"[Music playing]" "[Wind howling]" "[Thunder]" "[Music playing]" "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "Dear Mr. Weiner, just a quick note" "To tell you that the killer is approaching me from behind," "And by the time you read this, I may very well be dead." "It's all because of my screenplay." "I'll try to explain as quickly as possible." "It all started a short time ago when I first" "Arrived here in Hollywood." "[Thunder]" "[BUS DRIVER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER SPEAKERS]" "[Screaming]" "I'm tellin' ya, my big break is coming." "Don't leave me now!" "Excuse me." "That's OK." "Harriet!" "I don't wanna leave dada." "Harriet, listen to me." "Kid, ya gotta believe me." "I feel it coming, a deal that's going to make us rich." "Every deal's gonna make us rich, but we're still broke." "You'll be sorry." "I'm gonna be a big agent." "[Child screaming]" "You're a big dreamer." "That's right." "That's absolutely right." "I am a big dreamer." "You used to love my dreams." "Oh Al, if you would just swallow your pride for once," "Go to your brother and ask him for help." "Ask him for a job, anything." "I wouldn't ask my brother for help if my life depended on it." "Harriet!" "What do you want?" "A cup of coffee." "You would, would ya?" "Please." "[INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER SPEAKERS]" "It's $1." "$1 for a cup of coffee?" "It's $1 minimum." "Well then, I think I'll have a piece of pie too." "Now, what kind of pie would you like?" "That coconut cream looks very good." "What about... do you have deep dish boysenberry?" "Will you make up your mind you creepy little jerk?" "Coconut cream." "It's not funny." "Get me a couple Alkaseltzers, a glass of water," "A cup of coffee..." "Strong and black." "[Knuckles crack]" "EDGAR ALLEN (VOICEOVER):" "Interior," "Bus terminal coffee shop." "Night." "Closing time." "The waitress is cutting a coconut cream pie." "Quietly, the door opens." "The killer enters." "[Screams]" "[Screaming]" "Say, that's very nice." "Thank you." "Al Weiner." "Edgar." "Edgar Allan." "You're a professional screenwriter?" "Well, not yet." "I hope to be one soon." "I'm starting with a murder movie." "You're new in town, aren't ya?" "I just got in." "Hold it, kid." "I know your whole story." "Somebody back home told you you were a good writer," "So you came to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune." "Am I right, or am I right?" "Dead right." "Dead right?" "Very clever." "You are a talented kid." "Looking for an agent?" "An agent?" "What for?" "What for an agent?" "You starry-eyed kids slay me." "Get it?" "Slay me." "Say, you got a place to stay?" "No, I like to walk around for a while, and then maybe..." "I understand, just sort of look the town over." "Believe me, it's a great town." "Anything can happen at any time." "Find yourself a place to stay, bang out a script," "Give me a call." "Maybe we can help each other out." "Swell, I'll do that." "Thank you." "Keep your hopes up, Edgar." "No matter what happens, dreams do come true." "Dammit." "Hollywood!" "[Zipping]" "[Door creaks]" "Ciao, baby." "[Edgar gasping]" "What's this?" "A bunch of singles?" "Less than $50." "It's all I've got." "You bastard." "You've got to do better than that." "I need more!" "There isn't any more." "I'm just a poor screenwriter." "Then kiss your ass goodbye, wonderboy." "Ahh!" "[Gunshots]" "[Neck snaps]" "[Choking]" "She's dead." "It doesn't matter." "This whole town's a garbage can full of maggots and flies." "You gotta swat a couple now and again just" "To keep them in line." "[Police sirens approaching]" "MAN:" "Police!" "Open up!" "Police!" "Open up!" "[Fire alarm blaring]" "Come on, you don't wanna get caught in this mess!" "Forget about the money, there's no time!" "MAN:" "Police!" "Police!" "Open up!" "Police!" "Open up!" "Police!" "Halt!" "[Gunshot]" "[Gunshot]" "Hold your fire, Tony." "What did you see?" "Not a thing, Joe." "Then why did you shoot?" "Just looking for a little excitement, I guess." "I know what you mean." "Well, let's see what we got this time." "One..." "[Sniffs]" "Fired gun, a few bucks, one dead closet queen." "What does it mean, Joe?" "Beats the hell out of me." "We got no witnesses, no clues." "We got nothin'." "Check out the stalls, will ya?" "Day after day, year after year, we" "Get our faces rubbed in sick, senseless murders," "Unrelated clues." "And what do we get for it?" "Public disrespect." "(SIGHING) When I was a kid, I wanted to be a cop." "What a joke." "Sam Spade, Phil Marlow, Joe Friday... all lies." "Real life is one pain in the ass." "Joe, I found something." "Yeah?" ""Interior, bus terminal coffee shop." "Night."" "What's it mean, Joe?" "I don't know." "It's something to go on, maybe." "[Electrical buzzing]" "Wait here!" "You can be my new custodian until the heat's off." "$30 a week and a place to live, take it or leave it." "Terrific." "Come on." "It's a little messy and it smells like cat shit," "But you can fix it up." "It's inspiring." "What do you know about maintenance and repair?" "Practically nothing." "Well, you'll learn fast." "Things break down around here every day" "Because the tenants are slobs." "Slobs and insects and animals." "Sleep it off." "I'll have something for you to do in the morning." "Oh, one more thing." "For your own protection, don't get involved" "With any of the tenants." "It's bad for you and it's bad for me." "I don't want my custodian turning into an animal" "Like everybody else." "Don't worry." "Writers are very solitary sorts of people." "[Radio crackles]" "[Lite jazz playing on radio]" "[Spits]" "[Knocking]" "[Dog barking]" "Did this bad man disturb your breakfast, hmm?" "I've, um, come to collect the rent." "Martin, you horny son of a bitch." "You like it as much as I do." "It's time for Holly's acting lesson." "Besides, you never fixed my bathtub." "Screw the bathtub." "That's all you'll be screwing unless the tub gets fixed." "OK, I'll send the new custodian up to fix it." "New custodian?" "Is he pretty?" "Cool down." "He's just a kid." "Says he's a writer." "How do I look, Nina?" "You look pretty, Holly." "Oh, do you really think so?" "I've never seen a dress like that before." "Oh, we're studying Chekhov, "The Seagull."" "It's a play." "Oh." "I should read that, I guess." "Go inside and prepare." "Come on, Rocky." "Muah." "Keep your mitts off her." "She's just a baby." "Everybody's gotta grow up sometime." "I'll be back in an hour." "Don't forget my bathtub, hot stuff." "Time to get to work." "Take your tools and get up to 3B." "That icy bitch has got a leaky faucet." "And make it quick!" "[Door shuts]" "[BACH'S "TOCCATA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR"" "[PLAYS ON ELECTRIC GUITAR]" "MAN:" "Go back, brother!" "This is no place for good souls." "[Strums chord]" "Hollywood is the land of the doomed." "Those who come to live here, die." "Go back, brother." "I beg you." "A thousand avenging angels of the Lord" "Will destroy you with their flaming swords." "[Guitar chords]" "I've come to fix the faucet." "[Dog barking]" "What was I saying?" "I was speaking of the stage." "I'm a real actress." "I act with enjoyment, with enthusiasm." "I am intoxicated when I am on the stage," "And feel as though I am splendid." "That's enough, Holly." "She takes her acting very seriously." "And since I have been here, I keep" "Walking around and thinking, thinking" "And feeling that my soul is getting stronger every day." "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" "In acting, or in writing, what matters is not fame, not glory," "Not what I dreamed of, but knowing" "How to be patient... to bear one's cross and have faith." "Blasphemy!" "[Smack]" "When I become a great actress." "Come and see me." "Rahr!" "HOLLY:" "What will you say to him?" "Don't say anything to him." "I love him!" "[Struggling]" "Nicky!" "[Engine revving]" "HOLLY:" "Oh, Nicky, I'll be right down." "Go ahead, dear." "We'll pick up tomorrow where we left off." "Go to your man." "Give me a second to change." "[Sighs]" "Nicky, Nicky Blair." "I read all about it in this morning's "Variety."" "I think it's fantastic." "You, directing a $20 million picture, think of it." "23 years old, $20 million." "What a story." "And now is the time to move on this, Nicky." "Make hay while the sun shes." "Strike while the iron is hot." "Listen, I got the perfect image for you." "Dig this publicity angle." "Nicky Blair, the hottest thing since James Dean." "It's perfect for you, Nicky." "Who the hell do you think you are?" "Come tearing in here like some kind of cycle punk." "Cycle punk?" "This is Nicky Blair, the hottest thing since James Dean." "I don't give a damn who the hell he is." "You get this motorcycle out of here" "Before I trash the frigggin' thing!" "Martin!" "Don't get so angry." "You might hurt someone." "You don't have to feel so threatened." "So what do you think, Nicky?" "We'll take a lunch on it sometime." "Sometime." "[Engine starts]" "Oh, break [inaudible]." "Break it up!" "[Holly laughing]" "Pookie, come inside." "Did you ever see "Bad Girls of Borneo"?" "No." ""July Madness"?" "No." ""Kiss and Kill"?" "You were in "Kiss and Kill"?" "I remember!" "You were the vampire princess." "You were very pretty." "You bet your sweet ass I was pretty." "They wanted Nina Ray all over town." "And they all got me." "[Barks]" "Hungry again?" "You'll find the faucet in the bathroom, Edgar." "We're gonna get us a big hunk of meat." "[Water dripping]" "[Clank]" "[Water gushing]" "Ooh, what a grand idea." "Did you mean what you said, Edgar, about me being" "Pretty in "Kiss and Kill"?" "You were the only decent thing in the whole movie." "What about now, Edgar?" "Am I still?" "You're still very young looking." "No I'm not." "But I will be, little pinch job here, pull the eyes back," "Raise the forehead." "Put these tits back where they belong." "These were the hottest tits in Hollywood." "The giants of the industry were slobbering over these tits." "And they didn't stop there." "I fucked some biggies to get where I am today." "I fucked Barrymore." "I fucked Biery." "I fucked Karloff." "You fucked Karloff?" "I fucked them all." "Whoa!" "[Splashing]" "[Moaning and barking]" "[Moaning continues]" "Bah!" "[Moaning]" "[Dog barking]" "Did bad man custodian make you jealous, hmm?" "What's the matter with you?" "Why are you looking at me like that?" "I think you better leave now." "I fixed the faucet." "You really get into your work, don't you?" "[INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER SPEAKERS]" "Anything else?" "Yeah, a couple of questions." "Sergeant Joe Blatz, LAPD, homicide division." "This is my partner, Tony Cassano." "This look familiar to you?" "No." "Take a closer look." "It's a scene from a movie." "And you're the star, baby." "Yeah." "This must have been written by that creepy little jerk who" "Was in here the other night." "Can you tell us what he looked like?" "Weird." "Black coat, black gloves." "Sets his typewriter down on my counter," "Starts staring at me with those eyes, and starts typing." "Any distinguishing features?" "A scar, a tattoo, anything like that?" "No." "Just those freaky little eyes, staring at me." "All day, all right, all I deal with is creeps and crazies." "Creeps, crazies, and killers." "[Typing]" "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "The aging movie actress" "Disrobes for her evening bath." "[Humming]" "Her spoiled dog reclines on the living room sofa." "On the balcony, a gloved hand crushes the porch light." "[Shattering]" "[Humming]" "[Humming continues]" "[Dog yelps]" "Rocky, what is it, sweetheart?" "[Door creaks]" "[Gasps]" "[Screaming]" "[Screaming continues]" "I swear to God, Harriet." "I'm on my way out the door right this minute." "Of course I don't need an appointment." "He's my brother, for Christ's sake." "What are you, crazy?" "Of course I'll be civil to him." "Now quit acting like a jerk and come back to me." "What do you mean you're calling me from New York?" "Harriet, I forbid you to hang up on me." "Now you listen to me..." "[Call waiting buzz]" "Harriet, can you hold?" "Harriet?" "Dammit." "Weiner Agency." "Yeah, this is him." "Who?" "Oh, the kid from the pie shop." "Listen, Edgar." "You called me at a very bad time." "I just wanted you to be the first to know, Mr. Weiner." "I have started work on my screenplay." "I think it shows me to my best advantage as a writer." "It deals with the traditional disparity" "Between good and evil, and it's set in a rundown" "Apartment complex in Hollywood." "A young man..." "Listen, Edgar, I haven't got time" "To hear your whole story now." "I'm on my way to a very important meeting." "I understand, Mr. Weiner." "I will keep you posted on my progress." "Should you wish to contact me, I'm at the Welcome" "Apartments in Hollywood." "Yeah, yeah." "Fine." "Bye." "Yes?" "Can I help you?" "I've come to see Irving Weiner." "Do you have an appointment?" "I don't need an appointment." "I'm his brother Al." "Albert." "Albert Weiner." "Mr. Weiner is in conference and on a phone call to New York." "We can fit you in late Thursday afternoon." "Call about 4:30, and we will tell you exactly when." "[Stomach rumbling]" "I am a seagull." "No, that's not it." "I'm an actress." "I am a seagull." "No, that's not it." "I'm an actress." "Ugh." "(DEEPER VOICE) I am a seagull." "No, that's not it." "I am an actress!" "[Clapping]" "That last time was very good." "No it wasn't." "Yes it was." "You were really angry." "You lost control for a minute, and you had it." "I did?" "You're right, I did!" "You felt hatred, you felt anger," "And that's what made it work." "Well, you certainly seem to know" "A lot about acting for a...?" "I'm a writer." "I write murder movies." "Ooh, murder movies gross me out." "They scare you." "They force you to face a part of yourself" "That you're unwilling to acknowledge," "And that's what holds you back as an actress." "Oh, no." "Nina said my strength as an actress" "Is in my innocent quality." "You'll never be a complete person." "Well, what am I supposed to do?" "Break through your innocence." "Let yourself go." "Whenever you feel passion of any kind... hatred," "Jealousy, lust, even the urge to kill," "That's what I use in my writing, latch onto it." "Ride it like the crest of a wave." "Let the undertow pull you down to you depths." "At first, you'll be terrified and disgusted" "With what you find." "But when you face your despair, your vulgarity, your depravity" "And learn to bring it all to the surface," "That's when you'll be a great actress." "[Honking]" "I told you to go back." "Already, the flames of lust are licking at your soul." "The bitch goddess Harley has but one lover... the demon, Success." "Come up with me to my shrine." "Repent." "The strength of God will pull you away from that road" "Which surely leads to hell." "Excuse me, Lot." "I have to go to now." "I need to sleep." "Thanks for the service." "[Gasps]" "[Screams]" "I see it!" "What?" "The end." "It is closer than I thought." "Cha-ca-boom." "Give thanks to the gods of ganja." "Toke up, brother." "There isn't much time." "[Coughing]" "I perceive a vision of evil." "Behold, the hands of a sinner." "[Footsteps]" "[Screaming]" "[Choking and gasping]" "No!" "Murder!" "Your hands are the hands of a killer." "Yes, to a degree, they are." "But I'm not actually capable of killing anyone, I think." "Yes you are." "Sins of the mind and sins of the body are as one." "Evil will consume you, and you will commit murder." "Lot, you're stoned." "Ha!" "Your hands are tools of death." "They must be purged." "We'll start with this one." "If thy right eye offended thee, pluck it out." "If thy right hand offended thee, burn it off." "Casting out, I cast you out!" "Out, Satan, leave this sinner in peace!" "[Gasping]" "Yah!" "Thank you, Lord!" "One more sinner purged of evil." "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "Interior, the burnt-out rock" "Star's apartment." "Night." "The killer enters." "[Flames crackling]" "[Screaming]" "[Door shuts]" "[Crickets chirping]" "Hopes and dreams." "This city has given me everything it has to offer." "My movie's going to be a tribute to this town," "Filled with the joy that my success has brought me." "And babe, I want you to share it with me." "I love you, Nicky." "Holly, I've decided to give you a lead in my movie." "Hey, where's the joy?" "What's the matter, don't you want the part?" "I want it more than anything I've ever wanted before." "I don't know if I'm ready for it." "You don't have to be ready for it." "All you gotta do is grab the chance when it comes around." "Holly, don't hold out on me." "You're a great actress." "I'm not a great actress." "I can never be a great actress, until I" "Become a complete person." "What do you...?" "Heh." "Nicky Blair, the hottest thing since James Dean..." "I" "Offer this lady the lead in my movie," "And she throws it back in my face." "Complete person?" "Nicky, can I give you my decision tomorrow?" "Sure." "[Engine revving]" "[Knocking]" "Edgar, are you awake?" "I need to talk to you." "I'm over here." "What's wrong?" "Is there anything I can do?" "You can lead me to the depths." "Don't touch me!" "What happened to your hand?" "Lot burned it." "Why?" "He says I'm evil." "Oh, he's wrong." "You're not evil." "It's just that you're not afraid to face the evil inside of you," "But I am." "Help me to overcome my fears, Edgar." "I need to face myself, my real self... a dark, evil self." "Holly!" "Do anything you want to me." "Help me to explore my passion." "Now!" "Make me complete." "Take me." "Take me to the depths." "[Splashing]" "[Phone ringing]" "Harriet?" "Who?" "Oh, Edgar." "I don't want you to think I'm being pushy, Mr. Weiner," "But I did want to let you know that my script is" "Coming along just fine." "I'm half done already, and I'm getting" "New inspiration all the time." "Yeah, that's terrif." "Look, Edgar, I'm in a meeting right now." "Let me get back to you in a couple weeks." "Goodbye." "He doesn't care." "Of course he doesn't care." "And why should he?" "You're nothing to him." "You got no name and you got no gimmick." "I don't need a gimmick." "I've got talent." "Talent?" "Heh." "You'll beat your brains out going" "From door to door with nothing but your talent to sell." "Before you know it, years will have gone by," "And you won't have sold a thing." "You'll end up working at some greasy hamburger" "Stand in the valley." "I know, Edgar." "I've seen it happen too many times." "Talent just isn't enough." "But it doesn't have to be that way for you," "Not if you know the right person... a person" "You can trust." "Come on, let me see your script." "Come on, what have you got to lose?" "Well, I think it's a damn good script." "Sure, it needs a little work, but all" "The elements are there... a little sex," "And a lot of violence." "I think we're on the right track, Edgar." "Here, give me those." "What we need to figure out now is" "Some way to hype it, some way to give it" "That extra something special." "Go with this for a minute." "You, we center the publicity around you." "We sell you as the victim of an unfeeling world." "We make your past mysterious." "We suggest that your writing is autobiographical." "Isn't that asking for trouble?" "That kind of trouble makes for good publicity." "And besides, they'll believe it." "Look at yourself... those eyes, that sickly-looking face," "You look like a murderer." "They'll have nightmares about you." "We'll be millionaires, Edgar." "Well, I see what you're going for," "But I don't know if I like the idea" "Of the world relating to me as some kind of a sideshow freak." "None of that matters, Edgar." "The important thing is to sell the product." "Let the chips fall where they may," "So long as there's lots of chips." "[Garbage disposal whirring]" "No." "I don't like it." "You'll be sorry, Edgar." "I saw that agent hang up on you today." "I'm your last chance." "Give me my script." "We can help each other, Edgar." "You'll blow it for both of us." "Give me my script!" "Your script?" "You ingrate!" "Without me, your script is nothing." "It's garbage!" "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "Interior, Kleindorf's kitchen." "Night." "Kleindorf is preparing a midnight snack." "[Garbage disposal whirring]" "[Whirring continues]" "[Knock on door]" "Go away." "You're supposed to be working." "I am working, now leave me alone." "Please." "I'm warning you, Edgar." "I got enough trouble without you starting up on me too." "Get to work." "[Horn honks]" "[Laughter]" "Edgar, Edgar, I want you to meet Nicky." "Nicky Blair, Edgar Allan." "Edgar Allen, Nicky Blair." "Edgar, I took the part!" "[Cork popping]" "Yeah!" "[Giggling]" "Holly says you're a good writer." "Oh, he's a great writer." "She also says you convinced her to take the part." "Mm, stop by Monday around 11:00 at the studio." "Maybe there's a job on the picture you can fill." "Gotta go, gotta split." "Gotta tell my producer you took the part." "Monday." "I'm gonna make you a star." "Hey, big boy, on the house." "[Engine revving]" "[Tires squeal]" "[Crash]" "Oh!" "[Screaming]" "It's OK, Holly." "Gah!" "[Sobbing]" "[Typing]" "Nicky Blair's death is the beginning of the end." "Nicky Blair and his blind search for the top" "Has fallen into the pits of hell." "There can be no escape." "We are all going to die." "You've gone too far this time." "Out of my way." "[Smack]" "[Thud]" "You will be the first to die." "Rahr!" "[Struggling]" "Get outta my way." "Dump the trash." "I'll do it later." "I said dump the trash." "And I said I'll do it later." "Wait a minute." "Let's get one thing straight right now." "When you came here, we made an agreement." "You're on call 24 hours a day." "You live up to that agreement, we'll get along fine." "You cross me, and I'll kick your artsy fartsy ass" "Into the street." "Remember, as long as you are here, you're a custodian." "A janitor." "A peon." "A nothing." "I'm not afraid of you." "Remember what happened to the roller skater" "In the movie theater?" "Wouldn't want that to happen to you, would ya?" "Insect." "[Chuckles]" "[Chuckling continues]" "[Thunder]" "It's raining." "It's gone." "What's gone?" "My script." "Who took it?" "Come inside." "You'll catch cold." "OK, hand it over." "Hand what over, dipshit?" "You know what I'm talking about, my script." "[Snaps fingers]" "Hand it over." "Ahh!" "[Struggling]" "No, Holly!" "No." "What are you doing to her?" "Get out." "Get out!" "Gah, ow!" "You want some more?" "Ahh!" "I'm sorry!" "Don't look at me that way." "It's no good." "Where are you going?" "To the bus station." "I'm going home." "So you're the incomplete person," "The one who can't face their darkness, can't take the evil." "Go ahead, Edgar." "Walk out on everything you've taught me to believe." "If you leave now, you'll never be a great screenwriter." "You owe it to yourself to stay and face" "The darkness that's coming." "[Birds chirping]" "3B's bulb is broken." "Go and fix it." "Hey!" "[Screaming]" "Nina!" "[INDISTINCT POLICE CHATTER ON RADIO]" "She was a big movie star, sarge." "She's all washed up now." "Take her away, boys." "[INDISTINCT POLICE CHATTER ON RADIO]" "SERGEANT BLATZ:" "Don't I know you?" "No." "SERGEANT BLATZ:" "You mind stepping over here?" "It looks like Nina Ray was murdered." "Which one of you knew her best?" "I was her acting student." "Oh, you're an actress?" "A good one." "I'm limited." "Did Nina tell you that?" "Well, she pointed out a lot of my limitations." "That was her job." "But you didn't resent her for that, did you?" "No, I loved her." "She was my best friend." "You didn't love Nina." "You hated her." "You hated her because she told you" "You weren't enough to make it." "That's right, and then you killed her." "No!" "I loved her!" "I loved her more than anyone!" "I think you're barking up the wrong tree, sergeant." "Nina picked up a lot of guys on the Boulevard." "They were floating in and out of here all the time." "Do you know anyone that might have wanted to kill her?" "LOT:" "The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries," "And He reserveth wrath for His enemies." "She was doomed from the start, just as you all are doomed." "Is that a confession?" "[Laughter]" "It was not me." "Nina Ray was killed by a messenger of the Devil," "By the hands of a killer, by Edgar Allan!" "No!" "Edgar's innocent." "He's not a killer." "He's an artist." "Well, sure, he has the urge to kill, just like all of us." "But he doesn't kill, he writes." "What do you write?" "Murder movies." "Tony, let me see that piece of paper" "We found next to the dead roller skater at the movie theater." "Does this look familiar to you?" "No." "Do you own a black coat and gloves?" "Sergeant Blatz?" "Yeah?" "Edgar couldn't have killed Nina." "He spent all of last night with me." "Looks to me like you've hit a dead end if you're looking" "For a murder suspect, sergeant." "It's my guess that Nina killed herself." "She had nothing to live for, anyway." "That mutt was eating her out of house and home." "It was either that, or like I said," "It was some creep off the street she picked up." "[Knock on door]" "Go away, I'm busy." "Get out." "I don't want you in here." "Edgar, you're smarter than I thought you were." "You've finally done it." "You've come up with the gimmick of the century." "Now your script will sell like hotcakes." "I don't want anything to do with you" "Or your rancid schemes." "Oh, Edgar, can't we let bygones be bygones?" "Listen, you're off to a crackerjack start." "You wrote the script, you bumped off the dog." "You bumped of Nina." "Now all you have to do is knock off" "Lot, tack an ending on the script," "And leave the rest to me." "When I get hold..." "You're on the wrong track, Kleindorf." "Somebody else killed Nina Ray, not me." "That's not the point." "Listen, you wrote the script." "The murders are committed exactly the way you wrote them." "The public, hungry for blood, reads" "About it in the newspapers, hears about it on television." "Then, you spring the movie on them." "The public goes to see it in droves." "We make millions, but only if we cooperate with one another." "I provide the mass media coverage, you kill Lot." "You're a sick man, Kleindorf." "Get out of here." "Think about it." "[ELECTRIC GUITAR STRIKES CHORD FROM BACH'S "TOCCATA"" "[AND FUGUE IN D MINOR"]" "I have an appointment to see..." "Mr. Weiner, it's good to see you." "Oh, he's been waiting for you." "Please, go." "Go, go right in." "Go, go, go." "Irv?" "Come over here." "I want to take a good look at you." "[Stomach growls]" "It's been a long time." "Couple of years." "You don't look too good." "You should have stuck with me." "We coulda cooked up some sweet deals together." "Yeah, well, sometimes a guy's got to try life on his own." "Cigar?" "How's Harriet and the kid?" "I sent them on a little vacation." "IRVING:" "Is everything all right between you two?" "Al, are you broke again?" "I didn't want to come to you." "I told her that." "So she left me." "That's the only reason I'm here, the only reason." "If it wasn't for Harriet, I'd rather starve to death" "Than ask you for help." "I got pride." "I got integrity." "I want you to know that." "Well, who knows better than your own brother?" "Calm down." "Sit down." "Al, Al, Al." "You're an agent, right?" "There's an opening in our production" "Schedule for the coming fiscal year" "For a high-class murder movie." "You know, something smart and scary with a twist at the end" "And a lot of blood, too." "If you can find me a good script for, say," "Under 100 G's... not a penny more... bring it around," "And I'll see what I can do." "100 grand for a class picture?" "That's highway robbery." "You don't want it?" "OK, Irv, OK." "You won't be sorry." "I'll get you a damn good property." "Get out of here and call me Wednesday." "Classy and bloody, classy and bloody." "Where am I gonna get something classy and bloody?" "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Welcome?" "Welcome Apartments!" "Let me use your phone." "[ELECTRIC GUITAR WAILING IN DISTANCE]" "Stop it!" "Stop it!" "[Guitar fades]" "[PHONE RINGS" "Lot!" "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" "Let go!" "Where do you think you're going?" "[Smack]" "You dirty little..." "Say uncle, asshole!" "Say it!" "[Thunder strikes]" "[Screaming]" "[Screaming]" "[Splash]" "[Phone ringing]" "The end is truly upon us." "I see the face of the sinner who has brought the end." "Now do you believe me?" "[Phone continues ringing]" "This is Al Weiner, let me talk to..." "[Click]" "Channel 5, get me the action hotline." "Plenty more where that came from." "OK, boys, get those cameras ready." "Here they come." "[Police chatter on radio]" "This is the head of investigation," "Sergeant Joe Blatz, LAPD." "What was that name again?" "Blatz." "B-L-A-T-Z." "How about a scoop, sergeant?" "I can't say anything at the present time." "Come on, Blatz." "What's it all about?" "Was it a ritual murder?" "A suicide?" "It was definitely a murder." "FEMALE REPORTER:" "That's two murders in two days." "Nina Ray was the B movie star, right?" "Yes, that's right." "MALE REPORTER:" "Any clues as to who the killer may be?" "Like I said, I can't give you any information right now." "Public's got a right to know." "Confidentially..." "Off the record, now..." "There are a lot of interesting leads coming up," "And this is going to be a very important case." "MALE REPORTER:" "Sergeant?" "Sergeant!" "Leads?" "What leads?" "This is Edgar Allan, a screenwriter." "He lives here." "You're going to be hearing a lot about him real soon." "Edgar knew both the victims." "I don't know anything." "Leave me alone!" "Come on, fellas." "Come on." "[Typing]" "[Ding]" "We've been waiting for you." "Oh no." "Oh yeah." "Look, Edgar." "The type's the same." "That doesn't mean anything." "There are thousands of typewriters in Hollywood." "Maybe so, but the waitress at the bus" "Stop described you to a T, right down" "To your coat and your gloves." "And your freaky little eyes." "What do you say to that?" "Do you have a search warrant?" "Then get out." "What happened to your hand?" "I burned it." "Did you burn it when you were killing Lot?" "This is gonna be the first case I've solved since '68," "The Labrea Tar Pit Murders." "And they were gruesome." "That's great, Joe." "Now listen... this one's gonna be even bigger." "Check out the reporters, front page." "Come on, let's take him in now." "You gotta cool off." "We don't have enough evidence to drag this jerk in." "May I speak to you privately?" "What about?" "Edgar Allan, the Welcome Apartment murders," "And your future as a TV star." "OK, Kleindorf." "I'm listening." "Make it good." "OK." "You go home, you have a couple of drinks." "You go to a movie." "You get a good night's sleep..." "But?" "I go see Edgar Allan." "I make him a few promises, he hands me the script." "Then I get on the telephone." "Tomorrow morning, we get "Variety,"" "The major news magazines, the three networks beatin'" "Down our door." "You walk in, the man of the hour." "I hand you the script, you go see Edgar Allan," "You make a clean arrest." "I still don't see what's in it for me." "God, Blatz, you're thick!" "Your face on the cover of every newspaper, news magazine," "And TV screen in the nation?" "God, don't you see?" "Don't you see, Blatz?" "This opportunity's just too bizarre to pass up." "The public has the murders, and we have the script." "So we can make the movie." "And you get to play yourself." "It's all part of the package." "The publicity surrounding the picture" "Makes it a runaway success." "The television networks want to cash in." "We got a television series." "It's a natural... "Blatz."" "You become a household word." "You make thousands a week." "You shoot 13 episodes a year, and you spend" "The rest of the year in Hawaii." "But, if you'd rather get a search warrant..." "I'll be here at 8 o'clock sharp tomorrow morning," "And you'd better have that script." "Because if you don't, if you're playing some kind of game" "With me, I'm gonna to book you on withholding evidence..." "And if I can manage it, conspiracy" "To commit murder, too." "Don't worry about it, sergeant." "Don't worry." "[Chuckles]" "[Knock on door]" "Who's there?" "MARTIN:" "Martin." "The rent's due." "Oh, just a minute." "It's good to keep the door locked." "This whole friggin' place is going to hell." "Makes you want to puke." "It's not safe for someone like you." "Sometimes, it's even too much for me." "We should both get outta here." "Here!" "I don't want your money." "I want you." "I love you." "Martin, I think you better go now." "[Furniture crashing]" "I said, I love you." "I want you to marry me." "I can make you happy." "I'll take you away, sell this garbage heap." "I'll buy you a place in the country, a nice little house" "With a picket fence." "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" "No, stop!" "Ahh!" "A big backyard, room for a dog and our kids," "Room for them to grow." "Oh, with lots of fresh air..." "I'll get 'em a pony!" "[Struggling]" "Why do you always want to hurt me?" "Stop it, Martin, please!" "I won't!" "I can't marry you!" "Why not?" "Because I don't love you." "You don't?" "Oh, if I married you, we'd both be miserable forever." "You're ready to give it up." "I'm just starting." "I've got to stay here to pursue my career, no matter what." "The house in the country, the picket fence," "The kids... they're all beautiful, beautiful thoughts." "But they're yours, not mine." "You're a beautiful person, Martin." "I mean that, and I'm sorry." "It's Edgar, isn't it?" "He's made you not love me." "He's changing you." "You don't even smile at me anymore." "Martin." "You're getting to be just like the rest of them." "[Door slams]" "[Glass shatters]" "[Knock on door]" "Edgar, you're beautiful." "I love ya." "Our little plan is running very smoothly, very smoothly indeed." "Our little plan?" "It's OK, Edgar." "Nobody knows but you and me." "Nobody knows what?" "That you killed Lot, just as we agreed." "You're right." "I did kill Lot, word for word..." "Just like you told me too," "Kleindorf." "Just like you said." "Let's keep this between the two of us." "Here, sit down." "What now, what next?" "Now we're ready to make our move." "Oh, we're gonna be rich, aren't we, Kleindorf?" "Rich and famous, both of us." "Yes, calm down, sit down." "I want a house." "I want a car." "I want a pool." "I want a sauna." "You'll have them all..." "Anything, anything at all." "But first, you have to give me your script." "My script?" "Oh, Edgar, stop this asinine game." "[Snaps fingers]" "Give me your script now." "What's the matter?" "Haven't you finished it yet?" "Yes." "Yes, that's it." "I haven't finished it yet." "[Clears throat]" "I hope it'll be ready by tomorrow morning." "I hope so." "It better be." "Yes." "I think so." "[Chuckles]" "Good." "Come by my place tomorrow morning." "I'll cook us breakfast." "Bring your script." "We'll discuss our plans for the future." "It might be finished sooner than that." "Will you be home all evening?" "Waiting with baited breath." "Good." "Good." "Very good." "[Police sirens in distance]" "[Birds chirping]" "Kleindorf?" "[Garbage disposal whirring]" "What are you doing in here?" "I... the, uh garbage disposal's been" "Giving Kleindorf some trouble." "He asked me to come and fix it." "At 6:00 in the morning?" "Yes." "Where is Kleindorf?" "Suppose you tell me." "What's that supposed to mean?" "So, garbage disposal's broken, eh?" "[Whirring]" "Welp, it's fixed now." "Get out of here." "Hey!" "You've had it." "[Door shuts]" "[Police sirens]" "[Tires screech]" "So where's the press?" "Where's all the newsmen?" "Joe, this Kleindorf is..." "[Banging on door]" "Open up, Kleindorf!" "[Banging on door continues]" "Open up, you sniveling bag of shit." "Come on, it's the cops!" "Knock it off." "He's not home." "How do you know he's not home?" "'Cuz I was in here at 6 o'clock this morning." "What the hell were you doing here" "At 6 o'clock in the morning?" "Talking to Edgar Allan." "I caught him snooping around in the kitchen." "You got a set of keys with you?" "6 o'clock in the morning, huh?" "Yeah." "He tried to tell me he was here to fix the garbage disposal." "Kleindorf ever complain about his garbage disposal?" "Never." "Where's the switch for this thing?" "[Whirring]" "Tony, hand me a piece of garbage, will ya?" "[Phone rings]" "There he goes!" "No, no!" "Agh!" "Don't even blink." "Go ahead!" "Do me a favor!" "I have that search warrant, just like you asked." "Take him away." "I'll take it from here." "[Phone continues to ring]" "Welcome Apartments." "Thank God." "Let me talk to Edgar Allan." "He's busy." "[INDISTINCT POLICE CHATTER ON RADIO]" "[Cat meows]" "Why don't you make it easy on yourself, Edgar?" "Tell us where it is." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Your script." "I wanna read about Kleindorf's murder." "Read about it in the papers." "Thanks to you, it's not gonna be in the papers." "Leave me alone!" "I'm innocent!" "Well, I suppose that yes, on a certain level, I am guilty." "But only of evil thoughts..." "I never actually killed anyone." "Ah!" "You're a writer." "Come up with an explanation for this." "I cut my hand." "That's an awful lot of blood for such a small cut." "My blood flows very freely." "Let's take this down to the lab, run a blood" "Check against what's left of Kleindorf." "What about the script, Joe?" "We may have enough evidence even without the script." "I want you two men posted at the front entrance, go." "Stay put, Edgar." "I don't want you going any place for any reason." "I'll be in touch." "Have a nice day." "[Phone rings]" "Welcome Apartments." "Edgar, is that really you?" "Yes." "This is Al Weiner." "Yes?" "Al Weiner, the agent from in the pie shop." "Remember?" "(MONOTONE) Yes." "Why are you calling me?" "How's the script?" "The script?" "The murder movie." "Is it bloody?" "Bloody?" "Yes." "Terrific." "Here's the deal." "Allied wants to buy your movie." "Edgar, did you hear me?" "Allied Pictures wants to buy your script, maybe." "You want to buy my script?" "Yeah, maybe." "I got your address." "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock." "Have the script." "But I don't." "What's wrong?" "It's finished, isn't it?" "No, it's not." "I..." "I don't know who the killer is yet." "Well, you better find out darn quick." "Yes, I'd better." "Don't worry, Mr. Weiner." "I'll have my script finished by tomorrow morning." "I'll find out who the killer is." "Heh heh, even if it kills me." "Edgar, are you all right?" "What's the...?" "[Click]" "[Typing]" "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "Interior, the writer's study." "Night." "Alone in his study, the innocent young screenwriter types" "Demonically at his desk." "Without a sound, the killer enters." "[Gasping]" "[Choking]" "His windpipe crushed, the innocent young screenwriter" "Dies." "[INDISTINCT POLICE CHATTER ON RADIO]" "Martin!" "Martin, I need to talk to you." "We got nothing to talk about." "HOLLY:" "It's important!" "MARTIN:" "What could be important?" "Get your hand off the knob." "HOLLY:" "No, please!" "No, Martin!" "MARTIN:" "Look, get out of my way." "I gotta fix the goddamn fan, and..." "Martin." "Leave me alone, you don't love me." "You love Edgar." "No." "I love you." "Stop it." "You're playing games with me." "You think I'm an idiot." "No." "I think you're the biggest, strongest, sexiest" "Man I ever met." "But what about...?" "Edgar?" "He's a murderer." "I need you to protect me from him." "I will, Holly." "Mmm." "I love you." "I always have." "I know." "Let's go to my apartment." "We'll make love." "No, I need you now." "Let's do it here." "Hey, take it easy on my mouth." "Ow!" "What are you doing?" "I'm going to take you to the depths, Martin." "Deeper than you've ever been before!" "I don't want to go to the depths." "I want to make love to you." "Love, hate, they're all the same to me!" "[Martin groans]" "Ow!" "What has he done to you!" "?" "[Car horn honking]" "I've had it, Flaherty." "We've been waiting here five hours on the damn blood check." "What are they doing down there?" "I have murders to solve." "(IRISH ACCENT) You and everybody" "Else down in homicide." "Now pipe down and wait yer turn." "Chk!" "Chk!" "Chk!" "[Eerie music playing]" "[Tony snoring]" "LAB TECHNICIAN: (GERMAN ACCENT) Sergeant Joe Blatz, homicide?" "Yeah?" "Here are ze stats from ze blood check." "As you can see, a small amount of encrusted blood" "On ze bandage is type O. The victim's blood is type A." "But a greater part of ze blood, which" "Was mixed with water and banana fibers," "Matches that of ze victim exactly." "That cinches it." "Let's go." "[Thunder]" "[Door creaking]" "[Gasp]" "EDGAR ALLAN (VOICEOVER):" "And that, Mr. Weiner," "Is the whole story." "I have to go now." "Thanks for all your encouragement." "Goodbye, and good luck." "Very truly yours, Edgar Allan." "Ahh!" "[Smack]" "[Shattering]" "Where's my script?" "My script!" "My script!" "Ahh!" "[Steam hissing]" "[Clang]" "[Edgar gagging]" "[Thunk]" "[Thud]" "[Hammer clatters on floor]" "HOLLY:" "Interior, the writer's study." "Night." "Alone in his study, the innocent young screenwriter types" "Demonically at his desk." "A pair of hands closed tightly on his throat." "Helpless in the killer's grasp, the screenwriter" "Is pulled away from his desk." "[Thunder booms]" "His windpipe crushed, the innocent young screenwriter" "Dies." "He dies." "He dies!" "[Choking]" "[Thunk]" "[Thunder booms]" "[Hammer clatters on floor]" "I didn't wanna hurt Holly." "You made me." "You turned her into an animal, with this!" "I'm gonna kill you!" "Freeze!" "[Gunshots]" "Look, Edgar." "It was me." "I wanted it to be a surprised." "I wanted to show you what a great actress I could be." "And I am a great actress, aren't I?" "Tell me." "Yes, Holly." "You are great." "And I'll be great in Nicky's movie, won't I?" "Yes, Holly." "Yes." "Kiss me, Edgar." "You're a great screenwriter." "Preparing for this role was so difficult," "But acting in your movie taught me so much." "You were right." "I was limited." "But now I'm ready to play anything." "I can play any role." "It was hard work, but we did it." "We sunk to the depths together." "[Sobbing]" "[Car horn honks]" "Let's go, kid." "Can't keep the big shots waitin'." "You got the script?" "I said make it bloody, but this is ridiculous." "No." "Hey, hey, hey!" "Edgar, hop in." "The meeting, we'll be late." " I'm not going to the meeting." " You're not?" "Where ya goin'?" "To the bus terminal." "I'm going home." "You know what you're doing?" "You're bein' self-destructive." "You're leaving just when things are starting to break for ya." "Now get in the car." "You'll sell this script, you'll write another one," "Maybe even get to direct it." "Edgar, you got a future." "Don't walk out on it." "I've heard it all before." "Look, this time, it's real." "We're gonna meet a big executive at Allied Pictures." "Edgar, the man is my brother." "He wants to do me a favor." "He owes me one." "The picture's as good as sold." "100 grand!" "A hundred thousand dollars?" "Well, $90,000." "I take my 10%." "You'll never get another chance like this." "Ya gotta believe me." "Now please, Edgar." "Please." "Get in the car." "Let's go." "Jesus, what happened to you?" "Somebody tried to kill me." "Now who would want to kill a talented kid like you?" "Holly would." "[Engine starts]" "[Music playing]" "[Wind howling]" "[Thunder crashes]"