

Eva, the editor won't wait.

Oh, come on, Mike.

I've got to go.

I want you to stay with me.

[sighing]

Don't go anywhere

until we've had a talk.

Oh hell, Ginny.

I mean it, Mike.

Now you just sit

there and hear me out.

You owe me.

What is it this time?

Open bank book balance again?

No.

I'll tell you what's

out of balance, it's us.

And you know what's

knocking us off balance?

Eva Taylor.

[inaudible]

Come on, Mike.

I know everything.

Right down to the last

sordid little detail.

Oh hell, Ginny.

How did you--

Never mind how.

I just wonder what you're

going to do about it.

I don't know.

I honestly don't know.

Mike.

I love you and I put up

with your little flirtation

for six years.

But I don't think this is

just a little flirtation.

Right?

Yeah.

[sighing]

What am I supposed to do?

Just uh, pack up two

kids and disappear?

I need an answer, Mike.

I don't have an answer

right now, Ginny.

OK.

You've got one week

to make up your mind.

And I'll tell you one thing,

if you decide to go with Eva,

you're going to be giving

up a hell of a lot of love.

I don't think even

your precious Eva

Taylor would put up with your

activities for very long.

Me and the kids will.

That is the difference

that love makes, Mike.

I'm sorry, Ginny.

I still love you.

But sorry, I'm not.

You've got till next Tuesday.

Let us know, Mike.

[splashing]

[exclaiming]

[laughter]

I don't mean to interrupt

your screwing around

but I thought we had a deal?

Hey, Tony, relax.

Come on in.

Yeah, come on in, baby.

Haven't you ever

tried it in the water?

How the hell do you

expect me to relax?

For Christ's sake, the Boyles

case has been on for four days

now and you haven't

done a fucking thing

about getting it fixed.

Hey, there's nothing I can do.

They got every cop in

town guarding this guy.

I don't give a shit.

You're over here

screwing around while Eva

Taylor's getting this guy off.

Hey, it kind of looks like Eva

Taylor's your problem, right?

Hey, how about getting Eva

Taylor on the phone here,

will ya?

What have you got in mind?

Hey, man, I say

everybody's got their price.

Let's see what price tags on

this foxy female attorney, OK?

Hello, may I please

speak with Eva Taylor?

Just a moment please.

Hello, Miss Taylor,

this is Elden Spencer.

If you could meet me early in

the morning at the skeet range,

I got a proposition for you.

How about 7:30?

Fine.

I'll see you then.

Pull.

[gunshot]

Good morning, Miss Taylor.

EVA TAYLOR: Good

morning Mr. Spencer.

Have you ever

shot skeet before?

Try me.

Pull

[gunshot]

I hear you've been

real busy here lately.

Quite successful too.

I've been pretty lucky,

but you didn't ask me

out here to discuss my success.

Pull.

[gunshot]

That's where you're

wrong, Miss Taylor.

I'm very interested

in your success.

EVA TAYLOR: Get to the

point, Mr. Spencer.

Sir, I'm a very busy person.

I hear you're

defending a client

by the name of Johnny Boyles.

There's uh, certain people think

he's guilty, strongly enough

that he's guilty that

they're willing to pay

to see justice done.

And just how much do they

think justice is worth?

About $10,000.

These friends of your

must not think a human life

is worth very much.

Pull

[gunshot]

Miss Taylor, I won't

squabble over money.

Johnny Boyles is guilty

and it's worth $25,000

to see that you're

not successful.

Double.

Pull.

[gunshot]

I thought youd' never

shot skeet before.

That didn't mean

I'd never shot a gun.

You have my answer.

[ominous music]

[music playing]

Now, little baby,

ain't I good to you?

Yeah, I'm good to you all right.

It's because I know you need it.

I know you need to be loved.

You need to get away.

You need to feel free.

See the colors, baby?

See the colors?

Red, blue, yellow, and gray.

The little gray

book, where did you

put the little gray book, baby?

[whispering indistinctly]

Yeah, yeah.

Red.

Gray.

Where did you put

the little gray book?

Maroon.

Yellow.

And a little gray book, baby?

Where did you put

the little gray book?

It's green and yellow

and red and blue.

And gray.

[phone ringing]

Damn.

Hello.

MAN [ON TELEPHONE]: Blackie,

we've got a change of plans.

Speak, you bastard.

MAN [ON TELEPHONE]: OK, I'm

calling from a phone booth,

so no matter what, don't

you call my office or home.

Things are getting too warm.

OK.

Leave a message

at Max Pool Hall.

MAN [ON TELEPHONE]: OK.

Now I want you to get

rid of that broad.

Hey, come on.

I worked hard on the kid.

Just a little more time

and I'll have the book.

MAN [ON TELEPHONE]: Blackie,

you had long enough.

Now in one hour I want the news

to tell me about her suicide.

But Willie--

MAN [ON TELEPHONE]:

One hour, Blackie.

One hour and I'll be

listening to the news.

Now, be a good boy or

you'll wish you had.

But Willie--

[dial tone]

[slamming]

[music playing]

You're so good, baby.

You're so good.

Mm.

Good.

Blue.

[music playing]

You have to get ready to go.

Go?

We've got to take a

little trip down to the sea

and see some colors, baby.

Got to take a trip to the sea.

Mm.

All the colors in the sea,

all the pretty colors.

BLACKIE: All right, baby.

[music playing]

[splashing]

[music playing]

[upbeat music playing]

[ominous music playing]

I want to see you.

Hey, [inaudible],

what's happening baby?

What's going on?

You want to make a quick 20?

Shit, yeah.

You shitting me?

All right,

Call this dude at that number.

Now, he's a private detective

looking for a missing

chick named Judy Adams.

You tell him he can find her in

an old warehouse at the corner

of Union and Pacific.

And you tell him at 2:30

he can find her there

with only one dude watching.

And what's going to happen

if he asks me why I'm calling?

Well, you just tell

him you're an old friend

and you don't want

to see her messed up.

When do I get my 20, man?

As soon as you make the call,

Sally baby, as soon as you

make the call.

[phone ringing]

[ominous music playing]

[phone ringing]

Rich Jacob Detective Agency.

Yes, I'd like to speak

to Mr. Jacobs, please.

Mr. Jacob's isn't

in at the moment.

His assistant, Mr.

Fuller, is here.

Could he help you?

Yes, I have some

information for him.

One moment, please.

Al, there's a man on the phone

with some information for Rich.

Yeah, I'll take it.

Yes, Al Fuller.

Yes, uh, I hear you're

looking for a Judy Adams.

Yeah, that's true.

Well, tell him from me that uh,

she's been held at a warehouse

on Union and Pacific.

Tell him that uh, uh, if

he can make it by 2:30,

there will only be one

man there watching her.

That's good, but

uh, uh, just what--

what's your interest in this?

Oh, hell, I'm just a

friend of hers, you know?

I don't want to see the

broad getting messed up.

Can you get the, can you get

this message to him in time,

uh--

Yeah.

2:30?

Yeah, I'm sure he'll be there.

That's great.

Um, hold-- uh, wha-- what's

your name and address?

There could be a sizable

reward in it for you.

That won't be necessary.

Like I say, I'm just a friend.

[dial tone]

Uh, Billy, when

Rich calls in, be

sure and let him

know that I might

have a tip on where Judy is.

You got it.

[music playing]

Name it, Rich.

I'll take a scotch

and soda, Ed.

[music playing]

What do you have?

[inaudible]

[music playing]

[applause]

[music playing]

Hi Slats.

What's happening?

I thought I'd ask you.

Don't look now

but you've got two

heavies keeping you company.

I've noticed.

But don't sweat it.

I can lose them any

time I get ready.

Tell me, what do you know

about a big man named Spencer?

SLATS: You don't want

much, do you pal?

Come on, Slats.

What do you hear about him?

Heavy, heavy.

He's a type of foreman

from the boys in Chicago.

He's the last word

in this territory.

Prostitution, narcotics,

gambling, contract hits,

all the organized stuff.

Do you know what I mean?

There's a little

girl named Judy Adams.

You know her?

Yeah.

Cute kid.

Hooker, but nice.

Seen her lately?

No.

She hasn't been

around for awhile,

but then she never did stay

long when she did come around.

She's a doll.

She could get a trick in

nothing, nothing flat.

By the way, the dude

that followed you in,

they work for Spencer.

Some kind of bad.

He's got two broads working

for him of the same caliber.

Hey, Slats.

Why don't you sing "Woman-Hater

Blues" for me, man?

SLATS: You got it, Rich.

[music playing]

[SINGING]She was

pretty, she was fine.

She had me going out of my mind.

She had Satan in her eyes

when she let my heart cry.

Those women-hater blues.

She wore satin, she wore lace.

She had the cutest

little angel face.

She had Satan in her eyes

when she let my heart cry.

Those women-hater blues.

Now every man in town

looked her up and down.

She put the girls

to shame, yeah.

She could turn me around

with a smile or frown, hey.

She really had my heart to play.

She was so pretty.

She was so fine.

She had me going out of my mind.

She had Satan in her eyes

when she let my heart cry.

Those women-hating blues.

Talking 'bout those

women-hating blues.

Oh, get on out of here,

women, 'cause I hate you.

Women-hating blues.

Yeah.

Talking 'bout

women-hating blues.

[applause]

[distant music]

Easy now, Rich.

There's someone who

wants to talk to you.

It's cool, baby.

Might spill your

guts right here.

It's just a conversation,

so uh, be nice.

[knocking]

Come in.

OK, Mr. Spencer.

Here's your big, bad private I.

Hello, Mr. Jacobs.

I hope we're not putting

you out too much.

No, not yet, but don't

take too much of my time.

I do have other

things to do today.

And if you don't tell these boys

to get their hands off of me,

I'm going to break

their arms off.

Woo.

MR. SPENCER: That's OK.

David, you boys wait outside.

Have a seat, Mr. Jacobs.

Jacobs, I've got a

proposition to make to you.

Number one, that broad you're

looking for, forget it.

You're not going to find her.

You think so?

I know so.

And number two, I want you

to stay away from Miss.

Eva Taylor and Johnny Boyles.

If you don't, again, you're

getting in over your head.

Mr. Spencer, you

insult my intelligence.

I'm an easy-going fellow.

Here's five grand.

If you're a nice boy, there's a

lot more where that comes from.

Damn, Mr. Spencer, you not

only insult my intelligence,

you've stepped on my integrity.

And here's what I think

of your proposition.

What in the hell are you doing?

David.

Get in here and teach this

bastard some Get in here.

[music playing]

[groaning]

You're dead, man.

You're dead.

Dead.

I'll get you for this, Spencer.

Now get out of here.

Take your best shot.

Get out of here.

[music playing]

Hey, Blackie, what's going on?

I uh, got a little job for you.

That is, if you're interested

in making a few fast bucks.

Yeah, we can dig

some extra cash.

You can say that again.

OK, there's this

black detective

dude-- correction, private pig.

Spencer wants him taken care of

because he's getting too nosey.

I hope you understand

what I mean.

Sure, baby.

We get what you mean.

You want us to do

this dude's number.

So what's in it for us?

This dude's important.

I pay five C-notes.

Ooh, for that kind of money,

I'd take on the president.

Who is he and where

do we find him?

I'll make it easy for you.

I'll even set him up.

You know the old

warehouse at the corner

of Union and Pacific?

Yeah, sure Blackie.

We know the place.

Be there at two o'clock because

at 2:30 he'll snooping around.

You make sure you have a

good reception for him.

Here.

You'll get the rest tonight,

that is if the uh, [inaudible]

been taken care of.

Don't worry.

His shit's already cold.

[indistinct conversation]

[music playing]

Rich, come over here

to help me get drunk.

I just came by to tell you--

To tell me she's dead?

I know already.

You're not as fast

as television, Rich.

Tina, don't be so rude.

Get Mr. Jacobs a drink

and get me a fresh one.

What do you want, baby?

I don't think so.

Please, Rich, please?

All right, anything with vodka.

All right.

Bloody Mary then.

They say she committed suicide.

Do you believe that?

No way.

She didn't, I know she didn't.

But who would want her dead?

I wish I knew, Faye.

Rich, I hired you to find her.

Now I want you to find

out who killed her.

Deal?

It's a deal, but I think

it's more than you know.

FAYE: What do you mean?

It wasn't suicide

or a passion killing.

It was a professional

hit, and I think

I know where the contract came

from, but I can't prove it yet.

Tina, take care of her.

All right, boss man.

Rich Jacob Detective Agency.

Yeah, Billy, have

you located Rich yet?

I've called police

headquarters and

everywhere else I can think of.

He's just out of pocket.

Ah, hell.

I guess I'll have to

take this thing myself.

If Rich checks in, tell

him it's a possibility

that I've located Judy.

Tell him I'm on my way

to the old warehouse

over on Union and Pacific.

Gotcha.

And Al, you take care.

Right on.

Check you later, babe.

[ominous music playing]

[gunshots]

[music playing]

[grunting]

[music playing]

[yelling indistinctly]

[yelling]

[music playing]

[car engine starts]

[ominous music playing]

[phone ringing]

Rich Jacobs Detective Agency.

One moment please.

It's for you.

Rich Jacobs.

Rich, I've been trying

to reach you all day.

This is Faye Cohen.

Sorry, Faye.

I've been on the run.

What's up?

I was going through

some of Judy's papers

and I found a book with nothing

but names and phone numbers

in it.

It's even got some kind of code.

Do you think that

could mean anything?

Do you know some of the names?

Are you kidding?

Looks like a who's

who of the racket.

Do you find the name

Eldon Spencer listed?

Let's see.

Yeah.

Where are you?

I'm in a phone booth on the

corner of Main and Fifth.

I can be at Charlie's

Bar in two minutes.

Charlie's at Main

and Fifth, right?

Right.

I'll be there.

Good.

Take care and I'll

check with you shortly.

OK.

[ominous music playing]

[music playing in bar]

Hi Faye, aren't you

going to sit at the bar?

Not right now, Charlie.

I'm meeting someone

in a few minutes.

-Can I get you a drink?

-Yeah.

Scotch on the rocks.

-Uh huh.

How about you, sir?

No drink, thanks.

[ominous music playing]

Here you go, Faye.

Faye, Faye?

Oh, shit.

[music playing]

WOMAN [SINGING]: Oh I look up

to the sky, and see visions of

you and I

against a blanket of

gold so sing me a rainbow.

Now I look down lover's lane,

at the blossoms blooming rain.

Sends a thrill right to my soul

and sings me a rainbow.

No master painter will

create a portrait of love

he'll use a background of blue.

With every color of the moon,

every shade, every tune,

then I find that

portrait is you.

Oh, I don't want to be free.

Come fly away, just you and me.

We'll find a lover's

pot of gold and we'll

sing the music of the rainbow.

[music playing]

No master painter will

create a portrait of love.

He'll use a background of blue.

With every color, every

note, every shade--

[doorbell chimes]

[music playing]

Well, hi, Ginny.

I haven't seen you in

two or three years.

Come in.

It's good to see you.

It's been a long time.

Don't just stand there, Ginny.

Have a seat.

I was about to fix

myself a cocktail.

Would you care for one?

Sure, why not?

EVA: What will it be?

Oh, you know me.

I'll go along with

whatever you're having.

Now, tell me, Ginny, you

don't wait two or three

years to visit an old friend.

Is this business,

social, or professional?

Whatever it is, you came

to the right person.

Are you in some sort of trouble?

You know, I'd do most

anything for you.

[music playing]

Now relax.

Wrap yourself around this.

[music playing]

Now, what can I do for you?

Is it a loan?

Name the amount.

It doesn't concern money, Eva.

It concerns you and Mike.

Me and Mike?

Come on, Eva.

I've known for a long

time that you and Mike

have been seeing each other.

It hasn't been a platonic

or a business relationship.

It's been a pretty

torrid love affair.

Now Ginny--

GINNY: Now let me finish.

Now I don't mind if Mike wants

to fool around once in awhile,

but I'm afraid that he's

really in love with you.

I've been with

Mike for six years.

I love him.

I love him very much, and

our two kids love him too.

All right.

I'll lay it on the table.

I love him too, much more

than you ever could imagine.

Don't do this to me.

If our friendship ever meant

anything, don't do this.

Look Eva, I cannot

compete with you.

Mike loves sports.

Aside from the newspaper,

it's all he thinks about.

It his whole life.

And you can shoot guns

and drag race cars.

I can't do any of that.

And airplanes scare me to death.

Is that why you

think Mike loves me?

Just because I can

do all those things?

Or is it that I'm just a

little more affectionate

and I give them all

the love he needs.

Maybe you're just too damn cold.

You listen to

me, I am not cold.

When you go to bed at night, do

you just turn over and say good

night or do you tell

him and show him,

I mean really show him, how

much you love him and tell

him he's wanted and needed--

Listen, I have spent many

nights crying myself to sleep

because he was out with you.

Look, I'm not going to lose

him, not to you or anybody.

I wanted to come over here

and tell you, woman to woman,

that you are going to have a

fight on your hands, a bigger

fight than you ever seen in

any courtroom or any racetrack

or any of those damn place

where you do so well.

Oh Ginny.

GINNY: Let me finish.

You don't need to say a thing.

We were friends once.

But no more.

[music playing]

What am I going to do?

[crying]

Say, are you looking to bring

home the money [inaudible]?

Papa's girl or cold turkey?

Um, papa's girl.

Let me you get [inaudible].

[inaudible]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Hi.

Is this Eva Taylor.

Yes, this is Eva Taylor.

Are you the famous attorney?

Yes, the attorney.

Are you the attorney

for Johnny Boyles?

Yes, Johnny Boyles

is my client.

Listen here, black girl.

I want you to know

what's coming down.

Yeah.

Boyles is guilty and

if you don't help his

getting convicted,

baby, you may not be

around to defend anyone else.

Do you hear what I say?

You might not even get to see

the end of this case you're on.

Get what I mean?

Listen, you son of a bitch.

I don't know who you

are and furthermore, I

don't give a damn.

But you can bet your life

my client is not guilty.

After the trial, I intend

to walk him straight

out of that court room.

Never mind, honey.

You listen to what I

say and understand.

So don't send anymore of

these threatening phone calls

or anymore of those nasty notes.

If you want to

meet me in person,

I'll be happy to shove them

straight down your damn throat.

Hey.

Now, you heard what I said, so

you can just kiss my black ass

and that's the end of

this conversation, mother.

Well, uh, what's the scam?

That's one tough broad.

Hm.

Ain't going for it, huh?

I don't see why Spencer

doesn't let us go ahead

and hit that bitch.

Come on, let's go.

[music playing]

[footsteps approaching]

Therefore the State has every

intention of proving that this

is a case of

premeditated murder,

that Johnny Boyles willingly

planned and executed

the murder of one Joseph

Springer on January the 17th

of this year.

Thank you very much.

The defense?

MIKE [VOICEOVER]:

Defense attorney

slowly we spoke

in defense of her,

stating that she would

prove Boyles's innocence.

[indistinct crowd chatter]

-What will it be, Miss?

-I'm looking for Willie.

Could that be you?

That's what my friends call me.

Good to know you.

My name's Cindy.

I'll be your new waitress.

Well, hell, it's about time.

I mean, I've been on union's

back for the past two weeks.

I mean, you've got to

have some consideration.

I run a union house here.

I play by their rules.

What's with that

cruddy outfit anyway?

Hey man, don't climb on me.

I don't run the union.

And for your information,

I just found out

about this job 30 minutes ago.

And another thing, I

won't work for a bartender

with a hot temper, so you can

either be nice or find yourself

another waitress.

-OK, OK.

I apologize.

I do have to admit, your

looks are an improvement over

the last girl that worked here.

And tell me this, are you pretty

fast and uh, can you hustle?

Fast, yes.

The second item depends

on what you mean.

I'll hustle your drinks for you,

but my bod I keep to myself.

Now, if that's satisfactory,

you've got yourself a waitress.

OK, you're on.

The house piano

player starts at five.

House buys the first drink,

that's the Black Russian.

Have it on the piano by five or

I'll hear about it all night.

Now, let's get a move on

because in 10 or 15 minutes,

this place is

going to be loaded.

Light up the candles

and make sure you

keep the drinks straight.

Willie, baby, don't

worry about me.

Just make sure you

mix them straight.

WILLIE: Well,

hello, Miss Taylor.

Hello Willie.

By the way, have you

met Mike Copeland?

Oh, sure.

Willie and I are old friends.

Yeah, I know Mr. Copeland.

He only comes in when he's mad

or wants to cry in his beer.

Now, let's see if I

remember correctly.

Our council at law

drinks rum and Coke.

EVA: Right.

WILLIE: And the newspaper

reporter, scotch

and soda when you made it.

And boilermakers

when you say it.

What's it going to do

today, Mr. Copeland?

MIKE: I think I'll

have a martini,

just to blow your mind, boy.

WILLIE: I was on

kidding, Mr. Copeland.

I was too.

MIKE: Make it a scotch and soda.

Two minutes to five.

Where's the Black Russian?

Oh yeah, thanks, kid.

By the way, folks, I want

you to meet our new waitress.

Cindy, meet Eva Taylor

and Mike Copeland,

two of our very good customers.

Make sure we treat them extra

nice, you know what I mean?

I try to be nice to everybody,

but for a famous attorney

and a newspaper

man, we'll strain

to be a little bit more nice.

Rum and coke, scotch and

soda, and the first one's

on the house.

Thank you, Willie.

You keep an eye on that lawyer.

I've got to go

make a phone call.

Gotcha.

One Black Russian.

[indistinct crowd chatter]

Now that's what I

call [inaudible].

Hey, I'm going to

tell you something,

honey, as week as Willie makes

them, I could down an army.

Go back and tell him to fix

me one and make it right

and I'll pay for it.

It would be a pleasure.

PIANO PLAYER: You're

new here, aren't you?

Yeah, I just started.

Let me give you a tip.

You've got some good

spenders in this club,

pretty much good joes.

But when it comes to Willie,

wear your brass knucks.

He'll work you to

death if you let him.

Right on.

[playing piano]

[chuckling]

Say, I know it's

none of my business.

You're right.

But I heard it

through the grapevine

that you're not supposed

to win this case.

You're just there

for a good show.

Right or wrong?

Wrong.

I got it from a

pretty good source,

and $25,000 is

nothing to laugh at.

Well, let me give you some

information, and this time

from the horse's mouth.

I'm a defense attorney.

Maybe I'm not the best

attorney in the world,

I've seen and heard a lot worse.

I've defended some good

people and I've also

been the defense of some scum.

But to the best of

my knowledge, I've

never failed to get a man off

when I knew him to be innocent.

And I've lost damn few cases

when I knew they were guilty,

and that's battle enough

for my conscience.

But here's one for the record.

I, Eva Taylor, have

never, will never,

deliberately lose

any case when I

know my client to be innocent.

And that you can believe.

OK, OK.

Don't get excited.

I just don't want to see

my lady get messed up.

Don't sweat it.

How about another drink?

Hm.

Rain check.

I got a go dance my readers

around until after the verdict,

remember?

Rain check you got.

And thank you.

See you in court.

[indistinct crowd chatter]

EVA: Hey Willie,

I'll have another.

Right.

Ladies and gentlemen,

everybody quiet please.

Quiet.

There's a short story

I'd like to tell you.

A few years ago there was a girl

that was a great entertainer,

but her true love was

to be an attorney.

So her vocal chords sent

her through college,

and now she's a

fantastic attorney.

But I'll bet she's still

a fantastic entertainer.

Eva, how about it?

One for old time sake?

[applause]

[piano playing]

[SINGING]If I'm supposed

to smile when you

say we're through,

that smile will

be delayed for a tear or two.

If I'm supposed to laugh

when you say goodbye,

that laugh will be

delayed while I cry.

This love affair was just

for fun in the beginning.

You even told me that

you were only kidding.

But if I'm supposed to smile and

leave with a lie,

I'll smile,

I'll leave and then

I'll cry.

[applause]

MIKE [VOICEOVER]: Eva Taylor

shocked the court with a very

abrupt end to the defense.

She merely stated to the

Honorable Judge Maynard,

I don't feel the defense

needs any more witnesses.

Tomorrow Mr. Taylor and

District Attorney Morrow

will present their

closing statement.

[tapping]

[indistinct crowd chattering]

JUDGE: Foreman of the jury,

has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Would you read

the verdict please?

We the members of the jury

find the defendant not guilty.

[screaming]

He's got a gun.

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

[screaming]

[gunshots]

[crowd murmuring]

Well, Johnny, as far as I'm

concerned, you're a free man.

And as for me, I'm

going to have a drink.

Mr. Taylor, I don't

know what to say.

I don't know how to thank you.

I, I told you I was innocent.

That's OK, Johnny.

But next time, just

stay out of trouble.

[music playing]

You can't get away

with this, Spencer.

No, no, bitch.

They'll nail you to the wall.

This time you fucked up.

You think so, huh?

I know so.

SPENCER: You should

have listened to reason.

If you had, you'd

been $25,000 richer

and everybody

would've been happy.

[music playing]

Don't try anything.

I'll blow your

brains out right now.

EVA: Go to hell, fart mouth.

MAN: That damn private

eye is right on our tail.

SPENCER: Let him come.

I want him too.

[music playing]

RICH: Hey, hold it right there.

Hold it right there.

Let me get this son of a bitch.

[gunshot]

Let her go, Spencer.

Just you and me.

Screw you.

Get out of here or

I'll blow her head off.

Screw you.

[gunshots]

Thank you, friend.

Come on, let's get you home.

[music playing]

OK, kitten.

What's so urgent?

I got your message.

I've got an editor

blowing his stack

and a paperboy who

won't even speak to me.

Have you got a story for me?

Yes, Mike.

I do have a story for you.

Maybe it won't make

good copy but it

will make a final edition.

What do you mean?

Well, Mike, it's like this.

We've had a lot of fun together.

The airplanes, the racing cars.

It's been one thrill

after another.

But lately, it's become

just a little too serious.

Hey baby, this is crazy.

What?

It sounds like you're

trying to tell me goodbye.

I'm not trying to

say goodbye, Mike.

I am saying goodbye.

And you don't know,

you're a lucky man.

You have your wife, family.

And that's the type of

man you are, domestic.

And one day you'll be

very happy that you are.

[music playing]

Baby, can't we talk this over?

No, Mike.

Let's end it as fast

as we started it.

One big zoom.

[music playing]

Good luck, Mike.

[music playing]

Are you ready to go home?

Do you still want me?

I'll always want you.

Then let's go.

[music playing]

I know that that wasn't

an easy thing to do.

Well, at least it was the

right thing to do, dammit.

Tell you what?

What do you say I treat you

to the most fantastic dinner

that you've probably had

in the last 12 years?

We'll go by my place for

a little toddy by the fire

and discuss whether or

not you can break away

for the next week or

two to keep this very

handsome and lonely

private detective

company on his next case.

Well, Mr. Jacobs, that seems

like a proposition to me.

Well, this friend of mine

had mentioned something

about taking a jet

setter to someplace--

oh, let's see, what did he say?

Tiki Wiki, Waikiki?

Waikiki?

Hey, that's it.

He really needs someone to

pose as his wife for cover

while he goes sailing,

surfing, gambling.

You know, all those

things that [inaudible].

Well, it just occurred

to me that I don't have

a single thing that can't

wait for the next two weeks

on my calendar.

So I just might be able to help

those lonely private detective

friend of yours out.

Fantastic.

We'll leave tomorrow at 3:00PM.

Now how about that dinner?

[music playing]