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\ec·lec·tic\ adj. selecting from various systems, doctrines, or styles. n. a person who uses various methods in philosophy, science, or art.


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Humphrey Bogart
Lauren Bacall
John Ridgely

The Big Sleep

1946, MGM, Directed by Howard Hawks, Screenplay by William Faulkner

DOOR KNOCKER READS : Sternwood
(00:02:24)
MARLOWE : My name is Marlowe. General Sternwood wanted to see me.
NORRIS : Yes, Mr. Marlowe. Will you come in, please, sir? I'll tell the General that you're here.
MARLOWE : Thank you. (to Carmen) Good morning.
CARMEN : You're not very tall, are you?
MARLOWE : Well, I try to be.
CARMEN : Not bad. You probably know it.
MARLOWE : Thank you.
CARMEN : What's your name?
MARLOWE : Reilly, Doghouse Reilly.
CARMEN : (laughing) That's a funny kind of name.
MARLOWE : Do you think so?
CARMEN : Ah huh. What are you, a prizefighter?
MARLOWE : No. I'm a shamus.
CARMEN : What's a shamus?
MARLOWE : A private detective.
CARMEN : You're making fun of me.
MARLOWE : Uhuh.
CARMEN : You're cute.
NORRIS : The General will see you now, sir.
MARLOWE : Uh, who's that?
NORRIS : Miss Carmen Sternwood, sir.
MARLOWE : You ought to wean her. She's old enough.
NORRIS : Yes, sir. (to General Sternwood) This is Mr. Marlowe, General.
MARLOWE : How do you do, sir?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Sit down.
MARLOWE : Thank you.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Brandy, Norris. How do you like your brandy, sir?
MARLOWE : In a glass.
GEN. STERNWOOD : I used to like mine with champagne. The champagne cold as Valley Forge and with about three ponies of brandy under it. Oh, come, come, man. Pour a decent one. I like to see people drink. That'll do, Norris. You may take off your coat, sir.
MARLOWE : Thank you.
GEN. STERNWOOD : It's too hot in here for any men who has blood in his vein. You may smoke, too. I can still enjoy the smell of it. Hum, nice state of affair a man who has to indulge his vices by proxy. You're looking, sir, at a very dull survival of a very gaudy life, crippled, paralyzed in both legs, barely I eat and my sleep is so near waking it's hardly worth a name. I seem to exist largely on heat like a new born spider.
MARLOWE : Yeah.
GEN. STERNWOOD : The orchids are an excuse for the heat. You like orchids?
MARLOWE : Not particularly.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Nasty things. That flesh is too much like the flesh of men. Their perfume has a rotten sweetness of corruption. Mmm... Tell me about yourself, Mr. Marlowe.
MARLOWE : There's not much to tell. I'm thirty-eight. I went to college. I can still speak English when my business demands it. I used to work for the District Attorney's office. It was Bernie Ohls, Chief Inspector, who sent a word you wanted to see me.
GEN. STERNWOOD : You didn't like working for the District Attorney, eh?
MARLOWE : (laughing) I was fired for insubordination. I seem to rate pretty high on that.
GEN. STERNWOOD : I always did myself. What do you know about my family, Mr. Marlowe?
MARLOWE : You're a widower, a millionaire, have two young daughters. One unmarried, one married a couple of years ago to a man named Rutledge but it didn't take. Both living with you and both...
GEN. STERNWOOD : Go on, sir.
MARLOWE : Both pretty and both pretty wild. What did you want to see me about?
GEN. STERNWOOD : I'm being blackmailed again.
MARLOWE : Again?
GEN. STERNWOOD : About a year ago I paid a man named Joe Brody five thousand dollars to let my younger daughter alone.
MARLOWE : Mm.
GEN. STERNWOOD : What does that mean?
MARLOWE : (laughing) It means "Mm." It didn't go through the District Attorney's office, or I'd have heard about it. Who handled it for you?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Shawn Regan.
MARLOWE : Shawn Regan. There must be some reason why he isn't handling it this time. What is it?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Shawn has left me.
MARLOWE : I thought I hadn't seen him around lately.
GEN. STERNWOOD : About a month ago, without a word. I had no claim on him. I was only his employer. But I had hoped he'd come to regard me as something more than that. At least he would have said, "goodbye." That was what hurt. You knew him, too?
MARLOWE : Yes. In old days, when he used to run rum out of Mexico, I was on the other side. We used to swap shots between drinks or drinks between shots, which ever you like.
GEN. STERNWOOD : (laughing) My respects to you, sir. Few men ever swap more than one shot with Shawn Regan. He commanded a brigade in the Irish Republican Army.. You knew that.
MARLOWE : No, I didn't.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Oh.
MARLOWE : But I knew he was a good man at whatever he did. Nobody was more pleased than I when I heard you had taken him on as your... whatever he was.
GEN. STERNWOOD : My friend, my son almost. (laughing) Many an hour he sat here with me, sweating like a pig, drinking the brandy I could no longer drink, telling stories of the Irish revolution. No, enough of that. Here.
(00:07:40)
MARLOWE : (reads)Mr. Arthur Gwynn Geiger. Rare books and...
GEN. STERNWOOD : Read the other side.
CARD READS : Dear Sir, In spite of the uncollectibility of the enclosed, which frankly are gambling debts, I assume you might wish them honored. Respectfully, A.G.Geiger
MARLOWE : Mmm... Respectfully... These are her signatures?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Yes.
MARLOWE : Who's Arthur Gwynn Geiger?
GEN. STERNWOOD : I haven't the faintest idea.
MARLOWE : Did you ask her?
GEN. STERNWOOD : No, and I don't intend to. If I did she'd just suck her thumb and look coy.
MARLOWE : Yeah. I met her in the hall and she did that at me. Then she tried to sit down in my lap when I was standing up.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Well?
MARLOWE : Your other daughter, Mrs. Rutledge, is she mixed up in this?
GEN. STERNWOOD : No.
MARLOWE : They are alike, they run around together?
GEN. STERNWOOD : They are alike only having the same corrupt blood. Vivian is spoiled, exacting, smart, and ruthless. Carmen is still a little child who likes to pull the wings off flies. I assume they have all the usual vices, besides those they've invented for themselves. If I seem a bit sinister as a parent, Mr. Marlowe, it's because my whole darn life is too slight to include any Victorian hypocrisy. I need hardly add that any man who lives as I've had and who indulges for the first time in parenthood at my age deserves all he gets. Well?
MARLOWE : Pay him.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Why?
MARLOWE : Because she signed these notes, didn't she?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Yes.
MARLOWE : Who's this Joe Brody you paid the five thousand dollars to?
GEN. STERNWOOD : I can't recall. My butler, Norris would know. I think he called himself a gambler.
MARLOWE : Like it says, these are gambling debts.
GEN. STERNWOOD : They may be.
MARLOWE : Think they are.
GEN. STERNWOOD : No.
MARLOWE : I guess you want me to take this Geiger off your back. Is that right?
GEN. STERNWOOD : Yes.
MARLOWE : You wanna know anything, or just get rid of him?
GEN. STERNWOOD : I just wanna get rid of him.
MARLOWE : It might cost you a little.
GEN. STERNWOOD : (shrugs)
MARLOWE : Thanks for the drink, General.
GEN. STERNWOOD : I enjoyed your drink as much as you did, sir.
MARLOWE : You'll hear from me.
GEN. STERNWOOD : Good luck.
NORRIS : Oh, Mr. Marlowe. Mrs. Rutledge would like to see you before you leave, sir. And about the money, the General has instructed me to give you a check for whatever you require.
MARLOWE : Instructed you how?
NORRIS : Oh, I see, sir. I, I forget you are a detective. By the way he rang his bell, sir.
MARLOWE : Oh. You write his checks?
NORRIS : I have that privilege.
MARLOWE : Good for you. I don't need any money now. When I do, I get twenty-five dollars a day and expenses.
NORRIS : Yes, sir.
MARLOWE : How did Mrs. Rutledge know I was here?
NORRIS : She saw you through the window, sir, and I was obliged to tell her who you were.
MARLOWE : I don't know that I like that.
NORRIS : Are you attempting to tell me my duty, sir?
MARLOWE : No. Just having fun trying to guess what they are.
NORRIS : This way, sir. Go right in, sir. You are expected.
MARLOWE : Thanks. (to Vivian) You wanted to see me?
VIVIAN : So you're a private detective. I didn't know they existed except in books, or else they were greasy little men snooping around hotel corridors. My, you're a mess, aren't you?
MARLOWE : I'm not very tall, either. Next time I'll come on stilts, wear a white tie, carry a tennis racket.
VIVIAN : I doubt even that would help. Now this business of Dad's, you think you can handle it for him?
MARLOWE : It shouldn't be too tough.
VIVIAN : Really. I would have thought a case like that took a little effort.
MARLOWE : Not too much.
VIVIAN : What will your first step be?
MARLOWE : The usual one.
VIVIAN : I didn't know there was a usual one.
MARLOWE : Oh, sure there is. It comes complete with diagrams on Page forty-seven of "How to be a Detective in Ten Easy Lessons", correspondence school textbook, and your father offered me a drink.
VIVIAN : You must have read another one on how to be a comedian.
MARLOWE : Hear what I said about the drink?
VIVIAN : I'm quite serious, Mr. Marlowe. My father is not...
MARLOWE : I said your father...
VIVIAN : Help yourself! Now look, Mr. Marlowe. My father is not well, and I want this case handled with the least possible worry to him.
MARLOWE : That's just the way I was going to handle it.
VIVIAN : I see. No professional secrets.
MARLOWE : No.
VIVIAN : I thought you wanted a drink.
MARLOWE : I changed my mind.
VIVIAN : Then what... How did you like Dad?
MARLOWE : I liked him.
VIVIAN : He liked Shawn, Shawn Regan. I suppose you know who he is?
MARLOWE : Mm-hum.
VIVIAN : You don't have to play poker with me, Mr. Marlowe. Dad wants to find him, doesn't he?
MARLOWE : Do you?
VIVIAN : Of course I do! It wasn't right for him to go off like that. Broke Dad's heart, although he won't say much about it. Or did he?
MARLOWE : Why don't you ask him?
VIVIAN : I don't see what there is to be cagey about, Mr. Marlowe. And I don't like your manners.
MARLOWE : Well I'm not crazy about yours. I didn't ask to see you. I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like it myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings. And I don't mind your ritzing me, or drinking your lunch out of a bottle. But don't waste your time trying to cross-examine me.
VIVIAN : People don't talk to me like that.
MARLOWE : Oh!
VIVIAN : Do you always think you can handle people like trained seals?
MARLOWE : Ah huh. I usually get away with it, too.
VIVIAN : How nice for you!
MARLOWE : Just what is it you're afraid of?
VIVIAN : Dad didn't wanna see you about Shawn at all, did he?
MARLOWE : Didn't he?
VIVIAN : Could you find him if Dad wanted you to?
MARLOWE : Maybe. When did he go?
VIVIAN : About a month back. He just drove off one afternoon without saying a word. They found his car parked in some private garage.
MARLOWE : They? Who's they?
VIVIAN : Dad didn't tell you then.
MARLOWE : Oh, yes. He told me about Regan. But that's not what he wanted to see me about. That's what you have been trying to get me to say, isn't it?
VIVIAN : I'm sure I don't care what you say, Mr. Marlowe.
MARLOWE : I'm wasting your time. Goodbye, Mrs. Rutledge. (to Norris) Oh, Norris. You made a mistake. Mrs. Rutledge didn't want to see me.
NORRIS : I'm sorry, sir. I make many mistakes.
(00:14:13)
SIGN READS : HOLLYWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARIAN : You find what you wanted?
MARLOWE : Yes. Thanks.
LIBRARIAN : You know, you don't look like a man who would be interested in first editions.
MARLOWE : I collect blondes in bottles, too.
MARLOWE : Uh...
AGNES : Can I be of any assistance?
MARLOWE : Uh, yes. Would you happen to have a Ben Hur eighteen sixty?
AGNES : Of what?
MARLOWE : Would you happen to have a Ben Hur eighteen sixty?
AGNES : Oh. A first edition?
MARLOWE : No, no, no, no, no. Third, third, the one with the erratum on page one-sixteen.
AGNES : I'm afraid not.
MARLOWE : How about a Chevalier Audubon eighteen forty the full set of course?
AGNES : Not at the moment.
MARLOWE : You do sell books, humm?
AGNES : What do those look like, grape fruit?
MARLOWE : Of course from here they look like books. Maybe I'd better see Mr. Geiger.
AGNES : He's not in just now.
MARLOWE : That's a pity because I...
AGNES : I said Mr. Geiger is not in.
MARLOWE : I heard you. You shouldn't yell at me. Now I'm already late for my lecture on Argentine cera-micks. I guess I won't wait.
AGNES : The word is cerAMics. And they ain't Argentine. They are Egyptian.
MARLOWE : You did sell a book once, didn't you? Well, I guess I'll run along to the public library or I could go to that bookstore across the street, couldn't I, humm?
AGNES : Do so.
MARLOWE : Thank you.
PROPRIETRESS : Something I can do for you?
MARLOWE : Would you do me a very small favor?
PROPRIETRESS : I don't know. It depends on the favor.
MARLOWE : You know Geiger's bookstore across the street?
PROPRIETRESS : I think I may have passed it.
MARLOWE : You know Geiger by sight?
PROPRIETRESS : Well, I...
MARLOWE : What does he look like?
PROPRIETRESS : Wouldn't it be easy enough to go across the street and ask to see him.
MARLOWE : I've already done that.
PROPRIETRESS : Oh.
MARLOWE : Know anything about rare books?
PROPRIETRESS : You could try me.
MARLOWE : Would you happen to have a Ben Hur, eighteen sixty, Third Edition, with the duplicated line on page one-sixteen? ...Or a Chevalier Audubon eighteen forty?
PROPRIETRESS : Nobody would. There isn't one.
MARLOWE : The girl in Geiger's bookstore didn't know that.
PROPRIETRESS : Oh, I, I see. You begin to interest me, vaguely.
MARLOWE : Uh, I'm a private dick on a case. Perhaps I'm asking too much. Although it doesn't seem too much to me somehow.
PROPRIETRESS : Well, Geiger is in his early forties, medium height, fattish, soft all over, a Charlie Chan moustache, well dressed, wears a black hat, affects a knowledge of antiques and hasn't any. Oh yes, I think his left eye is glass.
MARLOWE : You'd make a good cop.
PROPRIETRESS : Thanks. You're gonna wait for him to come out?
MARLOWE : Yeah.
PROPRIETRESS : They don't close for another hour or so. It's raining pretty hard.
MARLOWE : I got my car. That's right. It is, isn't it? You know, it just happened I got a bottle of pretty good rum in my pocket. I'd rather get wet in here.
PROPRIETRESS : Well. It looks like we're closed for the rest of afternoon. Tell me more about this business.
MARLOWE : Uh, there isn't much to tell. I...
PROPRIETRESS : What's the matter?
MARLOWE : Just wondering if you have to...
PROPRIETRESS : Oh. Not necessary.
MARLOWE : I don't think like that making a... Hello!
PROPRIETRESS : Hello... I hate to tell you but that's Geiger's car driving up.
MARLOWE : Who's the man getting out?
PROPRIETRESS : Geiger's shadow. His name is Carol Lundgren.
MARLOWE : Well, thanks.
PROPRIETRESS : If you ever want to buy a book...
MARLOWE : A Ben Hur eighteen-sixty...
PROPRIETRESS : With duplications. So long.
MARLOWE : So long, pal.
STREET SIGN READS : Laverne Terrace
(00:21:26)
CARMEN : (screaming)
CARMEN : You're cute.
MARLOWE : You're higher than a kite. Come on. Wake up.
CARMEN : I know you. Doghouse Reilly. You're cute.
MARLOWE : What do you know about this?
CARMEN : What?
MARLOWE : Mr. Geiger here on the floor.
CARMEN : He's cute, too.
MARLOWE : Look, you've got a dead man lying right under your feet. How did it happen?
CARMEN : You talk a lot, Reilly. Yak, yak, yak.
MARLOWE : Come on. Come on. Lie down there and be quiet.
CARMEN : All right, Reilly.
MARLOWE : Come on. Get going.
(00:25:29)
NORRIS : Good evening, sir.
MARLOWE : Good evening, Norris. I'd like to see General Sternwood.
NORRIS : He's asleep, sir.
MARLOWE : No. Well, what about Mrs. Rutledge? Is she...
NORRIS : Yes.
MARLOWE : Oh. Good evening, Mrs. Rutledge.
VIVIAN : Hello.
MARLOWE : I got your sister outside. She's all right but she's not walking very well. I'll need some help.
VIVIAN : Look. Are you sure that she's going to...
MARLOWE : She should be all right in the morning.
VIVIAN : Did you do this?
MARLOWE : That? Oh, yes. That's a little special service I always provide all my clients.
VIVIAN : Including being insolent. Where did you find her?
MARLOWE : I didn't find her.
VIVIAN : Well, how did you...
MARLOWE : I haven't been here. You haven't seen me. She hasn't been out of this house all evening.
VIVIAN : That bad?
MARLOWE : Uh huh.
VIVIAN : Just what did happen, Mr. Marlowe?
MARLOWE : You're pretty fond of your sister, aren't you?
VIVIAN : Yes, I am.
MARLOWE : Anything for her, wouldn't you?
VIVIAN : Anything.
MARLOWE : And drop this whole thing.
VIVIAN : But, I still think I should know what...
MARLOWE : Ah ah. Don't even ask her.
VIVIAN : She never remembers anyway.
MARLOWE : Just what did she forget about Shawn Regan?
VIVIAN : What did she tell you?
MARLOWE : Mm-hum. Not half as much as you just did. Take it easy. I don't slap so good around this time of evening.
VIVIAN : You go too far, Marlowe.
MARLOWE : Woo, those are harsh words to throw at a man. Especially when he's walking out of your bedroom. Good night, Mrs. Rutledge. (to Norris) Thanks, Norris.
NORRIS : I put her car away, sir.
MARLOWE : That's fine. Anybody asks if she's been in all evening, forget about my being here.
NORRIS : I understand, sir. May I call a cab for you, sir?
MARLOWE : That'll be better if you didn't. I'll be all right.
NORRIS : Good night, sir.
SIGN READS : Philip Marlowe, Private Investigator
(00:29:20)
MARLOWE : Oh, hello, Bernie. Come on in.
OHLS : Hello, Phil.
MARLOWE : Don't you ever go to bed?
OHLS : What you been doing?
MARLOWE : Just sitting around.
OHLS : All evening?
MARLOWE : Yeah. What is it?
OHLS : Does it have to be something?
MARLOWE : No. You're a friend of mine. When a man from the Homicide Squad just drops in at two o'clock in the morning, I kind of...
OHLS : Working on cipher, huh?
MARLOWE : Just fooling around.
OHLS : You're also working for the Sternwoods, aren't you?
MARLOWE : Yeah. Thanks to you.
OHLS : Done anything for them yet?
MARLOWE : I just started this afternoon and the rain came.
OHLS : All right. They seem to be a family that things happen to. There's a big Packard belonging to one of them is washing around in the surf off Lido pier.
MARLOWE : Mmm.
OHLS : I almost forgot there's a guy in it.
MARLOWE : Couldn't it be Regan, could it?
OHLS : Who?
MARLOWE : Shawn Regan.
OHLS : You mean that Irish ex-legger old Sternwood hired to do his drinking for him.
MARLOWE : Yeah.
OHLS : What would he be doing down there?
MARLOWE : What would anybody be doing down there?
OHLS : That's what I'm going to Lido to find out. Do you wanna come along?
MARLOWE : Yeah, I do. How's the weather?
OHLS : Clearing up.
MARLOWE : What time did that call come in?
OHLS : About fifteen minutes ago.
MARLOWE : What kind of car did you say it was?
OHLS : Packard.
UNIFORMED DEPUTY : Hello, Bernie.
OHLS : Hi, Ed. I see you got him up. Who is he?
UNIFORMED DEPUTY : His name is Owen Taylor, General Sternwood's chauffeur according to his driver's license.
OHLS : What's the story?
UNIFORMED DEPUTY : You can see most of it from here. Went through the railings. It must have hit it pretty hard. The rain stopped down here about nine P.M. The broken ends of the rails are dry inside. That would put it about nine-thirty.
MAN : Slow down.
OHLS : All right, Doc. Let's have it.
MEDICAL EXAMINER : His neck was broken. Something hit him hard across the left temple.
OHLS : What made the bruise? Steering wheel?
MEDICAL EXAMINER : Mm-Mmm. Whatever it was, it was covered. Because the wound had already bled under the skin while he was still alive.
MARLOWE : A blackjack?
MEDICAL EXAMINER : Could be.
PLAINCLOTHESMAN : Hey, Bernie. The funny thing is the hand-throttle of the car was set halfway down.
OHLS : Thanks, Jim. So long, Doc.
MEDICAL EXAMINER : All right, boys. Take him away.
: Yes, sir.
OHLS : Could be drunk or suicide.
MARLOWE : Know what it is? Do you know anything about this Owen Taylor?
OHLS : Only two or three for the Sternwoods' chauffeur he lost his job and kind of younger daughter Carmen.
MARLOWE : Mmm.
OHLS : You've gotta tell me what you're working on, Phil.
MARLOWE : They told me blackmail.
OHLS : Are they after Carmen?
MARLOWE : Yeah.
OHLS : It doesn't look like the way you handle it.
MARLOWE : You know, I got a feeling... Me? I didn't do this.
OHLS : What are you gonna say, Phil?
MARLOWE : Give me another day, Bernie. I might have some for you.
OHLS : Okay. Let's go home.
MARLOWE : Good morning.
VIVIAN : So you do get up. I was beginning to think perhaps you work in bed like Marcel Pullst.
MARLOWE : Who's he?
VIVIAN : You wouldn't know him. A French writer.
MARLOWE : Come into my boudoir.
VIVIAN : You don't put on much of a front, do you?
MARLOWE : There isn't much money in this business if you're honest.
VIVIAN : Are you honest?
MARLOWE : Are we gonna start that again?
VIVIAN : I'm sorry. Also about yesterday, perhaps, I was rude.
MARLOWE : We were both rude. You wanna see me about Taylor?
VIVIAN : So you know about that. Poor Owen.
MARLOWE : Yeah. The D.A.'s man took me down to Lido last night. Turned out he know more about it than I did. For instance, he knew Owen Taylor wanted to marry your sister once.
VIVIAN : Perhaps it wouldn't have been such a bad idea. You see, he was in love with her. But I didn't come here about Owen. I... Do you still feel you can't tell me what my father wants you to do?
MARLOWE : Not without his permission.
VIVIAN : You can't even tell me if it was about Carmen?
MARLOWE : No.
VIVIAN : You'd better look at this. A messenger brought it this morning.
MARLOWE : Eight-thirty-five?
VIVIAN : That's right.
MARLOWE : It takes a nice picture.
VIVIAN : They want five thousand for the negative and the rest of the prints.
MARLOWE : The demand came how?
VIVIAN : A woman telephoned me shortly after this thing was delivered.
MARLOWE : What else was there?
VIVIAN : Does there have to be something else?
MARLOWE : This thing isn't worth five thousand dollars to anybody.
VIVIAN : They think it is.
MARLOWE : Why?
VIVIAN : The woman said if they didn't get the money today, I'd be talking to my sister through a wire screen. She said there was a police jam connected with it.
MARLOWE : What kind of a jam?
VIVIAN : I don't know.
MARLOWE : Do you know where this picture was taken?
VIVIAN : I haven't the slightest idea.
MARLOWE : When?
VIVIAN : No.
MARLOWE : Did you talk to Carmen about it?
VIVIAN : She was asleep when I left.
MARLOWE : You figured out the story?
VIVIAN : Norris fixed that.
MARLOWE : How?
VIVIAN : She was in all evening. The police already checked that when they called about Owen.
MARLOWE : Go ahead and scratch. What was Owen doing with your car last night?
VIVIAN : Nobody knows. He took it without permission. Why? Do you think that...
MARLOWE : He knew about this picture? I don't rule him out. Outside of what the woman said, you don't know any reasons why they want five thousand dollars for it.
VIVIAN : That's why I came to you.
MARLOWE : Usually, five fingers are any glove. Why don't you go to the police?
VIVIAN : Because I thought of...
MARLOWE : You're afraid I might turn up something I couldn't sit on and then where would the Sternwoods be? Isn't that right?
VIVIAN : May I use your phone, Mr. Marlowe?
(00:34:44)
VIVIAN : Hello. Police headquarter, please. This is Mrs...
MARLOWE : Hello. What do you want, please?
SERGEANT : (over phone) You called me.
MARLOWE : What?
SERGEANT : (over phone) You called me.
MARLOWE : I called you?
SERGEANT : (over phone) Right.
MARLOWE : Who is this?
SERGEANT : (over phone) Sergeant Reilly at Headquarter.
MARLOWE : Sergeant Reilly? There isn't Sergeant Reilly here.
SERGEANT : (over phone) I know. (in inaudible voice)
MARLOWE : Wait a minute. You've gotta talk to my mother.
SERGEANT : (over phone) I don't wanna talk to your mother. Why should I wanna talk to your mother? She didn't call me...
VIVIAN : Hello. Who's this?
SERGEANT : (over phone) This is the police.
VIVIAN : The police. This is no police station.
SERGEANT : (over phone) I know that.
VIVIAN : If you know, why did you... Look! This is not a police station.
SERGEANT : (in inaudible voice over phone)
VIVIAN : What was that you said?
SERGEANT : (in inaudible voice over phone)
VIVIAN : My father should hear this.
SERGEANT : (over phone) I don't wanna talk to your father and his mother.
MARLOWE : Hello. Who is this?
SERGEANT : (over phone) This is the police talking.
MARLOWE : Well, she just told you that...
SERGEANT : (over phone) ...ain't the police.
MARLOWE : You're the police. So he's the police. Oh, that's different. What can I do for you?
SERGEANT : (in inaudible voice over phone)
MARLOWE : I can do what? Where? Oh, no. I wouldn't like that. Neither would my daughter. I hope the Sergeant never traces that call.
VIVIAN : You like to play games, don't you?
MARLOWE : Mm-Hum.
VIVIAN : Why did you stop me phoning?
MARLOWE : Because I'm working for your father.
VIVIAN : Or?
MARLOWE : Or because I think I'm beginning to like another one of the Sternwoods.
VIVIAN : I prefer the second reason.
MARLOWE : Let's get back to business. Have you got five thousand dollars in cash?
VIVIAN : No.
MARLOWE : Can you get it?
VIVIAN : I think so.
MARLOWE : Where from, your father?
VIVIAN : I'd rather not.
MARLOWE : Where would you get it?
VIVIAN : Well, Eddie Mars.
MARLOWE : The gambler? Oh, that explains why you haven't got five thousand dollars in cash.
VIVIAN : I like gambling.
MARLOWE : So do I. How do you know he would give it to you?
VIVIAN : Oh, I can get the money. I've been a good customer of Eddie Mars. Another reason, there's a bond between Mr. Mars and the Sternwoods. You see, Shawn Regan ran off with Eddie's wife. It doesn't interest you?
MARLOWE : It might make it easy for me to find him. That is why I'm looking for him. Is Regan mixed up in this?
VIVIAN : No. Shawn is not in any cheap blackmailing scheme.
MARLOWE : I'm glad you said that. You wanna tell me now?
VIVIAN : Tell you what?
MARLOWE : What is it you're trying to find out? The funny thing, you're trying to find out what your father hired me to find out. I'm trying to find out why you wanna find out.
VIVIAN : You could go on forever, couldn't you? Anyway it'll give us something to talk about the next time we meet.
MARLOWE : One other thing, Mrs. Rutledge. You wanted me to do something about this, didn't you?
VIVIAN : Mm-Hum.
MARLOWE : That woman called. How did you leave it?
VIVIAN : She'd call me back at six this evening with instructions.
MARLOWE : Would you phone me as soon as you've heard from her?
VIVIAN : All right.
MARLOWE : Mrs. Rutledge, or you're gonna pay five grand for the rest of these you'd better take this one with you.
VIVIAN : Goodbye, Mr. Marlowe.
MARLOWE : It wasn't intentional.
VIVIAN : Try it sometimes.
MARLOWE : Well, I'm back again. Remember me?
AGNES : I'm afraid I...
MARLOWE : Remember me now, hum?
AGNES : Now, see. What's the big idea?
MARLOWE : Take it easy, sister. That was only a stall about the first edition.
AGNES : What do you...
MARLOWE : I have something to sell, something Geiger wanted for a long time. Is Geiger in?
AGNES : No. No, he isn't. You might come back tomorrow.
MARLOWE : Not the..., sister. I have a business myself. I haven't got all day. Is he sick? I can go to his house.
AGNES : No. That wouldn't do. Perhaps you come back tomorrow and I...
LUNDGREN : Say, Agnes, you...
BRODY : Come on, Carol.
LUNDGREN : Hurry up, will you?
AGNES : Perhaps you come back...
MARLOWE : His name is Lundgren, isn't it?
AGNES : Just what do you want?
MARLOWE : Who's the other guy?
AGNES : You'd better come around tomorrow.
MARLOWE : In the morning, early?
AGNES : Yes, Early.
MARLOWE : But it looks like you're moving today. (to cabby) All right, driver. Let's go.
CABBY : Okay.
MARLOWE : Around the corner. Then take it easy.
CABBY : Where are we going?
MARLOWE : Follow a car. Tail job.
CABBY : I'm your girl, bud.
MARLOWE : You bet. That's the station wagon coming out of the alley. That's the one.
(00:39:32)
MARLOWE : Here you are, sugar. Buy yourself a cigar.
CABBY : But you can use me again sometime. Call this number.
MARLOWE : Day and night?
CABBY : Ah, night's better. I work during the day.
CARMEN : What, What are you...
MARLOWE : Remember me? I'm Doghouse Reilly, the man didn't grow very tall.
CARMEN : (laughing a little)
MARLOWE : What's the matter? Couldn't you get in the house. Come on. I've got the key. Where did you leave your car?
CARMEN : Around the back.
MARLOWE : Looking for something?
CARMEN : I don't...
MARLOWE : How much do you remember about last night?
CARMEN : Remember what? I was sick last night. I was home.
MARLOWE : I mean, before you went home. In that chair there.
CARMEN : Oh, I...
MARLOWE : You remember all right. Quit your stalling and stop biting your thumb.
CARMEN : You were the one who was here last night?
MARLOWE : How much do you remember?
CARMEN : Well, I... Are you the police?
MARLOWE : No. I'm a friend of your father's. Who killed Geiger?
CARMEN : I... Who else knows about it?
MARLOWE : That he is dead. I don't know. Certainly not the cops, or they'd be camping here. Joe Brody?
CARMEN : Joe Brody? Who's he?
MARLOWE : Now look, sister. I don't know how much trouble you are used to, but I hope you've had plenty of practice dodging it. Did Brody kill him?
CARMEN : Kill who?
MARLOWE : Uh.
CARMEN : Yes. Yes. Joe did it.
MARLOWE : He did? Why?
CARMEN : I don't know.
MARLOWE : But you're all ready to tell the police he did it, huh? That is, if we can get the photograph he's got.
CARMEN : You mean...
MARLOWE : Oh, yes. It's gone. I looked for it last night. Brody took it with him.
CARMEN : I've got to go home now.
MARLOWE : All right. But I wouldn't say anything to the police about Brody just yet. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't say anything about anything. As you were ever here last night or today. Not even to your sister. Just leave it to Reilly.
CARMEN : Your name isn't Reilly.
MARS : Excuse the casual entrance. The bell didn't answer. Is Mr. Geiger around?
MARLOWE : No. We don't know just where he is. We found the door open and we just stepped in.
MARS : Friends of his?
MARLOWE : Business. We dropped in for a book. But we missed him.
MARS : Any message if he comes back?
MARLOWE : No. I don't think so. We won't bother you.
MARS : Just a minute. The girl can go. I'd like to talk to you for...
MARLOWE : I suppose I don't wanna talk to you.
MARS : I've got two boys outside in the car.
MARLOWE : Oh. It's like that, eh. Mm-hum. Run along, angel.
MARS : Your story didn't sound quite right.
MARLOWE : Oh, that's too bad. You've got a better one?
MARS : Maybe I can find one. Blood. Quite a lot of blood.
MARLOWE : Is that so?
MARS : You mind?
MARLOWE : No. I'm used to it.
MARS : I think I let the police get on this. We'll have some law.
MARLOWE : Why not?
MARS : Who are you, soldier?
MARLOWE : Marlowe's my name. I'm a private detective.
MARS : Who's the girl?
MARLOWE : A client of mine. Geiger's trying to throw a loop on her. We came up here to talk things over.
MARS : Convenient. The door being open when you didn't have a key.
MARLOWE : Yeah. Wasn't it? By the way, how did you happen to have one?
MARS : Is that any of your business?
MARLOWE : I could make it my business.
MARS : And I could make your business mine.
MARLOWE : You wouldn't like it. The pay's too small.
MARS : All right. I own this house. Geiger is my tenant. Now what do you think of it?
MARLOWE : You know some nice people.
MARS : I take them as they come. Got any good ideas, soldier?
MARLOWE : One or two. Somebody gunned Geiger. Somebody got gunned by Geiger, who ran away. Or he had meat for dinner and likes to do his butchering in the parlor. I don't like it, either. You'd better call your friends downtown.
MARS : I don't get it. I don't get your game here.
MARLOWE : Don't you, Mr. Mars?
MARS : One thing, you didn't ask me who I was. You seem to be telling me Geiger was in a racket of some kind.
MARLOWE : Ah huh.
MARS : What racket?
MARLOWE : I wouldn't know. I'm not his landlord. And I'll tell you something else you missed. Somebody cleaned out the back of Geiger's store today.
MARS : You know, you talk too much.
MARLOWE : You've really got those boys outside?
MARS : Open the door.
MARLOWE : Open it yourself. I've already got a client.
MARS : All right, boys. I'm just proving something. Now you're here. Look him over.
MARLOWE : Pardon me?
MARS : Who is he?
MAR'S BOY1 : Philip Marlowe. Hoverdam, Franklin street, special license, deputy badge and all.
MARS : All right. Outside.
MAR'S BOY2 : A shamus.
MARLOWE : The man said outside.
MAR'S BOY2 : He said that. That's what the man said. He said that.
MAR'S BOY1 : He kills it.
MARLOWE : Is he any good?
MARS : Who? Sydney? He's company for Pete. All right. Now you talk.
MARLOWE : Not to you. I told you I already got a client.
MARS : Who was it cleaned out the back of Geiger's store?
MARLOWE : That's the weather we're having. Rain over Las Olindas?
MARS : I might even make it worth your while to talk to me.
MARLOWE : I might even make it worth yours. What do you care who cleaned out the back of Geiger's store?
MARS : I could make you talk.
MARLOWE : It's been tried.
MARS : And.
MARLOWE : Why don't you call the cops like you said you would?
MARS : I think you'd better get out here.
MARLOWE : Oh, by the way, how's Mrs. Mars these days?
MARS : You take chances, Marlowe.
MARLOWE : I get paid to.
(00:45:53)
MARLOWE : Yeah.
VIVIAN : (over the phone) Marlowe?
MARLOWE : Oh, hello, Mrs. Rutledge. I've been waiting to hear from you.
VIVIAN : (over the phone) I'm sorry. I have nothing to tell.
MARLOWE : Oh. She didn't call, eh?
VIVIAN : (over the phone) No, she didn't.
MARLOWE : Well, did you get the money in case she does?
VIVIAN : (over the phone) Yes. I have the money. I'll get touch with you just as soon as she calls.
MARLOWE : Uh huh. All right. I'll stay right here until you call. (to Brody) Geiger?
BRODY : You said what?
MARLOWE : Geiger. Arthur Gwynne Geiger. The fellow with the blackmail racket.
BRODY : I don't know anybody by that name.
MARLOWE : You're Joe Brody?
BRODY : So what?
MARLOWE : So you're Joe Brody and you don't know anybody named Geiger. That's very funny.
BRODY : So you've got a funny sense of humor, maybe. Take it away and play it somewhere else.
MARLOWE : Joe. You got Geiger's stuff. I got his sucker list. Don't you think we ought to talk things over? Now!
BRODY : All right. If you think you got something.
MARLOWE : You alone, Joe?
BRODY : Yeah. Except for this.
MARLOWE : Except... My, my, my. Such a lot of guns around town, and so few brains. You know, you're the second guy I've met today who seems to think a gat in the hand means the world by the tail. Put it down, Joe. The other guy's name is Eddie Mars. You ever hear of him?
BRODY : No.
MARLOWE : If he ever gets wise to where you were last night in the rain, you'll hear of him.
BRODY : What would I be to Eddie Mars?
MARLOWE : I don't know if you don't.
BRODY : Look. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a tough guy, just careful.
MARLOWE : But you're not careful enough, Joe. That play with Geiger's stuff was terrible. I saw that, you know.
BRODY : Don't kid yourself. I will use it if I have to. What's your story?
MARLOWE : Why don't you ask your friends with pointing toes to come out of there? She must have gotten awfully tired of holding her breath.
BRODY : Come on out, Agnes.
MARLOWE : Hello, sugar.
AGNES : I knew you were trouble. I told Joe...
MARLOWE : Ask Mrs. Rutledge to come out, too.
VIVIAN : What did you come up here for?
MARLOWE : Why did you lie to me on the telephone?
VIVIAN : I don't need you, Marlowe.
BRODY : Just what is this?
VIVIAN : Keep out of this. I don't know how you got here, but I don't want you. Will you get out?
MARLOWE : But the man with the gun won't let me. Look at him. He's all curious and bothered, wondering about stuff.
BRODY : You bet I'm wondering about stuff. I'm gonna find out about it. All right. Sit down.
VIVIAN : Stop waving that gun around. I didn't have anything to do with him coming up here.
BRODY : How did he...
VIVIAN : Can't you talk without pointing the gun?
MARLOWE : Don't argue with the man. Do as he says. Sit down.
VIVIAN : Marlowe, you're ruining everything...
MARLOWE : I'm not ruining anything. You just...
BRODY : Hey, look! What are you up here for?
MARLOWE : To keep her from paying you off and take the cops off your neck. I'm not...
BRODY : What cops?
MARLOWE : The cops that wanna find out where all that lead in Geiger's body came from. Look, Joe. You shot Geiger.
VIVIAN : I didn't know that...
MARLOWE : The cops don't yet. The trouble is he wasn't alone when he shot him. Either you didn't notice that and I think you did. You got scared and ran away. But you had nerve enough to take the film out of the camera, and you had nerve enough to come back later and hide the body.
AGNES : You're crazy. Joe...
BRODY : Shut up.
MARLOWE : So you could clean out Geiger's store before the law knew it had a murder to investigate.
BRODY : You take chances, mister. It's lucky for you I didn't shoot Geiger.
MARLOWE : But you can step off for it, just the same, Joe. You made the order for the rap.
BRODY : You think you've got me framed.
MARLOWE : Positive.
BRODY : How come?
MARLOWE : Because somebody will tell it that way. I told you there was a witness. Now don't go simple on me, Joe.
BRODY : You mean, Carmen. She what? She'd say anything.
MARLOWE : So you have got that picture.
BRODY : I guess you think I'm dumb.
MARLOWE : Just average for a grafter. You see, Joe, I think you were there last night and you got the picture from somebody who was there. You know Carmen was there because you had your girl friend here threatened Mrs. Rutledge with the police. Are there only way you could have known enough to do that, is by being there and seeing what happened. Or having the picture knowing when and where it was taken. That makes sense, doesn't it?
BRODY : Who are you? And what do you get out of this?
MARLOWE : Just a guy paid to do other people's laundry. And all I get out of it is that picture.