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]