The American Side

---

["Follow The Path of The Stars"

playing]

? I'll find a better life

For you ?

? The stars have said

Our love's untrue ?

? And just because

We shared a lie ?

? There is no reason

For a soul to die ?

? I've got a soul

And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene

And let us depart ?

? Don't hang around

And let yourself be

Caught in this ?

? You'll find a better

People there ?

? A friendly love

The kind who care ?

? And not the sort

Like me you've found ?

? We're mean and hard

And we push around ?

[scatting]

? I've got a soul

And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene

And let us depart ?

? Don't hang around

And let yourself be caught ?

[scatting]

? I've got a soul

And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene

And let us depart ?

? Follow ?

? Follow, follow ?

[dinging]

You scratch all day, Charlie.

Still a loser.

[door opens]

Somebody busted the lock.

I had to hold my foot

against the door.

-Good thing, you're flexible.

-Shut up.

-Cutting it pretty close.

-Just fixing my face.

That's my last one.

I'll trade you for it.

Suits you better anyway.

Better go out

through the back.

Story of my life.

Parking lot D.

Don't be late.

[footsteps fading away]

[scratching]

Well, well, well, boys.

What do you know?

[man]

What did you get?

Mickey, tip.

What can I tell you,

Professor? Strippers.

My wife will get

everything now.

[sobbing]

She'll get my boat.

Maybe not.

-She hasn't seen these?

-Yet.

[sighs]

I'll give you 500.

She gave me a thousand.

Oh, man.

I love my boat.

-Can I keep these?

-You can get 'em framed.

Okay.

You won't make

other copies?

What kind of a guy

do you think I am?

[commentary over radio]

?

?

[screaming]

[indistinct radio commentary

continues]

[tuning radio channels]

[man on radio, indistinct]

...our technical director

of the project

of the day was Nicola Tesla...

[camera clicks]

-Damn it.

[woman] Charlie!

[gunshot]

[tires screeching]

?

[phone ringing]

[over the phone]

Hey, it's Kat.

Leave me a message.

[Charlie]

Pick up, god damn it!

I don't know where you are

or what the hell just happened.

I'm going to the club, okay?

[loud rock music playing]

[speaking, indistinct]

You know

what I mean?

[indistinct]

?

[indistinct]

Tom Soberin.

-Hey!

-Get out of here!

Seven bucks

for a cranberry juice?

[rock music continues, muffled]

I didn't know

she was working

the Canadian ballet too.

What you don't know

could fill the lake.

She made a date

last night.

Jealous?

[giggles]

Never heard of him.

She doesn't try that

bull sh*t, of course,

on her regulars.

She's in trouble.

Ah, the worst trouble

she's got is you, Charlie.

-Listen if you got her

messed...

-I'll find her.

You're such a bastard.

Mayflower Apartments.

She asked if they were nice.

Maybe she was

sizing him up.

[man]

Hey, I think you've had

enough of rest. Move it!

Get off the bench!

-Tom Soberin.

-Who wants to know?

"Charlie Paczynski."

[laughs]

Used to bowl for

Charlie Pazinci

Any relation?

[Tom]

I said move it

or I'll call the cops!

?

[door creaking]

['40s music playing]

Come on in, tough guy.

I'm ready.

I already died in '45.

Field surgery during

the Bulge.

But, you know, I never did

see that bright light

bull sh*t either.

6G, you know him?

I know everybody.

You know where he went?

Well, I know,

he left in a hurry.

And he left with nothing.

-When?

-Last night.

Oh, damn it.

What are you?

Private investigator?

Yeah.

Oh, I thought

I was making a joke.

You ever investigate

the hazards of man, hmm?

You know anything about him?

I know 6A cooks meatballs

every Friday night,

filled with garlic.

And I know 6B keeps

an illegal pet named Sparky.

And I know that 6D

keeps a key under the mat that

is frequently used by 6H.

But 6G never drew

anyone's attention.

Until you heard him

bolt out of here last night.

And the ado that

followed, yes.

What do you mean, ado?

Men in suits.

-Would you like a drink?

-No, no. What suits?

What do you mean,

"what suits?"

Everyone looks the same

in a suit, like a rat.

Oh. I did hear through

that door over there

they wanted 6G's Tesla file.

"Tesla file," they said.

Tesla file? What's that?

How should I know?

I don't go nosing around

in other people's business.

Sorry about the lock.

I'm 85 years old,

and I'm not scared.

I'm ready.

[commentary over radio]

[indistinct chattering]

[phone ringing]

Uh-uh, that's mine.

What do you got?

[man on phone]

Never mind, Charlie.

What have you got for me?

Well, Your Honor. I've got

a shoe box full of photos

might influence your

constituents in November.

Give me the name.

-Soberin. S-O-B-E-R...

-Can't help you.

Never heard of him.

Hello?

Jerk.

?

Help me, Mr. Paczynski.

-How do you know my name?

-Please, I cannot be seen.

What do you hear?

Take it easy.

-Did you find him?

-Find who?

[tires screeching]

Ah, sh*t.

[tram bell dinging]

[woman]

Your door was open.

Oh.

Been a bad day, miss.

Meeker.

Nicole Meeker.

What brings you to me?

You're the only

private investigator

in the Buffalo phone book.

What, people don't cheat

on their spouses anymore?

Sure they do.

But the spouses don't mind.

The man I was involved with,

he disappeared.

Maybe he ran off

with his wife.

I finally found the address

and drove up from Pittsburgh

last night.

I went by this morning,

couldn't get in,

but I did see something

that interested me.

Yeah? What did you see?

I saw you.

What do you mean, me?

The man I'm looking for

is Tom Soberin.

The doorman said that

you were also asking for him.

Tom hasn't been well.

He's been taking medication

for depression.

He's been paranoid,

delusional.

He says that people

are watching him.

Even trying to kill him.

He may be right.

Please tell me where he is.

Might not make any sense

to you, but if I speak

to him personally...

I don't mind getting paid

to look for somebody

I'm already looking for.

I'm not paying you

to look for him.

I'm paying you to find him.

You say Soberin's up here

from Pittsburgh?

Distinguished Professor

of Engineering

at Carnegie Mellon University.

He must be distinguished

in all the right places.

My number's on the back.

And yes, I do have

very unconventional taste.

[door closes]

?

[people chattering]

Who are you?

Don't look at me!

Keep your eyes out.

You made a date

with my friend last night.

Oh.

-Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't know.

-God damn it!

It's supposed to be a hit,

and you stick her

in the middle of it?

No, no. What's happening here

you can't begin to comprehend.

I'm three seconds,

from throwing you

over the rail.

I'm trying to listen too.

Christ!

She said you lost it.

-Who?

-Nicole Meeker.

-You saw her?

-She's looking for you.

Thinks you're worth

the trouble. I didn't mention

the carnival parking lot.

-I have to tell her.

-If you want to confess

your sins, find a priest.

Who fired the gun?

Tell Nikki

I found the Tin Man.

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