The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 7 - The Big Ripoff - full transcript
Suspecting her ex-lover was killed by his wife, a woman hires Rockford to jet to Europe to compile evidence. After a fling with the widow, Rockford suspects Steve Nelson faked his death. When Rockford reveals his findings, the former girlfriend stiffs him for his fee and leaves town. Because Rockford plans to get the insurance finder's fee, he follows the spurned lover to a California mountain resort, where it seems everybody except local hooker Marilyn Polonski wants the L.A. P.I. gone ASAP.
I hired you to find out
if Virginia Nelson
killed her husband.
And you come back
with a crazy theory
that he isn't dead.
Bus leaves at 11:00.
I never ride on buses.
I get carsick.
A ride on a bus,
or six months in traction?
I'm afraid we got a problem.
I've already told them
that you're alive.
(Marilyn)
Is there anything
you won't do for money?
I won't kill for it,
and I won't marry for it...
other than that I'm open
to about anything.
[Telephone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(Andrea)
It's Andrea. Remember
last summer at Pat's?
I've got a 12-hour layover
before I go to Chicago.
How about it?
[Inaudible]
[Cars honking]
[Cars continue honking]
Please fasten your seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts,
please.
We'll be landing
in approximately five minutes.
Please fasten your seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts,
please.
We'll be landing
in approximately five minutes.
Please fasten your seat belts.
(Nancy)
You had yourself
a nice vacation, didn't you?
You ought to write a book.
How to See Europe
on $200 a Day, Plus Expenses.
Look, Miss Frazer.
I've been sitting
in tourist class...
on a bumpy flight
for 12 hours...
and I'm suffering from a case
of terminal jet lag.
So you can skip the jokes.
I hired you to find out
if Virginia Nelson
killed her husband.
And you come back
with a crazy theory
that he isn't dead.
And all that's left to discuss
are these outrageous expenses.
Now, those expenses
are legitimate and reasonable.
Reasonable?
No, not reasonable.
Cheap. I flew tourist class,
I stayed in a pension...
where the toilet was
a half a mile down the hall
and I came back...
with a professional
conclusion, which may not be
what you wanted to hear...
but it's what
we're both stuck with.
You really expect me
to believe...
Steve Nelson staged
that plane crash...
so he and his wife could
rip off the insurance company?
It happens all the time.
And those giant
insurance companies
with all their resources...
just sit there
and let it happen?
If it's done with style,
there's not much
they can do...
but pay off
and raise their rates.
Well, I can't accept that.
If he were still alive,
he'd have found some way
to let me know.
I know it must be
hard to take.
All kinds of relationships
wear out. Marriages end.
So do romances.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe that's the one thing
I couldn't accept.
And even if you're wrong...
I guess I ought to forget it.
Shouldn't I, Mr. Rockford?
Either way, it's over.
Then that's all,
isn't it, Mr. Rockford?
I guess so. Except for
the balance of my...
Oh, yes. Of course.
If you'll just leave a bill,
I'll get a check
right out to you.
If you don't mind, I'd...
I'd just as soon
take the check with me now.
You see.
I'm having a little
cash flow problem...
[phone ringing]
And I'll be stopping at
the bank on my way back to...
Excuse me.
And there's really
no point in waiting.
I'll send you a check.
Goodbye, Mr. Rockford.
(Nancy)
Yes. No.
[Nancy chattering]
Yes, ma'am, I'm still waiting.
Oh, hello, Mr. Moss?
This is Jim Rockford.
You remember...
the Sprague case,
last January?
That wasn't a case, Rockford,
it was a shakedown.
Smile, Mr. Moss. I'm calling
with good news this time.
That's a statistical
improbability.
47% of all phone calls
are for favors...
36% are disasters,
and barely 11% have anything
to do with good news.
You're missing 6 or 7%.
Those are wrong numbers
which is what you
have right now.
Now, wait a minute.
Don't hang up.
I'm calling you
about $400,000.
All right, you've got
a minute-and-a-half.
I'll call you later.
[Engine starting]
[Engine starting]
[Tires screeching]
(woman on PA system)
Trans-Global Sky Cap
to baggage area.
Trans-Global Airlines
Flight 487:
To Santa Barbara,
Monterey, Mendocino.
Almeria, Eureka,
and Seattle-Tacoma.
Now boarding at Gate 20:
Mr. Johnson, please report
to the Insurance counter,
Concourse four.
Mr. Abelson, meet your party
at Customs Exit.
[Woman chattering
on PA system]
(woman on PA system)
Announcing the departure
of Trans-Global Flight 402:
Can I help you?
I sure hope so.
I just dropped
a fare off here.
And she left this in the cab.
If she hasn't left yet...
maybe there's still time
to give it back to her.
She was blonde
and about so high...
and she had hair swept back,
under here, she was wearing
a brown dress and...
Yes, I remember her.
I'm sorry.
Her plane just took off.
That's too bad. Maybe there's
something valuable in here.
People do that all the time.
They're in such a hurry
to get to the airplane
that they run off...
and leave something behind.
The company's got
a special service
just to handle it all.
If you'll just give me
her name and destination...
the company
will send her a wire...
and they'll ask her
where she wants us to send it.
I guess it'll be all right.
Her name is Nancy Frazer...
and her destination
is Almeria, California.
Almeria. Oh, that's fine.
Thank you.
The company will have
a wire waiting for her
when she steps off the plane.
You're really very kind,
thank you.
Excuse me, you got
change for a quarter?
All I got is 14 cents.
Thanks.
(Moss)
You really expect us
to pay a 25% recovery fee...
and your expenses?
I'm talking about getting
$400,000 back for you.
Why quibble over a few bucks
expense money?
Don't you think we have
staff investigators?
We spend an average
of 61 man-hours
investigating every claim...
before we pay $1.
What makes you think
you can turn something up...
when our own people couldn't?
Well, there's
an answer to that...
but I'm afraid I'll have to
protect its confidentiality.
We had four of our best men
working on this claim.
Two of them did turn in
negative reports,
advised us not to settle.
Yes, but you're a company
of sweethearts...
so you decided
to pay off anyway.
It wasn't an easy decision.
But in a case like this, when
a loved one has been lost...
we give every consideration
to the beneficiary.
That's why Mrs. Nelson
had to sue to collect.
That's not too uncommon
in a situation like this.
It was an unusual death.
But I'm satisfied
the case is legitimate.
After all, the plane went down
five miles out to sea.
Mrs. Nelson was very lucky.
She managed to swim ashore.
Mr. Nelson wasn't so lucky.
I never knew luck had anything
to do with actuarial charts
and statistics.
You know how often a body
is recovered from that far
out in the ocean?
Almost never.
And that's a statistic.
Let's just forget
about statistics and odds.
I'm talking about a lead.
And that's all
it is so far, talk.
You haven't given me
anything concrete on this lead
you say you have.
It's concrete.
Well, if you want to go ahead
and investigate this
on speculation, fine.
But if you expect us
to come up with any money
in advance, forget it.
I'll need $1,500 expenses,
and you stand a chance
of getting back...
$400,000 that you've already
kissed goodbye.
No, it's impossible.
All right, $1,000.
That's practically petty cash.
You'd have to tell me
a lot more before I could
think about such a figure.
All I can tell you is that
Nelson's alive and I think
I know where to find him.
If I tell you any more,
you'll just go out
and do it yourself.
Helen, is my
4:00 appointment here?
All right, I'll tell you
this much.
Hold my 4:00, please.
Mr. Nelson had a girlfriend
who decided he didn't
die by accident...
that he was murdered
by his wife.
So she hired me
to look into it and I
found out that Mrs. Nelson...
is living on the interest
from $200,000...
invested at 8 or 9%.
You follow me, Mr. Moss?
Yes, I see what you're
trying to sell.
That she's living
off the income from exactly
50% of what we paid out.
You're very good
at figures, Mr. Moss.
Now, that means that someone
has the rest of the money.
Probably Mr. Nelson.
When I told my client this,
she acted, well,
a little off-center.
It made me think
that maybe Mr. Nelson had...
contacted her since
she'd hired me,
while I was...
[laughs]
While I was
out of the country,
checking out her theory.
I'll authorize $500
in expense money.
$500?
Plus 5% of any
money recovered.
Well, 20%.
5%.
10%.
5%. Take it or leave it.
Put it in writing.
has registered here
in the last two days?
That's right.
You're sure no woman
fitting that description...
Ever seen him?
Sorry. Did you try
the Almeria Inn?
Yeah.
The Silver King?
Yeah.
The Surf?
Yeah.
You've been
to every hotel in Almeria.
Try the motels north of town
on Highway One.
You going into Almeria?
Yeah.
I'd really appreciate a ride.
You got one.
[Birds chirping]
I'm just coming from work.
If I'm not being too personal,
what kind of work do you do?
I'm a model.
I just had a rough time
with an occupational hazard.
By the way,
thanks for the ride.
My name's Marilyn Polonski.
Jim Rockford.
Most of the artists
I pose for are interested
in their work...
this one today
was a real grope-freak.
I grabbed my clothes,
I ran so fast,
I didn't get my $23.
It's my modeling fee.
$20 an hour
with the clothes on.
$23 for the real me.
Is there enough business
around to keep
the real you busy?
Almeria's bulging
with artists.
Maybe you can help me.
Do you know many of them?
Yeah. I got fingerprints
all over me to prove it.
Good. Maybe you can help me.
I'm looking for a man.
A man? You a cop?
No.
Nope. Never seen him.
What are you?
I mean, what do you do?
I'm the National
Advertising Manager
for the Avocado Growers
of America.
What'd he do?
Steal a crate of avocados?
He's our top animator.
He took off and we can't
seem to find anybody
who can draw...
the Avocado Bandito.
You kidding?
Yes.
I ask too many questions,
don't I?
I really appreciate
the ride and all.
I wish there was some way
I could thank you.
How about letting me
cook dinner for you tonight?
Why don't we let somebody
cook dinner for both of us?
Where do you get
the best food in town?
My place.
Besides your place.
Seacliff, I guess.
Okay. I'll pick you up
at 8:00.
Come early.
[Birds chirping]
[Man chattering on radio]
[Van rattling]
Sheriff Neal?
Yeah.
Your office told me
I'd find you here.
I'd like to talk to you.
So, talk.
I was hoping
for a little more privacy.
[People chattering]
[Man chattering on radio]
[Car honking]
LA city limits are back there
about 500 miles.
This license was issued
in Sacramento,
it's good all over the state.
You mind?
[Sighs]
Where's your gun?
It's back home.
Buried up to its hammer
in a coffee pot.
You're a funny man,
that's it?
That's where it is, Sheriff.
Freeze-dried coffee.
It soaks up the moisture.
Keeps it from rusting
in the ocean climate.
How's that for
a household tip?
What do you want, Rockford?
His name is Steve Nelson.
Of course, he won't be
using that name,
but have you seen him around?
I'll see you around.
Do you mind if I ask
one of your deputies?
Maybe they'd know him.
I said I'll see you around.
It'll only take a minute.
I have a piece of good advice
for you, Mr. Rockford.
You bother any of my people,
and you'll be in jail...
for obstructing justice
and creating
a public nuisance.
Now, look, Sheriff...
Shall we get in the car?
I'll just be moving along.
Wonderful.
I think it's really exciting,
walking straight up
to everyone and saying.
"Have you seen this man?"
Well, I'd say
on the excitement scale,
it rates somewhere between...
a haircut and root-canal work.
[People chattering]
Mr. Rockford?
Yes?
Sheriff Neal figures
you've been in town too long.
Oh, he does?
Yes, he does.
Why?
He just asked us
to help you get moving.
Tell him not to worry,
I'll be leaving any day now.
Tonight is what
he had in mind.
That'd be all right,
only there's
not any flights...
out of here
till tomorrow morning.
Bus leaves at 11:00.
We reserved you a ticket.
That's really nice.
That's nice, fellows.
Except I never ride on buses.
I get carsick.
That's real good,
huh, Floyd? Carsick.
Tell me, Rockford,
what's funnier?
A ride on a bus,
or six months in traction?
That's not much
of a choice, is it?
It's the best one you've got.
I'll take the bus, I guess.
[People chattering]
Sheriff's Department, please.
Just tell him that
Jim Rockford called.
I'll be calling again.
Thank you.
[Coin clinking]
I was beginning to think
you'd split and stiffed me
with the check.
Come on. I wouldn't do that
to you on the first date.
Is something wrong?
Not unless you think
there's something wrong
with a free bus ticket...
and an invitation
to leave town.
[Exclaims]
From who?
I don't know.
Maybe the Sheriff.
I'm not sure.
Did you see a couple of guys
follow me when
I left the table?
No. Are you going to?
Leave? No, not as soon as
they think. I can't afford to.
Our Sheriff is...
Well, he could cause
a lot of trouble for you.
I know.
Yeah.
Maybe you better
quit the Avocado Growers.
Go into something
a little less hazardous.
I mean, I know I shouldn't
care if you get
your head split open.
I mean, what's it to me,
right?
Marilyn.
No. Let me finish.
[Sighs]
I'm a sucker for strays.
Sheriff Neal is
a very popular man.
He gets his way mostly
'cause he keeps
the crime rate down...
if you know what I mean.
I'll be careful.
Please.
[Crickets chirruping]
[Engine starting]
You're going places,
Mr. Rockford.
[Grunts]
[Grunts]
[Groaning]
[Panting]
You missed the bus.
All you got to do is wave.
It'll stop for you.
You'll do that, won't you?
Good. It's a nice,
pleasant bus ride.
[Crickets chirruping]
Don't try to move, not yet.
Just lie still. That's right.
Marilyn.
Have you ever been
thumped by experts?
Not so far.
Well, I have.
And it happened to me again.
How'd you know
where to find me?
You left the keys
in your car, I just followed.
Then you saw what happened
back at the apartment?
Did you recognize anyone?
It was pretty dark.
I couldn't see too well.
You saw two guys force me
in the car. Did you know them?
Yeah, I knew one of them.
I don't know his name...
but I think I know
where he works.
Well, they told me
where they work.
The Sheriff's Department.
Not the one I recognized.
Never believe anything
you hear in a men's room.
Where are you going?
You should stay here
and rest for a while.
[Panting]
Is there anything
you won't do for money?
Well, there's two things.
I won't kill for it,
and I won't marry for it...
other than that I'm open
to about anything.
[Grunting]
[Groaning]
Now let's talk.
About what?
I just want a few answers.
You know the questions.
Someone's paying
for all the trouble that's
coming my way. Who is it?
Just go on and beat on me
as much as you want.
It won't do you any good.
I'd be worse off
if I told you who.
How much was I worth?
I got $200.
$200. That's all?
But I had to split
with the other guy.
How'd you like another $200?
This time it's all for you.
[Sighs]
I'm gonna get it out of you
one way or another. Come on.
Who hired you
to scare me out of here?
That $200,
that right-now money?
I'd tell you in a second,
if I could trust you.
How you found out, I mean.
There's no need for me
to say anything to anybody.
If you're thinking
about your choices,
you haven't got any.
His name's Carl LeMay.
LeMay's Gallery
up on Summit Street.
That an art gallery?
Is this LeMay?
Have you ever
seen him around?
No.
How about my dough?
Oh, you'll get it,
if you've told me the truth.
Like hell I will.
[Sighs]
And I did tell you the truth.
Now I believe you.
And what are you selling,
mister...
Mr. Rockford?
Services, information.
What are you buying?
What are you getting at?
You paid a couple of guys $200
to scare me...
and they did.
I'd just like to know why.
If you don't wanna say,
it's all right with me.
I'm easy to get along with,
but I got business here...
that could add up to $20,000.
I'm willing
to settle for less,
just make me an offer...
and I'll be on my way
back to LA.
I give up, Mr. Rockford.
This is some kind of joke,
isn't it?
Maybe it was.
Nobody seems
to be laughing anymore.
I think you should just leave.
Otherwise I'll call
the Sheriff
and have you taken away.
I don't think
you should do that.
Then I'd have to
tell him about you...
hiring two guys
to impersonate
peace officers...
and commit aggravated assault
and kidnapping...
with intent to do bodily harm.
I'll just close the Gallery
a little early today.
Now, Mr. Rockford...
what business do you think
we have to talk about?
All you have to do is tell me
where I can find this man.
I'll pay you $2,000.
$2,000.
I have never seen him before.
Now maybe you should give me
some good reasons...
why I shouldn't
call the Sheriff myself.
[Dial tone]
Please hang up.
[Phone ringing]
I paid them.
Why?
A friend.
Someone I knew a long time ago
asked me to do it as a favor.
Him?
I don't even know him.
It was a girl.
Someone I almost married once.
What was her name?
Nancy Frazer.
She came in here yesterday,
said you had been
bothering her.
Said you'd followed her
all the way from Los Angeles.
She asked me
to get you out of town.
I promised I'd give it a try.
Maybe now I'll stick
to something I'm good at.
What was she wearing?
A red slack suit.
Where would I find her?
I don't know.
And even if I did know,
I wouldn't tell you.
You're getting stupid again.
Who's smart all the time?
You're not even smart
some of the time.
You don't really think...
a couple of goons
beating me up is gonna
scare me out of town, do you?
Yes.
Ninety-nine men
out of 100 it would.
I never heard
those statistics before.
And relax.
I'd be afraid
to call the Sheriff.
He doesn't like me at all.
Mr. LeMay, you really
shouldn't keep things
like this around.
I wish you'd stop
making a habit of this.
It brings us together.
[Groans]
He lied.
He lied.
A girl leaves Los Angeles
in a hurry...
she goes to a small,
out-of-the-way town...
and then when I show up,
she just manages to...
run into an old boyfriend
to help her out.
That doesn't make sense.
It could happen.
Not a chance.
She came here because
she knew Nelson was here.
That means LeMay
must know Nelson.
It all adds up.
How long has LeMay
run that gallery?
Years. As long
as I can remember.
Here, take another look
at this, huh?
You sure you've
never seen him?
Is this man a painter?
No.
I'm not sure.
I think you're wrong.
Wait a minute. No.
That's the only copy I've got.
That's too bad, if I'm wrong.
I know this man.
This is Dennis Rains.
He's a painter.
How long has he been here?
Six, seven months.
LeMay handles his paintings.
Is he any good?
I don't think so.
Half the painters in town
think he's great.
They call him primitive
or something.
His paintings go for
$2,000 apiece...
and he must sell at least
four or five a month. I think.
[Laughing]
What's so funny?
That guy steals $400,000
and he decides
to hide behind...
long hair and a beard.
And he figures
he needs some props
to go along with the beard...
so he buys paints and canvas
and does the best he can.
And people are willing
to pay him $2,000 a picture...
just because he never
learned how to paint.
Don't you think that's funny?
No.
[Laughs]
Please, stay right
where you are.
You're dead if you don't.
No fast moves. I really
don't want to use this.
You ever shoot
that thing before?
Uh-uh.
It came with the house.
Go on inside.
All right. No problem.
[Birds chirping]
Nancy.
You shouldn't have
followed me. You had
no right to do that.
You should've paid me
for services rendered.
But relax,
I'm here to help you.
Give me the rope.
Over here.
I told you I was here
to help you.
Sit down.
All right, now you
keep this right on him.
I'll bet she's never used
one of those before, either.
Listen, I can really
appreciate a good hustle.
I don't like those stiffs
at the insurance company
any better than you do...
I'm afraid we got a problem.
I've already told them
that you're alive.
I apologize.
At the time, I was sort of
scratching around
for an angle.
I'm afraid I've
blown it for you.
Once they got the scent,
they'll find you.
Do you realize that
if that bird gun goes off...
she's gonna blow
both of us away?
I got an idea.
You still got
that insurance money
invested someplace, right?
What if I act as
a go-between...
so, say 15% of the recovery?
I'll make a deal
with the company,
they get their money back...
and you two get away free.
No jail sentence or anything.
You can stay right here
and paint.
You don't need
the insurance money...
you're a regular
paint-stained goldmine.
How about it?
I think I can make it work.
As a matter of fact,
I know I can.
And what happens to me?
I get 10 years in jail.
No. If they have
to make a deal...
to get their money back,
they'll make it.
Even if you were tried,
if you've already given
the money back...
the court will just give you
a suspended sentence.
That's right.
I said no more expense money.
Maybe you didn't hear me.
I said I've seen
Steve Nelson alive.
Okay, so he got away.
But I found him once,
I can find him again.
I know more about him now.
It's gonna be a lot easier
the second time around.
Loosen up, Mr. Moss.
All I need is another $500.
I'm afraid I made a mistake,
Mr. Rockford.
I got carried away with
your initial enthusiasm...
and became a little too free
with the company's money.
But that doesn't mean
it should get to be a habit.
I'll just chalk the $500
up to experience.
Mr. Moss...
Mr. Rockford...
the company is no longer
interested in anything
you have to say.
He took my advice, didn't he?
He took my advice
and made a deal with you.
Right.
You got all your money back
and I'm out 5%. Right?
If you're finished,
I'm running a little behind.
Okay, so I've been had.
But I'm out $200
of my own money.
Can I at least have that back?
Mr. Rockford, I'm keeping
a board meeting waiting.
You don't mind, do you?
Mr. Moss, do you know
what you are?
[Chuckles]
Yeah. You know, don't you?
You're right on time.
I caught us a free dinner.
[Sighs]
Sorry, Rocky,
but I'm not hungry.
You're not...
You know what this stuff
would cost you
if you buy it in a market?
$1.60 a pound. Frozen.
What I need is a drink.
Scotch, huh?
Hemlock.
What's the matter?
I don't want to talk about it,
Rocky. Okay?
You don't wanna talk,
you don't wanna eat,
you don't wanna drink.
You look like you've been used
for a trampoline.
When you gonna
get smart and quit?
When you make
your first $1 million.
Where do you want
that junk put
that you ordered?
What junk?
I don't know.
Some guy delivered it
about an hour ago.
Didn't look like anything
you'd want inside.
I had him put it in my truck.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
What kind of junk?
Well, you tell me. Come on.
[Seagulls cawing]
Fellow just drove up here
and left them.
How many of them are there,
Rock?
There's 10 of them.
I hope you didn't pay
much for that junk.
Don't you know that art
is a great hedge
against inflation?
[Laughing]
You call that art?
Here. Help me with these.
I don't want the salt air
to foul them up.
You don't want
the salt air to... You can't
foul up junk like that.
Rocky, this is
an original Nelson.
He's a primitive.
Does that mean he swings
from tree to tree
and eats bananas?
What is a primitive?
A primitive is a guy
who can paint
nonsense like this...
then turn it around
and sell it for $2,000 apiece.
Two...
[chuckles]
He does have sort of
a nice sense of color,
don't he?
You're damn right he has.
if Virginia Nelson
killed her husband.
And you come back
with a crazy theory
that he isn't dead.
Bus leaves at 11:00.
I never ride on buses.
I get carsick.
A ride on a bus,
or six months in traction?
I'm afraid we got a problem.
I've already told them
that you're alive.
(Marilyn)
Is there anything
you won't do for money?
I won't kill for it,
and I won't marry for it...
other than that I'm open
to about anything.
[Telephone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(Andrea)
It's Andrea. Remember
last summer at Pat's?
I've got a 12-hour layover
before I go to Chicago.
How about it?
[Inaudible]
[Cars honking]
[Cars continue honking]
Please fasten your seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts,
please.
We'll be landing
in approximately five minutes.
Please fasten your seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts,
please.
We'll be landing
in approximately five minutes.
Please fasten your seat belts.
(Nancy)
You had yourself
a nice vacation, didn't you?
You ought to write a book.
How to See Europe
on $200 a Day, Plus Expenses.
Look, Miss Frazer.
I've been sitting
in tourist class...
on a bumpy flight
for 12 hours...
and I'm suffering from a case
of terminal jet lag.
So you can skip the jokes.
I hired you to find out
if Virginia Nelson
killed her husband.
And you come back
with a crazy theory
that he isn't dead.
And all that's left to discuss
are these outrageous expenses.
Now, those expenses
are legitimate and reasonable.
Reasonable?
No, not reasonable.
Cheap. I flew tourist class,
I stayed in a pension...
where the toilet was
a half a mile down the hall
and I came back...
with a professional
conclusion, which may not be
what you wanted to hear...
but it's what
we're both stuck with.
You really expect me
to believe...
Steve Nelson staged
that plane crash...
so he and his wife could
rip off the insurance company?
It happens all the time.
And those giant
insurance companies
with all their resources...
just sit there
and let it happen?
If it's done with style,
there's not much
they can do...
but pay off
and raise their rates.
Well, I can't accept that.
If he were still alive,
he'd have found some way
to let me know.
I know it must be
hard to take.
All kinds of relationships
wear out. Marriages end.
So do romances.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe that's the one thing
I couldn't accept.
And even if you're wrong...
I guess I ought to forget it.
Shouldn't I, Mr. Rockford?
Either way, it's over.
Then that's all,
isn't it, Mr. Rockford?
I guess so. Except for
the balance of my...
Oh, yes. Of course.
If you'll just leave a bill,
I'll get a check
right out to you.
If you don't mind, I'd...
I'd just as soon
take the check with me now.
You see.
I'm having a little
cash flow problem...
[phone ringing]
And I'll be stopping at
the bank on my way back to...
Excuse me.
And there's really
no point in waiting.
I'll send you a check.
Goodbye, Mr. Rockford.
(Nancy)
Yes. No.
[Nancy chattering]
Yes, ma'am, I'm still waiting.
Oh, hello, Mr. Moss?
This is Jim Rockford.
You remember...
the Sprague case,
last January?
That wasn't a case, Rockford,
it was a shakedown.
Smile, Mr. Moss. I'm calling
with good news this time.
That's a statistical
improbability.
47% of all phone calls
are for favors...
36% are disasters,
and barely 11% have anything
to do with good news.
You're missing 6 or 7%.
Those are wrong numbers
which is what you
have right now.
Now, wait a minute.
Don't hang up.
I'm calling you
about $400,000.
All right, you've got
a minute-and-a-half.
I'll call you later.
[Engine starting]
[Engine starting]
[Tires screeching]
(woman on PA system)
Trans-Global Sky Cap
to baggage area.
Trans-Global Airlines
Flight 487:
To Santa Barbara,
Monterey, Mendocino.
Almeria, Eureka,
and Seattle-Tacoma.
Now boarding at Gate 20:
Mr. Johnson, please report
to the Insurance counter,
Concourse four.
Mr. Abelson, meet your party
at Customs Exit.
[Woman chattering
on PA system]
(woman on PA system)
Announcing the departure
of Trans-Global Flight 402:
Can I help you?
I sure hope so.
I just dropped
a fare off here.
And she left this in the cab.
If she hasn't left yet...
maybe there's still time
to give it back to her.
She was blonde
and about so high...
and she had hair swept back,
under here, she was wearing
a brown dress and...
Yes, I remember her.
I'm sorry.
Her plane just took off.
That's too bad. Maybe there's
something valuable in here.
People do that all the time.
They're in such a hurry
to get to the airplane
that they run off...
and leave something behind.
The company's got
a special service
just to handle it all.
If you'll just give me
her name and destination...
the company
will send her a wire...
and they'll ask her
where she wants us to send it.
I guess it'll be all right.
Her name is Nancy Frazer...
and her destination
is Almeria, California.
Almeria. Oh, that's fine.
Thank you.
The company will have
a wire waiting for her
when she steps off the plane.
You're really very kind,
thank you.
Excuse me, you got
change for a quarter?
All I got is 14 cents.
Thanks.
(Moss)
You really expect us
to pay a 25% recovery fee...
and your expenses?
I'm talking about getting
$400,000 back for you.
Why quibble over a few bucks
expense money?
Don't you think we have
staff investigators?
We spend an average
of 61 man-hours
investigating every claim...
before we pay $1.
What makes you think
you can turn something up...
when our own people couldn't?
Well, there's
an answer to that...
but I'm afraid I'll have to
protect its confidentiality.
We had four of our best men
working on this claim.
Two of them did turn in
negative reports,
advised us not to settle.
Yes, but you're a company
of sweethearts...
so you decided
to pay off anyway.
It wasn't an easy decision.
But in a case like this, when
a loved one has been lost...
we give every consideration
to the beneficiary.
That's why Mrs. Nelson
had to sue to collect.
That's not too uncommon
in a situation like this.
It was an unusual death.
But I'm satisfied
the case is legitimate.
After all, the plane went down
five miles out to sea.
Mrs. Nelson was very lucky.
She managed to swim ashore.
Mr. Nelson wasn't so lucky.
I never knew luck had anything
to do with actuarial charts
and statistics.
You know how often a body
is recovered from that far
out in the ocean?
Almost never.
And that's a statistic.
Let's just forget
about statistics and odds.
I'm talking about a lead.
And that's all
it is so far, talk.
You haven't given me
anything concrete on this lead
you say you have.
It's concrete.
Well, if you want to go ahead
and investigate this
on speculation, fine.
But if you expect us
to come up with any money
in advance, forget it.
I'll need $1,500 expenses,
and you stand a chance
of getting back...
$400,000 that you've already
kissed goodbye.
No, it's impossible.
All right, $1,000.
That's practically petty cash.
You'd have to tell me
a lot more before I could
think about such a figure.
All I can tell you is that
Nelson's alive and I think
I know where to find him.
If I tell you any more,
you'll just go out
and do it yourself.
Helen, is my
4:00 appointment here?
All right, I'll tell you
this much.
Hold my 4:00, please.
Mr. Nelson had a girlfriend
who decided he didn't
die by accident...
that he was murdered
by his wife.
So she hired me
to look into it and I
found out that Mrs. Nelson...
is living on the interest
from $200,000...
invested at 8 or 9%.
You follow me, Mr. Moss?
Yes, I see what you're
trying to sell.
That she's living
off the income from exactly
50% of what we paid out.
You're very good
at figures, Mr. Moss.
Now, that means that someone
has the rest of the money.
Probably Mr. Nelson.
When I told my client this,
she acted, well,
a little off-center.
It made me think
that maybe Mr. Nelson had...
contacted her since
she'd hired me,
while I was...
[laughs]
While I was
out of the country,
checking out her theory.
I'll authorize $500
in expense money.
$500?
Plus 5% of any
money recovered.
Well, 20%.
5%.
10%.
5%. Take it or leave it.
Put it in writing.
has registered here
in the last two days?
That's right.
You're sure no woman
fitting that description...
Ever seen him?
Sorry. Did you try
the Almeria Inn?
Yeah.
The Silver King?
Yeah.
The Surf?
Yeah.
You've been
to every hotel in Almeria.
Try the motels north of town
on Highway One.
You going into Almeria?
Yeah.
I'd really appreciate a ride.
You got one.
[Birds chirping]
I'm just coming from work.
If I'm not being too personal,
what kind of work do you do?
I'm a model.
I just had a rough time
with an occupational hazard.
By the way,
thanks for the ride.
My name's Marilyn Polonski.
Jim Rockford.
Most of the artists
I pose for are interested
in their work...
this one today
was a real grope-freak.
I grabbed my clothes,
I ran so fast,
I didn't get my $23.
It's my modeling fee.
$20 an hour
with the clothes on.
$23 for the real me.
Is there enough business
around to keep
the real you busy?
Almeria's bulging
with artists.
Maybe you can help me.
Do you know many of them?
Yeah. I got fingerprints
all over me to prove it.
Good. Maybe you can help me.
I'm looking for a man.
A man? You a cop?
No.
Nope. Never seen him.
What are you?
I mean, what do you do?
I'm the National
Advertising Manager
for the Avocado Growers
of America.
What'd he do?
Steal a crate of avocados?
He's our top animator.
He took off and we can't
seem to find anybody
who can draw...
the Avocado Bandito.
You kidding?
Yes.
I ask too many questions,
don't I?
I really appreciate
the ride and all.
I wish there was some way
I could thank you.
How about letting me
cook dinner for you tonight?
Why don't we let somebody
cook dinner for both of us?
Where do you get
the best food in town?
My place.
Besides your place.
Seacliff, I guess.
Okay. I'll pick you up
at 8:00.
Come early.
[Birds chirping]
[Man chattering on radio]
[Van rattling]
Sheriff Neal?
Yeah.
Your office told me
I'd find you here.
I'd like to talk to you.
So, talk.
I was hoping
for a little more privacy.
[People chattering]
[Man chattering on radio]
[Car honking]
LA city limits are back there
about 500 miles.
This license was issued
in Sacramento,
it's good all over the state.
You mind?
[Sighs]
Where's your gun?
It's back home.
Buried up to its hammer
in a coffee pot.
You're a funny man,
that's it?
That's where it is, Sheriff.
Freeze-dried coffee.
It soaks up the moisture.
Keeps it from rusting
in the ocean climate.
How's that for
a household tip?
What do you want, Rockford?
His name is Steve Nelson.
Of course, he won't be
using that name,
but have you seen him around?
I'll see you around.
Do you mind if I ask
one of your deputies?
Maybe they'd know him.
I said I'll see you around.
It'll only take a minute.
I have a piece of good advice
for you, Mr. Rockford.
You bother any of my people,
and you'll be in jail...
for obstructing justice
and creating
a public nuisance.
Now, look, Sheriff...
Shall we get in the car?
I'll just be moving along.
Wonderful.
I think it's really exciting,
walking straight up
to everyone and saying.
"Have you seen this man?"
Well, I'd say
on the excitement scale,
it rates somewhere between...
a haircut and root-canal work.
[People chattering]
Mr. Rockford?
Yes?
Sheriff Neal figures
you've been in town too long.
Oh, he does?
Yes, he does.
Why?
He just asked us
to help you get moving.
Tell him not to worry,
I'll be leaving any day now.
Tonight is what
he had in mind.
That'd be all right,
only there's
not any flights...
out of here
till tomorrow morning.
Bus leaves at 11:00.
We reserved you a ticket.
That's really nice.
That's nice, fellows.
Except I never ride on buses.
I get carsick.
That's real good,
huh, Floyd? Carsick.
Tell me, Rockford,
what's funnier?
A ride on a bus,
or six months in traction?
That's not much
of a choice, is it?
It's the best one you've got.
I'll take the bus, I guess.
[People chattering]
Sheriff's Department, please.
Just tell him that
Jim Rockford called.
I'll be calling again.
Thank you.
[Coin clinking]
I was beginning to think
you'd split and stiffed me
with the check.
Come on. I wouldn't do that
to you on the first date.
Is something wrong?
Not unless you think
there's something wrong
with a free bus ticket...
and an invitation
to leave town.
[Exclaims]
From who?
I don't know.
Maybe the Sheriff.
I'm not sure.
Did you see a couple of guys
follow me when
I left the table?
No. Are you going to?
Leave? No, not as soon as
they think. I can't afford to.
Our Sheriff is...
Well, he could cause
a lot of trouble for you.
I know.
Yeah.
Maybe you better
quit the Avocado Growers.
Go into something
a little less hazardous.
I mean, I know I shouldn't
care if you get
your head split open.
I mean, what's it to me,
right?
Marilyn.
No. Let me finish.
[Sighs]
I'm a sucker for strays.
Sheriff Neal is
a very popular man.
He gets his way mostly
'cause he keeps
the crime rate down...
if you know what I mean.
I'll be careful.
Please.
[Crickets chirruping]
[Engine starting]
You're going places,
Mr. Rockford.
[Grunts]
[Grunts]
[Groaning]
[Panting]
You missed the bus.
All you got to do is wave.
It'll stop for you.
You'll do that, won't you?
Good. It's a nice,
pleasant bus ride.
[Crickets chirruping]
Don't try to move, not yet.
Just lie still. That's right.
Marilyn.
Have you ever been
thumped by experts?
Not so far.
Well, I have.
And it happened to me again.
How'd you know
where to find me?
You left the keys
in your car, I just followed.
Then you saw what happened
back at the apartment?
Did you recognize anyone?
It was pretty dark.
I couldn't see too well.
You saw two guys force me
in the car. Did you know them?
Yeah, I knew one of them.
I don't know his name...
but I think I know
where he works.
Well, they told me
where they work.
The Sheriff's Department.
Not the one I recognized.
Never believe anything
you hear in a men's room.
Where are you going?
You should stay here
and rest for a while.
[Panting]
Is there anything
you won't do for money?
Well, there's two things.
I won't kill for it,
and I won't marry for it...
other than that I'm open
to about anything.
[Grunting]
[Groaning]
Now let's talk.
About what?
I just want a few answers.
You know the questions.
Someone's paying
for all the trouble that's
coming my way. Who is it?
Just go on and beat on me
as much as you want.
It won't do you any good.
I'd be worse off
if I told you who.
How much was I worth?
I got $200.
$200. That's all?
But I had to split
with the other guy.
How'd you like another $200?
This time it's all for you.
[Sighs]
I'm gonna get it out of you
one way or another. Come on.
Who hired you
to scare me out of here?
That $200,
that right-now money?
I'd tell you in a second,
if I could trust you.
How you found out, I mean.
There's no need for me
to say anything to anybody.
If you're thinking
about your choices,
you haven't got any.
His name's Carl LeMay.
LeMay's Gallery
up on Summit Street.
That an art gallery?
Is this LeMay?
Have you ever
seen him around?
No.
How about my dough?
Oh, you'll get it,
if you've told me the truth.
Like hell I will.
[Sighs]
And I did tell you the truth.
Now I believe you.
And what are you selling,
mister...
Mr. Rockford?
Services, information.
What are you buying?
What are you getting at?
You paid a couple of guys $200
to scare me...
and they did.
I'd just like to know why.
If you don't wanna say,
it's all right with me.
I'm easy to get along with,
but I got business here...
that could add up to $20,000.
I'm willing
to settle for less,
just make me an offer...
and I'll be on my way
back to LA.
I give up, Mr. Rockford.
This is some kind of joke,
isn't it?
Maybe it was.
Nobody seems
to be laughing anymore.
I think you should just leave.
Otherwise I'll call
the Sheriff
and have you taken away.
I don't think
you should do that.
Then I'd have to
tell him about you...
hiring two guys
to impersonate
peace officers...
and commit aggravated assault
and kidnapping...
with intent to do bodily harm.
I'll just close the Gallery
a little early today.
Now, Mr. Rockford...
what business do you think
we have to talk about?
All you have to do is tell me
where I can find this man.
I'll pay you $2,000.
$2,000.
I have never seen him before.
Now maybe you should give me
some good reasons...
why I shouldn't
call the Sheriff myself.
[Dial tone]
Please hang up.
[Phone ringing]
I paid them.
Why?
A friend.
Someone I knew a long time ago
asked me to do it as a favor.
Him?
I don't even know him.
It was a girl.
Someone I almost married once.
What was her name?
Nancy Frazer.
She came in here yesterday,
said you had been
bothering her.
Said you'd followed her
all the way from Los Angeles.
She asked me
to get you out of town.
I promised I'd give it a try.
Maybe now I'll stick
to something I'm good at.
What was she wearing?
A red slack suit.
Where would I find her?
I don't know.
And even if I did know,
I wouldn't tell you.
You're getting stupid again.
Who's smart all the time?
You're not even smart
some of the time.
You don't really think...
a couple of goons
beating me up is gonna
scare me out of town, do you?
Yes.
Ninety-nine men
out of 100 it would.
I never heard
those statistics before.
And relax.
I'd be afraid
to call the Sheriff.
He doesn't like me at all.
Mr. LeMay, you really
shouldn't keep things
like this around.
I wish you'd stop
making a habit of this.
It brings us together.
[Groans]
He lied.
He lied.
A girl leaves Los Angeles
in a hurry...
she goes to a small,
out-of-the-way town...
and then when I show up,
she just manages to...
run into an old boyfriend
to help her out.
That doesn't make sense.
It could happen.
Not a chance.
She came here because
she knew Nelson was here.
That means LeMay
must know Nelson.
It all adds up.
How long has LeMay
run that gallery?
Years. As long
as I can remember.
Here, take another look
at this, huh?
You sure you've
never seen him?
Is this man a painter?
No.
I'm not sure.
I think you're wrong.
Wait a minute. No.
That's the only copy I've got.
That's too bad, if I'm wrong.
I know this man.
This is Dennis Rains.
He's a painter.
How long has he been here?
Six, seven months.
LeMay handles his paintings.
Is he any good?
I don't think so.
Half the painters in town
think he's great.
They call him primitive
or something.
His paintings go for
$2,000 apiece...
and he must sell at least
four or five a month. I think.
[Laughing]
What's so funny?
That guy steals $400,000
and he decides
to hide behind...
long hair and a beard.
And he figures
he needs some props
to go along with the beard...
so he buys paints and canvas
and does the best he can.
And people are willing
to pay him $2,000 a picture...
just because he never
learned how to paint.
Don't you think that's funny?
No.
[Laughs]
Please, stay right
where you are.
You're dead if you don't.
No fast moves. I really
don't want to use this.
You ever shoot
that thing before?
Uh-uh.
It came with the house.
Go on inside.
All right. No problem.
[Birds chirping]
Nancy.
You shouldn't have
followed me. You had
no right to do that.
You should've paid me
for services rendered.
But relax,
I'm here to help you.
Give me the rope.
Over here.
I told you I was here
to help you.
Sit down.
All right, now you
keep this right on him.
I'll bet she's never used
one of those before, either.
Listen, I can really
appreciate a good hustle.
I don't like those stiffs
at the insurance company
any better than you do...
I'm afraid we got a problem.
I've already told them
that you're alive.
I apologize.
At the time, I was sort of
scratching around
for an angle.
I'm afraid I've
blown it for you.
Once they got the scent,
they'll find you.
Do you realize that
if that bird gun goes off...
she's gonna blow
both of us away?
I got an idea.
You still got
that insurance money
invested someplace, right?
What if I act as
a go-between...
so, say 15% of the recovery?
I'll make a deal
with the company,
they get their money back...
and you two get away free.
No jail sentence or anything.
You can stay right here
and paint.
You don't need
the insurance money...
you're a regular
paint-stained goldmine.
How about it?
I think I can make it work.
As a matter of fact,
I know I can.
And what happens to me?
I get 10 years in jail.
No. If they have
to make a deal...
to get their money back,
they'll make it.
Even if you were tried,
if you've already given
the money back...
the court will just give you
a suspended sentence.
That's right.
I said no more expense money.
Maybe you didn't hear me.
I said I've seen
Steve Nelson alive.
Okay, so he got away.
But I found him once,
I can find him again.
I know more about him now.
It's gonna be a lot easier
the second time around.
Loosen up, Mr. Moss.
All I need is another $500.
I'm afraid I made a mistake,
Mr. Rockford.
I got carried away with
your initial enthusiasm...
and became a little too free
with the company's money.
But that doesn't mean
it should get to be a habit.
I'll just chalk the $500
up to experience.
Mr. Moss...
Mr. Rockford...
the company is no longer
interested in anything
you have to say.
He took my advice, didn't he?
He took my advice
and made a deal with you.
Right.
You got all your money back
and I'm out 5%. Right?
If you're finished,
I'm running a little behind.
Okay, so I've been had.
But I'm out $200
of my own money.
Can I at least have that back?
Mr. Rockford, I'm keeping
a board meeting waiting.
You don't mind, do you?
Mr. Moss, do you know
what you are?
[Chuckles]
Yeah. You know, don't you?
You're right on time.
I caught us a free dinner.
[Sighs]
Sorry, Rocky,
but I'm not hungry.
You're not...
You know what this stuff
would cost you
if you buy it in a market?
$1.60 a pound. Frozen.
What I need is a drink.
Scotch, huh?
Hemlock.
What's the matter?
I don't want to talk about it,
Rocky. Okay?
You don't wanna talk,
you don't wanna eat,
you don't wanna drink.
You look like you've been used
for a trampoline.
When you gonna
get smart and quit?
When you make
your first $1 million.
Where do you want
that junk put
that you ordered?
What junk?
I don't know.
Some guy delivered it
about an hour ago.
Didn't look like anything
you'd want inside.
I had him put it in my truck.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
What kind of junk?
Well, you tell me. Come on.
[Seagulls cawing]
Fellow just drove up here
and left them.
How many of them are there,
Rock?
There's 10 of them.
I hope you didn't pay
much for that junk.
Don't you know that art
is a great hedge
against inflation?
[Laughing]
You call that art?
Here. Help me with these.
I don't want the salt air
to foul them up.
You don't want
the salt air to... You can't
foul up junk like that.
Rocky, this is
an original Nelson.
He's a primitive.
Does that mean he swings
from tree to tree
and eats bananas?
What is a primitive?
A primitive is a guy
who can paint
nonsense like this...
then turn it around
and sell it for $2,000 apiece.
Two...
[chuckles]
He does have sort of
a nice sense of color,
don't he?
You're damn right he has.