DDDep. DA Burton Kimball
I'm about to suggest that Captain Auden suspend your license for a few months.
JimGo ahead and suggest it.
DDDep. DA Burton Kimball
He could do it.
Jim
Yeah. Yeah, and then I'd appeal and there'd have to be a hearing, and what I've been investigating and why would all have to come out in the open. So, unless you're absolutely clean in all this, and I have a hunch you're not, you're gonna have a lot of explaining to do. You wanna finish your conversation?
Two years ago when I first met you, I thought, 'This is the one', and I took out my little lariat and I swung it over my head and I took dead aim, and I tossed. I must have thrown it 50 times since then. But I gotta hand it to you, Jim, you're a tough catch. Sometimes, I don't know, last year I guess, I sort of settled for friend and I started looking for someone with more long-range possibilities. David looked like a good candidate.
Jim
Thanks, but I'm still jealous.
DDDave Delaroux
Say are you absolutely certain that those checks are in the ledger? I mean you're sure you didn't make a mistake or misread them, did you?
Jim
Yeah, I'm sure. You know something Dave, you're beginning to get on my nerves.
DDDave Delaroux
Well, what I meant was...
Jim
I said they're there, they're there. Now I will give you a signed affidavit. Beth here can notarize it in the presence of one of the waiters, if we can get one to come to the table, okay?
DDDave Delaroux
[Snaps his fingers, and a waiter immediately comes to their table] Would you take this gentleman's order, please?
Jim
Forget it, lost my appetite.
Jim
[at a restaurant with a Lloyds of London representative discussing his reward for having helped recover stolen diamonds] Mr. Cryder, I don't want to seem anxious, but I was wondering about my five percent recovery fee?
CCryder
Ohhh yes. I called my people at Lloyds, they agreed.
Jim
[smiling] Five percent, a million dollar's worth of jewelry, that's fifty thousand dollars, isn't it?
CCryder
Yes... Unfortunately, each of the cormorants was insured for fifteen thousand making a total of forty-five thousand.
Jim
Well, what has one got to do with the other?
CCryder
Well, they feel that since you were hired to protect them, and since all three were destroyed, that you should... bear the loss...
Jim
That's preposterous!
CCryder
Unfortunately, that is how they... feel. So, ah, forty-five thousand from fifty thousand leaves five thousand...
Jim
Well, I didn't break the damn things!
CCryder
...I've been doing some preliminary figuring... Now from the five thousand there's of course, ah, English inheritance and English income taxes. [he starts subtracting on a pad of paper] Ah yes, we will have to inform your IRS. [he chuckles] And there's the rate of exchange to consider and, oh yes, then there's...
Jim
One minute, just one minute.
Jim
Do you think there's going to be enough for me to pick up this tab?
CCryder
I really don't know, Mr. Rockford, that depends... Do you intend to keep on drinking?
CClerk
Can't you read the sign?
Jim
Oh yeah. Yeah, sure.
CClerk
You're not supposed to take notes.
Jim
Yeah, I know, I know. But you see, I can't remember all this without taking notes.
CClerk
But it's not allowed!
Jim
Ya I know... you didn't make the rule.
CClerk
I'm going to call the police.
Jim
Well, I suppose you have to. Sorry I'm gonna miss 'em. I'm almost through here.
KSKaren Stiles
You know, I wasn't sure you were going to show up. I mean three years is more than just a little interlude. Why did you?
Jim
Oh, let's just say I was curious.
KSKaren Stiles
Curious? That emotion doesn't hold much fire.
Jim
Well Karen, it was three years ago. We did our little torch dance, and as I recall we ended up getting a little singed.
KSKaren Stiles
Well, I heal quickly.
Jim
Well, I don't. So, let's just start with curiosity and we'll see where it goes from there.
MSMurray Slauson
Lederer was having an affair with this Stiles broad. And that's about all I'm gonna tell you, Rockford. Yeah, I know who you are. I study all my competition, even though you ain't much. [chuckles] Jim Rockford, the con bull artist. You never run a straight line in your life. It's guys like you that give the PI business a bad name. Now, get out of here, bug, before I squash you.
Jim
Well, I can understand how you'd feel that way, I mean, looking through bedroom windows and taking dirty pictures must be more spiritually rewarding.
MSMurray Slauson
Stuff it, Rockford.
Jim
Now why'd you set me up?
KSKaren Stiles
I didn't. I didn't, and if you don't know me any better than that, then there's nothing for us even to talk about.
Jim
Oh, now wait a minute, there's a lot for us to talk about. And what right do you have to look so wounded?
[Rockford's Firebird pulls up in front of a dilapidated bungalow somewhere outside of L.A.] Huh? What do you say? Is this what you asked for? Huh? [He laughs excitedly]
Jim
Yeah, perfect... I couldn't have done better myself. How much?
Look at that. You said no neighbors, right? Well, right over here is an empty lot and right on this side is an empty house, huh?
Jim
All right, Angel, how much?
Listen, I got all the papers here, and all signed legal... binding...
Jim
[sounding testy] Angel...
Well, you know, Willie wasn't in love with the idea of renting it in the first place. Well, I mean a man's home is, uh... you know. But it's cause you were friends at Quentin... he said to say hi.
Jim
[Impatiently] Hi... how much?
[Uneasily] Ah... A hundred a day...
Jim
Angel! A hundred dollars a day for that chicken shed?!
[Defensively] You said it was perfect! The key is under the mat!
Jim
[sighing he reaches inside his jacket for his wallet] All right, Angel... If I had the time I'd go rent one on my own, but I don't have the time. If I did I would, but you got yourself a deal, huh. [He hands a couple of fifties to his friend] Now I'm going to remember it... And when this whole thing is over, I'm going to have a little talk with Willie. See how much of that hundred sticks to your greedy little fingers, and then he's going to remember it. [He climbs into his car]
[Nervously] Jimmy, you don't have to talk to Willie...
[Rockford starts the car]
[Rockford puts his foot to the accelerator]
Jimmy! Hey Jimmy! I don't have a car!
[He watches as Rockford drives off leaving him abandoned on the curb miles from L.A]
The Rockford Files · 359 quotes
