Police Woman (1974–1978): Season 1, Episode 19 - The Company - full transcript

- I won!
- Against the wall. Come on. Let's go.

Wouldn't you know it? I hit a
seven, and they stick up the joint!

My men are gonna collect your
valuables. Drop everything in the bags.

If you don't pack it in and get out
of here in the next three minutes,

your two lady friends will
have to carry you out in a bag.

You'll talk to them or
you'll sit in jail till you do.

If I testify before that
grand jury, I'm a dead man.

Send Mr. Proctor's car
up right away, please.

Hey, Jimmy.

Hi, Mr. Proctor. Hope you had a
nice evening. Your car'll be right up.

Double or nothing. You got it.

Call. Heads. It's mine.

Okay, baby. Where
do you want to go now?

Anywhere? How 'bout Rio?

Sure. Then London.

Sure. You know, somebody
told you I was made of money.

Money, money, money...
and anything else that's nice.

Oh!

You should have
listened to Mr. Angelo.

Mr. Angelo wanted to help you.

290 out of a
possible 300, Pepper.

Not bad for a lady cop.

Thanks. I try.

Crowley, you should
really work on your shooting.

I threw in a few points so
you don't have to shoot again.

But, man, I'd hate to be
your partner. You're terrible!

Don't feel bad, Bill.

Lose it.

Listen, I'll buy you lunch after
the meeting. That'll cheer you up.

I know it'll cheer you up.

Come in.

Pepper. Crowley. Hey.

You know Captain Miller
from Ad-Vice. Hi, Jack.

How's it going? Sit down.

- Why don't you give 'em some
idea of what's been happening.
- Okay.

Last night one of our big-time
gamblers was blown up on the street.

- A man named Ralph Proctor.
- Yeah, we know.

That's the third hood to be shot
up or wasted in the last three weeks.

And good riddance.

Well, so far, Robbery-Homicide
has not turned up a single lead.

And Intelligence has
developed information...

that someone, having eyes for taking over
all the vice activities in this town...

Gambling, prostitution,
porno... everything.

We've been getting bits
and pieces of information...

about muscle being applied
on some of our crime figures.

But what we really
need out there...

is our own set of eyes.

I can feel it coming.

I want Pepper to go
out on the street alone.

- Alone?
- Well, with one of Ad-Vice's
informants, of course.

But why does she have to go out alone?
What do you want me and my squad to do?

You'll be doing follow-up work.
Anything Pepper turns up will be yours.

I don't like her out
on the street alone.

She's got to go out alone.
Just Pepper and the snitch.

I don't want this blowing up
before you even get started.

Now, any questions?

Yeah, I got a question. What?

I want to know about this
informant. Who is it? How reliable?

Oh, very reliable, Bill.
She's an ex-madam

who's been working
with us for three years.

We call her the "Black Widow."

- Linda?
- Pepper?

- Right.
- Yeah. They said
you was pretty.

They said the same about you.

Hop in.

I like your outfit.
Thank you. Same here.

Thank you. So
much for amenities.

Oh, uh, one question
before we get going...

'cause you never know
where we might end up.

I hope you left
all your I.D. home.

I got nothing on me but my
money and my favorite perfume.

Okay. Okay.

I've been going
through all these reports.

In every single one
of these three killings,

the suspect has been
described as a male Caucasian,

thirtyish, blond, 6'2",
180 pounds, good-looking.

Yet none of the witnesses feel they'd
be able to recognize the man again.

Well, street fear
can cause amnesia.

Sergeant Crowley.
Can I help you?

Sergeant, this is Susan
Jeffries. I'm at the airport.

My plane leaves in 20
minutes. What can I do for you?

It's what I can do for you. The man
who shot Ralph... he did say something.

What'd he say? He
mentioned the name Mr. Angelo.

That's all I remember, but I
did want to tell you before I left.

By the way, Sergeant,
forget I called.

That was the girl,
calling from the airport.

She said before the killer fired, he
mentioned the name of Mr. Angelo.

You mean Vito Angelo?
He's been in the joint 15 years.

Yeah, but he's
about due for parole.

This sure fits his
M.0... Murder, extortion.

This guy's a real
old-time godfather.

♪♪

By now this place should
be crawling with ladies.

Hmm. Vice has
either had a roundup...

or there's trouble
right here in River City.

Uh, let's take a booth
and stop the rush.

Oh, um, don't let it come
as a surprise to either of us...

The stampede, that is.

Comfy? I love it.

Hi, Linda. Hey, darlin'.

How've you been? Where have you
been? I haven't seen you for a while.

San Francisco.

Say, um, what's happening?
Where is everybody?

Lots of tricks, no chicks.

Don't know. What'll you have?

Oh, uh, brandy and soda.

Hmm, yeah, yeah. I'll
have the same thing.

Okay. I'll be right back, if I can
squeeze through these animals.

Right.

She's not kidding.

- Uh-oh.
- Hmm. Heads up.

Do you girls realize you could
be sittin' on a million dollars?

In fact, I think you are.

Seriously. We're geologists.

And I think we
have discovered oil.

May we join you?

Well, okay. But we're
here for only one drink.

Good. Good.

Uh, my coat. Oh.

Boy, you're really built for
a girl. Do you like sports?

- Sure.
- Boy, do you ever
have a way with words.

Just makes me feel like I'm right
back home in Bowlegs, Oklahoma.

Thanks.

My name's Doug.
My friend here is Jeff.

And we are happy to
be sharing your booth.

Hi, Doug, Jeff.

Well, um, I'm Linda,
and this here is Pepper.

This place has been like a morgue till
you two walked in. Where's all the ladies?

You tell us. We just
came in for a drink.

Well, don't get the wrong idea.

Everybody in town knows this is the kind
of a place where girls come, and guys...

We understand, but you
got this situation wrong.

You see, we're just here
waiting for our husbands.

It's very close
to their offices.

Oh, I should have known. Anybody
as good as you would be married.

We'll just go back
to the piano bar.

- Bye.
- Uh, hey, you still
in the oil business?

- Sure.
- Uh, see the brunette
over there?

They tell us she's
a real gusher.

Thanks.

Oh, hi, Linda.
Mind if I join you?

Uh, be my guest.

Uh, Margo Blake,
this is Pepper... Turner.

Hi. I've seen your sister Lana.

You new in town? Uh, San
Francisco. Here to see my brother.

Oh.

Say, Margo, what is going
on? This place is like a morgue.

Everybody's staying
home, I guess.

The word I get is...

You know Ralph Proctor? Right.

The high roller? He got blown
away the other night in front of the bar.

They say that Proctor
refused to join "the company,"

which, the way I get it, is a group
that's buying up everything in town.

My old man joined. A
kind of "or else" situation.

So I guess I'm safe.

Who runs the, uh, company?

Some old syndicate boss
is all my old man said.

Listen. I got to make it. One of
my regular tricks just walked in.

See you guys later.
I've gotta get hustling.

Inflation's eating
up my profits.

What a great kook.
She's marvelous.

You feelin' lucky? A
girl makes her own luck.

How about a little gambling?
We could split our winnings.

Okay. Mine's off the top.

You're on. Oh. Hey,
what about our drinks?

Oh, uh, just leave her a tenner.

Ten... Ten dollars?

Crowley's not gonna like that.

Good evening, Cedric.
Hello, Linda. How are you?

Just fine. That's good.

Busy night. Yup.

Good evening. May I
see your purse? Oh, sure.

I'd hate to come here in a cab.

Good luck. Have a
nice evening. Thank you.

Wowee!

I've heard about
places like this.

They do exist. Ooh.

Makes me feel lucky.

This is a big
operation. Who runs it?

Uh, some guy named Bender.

Very big in the horse
racing business.

Wow.

Uh, 10 dollars is
the minimum bet.

What's the top? Darlin',
it's whatever you got.

But don't expect to come out
ahead in this joint. It doesn't happen.

"Try not to blow
it all," he says.

At these stakes, it's
not gonna be easy.

Since it's their money,
let's try our luck, okay?

You only live once.

Seven! I won!

It's a seven! How much do I get?

The fun's over. Against
the wall. Come on. Let's go.

Wouldn't you know it? I hit a
seven, and they stick up the joint!

Against the wall.

Okay, now.

My men are gonna
collect your valuables.

Drop everything in the bags.

Easy, but hurry,

and nobody gets hurt.

Come on.

If you'd have waited
10 minutes, I'd be rich.

For a high-rolling broad, you
sure don't have much bread.

Here. Have breakfast on
me. Thanks a lot, chum.

Do you have to tell everybody?

Come on. Come
on. Let's go. Let's go.

In there. Put it in
there now. Come on.

Let's go. Let's go.
In the bag. That's it.

That's the necklace too,
please. Let's go, let's go, let's go.

Let's make it fast. Right there.

Okay. Your little white
baggy. All of it. That's good.

Ladies. Okay! Let's move it!

Mr. Angelo wants to thank
you all for your generosity.

And you dealers,

he suggests you find
employment elsewhere.

Good night.

Mr. Bender, I'm
Sergeant Crowley of the

police department.
We'd like to talk to you.

I had some cops this morning.
Don't you guys talk to each other?

We just have a couple of questions
we'd like to ask you. May we come in?

Is it possible to keep you out?

Thank you. These are
Investigators Royster and Styles.

Delighted.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

This is a beautiful
place you got here.

It sure is.

Uh, you... keep your
feet off the furniture.

- Is that really a cop?
- Pete?

That's what the crooks tell me.

Look, if it's about the
game the other night,

that was strictly
a charity affair.

No profit. Everything to charity.
No money really changes hands.

We understand that. How
much did they take you for?

Not a dime. Is that right?

We must be getting bad information
because we heard it was more like 30,000.

How about all that legal
gambling equipment?

Don't do that. Do what?

That belonged to an old Vegas
friend, passed away last year.

So I've been using it for
some of my charity affairs.

Tell us about Vito Angelo.

Never met the man.
That's very interesting.

The word we got is that he was
responsible for taking your game,

besides running
you out of business.

Where'd you hear a crazy thing like
that? I haven't heard his name in years.

- You heard it the other night.
- You're crazy.

It's no good, Bender. We had an
undercover investigator in your game.

When it was hit, he was right
there... heard everything, saw it all.

Impossible. We screen everyone.

For a charity event, huh?
That seems a little weird to me.

If you guys have anything to say
to me, do it through my attorneys.

I'm sick and tired of talking to
you cops. Now, get the hell out!

Listen, slick. You let
me tell you something.

We're about an inch from subpoenaing
your butt before the grand jury.

Now, I guarantee you'll talk to
them or you'll sit in jail till you do.

Now, I make you that promise. And I
usually keep my promises, don't I, Pete?

Absolutely.

If I testify before that
grand jury, I'm a dead man.

You understand
where my head's at?

Forget it. I don't know
nothing. Now, get out.

Let's go.

You're in a lot of
trouble, Bender.

You'll be hearing from me.

He sure is an
early bird, ain't he?

12-Y-51, we're moving.

Bender's headed
downtown. 12-Y-50. Roger.

We're on our way
to meet the friendly.

We'll join you as
soon as we can.

Hi, Linda.

This town is jumping. There's
all kinds of talk on the street.

Oh, yeah? Like what?

Okay. Vito Angelo is
getting out in two weeks,

and his people are trying to put
his old organization back together.

Nobody operates
without his blessing.

Everybody belongs
to the company.

Uh-huh. But what about Bender?

Okay. That's all over
the town too... his game.

Now, everybody in town knows
that Angelo's people took the game.

But Bender's gonna
open up again Friday night.

What about protection?

Bender's a big man.

He ain't gonna play ball in
Angelo's ballpark. No way.

Well, Linda, Bender's ball-playing
days are just about over.

Next week, the grand jury's
planning on indicting him.

Gambling and
conspiracy violations.

Ooh, the man does
have problems. Yeah.

The law on one side
and Angelo on the other.

He's got to fight them
off to stay in business,

and, darlings, that's gonna be harder
to do than fight the cops and the courts.

Say, listen, Linda. Tell
you what we want you to do.

Find out where Bender's
movin' his game to.

Maybe this time, we'll take it.

Um, if you do, will you do
me a favor? What's that?

Pick up your winnings from the
other night. I sure could use the deuce.

♪♪

Hi. Hi, Pep.

Well, it's about time.
Hey. What's he up to?

He's in the building. Went into
an office of one Vincent Phillips.

Well, I gotta hand it to him.

He's got the most expensive
criminal attorney in town.

With all the ethics of a snake.

Yeah. He's been in there
almost three hours now.

Just shows you how time
flies when you're having fun.

With a little help
from my friend.

Surveillance is gonna
pick up Bender at 6:00.

When you guys get relieved, why
don't you join us over at Vinnie's?

Pep's gonna buy us
all a couple of beers.

Hmm.

Now, how did I guess that's
just what you were gonna say?

Hello, William, Pep.
What's happening?

That turkey sure leads an
exciting life, I wanna tell you.

As soon as he split from Phillips's office,
he went right back to his apartment.

Did he spot you?

No, I don't think so. I don't
think he was expecting a tail.

Oh, by the way, some chick
showed up just before we left.

"Some chick." I'll say. Made me
want to go out and play my best music.

It's probably the cleaning
lady. Hey, Bill. Telephone.

Thought I'd bring a round
over while I was at it. Save a trip.

Yeah, lots of luck. Get Crowley
to pay for it. Yeah, I'll work on that.

That was Patterson
from Surveillance.

They just tailed Bender over
to a warehouse on the east side.

Oh. Maybe the location of his
new game. Think Linda was right?

Could be. Why
don't you drink up?

We're going
Surveillance at 6:00 a.m.

We just had here.

You want some more coffee?

I am all coffee'd up
to you know where.

Heads up over there.
He's on his way out.

Roger. We got him.

I don't like it, and I don't
mind telling it to her face.

I think you knew they were gonna
waste Bender. I think you're out of line.

I'm not out of line if I tell
you what I think honestly.

All right. That's enough.

Look, Miss Linda... Black
Widow... Wrong floor.

Whatever they call you. I've
seen how you handle these people.

You know more than you let on.

Now, you listen, darlin', and you
listen good. Now, you listen. Cool it.

No, just wait a
minute. Cool it, I said.

Just wait a minute! Yeah,
I'm out on the streets.

But like my grandmother used to say,
you can't see the forest for the trees,

you can't feel the
wind for the breeze.

My grandmother
says you let us down.

We weren't supposed to let
Bender get wasted. Right, Bill?

Right, but... She
could have warned us.

I would have if I had
known! Oh, you knew.

I did not know. Knock it off,
both of you. Knock it off, will you?

You're in the police pool. You're
not backstage at the Union Burlesque!

Now, shut up, both of
you! Come on. Sit down.

Bill? What?

What? It's okay. Go ahead.

S.I.D. didn't have much to say. The
bomb was rigged to the speedometer.

Yeah? Your hunch
on Phillips was right.

The same Vincent Phillips who
was almost disbarred five years ago.

On suspected jury tampering. And he's Vito
Angelo's attorney, handling his parole.

And his client, Mr. Angelo,
has done just about everything.

Born in Sicily.

His folks moved to
Chicago where he became

involved in the crime
scene in the early '30s.

He then split here in the '50s.

He had a lock on just about everything
until they shipped him to the joint.

- Has he got any family now?
- His wife died two years ago.

A son living in Hartford,
Connecticut, with a wife and two kids.

They changed their name, and
they're clean. And parole comin' up?

Yeah.

Linda? Yeah?

I want you to start
thinking. See if you can

come up with some
names and places for me.

I don't know, Bill.
This scam better work.

I had to borrow every vice
officer in town to pull it off.

Yeah, well,

if Linda's on, and we picked
the right place, it'll work.

Oh, what have we got here?

This could be our man.

Pepper.

What's up?

He was at the dice
joint the other night.

Hey.

Make yourself to home.

- Are you taking action?
- Action? What kind of action?

Five hundred dollar bet.

- On what?
- On you.

If you don't pack it in and get out
of here in the next three minutes,

your two lady friends will
have to carry you out in a bag.

- You giving any odds?
- You won't need any.

I don't think he likes us.

At least he called us "ladies."

Look, mister, what did
you say your name was?

Smith.

Mr. Smith, we're only little
people. You know what I mean?

I have a boss who tells me where
to go and what kind of action to take.

It's that simple.

Now, if you want
me to split, far out,

but somebody else is
gonna be here tomorrow,

just as sure as
there's smog in L.A.

How do I get in
touch with your boss?

Now, you just call this
number. It's his service.

I wouldn't take that.

You see, I'll make you a bet.

If you take this, you're
gonna end up with a big hole...

right in the middle
of your belly button.

You dig where I'm
comin' from, Mr. Smith?

Oh, darlin'.

Hey, Bill? Yeah?

D.M.V. on the car comes back
Frankie Benson on Ridgecrest Drive.

And? Frankie Benson,
just released from prison.

Same joint Vito Angelo's in.

Served five years
for armed robbery.

And, for dessert, his
parole record indicates...

that Vincent Phillips
is also his attorney.

That's pretty heavy.

Yeah, this is Mr. Marsh. You
got any messages for me?

Is that right?

Yeah?

Okay. Listen, when he calls back,
you give him this message from me.

Tell him I'll make the meet.

No, sweetheart. M-double-E-T.

That's it. Thanks.

Mr. Smith?

Mm-hmm.

Who called and
said that he'd like to

arrange a little business
meeting with me...

Sunday morning at 11:00.

The dark suit. He was calling
the shots when they hit the casino.

This is my boss, Mr. Marsh.

Mr. Marsh, Mr. Di Roma.

Pleasure. Yeah.

I understand from Frankie here that
you have a few... maybe more than a few...

Handbooks operating around town.

It's possible. Huh.

Well, some of my
friends have, uh,

let's say, joined together to
form what we call "a company."

That's as good a
word as any, right?

That's as good as any, I guess.

Now, this company...

has franchises available
for the smart investor...

who plans to stay in business,
make a pretty good profit...

and live long
enough to enjoy it all.

What we're doing here is
offering you one of our exclusives.

How much is it gonna cost me,

and what do I get in
return for my investment?

Hey, no investment.

We get 60% of your
action, you stay in business.

Oh, plus...

Plus...

free bookkeeping service.

That way we know
you're not, um...

How do you say it?
Cheating the company.

Ah. All right. Okay.

Now, let's see if I
got it in my mind.

If I choose not to
join your company...

Hey. We can't be responsible.

I mean, you're liable to...

meet with a terrible accident.

- Understood?
- Oh, yeah. Yeah. I think I got that.

I think my partner and
I have heard enough.

- What do you say, partner?
- More than enough, Sergeant.

Yeah. You're under arrest.

Oh, uh-uh-uh-uh!

Don't move, or I'll blast you.

- Aw, Jesus.
- Get up! You all right?

I've got one of your cops here.

Anybody gets in
my way, he's had it.

Sergeant Crowley, thanks
for saving my neck. Forget it.

You know, I never could've made a shot like
that. How long you been shooting expert?

Oh, he's, uh...

He's been a sharpshooter
now for a long time.

You want some coffee? No.

Benson, I've tried
to explain to you...

Maybe he doesn't
understand, Bill.

Maybe you don't understand.

I'm interested in your boss,
the guy that calls the shots.

So you're interested. So go find
him, if you can. Leave me alone.

You can help yourself,
and you know it.

Now, you're way
down here somewhere.

We're after the man on
top, and you know that.

You're headed
right back to prison...

Conspiracy to commit
murder and extortion.

What can you do for me?

Bill, Pep, can I
see you a minute?

Vincent Phillips.

Yeah. What can I do for you?

Has my client been informed of his
constitutional rights yet, Sergeant?

You can take odds
on it, Counselor.

Then why are you
still interrogating him?

What kind of dumb cops are you?

Oh, dumb. Very dumb.

You must have a third nostril that
helps you smell out extra-dumb cops.

I want to see my client, now.

Be my guest.

"Third nostril." I like that.

I don't like any of this.
Benson was ready.

Hang in there, Pep. If we don't
lock him up, I'll turn in my hat.

I've talked to my client. He has
nothing to say. He's ready to be booked.

Get him booked...

and then get 'em both
the hell out of here.

One more thing. My client
wishes to remain silent.

You attempt to interrogate
him any further, I'll move for...

Think it's time we
made that little trip.

Ah.

How do you do, Mr. Angelo?
I'm Sergeant Anderson.

The beautiful lady cop.

I've heard about
you. Good things.

Even from some of the guys
in here. That's very flattering.

You want to sit down? Thank you.

Mr. Angelo, I'm
Sergeant Crowley.

Crowley. They talk about
you too. Only not so good, huh?

Oh, not that bad.

The Italian cop
with the Irish name.

Yeah, well, I'm really only part
Italian. I had an Italian grandmother.

Better than nothing, huh?

Well, what can I
do for the cops?

Me... Vito Angelo.

There've been several killings in
the city recently... gangland style...

And your name's
been linked to them.

My name. My name.

Look at me.

The body. The eyes... glaucoma.

I can hardly see no more.

I'm sick. I'm old.

All I got left is my name.

Mr. Angelo, are you saying
you know nothing about this?

I didn't say that.

The walls talk here with
word from the outside.

It comes through the
concrete, the bricks... loud.

The walls, they've
told me about this.

"Hey, Angelo, they're
using your name!"

Do you have any
idea who's behind it?

No. I'm like you.

But I'd like to find out.

You don't trust me, do you?

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Then tell them here...

to let me make a
phone call tonight,

and I'll get in touch with
somebody who can help.

We'd appreciate that.

And I appreciate the visit.

You know, it's cold
here all the time.

And it's dark.

Every day it gets
a little darker.

Your visit is like...

little ray of sunshine
in this lousy hell.

Part Italian, huh?

Sì.

Dante. Have you ever
read Dante? Dante Alighieri?

Sometimes I sit and I try to
remember, from La Commedia,

the words over the gate to hell.

You know them... the words?

Please tell me. I try
so hard to remember.

"Through me one passes
into the city of pain."

"Through me one passes
into the eternal sorrow."

"Through me one passes"...

Uh...

"Among the lost souls."

"Among the lost souls."

You know, if I was only
60 years old, even 65...

Thank you, Mr. Angelo.

Thank you.

Ciao. Ciao.

♪♪

Uh, Sergeant Crowley? Yeah.

I'm Johnny, Mr. Angelo's
friend. Have a seat.

Thank you. This is Joe
Styles and Pete Royster.

How're you doing?

Can we get you anything?

Uh, no. No, thank you.

I just want to say what I've
got to say and get out of here.

- A little uncomfortable
around cops?
- Yeah. You can say that.

Look, Sergeant,
I'm from out of state,

so I have no interest in
this area whatsoever...

With just the one exception.

I'm very interested in helping
you clear Mr. Angelo's name.

We're very interested
in solving some of

these crimes and
catching the man at the top.

I understand that, and I think we can
solve both problems at the same time.

Where do we start?
You don't. I do.

Now, tomorrow morning
you put a tail on me.

I'll be talking to
some businessmen.

This may take some time, but
when you see me talking to a man,

and I loosen my tie and
take off my coat, that's it.

He's your man. Omertà.

- What does that mean?
- Omertà.

That's the code of
silence. So, I'll do it silently.

This isn't some
kind of a setup, is it?

What the hell is that
supposed to mean?

What he means is,

how do we know
Mr. Angelo isn't interested...

in heading up the
company after all?

I mean, he's old,
but he's not senile.

You know, cop, if
you really believe that,

then I guess I'm just
wasting my time here.

Well, let's see. Looks like we're
gonna have to play along with you,

'cause right now you've
got the best game in town.

I'll be in front of my hotel at 9:00
tomorrow morning. It's the Hotel Barton.

Sergeant Crowley.
Can I help you?

All right, listen and
don't ask any questions.

If you stay with your
man for the next few

hours, I think you're
gonna make your case.

I got word to him that the feds
are moving in on him tomorrow,

so he's gonna be
transferring his records.

That's records of everything.

All the people he's ever muscled out...
the pimps, prostitutes, the gamblers.

His owe sheets. As I
said, you'll have everything.

Now, you can consider this
a gift to you from Mr. Angelo.

Ciao.

I'll take the box, Counselor.

What the hell is this? What
do you want? I want the box.

Hold still, you won't
get your wrist broken.

Get him out of
here before I kill him!

Hey, Pete!

Be sure and tell the counselor
about his constitutional rights!

Absolutely.

Bill? I think we've got the
most important stuff right here.

Why don't we just
book him for littering?