L.A. Confidential

This film contains scenes of a sexual nature, prolonged violent scenes and strong language

Come to Los Angeles. The sun shines bright,

the beaches are wide and inviting

and the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see.

There are jobs aplenty and land is cheap.

Every working man can have his own house.

And inside every house, a happy all-American family.

You can have all this, and who knows...

you could even be discovered, become a movie star,

or at least see one.

Life is good in Los Angeles. It's paradise

on Earth. Heh-heh-heh!

That's what they tell ya

because they're selling an image

through movies, radio and television.

In the show Badge Of Honour,

LA cops walk on water as they rid the city of crooks.

You'd think this place was the Garden of Eden,

but there's trouble in paradise.

And his name is Meyer Harris Cohen. Mickey C to his fans.

Local LA colour to the nth degree.

And his number one bodyguard, Johnny Stompanato.

Mickey C's the head of organised crime here.

He runs dope, rackets and prostitution.

He kills a dozen people a year.

The dapper little gent does it in style.

Every time his picture's on the front page,

it's a black eye for the image of LA.

How can organised crime exist in a city with the best cops?

Something has to be done.

But hey, this is Hollywood. What worked for Al Capone

would work for the Mickster.

Mr Cohen, you are under arrest.

Non-payment of income tax.

All is not well. Sending Mickey up has created a vacuum

and it's only a matter of time

before someone with balls of brass tries to fill it.

Remember, dear readers,

you heard it here first.

Off the record,

on the QT,

and very Hush-Hush.

DOMESTIC ARGUING >

MAN RAGES >

You're like Santa Claus with that list, Bud.

Except everyone on it's been naughty.

Guy's been out of Q two weeks.

Leave it for later. We gotta pick up the rest of the booze.

YELLING CONTINUES, WOMAN SOBS

This is six-Adam-seven. Have Central send a prowler to...

4216 Evergreen. Assault arising from a family dispute.

We won't be here, but they'll see him.

CHUCKLES

HUSBAND YELLS ANGRILY

No, you don't love me!!

Quit your whining! Quit whining! It makes me sick!

Shut up!

Who in the hell are you?

The Ghost of Christmas Past.

Dance with a man for a change.

What are you, some kind of smart ass?

You'll be out in a year and a half.

I'll get cosy with your parole officer.

You touch her again, I'll have you violated on kiddie rape.

You know what they do to kiddie rapers in Quentin.

You got some place you can go?

Get yourself fixed up.

Merry Christmas, huh?

-Merry Christmas.

-Let's go, Bud.

The guys'll be waiting.

GENTLE MUSIC

What do you do on Badge Of Honour, Jack?

I'm the technical adviser.

I teach Brett Chase how to walk and talk like a cop.

He doesn't walk and talk like you.

That's cos he's the television version.

America isn't ready for the real me.

-Is it true you arrested Bob Mitchum?

-Mm-hm.

These guys pretend, but being the real thing must be a thrill.

Let's go some place quiet cos I'd love to give you the lowdown.

Hey, Big V! Jack Vincennes. May I have this dance?

Of course. This is Sid Hudgens from Hush-Hush Magazine.

Hello, Karen.

Hello, yourself.

What's that about?

We did a story - "Ingenue Dykes." She was mentioned.

Hey, Jackie-boy,

a friend just sold reefer to Matt Reynolds.

He's with Tammy Jordan.

Hi, Jack.

Sorry, I lost you for a second.

Contract players - Metro. You pinch 'em, I feature you next issue.

-Plus usual 50 cash.

-Another 50. Two 20s for two patrolmen,

a dime for the watch commander.

-Jackie, it's Christmas.

-No, it's not.

It's felony possession of marijuana.

Actually, it's circulation 36,000 and climbing.

There's no telling where this will go. Radio, TV.

The public wanna hear the truth. The sky's the limit.

MAN SINGS "SILVER BELLS"

Sgt Ed Exley, son of the legendary Preston Exley.

Must be a hard act to follow. Why not make a mark somewhere else?

Why become a cop, Ed?

I like to help people.

-Two officers were assaulted tonight. What do you think about that?

-It goes with the job.

Luckily, they're OK.

You're young to be watch commander.

Only tonight. Married men have Christmas Eve off.

A good lead for the story.

< Merry Christmas, Captain.

Captain Smith...

Don't be formal. Call me Dudley.

I have a title for the story. It's called "Silent Night with the LAPD."

Oh, that's grand.

Now, remember, Bobby, that's Smith

with an S.

Thank you, gentlemen.

-Merry Christmas.

-Hold on, lads.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you.

Saw the results on the lieutenant's exam. 1st out of 23.

What'll it be then? Patrol Division? Internal Affairs?

Detective Bureau.

You're a political animal.

You have the eye for human weakness, but not the stomach.

You're wrong, sir.

Would you plant corroborative evidence

on a suspect you knew to be guilty to ensure an indictment?

We've been over this.

Yes or no?

No.

Beat a confession out of a suspect?

No.

Would you shoot a criminal in the back

in order to offset the chance that a lawyer...

No.

Then, be a detective.

Work where you don't have to make those choices.

Dudley, I know you mean well

but I don't need to do it the way you did, or my father.

At least get rid of the glasses.

No man in the Bureau wears them.

If I ever get held up, you better be here.

Hiya, Nick.

I need a delivery. A case each of gin, rum,

Scotch.

That sounds like a hell of a party.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you, Officer.

That obvious, huh?

Practically stamped on your forehead.

There you go, White.

See what he wants, Buzz.

Hey, get lost, why don't ya?

Agh!

Down! Get your fucking head down!

I got a licence for that.

Cut me some slack. I used to be a cop.

Leland Meeks? Never heard of you.

They call me Buzz.

I don't give a rat's ass what they call you. Head down.

And stay there, BUZZ(!)

You OK?

She's fine.

I'm not asking you.

Did somebody hit you?

It's not what you think.

What is it then?

You got the wrong idea. I'm fine.

But it's nice to know you care.

Drive safely.

What's going on?

You know him?

Yeah, seen him around.

He used to be a cop.

CONTINUES CHUCKLING

INDISTINCT TV COMMENTARY

They're in the dark, goofing on a Christmas tree.

Put your camera there. When I walk out,

I'll stop here, you get the movie premiere in the background.

I like it. The Movie Premiere Pot Bust.

I don't want floodlights in my eyes.

Big V, consider it done. Hear that, Chip?

Come on. Get down.

Go. Pop 'em.

-GLASS SMASHES

-Aw! Aw!

Freeze, police.

Oh, Jesus, no.

Come on. Come on, let's go.

My family's coming tomorrow.

Be a nice Christmas gift.

Hi, Tammy. Hi, Matt.

Right over here. Just turn.

Hold it. Got it! The Movie Premiere Pot Bust.

Take them. I'll get the evidence.

# When somebody wants you

# Somebody needs you

# Christmas is a joy... #

"Fleur-de-Lis."

It's Christmas Eve

and while decent citizens sleep righteously,

hopheads prowl for marijuana.

Not knowing that a man is coming to stop them.

Celebrity crime-stopper Jack Vincennes.

Scourge of grasshoppers and dope fiends everywhere.

You like it, Jackie-boy?

Yeah. Subtle.

What took you, Stensland?

My partner stopped to help a damsel in distress.

His priorities are screwed up.

Up to your old tricks again, Bud?

Bye.

< Hey, Jack. Hollywood Jack!

What brings you to our humble station?

I'm keeping the streets safe.

Get these two dressed and book 'em.

Party's upstairs.

OK, I'll be right up. Exley!

What's that for?

You are watch commander tonight.

Yeah. So?

Gratuity from Hush-Hush Magazine. Buy some loafers.

No, thanks, Jack. Keep your pay-off. I'm not interested.

ANGRY YELLING

What the hell's this?

Six spics. Mexicans, sir, who assaulted Brown and Helenowski.

Helenowski lost six pints of blood and Brown's in a coma.

They're home with bruises.

That's not what I heard.

Let's book 'em.

You guys hear what those taco benders did to Helenowski and Brown?

Helenowski lost an eye and they're reading Brown his last rites.

That don't make for a very merry Christmas for them.

Hey, guys! Guys! They brought the Mexicans in.

They're downstairs.

Let's do it. Come on, guys, let's get 'em. >

Hey, Stensland, the party's upstairs.

This doesn't concern you.

Look, guys...

Go back to the party.

Hey, come on, it's Christmas. Help me out.

I just got a few more questions.

You don't have to be here. Guys?

Go.

Bud? Put a leash on your partner before he kills somebody.

Teach him a lesson!

This is for ours, poncho.

Get him, Stens!

Let me through!

-He didn't do nothing!

-What are you looking at?!

Move! Move!

Stens! Stens!

Stens! Hey!

Hey, come on, come on!

CURSES IN SPANISH Get back!

-Fuck your mother!

-Fuck you!

Stop, Officer! That's an order!

You're all going in my report!

"Bloody Christmas."

The press love to label.

You know this is bigger than the police board.

Grand jury's convening, indictments may be handed down.

Will you testify?

No, sir, I won't.

District Attorney Loew?

You and Officer Stensland brought the liquor to the station.

Stensland was already drunk,

so appearing as a voluntary witness against him

could offset the damage to yourself.

Sir, I won't testify against my partner.

This man is a disgrace. Your badge and gun, Officer.

You're suspended from duty.

Dismissed.

Ed, we need witnesses to offset the damage done to the department.

I'm asking you -

Justice has to be served. Of course I'll testify.

I'm glad. Most don't feel that way.

They think silence and integrity are the same thing.

Not exactly the image of the new LAPD we're trying to create.

Welcome to LA, the city of the future.

May I make a suggestion, sir?

By all means.

The public will expect us

to sweep this under the carpet.

Don't. Shift the guilt to men whose pensions are secured.

Force them to retire.

But somebody has to swing.

So, indict, try and convict...

Richard Stensland and Bud White.

Secure them jail time. The message will be very clear.

The new LAPD will not tolerate officers

who think they are above the law.

Dick Stensland is an embarrassment as a policeman.

He's always had rotten fitness reports.

But Bud White is a valuable officer.

White's a mindless thug.

No, Edmund. He's just a man who can answer "yes"

to those questions I've asked you.

The department and the public need role models.

Clean-cut men the public can admire.

Sergeant?

I'll promote you...to Lieutenant.

Effective immediately.

Detective Lieutenant.

Ed, you're 30.

Your father didn't make Lieutenant till he was 33.

But when he made Lieutenant, it was as a detective.

Before we start polishing our laurels,

it'd look better if we had a corroborative witness.

That won't be easy to come by.

The men hate a stool pigeon.

Jack Vincennes. He saw the whole thing.

He might be willing to admit his own culpability,

but he'd never rat out a fellow officer.

Jack's the technical advisor on Badge Of Honour.

He lives for it. That's the way to get to him.

I'd like you to observe, Ed.

Call Sgt Vincennes.

Bright kid.

You may reap the benefit,

but are you truly prepared to be despised?

Yes, sir, I am.

So be it.

Well, Sergeant, we'll get right to it.

Nine civilian witnesses saw you hitting Ezekiel Garcia.

But we have a witness who will name names and testify that you hit back

-only after being hit.

-And?

You'll testify against officers who have earned their pension

and plead ignorance about the rest.

No, thanks. I'm not a snitch.

I'll guarantee you a slap on the wrist,

a brief suspension and a transfer from Narcotics to Vice.

And then from Vice, you'll be back on the show.

The show?

Badge Of Honour, Vincennes.

We need to tone down your profile for a bit.

Jack? I doubt you've ever taken a stupid breath.

Don't start now.

OK, I'll do it.

The grand jury will hear your testimony tomorrow.

And so it goes,...

Detective Lieutenant.

Ace 'em at the grand jury tomorrow, son.

Wear a smart-looking suit and ace 'em.

And Ed? Lose the glasses.

So, YOU'RE the stellar witness.

I should've known.

What's the Chief throwing you?

Throwing me?

Yeah. What's the pay-off?

You're the pay-off expert. I'm just doing my duty.

You get something out of this

so you don't have to mix with rank and file cops

who are gonna hate you for snitching.

If they're making you Detective, watch out.

Bureau guys will burn in this and you'll work with their friends

What about you?

I'm snitching three old timers who'll be in Oregon next week.

Next to you, I'm clean. And smart.

Edmund J Exley, chambers. >

Bud White'll fuck you for this if it takes him the rest of his life.

Hello, Captain, what do you want?

Call me Dudley.

Dudley, what do you want?

Look, lad,

I admire your refusal to testify and your loyalty to your partner.

I admire you as a policeman and your adherence to violence

as a necessary adjunct to the job.

And I'm impressed with your punishment of women beaters.

Do you hate them, Wendell?

What do you want?

They're yours. Go ahead. Take 'em.

There's no bill on me?

Four witnesses recanted their testimony.

They had a change of heart.

-Stensland?

-Your partner's through.

Scapegoat on the Chief's orders.

A year from his pension.

Exley?

Exley got what he wanted.

As a politician, he exceeds even myself.

The department needs smart men like Exley.

And direct men...

like you.

I need you for an assignment the Chief's given me the go-ahead on.

A duty few men are fit for,

but you were born for.

You'd be working out of Homicide at City Hall.

Homicide? Working cases?

Your talents lay elsewhere, Wendell.

It's a muscle job.

You'll do as I say and ask no questions.

Do you follow my drift?

In Technicolor, sir.

-TYPEWRITER CLICKS

-'Meet Tony Brancato and Anthony Trombino -

'two rising lieutenants in the Mickey Cohen rackets.

'With the dapper gent in prison, who knows how far they'll go?

'The sky's the limit.'

REPEATED GUNFIRE

'Oh, well!'

# Bye-bye, baby

# Time to hit the road to dreamland

# You're my baby

# Digging the land of nod... #

'Meet Deuce Perkins - Cohen's narcotics lieutenant.

'Could he be behind the hits?

'Is he consolidating organised crime power?'

'I suppose not.'

'One thing's for sure, two-man triggers

'are killing Mickey's muscle.'

# Time to hit the road

# Running angel, bye-bye, baby... #

'Meanwhile, rumour has it the LAPD has set up a not-so-welcome wagon

'to dishearten the criminal element

'from filling the void left by Mickey's absence.

'When I know more, so will you.

'Off the record, on the QT,

'and very...hush-hush.'

'With Mickey Cohen in prison, Los Angeles is organised crime-free.

'The Chief wants to keep it that way.'

In Cleveland, you're an organised crime associate

in desperate need of re-education in the ways of polite society.

I hear things, like those two-man shooter teams.

They're 86-ing Mickey Cohen's lieutenants. What do you want?

We want you to go home.

# Time to hit the road

# Time to hit the road. #

Picture-book smut, gentlemen.

A lot of this has been found at crime scenes lately.

Quality ranges from piss-poor to... very well done.

Look who's back from suspension.

We're honoured, Sergeant Jack(!)

Ah, look at that - The Great Jerk-Off Case of 1953(!)

Is there some place you'd rather be?

Working Narcotics, looking for Cohen's missing H.

Yeah, finding 25lbs of heroin would get you plenty of ink.

You shoulda thought of that before Bloody Christmas.

Make a major case. It's the only way to get out of here.

Dismissed, gentlemen.

Go get the facts, Jack.

Just the facts.

'Whatever you desire.'

I'd like a delivery to Beverly Hills.

'I don't know you.'

A friend of mine just gave me this number and I just wanted to find...

HANGS UP

Ginger, check the reverse directory for a name and address - Crestview 2239.

'Hush-Hush. Off the record, on the QT.'

Sid, it's Vincennes.

Jackie! You back on Narco? I need some good copy.

No, but I have something with Vice.

Something juicy for me?

Porn. What do you know about Fleur-de-Lis?

Slogan's "Whatever you desire."

'No, no, I've heard bupkes.'

Get me narco. I wanna do a hophead issue.

'Shvartze jazz musicians and movie stars. Like it?'

Talk to you later. What you got?

The number's not assigned.

Thanks, Ginger.

A bootleg.

Take it easy.

Tough break, Stens.

We're gonna miss you.

Raw deal, Stensland.

Here comes the snitch.

Sorry about that, Lieutenant.

BOTH CHUCKLE

Stay out of trouble, Bud.

Come on, I'll buy you a drink.

No, rain check. I got a hot date.

Yeah? Who is she and what did you arrest her for?

It's confidential, like that magazine Vincennes scams for.

Hush-Hush.

I'll see you later in the week.

We'll do the town. On me.

Yeah? I'll bring my wallet just in case.

< See you tomorrow, Earl.

Hang on! I'll walk with you.

Punk kid. Who's he trying to impress?

Yeah, I wonder. Got himself a real career going.

RADIO: 'Sergeant Williams, pick up, please.'

'Sergeant Williams?'

'Is there anybody up there in Homicide?'

'Anybody there?'

Lieutenant Exley.

'You got a homicide downtown. The Nite Owl Coffee Shop.'

I got it. It's mine.

At least one person's dead. I stopped for coffee...

-No-one comes through the front door.

-Yes, sir.

I want barricades at both ends of the street...

Sir? I took the call. It's my case.

You don't want it and you can't have it.

I took the call.

It's mine. I'll make you my second-in-command.

Captain Smith! Over here, please!

Looks like the cook drew a handgun.

The rest were killed in the men's room.

Sir? We got a total of 15 spent 12-gauge Remington shotgun shells.

I'm betting three men, five-shot capacity pumps.

Excuse me. We got an ID on one of the victims.

It's Dick Stensland.

When I first saw her, I thought she was Rita Hayworth. >

Yeah, me, too. >

Hell of a way to avoid prison.

You tell me what happened.

Appears three men held up a coffee shop.

Guy at the register pulled a 38 so they killed him.

Then they killed everyone else.

Lieutenant! We're ready with that Nite Owl ID. >

Is this your daughter?

I don't know.

We know this is difficult.

Just take your time.

It seems like my Susan,

but my Susan was a blonde, not a redhead.

When was the last time you saw her?

Just before Christmas.

We'd fought. I didn't like her boyfriend.

Does your daughter have any distinguishing characteristics?

You got the wrong idea. I'm fine.

She has a birthmark

on her hip.

That's her.

My baby!

I'm sorry, Mrs Lefferts.

Who's in charge of this investigation?

Capt Smith and myself.

'The Nite Owl massacre.'

Hyperbole aside, this is

a heinous crime that requires swift resolution.

Six victims. One of them, one of our own. Dick Stensland.

He was a Nite Owl regular, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Robbery is the likely motive.

Rubber glove smears on the register

and forensics tend toward a trio of shooters.

We do have one hot lead. Listen well.

Three Negro juveniles

were seen discharging shotguns in Griffith Park.

A park ranger ID'd them as driving a 1948-1950 maroon Mercury coupe.

An hour ago, a canvassing crew found a news vendor

who saw a maroon Merc parked by the Nite Owl at 1am.

DMV has come up with a registration list of Merc coupes.

48 two-man teams

will shake three names apiece.

Interrogations will be led by Lt Exley.

ALL GROAN: What?!

Enough of that!

Just go out and get 'em. Use all necessary force.

The people of LA demand it.

Dismissed.

ALL CHATTER

Why not just put a bounty on 'em?

Ready to roll, White?

I gotta do something.

What if one of these...?

Bill...get somebody else.

I got our assignments, Big V.

We go by this list, we got zero chance of making this collar.

I got a guy who knows. He could put us at 50/50.

Jack! What are you doing?

That got you in trouble last time.

I'll take those odds.

We got it from here.

You should bring along a photographer.

I need an address on one of your customers. Her name's Lynn.

That's all I got to go on?

You know who I mean, so cough it up.

'There's a billing address and a delivery address.'

Are you Pierce Patchett?

I am.

More police charities? Last time, you called at my office.

Go down to the driveway. We'll talk there.

What can I do for you?

Where were you last night?

I was here hosting a party.

Tell me about Dick Stensland.

I don't know him, Mr..?

Officer White. How about Sue Lefferts? You know her?

You know I do. You saw me with her.

How did you find me?

Nick's Liquor. This is where Lynn Bracken's booze bills go.

Of course.

Sue Lefferts died at the Nite Owl.

I'm investigating.

Everything OK, Mr Patchett?

Fine, Phillip, thank you.

What happened to the other guy - Buzz?

Buzz Meeks no longer works for me.

Lefferts looked beat-up. How come?

I think she'd been hit in the face with a tennis racket.

She was a doubles fan.

You're a known associate of a woman killed in a mass murder.

You wanna discuss this officially?

This is official?

Somehow, I have the feeling this is more personal with you.

All right, then. Are you concerned about criminal matters

peripheral to the Nite Owl murders?

Not at the moment.

Then, you wouldn't feel obligated to report them?

Why were Lefferts' eyes black?

I needed a Rita Hayworth to fill out my little studio.

What little studio?

There's Gardner, Russell, Monroe, Turner.

Lynn Bracken is my Veronica Lake.

I use girls that look like movie stars.

Sometimes I employ a plastic surgeon.

You saw us when the work was done.

That's why her mother couldn't ID her.

Jesus fucking Christ.

No. Pierce Morehouse Patchett.

You're on your best behaviour, so that's all I'll say.

If you persist, I'll need my attorney.

Would you like Lynn Bracken's address?

I got her address.

Find Susan's killer.

I'll give you a handsome reward.

Whatever you desire.

'I know you're not asleep.'

'Talking to me? What do you want?'

'My five bucks. It was the only one I had. One corner was torn off.'

< Right now?

OK, I understand. OK, bye.

Oh, baby, bad news.

You have to go.

Go?!

Something very important came up

I'll make it up to you, OK? I will. I promise.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Excuse me.

Is it the cops?

Miss Bracken?

I'm Officer White.

I've been expecting you, but not this soon.

Pierce told me what happened to Sue.

Everything all right? Want me to get rid of him?

Hit the road, pal.

Maybe I will.

Maybe I won't.

LAPD. Get outta here or I'll have your wife come get you.

-Officer.

-Councilman.

'Call for breakfast!' >

Would you care for a drink?

Yeah. Scotch. Straight.

I was friendly with Sue Lefferts, but we weren't friends.

You know what I mean?

You sorry she's dead?

Of course I am. What kind of question is that?

Do you know why Pierce is humouring you?

Use words like that, you might make me mad.

But do you know?

Yeah.

Patchett's running whores,...

cut to look like movie stars.

Probably something bigger on the side.

He doesn't want any attention.

Our motives are selfish, so we're co-operating.

Why was Susan Lefferts at the Nite Owl?

I dunno. I never heard of it till today.

How did she meet Patchett?

Sue came on a bus with dreams of Hollywood

and this is how they turned out.

Thanks to Pierce,

we still get to act a little.

Tell me about Pierce.

He's waiting for you to mention money.

You want some advice, Miss Bracken?

It's Lynn.

Miss Bracken. Don't ever try to fuckin' bribe me or threaten me

or I'll have you and Patchett in deep shit.

I remember you from Christmas Eve.

You have a thing for helping women, don't you, Officer White?

Maybe I'm just fucking curious.

You say "fuck" a lot.

You fuck for money.

There's blood on your shirt.

Is that an integral part of your job? Do you enjoy it?

When they deserve it.

Did they deserve it today?

I'm not sure.

But you did it anyway.

Like the six guys you screwed today.

Well, actually, it was only two.

You're different, Officer White.

You're the first man who didn't tell me I look like Veronica Lake.

You look better than Veronica Lake.

Pierce Patchett?

He takes a cut of our earnings and invests it for us.

He doesn't let us use narcotics or abuse us.

Can your policeman's mentality grasp those contradictions?

He had you cut to look like Veronica Lake.

No. I'm really a brunette.

The rest is me.

And that's all the news that's fit to print.

It's nice meeting you, Officer.

I'd like to see you again.

Are you asking me for a date or an appointment?

I don't know.

I should know your first name.

Forget I asked. It was a mistake.

Leonard Bidwell?

Come on down here and talk to us.

How's the left these days?

What's it to ya?

I saw you fight Kid Gavilan. I liked your style.

What do you want, Mr Policeman?

You got a brother in Folsom. I put him there.

Till 19-fucking-70.

How would you like to make it 1960?

Lieutenant Exley here is very good friends with the DA.

Yeah.

We're looking for three coloured guys who like to fire shotguns.

One of them owns a maroon Mercury coupe.

Wanna gimme a snitch jacket?

Wanna buy your bro' ten years?

Yeah, ten years.

You don't have to say anything. Just look at this list and point.

He's bad, so I'll just tell you.

Sugar Ray Collins. Drives a maroon '49 coupe.

Beautiful ride.

Don't know about shotguns, but he gets his thrills killing dogs.

He's righteous trash.

It's five minutes from here. Thanks.

So, I'll hear from you, right?

About my brother?

Keep it up, Lenny. Up.

There it is. It's in the back.

One of ours.

Shit. Somebody beat us here.

Damn it. My glasses.

You're kidding?

Well, just don't shoot me.

What are you guys doing here?

We were just in the neighbourhood.

What've you got?

Three 12-gauge pumps. Empty box of buck and cash.

Ooh, so long, Vice.

Badge Of Honour, here I come.

Fuck you! It's our collar.

Quiet! I'm ranking officer here.

We go as a team. End of story.

Yeah, right.

How many ways in?

Only one. Up the stairs.

(He's very serious.)

Police!

Don't move!

Ace him, Jack!

Shut up! Don't kill them!

Hey! >

Back, back, back!

Against the wall!

Against the wall!

Get over there, big boy!

Shut up! Put your hands behind your back!

So...how does it feel getting out of the office?

POLICE CHATTER

This came from forensics. Burning clothes.

"Casitas Youth Camp."

It's crowded in here, White.

These guys killed Stensland.

SOBBING

The ejection marks on the shells fired

match the marks on the casings found at the Nite Owl.

I want confessions, Edmund.

A night's stewing will soften them up.

Oh, I'll break them, sir.

Are you sure Golden Boy is up to the task, Cap?

You'd be surprised what the lad is capable of.

You're 22, aren't you, Ray?

Did an officer work you over?

So, you're 22, right?

Why do you keep asking me that?

22 makes it a gas chamber bounce.

You shoulda pulled this caper years ago.

Get life, do a little Youth Authority jolt,

transfer to Folsom a big man.

Get yourself a sissy.

I don't truck with sissies.

Louis.

What?

You did the Casitas Youth Camp with Louis, didn't you?

Why ask me about Louis? His business is his business.

Louis told me you went sissy up at Casitas.

Couldn't do the time, so you got a white boy to look after you.

They called you "Sugar"

cos you gave it out so sweet.

"Louis gave it up at Casitas. I was the boss. Louis was the sissy!"

"Louis gave it up for candy bars."

"He ain't got the sense of a damned dog!"

I heard you like to shoot dogs.

Dogs got no reason to live.

Oh? You feel the same way about people, too?

What are you trying to say?

We got the shotguns.

I don't own no shotguns.

-Why did you throw clothes in the incinerator?

-What?

A neighbour said she saw you throwing clothes in the incinerator.

It doesn't look good.

I ain't talking till I see a judge.

-Were you hopped up when we arrested you?

-Ty and Louis fuck with that shit. Not me.

Where do they get their stuff?

Come on. Gimme one to feed the DA. It'll make me look good

and I'll say Sugar Ray's not a punk like his sissy partners.

'Tell me one more thing about Jones and Fontaine.'

Where do they get their drugs?

Roland Navarette.

INAUDIBLE

He runs a hole-up on Bunker Hill and sells red devils.

Exley's good.

I'll take a break.

You know, Ray, I'm talking about the gas chamber

and you haven't asked me what this is about.

You got a big "Guilty" sign around your neck.

That was masterful. This one's ready to go.

WHIMPERS

Give Jones the newspaper. I want him primed.

Take cuffs off so he can read it.

Ray ratted you off. Said the Nite Owl was your idea.

I think it was Ray's idea. If you talk, I can save your life.

Six people are dead

and someone has to pay for it.

Now, it can be you or it can be Ray.

He called you queer. Said at Casitas you took it up the ass.

I didn't kill nobody!!

Son...

you know what'll happen to you if you don't talk.

The gas chamber. So, admit what you did.

I didn't mean to hurt her.

Maybe she's OK.

OK? These people are all in the morgue.

They were dead when you left them.

I just wanted to lose my cherry. She don't die, so I don't die.

She don't die, so I don't die.

Louis, the girl - what's her name?

Who are you talking about?

Was she at the Nite Owl?

Listen to me. Was she at the Nite Owl?

This newspaper shit...

Where's the girl? Did you kill her?

You wanted Louis to lose his cherry, but you made her bleed.

-She bled on your clothes, so you burned them.

-Who told you that?

Now, listen to me.

If she's alive, she's the only chance you've got.

I think she's alive!

Where is she now?

Did you leave her some place?

Tell me where she is!

White!

One in six! Where's the girl?!

Put the weapon down!

WHERE IS THE GIRL?!

Sylvester...

What?!

Sylvester Fitch, 109 Avalon.

Brown corner house, upstairs.

Captain, just gimme one minute.

-RADIO:

-'Nobody moves.'

We'll go through the front.

'Stay put until I say.'

DRAMATIC MUSIC ON TV

MAN CHUCKLES

He went around back, sir!

Miss, I need to know when they left you.

Get her to the hospital. Excuse me!

Give your career a rest.

Leave her alone.

A naked guy with a gun? Who'll believe that?

Get the fuck away from me.

How will it look in your report?

It'll look like justice. That's what the man got. Justice.

You don't know the meaning of the word.

Yeah? Well, you think it means

getting your picture in the paper. Go after criminals for a change.

Stensland got what he deserved.

Take it easy, Bud. Come on.

Best to stay away from a man when his blood is up.

His blood's always up.

Perhaps you should stay away from him altogether.

RADIO: 'Raymond Collins, Ty Jones and Louis Fontaine.

'The Nite Owl suspects have escaped.'

How did they get out the window?

Jumped from the second floor.

Girl said they left her at 12. They coulda got to the Nite Owl by one.

The question was, where did they get their drugs? The answer?

I haven't got that far yet.

Roland Navarette, lives on Bunker Hill, runs a...

Anyone seen Jack Vincennes?

Vincennes?

Is something up, Lieutenant?

I need some backup.

What?

Nothing. Let's go.

(This should be it.)

404.

TV ON

LIFT BELL PINGS

Nobody moves!

-You're under arrest!

-Don't shoot!

Please don't shoot!

Don't move!

There he is. You did good, kid.

Shoulda seen the place. Blood everywhere.

Who'd have thought? Shotgun Ed.

Somebody get him cleaned up.

Come on, kid.

'Edmund J Exley has amassed a brilliant record

in his seven years with the LAPD.

'He evinced spectacular bravery in the line of duty.

'Here is awarded our highest honour, the Medal of Valour.'

< What kind of car was it?

< A Ford. My husband always drove a Ford. My husband...

Ma'am, just the facts. Light or dark?

Light. And that's really all I remember, Officer.

Thank you, ma'am, you've been a big help.

Cut! That's it. >

Hey, Big Jack!

He's back!

Hey, Jack's back! Heh-heh!

# While the wheel is spinning

# Spinning, spinning

# I'll not dream of winning

# Fortune

# Or fame

# While the wheel is turning, turning, turning

# I'll be yearning, yearning

# For love's precious flame... #

Tell Mr Patchett I have no intention of changing my vote.

# I'm hoping somehow

# If you'll ever smile... #

It may surprise some that a man in office

would admit to making a mistake.

But after due consideration,

I am changing my position on the matter before the council.

"Go west, America" was the slogan of Manifest Destiny.

Today is that last step westward with no stop signs, traffic signals.

From downtown to the beach in 20 minutes.

# Turning, turning, turning

# I'll be yearning, yearning

# For love's precious flame

# Oh, wheel of fortune

# Please don't pass me by... #

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

And what were you gonna start with?

Prostitution?

Gambling?

MAN GROANS

Go back to Jersey, sonny.

This is the City of the Angels

and you haven't got any wings.

MAN GRUNTS

Good to see you again. Take care.

KNOCK ON DOOR

I wondered when you'd knock on my door again, Officer White.

It's Bud.

Bud.

Why me?

I don't know.

This election is about the future of law enforcement in Los Angeles.

Councilman Rogers represents that future.

So let's dig deep

and get a moral man re-elected.

Ellis Loew wants to say a few words.

APPLAUSE

Thank you, Brett, star of Badge Of Honour.

Let me tell you. I am so thrilled to be here

on the set of Badge Of Honour.

< Big V! Jackie!

Good to see you back.

How they hangin'?

Down around my ankles.

You tight with the DA, Jackie?

Oh, yeah. He tried to throw me off the force as a joke.

How about some payback,

plus the usual 50 donation to the Jack Vincennes retirement fund?

Did you know the DA was a swish?

No kidding?

Hey.

Remember Matt Reynolds? Christmas Eve?

What's he doing here?

He's acey-deucy, not to mention broke.

I'm getting him to fuck the DA for 100.

Twice what you got for wrecking his career.

Hey, Matt! Come here!

Don't bring him...

That's DA Loew right there.

Yeah.

Do you need a drink, kid?

Yeah.

Jack, look after him. Matt, this is Jack.

No secrets between me and him.

How you doing?

Oh, I'm OK. How are you?

I'm good. Yeah.

Have we met before?

Yeah.

Was it at a party?

Well, it was something like that.

Fleur-de-Lis party, right?

Right.

Fleur-de-Lis. "Whatever you desire."

Dope, hookers that look like movie stars.

Pierce Patchett has it all.

Oh, boy, you could say that again.

Pierce, he's not like regular guys.

I mean, I dig him, but...

you know,

he, um, scares me, too.

Really? How?

You know, when I came to LA

this isn't exactly where I saw myself ending up.

Yeah, well...get in line.

Dutch courage, kid. Drink up.

I don't think I should do this.

It's not like you don't know how.

With Jack's Badge Of Honour connections, you could get a part.

I smell a comeback. Don't you, Jack?

Go on. The DA's free.

Go introduce yourself. Go on.

Tell him about the opening on the show.

I'm pretty sure I can get you a part on this show.

But, er, that's later on. Tonight,

just go on over and pretend it's an acting job.

Like showbiz.

Acting, that's it.

No-one's gonna know about this, right?

No.

It'll be our secret.

OK.

All right. Showbiz.

That's it.

Showbiz.

If Reynolds works his charms,

they'll be at Hollywood Centre Motel, room 203.

Be there for a photo shoot.

We can work in the Hollywood sign this time.

What do you know about Pierce Patchett?

Patchett? I know what you know.

Very rich. Invested in freeways which'll make him richer. Why?

I just keep hearing rumours.

Porn, drugs, hookers that look like movie stars.

Patchett's what I call "twilight".

He ain't queer or Red.

He can't help me in my quest for prime sinnuendo.

Heh-heh-heh. Look, look.

As though Badge Of Honour would touch him with a 10-foot pole

after he's been Hush-Hush cover boy twice.

See you in a few hours, Sid.

Midnight, I guarantee all kinds of illegal activity.

Another, Jack?

Yeah.

# The future's brighter

# When hearts are lighter

# So, smile, smile, smile. #

Kid?

Matt?

Come on, kid, you don't have to do the...

TV: # ..Oh, so long ago

# How important can it be?

# Mine was a young, foolish heart

# Seeking love at every turn

# But I have grown much wiser now

# Even foolish hearts can learn. #

Thank you for what you did for me,

for killing those animals who raped me.

Will you thank Officer White for me?

Sure.

Seeing him come through the door is about the only thing I remember.

You remember what time the negroes left?

In your statement, you said they left you at midnight.

They might have.

What do you mean, "might have"?

I don't know what time they left. I wanted them dead.

Would anyone care that they raped a Mexican girl

if they hadn't killed those white people?

I did what I had to do for justice.

Inez, Exley, over here! >

Smile, Inez.

So, is he your hero?

How about this - "Rape Victim Wheeled Out By Nite Owl Hero."

Hey...

all they get is Veronica Lake.

I get Lynn Margaret Bracken.

"Bisbee."

I grew up there.

I'm going back in a couple of years,

open up a dress shop.

The girls in Bisbee need a little glamour.

Where did this come from?

When I was 12 my dad went after my mother with a bottle. I got in the way.

So, you saved her.

Not for long.

I'm sorry. It's none of my business.

He tied me to the radiator.

I watched him beat my mother to death with a tyre iron.

And he left me there.

Three days before a truant officer found us.

They never found the old man.

Is that why you became a cop?

To get even?

Maybe.

Do you like it?

I used to.

Now, it's all strong-arm, sitting-duck stuff.

I mean, if I could...

get a chance to work Homicide like a real detective...

That prick Exley, he shot the wrong guys.

Whoever killed Stensland is still around. I know it in here.

There's something wrong with the Nite Owl. I just can't prove it.

I'm not smart enough.

I'm just the guy they bring in to scare the other guy shitless.

You're wrong.

You found Patchett. You found me.

You're smart enough.

Bud White. What brings you down to the basement?

I got a couple of Nite Owl questions.

Read the papers. That case is closed.

Anything bother you about it?

Yeah, the fact that the pack-up boys haven't moved this shit out.

We got the suspects' three shotguns which match the shell casings.

What more do you want?

There's blood on the wall here.

I thought everyone but the cook got shot in the men's room.

That is Stensland's blood.

Stensland?

A blow to the head.

Was unconscious when they dragged him into the john.

Did they hit anyone else?

No. But he was a cop. Maybe he tried to do something.

Grilled cheese, black coffee. Someone's sitting next to him.

Two of the victims were women.

Patti DeLuca, the waitress

and a Susan Lefferts.

Susan Lefferts.

Yeah, what about her?

You're welcome(!)

DOORBELL

Mrs Lefferts?!

Mrs Lefferts? I'm Officer White. LAPD.

Tell me about the boyfriend, the one you mentioned.

I told you I didn't approve of him.

He was too old for you.

And you let him be fresh with me.

They came here one day when I wasn't home.

My neighbour said she thought she saw

Susie's boyfriend and another man

and she heard a ruckus.

What was the boyfriend's name?

We weren't properly introduced.

Susie gave him a nickname - Muns or Luns.

Stens? Was it Stens?

Maybe. I don't know.

Look at a picture for me.

That's him. That's him!

You said a neighbour heard a ruckus. Was it outside?

Inside?

Outside. Then, Mrs Jensen said they kept

going under the house.

You have to leave now, Officer.

What's through here?

Just a room full of old things.

Oh, don't move that!

Don't mind the smell! I think a rat died behind the wall.

My Susie was a good girl!

She was never in any kind of trouble at all!

HE COUGHS

RATS SQUEAL

'Leland Meeks? Never heard of ya.'

'They call me Buzz.'

Was it a rat?

Yeah. A great big one.

Here. Compliments of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Stomach of the week from a motel homicide.

Unemployed actor had frankfurter, French fries, alcohol and sperm.

Hell of a last supper.

Anything bothering you about the Nite Owl case?

You lot won't let it get filed away.

What do you mean?

Bud White grilled me on it this morning.

Bud White?

He's not as dumb as I thought.

Did he say where he was going after he talked to you?

Let my daughter rest in peace!

I just wanna ask a few questions.

-Officer White checked under the house.

-Under the house?

Where?

Out back.

All he found was rodents.

I need an ID as soon as possible. You talk only to me.

Vincennes? I need your help.

I'm busy. Ask some of your boys in Homicide.

I can't. I need someone outside of Homicide.

I want you to tail Bud White till he goes on duty.

Do me a favour and leave me alone.

Do you make the negroes for the Nite Owl killings?

What?

Simple question.

Why in the world do you wanna go digging any deeper

into the Nite Owl killings, Lieutenant?

Rollo Tomasi.

Is there more to that or am I supposed to guess?

Rollo was a purse snatcher.

My father ran into him off duty.

He shot my father six times and got away clean.

No-one even knew who he was.

I made the name up to give him some personality.

What's your point?

Rollo Tomasi's the reason I became a cop.

I wanted to catch the guys who thought they could get away with it.

It was supposed to be about justice.

Then, somewhere along the way I lost sight of that.

Why did you become a cop?

I don't remember.

What do you want, Exley?

I wanna solve this thing.

Nite Owl was solved.

No. I wanna do it right.

Even if it means paying the consequences?

Mm-hm.

OK, college boy, I'll help,

but there's a case Homicide don't care about.

They think it's another homo-cide, but I don't.

You help me with mine, I'll help you with yours.

Deal?

Deal.

Johnny Stompanato.

Officer White. How's tricks, paesano?

I ain't your paesano.

And I ain't snitching any more.

You know a guy named Buzz Meeks?

Works for Pierce Patchett.

Should I?

You're muscle for hire, Meeks is muscle for hire.

You tell me.

Oh, yeah, yeah, I remember now.

He's a run-down ex-cop, same as you're gonna be some day.

That's all you're gonna get.

And you can keep your 20 bucks.

What do I get if I give you your balls back, you wop cocksucker?

OK.

OK!

There was a rumour going around

that Meeks had a line on a large supply of H.

HIGH-PITCHED GROAN

-And?

-And nothing!!

He skipped out!

Bullshit. How would Meeks get his hands on a large supply of heroin?

You're right.

It's probably bullshit.

Even if he did, he couldn't unload it,

not without drawing attention.

Maybe that's why he's under a house

and he don't smell too good.

Paesano.

Well, maybe White's not so dumb after all.

We got Rita Hayworth at the morgue and Veronica Lake with White.

I think your case and my case are connected.

It's Fleur-de-Lis again.

Fleur-de-Lis?

Yeah. "Whatever you desire." Porno.

High-class whores cut to look like movie stars.

Reynolds, the kid that got killed, was involved.

So's Pierce Patchett.

The millionaire?

I think we should go talk to him.

First, I wanna brace Stompanato.

GENTLE MUSIC, CHATTER

HE CLEARS THROAT

Want an autograph? Write to MGM.

Since when do hoods and hookers give out autographs?

What did you say to me?

LAPD. Sit down.

Who do you think you are?

Take a walk, honey.

You are making a large mistake.

Get away from our table.

Shut up! A hooker cut to look like Lana Turner is still a hooker.

-Hey!

-She just looks like Lana Turner.

She is Lana Turner.

What?

She IS Lana Turner.

How was I supposed to know?

I believe the Nite Owl's your area of expertise.

I saw you on television getting your medal.

And you're...

that other Hollywood celebrity policeman.

The Veronica Lake lookalike is one of your whores. Correct?

A vulgar term.

Why is she seeing Bud White?

Why do men and women usually see each other, Mr Exley?

Let's try this one. Fleur-de-Lis?

"Whatever you desire?"

An actor named Matt Reynolds?

No? Nothing?

No?

We want some answers, Patchett.

We all want something.

The guy's as cool as they come.

RADIO: 'Lt Exley, come in, please. Over.'

This is Exley.

'The coroner says he has your ID.'

Sgt Vincennes is coming to talk to him.

I'll drop you at your car.

Where are you going?

Lynn Bracken's, to see why Patchett has her seeing Bud White.

See you at the Frolic Room.

Oh, great(!) You get the girl. I get the coroner.

Hush-Hush. Off the record and on the QT.

I was coming to see you. You got that ID for me?

Thank God for dental records.