Remington Steele S04E06
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00It's Agritech and the bank versus the small farmers and we're on the wrong side of this
00:05battle.
00:06We've lost our agricultural assets.
00:07We're going broke.
00:08Get off my land!
00:09Let's not offend him.
00:10Dad!
00:11Now, you watch your backs around here if you've got business with Agritech.
00:15We're private investigators.
00:16We also happen to be major investors in Progressive Farms.
00:19Bloodsucker!
00:20Dad!
00:21What about us poor bankers?
00:25Your bank in this area is on the verge of disaster thanks to those poor farmers.
00:56Dad!
00:57Dad!
00:58Dad!
00:59Dad!
01:25Dad!
01:27Dad!
01:29Dad!
01:31Dad!
01:33Dad!
01:35Dad!
01:37Dad!
01:39Dad!
01:41Dad!
01:43Dad!
01:45Dad!
01:47Dad!
01:49Dad!
01:51Dad!
01:53Dad!
01:55Dad!
01:57Dad!
01:59Dad!
02:01Dad!
02:03Dad!
02:05Dad!
02:07Dad!
02:09Dad!
02:11Dad!
02:13Dad!
02:15Dad!
02:17Dad!
02:19Dad!
02:21Dad!
02:23Dad!
02:25Dad!
02:27Dad!
02:29Dad!
02:31Dad!
02:33Dad!
02:35Dad!
02:37Dad!
02:39Dad!
02:41Dad!
02:43Dad!
02:45Dad!
02:47Dad!
02:49Dad!
02:51Dad!
02:53Dad!
02:55Dad!
02:57Dad!
03:03How often we forget, here in Los
03:05Angeles, just how close we are to the ocean.
03:09The pounding surf, sunlight on the water.
03:15And all just beyond the horizon, yet we never get a chance to see it.
03:20There are binoculars in my drawer.
03:25Some place to entertain clients, that's what we need.
03:28Some place to relax. An open setting.
03:31Sea breezes, perhaps.
03:34But where?
03:38A boat. Of course. Yes.
03:41Yes, a boat.
03:43Sailing on a tranquil sea, days from civilization.
03:47Your eyes go topside in the salt fresh air.
03:50Settle down to read your newspaper in the morning sunshine.
03:54How do you get it? Get what?
03:56If you're days from civilization, how do you get a newspaper?
04:00You can read a book, can't you?
04:02What are you babbling about?
04:08Am I interrupting something? It's hard to tell.
04:11I could come back later.
04:13Wait. Mildred, is it important?
04:16New clients.
04:18Uh, what kind of case?
04:20Multiple kidnapping.
04:22By all means, Mildred, send them in.
04:27There you go. Move over. Come on.
04:31This is Karen Steer. She's an attorney.
04:33And Dr. Carlos Perez, a very fine oral surgeon.
04:36Right and still. My associate, Laura Holt.
04:40How do you do? Are you relatives of the victims?
04:43Very funny, Miss Holt.
04:45Uh, no offense intended, I'm sure.
04:48Um, tell us about the victims.
04:50What's there to tell? They're pigs.
04:52Pardon me, but if this is your attitude about these people, then...
04:55No. No. They really are pigs.
04:57Didn't Miss Krebs fill you in?
04:59Um... Apparently not.
05:01Dr. Perez and I are part of an investment syndicate...
05:04sheltering income in Progressive Farms,
05:06an experimental pig breeder in Greenville, Iowa.
05:09But two days ago, the pigs were stolen.
05:11The entire lot worth $2 million.
05:13That's a lot of pork.
05:15It's not the quantity, Mr. Steele. It's the quality.
05:17The R&D that's gone into the quest for the perfect sow.
05:20Well, well, I'm sure this must be quite a blow for you two,
05:24but this isn't the kind of case our agency normally handles.
05:28If I might offer some impolitic advice,
05:30uh, avoid colorful tax dodgers.
05:32They attract an awful lot of suckers.
05:34Yes. One more than you think, apparently.
05:37That sounds suspiciously like a pointed reference.
05:40Well, you told me to diversify our portfolio.
05:43Wait. You're not telling me that these are our pigs?
05:47Oh, they were such a great buy six months ago,
05:50I dipped into the discretionary fund.
05:52How big a dip?
05:55$55,000.
05:58What?
06:00$55,000.
06:02Mildred, that's a bath.
06:05We expect you, as the only private investigators in our group,
06:09to clear this thing up.
06:11If there was something wrong with the pigs' teeth,
06:13I would go myself, gladly.
06:15What about the Iowa police?
06:17Nada.
06:18If these animals aren't recovered in the next 48 hours,
06:21the scientific basis of their breeding will be destroyed.
06:28To be painfully clear,
06:30we have no liquidity, only swine in an undisclosed location.
06:35So a check written on the discretionary account right now
06:38would be, um, inappropriate.
06:40It would bounce to Mars, if that's what you mean.
06:43Ah.
06:45Suppose we were to rescue these animals.
06:47How quickly could we sell them?
06:49I would be delighted to buy your share once they're secured.
06:52Then by all means, let's secure them.
06:54Mr. Steele, we'll expect a full report when you return.
06:57Good, good, good, good.
06:58Soon we shall all be living high off the hog again.
07:00Good day, sir. Good day, madam.
07:01Miss Hall, can this agency withstand a $55,000 write-off?
07:04No.
07:05Then I suggest we start packing and save the bloodshed till later.
07:08Right.
07:09Right.
07:10Pigs?
07:11Uh-huh. Pigs.
07:12Oh, pigs.
07:13Pigs.
07:14Pigs.
07:15Oh.
07:21Hello, Marty?
07:22Ah, Steele here.
07:23Ah, good, good.
07:24About the boat.
07:26Have you put that check through yet?
07:28Oh, good, good, good.
07:29No, no, no, nothing.
07:31Just transferring some funds, that's all.
07:35Give me a day and everything will be smooth sailing, I promise you.
07:40Yeah. Ciao. Bye.
07:57Shut up, Laura.
07:59This is what's called bringing home the bacon.
08:02Mr. Steele, hay fever is punishment enough right now.
08:05I can't deal with your bad puns as well.
08:09Why did we have to rent a pick-up?
08:11Got to blend in, Mildred.
08:12You know, get into the spirit of things.
08:17Anyway, it's very chic to be a farm woman.
08:20Look at Jessica Lange, Sally Field, Susie Spacek.
08:24You've got to be able to milk a cow to get an Academy Award nomination.
08:27I don't want an Academy Award.
08:29I don't want to milk a cow.
08:31Oh, come now, Laura, it's not that bad.
08:33I mean, we're among farmers.
08:34It's the salt of the earth.
08:36Proud, independent, cheerful.
08:42Willard!
08:43We're putting up one cross for every farm you foreclose on!
08:47Yeah!
08:50You can try, but you can't drive us out!
08:53Save our farms! Save our farms!
08:56Save our farms! Save our farms!
08:59This is our land!
09:01Puppies was to feed our cats!
09:03Bloodsucker!
09:05Proud, independent, cheerful.
09:09Not to worry, Miss Holt.
09:11Based upon extensive viewing, it's an obligatory component of rural life.
09:15The bankers may oppress, but the people will prevail.
09:20No, forget it!
09:22Save our farms!
09:26I know. I should leave the window open.
09:29Let them know I'm at least listening to them.
09:31Demonstrate I'm sensitive to their needs.
09:33I'm not going to tell you how to run your bank, Mr. Willard.
09:35Bells, bells, Jessica, you've been telling me how to run this bank for two years.
09:38I just think it's politically insensitive to refuse loans right now.
09:42Refuse? I haven't refused loans to one of those people out there.
09:45That's the problem. They all owe us.
09:48I can't keep approving all these extensions you bring in.
09:51If you could just refinance a few of them...
09:53I'm tired of it, Jessica.
09:55If your big heart would sink this institution, then where would any of us be?
09:59The small farmer is the backbone of America.
10:02Spare me the violins.
10:04The small farmer is a dinosaur, and I'm not responsible for his extinction.
10:08Hell, I'm doing these people a favor
10:10by stopping them from getting any further over their heads.
10:13Save our farms! Save our farms!
10:17Go home, all of you!
10:19The only way you'll save your farms is by harvesting your crops!
10:24Mr. Willard, one day you're going to stick your head out that window,
10:27and you're not going to have anything left to pull back in.
10:34Oh, my good man, we're looking for directions to Progressive Farms.
10:42Salt of the earth, huh?
10:46Howdy. I'm Sheriff Clifford.
10:49Progressive Farms has been closed down. There was a theft.
10:52We know. We'd like to speak with the owners.
10:54Well, that would be Agritech. You still interested?
10:57Um, why shouldn't we be?
11:00No reason, I suppose.
11:02Take Main Street here for two miles,
11:04take a left, make your first right. You can't miss it.
11:07Howdy. Howdy.
11:09You with them? Yep.
11:11What I'm about to say is for your own good.
11:13Now, you watch your backs around here if you got business with Agritech.
11:23Mr. Hayes, these are two investors from Los Angeles,
11:26Remington Steele and Laura Holt.
11:28Laura Holt.
11:31Ha-ha-ha! Remember me?
11:34Preston Hayes.
11:36Stanford.
11:38Kappa Sig.
11:40You wouldn't go out with me?
11:42Oh, yes.
11:44You were the senior who tried to kiss me in the quad one night.
11:48It's a Stanford tradition.
11:51Raw.
11:53So, um, what, uh, keeps you here in Iowa?
11:56Well, Agritech recruited me right out of B school.
11:58So how you doing?
12:00Mr. Hayes, as much as I hate to interrupt this touching reunion,
12:04uh, we're private investigators.
12:06We also happen to be major investors in Progressive Farms.
12:09We're here to help locate our swine.
12:11Oh, great.
12:13I don't think, uh, pigs top our sheriff's list of priorities.
12:16Agritech isn't exactly popular in this county.
12:18We noticed. How come?
12:20Well, the bank's been foreclosing on a lot of small farms around here,
12:23and we've been buying them up.
12:25So the farmers sort of blame Agritech, too.
12:27We got the impression it was a little bit more than that.
12:30Yeah, well, they'd like to think so.
12:32Every time there's an accident of nature, the farmers point the finger at us.
12:35Accident of nature?
12:37There have been a couple of fires, some floods.
12:40Nature.
12:42Look, we don't have to drive the farmers under.
12:44Simple economics is taking care of that.
12:47It's sad. I feel for them.
12:49But agribusiness is the future of farming.
12:51Absolutely. About the swine, uh...
12:54We figured some disgruntled farmer probably stole them as revenge against us.
12:58They're still around. That we know.
13:00But the only thing the sheriff could do right after the theft was a set of roadblocks.
13:03So we're confident the pigs are still somewhere in the county.
13:06And the clock is running down.
13:08Yeah, in 24 hours, you can kiss those porkers goodbye.
13:12Maybe you can afford to, Preston, but we can't.
13:15We need to start at the scene of the crime.
13:17It's locked up, but I'll give you the key.
13:20There we go.
13:23You busy for dinner tonight, Laura?
13:26Swine before pearls, Preston.
13:29Yeah, rah.
13:37Achoo!
13:39Gesundheit.
13:41Am I really investigating an experimental pig-breeding farm?
13:46Courage, Laura.
13:48Think of those swiners with ton stacks of hundred-dollar bills.
13:51Does wonders for the spirit.
13:53The thief drove the pigs out through the back,
13:56then loaded them into a trailer about a quarter of a mile past the fence.
13:59Tracks like you wouldn't believe.
14:01Good work, Mildred.
14:03I'm gonna take a look inside again.
14:05No pig is gonna get the better of Krabs.
14:07Mush on, Mildred, mush on.
14:14The thief broke in there, but according to Preston's description,
14:18the guard would have seen him before he got to the building.
14:22Hmm.
14:24Unless he didn't go right to the building.
14:36Look at this.
14:38Ah.
14:42Perhaps our culprit had a little chew before continuing.
14:51Hey, open up!
14:53Open up, swine!
14:55Open up, swine!
14:57Open up, swine!
14:59Open up, swine!
15:02Hey, open up!
15:04Open up, there's someone in here!
15:06Hey! Open up!
15:09Now what?
15:14Witness.
15:16Parson Ford, Kelly McGinnis, Paramount, 1985.
15:19Ford is able to renegade policeman in asylum
15:22by pondering him with grave!
15:24How did the policeman and witness survive?
15:27He didn't survive!
15:29What?
15:31He was killed!
15:33You're a great help!
15:35He was killed!
15:37You're a great help!
16:01I guess they were low on feed.
16:06Go sit down.
16:11Can't say I didn't warn you.
16:13Are we supposed to be grateful?
16:15Young lady, if I'd have known you were detectives,
16:18I'd have never let you get this far.
16:20Now, what makes you think you can walk into this county
16:23and stick your noses wherever you want?
16:25Dwight has a point.
16:27Thank you, Millie.
16:29We just want to recover the swine, Sheriff,
16:31something you seem unable or perhaps unwilling to do.
16:34I am one man.
16:36I got two part-time deputies,
16:38and I'm sitting on a powder keg.
16:40I walk softly when I can, Mr. Steele.
16:43Now, the way I see it,
16:46a few stolen pigs aren't gonna ruin Agritech.
16:49But they could ruin us, Dwight.
16:51We have all our money in that livestock.
16:54We just want to take the next day or two to find them.
16:57Will you let us do that, hmm?
16:59Will you help?
17:01Dwight, I never could turn a pretty woman down.
17:05All right, but you're gonna play by my rules.
17:08Excuse me.
17:10God bless.
17:12Let's get you into some clean duds.
17:14There's no motel in town,
17:16but Buck and Mary Shepherd might take you in.
17:25Lord knows we sure could use the money,
17:27but we don't deal with Agritech.
17:29We're not with Agritech.
17:31We're from the Undermayer Agricultural Institute,
17:34researching the plight of the small American farmer.
17:37Yes, we wanted to start with Agritech
17:39to get a sense of scale, you know.
17:41Well, that's a different story.
17:43I'm Mary Shepherd.
17:45This here's Buck.
17:47We'd be glad to put you up.
17:49Well, I'm Dr. Laura Lou Holt,
17:51and this is Millie Krebs,
17:53and this is Mr., uh, Jed Steele.
17:56He's a colleague of ours from Sydney, Australia.
17:59You're a bit dusty there, Jed.
18:01Uh, yes, Buck, we, uh,
18:03we have to immerse ourselves in our subject, you know.
18:06Well, grab your stuff and come on in.
18:18Ah, Dwight lent them to me.
18:21I don't like lying to these people.
18:24It's Agritech and the bank versus the small farmers,
18:27and we're on the wrong side of this battle.
18:29On the contrary. We've lost our agricultural assets.
18:31We're going broke.
18:33We're in precisely the same boat as the farmers.
18:35And, uh, speaking of boats...
18:38I don't think it's the same thing at all.
18:40These farmers are losing their livelihoods.
18:42If we lose our investment,
18:44we just cut out a few luxuries.
18:46Lunches at Cafe Lautrec,
18:48Italian suits,
18:50penthouse condominiums.
18:52Luxuries?
18:54Laura, you're talking about food, clothing, and shelter.
18:56Do you understand?
18:58Mary said there's an auction in town this afternoon.
19:01It'll give us a chance to see who uses this kind of tobacco.
19:04Well, let's hope we haven't bitten off more than we can chew.
19:08Hello, Marty?
19:10Yes, Steele here. Hi, how are you? Very well, good.
19:13Uh, listen, mate, uh,
19:15could you hold that check a little longer?
19:17I had to go out of town,
19:19clear up a little financial snag.
19:21Uh, what?
19:23Oh, it'll only be a few hours.
19:25Yes.
19:27Where am I?
19:30Uh, I'm in Zurich.
19:41Hello, my good friend.
19:43Listen, I seem to have misplaced my tobacco.
19:46Could you spare a plug?
19:52Oh. Oh, thank you, really.
19:54Thank you. That's great.
19:58Mmm.
20:00Delicious.
20:03Piquant, yet, um,
20:05assertive.
20:07Right.
20:09Good afternoon.
20:11I'm conducting a survey for the Tobacco Mastication Institute.
20:14What brand do you chew?
20:16Say, you're a sturdy little thing, aren't you?
20:18You new around here, darling?
20:20What brand, please?
20:22Big Boy. Big Boy.
20:24Just remember now, I saw you first.
20:28Can I spare a little chew there, neighbor?
20:30Oh, sure. Ah, good.
20:32Here, go ahead. I got plenty.
20:34Oh, thank you. Thank you.
20:38Mmm.
20:40Mmm-hmm-hmm.
20:42Mmm-hmm.
20:44That is chewing, isn't it?
20:46But I wish I had a little, um,
20:48Amsterdam brand, you know?
20:50Amsterdam? You're kidding.
20:52That stuff is disgusting.
20:54You mean relative to this?
20:56The only one that chews that stuff is old Mel.
20:59Old who?
21:01Mel Brundage. Fella right up there.
21:04This is his auction.
21:06Poor guy.
21:08Really? Well, thank you very much. Good day now.
21:10Oh, sure. Any time.
21:12Any time.
21:14Oh, Laurie Lou. Laurie Lou, how are you?
21:16Stay there, will you?
21:18I think I found our thief.
21:20Mel Brundage.
21:22Perfect candidate.
21:24Embittered by the loss of his farm,
21:26he steals our pigs this way.
21:28I feel sorry for the man.
21:30Mmm-hmm.
21:32All right, folks.
21:34Now, we're here to auction off
21:36the farm equipment, household goods
21:38of one Melvin Brundage.
21:40Give all that a chance to look your stuff over.
21:42It's in good shape.
21:44Maybe a little smoke damage.
21:46All in good working order.
21:48It would be perfect if it wasn't for you and Agritech, Willard!
21:50You set that fire!
21:52You're gonna be burned at the stake yourself!
21:54Now, Mel, sit down and shut up.
21:56This isn't the time or the place.
21:58We've got a job to do. Let's get on with it.
22:02This isn't right.
22:04Oh? Oh, don't worry, Laura.
22:06This is the scene where the rural community
22:08hang together and refuse to bid,
22:10closing down the auction.
22:12First item's gonna be
22:14the tiller attachment.
22:16I'll start the bidding out at $80.
22:18Do I hear 80? Who'll give me $80?
22:2280.
22:24I got 80. Who'll go 85?
22:2685.
22:2885 will go 90. 90 will go 90. 90.
22:30I got 90. Who'll go... 105.
22:32I got 105. Who'll go 110, 110, 110.
22:34I got 110. Who'll go 120?
22:36120. 120. 120.
22:38Swine, Laura.
22:40I think swine.
22:44Laura, how you making out?
22:46Better than Mel Brundage over there.
22:48It looks like Agritech
22:50will soon have the whole county consolidated.
22:52You must be very proud.
22:54Well, I'm saving the champagne
22:56for Buck and Mary Shepard's place.
22:58When I get that, it'll be for Motion City.
23:00What makes you sure you'll get it?
23:02Economics, Laura. Simple economics.
23:04Would you like to meet the bank president?
23:06I have an appointment with him.
23:08I'd love to.
23:16I wish you luck, Miss Holt.
23:18Don't expect any cooperation in this town.
23:20Those farmers are convinced
23:22they're the victims of some great conspiracy.
23:24Mr. Willard, those poor farmers...
23:26Enough, Jessica.
23:28What about us poor bankers?
23:30Every bank in this area is on the verge of disaster
23:32thanks to those poor farmers.
23:34About this conspiracy theory...
23:36Miss Holt,
23:38why would I burn down anyone's farm?
23:40Every time a farmer goes under,
23:42there isn't a chance in hell he'll pay my money back.
23:44I'd be out of business right now
23:46if it wasn't for Agritech.
23:48Oh.
23:50What is it, Preston?
23:52Frank, I just got the word from good old HQ.
23:54Once we consolidate the valley,
23:56they want me to do all our banking through Chicago.
23:58What?
24:02Let's have a little chat, Preston.
24:06Sure.
24:14Mr. Willard,
24:16he tends to be a bit excitable.
24:18Is the bank really in trouble?
24:20Oh, we'll pull through.
24:22Mr. Willard isn't from this area.
24:24He doesn't know how hard it is for a farmer to make it.
24:26Sounds like you're talking from experience.
24:28My family's farm went under when I was 12.
24:30I know what poverty feels like.
24:32Great news, Jessica.
24:34Agritech is going to continue
24:36to do business with us after all.
24:56Dwight wants us to be tactful.
24:58If Mel hasn't done anything, we don't want to offend him.
25:01What do you want?
25:03You're right.
25:05Let's not offend him.
25:07Mr. Brundage, we'd like to talk to you
25:09about the theft at Progressive Farms.
25:11Yeah.
25:15Is that bacon I smell cooking?
25:17I don't think it would be polite to ask.
25:19We don't care who did it.
25:21We just want the pigs back.
25:23What are you talking about?
25:25We don't care who did it.
25:27We just want the pigs back.
25:29What do you care about them pigs?
25:31Bless you.
25:33Less and less, actually,
25:35but we happen to own part of them.
25:37They belong to Agritech,
25:39and I don't know anything about them.
25:45Get off my land!
25:47Mr. Brundage, I just...
25:54What do you mean you can't do anything?
25:56The man almost killed us!
25:58If Mel wanted to kill you, he would have.
26:00You're on his land. Do you have permission?
26:02No, but...
26:04We have a quaint tradition around here.
26:06It's called the law.
26:08He has our swine!
26:10Let him keep the pigs.
26:12He's got nothing else.
26:14We're talking about a man who's stolen our property
26:16and tried to bury us in pig pellets.
26:18Did I say something funny?
26:20No, you're right.
26:22I can't march on to Mel's land
26:24without more reason, Mr. Steele.
26:26You only saw one pig.
26:28We can't be sure he's got Agritech's animals,
26:30but I think I have a compromise.
26:55Breaker 2-9, this is Big Mama
26:57calling the Steel Man.
27:05Mildred?
27:07That's a Big 10-4.
27:09Any action, Steel Man?
27:11No, nothing yet.
27:13You don't say no.
27:15You say negatory, Big Mama.
27:17I'll try to remember that.
27:19Amateurs.
27:21I think the country's gone to Mildred's hand.
27:24Mine, too.
27:26Have you noticed?
27:28I think I licked my hay fever.
27:33Oh, there's something wonderful
27:35about this country air
27:37I've never been able to sense before.
27:39Well, perhaps you just haven't found
27:41the right company to bring it out.
27:43You could be right.
27:46You know, Millie,
27:48I haven't enjoyed
27:50a woman's company like this
27:52for, you know,
27:54a long time.
27:56That's nice.
27:58My wife and I
28:00have been married
28:02for a long time,
28:04and we've been married
28:06for a long time,
28:08and we've been married
28:10for a long time,
28:12and we've been married
28:14for a long time.
28:16My wife, uh,
28:18my ex-wife, I should say,
28:20she went off to the big city
28:22about a year ago, Des Moines.
28:24Said she was bored with the country.
28:26You're not bored, are you, Millie?
28:28Mm-mm. Not at all.
28:30Good.
28:32On your toes, Big Mama.
28:34We got Mel driving a truck and trailer
28:36out of a barn.
28:38Looks like he's moving some pork on the hoof.
28:40Darn.
28:42Let's do it to them.
29:12Let's go.
29:42Great strategy.
29:44Wait a minute.
29:46Listen to that.
29:56Oh, you!
29:58You beautiful swine!
30:00Hoo-hoo!
30:12Let it go, Laura.
30:14No, I will not let it go.
30:16This just doesn't add up.
30:18Mel has been framed, Sheriff.
30:20He was all alone out there
30:22with Willard's body.
30:24Willard was killed by Mel's hammer
30:26with Mel's fingerprints on it.
30:28Now, I don't know what you call that out in California,
30:30but out here, we call it evidence.
30:32Anyone could have stolen that hammer.
30:34I don't know what you call that out in California,
30:36but out here, we call it evidence.
30:38Anyone could have stolen that hammer.
30:40What evidence?
30:42Anyone could have stolen one of Mel's hammers from the auction.
30:44Aren't you taking this a little personally, hon?
30:46You're darned right I am.
30:48I don't like being Agritech's tool.
30:50We found their pigs.
30:52Now maybe we can do something to help the people around here.
30:54An admirable sentiment, Laura,
30:56but you've lost sight of the salient point here.
30:58They're our swine, too.
31:00Now, let's go home, sell them.
31:02Mission accomplished.
31:04Not quite yet, Mr. Steele.
31:06I'm gonna have to impound those animals till this is cleared up.
31:08Why? They can't testify?
31:10Material evidence.
31:12I would like to speak with Mel again.
31:14I've got a phone call to make.
31:18There was a man's voice on the phone,
31:20said he knew I had the pigs,
31:22wanted to buy them that night.
31:24Meet him out at Fowlworth Farms.
31:28I got there, and Willard was dead.
31:30Who else knew you had the pigs?
31:32Hell, lady, I ain't never been too good at keeping a secret.
31:34Most of town knew about it,
31:36but they'd never tell Sheriff Clifford they're my friends.
31:40Look,
31:42I hated Frank Willard,
31:44and I know I got a mean temper,
31:48but I didn't kill him.
31:54We believe you.
31:56Well, you're about the only ones around here who do.
31:58There's been a crowd out there since 6 this morning.
32:00A lynch mob. Ugly scene.
32:02Lynch mob?
32:06We're behind you, Mel!
32:10Way to go, Mel!
32:14You saved the village, Mel!
32:18Frank Willard wasn't a real popular fellow.
32:20They think I'm some kind of hero for killing him.
32:22See that?
32:26From the ladies in town.
32:28Each pie is like another year on my sentence.
32:30We'll do what we can to help.
32:32Lady, I don't understand you,
32:34but...
32:36thanks.
32:46Bless you.
32:48It's nothing.
32:50Who are you talking to on the phone?
32:52Just a friend.
32:54Laura, Mel has the perfect motive.
32:56Why are you so determined to make this into
32:58Billy Jack saves a pig thing?
33:00It doesn't make sense.
33:02It's the car that Willard arrived in.
33:04Oh, Laura, Laura.
33:06You're always getting bogged down in details.
33:08I will not help send an innocent man to prison.
33:12Good morning.
33:14I brought a little pie for Mel.
33:16It's not much, but I had to do something for our hero.
33:22Oh, my God!
33:24That's coming from my place!
33:32Hell, I was way out in the fields, Dwight,
33:34and I managed to get back in time
33:36to keep the fire from spreading.
33:38Listen, Buck, it could have been a lot worse, mate.
33:42Yeah, well, this is it for us, Jed.
33:44Agritech could take over the entire valley,
33:46as far as I'm concerned.
33:48Now, you hold on right there, Buck Shepard.
33:50We ain't quitting.
33:52Yes, we are.
33:54This is my family's land, and I'm staying.
33:56Then you'll stay by yourself.
34:02Could have been faulty wire.
34:04In a pig's eye!
34:06Happily put, Laura.
34:08Nevertheless, under the...
34:10Laura!
34:12Laura, just a second.
34:14Can I just say one thing?
34:16One thing, one...
34:20You're not making any sense!
34:22No?
34:24You told me yourself you were planning
34:26to buy up Buck and Mary's place.
34:28And now let's talk a moment about Frank Willard.
34:30What about Willard?
34:32What did Willard have on you
34:34to make you change your mind about banking through Chicago?
34:36Nothing! He just convinced me
34:38a local bank could do more for us.
34:40Come off it, Preston!
34:42Somebody set up Brundage.
34:44Someone clever enough to use local hatreds
34:46as a smokescreen.
34:48Where were you last night?
34:50I was out. Where?
34:52I don't have to tell you! You're right.
34:54Because I'm gonna find out anyway,
34:56and then I'm gonna nail you to the wall.
35:00Come on.
35:14I'm sorry.
35:16Excuse me.
35:18Jed, this is Jessica Swenson from the bank.
35:20This is Jed Steele. He's from...
35:22From Los Angeles. He's a private investigator.
35:24He's what?
35:26Miss Holt told me.
35:28Sorry for any deception, mate. Really.
35:30I was just telling Buck how sorry I am about his loss.
35:32Yes, yes, it is a tragedy.
35:34Is the bank gonna help them rebuild?
35:36If only we could.
35:38I just came from a board meeting,
35:40and it looks like Frank Willard was as bad a banker
35:42as he was a good citizen.
35:44The bank is close to failing.
35:46Oh, unfortunately.
35:48Yes, I really should be getting back to pick up the pieces.
35:50Yeah, I'll walk you back.
35:52It was nice meeting you, Mr. Steele.
35:54Yes, the pleasure is all mine.
35:59Tell me about Jessica Swenson.
36:01Terrific gal.
36:03We all went to high school together.
36:08Attractive woman.
36:10Yeah.
36:12She could hide her pick in the lot.
36:14She and Buck Shepard were steadies for a long time,
36:17but she didn't want to tie herself down to Greenville.
36:20Funny, huh?
36:22So she ends up being a banker here.
36:24Yes.
36:26A generous banker, from what I understand.
36:28Yeah, not like that skinflint Willard.
36:30Jessica's always been there with the money.
36:33Always encouraging us to take out loans,
36:36try new farming techniques, hydroponics, stuff like that.
36:40That girl has tremendous faith in the American farmer.
36:43Yes.
36:45It's almost unbelievable.
36:53Someone's put sugar in the gas tank.
36:55The engine's completely fouled.
36:57I wonder who.
37:08What a place to be stranded, huh?
37:10Mm-hmm.
37:12Reminds me of something.
37:14So you're not going to tell me your theory
37:17about who killed Willard?
37:19Not until you tell me yours first.
37:21I want more evidence.
37:23So do I.
37:25There's something...
37:27so familiar about all of this.
37:33That's it.
37:35It's what?
37:37North by Northwest.
37:39Cary Grant, James Mason, MGM, 1959.
37:41I never saw it.
37:43Laura, sometimes you're very difficult to talk to.
37:46Grant is attacked in the middle of a cornfield by a crop duster.
37:49Dive! Dive!
37:54Quick! Quick!
38:01Come on.
38:07Stay down, Laura.
38:09Mr. Steele! Don't worry, I'll decoy him.
38:11What?
38:24Whoa!
38:26Hey, stop!
38:39Come on, Laura. Right idea, wrong movie.
38:42It was Easy Rider. Come on!
38:54Stay down, Laura. It's a trick. Stay down.
38:57It's a pretty good one.
38:59It's Mildred.
39:07Oh, hi!
39:09I saw the truck and the tracks leading here,
39:12and what are you doing?
39:14Mildred, have you seen North by Northwest?
39:17No.
39:19Avoid it.
39:31We'll be at Preston's office in a few minutes.
39:34Are you sure you don't want to be in on this?
39:37Mildred and I have our own errands to run.
39:39Where are we going, boss?
39:41Back to the farmhouse.
39:43I'm not going.
39:45Mildred and I have our own errands to run.
39:47Where are we going, boss?
39:49The bank.
39:50The bank is closed for the day.
39:52Best time to visit, Mildred.
39:54No lines.
39:56Oh.
40:02I'm giving you one more chance to explain yourself
40:05before calling the sheriff to arrest you
40:07for the murder of Frank Willard
40:09and the attempted murder of two Los Angeles detectives.
40:11Laura, you've got it all wrong.
40:13Okay, okay.
40:16You want to know where I was last night?
40:18I'll tell you.
40:20I was in Des Moines with Sheriff Clifford's ex-wife.
40:26I'm the reason she left him.
40:28I'm the reason she left Grainville for the big city.
40:31Des Moines?
40:33Well, it was a case of opposites attracting.
40:36My sophistication, her country charm.
40:39My youth, her experience.
40:41Her salary, her love of clothes.
40:43This is the secret Willard was holding over you?
40:46Laura, rural communities are very close-knit.
40:49I could never survive out here if this came out.
40:52For one thing, Sheriff Clifford would kill me.
40:55Well, I can see your luck with women hasn't changed.
40:59About these accidents, Preston,
41:02are you honestly telling me Agritech isn't responsible?
41:05Laura, I know big business is an easy target,
41:07but I swear to you, we're innocent.
41:09I don't suppose you own an orange pickup either
41:12with headlights on the roof?
41:14No.
41:15That sounds like the town's one and only emergency vehicle.
41:18Who owns it?
41:20The town.
41:22Oh, but only one person drives it, though, Buck Shepard.
41:25Preston, may I borrow your car?
41:28Sure.
41:30Thanks.
41:39How am I going to learn if you don't let me practice?
41:42Some other time.
41:47Shall we?
41:55What are we looking for?
41:57Loan records.
41:59Unless I missed my guess, two distinctive sets.
42:03Oh!
42:07So much for avoiding the crowd.
42:33Mary?
42:35It's Laura Lou Holt.
42:40Mary?
42:44Don't worry, Mary. We'll have you out of this in no time.
42:47Ah!
42:49Ah!
42:53Oh!
42:55Oh!
42:57Oh!
42:59Oh!
43:01Oh!
43:20Oh, boss.
43:22You were right.
43:24Oh, that sweet thing.
43:26She was keeping double bucks.
43:28What a scam.
43:30She would give a farmer a loan of, say, 50,000,
43:33but put it into 75, and she'd pocket the difference.
43:36Then she has Buck torch the farmer's place and she tidies up the paperwork.
43:40And the bank would be none the wiser.
43:43Gesundheit.
44:00Come on, Buck, make it easier yourself.
44:06Now, Red, get this out, will you?
44:31Oh!
44:47Ah!
44:56My sentiments exactly.
45:00Come on.
45:30Come on.
45:52You say tomato.
45:54I say tomato.
46:00So it was Jessica and Buck, huh?
46:03Hard to figure.
46:05Why'd they kill Willard?
46:07Jessica needed the bank to fail
46:09to permanently cover up her embezzlement.
46:12Willard was taking measures to save the bank.
46:14She couldn't afford that.
46:16Okay, but how come Buck set fire to his own place?
46:19Ah, well, it gave him a legitimate reason
46:22to divorce Mary without raising any eyebrows.
46:25Buck and Jessica were secretly gonna link up somewhere
46:28and live in luxury for the rest of their lives.
46:30Here I thought it was Willard and Agritech against us,
46:33and it turns out to be two of our own.
46:36Guess I was really wrong about them business folk.
46:39Hi, gang!
46:41Of course, that still don't mean I gotta like them.
46:43Thanks again.
46:46Top of the morning, Mel!
46:49I think I'm slowly winning them over.
46:52Hey, just to show that Agritech has a heart,
46:55we want you to have this for recovering the pigs.
46:57Oh, that really isn't necessary.
46:59Ah, but much appreciated, Preston.
47:02Ah, well, there's the sheriff.
47:04Howdy, Dwight!
47:06I guess I'll be going.
47:09Can't convince you to stay, huh, Millie?
47:11What's stopping you from visiting L.A.?
47:13I'm not born to that life, Mel.
47:15Oh.
47:18So, you're the second woman I lost to the city.
47:23You come back and see me sometime.
47:25I will.
47:30Uh, uh, Sheriff Clifford?
47:35Out on duty calls.
47:38Goodbye, Millie.
47:40Goodbye, Dwight.
47:49Tough, huh?
47:51Let's just get out of here.
47:53Mrs. Still, you got a phone call.
47:55Some guy from Los Angeles named Marty.
47:57Wants to know if you still want that boat or not.
48:00What boat?
48:02Uh...
48:06Ah!
48:21¶¶