1 UNSETTLING MUSIC ETHEREAL SINGING HEARTBEAT-LIKE DRUMS MUSIC INTENSIFIES MUSIC SUBSIDES TO TENSE QUIETNESS There you are. And how was your day? Any progress in saving the world? I'm working on it. Well! So I guess you changed your mind about tonight? Not really. I told you I didn't want to miss it. What happened with that dinner with the London people? It sounded so unavoidable. It was. Fortunately they missed their plane. Here's to... ..to stolen moments. You look so handsome. I better go see if I can catch up. (Sighs) Nobody home? I left some Security Council transfers out, but everybody's gone. Anything earth-shattering? No, it's just important enough not to be left out. You look incredible. Yeah, but we have to hurry. QUIET, TENSE MUSIC I prefer this one. Right. MUSIC INTENSIFIES MAN: Can I have a picture, please? This way. This way, please. This way, please. Hold it. One more. Andrew, good to see you. How are you? Good. How are you? Nice to see you. Hi, Andrew. Emily, you look wonderful. Keep up the good work. Steven Taylor and his wife, Emily. Oh, oh. MAN: Well, at last. The beautiful people have arrived. Oh, fantastic dress! Thank you. I didn't expect to see you, what with Greenspan and all. Why's that? Thought you'd be up to your ass in alligators. Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated. ..the discussion group - all I need is her phone number. Absolutely. I have to see about something. I'll be right back. MAN: The bulk of the temple's hieroglyphics are supplications to the gods of fertility. I do believe I know his work. Perhaps...we could come along to your studio one day and have a look around... (Mouths silently) (Converses with men) (Sighs) Thought you said he wasn't coming. He changed his mind. I tried to call you. (Whispers) What are we gonna do? Nothing. Just relax. He doesn't know who I am, right? (Whispers) No. (Whispers) You're a peach. Lunch tomorrow? And tomorrow. And tomorrow. So I leave you alone for 30 seconds and you elope with a younger man. Steven, I...I'd like to introduce you to David Shaw. Pleasure. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. David's a painter. I saw some of his pieces downtown. They were amazing. What brings you uptown to our inbred soiree? Well, actually, Emily was kind enough to wrangle me an invite, so... Me too. So tell me about your work...David? Yeah. David. A few small galleries carry them, when there's space. And you study formally at...? Berkeley, CalArts. I was formally graduated too. Well, too much study can pollute the soul. And he's good, you say? I...he's wonderful. I'd love to see your pieces. Maybe we can arrange a time? Whenever you want. Emily has your number? Um... No. Well, the gallery... can get a hold of me. You know which one. Oh, yes. Yes. And if you're as good as she says you are, I'll gladly pass the word on to my more acquisitive friends. Thanks. That's very generous. It's very nice to meet you. You too. Pleasure to see you. ROAR OF TRAFFIC RADIO PLAYS IN BACKGROUND (Man speaks Russian) TRANSLATOR: We cannot be held accountable for the actions of others that require us to defend ourselves... (Speaks Russian) ..for the inadvertent displacement of civilian populations... Madam Ambassador. This is the same speech he gave in Geneva three months ago... ..word for word. (Man speaks Russian) ..continue to provide our enemies... ..with a convenient excuse to stockpile weapons... Sure? Ann, good morning, how are you? Fine, thank you. MAN: Steven, spreads are blowing out. And the way things look in Europe, it could turn into a real bloodbath. So what are we talking? Ah, we're talking at least 150 basis points. Bundesbank will have to tag along, so your yen and mark positions are gonna get hammered. So what's our exposure? Based on my preliminary trend model? Yes. No frills. Think Chernobyl. ROAR OF TRAIN ANNOUNCEMENT ON TRAIN P.A. (Person whistles) What you got there? It's a little surprise. Come on up. HISSING (Laughs) Here's your fortune. 'You have a deep interest in all that is artistic.' Huh. It's true. You know, you didn't have to get this thing for me. Yeah, well, you need a little civilising. Mm-hm. And what do you need? Hmm? What do you need? Hmm? You know, we could be in Belize this time tomorrow. Belize? Yeah. Been there? No. You'll think you died and went to heaven. But I already think that. QUIET, TENSE MUSIC You look so pretty today. TENSE, PASSIONATE MUSIC ETHEREAL SINGING PHONE RINGS PHONE CONTINUES RINGING ANSWERING MACHINE: Hey, it's David. Leave one. I'll get back to you. David, hi. It's Steven Taylor here. I'm finishing up a little early today. I thought I might come by and check out your work, say, about 6:00. If that flies with you, why don't you give me a call at my office here at 544 1817? I look forward to seeing you. ANSWERING MACHINE CLICKS OFF What are you gonna do? Guess I'll call him. Be kinda weird if I didn't, wouldn't it? You're playing with fire, David. You're gonna get so upset about it, why'd you give him my number? I didn't. BUSY CHATTER Mr Taylor? Hi. Here, sit down. Oh, that was stupid. Sorry about that. Thanks very much. Want a drink? Oh, no. I'm OK. Oh, unless you want another one? I just asked to meet here 'cause my place is kinda hard to find, you know. In the illegal loft space? That's one way to put it. Mmm. I feel like I'm knee-deep in Bohemian cachet. Lead on. QUIET RUMBLE OF MACHINERY How's Emily? She's fine, yeah. Well, be sure and say hi. I will. One more. One more floor. This building's over 100 years old, you know. LIFT CLANKS Watch your step. Well, I can certainly see what Emily was drawn to. Yeah? What's that? Your work, it's... ..very trashy. But potent. Trashy? Is that what she said? (Laughs wryly) Your anger, it's... It's very controlled. You think I'm angry? The anger in your work. The colour of...despair. Wonder where that comes from? I don't know. Inside, I guess. Inside...indeed. Nowhere to sit but the goddamn bed. You know, I envy you. You envy me? Oh, you should be...flattered. I'm not prone to envy. It's a, er...pathetic emotion. Sneaks up on you like cancer. And now I've got it and you know why. No. Oh, of course you do. One of life's legitimately sublime experiences. It's so...utterly complete. What? Fucking my wife. Mr Taylor, I don't... I think maybe it's about time you called me Steven. We're in love, sir. That...that's it? That's it? You steal the crown jewel of a man's soul and your only excuse is some candy-ass, Hallmark card sentiment? Even if it was true, that's not good enough! If what were true? SHE is in love. You, buddy, you're in business. What the hell are you saying? I'm saying you did not meet my wife by chance. I'm saying you didn't study at Berkeley. I'm saying you learned to paint while doing three to six in Soledad State Prison for relieving a widow in San Francisco of her life savings. Your second conviction... if I'm not mistaken. Your real name is Winston Legrange, which I rather like. Born to pure trailer trash in Barstow, California. Ward of the courts since the age of 10. You went from pickpocket to car thief to con man till you found out that you had a way with the softer sex. No doubt looking for that mother you can barely remember. A life made up completely of depressing little scams. Till now. Where did you get all that? 'All that' is for sale, Winston. The hell of it is, you're not half bad with a brush. Thank you. It's called rehabilitation. It's called a con, and my wife is the grand prize. But you set your sights a little too high this time. She loves me. She loves David Shaw, your invention. Not that it matters, because you've made a fundamental miscalculation. Now, you play it out. Love conquers all. Emily divorces me, she marries you. Given your history, her advisers are gonna insist upon a pre-nup. So, you might storm the castle, but you ain't getting the keys to the treasure room EVER. I don't care about that. The petty swindler doesn't care about a trust fund that can buy Barstow? Why don't you cut the shit?! You care, or we would not be having this conversation! The only thing that stops you bolting right now is bad genes and...and greed. Now what? Choices. I can tell Emily exactly who you are and life will imitate art - you become a starving painter, game over. Or? Or you can cash out. Cash out? Half a million dollars. Tax-free. Just for walking away from her? I said tax-free. I didn't say free. What's the 500 grand for? Killing my wife. Emily? Imagine my embarrassment if they're not one and the same. $100,000 now. $400,000 after. Cash and carry. You're out of your mind. Not really. Why? Well, I appreciate your curiosity but my agenda doesn't really concern you. Oh, well, I guess I'll just go straight to Emily and tell her all this. Well, that would be my word against yours, Winston. And what if I call the cops? Have you ever been to Boca Raton, Florida? There was a lady down there last year who was carrying on with this younger man. He was a hell of a tennis player. Anyway, when the affair ended, he disappeared. Along with the lady's bearer bonds. You sure you've never been there? Not that I recall. Well, an acquaintance of mine has a photograph of the suspect. All they need is a name. As in, strike three. 15 years, no parole. You think you got a box big enough to hold $100,000 in cash? Why don't you come by the apartment around 12 o'clock tomorrow? Unless you have... a previous luncheon engagement. I assume you know where I live. TENSE MUSIC This is crazy. I'm your best friend. Half a year, and you don't say one thing? Do you love him? Are you leaving Steven? Keep it down. Talk to me. I will if you shut up for one second. All right, I'm waiting. I didn't tell you because you adore Steven, OK? You cried at our wedding, for God's sake. I cry at every wedding. No, you don't. You like the idea of us. Everybody does. But you have no idea who he is. Steven? I know Steven. No, you don't. You don't know that... ..every single thing always has to be on HIS terms, OK? You don't know that he has no real interest in who I am. What are you gonna do? I don't know. (Catches breath) I'm gonna figure out a way to tell him. He deserves that. What makes you think he doesn't know? Because there's no way. I mean, you know, he knows that something's not right but... Hmm. Does David have a last name? Shaw. David Shaw. And he knows about your family, huh? What do you mean? What do you think I mean? Oh, come on. We don't talk about that kind of stuff. In six months, you never mentioned money? No. You know, believe me, OK? David has absolutely no interest in anything other than painting and... ..and... Me! And you. (Laughs) Yes. Is that why you're not wearing your wedding ring? Oh, my God. What? I left it at David's. (Sighs) DOOR OPENS Working late? No, I was actually having a drink with Raquel. How is the Castilian femme fatale? Muy bien. Oh, by the way, I saw your friend David this evening. Really? He honoured me with a visit at his industrial hideaway. No kidding? And, uh, where's that? Green Point, Brooklyn. Oh. How'd you get his number? Oh, called some of those obscure galleries you prowl, dropped your name. You're right. He's...he's very talented. Did you buy anything? I made him an offer. And? And he's chewing on it. OMINOUS PERCUSSIVE MUSIC Good morning, Emily. TENSE MUSIC PHONE RINGS Hello. Hi. It's me. Hey. How are you doing? (Whispers) I left my wedding ring. I know. I put it away before he got here. Oh, thank God. Oh. What did you guys talk about? Uh, he wasn't here that long. So, just the work. He doesn't have a clue. (Sighs) He, um...he said that he made you an offer. Matter of fact, he did. TENSE MUSIC What piece? It's...it's one you haven't seen. I thought I'd seen all of them. Well, almost. Listen, um, turns out I've got to take a raincheck on lunch today. Why? What's wrong? Nothing. Right? Just some people down here want to see my sketches and, you know, could be a good commission. You sound funny. Do I? Yeah. Well, I guess it's called being broke, sweetheart. OK. Tomorrow, then. Reservation for two. Quiet table. The back. Very quiet. You know I love you. (Whispers) I know. 'Bye. 'Bye. UNEASY MUSIC CAR HORN BEEPS Is that by, uh...? Yeah. People with money always go for the same things, huh? And what are those? Anything. Everything. As long as it's recognisable. Well, don't worry. None of this would've been yours, anyway. Everything you see here - it's mine. Why don't you drop that there and come here? That's nice. There was a robbery in the building last year. Probable means of entrance was this driveway gate. That granite facade creates a blind spot in the surveillance cameras. It was never corrected for aesthetic reasons. How do you know that? I'm on the board. You enter as I leave at 8pm. I'm not gonna pull out of the driveway until it's clear. The gate takes five seconds to close. You hug the right side of the wall as I drive by, and then you enter the stairs by the service elevator. The key to the front door also works here at the service entrance. I'm gonna take the key from Emily's purse before I leave and put it in this. I'll hide it here, right behind the pipe. Where are you gonna be? I'm gonna be at my regular card game. Why don't you leave me your key? My key implicates me. Her key implicates no one. It could've been lost or stolen. In any case, she won't be around to explain. Why not make me a copy of the key? That's two loose ends - the key and the locksmith. This door is always deadbolted. She won't notice it, even if she checks it. You'll be in the stairwell at 9:30. By that time, Emily will be taking her bath. She will? How do you know? Because that's what she does on nights that I play cards. Why not do it in the tub? Because that'll look like cold-blooded murder, Winston. It has to appear that she surprised the intruder. All right? This is a separate telephone line. At exactly 10pm, I will call here. Emily will answer the phone. You'll enter and a tragic confrontation will ensue. It should appear to be...stupid and spur-of-the-moment. I always thought that 'bludgeon' has a spur-of-the-moment sound. Maybe you could even use one of these here. Rifle the jewellery in the bedroom. Disable the service entrance lock. Make it look like it was jemmied. Put the key back under the pipe. Then leave the way you came in. And what happens if the plan goes to hell? It won't. When's this card game of yours? Tomorrow night. Tomorrow? No way. A man with your resume should come up with an alibi in no time. $100,000. A man with my resume should take the money and run. I bet you $400,000 more you don't. SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC SOMBRE MUSIC (Hums to herself) (Sings) # Dum bum a dum dum # Da de de de dum # Bump ba da da da da dum. # (Continues humming) Yes, I understand that, but if we can't get refugee density numbers, then we can't position resources to deal with it. Great. I'll tell her to expect it today. Thank you. (Sighs) A toute a l'heure. Bon appetit. CAR HORN HONKS CAR DOOR OPENS (Sighs nervously) That's not happiness to see me, is it? Try surprise. I had an unexpected hole in my schedule and I thought lunch with my beautiful wife would be indicated. I guess you have other plans. What makes you say that? You seem in such a hurry. No, it's just errands. Like shopping for a new wedding ring? One of the settings felt loose, so I took it in. It'll be ready tomorrow. And what if there were no tomorrow? What does that mean? Wouldn't you regret not having one last lunch with your husband? Of course. SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC STEVEN: Raymond. Hi. Bob. Enjoy your meal. Bon appetit. Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup. Thank you. I must get back to Francesca about this weekend. Do you want to go? Sure. All right. We'll go out... PHONE BEEPS Oh, shit. I've got to break this up. Excuse me one minute. Raymond. Steven. I know what he's up to. Watch out for this guy, all right? This guy is... UNEASY MUSIC STEVEN: Nice to see you. Before you're finished, come back and talk to me, all right? MAN: Yeah. Thanks a lot. UNEASY MUSIC PHONE RINGS ANSWERING MACHINE: This is David. Leave one. I'll get back to you. ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS EMILY: David, are you there? He was waiting for me outside to take me to lunch. I had no idea. There was nothing I could do. You know what? I just... I can't do this any more. I've got to tell him...tonight. Hi. I'm here, I'm here. I'm really sorry. It's OK. He's never done that before. Something's wrong. He knows. No, he doesn't. Come on. Don't let your mind get away from you. I cannot live like this anymore. It's not right. It's not fair to him. I've got to tell him. Tell him what, exactly? Tell him everything...tonight. Look, we've waited this long. Let's just hold off another day, so we can figure it out together, you know, so I can help you. I don't know. I do. I do know. Honey, don't panic. (Turns on tap) Goodnight, Mr Taylor. I'm on my way. Everything's prepared for you. Give my best to Mrs Taylor. DOOR CLOSES So how was the rest of your day? (Sighs) Fairly brutal. Sorry to hear about that. I don't want you to go tonight. What's wrong? I'd like to talk to you. It's too late. They'll never get anybody to fill in. Besides, I beat them pretty bad last week. They're all going to want their money back. OMINOUS MUSIC SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC (Gasps) You scared me. Just wanted to say goodbye. I'll call you later. OK. I might run down to Nick's for a burger, so if there's nobody here, don't worry. I won't, but, uh... you might want to reconsider. Why is that? I had Janice make one of her legendary roasts. Really? I thought we could eat before the game. Wish me luck. Good luck. UNSETTLING MUSIC THUNDER RUMBLES (Turns on tap) UNEASY MUSIC WATER RUNS STEVEN: $1,000 to you, George. MAN: Hold. Call. I'll have three. Last one, gentlemen. Right. It's all right. It's a good feeling. (Chuckles) Got to have more than that. Three sixes, still bets. SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC OMINOUS MUSIC Gentlemen. That's really good. The same game? It's boring. Same game. Jack. Niner. Deuce. Come on. Jack. King. King. I'm out. Call. PHONE BEEPS PHONE RINGS PHONE CONTINUES RINGING It must be morning in Hong Kong. (All chuckle) There's my cards. Let's have a better hand this time. I like playing with you guys. Yeah, right. PHONE BEEPS PHONE RINGS PHONE KEEPS RINGING PHONE RINGS IN DISTANCE PHONE KEEPS RINGING PHONE RINGS IN DISTANCE You've got to be kidding me. PHONE RINGS IN DISTANCE A pair of hats. (Chuckles) PHONE RINGS PHONE KEEPS RINGING Hello. Is that any help for you? That's a serious bet. Hello. (Sighs) Hello. Who is this? DRAMATIC MUSIC (Screams) (Screams) GLASS SHATTERS DRAMATIC MUSIC (Man chuckles) CROCKERY SHATTERS (Gasps) (Gasps) SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC (Muffled screams) (Gasps) Oh! SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC Oh! Oh! Oh! Ugh. Ugh. New game, new winner, all right? It's my turn. I'm in. All right! Count your money up. Here we go. Just in time. Different winner this time though, guys, huh? PHONE BEEPS CONTINUOUSLY EERIE, ETHEREAL MUSIC UNSETTLING MUSIC SOFT, MENACING MUSIC (Woman gasps and sobs) SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC (Screams) Oh, my God. (Whimpers and sobs) What happened? WOMAN ON PHONE: Mrs Taylor, we have your location. In the kitchen. In the kitchen. Mrs Taylor, please stay on the line. Ma'am? Ma'am? DRAMATIC MUSIC (Whispers) Jesus. SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE SIREN BECOMES LOUDER DOORBELL BUZZES MAN: Police. Open up. It's the police. BANGING ON DOOR INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS OUTSIDE DOOR BANGING ON DOOR Open up. BANGING ON DOOR Mr Taylor. No, we're all right. We're OK. We're all right. He's in the kitchen. I think he's dead. Follow me. INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CALLS MAN: And then sweep the carpet. You didn't hear any, uh... strange sounds, uh... ..prior to your entering the kitchen? No, just the phone call. But before that, nothing unusual? MAN: How are you guys doing? Yeah, we're pretty set here. I want you to dust the elevator cage and the banister. All right. Mo, we'll be out of here in 20 minutes. Maybe. Inspector Karaman. Steven Taylor. A pleasure, sir. Mind if I ask you a few questions? No. I couldn't help notice what I assume to be your footprints in the blood around the deceased. Can I assume those are you? Yes, you may. May I ask what you were doing? CAMERA CLICKS Making sure he was dead. Oh. Was he? He appeared to be, yes. Take his pulse? No. CAMERA CLICKS You see right there? Did you lean over him for something? I tried to determine whether he was breathing. Was he? Not at that time. MAN: All right, let's take a look. TENSE MUSIC OMINOUS MUSIC Is something wrong? Aside from a dead man lying in my kitchen? For a moment there, I thought you knew the man. I don't think so. Why is that? I never forget a face. Anything else? Not at this second. Your wife will have to give a formal statement. When? As soon as she's ready. Mr Taylor, are you aware of anyone who might wish your wife harm? My wife has no enemies. Inspector. MAN: Go back downstairs, Simon. (Sighs shakily) Now, baby, I know. It's OK. It's OK. You're gonna be all right. What do you think? I believe her. What about him? I couldn't say. (Sighs) You know, Mo... ..rich people are different from you and me. How? They've got a fuck of a lot more money, for one thing. Very good, Bobby. LOW, DRAMATIC MUSIC Hey, Mo, you going to turn it up, or what? MUFFLED CONVERSATION I like it like this. MAN: You had said before that they...they did not speak. They didn't. They listened. What about background noise? Did you hear anything else? There wasn't any. She's already told you that. Well, maybe you should let your wife answer the questions. I think she's been through enough tonight. We're almost through, Mrs Taylor. There's just a couple more things that I would like to ask you. You remember what time you got home, Mr Taylor? TENSE MUSIC 11:00, 11:30. Came from a regular card game at the Drake Club. You're going to love this. Well, we've...we've ID'd the man who broke into your home. May I? Sure. This man is a career criminal. You couldn't dream up a better defence for justifiable homicide. MAN: Mo. (Quietly) Your, uh, wife's on three. She says it's an emergency. Right. (Speaks Arabic) (Continues speaking Arabic) (Speaks Arabic) GENTLE, HAUNTING MUSIC I'm glad we got that cleared up. I'm going to ask you not to leave the city, Mrs Taylor. But she is. We're going to her mother's house. Roger has the telephone number. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, hold on. What? She hasn't been charged. Her statement's complete. So it's really just a matter of courtesy. Courtesy on our part. If you happen to think of anything else, you give me a ring. I don't know what else there is to think of. Probably nothing. Thank you. LOW, TENSE MUSIC TENSE, ETHEREAL SINGING MUSIC INTENSIFIES OMINOUS DRUMMING TENSE MUSIC GENTLE, STIRRING MUSIC Oh, baby. Sandra. I'm just down the hall, baby. SOFT VIOLIN MUSIC MUSIC BECOMES LOW, TENSE Here you go. (Quietly) By tomorrow, this will all seem like a bad dream. And what if there were no tomorrow? LOW, OMINOUS MUSIC You know better than that. Sleep well. Please tell me. How could something like this happen? Sandra, I don't know. I've gone over it a thousand times myself. The world's gone crazy. PHONE RINGS SOFT, ETHEREAL SINGING PHONE KEEPS RINGING Roger's prepared a statement from the District Attorney. He wants me to sign it tonight. I'll head into the city and...come back in the morning to pick up...Emily if she's...all right. ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS EMILY: David. (Shakily) It's me. I just wanted to tell you that I'm OK. (Sniffs) And I'm not in the city, but I'll call you as soon as I can. I love you. PHONE HUMS I don't want her to be rushed. INTENSE MUSIC BUILDS Steven? SILENCE No, of course not. No, I don't want her to be rushed either. I'm going to check on our patient. Emily? Sorry, David, Emily's resting right now. I think you and I have got something to talk about. Who was he? Somebody I met at Berkeley. Can he be connected to you? Not any more. Have you got any idea who you're fucking with? Yeah. You're the guy who hired me to kill your wife because you couldn't do the wet work yourself. Neither could I. So how do you know he didn't talk to someone? Ron was a good man. Not quite good enough. OK. So what's plan B? Well, it's a little coincidental if there's another attempt on her life. Gee, you think? So we wait. For what? I'll let you know. Hey, Steve. Do I keep fucking your wife in the meantime, or what? OMINOUS MUSIC SOFT, TENSE MUSIC Madam. Thank you, Charles. Steven called while you were asleep. He's getting everything ready for you to come home. He wants to send the car for you tomorrow. I'm not going home. I'm going to move in with Raquel for a while. Em, what's going on? (Sighs shakily) (Shakily) I'm leaving Steven. MELANCHOLY MUSIC Oh. (Sobs) Oh, Em. TENSE, DRAMATIC MUSIC MAN: They've started liquidating your long positions to cover it. Which ones? The MG and Barclays. Why didn't anybody tell me? We tried, Steven. We couldn't find you. INTERCOM BUZZES I said NO CALLS! LOW, OMINOUS MUSIC SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC Albert. Hi. May I please have our house key? Sure enough, Mrs Taylor. Thank you. What happened to yours? I have absolutely no idea. It doesn't work. Did my husband change the locks? No. Not that I know of. LOW, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC EERIE PHONE RINGS ECHO (Whispery echoes) Who is this? EERIE HIGH-PITCHED SOUNDS EERIE SLASHING SOUNDS MUSIC INTENSIFIES Emily. Emily, it's me. I didn't hear you come in. Because you left the front door wide open. Emily. Don't. I'm your husband. Oh, God, I ca... I can't stay here. (Gently) It's all right. We'll get out of here tonight, all right? No, I...I can't stay with you, Steven. I can't stay with you any more. Raquel's waiting for me downstairs. TENSE MUSIC OK, there are fresh towels in the bathroom, and you can have anything you want in the fridge, including your favourite yoghurt. Let me ask you a question. What do you think Steven would do if he knew about David? Well, Emilia, screwing around is the second-oldest reason in the world to kill somebody. Oh, really? And what would be the first? Money, honey. Oh, no, but Steven's already rich. And you, with your money, you must have had a pre-nup, so... Tell me you had a pre-nup. He offered. I said no. So if you die, he gets, like, 100 million bucks? Something like that. Lucky guy. Yeah. I assume you have a good reason for doing this. Yes. We'll sure miss you around here. Come. Come and see me on your way out. See you then. Emily, this is Robert Harrington. How do you do? Bobby is the deputy director of the Commodities Trade Commission. Please. Take all the time that you need. Thank you. Mrs Taylor, passing this kind of information, even to a spouse, is unethical. I understand. Your husband has been buying US and foreign bonds on margin and using those securities as collateral. That's illegal. In fact, his company's been under investigation for almost a year. Some months ago, US interest rates started moving against him. He should have gotten some horrific margin calls. But the banks he's in bed with have been hiding the losses, hoping that things will turn around. It isn't happening. Sooner or later, those margin calls will come. And when they do, your husband will be... ..wiped out. TENSE, DRAMATIC MUSIC Yep. Where's the schema? But I can't get the records without it. Well, I've waited two days. Mo. Just get back to me. Detective. Please sit down. Thank you. To what do I owe the pleasure, Mrs Taylor? I have some information about my husband. Concerning? Well... ..it seems that he... he's in serious financial trouble, and he was hiding it from me. And I...I thought that that... ..might be a possible reason... ..a possible reason for him to... Hire someone to kill you? (Quietly) Yes. I know what you're worth, Mrs Taylor, and... ..that kind of money is always a motive. Do you mean he's already a suspect? Was. Till we traced a telephone call he made the night you were attacked. The trace led us to an automated quote system at his office. It lasted from 9:55 to 10:09. That has to be one of the cleaner alibis I've come across. I took your case apart a thousand times. Then I put it back together again. There was always one piece left out on the table like a screw that didn't quite fit. The dead man had a wallet, cash and change, driver's licence, membership card to a video store. But not a single key. Not one. Not even to his apartment. TENSE MUSIC Elliot, it's a zero sum game. You haven't got the balls for it. CONFERENCE PHONE: By tomorrow, neither of us will have any balls left. Don't panic. Damn right I am. What's it to you dropping 50 million in a day? You know how fast 50 becomes 500? INTERCOM BUZZES Not now. What's the spot rate? Look at it. We're at ground zero, you're saying 'Think happy thoughts.' INTERCOM BUZZES I said not now! WOMAN ON INTERCOM: I'm so sorry, but the caller says it's an emergency. He says it concerns Emily. OMINOUS MUSIC Who is it? He won't identify himself. Who is this? CLICK ECHOES ON PHONE STEVEN ON TAPE: A tragic confrontation will ensue. It should appear to be...stupid and...spur-of-the-moment. I always thought that 'bludgeon' has a spur-of-the-moment sound. Maybe you could even use one of these here. CLANG! Meet me at the diner at the corner of Maiden and South, right now. TENSE, DISQUIETING MUSIC He was a con, named Ronald Diggs, fresh from state prison in California. UNSETTLING MUSIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES Must be hard for you. Mr Taylor. You didn't get those fancy shoes dirty walking over here, did you? What do you want? The rest of my money. You didn't fulfil your end of the bargain, did you? So? So what do I get? You get this superfine thing. Hell, you might even call it, um... ..what was that? 'Legitimately sublime'. Hmm. And what exactly is this 'superfine' thing? You're looking at it. It's called time outside of prison, old partner. You can't beat it with a stick. Exactly how much time does $400,000 buy me? Ah. Whatever the market will bear. It's going to take me a few days. You've got four hours. That's impossible and you know it. Come on, Steve. A man with your resume ought to be able to come up with $400,000 in no time. Hmm? Where? My place. You don't show up with the cash... ..I'll stick with what I've got and do a mailing of Steven's greatest hits. I understand. Yeah? Make fucking sure you do. RAP MUSIC PLAYS SONG: # Hey, brother, what you looking for? # Got my hand on my head in case you wanna trip # You better watch your lip... # (Speaks Spanish) What are you doing here? (Speaks Spanish) Oye, Manuel! (Manuel answers in Spanish) (Woman shouts in Spanish) (Breathes heavily) TENSE MUSIC DOOR SQUEAKS SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC DRAMATIC MUSIC Sir. John, this is Mr Taylor. He's going to make a withdrawal. Yes, sir. That's not happiness to see me, is it? Try surprise. The key to the dead man's apartment was on my key chain. Someone put it there after I killed him, and there's only one person in the world who could've done that. Me. Why? To protect you. From what? Your lover. Unless somebody else sent these pictures. Oh, my God. Amazing how you can tell two people are in love, even from across the street. He called me here in the office two months ago - bragged about how hard you'd fallen for him. I've shelled out over $100,000 already, but he wants a lot more. For what? Breaking it off. I don't believe you. Did he mention Belize? That's where he took all the other ones. This guy was quite an aphrodisiac for lonely women of means. As you can see, he learned to paint in a state prison, not at Berkeley. (Gasps softly) (Gasps) I don't know where we go from here. I don't even know if WE is an option. I do know that I have done everything in my power to protect you from this career criminal that you've let crawl into our bed. Why didn't you tell me? I was sure you were in love with him. Are you? I thought that I was. (Sobs) Oh, my God. I can only imagine what I've put you through. Is this why your business is in trouble? Trouble? (Sighs) The banks. The margin calls. How did you know...? Well, it hasn't helped, no. But it's true, isn't it? Yes, it's true, but I can always make money. That's the fun part. There's a goddamn sea of it out there. But there's only one of you. But why did you put his key on my key chain? David threatened violence from the very beginning, so when I saw the body in the kitchen, I was sure it was him. The doors hadn't been forced open, so I assumed he had your key. But when? I'd just used it to come home that evening. Are you sure you used your key? Because if memory serves me right, the door was wide open. I saw you walk in. Maybe. He could've taken your key any time - even the day before. Did you see him the day before? (Sighs) Uh...yes. So I went through his pockets and found what I thought was your key, and I reacted. I grabbed a screwdriver. I jemmied the door. Then I took what I thought was your key and put it on your key chain. Baby, I am so sorry for having to put you through this, but it was the only thing I could do. Can you ever forgive me? Oh, honey, I already have. (Sniffs) Oh, Steven. (Sobs) We have to go to the police. Why? I don't know if this is really the time for brutal honesty. I mean, I've tampered with evidence in a homicide. I've paid off a blackmailer. I'm in over my head. So are you. Think it through. David could say anything he wants to. He could say that I hired him to kill you. He could say he blackmailed us - the happily married, wealthy couple. They'd think we killed that poor bastard, thinking it was David. But what about the man I killed? Do you think that has anything to do with David? It...it must! Emily, do you have any idea how many burglaries there are each day in this city? I don't think so. (Sighs) What are we gonna do now? We are gonna have to disentangle ourselves from your artist friend. Is there anything in his loft that could link David to you and I? (Sighs) My ring. I thought you told me it was being repaired. That was a lie. I left it by the bed. Anything else? Isn't that enough? I'll get it. UNSETTLING MUSIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES Will you be home when I get back? Yes. DRAMATIC MUSIC PHONE RINGS I'm on my way. WOMAN: I'm calling for Mr Shaw. Mr David Shaw. Speaking. Oh, hello. This is Truman Travel calling to confirm your reservation for later this afternoon. Thank you. ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYS BLUES GUITAR MUSIC MAN: Shut up. Excuse me, sir. Spare $400,000? I don't see why not. I'm gonna count it first chance I get. Naturally. Think of that as your commemorative copy. (Chuckles) Nice doing business with you, Steve. You take care. (Laughs) MAN: I don't understand what you're saying. I don't understand. SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC (Mutters incoherently) DRAMATIC MUSIC P.A.: Attention, this is the last call for boarding train number 32 for Montreal, departing on track number 16. All aboard, please. Attention, s'il vous plait. Le dernier appel pour le train 32 en direction de Montreal, de voie 16. Right this way. Here we are, sir. OK. That's for you. Thank you, sir. (Sighs) (Sighs) KNOCK AT DOOR (Cocks gun) I wanted to let you know the dining car opens at 7:00. It closes at 10:00 sharp. OK. (Whispers) OK. Everything's fine. P.A.: Attention, please. This is the last call for train 32 departing to Montreal in four minutes. (Opens door) DRAMATIC MUSIC Ugh! Ugh! (Groans) How's that for wet work, hmm? Arggh! You should thank me. Artists are always appreciated more after they're dead. (Muffled scream) SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC (Groans) (Speaks indistinctly) I'm sorry. You've got to speak up. I can't hear you. (Groans) You're dying. Arggh! (Gasps) Steven's greatest hits. (Groans) Arggh! (Groans) CAR HORN HONKS Excuse me. I've got an emergency here. But I got here... This'll make it easier, all right? Be my guest. 91st Street. Good evening. Has there been a delivery today? Just one - it came by messenger, but you wife took it up with the mail. I didn't know you were here. I was out on the terrace. UNEASY MUSIC Welcome home. It's time for a new start, huh? What do you say we...go out for dinner this evening, hmm? Just the two of us, someplace quiet in the neighbourhood. Like that? OK. I'll be right back. I'm gonna clean up. SOMBRE MUSIC Honey. Yeah? Why don't we stay home tonight, and I'll go out and pick us up something to eat? That's sweet of you. Yeah. Just don't be too long. I won't. OK. You know, before I forget, I think we should have the locks changed. Why? Because I still can't find my key. Well, that's a...it's a good idea. I'll call the locksmith in the morning. It's better to be safe than sorry. Thanks. See you soon. Hurry back. OK. DOOR OPENS DOOR CLOSES SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC He must've put it back on his way in. Didn't plan on that, did you? Young David, he was, uh... he was very unpredictable. Well, maybe you'll share his cell. Why? Because of this? I just found the key you lost. You left it for him. You mean the man that you killed? Sorry, I never met the gentleman. David did. You'll have a hard time proving I ever knew David. Well, the blackmail proves it. What blackmail? It was only one letter. I'm afraid that's vanished. The thing is, Emily, we're just another married couple trying to work things out. Work it out? (Laughs bitterly) Work it OUT?! STEVEN'S VOICE: Because that's what she does on nights that I play cards. Like the combination to the safe? It's our wedding day, Steven. Work it out?! You work it out on your fucking OWN! This is over! I'll tell you when it's over. Argh! Arggh! DRAMATIC MUSIC POWERFUL MUSIC The only way you leave me is dead. Arggh! SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC Ugh! STEVEN ON TAPE: I always thought that 'bludgeon' had a spur-of-the-moment sound. Maybe you can use one of these here. Rifle the jewellery in the bedroom. Disable the service entrance lock. Make it look like it was jemmied. Put the key back under the pipe. Leave the same way you came in. DAVID ON TAPE: And what happens if the plan goes to hell? It won't. (Sobs) He...he said he was going to kill me. So I tried to run. And then he attacked you? Yes. What else could you do? (Speaks Arabic) And you as well. www.tvnz.co.nz/access-services Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Captioning NZ 2001