Marlowe Page #3

There's an article in there

about a party named Klausen.

Ice pick case, Marlowe.

That's two in a row. A trend, maybe?

What did you hear from

that hotel cop, Hady?

We lack rapport.

Okay, let's get off Hady

and concentrate on you.

Hicks was dead when

you got there, right?

Well, as we trained detectives

say, he was terminal.

So he could hardly have taken

one of your visiting cards?

Stop trying to scare me.

-No, tell me about this.

You found my card on Hicks'

body? -That's your card isn't it?

Philip Marlowe,

Private Investigator.

We missed it the first time.

I gave him one of my cards to Hady.

We went upstairs while I called

you, he searched the body.

You figure that he could have...

... taken the money and put

my card on Hicks' body...

... while my back was turned?

Well, it's a possibility.

Would you know Sonny

Steelgrave if you saw him?

Yes, why?

Was he dark, late 30s...

... slick, something for the girls?

Still punching around

with that ice pick theory?

Trying to tie Steelgrave

into with Klausen and Hicks?

Does he get out in public

much? -No, not much.

Where does he go?

-He owns The Dancers.

Steelgrave sometimes takes

little chicken broads up there.

Marlowe. -Yes, Mr.

Marlowe, this way.

Mr. Marlowe... -What is this?

Compliments of Mr. Steelgrave.

Thank you.

Friends in high places.

Who is it? He rich?

He is. Even his tax

bracket is elevated.

Delicious.

Might say baroque.

To a late breakfast.

-I'll drink to that.

All my friends are

going to Lake Tropsure.

I see a trial balloon.

I'll make the coffee.

Mr. Marlowe, phone

call please. -Thank you.

Did you tell anyone

we were here? -No.

Well, that makes two of us.

It's just a way to get you alone.

I didn't come here

for the cherry jubilee.

Okay. But take care of yourself.

Winslow, you suckered

me out here, you devil.

Take the money

Marlowe. -Not a chance.

You can't refuse me this

time. -You watch me closely.

Can you remember the

alternative, Mr. Marlowe?

You're a paper tiger, Winslow.

You can't do anything in

your boss's restaurant.

Mr. Marlowe, I have my instructions.

That's what I'm

counting on, Winslow.

What are you going to do,

break another coat rack?

You're very effective, but I've

seen dogs do better on television.

You're light on your feet, Winslow.

Are you just a little gay?

I didn't come to

seduce you. -Good...

Can I come in?

I had to walk miles the other night.

All steps in the right direction?

-I've never suspected anybody.

There's someone here.

Coffee?

No thanks, I have a taxi

with the meter running.

I've heard from Orrin.

He decided to rejoin the establishment?

-He's staying with a doctor.

Your mother ought to be happy.

A Dr. Vincent Lagardie.

Okay, so he's staying

with a Dr. Lagardie.

The mob is after him.

They're are all busy making movies!

Please, we have to go

there right now to help.

He's afraid to leave.

After all, I did pay

you! -I gave it back.

I offered it to you again.

And a lot more.

You'd never have forgiven me.

You don't know me, but when

a man rejects a woman...

... he owes her something.

An old Kansas proverb?

-Philip, I'm frantic!

Philip? -They're going to kill him.

I have the address right here.

-I already have the address.

You have a taxi waiting outside

and the meter is running.

Philip, you don't know me.

But then that's your loss.

What was that?

Sort of glad she did that.

I noticed your left

jab was a little slow.

She reminded me of

somebody. -Don't we all?

Want to have some breakfast?

All I see is two people.

Hardly disastrous to

Miss Wald's reputation.

Nothing for the sponsors or the

network to be concerned about.

Then why are you talking to me?

I still enjoy talking

to the man in the street.

Then you won't mind if

I show these to Homicide.

Why should they be interested?

I don't think we'll be

doing business, Mr. Crowell.

But thanks for taking

my call. -Wait a minute.

What might happen if you show

those pictures to the police?

I'd have to connect it with

something they are working on.

Something that happened

a couple nights ago...

... one of the cheap

sin spots in town.

The Alvarado Hotel.

I'd connect it up through the girl.

Miss Wald?

Won't talk to me.

That's why I'm talking to you.

She told me about it.

She told me you tried to

force her into hiring you...

... on the grounds that she had

been close to the murder scene.

Did she say how close?

She didn't say.

What? -The 11:
30

Yes, thank you.

You amuse the hell out of

me, Marlowe. You really do.

Trying to use me as a shovel

to dig yourself out of a jam.

The jam I am in is

nothing compared...

... to what the star of

your show would be in...

... if I hadn't done the

thing that got me into it.

What are you doing in the next hour?

Recounting my trumps.

Well, let's count them together.

We got to where you were thinking of

going downtown with those pictures.

What then? -We didn't get that far.

We only got as far

as her calling you.

Did she tell you she also

called the man in the pictures.

She neglected to mention it.

He and some of his soldiers

were waiting outside when I left.

Do you know who he is?

Don't you?

You're making me more unhappy

by the minute, Mr. Marlowe.

Hold it back there, please!

I can't do anything until

I get back from London.

You were saying?

Her boy friend tried to

buy me first, then bury me.

I resent both overtures.

Where does it stand right now?

You tell me.

She was great, wasn't she?

On the film?

But he must answer.

Fine.

Why don't you answer the

phone? -The show is out there.

Yes.

- good?

Where are you?

Well the darling of millions has

got herself and the rest of us...

... who put her where she

is in one hell of a mess.

If it were any actress

it would be bad enough,...

... but in this series?

The part she plays?

Did you ever see the

show? -No, I haven't.

It's the top rated

sitcom in the country.

A situation comedy.

Can you imagine what would happen if

it got out that our poor little Mary...

... was shacking up with

public enemy number one?

Everything's set, Mr. Crowell!

You don't really want the cops

to have those pictures, do you?

No, Marlowe, that's

the last thing I....

Little Mavis Wald. The public

would chew her to pieces.

Not to mention the

sponsor and network.

The federal gangster's girl.

The number one gangster, no less.

What do you want? -Same

thing I wanted from the start.

What she wouldn't give me: the

right to work in her best interests.

By suppressing evidence.

If it was evidence. The

police can't determine that...

... without smearing. Maybe I can.

They don't have time to

worry about reputations.

You do.

Come on. Why are you doing this?

Steelgrave's boys spoiled

the coat in my best suit.

Where would I be if I didn't

put a stop to things like that?

What is your price?

$ 100 a day and expenses.

And a letter employing me to investigate

blackmail of one of your stars.

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