The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 12 - Profit and Loss, Part 1: Profit - full transcript
Jim investigates a large corporation when one of its executives is kidnapped and the wife of another executive claims the company murdered her husband.
I want to file an assault
and battery complaint...
and I'll give you a tip
on a kidnapping.
[Alarm rings]
I was told that
you were very reliable.
Reliable, but chicken.
Would you let go of my hand?
I think you're gonna
break my fingers.
If our stock goes down
two or three points...
it could cost the company
in the neighborhood
of $10 million.
Did I catch over
my limit or what?
You're under arrest.
[Phone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(Dennis)
Hey, Jimmy. This here is
Dennis Garot. Remember me?
From the Army.
I'm stuck here in town.
How about I come over
and bunk with you, buddy?
(Leon)
I don't care
whether that happens or not.
Listen, Morrie.
You're up to your sweet tail
in stock options
and fringes...
so don't give me a lot of bull
about what you can do
or what you can't do.
You just get it done,
or I'm gonna cut off
your water...
and leave you swinging
in the breeze.
Okay, you do that,
then you get back to me.
(Stan)
You see the Center City
finance quotes?
Yeah. It's falling out of bed.
Down five-eighths.
We keep the pressure on
and the rumors flying...
we'll be able to
pick up that thing
for pocket change.
[Computer sounds]
You seen Alec Morris around
last couple of days?
No. Why?
Morrie says he called in sick.
He's been acting funny.
Talking about resigning.
Maybe you better find him.
Why worry? He's fixed.
He's okay.
Look, Stan,
when I want to argue,
I go home to Phyllis.
Find him.
I want to take
his blood pressure.
Okay, Leon. I'll have him here
tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
[Waves breaking]
[Knocking on door]
[Sighs]
Are you Jim Rockford?
Yes. Sorry, can't shake hands.
I've been fixing
my garbage disposal.
I've been pawing around
down in there.
May I come in?
It depends on what you want.
You buying, selling,
or collecting?
I'm hoping I might arrange
for your services.
Buying. Come on in.
I'm sorry, but I'm always
a little cautious about men...
wearing pinstripe suits
with briefcases.
Yeah, I'm a sucker
for the Encyclopedia.
In my lifetime, I have bought
three complete sets.
You're joking, of course.
Yeah.
You said you were
interested in my service.
Well, I...
Are we alone, Mr. Rockford?
You're looking
at the whole spread.
If what I say sounds
slightly bizarre,
I hope you'll...
You any good at fixing
garbage disposals?
Have you tried
the reset button?
Yeah. Nothing.
Come on over. You can kibitz
while I try to fix this thing.
Yeah, go ahead.
I'm involved in something
very dangerous,
Mr. Rockford...
and I'm involved very deeply.
What I need is somebody
to act as a go-between...
a kind of liaison agent...
between me and several
Federal agencies.
It'll depend on
several inquiries
that I've made...
What? Don't do that.
Put your hand
in there like that
when the switch is on.
Thanks.
What did you say
you're involved in, Mister...
I'd rather not tell you
my name just yet.
Would you mind if I didn't?
Look, it's your name.
You should be able to
give it out or keep it
as you like.
Would you hand me
that broom, please?
[Clearing throat]
Would you be willing to act...
in such a capacity,
Mr. Rockford?
You said it was dangerous.
How dangerous?
I'm not certain.
Yeah, in all candor,
if it's really dangerous...
I don't think I'd be
particularly interested.
I don't understand.
I was told that
you were very reliable.
Reliable, but chicken.
Would you flip the switch
for me, please?
[Machine humming]
Look, I don't mean to be glib,
but if you don't tell me
what the trouble is...
I'm not gonna agree
to help you.
It's as simple as that.
It's so bizarre,
I don't think
anybody will believe me.
That's part of the problem,
you see.
[Knocking on door]
That's my dad.
He said he'd come over
and help me fix this thing.
He's the one that
jammed it up.
[Rockford grunts]
Hey, pal, will you
give me a little help here?
[Knocking on door]
(Rocky)
Hey, Jimmy. You in there, Son?
Hey, sonny, you in there?
[Groans]
Here. You okay?
What happened?
I don't know. Wait a minute.
Yeah, I'm all right.
I told you to stay away
from that thing
till I got here.
You're supposed to
turn the current off first.
Otherwise, you'd get burnt
good and brown.
Oh, no!
You didn't get hit?
It was the disposer,
wasn't it?
Yeah, it was the disposer,
Rocky. Give me a hand,
will you?
You ain't on a case, right?
Right. I'm not on a case.
What are you looking for?
A guy in a pinstripe suit,
carrying a briefcase.
Somebody hit you.
Rocky, don't come down
on me now.
Jim, if you weren't such a...
What are you doing?
I'm calling Doc Wheaten.
I don't want to see
Doc Wheaten.
Well, that's tough.
Look, I'm your father.
I got an interest in
whether or not your head is
leaking on the inside.
Now, you're getting so dumb
I'm gonna have to take you out
for walks...
and hold your hand
in the market.
You're funny, Rocky.
You're funny.
Not really.
All right, you want to be
a dummy, go ahead.
But if I was you, I'd
get myself a helmet
and I'd sleep in it...
'cause them head smashers
is starting to line up
for turns at you.
Rocky, I'm okay. Really, I am.
Did you try the reset button?
Yeah.
Did you try the broom handle?
Yeah.
Are you gonna call the cops?
I don't think they'd want to
fix it for me.
That ain't really very funny.
You get on that phone
and call the cops.
Tell them what happened.
Okay, I'll call them.
[Sighs]
Lt. Becker, please.
[Ringing]
Becker.
(Rockford)
Dennis, this is Jim.
You gonna be around
for about an hour or so?
Yeah. What's up?
I want to file an assault
and battery complaint...
and I'll give you a tip
on a kidnapping.
Who got beat up?
Who else?
Are you Mr. Rockford,
the private detective?
Yes, ma'am.
Could I speak to you
for a moment?
Sure. Would you care
to sit down?
What is it?
Have you been working
for man named Alec Morris?
I don't think so.
He said if anything
happened to him,
I should get in touch
with Jim Rockford.
What does he look like?
He's 6 foot, he weighs
180 pounds...
Is his hair gray?
Then you do know where he is?
He came to my place
last night.
He didn't tell me
what his name was
or what he wanted.
He just told me that
he needed a go-between.
We never got too far into it
'cause two men
broke into my place...
and they knocked me out,
grabbed him and left.
No.
Who is he?
My husband.
Alec is my husband.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Morris.
I didn't know.
He wouldn't talk about it,
but something in that company
scared him.
Where does he work?
Fiscal Dynamics Incorporated.
The conglomerate?
Alec is the head
computer programmer
for the company.
Will you help me find him?
Well, Mrs. Morris,
it's an open police case
and I don't work
on open cases.
The police?
How are they involved?
I didn't call them.
I did.
Alec told me not to
call the police.
He was very firm about it.
He was kidnapped
and I was assaulted.
When things like that
happen...
the usual procedure
is to go to the police
and tell them.
But don't you see...
if Alec was kidnapped
and the police are involved...
that might jeopardize
his safety.
That's a myth.
Believe me, the police know
how to handle these things
better than you and me.
What are you doing?
Last night, when I made
the report, I didn't have
your husband's name.
Now I'm gonna have to
give it to them.
No, please. Don't!
I don't have any choice,
Mrs. Morris.
If I know something
and I don't tell them...
that's withholding evidence,
which is a felony.
Hi, fellows,
what's going on?
You James Rockford,
the P. I?
Yeah. I'm not
a private investigator today,
I'm a fisherman.
It's pretty good fishing
today.
Too many for me,
if you like fish,
I'd be glad to split them.
Just keep your hands
right there.
What's going on?
Did I catch over my limit
or what?
You're under arrest.
Anything you say can be held
against you. You have a right
to an attorney.
If you can't afford one,
one will be provided for you.
Damn!
What was that?
I'm just getting
a little sick of this.
Works both ways.
[Seagulls cawing]
Okay, you're waiving
your right to your attorney.
Is that right?
(Rockford)
I'm not waiving anything.
I just don't see any point...
in running up
a lot of lawyers fees...
till you know whether
you're really in the omelet,
right?
I found out about you
from CICD.
You know, guys with records
should be careful...
about playing games
with the police department,
Jimmy.
Yeah, that makes sense.
What kind of game
was I playing, Danny?
I got a call on you.
I got a tip you're a wise guy.
So I figured we wouldn't
waste time going through P.D.
Since you're cold
on this thing,
we'll just have a chat...
and turn you over
to the county.
You're beginning
to violate my rights.
I have a report here
signed by you...
stating that a man named
Alec Morris was kidnapped
while in your presence.
Do you acknowledge
making this report?
Yeah, he was out at my place.
A couple of guys came in
and knocked me down and out
and towed him away.
Later, his wife came to me
and said he'd been afraid...
and it all had something to do
with Fiscal Dynamics.
That doesn't make
a lot of sense, does it?
I mean, the part about FDI.
No, I got to admit that
that did bother me a little...
but that's what she said.
The police talked to
Alec Morris.
He says that no such event
ever took place.
That makes you
guilty of making
a false police report.
You think that's funny
or something?
You get your jollies
wasting the time
of the police department?
I told you what happened.
You're in trouble, Rockford.
We don't think this is
much of a joke.
As a matter of fact,
just to show you
how unfunny we think it is...
we're gonna drop you
in the county bucket
for six months.
Where did you ever
learn to be such a jerk?
Getting worried?
Maybe the guy who was
taken out of my trailer...
isn't the same guy you
talked to. Did you ever
think of that?
Send in Mr. And Mrs. Morris.
[Typewriter clacking]
Morning, Mr. Morris.
What's going on?
What's happening?
You recognize them?
Yeah.
What are you trying to do,
Mister...
Rockford's the name.
He knows my name.
I've never seen you before.
For the life of me,
I can't understand
why do you say that I have...
or that I was kidnapped.
How about you?
I feel very sorry for you.
You must have
a deep emotional problem.
I'm beginning to get one.
Thanks for coming by,
Mr. And Mrs. Morris.
I'll have a car take you
back to your house.
I don't know about you,
Jimmy,
but I think
you're in the omelet.
I want to talk to my attorney.
You get those papers
over to me this afternoon.
Make sure your father
co-signs that note.
Okay, Solly.
I better have the pink slip
to your car while I'm at it.
Will you cut it out?
It's not like we
never met before.
How many times I ever
jumped one of your bonds?
You know
the bail bond business, Jim.
It's cash and carry.
The only good risk
is a hooker
with a big client list.
You skip out on this bond,
and I'm coming after you
with a net.
When you come over,
bring the pink slip.
I never let my clients
use Solly. He's a bum.
I can't understand
why you keep going back
to him.
Keep going back to him?
You make it sound like
I never get off
the police blotter.
I don't keep going back
to him. I used him once
or twice before, that's all.
Okay, Jim, we have
a preliminary hearing
on the third. Wear a tie.
Who are you?
[Typewriter clacking]
Is Alec around?
How did you get in here?
I took the elevator
from the lobby, I walked down
the corridor...
I opened the door,
and came in. Tricky, huh?
You better leave. They're
pretty careful about
unauthorized people.
Well, you see, I'm Alec's
sister's cousin from Minneola,
Washington.
Me, Harriet and the kids
were supposed to go
to Disneyland...
and Alec was supposed to
pick up the tickets.
I guess he forgot.
I'm double-parked downstairs
with a station wagon
full of kids...
who'll feed me to the sharks
if I don't get back
with six tickets.
If that qualifies me
as a security threat,
you guys got a big problem.
Over there.
Thanks.
Hello, Alec.
How did you get in here?
I shot the doorman.
You got me into
a lot of trouble, Alec.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Okay. You want to start
that way, we'll start
that way.
No, wait.
You don't understand.
Okay, we'll go
to the bathroom.
Little Jase can hardly wait
to climb the Matterhorn...
and Julie, I swear
I haven't seen her
this happy...
since she got her
violin lessons last Christmas.
Men's room, 12th floor.
Come on.
All right, in here.
I thought you said
we're going...
I lied. Get in there.
All right, Alec,
start explaining.
And you better make
a lot of sense.
Do you know what it's like
to be terrified, Mr. Rockford?
No, I mean, really,
honestly terrified.
I don't sleep. When I eat,
I throw it all up
20 minutes later.
I'm so scared,
I don't know
what I'm doing anymore.
If you think you can scare me,
you're plain out of luck.
You're just one man
and I'm not going to
tell you anything.
What happened
when you came to my trailer...
you said you wanted me
to act as a go-between.
Did I? I don't remember.
I suppose you know
what you're doing to me
with the police, Alec.
I'm sorry about that.
Your last chance, Alec.
You shouldn't hate me,
Mr. Rockford,
you should pity me.
[Elevator bell dings]
And check the bathroom.
Excuse me, I was looking
for Miss Garrity in Steno.
You know where I
might find her?
No, who do you work for?
Esteen Brothers
Stationery Supplies.
Why, is something wrong?
Stu, Fred. Around here!
Here, I'll show you
my business card. Could you
hold this for just a minute?
He's on the seventh floor.
Head him off by the staircase.
Here, pal, come on.
Let me give you
a little hand.
[Elevator bell dings]
[Tires squealing]
[Dog barking]
Don't tell me
you're down to that.
No, I'm not looking
for quarters.
I'm looking
for my railroad watch.
Is that the one you took off
Mr. Sherman at the poker game?
You ain't seen it,
have you, sonny?
You might check
the garbage disposal.
You don't think?
Hey, Rocky, anybody call?
Come to think of it, I had it
right on this counter
a couple of days ago.
Did anybody call, Rocky?
No.
Yeah. It's on the pad.
Some lady named Mrs. Parker.
[Clinking]
Mrs. Parker, please.
This is Jim Rockford.
[Footsteps approaching]
(Teresa)
Mrs. Parker is in the garage.
You want to follow me?
Who are you?
I'm the maid.
Uniforms all at the cleaners?
I'm also a good mechanic.
Carburetion mostly, but I'm
great at front-end alignment
and fine-tuning.
[Metallic clanking]
(Doris)
Teresa, hand me
the inch spanner, will you?
Mr. Rockford is here.
Mr. Rockford, excuse the way
I look. I'm trying to
get this fixed before 5:00.
What happens at 5:00.
Turn into a pumpkin?
It gets picked up
by my head mechanic...
and trucked out to Riverside
for the weekend.
You finish cleaning
the carburetor jet?
No, it's still in the wash.
But I'll get to it
after class.
By the way, I didn't
get to the dishes either...
and the kitchen is beginning
to look like a Salvation Army
Reclamation Center.
Let's not worry about it
till later.
Go on to class. I'll see you
when you get back.
She's really a maid?
She's a lot of things,
but mostly she's
a college student...
trying to get her degree
in Chemical Engineering.
You didn't say on the phone
why you wanted to talk to me.
I'd like you
to see something first.
Well, that explains the guy
with the camera.
I wonder why he ran?
Is it true what you claim?
That two men took Alec Morris
out of your trailer.
I hope you won't think
I'm getting too cagey,
Mrs. Parker...
but I'm not sure I want to
discuss it with you.
Have they threatened you
or what?
Who?
The people
from Fiscal Dynamics.
Why would they threaten me?
I'm just a cluck
who goes around
giving false information
to the police.
I believe everything
in that article...
and I think Fiscal Dynamics
is behind the whole thing.
Why?
Are you working on this case?
What, do you mean
do I have a client?
The answer is no.
I'm just trying to get out
from under this false charge.
I'd like to hire you
to investigate
my husband's death.
Who was your husband?
My husband was Guy Parker.
Guy was killed
in an automobile accident
on Mulholland Road
about 18 months ago.
That used to be
Guy's race car.
We used to team race it
at the local tracks.
Guy was
one of the best drivers
in his class.
I couldn't believe that
he lost control of his car
on Mulholland.
He was just too good for that.
How does it all fit in
with FDI and Alec Morris?
My husband had the same job...
with Financial Dynamics
that Alec Morris has now.
I was always suspicious
of that accident,
but I couldn't get anybody
to help me.
The cops had it down
as a traffic accident
and they weren't about to
call it murder.
I think he was murdered.
And I think it has something
to do with that company.
Will you work for me?
You seem to be the only one
willing to stand up
against that bunch.
Are you kidding?
I'm looking for a hole
to climb in before they
plow me under.
But you made the charge.
That was before I knew
what was going on.
I didn't even know
about Fiscal Dynamics.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
I thought...
Look, I'm about to get dumped
into the county jail.
I'm not looking forward
to spending nine months
of my life...
in a 20 foot square room,
being served creamed chip beef
on toast...
because I was a good citizen
and reported what I thought
was a crime.
So I'm working on my own case.
Maybe it involves
your husband's death.
Maybe not.
How much do you charge?
$200 a day, plus expenses.
I'll pay it.
I guess you don't understand.
I'm not investigating
your husband's death.
I'm trying to get loose
of this indictment.
I think it all comes down
to the same thing.
All I want for my money
is for you to report back
to me...
what you've learned.
How can that hurt?
You're working on it, anyway.
I'm offering to pay you.
You got a deal.
(Arnold)
Mr. Rockford, I'm sorry
we have to meet...
on my lunch break...
I need a good
financial analyst.
How much do you charge?
but I'm in a final audit
with my clients.
You said you were
interested in hiring me.
Yeah.
It depends on the work.
I charge $70 an hour.
Or if you've got a good deal,
I might jump in
for a percentage.
$70 an hour? Well, that's...
That's reasonable,
that's what it is.
I had a deal last week.
My client wanted to drop
$60,000 into Dynatron.
That's a little conglomerate
in Philadelphia.
I spent two hours,
found out the float
in the stock was thin.
Recommended against it,
it dropped three points.
I've already saved my client
$150,000...
and I charged him $150.
If I take my kids
to Wonderland, I can blow
the same $150 in two hours.
I call that reasonable.
What do you call it?
All right, what do you
want me to do?
I want you to run a check
on Financial Dynamics Inc.
Jerry, give me one of those
chili things with onions.
You eating?
Two of those chili things.
Only hold the onions on mine.
So you want to drop
your little bundle in FDI?
That's a good choice.
No, Mr. Love.
I want to drop my little bundle on you.
I want you to tell me
all you can tell me on FDI.
You haven't been on the street
very much, have you?
Not a whole lot. No.
I don't want to seem
offensive, Mr. Rockford,
I don't work for just anybody.
I'm a securities analyst.
I screen my clients
very carefully.
Because good clients
are like good sailboats.
You invest your time in them
and you get to go
for a nice little ride.
That's why I'm in the field.
You understand
what I'm saying?
How many of your
little sailboats do you have
floating around...
in the Fiscal Dynamics puddle?
Hardly a puddle.
It's one of
the largest companies
on the board.
Assets of over $2 billion.
You see, I think their
head computer programmer...
is being forced to
do things against his will.
I think it's just possible
that there's a whole lot wrong
with the company.
I'm willing to pay you
$70 an hour to...
take a run through their
financial statement, just see
what might be wrong.
You're the detective
in the paper, aren't you?
Yeah, my secretary
clipped it out and showed it
to me. Funny.
You got yourself
hung out there, didn't you?
Look, Mr. Rockford.
There is absolutely nothing
wrong with Fiscal Dynamics.
I don't have to research them
for you...
because I have personally
been through their
financial statement...
at least 10 times.
I've spoken to Mr. Fielder
a dozen times.
All of this before I let
one of my clients
invest in the stock.
That company is so healthy
it's disgusting.
I'm giving you all this advice
for the price of a hotdog.
I got to get back to work.
$6.36?
(Stan)
I hope everything is finished.
(Carl)
Yeah, I got it done
last night.
After hours.
How come you guys
never look at the stuff?
We look at it, Mr. Bovino.
It's just we're in a hurry.
Mr. Gorrick, the money
you guys loaned me...
for the new presses,
I really needed them.
But it seems like
a lot of money to pay back.
You know what I mean?
What?
What is this?
I got to put so much
of my profit to you guys
to cover the loan.
And I got to work overtime
for all that printing.
All I get is $700.
I think I should do
better than that,
under the circumstances.
I don't understand you, Carl.
If you have a problem,
speak up.
You got the problem,
Mr. Gorrick.
Carl, I don't like
what I'm hearing.
Now you know we have
your note. We can call it in
anytime we want.
If you can't pay up
within 10 days,
I own this place.
I can make some phone calls,
you know.
I figured out what all this
printing is for.
Took me a while,
but I know what's going on.
Carl, you know why we have
these things printed up.
It's part of
the insurance brokers
sales kit.
You go down to the street
and you'll find...
that every broker
has this material.
You want to call
the insurance examiners
or the SEC or the police...
you go right ahead.
You want
the telephone numbers,
call my secretary...
she'll be happy to help you.
But I don't like being
threatened and I don't like
being called a crook.
I guess I was wrong.
That's okay, Carl.
Anyone can make a mistake.
The only unforgivable sin is stupidity.
[Door opens]
Mr. Rockford?
Yeah.
I'm Ted Beaton.
I wonder if I might
speak to you
for just a moment.
Yeah, what is it?
Mr. Leon Fielder
would like to have a chat
with you.
Leon Fielder? Fielder?
He's the President and
Chief Operating Officer of...
Fiscal Dynamics Incorporated.
Never heard of him.
He said it was really
important that he see you.
He said he would
make himself available
to meet wherever you want.
However, if you could
come down to FDI...
it would be a bit more
convenient for Mr. Fielder.
What do you guys do?
John is a marketing analyst
and I'm in product research.
You can tell Mr. Fielder
I'll call about 3:30.
Could we convince you
to come now?
It depends on how you
want to go about it.
Please come now.
Sorry.
Okay, 3:30 then, Mr. Rockford.
That will be fine.
Thank you very much, sir.
You know, I think you'll
really enjoy meeting
Mr. Fielder.
He's quite an exceptional man.
[Car door closes]
[Car starting]
(secretary)
Mr. Fielder will see you
in a moment.
Mr. Rockford,
I'm Stan Gorrick.
Hi, Stan. How's your head?
Mr. Fielder will see you now.
[Printer clicking]
(Leon)
Sit down, Mr. Rockford.
If you're in the market
and want a tip,
buy North Eastern Life.
It's going to climb the ladder.
The markets that I go to...
sell things by the pound
and wrap them in brown paper.
What are you up to,
Mr. Rockford?
What's going on in your head?
(secretary)
Sir, it's Arnold Love.
(Leon)
What is it, Arnold?
(Arnold)
Mr. Fielder, I thought
I should let you know.
There's a guy saying
some disquieting things
about FDI.
What's that?
He wanted me to
look into your company.
He said there was
something crooked going on.
It's absurd, of course.
But this is really
the wrong time for rumors
of any kind.
You got a point there.
Who is he?
The guy's named Jim Rockford.
That's the strange part.
The same one who claimed
Alec Morris was kidnapped
from his office.
He seems very determined.
With the North Eastern merger
coming, we don't need
any yahoos
Kicking the slats
out of the stock.
I figured you'd want to
know about it.
Maybe you can
head this guy off.
Thanks, Arnold.
I'll look into it.
[Clicks]
[Dial tone buzzing]
Would you care to comment?
Yeah.
Isn't it against the law
to give out inside information
like that...
to guys like Love?
Technically, I guess
you could say that,
but this sort of thing
happens all the time.
My associates tell me
that you've been here before.
That you tried to see
Mr. Morris...
you hit Mr. Gorrick here...
and then when some of
our junior executives
tried to help you...
find out what you wanted,
you ran away.
Mr. Rockford, now that
I've met you...
I can't imagine you
doing any of those things.
You had to be there.
Mr. Gorrick wants to
notify the police.
It's a felony when you
go around hitting people.
I've convinced him
not to do that.
I personally would rather
hear from you...
what you think is
going on here.
I think you're a company
full of sweethearts
and I wish you all the success
in the world.
[Laughs]
You see, Stan, I told you.
This is our kind of guy.
That's all, Stan.
I like you, Rockford.
I just want to tell you
one other thing
before you leave.
Would you let go of my hand?
I think you're gonna
break my fingers.
You see, you got to quit
messing around
with Fiscal Dynamics.
And the reason you have to
do that is very simple.
Will you let go, please?
This company uses its stock
to acquire other companies.
We trade stock. If you
spread rumors about FDI...
and that causes our stock
to go down...
take this North Eastern
acquisition for instance.
If our stock goes down
two or three points...
it could cost the company
in the neighborhood
of $10 million.
Mr. Fielder, if you don't
let go of my hand...
I'm gonna have to
take a shot at you.
I'm sorry.
You see, sometimes I forget
how powerful I am.
Mr. Rockford, you're gonna
have to quit running around
and causing trouble.
Because if you don't quit
spreading rumors about us...
I will have to get
a hold of our lawyers.
And we're gonna have to
institute a stock holder suit
against you.
You could be sued
for the entire amount that
your rumors cost us.
That could be millions.
That sounds very dangerous.
You know, our stockholders
are just people like you.
All kinds of people. They are
widows, they are plumbers,
school teachers.
Now, when you hurt us,
you hurt them.
And what I am interested
in doing, Mr. Rockford...
is protecting their interest.
Do you understand that?
I really had no idea
it was that sensitive.
I really didn't.
You mean to tell me
that I can ask
a few silly questions...
and this great big company
could lose $10 million?
Investors are very cautious.
It doesn't take much.
Right now we're in the middle
of a big acquisition.
Don't mess with us,
Mr. Rockford, unless you want
a pile of trouble.
You really made your point,
Mr. Fielder.
You can bet from here on
I'll stay out of your way.
Say, would you apologize
to Mr. Gorrick for me?
Now that I've met him,
he seems like a very nice man.
Would you let go of my hand?
This is very childish.
What?
It is, isn't it?
Can I expect no further
trouble from you,
Mr. Rockford?
No further trouble.
That's good, because
if there is...
I'm simply going to
start legal proceedings
against you.
What is it? What do you want?
We got to talk to you,
Mr. Bovino.
About what?
Some printing. We need
some printing done.
Come back in the morning.
I'm closed. I got to go home.
We got to talk now.
Right now?
That's right, Mr. Bovino,
right now.
[Grunts]
[Clattering]
[Glass shattering]
[Alarm blaring]
You can't quit.
They didn't threaten
to sue you for $10 million.
Let me tell you something.
If I'm your agent
in this investigation...
they're gonna find out
about it, they're bound to.
And then they're gonna
name you in the law suit...
and they're gonna take
your red racer down the drain
along with my father's truck.
Not to mention everything else
we own.
I don't care.
They killed my husband.
I wouldn't doubt it
for a minute, but what am I
supposed to do?
I don't have anymore
leads to follow.
Yes, you do.
That's why I asked you
to come over.
His name is Carl Bovino.
So?
When I first
read that article...
the name rang a bell,
but I couldn't quite place it.
My husband told me that
Mr. Bovino was a printer...
who had been contracted out
by FDI to do
the annual report.
Guy thought it was strange
they use a little printer
like Bovino...
instead of
one of the big companies that
usually do annual reports.
It says here his shop
was burglarized.
He was working late,
surprised the thieves
and was shot.
It just could have
happened that way.
What is it with you?
Do you want to go to jail
for false reporting
of a crime?
I don't understand.
This may be a big break.
I had a talk with my lawyer.
She says if I'm a good boy...
I don't write on the walls
I might get out of this
in about four months.
And I figured that's
four months well spent...
if it keeps me
from being sued
for $10 million.
You're turning into
a big disappointment for me.
Don't you ever think
about anybody but yourself?
No. Well, yeah,
sometimes at Christmas.
[Sighs]
All right, I do know a guy
down at the police department.
I'll talk to him
about this printer.
I'll find out
what the cops know.
They're just gonna tell you
it was a robbery.
You've got to get in
to take a look at his files.
Absolutely
out of the question.
But don't you see?
He must have kept records
of his work for FDI.
You've got to see
what kind of printing
he was doing for them.
Tell you what. Why don't you
break into Bovino's shop
and look around?
I'll go out to Riverside
this weekend and drive
your little red racer.
But I'll compromise.
I'll go with you if you want.
I'm not afraid
to break in there.
What I meant was...
Chicken?
Yeah, kind of.
(Doris)
It's sort of scary, isn't it?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Look, maybe you should
talk to your friend
on the police force.
You were right about that.
We should talk to him first,
and then maybe we wouldn't
have to break in here at all.
You're really turning into
a big disappointment
for me, Doris.
In your living room
you sounded so confident.
Okay.
You're gonna be the wheelman
on this caper.
So get out
and get behind the wheel.
[Alarm buzzing]
[Keys rattling]
Get out.
Now if the police arrive
and you take off without me...
I'll come after you
and strangle you.
I won't leave you.
Besides, why would
the cops come?
The burglar alarm,
I'm gonna have to
dismantle it.
You're pretty good at that?
I don't know. I've never
done it before.
[Keys rattling]
[Creaks]
[Alarm blaring]
[Siren wailing]
[Alarm continues blaring]
(male announcer)
Please be with us next week
for the conclusion
of Profit And Loss.
and battery complaint...
and I'll give you a tip
on a kidnapping.
[Alarm rings]
I was told that
you were very reliable.
Reliable, but chicken.
Would you let go of my hand?
I think you're gonna
break my fingers.
If our stock goes down
two or three points...
it could cost the company
in the neighborhood
of $10 million.
Did I catch over
my limit or what?
You're under arrest.
[Phone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(Dennis)
Hey, Jimmy. This here is
Dennis Garot. Remember me?
From the Army.
I'm stuck here in town.
How about I come over
and bunk with you, buddy?
(Leon)
I don't care
whether that happens or not.
Listen, Morrie.
You're up to your sweet tail
in stock options
and fringes...
so don't give me a lot of bull
about what you can do
or what you can't do.
You just get it done,
or I'm gonna cut off
your water...
and leave you swinging
in the breeze.
Okay, you do that,
then you get back to me.
(Stan)
You see the Center City
finance quotes?
Yeah. It's falling out of bed.
Down five-eighths.
We keep the pressure on
and the rumors flying...
we'll be able to
pick up that thing
for pocket change.
[Computer sounds]
You seen Alec Morris around
last couple of days?
No. Why?
Morrie says he called in sick.
He's been acting funny.
Talking about resigning.
Maybe you better find him.
Why worry? He's fixed.
He's okay.
Look, Stan,
when I want to argue,
I go home to Phyllis.
Find him.
I want to take
his blood pressure.
Okay, Leon. I'll have him here
tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
[Waves breaking]
[Knocking on door]
[Sighs]
Are you Jim Rockford?
Yes. Sorry, can't shake hands.
I've been fixing
my garbage disposal.
I've been pawing around
down in there.
May I come in?
It depends on what you want.
You buying, selling,
or collecting?
I'm hoping I might arrange
for your services.
Buying. Come on in.
I'm sorry, but I'm always
a little cautious about men...
wearing pinstripe suits
with briefcases.
Yeah, I'm a sucker
for the Encyclopedia.
In my lifetime, I have bought
three complete sets.
You're joking, of course.
Yeah.
You said you were
interested in my service.
Well, I...
Are we alone, Mr. Rockford?
You're looking
at the whole spread.
If what I say sounds
slightly bizarre,
I hope you'll...
You any good at fixing
garbage disposals?
Have you tried
the reset button?
Yeah. Nothing.
Come on over. You can kibitz
while I try to fix this thing.
Yeah, go ahead.
I'm involved in something
very dangerous,
Mr. Rockford...
and I'm involved very deeply.
What I need is somebody
to act as a go-between...
a kind of liaison agent...
between me and several
Federal agencies.
It'll depend on
several inquiries
that I've made...
What? Don't do that.
Put your hand
in there like that
when the switch is on.
Thanks.
What did you say
you're involved in, Mister...
I'd rather not tell you
my name just yet.
Would you mind if I didn't?
Look, it's your name.
You should be able to
give it out or keep it
as you like.
Would you hand me
that broom, please?
[Clearing throat]
Would you be willing to act...
in such a capacity,
Mr. Rockford?
You said it was dangerous.
How dangerous?
I'm not certain.
Yeah, in all candor,
if it's really dangerous...
I don't think I'd be
particularly interested.
I don't understand.
I was told that
you were very reliable.
Reliable, but chicken.
Would you flip the switch
for me, please?
[Machine humming]
Look, I don't mean to be glib,
but if you don't tell me
what the trouble is...
I'm not gonna agree
to help you.
It's as simple as that.
It's so bizarre,
I don't think
anybody will believe me.
That's part of the problem,
you see.
[Knocking on door]
That's my dad.
He said he'd come over
and help me fix this thing.
He's the one that
jammed it up.
[Rockford grunts]
Hey, pal, will you
give me a little help here?
[Knocking on door]
(Rocky)
Hey, Jimmy. You in there, Son?
Hey, sonny, you in there?
[Groans]
Here. You okay?
What happened?
I don't know. Wait a minute.
Yeah, I'm all right.
I told you to stay away
from that thing
till I got here.
You're supposed to
turn the current off first.
Otherwise, you'd get burnt
good and brown.
Oh, no!
You didn't get hit?
It was the disposer,
wasn't it?
Yeah, it was the disposer,
Rocky. Give me a hand,
will you?
You ain't on a case, right?
Right. I'm not on a case.
What are you looking for?
A guy in a pinstripe suit,
carrying a briefcase.
Somebody hit you.
Rocky, don't come down
on me now.
Jim, if you weren't such a...
What are you doing?
I'm calling Doc Wheaten.
I don't want to see
Doc Wheaten.
Well, that's tough.
Look, I'm your father.
I got an interest in
whether or not your head is
leaking on the inside.
Now, you're getting so dumb
I'm gonna have to take you out
for walks...
and hold your hand
in the market.
You're funny, Rocky.
You're funny.
Not really.
All right, you want to be
a dummy, go ahead.
But if I was you, I'd
get myself a helmet
and I'd sleep in it...
'cause them head smashers
is starting to line up
for turns at you.
Rocky, I'm okay. Really, I am.
Did you try the reset button?
Yeah.
Did you try the broom handle?
Yeah.
Are you gonna call the cops?
I don't think they'd want to
fix it for me.
That ain't really very funny.
You get on that phone
and call the cops.
Tell them what happened.
Okay, I'll call them.
[Sighs]
Lt. Becker, please.
[Ringing]
Becker.
(Rockford)
Dennis, this is Jim.
You gonna be around
for about an hour or so?
Yeah. What's up?
I want to file an assault
and battery complaint...
and I'll give you a tip
on a kidnapping.
Who got beat up?
Who else?
Are you Mr. Rockford,
the private detective?
Yes, ma'am.
Could I speak to you
for a moment?
Sure. Would you care
to sit down?
What is it?
Have you been working
for man named Alec Morris?
I don't think so.
He said if anything
happened to him,
I should get in touch
with Jim Rockford.
What does he look like?
He's 6 foot, he weighs
180 pounds...
Is his hair gray?
Then you do know where he is?
He came to my place
last night.
He didn't tell me
what his name was
or what he wanted.
He just told me that
he needed a go-between.
We never got too far into it
'cause two men
broke into my place...
and they knocked me out,
grabbed him and left.
No.
Who is he?
My husband.
Alec is my husband.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Morris.
I didn't know.
He wouldn't talk about it,
but something in that company
scared him.
Where does he work?
Fiscal Dynamics Incorporated.
The conglomerate?
Alec is the head
computer programmer
for the company.
Will you help me find him?
Well, Mrs. Morris,
it's an open police case
and I don't work
on open cases.
The police?
How are they involved?
I didn't call them.
I did.
Alec told me not to
call the police.
He was very firm about it.
He was kidnapped
and I was assaulted.
When things like that
happen...
the usual procedure
is to go to the police
and tell them.
But don't you see...
if Alec was kidnapped
and the police are involved...
that might jeopardize
his safety.
That's a myth.
Believe me, the police know
how to handle these things
better than you and me.
What are you doing?
Last night, when I made
the report, I didn't have
your husband's name.
Now I'm gonna have to
give it to them.
No, please. Don't!
I don't have any choice,
Mrs. Morris.
If I know something
and I don't tell them...
that's withholding evidence,
which is a felony.
Hi, fellows,
what's going on?
You James Rockford,
the P. I?
Yeah. I'm not
a private investigator today,
I'm a fisherman.
It's pretty good fishing
today.
Too many for me,
if you like fish,
I'd be glad to split them.
Just keep your hands
right there.
What's going on?
Did I catch over my limit
or what?
You're under arrest.
Anything you say can be held
against you. You have a right
to an attorney.
If you can't afford one,
one will be provided for you.
Damn!
What was that?
I'm just getting
a little sick of this.
Works both ways.
[Seagulls cawing]
Okay, you're waiving
your right to your attorney.
Is that right?
(Rockford)
I'm not waiving anything.
I just don't see any point...
in running up
a lot of lawyers fees...
till you know whether
you're really in the omelet,
right?
I found out about you
from CICD.
You know, guys with records
should be careful...
about playing games
with the police department,
Jimmy.
Yeah, that makes sense.
What kind of game
was I playing, Danny?
I got a call on you.
I got a tip you're a wise guy.
So I figured we wouldn't
waste time going through P.D.
Since you're cold
on this thing,
we'll just have a chat...
and turn you over
to the county.
You're beginning
to violate my rights.
I have a report here
signed by you...
stating that a man named
Alec Morris was kidnapped
while in your presence.
Do you acknowledge
making this report?
Yeah, he was out at my place.
A couple of guys came in
and knocked me down and out
and towed him away.
Later, his wife came to me
and said he'd been afraid...
and it all had something to do
with Fiscal Dynamics.
That doesn't make
a lot of sense, does it?
I mean, the part about FDI.
No, I got to admit that
that did bother me a little...
but that's what she said.
The police talked to
Alec Morris.
He says that no such event
ever took place.
That makes you
guilty of making
a false police report.
You think that's funny
or something?
You get your jollies
wasting the time
of the police department?
I told you what happened.
You're in trouble, Rockford.
We don't think this is
much of a joke.
As a matter of fact,
just to show you
how unfunny we think it is...
we're gonna drop you
in the county bucket
for six months.
Where did you ever
learn to be such a jerk?
Getting worried?
Maybe the guy who was
taken out of my trailer...
isn't the same guy you
talked to. Did you ever
think of that?
Send in Mr. And Mrs. Morris.
[Typewriter clacking]
Morning, Mr. Morris.
What's going on?
What's happening?
You recognize them?
Yeah.
What are you trying to do,
Mister...
Rockford's the name.
He knows my name.
I've never seen you before.
For the life of me,
I can't understand
why do you say that I have...
or that I was kidnapped.
How about you?
I feel very sorry for you.
You must have
a deep emotional problem.
I'm beginning to get one.
Thanks for coming by,
Mr. And Mrs. Morris.
I'll have a car take you
back to your house.
I don't know about you,
Jimmy,
but I think
you're in the omelet.
I want to talk to my attorney.
You get those papers
over to me this afternoon.
Make sure your father
co-signs that note.
Okay, Solly.
I better have the pink slip
to your car while I'm at it.
Will you cut it out?
It's not like we
never met before.
How many times I ever
jumped one of your bonds?
You know
the bail bond business, Jim.
It's cash and carry.
The only good risk
is a hooker
with a big client list.
You skip out on this bond,
and I'm coming after you
with a net.
When you come over,
bring the pink slip.
I never let my clients
use Solly. He's a bum.
I can't understand
why you keep going back
to him.
Keep going back to him?
You make it sound like
I never get off
the police blotter.
I don't keep going back
to him. I used him once
or twice before, that's all.
Okay, Jim, we have
a preliminary hearing
on the third. Wear a tie.
Who are you?
[Typewriter clacking]
Is Alec around?
How did you get in here?
I took the elevator
from the lobby, I walked down
the corridor...
I opened the door,
and came in. Tricky, huh?
You better leave. They're
pretty careful about
unauthorized people.
Well, you see, I'm Alec's
sister's cousin from Minneola,
Washington.
Me, Harriet and the kids
were supposed to go
to Disneyland...
and Alec was supposed to
pick up the tickets.
I guess he forgot.
I'm double-parked downstairs
with a station wagon
full of kids...
who'll feed me to the sharks
if I don't get back
with six tickets.
If that qualifies me
as a security threat,
you guys got a big problem.
Over there.
Thanks.
Hello, Alec.
How did you get in here?
I shot the doorman.
You got me into
a lot of trouble, Alec.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Okay. You want to start
that way, we'll start
that way.
No, wait.
You don't understand.
Okay, we'll go
to the bathroom.
Little Jase can hardly wait
to climb the Matterhorn...
and Julie, I swear
I haven't seen her
this happy...
since she got her
violin lessons last Christmas.
Men's room, 12th floor.
Come on.
All right, in here.
I thought you said
we're going...
I lied. Get in there.
All right, Alec,
start explaining.
And you better make
a lot of sense.
Do you know what it's like
to be terrified, Mr. Rockford?
No, I mean, really,
honestly terrified.
I don't sleep. When I eat,
I throw it all up
20 minutes later.
I'm so scared,
I don't know
what I'm doing anymore.
If you think you can scare me,
you're plain out of luck.
You're just one man
and I'm not going to
tell you anything.
What happened
when you came to my trailer...
you said you wanted me
to act as a go-between.
Did I? I don't remember.
I suppose you know
what you're doing to me
with the police, Alec.
I'm sorry about that.
Your last chance, Alec.
You shouldn't hate me,
Mr. Rockford,
you should pity me.
[Elevator bell dings]
And check the bathroom.
Excuse me, I was looking
for Miss Garrity in Steno.
You know where I
might find her?
No, who do you work for?
Esteen Brothers
Stationery Supplies.
Why, is something wrong?
Stu, Fred. Around here!
Here, I'll show you
my business card. Could you
hold this for just a minute?
He's on the seventh floor.
Head him off by the staircase.
Here, pal, come on.
Let me give you
a little hand.
[Elevator bell dings]
[Tires squealing]
[Dog barking]
Don't tell me
you're down to that.
No, I'm not looking
for quarters.
I'm looking
for my railroad watch.
Is that the one you took off
Mr. Sherman at the poker game?
You ain't seen it,
have you, sonny?
You might check
the garbage disposal.
You don't think?
Hey, Rocky, anybody call?
Come to think of it, I had it
right on this counter
a couple of days ago.
Did anybody call, Rocky?
No.
Yeah. It's on the pad.
Some lady named Mrs. Parker.
[Clinking]
Mrs. Parker, please.
This is Jim Rockford.
[Footsteps approaching]
(Teresa)
Mrs. Parker is in the garage.
You want to follow me?
Who are you?
I'm the maid.
Uniforms all at the cleaners?
I'm also a good mechanic.
Carburetion mostly, but I'm
great at front-end alignment
and fine-tuning.
[Metallic clanking]
(Doris)
Teresa, hand me
the inch spanner, will you?
Mr. Rockford is here.
Mr. Rockford, excuse the way
I look. I'm trying to
get this fixed before 5:00.
What happens at 5:00.
Turn into a pumpkin?
It gets picked up
by my head mechanic...
and trucked out to Riverside
for the weekend.
You finish cleaning
the carburetor jet?
No, it's still in the wash.
But I'll get to it
after class.
By the way, I didn't
get to the dishes either...
and the kitchen is beginning
to look like a Salvation Army
Reclamation Center.
Let's not worry about it
till later.
Go on to class. I'll see you
when you get back.
She's really a maid?
She's a lot of things,
but mostly she's
a college student...
trying to get her degree
in Chemical Engineering.
You didn't say on the phone
why you wanted to talk to me.
I'd like you
to see something first.
Well, that explains the guy
with the camera.
I wonder why he ran?
Is it true what you claim?
That two men took Alec Morris
out of your trailer.
I hope you won't think
I'm getting too cagey,
Mrs. Parker...
but I'm not sure I want to
discuss it with you.
Have they threatened you
or what?
Who?
The people
from Fiscal Dynamics.
Why would they threaten me?
I'm just a cluck
who goes around
giving false information
to the police.
I believe everything
in that article...
and I think Fiscal Dynamics
is behind the whole thing.
Why?
Are you working on this case?
What, do you mean
do I have a client?
The answer is no.
I'm just trying to get out
from under this false charge.
I'd like to hire you
to investigate
my husband's death.
Who was your husband?
My husband was Guy Parker.
Guy was killed
in an automobile accident
on Mulholland Road
about 18 months ago.
That used to be
Guy's race car.
We used to team race it
at the local tracks.
Guy was
one of the best drivers
in his class.
I couldn't believe that
he lost control of his car
on Mulholland.
He was just too good for that.
How does it all fit in
with FDI and Alec Morris?
My husband had the same job...
with Financial Dynamics
that Alec Morris has now.
I was always suspicious
of that accident,
but I couldn't get anybody
to help me.
The cops had it down
as a traffic accident
and they weren't about to
call it murder.
I think he was murdered.
And I think it has something
to do with that company.
Will you work for me?
You seem to be the only one
willing to stand up
against that bunch.
Are you kidding?
I'm looking for a hole
to climb in before they
plow me under.
But you made the charge.
That was before I knew
what was going on.
I didn't even know
about Fiscal Dynamics.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
I thought...
Look, I'm about to get dumped
into the county jail.
I'm not looking forward
to spending nine months
of my life...
in a 20 foot square room,
being served creamed chip beef
on toast...
because I was a good citizen
and reported what I thought
was a crime.
So I'm working on my own case.
Maybe it involves
your husband's death.
Maybe not.
How much do you charge?
$200 a day, plus expenses.
I'll pay it.
I guess you don't understand.
I'm not investigating
your husband's death.
I'm trying to get loose
of this indictment.
I think it all comes down
to the same thing.
All I want for my money
is for you to report back
to me...
what you've learned.
How can that hurt?
You're working on it, anyway.
I'm offering to pay you.
You got a deal.
(Arnold)
Mr. Rockford, I'm sorry
we have to meet...
on my lunch break...
I need a good
financial analyst.
How much do you charge?
but I'm in a final audit
with my clients.
You said you were
interested in hiring me.
Yeah.
It depends on the work.
I charge $70 an hour.
Or if you've got a good deal,
I might jump in
for a percentage.
$70 an hour? Well, that's...
That's reasonable,
that's what it is.
I had a deal last week.
My client wanted to drop
$60,000 into Dynatron.
That's a little conglomerate
in Philadelphia.
I spent two hours,
found out the float
in the stock was thin.
Recommended against it,
it dropped three points.
I've already saved my client
$150,000...
and I charged him $150.
If I take my kids
to Wonderland, I can blow
the same $150 in two hours.
I call that reasonable.
What do you call it?
All right, what do you
want me to do?
I want you to run a check
on Financial Dynamics Inc.
Jerry, give me one of those
chili things with onions.
You eating?
Two of those chili things.
Only hold the onions on mine.
So you want to drop
your little bundle in FDI?
That's a good choice.
No, Mr. Love.
I want to drop my little bundle on you.
I want you to tell me
all you can tell me on FDI.
You haven't been on the street
very much, have you?
Not a whole lot. No.
I don't want to seem
offensive, Mr. Rockford,
I don't work for just anybody.
I'm a securities analyst.
I screen my clients
very carefully.
Because good clients
are like good sailboats.
You invest your time in them
and you get to go
for a nice little ride.
That's why I'm in the field.
You understand
what I'm saying?
How many of your
little sailboats do you have
floating around...
in the Fiscal Dynamics puddle?
Hardly a puddle.
It's one of
the largest companies
on the board.
Assets of over $2 billion.
You see, I think their
head computer programmer...
is being forced to
do things against his will.
I think it's just possible
that there's a whole lot wrong
with the company.
I'm willing to pay you
$70 an hour to...
take a run through their
financial statement, just see
what might be wrong.
You're the detective
in the paper, aren't you?
Yeah, my secretary
clipped it out and showed it
to me. Funny.
You got yourself
hung out there, didn't you?
Look, Mr. Rockford.
There is absolutely nothing
wrong with Fiscal Dynamics.
I don't have to research them
for you...
because I have personally
been through their
financial statement...
at least 10 times.
I've spoken to Mr. Fielder
a dozen times.
All of this before I let
one of my clients
invest in the stock.
That company is so healthy
it's disgusting.
I'm giving you all this advice
for the price of a hotdog.
I got to get back to work.
$6.36?
(Stan)
I hope everything is finished.
(Carl)
Yeah, I got it done
last night.
After hours.
How come you guys
never look at the stuff?
We look at it, Mr. Bovino.
It's just we're in a hurry.
Mr. Gorrick, the money
you guys loaned me...
for the new presses,
I really needed them.
But it seems like
a lot of money to pay back.
You know what I mean?
What?
What is this?
I got to put so much
of my profit to you guys
to cover the loan.
And I got to work overtime
for all that printing.
All I get is $700.
I think I should do
better than that,
under the circumstances.
I don't understand you, Carl.
If you have a problem,
speak up.
You got the problem,
Mr. Gorrick.
Carl, I don't like
what I'm hearing.
Now you know we have
your note. We can call it in
anytime we want.
If you can't pay up
within 10 days,
I own this place.
I can make some phone calls,
you know.
I figured out what all this
printing is for.
Took me a while,
but I know what's going on.
Carl, you know why we have
these things printed up.
It's part of
the insurance brokers
sales kit.
You go down to the street
and you'll find...
that every broker
has this material.
You want to call
the insurance examiners
or the SEC or the police...
you go right ahead.
You want
the telephone numbers,
call my secretary...
she'll be happy to help you.
But I don't like being
threatened and I don't like
being called a crook.
I guess I was wrong.
That's okay, Carl.
Anyone can make a mistake.
The only unforgivable sin is stupidity.
[Door opens]
Mr. Rockford?
Yeah.
I'm Ted Beaton.
I wonder if I might
speak to you
for just a moment.
Yeah, what is it?
Mr. Leon Fielder
would like to have a chat
with you.
Leon Fielder? Fielder?
He's the President and
Chief Operating Officer of...
Fiscal Dynamics Incorporated.
Never heard of him.
He said it was really
important that he see you.
He said he would
make himself available
to meet wherever you want.
However, if you could
come down to FDI...
it would be a bit more
convenient for Mr. Fielder.
What do you guys do?
John is a marketing analyst
and I'm in product research.
You can tell Mr. Fielder
I'll call about 3:30.
Could we convince you
to come now?
It depends on how you
want to go about it.
Please come now.
Sorry.
Okay, 3:30 then, Mr. Rockford.
That will be fine.
Thank you very much, sir.
You know, I think you'll
really enjoy meeting
Mr. Fielder.
He's quite an exceptional man.
[Car door closes]
[Car starting]
(secretary)
Mr. Fielder will see you
in a moment.
Mr. Rockford,
I'm Stan Gorrick.
Hi, Stan. How's your head?
Mr. Fielder will see you now.
[Printer clicking]
(Leon)
Sit down, Mr. Rockford.
If you're in the market
and want a tip,
buy North Eastern Life.
It's going to climb the ladder.
The markets that I go to...
sell things by the pound
and wrap them in brown paper.
What are you up to,
Mr. Rockford?
What's going on in your head?
(secretary)
Sir, it's Arnold Love.
(Leon)
What is it, Arnold?
(Arnold)
Mr. Fielder, I thought
I should let you know.
There's a guy saying
some disquieting things
about FDI.
What's that?
He wanted me to
look into your company.
He said there was
something crooked going on.
It's absurd, of course.
But this is really
the wrong time for rumors
of any kind.
You got a point there.
Who is he?
The guy's named Jim Rockford.
That's the strange part.
The same one who claimed
Alec Morris was kidnapped
from his office.
He seems very determined.
With the North Eastern merger
coming, we don't need
any yahoos
Kicking the slats
out of the stock.
I figured you'd want to
know about it.
Maybe you can
head this guy off.
Thanks, Arnold.
I'll look into it.
[Clicks]
[Dial tone buzzing]
Would you care to comment?
Yeah.
Isn't it against the law
to give out inside information
like that...
to guys like Love?
Technically, I guess
you could say that,
but this sort of thing
happens all the time.
My associates tell me
that you've been here before.
That you tried to see
Mr. Morris...
you hit Mr. Gorrick here...
and then when some of
our junior executives
tried to help you...
find out what you wanted,
you ran away.
Mr. Rockford, now that
I've met you...
I can't imagine you
doing any of those things.
You had to be there.
Mr. Gorrick wants to
notify the police.
It's a felony when you
go around hitting people.
I've convinced him
not to do that.
I personally would rather
hear from you...
what you think is
going on here.
I think you're a company
full of sweethearts
and I wish you all the success
in the world.
[Laughs]
You see, Stan, I told you.
This is our kind of guy.
That's all, Stan.
I like you, Rockford.
I just want to tell you
one other thing
before you leave.
Would you let go of my hand?
I think you're gonna
break my fingers.
You see, you got to quit
messing around
with Fiscal Dynamics.
And the reason you have to
do that is very simple.
Will you let go, please?
This company uses its stock
to acquire other companies.
We trade stock. If you
spread rumors about FDI...
and that causes our stock
to go down...
take this North Eastern
acquisition for instance.
If our stock goes down
two or three points...
it could cost the company
in the neighborhood
of $10 million.
Mr. Fielder, if you don't
let go of my hand...
I'm gonna have to
take a shot at you.
I'm sorry.
You see, sometimes I forget
how powerful I am.
Mr. Rockford, you're gonna
have to quit running around
and causing trouble.
Because if you don't quit
spreading rumors about us...
I will have to get
a hold of our lawyers.
And we're gonna have to
institute a stock holder suit
against you.
You could be sued
for the entire amount that
your rumors cost us.
That could be millions.
That sounds very dangerous.
You know, our stockholders
are just people like you.
All kinds of people. They are
widows, they are plumbers,
school teachers.
Now, when you hurt us,
you hurt them.
And what I am interested
in doing, Mr. Rockford...
is protecting their interest.
Do you understand that?
I really had no idea
it was that sensitive.
I really didn't.
You mean to tell me
that I can ask
a few silly questions...
and this great big company
could lose $10 million?
Investors are very cautious.
It doesn't take much.
Right now we're in the middle
of a big acquisition.
Don't mess with us,
Mr. Rockford, unless you want
a pile of trouble.
You really made your point,
Mr. Fielder.
You can bet from here on
I'll stay out of your way.
Say, would you apologize
to Mr. Gorrick for me?
Now that I've met him,
he seems like a very nice man.
Would you let go of my hand?
This is very childish.
What?
It is, isn't it?
Can I expect no further
trouble from you,
Mr. Rockford?
No further trouble.
That's good, because
if there is...
I'm simply going to
start legal proceedings
against you.
What is it? What do you want?
We got to talk to you,
Mr. Bovino.
About what?
Some printing. We need
some printing done.
Come back in the morning.
I'm closed. I got to go home.
We got to talk now.
Right now?
That's right, Mr. Bovino,
right now.
[Grunts]
[Clattering]
[Glass shattering]
[Alarm blaring]
You can't quit.
They didn't threaten
to sue you for $10 million.
Let me tell you something.
If I'm your agent
in this investigation...
they're gonna find out
about it, they're bound to.
And then they're gonna
name you in the law suit...
and they're gonna take
your red racer down the drain
along with my father's truck.
Not to mention everything else
we own.
I don't care.
They killed my husband.
I wouldn't doubt it
for a minute, but what am I
supposed to do?
I don't have anymore
leads to follow.
Yes, you do.
That's why I asked you
to come over.
His name is Carl Bovino.
So?
When I first
read that article...
the name rang a bell,
but I couldn't quite place it.
My husband told me that
Mr. Bovino was a printer...
who had been contracted out
by FDI to do
the annual report.
Guy thought it was strange
they use a little printer
like Bovino...
instead of
one of the big companies that
usually do annual reports.
It says here his shop
was burglarized.
He was working late,
surprised the thieves
and was shot.
It just could have
happened that way.
What is it with you?
Do you want to go to jail
for false reporting
of a crime?
I don't understand.
This may be a big break.
I had a talk with my lawyer.
She says if I'm a good boy...
I don't write on the walls
I might get out of this
in about four months.
And I figured that's
four months well spent...
if it keeps me
from being sued
for $10 million.
You're turning into
a big disappointment for me.
Don't you ever think
about anybody but yourself?
No. Well, yeah,
sometimes at Christmas.
[Sighs]
All right, I do know a guy
down at the police department.
I'll talk to him
about this printer.
I'll find out
what the cops know.
They're just gonna tell you
it was a robbery.
You've got to get in
to take a look at his files.
Absolutely
out of the question.
But don't you see?
He must have kept records
of his work for FDI.
You've got to see
what kind of printing
he was doing for them.
Tell you what. Why don't you
break into Bovino's shop
and look around?
I'll go out to Riverside
this weekend and drive
your little red racer.
But I'll compromise.
I'll go with you if you want.
I'm not afraid
to break in there.
What I meant was...
Chicken?
Yeah, kind of.
(Doris)
It's sort of scary, isn't it?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Look, maybe you should
talk to your friend
on the police force.
You were right about that.
We should talk to him first,
and then maybe we wouldn't
have to break in here at all.
You're really turning into
a big disappointment
for me, Doris.
In your living room
you sounded so confident.
Okay.
You're gonna be the wheelman
on this caper.
So get out
and get behind the wheel.
[Alarm buzzing]
[Keys rattling]
Get out.
Now if the police arrive
and you take off without me...
I'll come after you
and strangle you.
I won't leave you.
Besides, why would
the cops come?
The burglar alarm,
I'm gonna have to
dismantle it.
You're pretty good at that?
I don't know. I've never
done it before.
[Keys rattling]
[Creaks]
[Alarm blaring]
[Siren wailing]
[Alarm continues blaring]
(male announcer)
Please be with us next week
for the conclusion
of Profit And Loss.