1
[projector whirring]
[birds chirping]
[wind chime jingling]
[light clicks]
[crickets chirping]
[soft cryptic orchestral music]
[crickets chirping]
- [exhales sharply]
[engine turning over]
[brassy detective music]
[spirited saxophone music]
[tense orchestral music]
- DES MOINES, IOWA:
THE CAPITAL CITY.
A NICE TOWN WITH HARDWORKING,
LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
BUT EVEN THE NICEST TOWNS
HAVE BACK ALLEYS
AND BACK ALLEY TROUBLE.
THAT'S WHERE I COME IN.
I CARRY A BADGE.
IT'S PLASTIC.
[anxious clamorous music]
I'M SAM STEELE JR.,
PRIVATE EYE,
AND RIGHT NOW, TROUBLE IS JUS AROUND THE CORNER.
THAT HERD OF WATER BUFFALO
CHASING ME
IS BILLY COOK AND HIS GANG.
BILLY'S THE UGLY ONE.
I KNOW, THEY'RE ALL UGLY.
- GET HIM!
- AS SOON AS I CAN BREATHE
AGAIN,
I'M CONTACTING LENORE.
SHE'S MY RECEPTIONIS AT THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
I'M THE JUNIOR,
AND SHE'S THE ONE WHO MAKES SURE
I STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
IT'S NOT EASY.
[breathing heavily]
LENORE.
LENORE, CODE 11.
I'M NEAR A DUMPSTER IN AN ALLEY
OFF OF COURT STREET.
- SAM, DARLING, CODE 11
IS AN EMERGENCY PIZZA DELIVERY.
I TRUST YOU MEAN CODE 12?
BILLY COOK IS ABOUT TO STOMP YOU
INTO GROUND CHUCK.
- RIGHT AGAIN, LENORE.
I'LL HAVE THAT TO KEEP ME WARM
IN THE HOSPITAL.
- CODY, GET AWAY
FROM THAT SMELLY THING.
- LENORE?
LENORE?
LENORE, I'M IN HERE.
- I DON'T DO DUMPSTERS.
- I'M FINE.
I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
[grunting]
OKAY.
OKAY.
AH!
- DON'T TELL ME THIS IS
OUR NEW OFFICE.
- WHAT DID I SAY ABOU BILLY COOK?
- YOU SAID HE WAS A BAD EGG
AND THAT HE'D BE MAD
THAT YOU CAUGHT HIM STEALING
FREDDIE MALONE'S BICYCLE.
- AND?
- YOU SAID WHEN HIS MONTH OF
DETENTION AND GROUNDING WAS UP
THAT HE'D BE COMING AFTER YOU.
- AND WHAT ELSE?
- YOU WANTED ME TO REMIND YOU
THAT THE MONTH WAS UP.
- AND WHAT DID YOU DO?
- OH, I SEE.
YOU WANTED ME TO TELL YOU
BEFORE THE MONTH WAS UP.
- [sighs]
YOU'RE THE LIMIT, LENORE.
- OH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE
AN APPOINTMENT IN HALF AN HOUR.
BETTER GET HOME TO WASH OFF
THE STENCH OF HUMILIATION.
- [sighs]
DAMES--JUST WHEN YOU THINK
YOU'VE GOT 'EM FIGURED OUT,
THEY LET YOU TAKE A DUMPSTER
DIVE IN YOUR GOOD SHOES.
[melancholy trumpet music]
- DETECTIVES STEELE AND FOGLE,
CHIEF VAN OWEN NEEDS TO SEE YOU
RIGHT AWAY.
- 10-4.
- HEY, SAM, AIN'T THAT YOUR KID?
WHAT'S HE DOING DOWNTOWN?
- I DON'T KNOW.
- WHAT'S WITH THE FEDORA
AND THE TRENCH COAT, MAN?
- HELLO, SIR.
WHAT BRINGS YOU DOWNTOWN?
- I WORK HERE.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
- WHOA, SAM.
YOU ARE SMELLING RIPE.
WHAT, YOU BEEN GOING TO SCHOOL
IN A GARBAGE TRUCK, SON?
- NO, DETECTIVE FOGLE.
IT'S SUMMER VACATION.
- MM.
- LOOK, SON, I KNOW YOU LIKE
PLAYING PRIVATE DETECTIVE...
- I'M NOT PLAYING, SIR.
- NEVERTHELESS, YOU SHOULDN'T BE
COMING ALL THE WAY DOWNTOWN.
YOUR MOTHER WOULD BE
WORRIED SICK.
- SIR, I'M ON A CASE.
- DOWNTOWN
IS OUT OF YOUR JURISDICTION.
THAT'S AN ORDER.
NOW, LET'S GET YOU HOME.
- HEY, SAM,
YOU RIDE IN THE BACK.
TAKE THAT STINK WITH YOU,
ALL RIGHT?
[enigmatic accordion music]
- WELCOME TO MICHE.
RIGHT THIS WAY.
- [French accent] AH, MERCI.
THANK YOU.
- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE
THE WINE LIST?
- UH, NO, BUT COULD YOU HAVE
THE WAITER BRING ME
SOME SPARKLING WATER,
NO ICE?
- OF COURSE.
UM, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING,
YOU'RE NOT FROM AROUND HERE,
ARE YOU?
- NO, NO, I AM FROM LYON.
IT IS FRANCE.
- WHAT BRINGS YOU TO DES MOINES?
- A SMALL COMMUTER PLANE
FROM CHICAGO.
NO, I TEASE.
I'M ON A SIGHTSEEING TOUR
OF YOUR COUNTRY,
AND DES MOINES, IT'S AN AMERICAN
CITY WITH FRENCH HISTORY.
- I KNOW, WE STUDIED THA IN HIGH SCHOOL.
DES MOINES IS ACTUALLY FRENCH
FOR THE--
- UH!
LITERALLY THE TRANSLATION MEANS
"OF THE MONKS."
ORIGINALLY IT WAS
RIVIERE DES MOINES.
- OF COURSE.
I'LL GET YOUR WAITER.
- AH, IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS
SINCE THE LAST ROBBERY.
MAYBE WE'VE GOTTEN RID OF
THE CAT FOR GOOD IN DES MOINES.
- I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.
THE MUSEUM WON'T BE THE SAME
WITHOUT ITS REMBRANDT.
AND I'M STILL UPSET ABOUT THA FIRST ROBBERY.
A DIAMOND NECKLACE STOLEN
RIGHT OUT OF VANMEETER ESTATE?
NO ONE IS SAFE.
- SPARKLING WATER, SIR.
- I HAVE ASKED FOR NO ICE.
IS THIS TOO DIFFICUL TO UNDERSTAND, HUH?
- NO ICE.
YES, SIR.
- DON'T FORGET:
STAY IN YOUR JURISDICTION.
- AND TAKE A BATH.
- I HESITATED TO TELL MY FATHER
THAT PRIVATE DETECTIVES
DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM
WITH JURISDICTION.
HE WORKS FOR THE MAN,
SO HE WOULDN'T KNOW THAT.
- VANGUARD MUSEUM.
- AH, HERE WE GO AGAIN.
[tires squeal]
- I ALSO FAILED TO MENTION
THAT DETECTIVE FOGLE
DIDN'T SMELL LIKE A DOZEN ROSES
EITHER.
- SAMUEL VERNON STEELE JR.,
OUT OF THOSE FILTHY CLOTHES
AND INTO A HOT BATH NOW.
- MOM, PLEASE,
I'M WITH A CLIENT RIGHT NOW.
CAN'T I DO THAT FIRST?
- OH, YOU SMELL LIKE A GOAT.
AND YOUR SHOES ARE RUINED.
- MOM, PLEASE.
I DON'T HAVE THAT MANY CLIENTS
RIGHT NOW.
- WELL, IF POOR LENORE
CAN STAND IT, GO AHEAD.
BUT AS SOON AS YOU'RE FINISHED
PLAYING DETECTIVE,
IT'S BATH TIME.
AND LEAVE THOSE FILTHY CLOTHES
OUTSIDE.
- THAT POOR DELUDED WOMAN.
SHE'S CONVINCED HERSELF
THAT MY JOB IS A GAME.
I GUESS SHE DOES IT TO AVOID
THINKING ABOUT THE DANGER.
- AND THEN HE FELL
OUT OF THE DUMPSTER,
RIGHT ONTO THE...
RIGHT ON TIME, SAM.
YOUR 3:00'S WAITING FOR YOU.
THAT IS IF YOUR MOMMY WILL LE YOU SEE HIM BEFORE BATH TIME.
- THANK YOU, LENORE.
- WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
- [sighs]
IT'S A LITTLE AROMA
I LIKE TO CALL JUSTICE.
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND, MELVIN?
- SOMEBODY STOLE MY BIKE.
- I CHARGE A QUARTER A DAY
PLUS EXPENSES.
- EXPENSES?
- WELL, STAKEOUTS CAN RUN LATE,
AND COFFEE ISN'T FREE, MELVIN.
- MY AUNT ETTA GAVE ME A KENNEDY
HALF-DOLLAR FOR MY BIRTHDAY.
IT'S ALL I GOT.
BESIDES, YOUR MOM WON'T LET YOU
DRINK COFFEE.
- YOU GOT A DESCRIPTION
OF THIS BIKE?
- WELL, IT HAS TRAINING WHEELS.
- YOU GOT AN INNER EAR
INFECTION?
- AND IT'S BLUE
AND IT HAS WHITE STREAMERS
ON THE HANDLEBAR GRIPS.
- YOU SURE IT DOESN'T BELONG
TO YOUR SISTER?
- HEY.
- [laughs]
JUST KIDDING, JUNIOR.
WHY DON'T WE CHECK OU THE SCENE OF THE CRIME?
LENORE, PUT CODY'S LEASH ON.
WE'VE GOT A CASE.
- WHAT?
- CODY.
ON A LEASH.
LEAD THE WAY, MELVIN.
[mysterious orchestral music]
[walkie-talkie beeps]
- ABOUT TIME YOU FELLOWS
GOT HERE.
- SORRY, CHIEF.
WE WERE ACROSS TOWN.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
- IT WAS EITHER COME HERE
OR SIT IN MY OFFICE
AND GET YELLED AT BY THE MAYOR.
- HE'S TOYING WITH US.
- PRICELESS MING VASE
LIFTED RIGHT UNDER THE NOSES
OF THE MUSEUM SECURITY.
THIS IS THE FOURTH ROBBERY
IN THREE MONTHS
AND WE'RE NO CLOSER TO CATCHING
THE CAT.
AND WHEN I SEE "WE,"
I MEAN YOU.
SAM, I DON'T EXPECT A LOT FROM
THE REST OF THE DETECTIVES...
- HEY, I'M STANDING RIGHT HERE.
- SAM, YOU'VE SOLVED SOME
OF THE BIGGEST CASES
EVER TO HIT CHICAGO.
I EXPECT MORE OUT OF YOU.
- WE'LL CATCH THIS GUY, CHIEF.
YOU CAN COUNT ON IT.
- I HOPE SO, DETECTIVE.
BECAUSE IF THE CAT IS FREE
TO DO THIS AGAIN,
THE MAYOR'S GOING TO WAN TO START A TASK FORCE,
AND YOU TWO WON'T BE INVITED
TO THE WEDDING.
ESPECIALLY YOU!
- YOU HEARD THE MAN.
LET'S GET TO WORK.
- HOW DOES HE KNOW THE EXAC WEIGHT OF A MING VASE?
- I DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW HE LEAVES NO PRINTS
AND WEARS NO GLOVES.
- THE GUY'S GOOD.
- THAT'S WHERE MY BIKE WAS
WHEN I WENT TO THE HOUSE
FOR LUNCH.
- HMM.
YOU LEAVE YOUR BIKE OU TO GO HAVE A BOLOGNA SANDWICH,
NEXT THING YOU KNOW,
IT'S IN A KINDERGARTEN
CHOP SHOP.
- ARE YOU TALKING TO YOURSELF?
- IT'S CALLED
AN INNER MONOLOGUE.
ALL GOOD DETECTIVES HAVE ONE.
NOW, SHOW ME EXACTLY WHERE
YOU LOST YOUR BIKE.
- RIGHT HERE.
I WAS CLEANING I WHEN MY MOM CALLED ME IN.
- OKAY.
GOOD.
HMM.
IT'S GOOD TO KNOW
THAT YOU HAD A CLEAN BIKE.
OKAY, CODY.
SNIFF ME OUT A CLUE.
- WHAT'D YOU FIND?
- A CLUE, MELVIN.
- IT LOOKS LIKE A PIECE
OF GRAVEL.
- MELVIN, THAT'S WHY YOU'RE
PAYING ME 50 CENTS
TO TRY TO FIND YOUR BIKE.
I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A CLUE AND A PIECE OF GRAVEL.
- CAN I GO?
- SORRY, KID,
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR AMATEURS
ON THIS KIND OF A JOB.
YOU CAN WATCH CODY, THOUGH.
- AND THIS, THE FOURTH ROBBERY
IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS,
HAS VICTIMIZED THE SECOND MUSEUM
AFTER TWO ESTATE ROBBERIES
IN THE GREATER DES MOINES AREA.
WE HAVE NO WORD YE ON WHAT WAS STOLEN,
BUT GIVEN THE TRACK RECORD
OF THE CAT,
IT IS LIKELY THE MUSEUM'S FAMED
VASE FROM THE MING DYNASTY
WAS THE TARGET.
AND WITH US RIGHT NOW ARE THE
TWO LEAD DETECTIVES ON THE CASE.
DETECTIVE STEELE,
CAN YOU SHED ANY LIGH ON THIS LATEST ROBBERY?
- THE CHIEF WILL BE GIVING
A PRESS CONFERENCE LATER TODAY.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NOTHING
TO REPORT.
- IS IT TRUE, DETECTIVE STEELE,
THAT THE MAYOR IS CONSIDERING
FORMING A TASK FORCE
TO PURSUE THE CAT AND THA THE FBI IS NOW INVOLVED?
- NO COMMENT.
- HOW YOU DOING?
MAYBE WE COULD DISCUSS THE CASE
OVER DINNER OR SOMETHING LIKE...
NO COMMENT.
- SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.
THE CITY'S FINES ARE ON THE CASE.
BELINDA MARTIN REPORTING
FROM THE VANGUARD MUSEUM
IN DES MOINES.
- WHAT THE KID DIDN'T KNOW
WAS THAT THIS KIND OF GRAVEL
ONLY CAME FROM ONE PLACE
IN DES MOINES
AND THAT'S WHERE I'D FIND
THE BIKE.
IT PAYS TO HAVE THE MOS EXTENSIVE GRAVEL COLLECTION
IN THE STATE OF IOWA.
THE HOUSE
BELONGS TO THE AMES FAMILY.
NICE FOLKS.
BUT THEIR OLDEST, KEVIN,
BELIEVES THA "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL"
IS MORE OF A SUGGESTION
RATHER THAN A COMMANDMENT.
- HEY!
THAT'S MY BIKE!
- HE'S GETTING AWAY.
HURRY.
[grandiose orchestral music]
- JOEY AMES,
KEVIN'S YOUNGER BROTHER,
HE MUST NOT KNOW THAT THIS THING
IS HOTTER
THAN PIZZA ROLL FILLING
RIGHT OUT OF THE MICROWAVE.
I NEVER KNEW BEING A PRIVATE EYE
REQUIRED SO MUCH EXERCISE.
NO, NO.
- HEY, LOOK, SAM.
MY MOM PUT MY BIKE AWAY
WITHOUT TELLING ME.
WHOSE BIKE IS THAT?
- MINE!
- THIS IS FOR TAKING
MY BROTHER'S BIKE
AND FOR GETTING ME GROUNDED
OVER SPRING BREAK.
- HEY, CAN I HAVE
MY 50 CENTS BACK?
- AND THEN YOU ASKED
THE REPORTER OUT TO DINNER?
- WELL, SIR, I DIDN'T KNOW
THE CAMERA WAS STILL ON.
- THE CLOCK IS TICKING,
GENTLEMEN.
THE CURATOR AT THE BARTLEBY
REFUSES TO CANCEL THEIR EXHIBIT,
AND THAT'S ONLY
ONE OF THE POTENTIAL TARGETS
THE CAT MIGHT HIT NEXT.
- CHIEF, I KNOW YOU'RE
FRUSTRATED--WE ALL ARE--
BUT WE'RE MAKING HEADWAY.
WE HAVE A LEAD ON WHERE THE CA MIGHT BE FENCING HIS GOODS.
- I KNOW, DETECTIVES,
BUT LEADS AREN'T ENOUGH.
WE NEED AN ARREST!
WE NEED IT NOW.
- CHIEF, THE MAYOR
NEEDS TO SEE YOU RIGHT AWAY.
- TELL HIM
I'LL BE RIGHT THERE.
I'LL TRY TO GET YOU
AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE.
BUT YOU TWO GO OUT THERE
AND FIND THE CAT,
OR WE'LL ALL END UP
DIRECTING TRAFFIC!
- HEY, NICE JOB, FOGLE.
MAYBE WE'LL CATCH THE CA WHILE YOU'RE HAVING DINNER.
- I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS DAY
CAN GET ANY WORSE.
- IF YOU'RE SMART,
YOU'LL RUN AWAY RIGHT NOW.
DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU.
- I JUST GOT A CALL
FROM MRS. AMES.
SHE SAID YOU TRIED TO STEAL
HER SON'S BIKE.
- MOM, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
I WAS ON A CASE.
- NOT ANOTHER WORD, YOUNG MAN.
YOU MARCH INTO THAT HOUSE
RIGHT NOW,
TAKE OFF THOSE STINKY CLOTHES,
AND TAKE A BATH.
OH, YOUR FATHER IS NOT GOING
TO BE PLEASED.
- TOUGH DAY, HUH, SAMMY?
- SOME GREEN TEA?
- THANK YOU.
- IT'LL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.
I WASHED YOUR TRENCH COA AND YOUR FEDORA,
AND THEY SHOULD BE JUST FINE,
BUT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THEM
TILL NEXT HALLOWEEN.
- YOUR MOTHER ONLY WANTS
WHAT'S BEST FOR US.
YOU KNOW THAT.
- I KNOW, DAD.
- IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD
AN EVENTFUL DAY.
- YES, SIR.
- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING
THIS DETECTIVE AGENCY OF YOURS?
- SINCE SPRING BREAK, SIR.
I'VE SOLVED HALF A DOZEN CASES
AND MADE ABOUT $2.
- WELL, THAT'S GOOD WORK, SON.
BUT...
WE CAN'T HAVE YOU
RUNNING AROUND DOWNTOWN
OR STEALING BICYCLES.
- TWO ISOLATED INCIDENTS, SIR.
I ASSURE YOU.
- HERE'S WHAT WE'VE DECIDED.
YOU'RE GROUNDED FOR A WEEK,
AND NO MORE PRIVATE DETECTIVE
BUSINESS THIS SUMMER.
- BUT, DAD--
- SAMMY.
I HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOU AT WORK.
I DON'T NEED TO BE WORRYING
ABOUT YOU TOO.
- THE CAT, RIGHT, DAD?
HE IS A SLIPPERY ONE.
- YES, HE IS.
- YOU'LL CATCH HIM, DAD.
YOU ALWAYS CATCH THE BAD GUYS.
I ACCEPT YOUR PUNISHMEN BUT REQUEST THAT WE REVISIT THE
JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY ISSUE
AT A LATER DATE.
- A MUCH LATER DATE.
NOW GO TO BED.
- HOW'S YOUR TEA?
- LIKE HOT WATER
THROUGH GRASS CLIPPINGS.
- OH, HUSH.
YOU KNOW IT'S GOOD FOR YOU.
HOW'D HE TAKE HIS PUNISHMENT?
- LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES:
STIFF UPPER LIP
AND A SHOT AT NEGOTIATION.
HE REMINDS ME OF DAD.
BORN POLITICIAN.
- I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY BOYS.
- WE'RE BOTH JUST PUSHING OU A DOOR THAT SAYS PULL.
WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT SOMEDAY.
- I THINK YOU JUST NEED
A LITTLE MORE OF THIS.
- I KNEW MY DAD.
AFTER I SERVED MY TIME,
WE'D TALK AGAIN.
THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY
WASN'T DEAD YET.
LENORE?
[static crackles]
HEY, LENORE.
YOU THERE?
[static crackles]
[dubious accordion music]
- [sighs]
TWO MORE FOR THE CAT,
AND THEN...
I AM OFF TO KANSAS.
- SO I GUESS YOU ALREADY HEARD.
- HEARD WHAT?
- MY DAD GOT TRANSFERRED
TO ST. LOUIS.
WE'LL BE MOVING NEXT WEEK.
I FIGURED THAT'S WHY
YOU'RE CLOSING THE AGENCY.
- NAH, MOM AND DAD
ARE PUNISHING ME.
THEY'RE MAKING ME SHUT IT DOWN.
SO YOU'RE MOVING, HUH?
THAT'S A BUMMER.
- NOT REALLY.
MY DAD GO A REALLY BIG PROMOTION,
AND WE'LL BE MOVING INTO
A REALLY COOL HOUSE,
AND CODY WILL HAVE
A BIG BACKYARD TO PLAY IN.
- SOUNDS GREAT.
- SO I GUESS
SINCE YOU'RE GROUNDED,
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE I TO MY GOING-AWAY PARTY.
- WELL, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GE SOME TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR.
WHEN IS IT?
- FRIDAY, 1:00.
- I'LL TRY AND BE THERE.
- I HOPE YOU GET TO REOPEN
THE AGENCY
EVEN IF I'M NOT HERE.
- POOR LITTLE GUY.
- THE MAYOR?
- ALL OVER ME
LIKE SYRUP ON A PANCAKE.
IT WAS THE ONLY PLACE
I GOT TO HIDE.
- WE'RE HEAR TO SEE DR. LOWELL.
- THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.
I THINK HE'S GOT SOMETHING
FOR YOU.
CAN'T HANG OUT ANY LONGER.
TIME TO TELL THE MAYOR
WE HAVEN'T GOT ANY IDEAS!
- GOOD TO SEE YOU, CHIEF.
- ANYTHING NEW, DOCTOR?
- NO PRINTS, NO DNA,
BUT WE DO HAVE
A PARTIAL FOOTPRINT HERE.
YOU SEE, ONCE AGAIN, OUR THIEF
KNEW THE ENTRANCE
THAT WASN'T BLOCKED OFF
OR WIRED TO THE MAIN
ALARM SYSTEM.
HE CAME IN
THROUGH THE VERANDA UPSTAIRS
AND CAME DOWN THIS STAIRCASE.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK, EDDIE?
- SEVEN.
- SEVEN AND A HALF.
- MM.
- ANYTHING ON THE VERANDA
WORTH NOTING?
- WELL, BASED ON
THE SCRATCH MARKS
ON THE EXTERIOR WALL
AND THE ROOFTOP,
HE USED A GRAPPLING HOOK.
- WHAT ABOUT THE BUSINESS CARD?
- WELL, THAT'S THE SAME
AS THE OTHERS.
NO PRINTS, INK-JET--
PROBABLY A HOMEMADE JOB.
- HOW'D HE DESIGN THA CAT PAW?
THAT'S REALLY COOL.
- LOOK, WE'LL HAVE
ALL OUR FINDINGS BACK
LATER ON AT THE LAB
IF YOU WANT TO STOP BY TODAY.
- THANKS, DOCTOR.
LET'S GO TALK TO OUR FAVORITE
FENCE.
- LUNCH FIRST.
I DIDN'T HAVE TIME
FOR BREAKFAST.
- OH, AND, SAM,
THIS GUY ISN'T MAKING
ANY MISTAKES,
AND AT THIS RATE,
WE'LL NEVER FIND OUT WHO HE IS.
- WE GOT A FOOTPRINT NOW.
THAT NARROWS IT DOWN
TO A FEW MILLION PEOPLE.
- WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND, PARTNER?
- THIS THIEF KNOWS HIS TARGETS.
KNOWS THEM INSIDE AND OUT.
KNOWS WHEN TO HIT,
WHERE TO HIT, AND WHAT TO HIT.
- STAKING THE PLACES OUT.
- FOR DAYS, MAYBE WEEKS.
AND HE ONLY HITS
THE BIG TARGETS.
ESTATES FIRST, DIAMONDS
AND SAPPHIRES,
THEN THE REMBRAND AT THE POLK COUNTY MUSEUM.
NOW THE MING.
- HE'S GOT ALMOS ALL THE GOOD STUFF IN TOWN.
THERE CAN ONLY BE A FEW PLACES
LEFT TO HIT.
- LET'S GO FIGURE OUT WHICH IS
ON THE TOP OF THE LIST.
- HEY, CHIEF.
- CHIEF, YOU GOT A MINUTE?
- I DO IF YOU GOT SOMETHING
ON THE CAT.
- MAYBE WE DO.
- I'LL LET DETECTIVE STEELE
FILL ME ON THE DETAILS,
ALL RIGHT?
- WE'RE GOING ABOUT THIS
THE WRONG WAY.
WE'RE WAITING FOR THE CA TO STRIKE,
AND THEN WE START LOOKING
FOR HIM.
WHAT IF WE WERE A STEP AHEAD
RATHER THAN A STEP BEHIND?
- WELL, I LIKE IT,
BUT HOW?
- GOING BY WHAT THE CA HAS STOLEN,
THERE ARE ONLY ONE OR TWO
MORE PLACES FOR HIM TO HIT.
BASED ON THE INSIDE INFORMATION
HE OBTAINS,
WE KNOW THAT HE STAKES OUT HIS
TARGET LONG BEFORE THE ROBBERY.
- SO WE STAKE OUT THE TARGETS
AND WE CATCH HIM BEFORE HE ROBS.
- YES, LIEUTENANT FOGLE,
BEFORE HE STRIKES AGAIN.
GOOD WORK, SAM.
LET'S IDENTIFY
THE POTENTIAL TARGETS.
TAKE ALL THE RESOURCES YOU NEED.
- THANK YOU, SIR.
FOGLE, GO BACK TO OUR OFFICE,
MAKE A LIS OF POTENTIAL TARGETS.
START WITH THE DA VINCI EXHIBI AND THEN WORK FROM THERE.
I'M GOING TO GO HAVE
A CONVERSATION WITH THE FENCE
AND I'LL PICK UP A PIZZA
ON THE WAY BACK.
- WHY DO I GOTTA DO
THE DESK WORK?
- CHIEF, YOU DID SAY TAKE ALL
THE RESOURCES I NEED, RIGHT?
- IF YOU CONSIDER FOGLE
A RESOURCE,
YOU'RE WELCOME TO HIM.
- I AM A RESOURCE.
- COME ON.
- WOULD YOU LIKE SOME TOAST,
SWEETHEART?
- NO, THANKS.
- WELL, EAT YOUR FRUIT, THEN.
- WHY HASN'T DAD
BEEN AROUND FOR BREAKFAST?
- YOU KNOW HE'S ON A BIG CASE.
I DON'T THINK HE'S BEEN HOME
FIVE HOURS ALL WEEK.
- IS HE ON A STAKEOUT?
- I THINK SO.
I THINK HE'S HAVING TO SLEEP
IN HIS CAR.
- WOW.
- I HEAR LENORE'S FAMILY
IS MOVING.
THAT'S A SHAME.
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LIKE HER.
- [chokes]
MOM, I'M TRYING TO EAT HERE.
- ALL RIGHT.
WELL, SHE WAS YOUR RECEPTIONIST.
AND I THINK YOU SHOULD GO
TO HER PARTY TODAY.
- BUT I'M GROUNDED UNTIL MONDAY.
- I DECIDED TO GIVE YOU TIME OFF
FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR.
IF YOU MAKE SURE THAT TEN IS ZIPPED UP BEFORE YOU GO.
- I'M JUST GOING TO SAY GOOD-BYE
TO CODY.
[crickets chirping]
- I'D NEVER ADMIT IT,
BUT I WAS GOING TO MISS LENORE.
SHE WAS A GOOD DAME,
AND SHE HAD A GREAT DOG.
I'M SORRY YOU'VE GOT TO LEAVE,
LENORE.
- HA!
I KNEW YOU LIKED HER.
- NOW YOU KNOW WHY I HAVE
AN INNER MONOLOGUE.
[dramatic orchestral music]
- YOU GOT ANYTHING, MARTINSON?
- A COUPLE DUMPSTER DIVERS
AND A STRAY DOG.
THAT'S IT.
- THIS HAS GOT TO BE
HIS NEXT TARGET, FOGLE.
IF THE CAT IS STILL HERE,
HE'S GOING TO WANT A SHO AT THAT DA VINCI EXHIBIT.
- MAYBE HE KNOWS
WE'RE WATCHING HIM.
IF I WERE THE CAT,
I'D BE HITTING OVER
AT THE ANTIQUE SHOP.
WINDSOR HEIGHTS.
A LOT LESS SECURITY OVER THERE.
- LESS RISK,
LESS REWARD.
AND I THINK THE CAT WOULD LIKE
THE CHALLENGE.
- OKAY.
[melancholy orchestral music]
- I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D MAKE IT.
- WELL, MY MOM GAVE ME TIME OFF
FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR.
- HOW'D YOU PULL THAT OFF?
A GOING-AWAY PRESENT?
THANKS.
I'LL GET CODY.
MEET ME BEHIND THE SWING SET.
- DIDN'T THINK I'D SEE YOU
ON THE STREET SO SOON, SAM.
- BEAT IT, MELVIN.
- I GUESS SAM
HAD TALKED HIMSELF OU OF WHATEVER PUNISHMEN HIS MOM HAD--
- MELVIN, I'M THE ONE
WITH THE INNER MONOLOGUE.
[sighs]
- FOLLOW ME,
AND DON'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS.
- MY CURIOSITY
HAD THE BEST OF ME.
I KEPT MY MOUTH SHU AND FOLLOWED.
I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED ABOU PLAYING KISSY FACE WITH LENORE,
BUT I FIGURED CODY WOULD KEEP ME
OUT OF TROUBLE.
- NOW YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
- WHAT?
HOW?
WHY?
- RIGHT, WELL, MY GRANDFATHER
OWNS THIS LAND,
AND MY DAD BUILT THIS FOR ME
SO I WOULD HAVE A CLUBHOUSE.
HE DIDN'T WANT ME WORKING
FOR A PRIVATE DETECTIVE.
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE MOVING,
GRANDPA SAYS THE CLUBHOUSE
IS STILL MINE,
AND SINCE I WON'T BE HERE
TO USE IT,
I'M LEASING IT TO
THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
- BUT THERE IS NO
JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
MOM AND DAD SHUT IT DOWN,
REMEMBER?
AND WITH YOU GONE,
WHAT'S THE POINT?
- YOU'RE SWEET, SAM, BUT YOU'LL
FIND ANOTHER RECEPTIONIST,
AND AS FAR AS YOUR PARENTS
ARE CONCERNED,
SINCE IT'S NOT IN THEIR GARAGE,
HOW WILL THEY KNOW
IF THE AGENCY IS BACK?
- [sighs]
I DON'T KNOW.
WOW.
- WOW IS RIGHT, AND IT'S ALL
YOURS IF YOU CAN PAY THE RENT.
- WHAT'S RENT?
- ONE KISS ON THE LIPS.
- I SUPPOSE ONE KISS
ISN'T GOING TO KILL ME.
AT LEAST, I HOPE NOT.
NOT A WORD OF THIS TO ANYONE,
LENORE.
NOT A WORD!
[spirited orchestral music]
- WELL, GANG, HERE WE ARE.
OUR NEW HOME.
- OH, I LOVE IT.
- DO YOU MIND IF I LOOK AROUND
THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
- YEAH, I GUESS IT'S ALL RIGHT,
BUT STAY ON THIS BLOCK.
IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE HOUSE,
YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR, ALL RIGHT?
- AND DON'T BE GONE TOO LONG.
I'M GOING TO WANT YOUR HELP
UNPACKING THE KITCHEN, OKAY?
- ALL RIGHT.
[charming acoustic music]
[kids laughing]
- HEY, SHE'LL UNDERSTAND
SOMEDAY.
DADDY HAD TO GET A JOB
TO PUT A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS
AND FOOD ON THE TABLE.
- YEAH, SOMEDAY.
- LOTS OF KIDS
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
- YOU SEE?
I KNEW YOU'D LOVE IT HERE.
- CAN I HELP CARRY SOME BOXES
IN THE HOUSE?
- SURE, UH, GRAB THAT ONE THERE
BY THE FLOWERPO AND BRING IT INTO THE KITCHEN.
- WATCH OUT FOR THE MOVERS.
- GOT IT?
ALL RIGHT, THANKS.
- HOME SWEET HOME.
- HEY, GANG.
- I WAS HOPING YOU'D MAKE IT.
- I GOT SOMEBODY TO COVER FOR ME
TONIGHT.
I WANTED TO HAVE DINNER
WITH MY FAMILY.
IT IS SO NICE TO HAVE A MEAL
WAITING FOR ME.
- WELL, WE WERE KIND OF
COUNTING ON YOU.
- SO, UH, DID YOU SOLVE
THE CASE?
- DON'T INTERROGATE YOUR FATHER,
AND, PLEASE, TAKE YOUR ELBOWS
OFF THE TABLE WHILE YOU EAT.
- WHAT'S THE SCOOP ON THE CAT?
- WE WERE ON A STAKEOUT, SON.
NOTHING GLAMOROUS.
JUST WAITING FOR THE CA TO MAKE HIS MOVE.
- WHAT THEN?
- HOPEFULLY WE CATCH HIM
IN THE ACT.
- THAT'D BE PRETTY COOL.
- HEY, I SAW A MOVING TRUCK DOWN
AT THE OLD MILLS HOUSE TODAY.
I GUESS SOMEONE'S FINALLY
MOVING IN.
- MAYBE WE SHOULD GO DOWN THERE
AND INTRODUCE OURSELVES.
- WELL, THAT WOULD BE NICE
WHEN YOU'VE GOT THE TIME.
SO HOW WAS LENORE'S PARTY TODAY?
- PARTY?
- UH, YEAH, DAD.
LENORE'S MOVING.
HER DAD GOT TRANSFERRED
TO ST. LOUIS.
- AND SHE HAD A GOING-AWAY PARTY
TODAY,
AND I MADE AN EXECUTIVE DECISION
TO LET SAM GO.
- THAT'S FINE.
SO HOW WAS IT?
- UH, GOOD.
YOU KNOW, FRIENDS, FOOD.
A PARTY.
- WELL, I KNOW YOU TWO
WERE CLOSE.
I'M SORRY YOUR FRIEND IS MOVING.
- HEY, MAYBE OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
HAVE A CHILD YOUR AGE, HONEY.
- HEY, HEY.
NAPKIN.
SO, HONEY, ARE YOU EXCITED
ABOUT TOMORROW?
FIRST DAY ON A NEW JOB?
- YEAH, SURE.
FIRST DAY'S ALWAYS EXCITING.
I JUST DON'T LIKE BEING
THE NEW GUY.
I'VE GOT TO PROVE MYSELF
ALL OVER AGAIN.
- YOU'LL DO GREAT, DADDY.
- THANKS, SWEETHEART.
- HEY, DON'T GET USED TO PIZZA,
YOUNG LADY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT KITCHEN
READY TO COOK IN
TOMORROW NIGHT, ALL RIGHT?
- WELL, I GOTTA GET UP
IN A LITTLE WHILE.
I'M GOING TO GRAB A SHOWER
AND GO TO BED.
- ALL RIGHT.
GOOD NIGHT.
- GOOD JOB TODAY, DEAR.
- THANKS, DADDY.
- GLAD TO SEE
YOU'RE IN A BETTER MOOD.
- I JUST REALIZED HOW LUCKY
WE ARE.
THAT'S ALL.
- WHY DON'T YOU FINISH UP
THAT SLICE
AND THEN HELP ME MAKE UP THE BED
FOR DADDY
SO HE'S GOT A COMFORTABLE PLACE
TO SLEEP, OKAY?
- ALL RIGHT.
- OKAY.
- OH, CHERI.
TRES BIEN.
AH, YES.
YOU MAY HAVE FIGURED IT OUT,
BUT YOU WILL NOT STOP ME.
[chuckles]
PAS MAINTENANT,
PAS JAMAIS.
THEY MAY HAVE FIGURED IT OUT,
BUT THEY WILL NEVER CATCH ME.
NOT NOW,
NOT EVER.
- STEELE AND FOGLE,
ALL CLEAR ON THE BACK END.
I'M TAKING OFF.
- THANKS, MARTINSON.
WE'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE.
- SO HOW WAS DINNER
WITH THE FAMILY?
- WONDERFUL.
I HADN'T SEEN SAMMY
SINCE WE GROUNDED HIM.
- HOW'D JUNIOR TAKE THE WHOLE
SHUTTING DOWN
OF THE DETECTIVE AGENCY?
- VERY WELL.
I THINK IT'S JUST A PHASE
ANYWAY.
BESIDES, HIS RECEPTIONIS GOT TRANSFERRED TO ST. LOUIS.
- WHO HIRES
A TEENAGE RECEPTIONIS AND THEN PAYS TO MOVE HER
TO ST. LOUIS?
- HER DAD GOT TRANSFERRED,
GENIUS.
SHE'S NOT REALLY A RECEPTIONIST.
- I KNEW THAT.
- LESS TALK,
MORE STAKEOUT.
[warm orchestral music]
- HA.
[clicks tongue]
- AH, I SEE YOU MET DOUG
THE DOG.
- YEAH, I GUESS SO.
- HOW YOU DOING?
I'M DEPUTY CHIEF CARR.
YOU MUST BE DAVE MARSH.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
READY TO GET STARTED, SIR.
- AH, GOOD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD,
DAVE.
LISTEN, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU
A LITTLE TOUR OF THE PLACE
AND THEN I'LL LET YOU
GET SETTLED IN, OKAY?
- GREAT.
THAT IS AN EXCELLENT DOG.
- AH, YEAH, WELL,
DON'T GET TOO ATTACHED TO HIM.
NEW REGULATIONS
AT THE FIREHOUSE: NO DOGS.
- [panting]
- DOUG WILL BE GONE
BY THIS WEEKEND.
- GOT A GOOD HOME TO GO TO?
- NO, NOT YET.
I'D TAKE HIM HOME MYSELF,
BUT I GOT THREE DOGS.
MY WIFE WOULD KILL ME.
LISTEN, LET ME GET YOU
SETTLED IN.
WE'LL GO UPSTAIRS AND MEET SOME
OF THE GUYS.
- GREAT.
- BE GOOD, DOUGIE.
[tranquil orchestral music]
- HELLO,
MY NAME IS KATHY STEELE.
- WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
[angelic harp music]
- MY FAMILY AND I LIVE
JUST DOWN THE STREET.
- I'M CASEY MARSH, AND, UH,
THIS RUDE LITTLE GIRL IS EMMA.
- YOU GOT A NAME, SHORT STUFF?
- MUFFINS.
I-I MEAN SAM.
SAM STEELE JR.
- THAT IS SO NICE.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, EMMA?
- THANKS, MUFFINS.
- HERE'S A BASKE FULL OF SOME SHAMPOOS AND SOAPS
JUST IN CASE
YOU HAVEN'T UNPACKED YET.
JUST OUR WAY OF SAYING
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
- OH, THANK YOU, KATHY.
I'D INVITE YOU IN, BUT THE HOUSE
IS SUCH A MESS RIGHT NOW.
- OH, NO WORRIES, CASEY.
WHEN YOU GET SETTLED IN,
JUST GIVE US A CALL,
WE'LL HAVE YOU OVER
FOR A COOKOUT.
I KNOW YOU'RE JUST GOING TO LOVE
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
- YEAH.
- [chuckles]
I'M SURE WE WILL.
- OUR PHONE NUMBERS AND
ADDRESSES ARE IN THE BASKET,
SO JUST GIVE US A CALL
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A BREAK.
- OH, I'M SURE WE WILL.
THANK YOU AGAIN.
- YES, VERY NICE.
- THAT WENT WELL.
- BE RIGHT BACK.
[gentle orchestral music]
- HEY, YOU GUYS, LOOK WHA I FOUND AT THE FIREHOUSE.
[laughs]
- DAVE.
- OH, COME ON, HONEY.
THEY WERE GOING TO GET RID
OF HIM,
AND NOW, UH, DOUG, IS GOING
TO MAKE OUR LITTLE GIRL HAPPY.
- DOUG?
- YEAH.
AND MAKE SURE YOU TAKE CARE
OF HIM.
- OH, DON'T WORRY, DADDY.
I WILL.
- ALL RIGHT.
- YOU STAY HERE.
I'M GOING TO WALK THROUGH
THE MUSEUM AND CHECK THINGS OUT.
- HEY, CAN YOU GET ME A SMOOTHIE
AT THE CONCESSION STAND
WHILE YOU'RE IN THERE?
I'M FEELING A LITTLE PECKISH.
- NO.
- I TRUST EVERYTHING
IS IN ORDER, DETECTIVE.
- SO FAR, SO GOOD.
HOW'S EVERYTHING GOING
WITH THE DA VINCI EXHIBIT?
- RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.
I'D SHOW YOU AROUND,
BUT THE ROOM IS UNDER LOCKDOWN
WHILE THE EXHIBI IS BEING PREPARED.
WHY DON'T WE HAVE A CUP
OF COFFEE
TO DISCUSS YOUR SECURITY PLANS?
- LEAD THE WAY.
- OKAY.
I'M GLAD YOUR DEPARTMEN IS KEEPING AN EYE ON US.
- WE WANT TO CATCH HIM
IN THE ACT, MS. CARMICHAEL.
I'M HOPING THE EXHIBI AND THE CHALLENGE OF
YOUR SECURITY WILL LURE HIM IN.
- DO YOU THINK HE KNOWS
YOU'RE WATCHING THE MUSEUM?
- WE'VE TRIED TO KEEP
A LOW PROFILE,
BUT I'M SURE HE SUSPECTS
ADDITIONAL SECURITY,
ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS BY FAR
THE BEST TARGET IN TOWN.
- WE CONSIDERED MOVING I OUT OF THE CITY,
BUT GREAT ART WILL ALWAYS
ATTRACT GREAT THIEVES.
NO USE RUNNING FROM THEM.
- THE GREAT ART OF DES MOINES
HAS ATTRACTED THE CA SEVERAL TIMES.
I JUST HOPE IT DOESN' HAPPEN AGAIN.
[dubious instrumental music]
- HEY.
- HI, SWEETHEART.
HEY, I NOTICED A LO OF BACK AND FORTH
TO LENORE'S HOUSE TODAY.
MIND TELLING YOUR MOTHER
WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT?
- UH, YEAH, I WAS JUS RETURNING SOME STUFF
THAT BELONGED TO LENORE.
THE MOVING TRUCK WAS GETTING
READY TO LEAVE HER HOUSE, SO...
- DID YOU HAPPEN TO GIVE HER
YOUR TRENCH COAT AND FEDORA?
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM
LATELY.
- UM, YEAH.
YOU KNOW, SHE LOVED THE JUNIOR
DETECTIVE AGENCY SO MUCH,
I WANTED TO GIVE HER SOMETHING
TO REMEMBER IT BY.
- AREN'T YOU A THOUGHTFUL BOY?
mwah!
I'M GOING TO GO GET US SOME TEA,
FOR MY HARDWORKING,
THOUGHTFUL SON.
- I'D NEVER LIED TO MY MOTHER,
AND I DIDN'T LIKE THE TASTE
OF IT,
BUT THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY
WAS GOING TO BE BACK
IN BUSINESS.
- THERE MUST HAVE BEEN ANOTHER
DOG AROUND HERE, HUH, DOUG?
JUST DON'T DO NUMBER TWO AGAIN.
I'M RUNNING OUT OF BAGS.
WELL, IF IT ISN'T MUFFINS.
- IT'S SAM.
SAM STEELE JR., TO BE EXACT.
HEY, I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU HAD A DOG.
- I DIDN'T TILL TODAY.
DAD GOT DOUG FOR ME
AT THE FIRE STATION.
- DOUG.
THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD NAME
FOR A DOG.
- I DIDN'T THINK OF IT.
HE SHOWED UP WITH THAT NAME.
- HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
I HAVE TO TAKE MY GLASS
BACK INSIDE.
YOU MIND IF I HELP YOU WALK DOUG
AFTER THAT?
- WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HELP ME
WALK DOUG?
- WELL, YOU KNOW,
I THOUGHT I'D SHOW YOU
SOME OF THE COOLER PARTS
OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT IF YOU DON'T, THAT'S FINE.
- HURRY UP.
AND BRING SOME SANDWICH BAGS.
- HEY, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
- EMMA MARSH GOT A NEW DOG.
I'M HELPING HER WALK I AND SHOWING HER
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
- WELL, AREN'T YOU
JUST THE NICE NEIGHBOR?
WAIT ONE MINUTE.
LET ME SEE.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALMOS CLEANING YOUR FACE.
HAVE A GOOD TIME.
- YEP.
- WHAT IS THIS?
- THIS IS THE WORLDWIDE
HEADQUARTERS
OF THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
- WHAT'S A JUNIOR DETECTIVE
AGENCY?
- COME ON.
LET'S SEE WHAT'S INSIDE.
[mischievous instrumental music]
- VERY...NICE?
I'VE GOT TO GO HOME NOW.
- WAIT.
I NEED A PARTNER IN THE AGENCY.
I CAN'T DO IT ALONE.
- YOU DON'T NEED ANY HELP
SITTING OUT HERE
READING COMIC BOOKS.
- HEY, THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE
AGENCY DOES GOOD WORK.
WE HELP KIDS WHO ARE VICTIMS
OF BULLIES AND THIEVES.
- YEAH, I BET IT'S A REAL
CRIME WAVE AROUND HERE.
- NOT ANYMORE.
LISTEN, IT'S JUST YOU AND ME
AND DOUG
A FEW HOURS A DAY
SOLVING CRIMES.
- WELL,
WHERE'S YOUR POWER SOURCE?
AND DOES THIS CRATE HAVE WI-FI?
- UM, NO.
- WELL, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO
THIS, WE'VE GOT TO DO IT RIGHT.
I'VE GOT A LAPTOP
WITH A SIX-HOUR BATTERY
AND AN AIRCARD.
- REALLY?
- YEAH.
JUST BECAUSE YOU FANCY YOURSELF
A DETECTIVE FROM THE 1940s,
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T HAVE
SOME 21ST-CENTURY TOYS.
I WANT THE BIGGER DESK,
AND DOUG IS GOING TO NEED
A PLACE TO LAY DOWN.
- THE BIGGER DESK IS MINE.
- SURE, IF YOU WANT TO SI OUT HERE ALL ALONE.
- [sighs]
ANYTHING ELSE?
- YEAH, DO WE GET PAID
FOR SOLVING THESE, UM, CRIMES,
OR ARE WE DOING VOLUNTEER WORK?
- MY RATE IS 25 CENTS A DAY
PLUS EXPENSES.
- OUR RATE IS 50 CENTS A DAY.
YOU GET 40%.
I GET 40%.
AND DOUG GETS 20%.
- WAIT A SECOND.
THAT MEANS YOU GET 60%.
- WHAT DOUG DOES WITH HIS MONEY
IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN.
- I SUPPOSE YOU WAN A TRENCH COAT AND FEDORA TOO.
YOU'LL HAVE TO GET YOUR OWN.
- OF COURSE.
I'LL NEED A KEY FOR THE PADLOCK.
MAKE ONE FOR ME, PLEASE?
COME ON, DOUG.
TOMORROW MORNING, 8:00 A.M.
- THAT'S A LITTLE EARLY,
DON'T YOU THINK?
- JUSTICE DOES NO HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON, SAM.
- MARTINSON HERE.
- THIS IS STEELE.
- WE'VE CANVASSED THE ROOFTOP
AND THE PERIMETER.
ALL SECURE.
- 10-4.
WE'LL DO IT AGAIN IN ONE HOUR.
I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THE CA HAS LEFT DES MOINES.
- THAT WOULD BE SWEET.
[mysterious orchestral music]
[tense instrumental music]
crack!
- WHAT THE?
[dubious accordion music]
- [grunting]
- THIS IS DETECTIVE STEELE.
ALL POINTS, THE BARTLEBY MUSEUM
HAS BEEN HIT!
- THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING
ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE.
AS YOU KNOW, THE CA STRUCK AGAIN LAST NIGHT,
THIS TIME TARGETING
THE DA VINCI EXHIBI AND THE BARTLEBY ART MUSEUM.
NOW, WHILE I REFUSE
TO PLACE DIRECT BLAME
ON ANY DETECTIVES
CHARGED WITH SOLVING THIS CASE,
IT BECOMES EVIDENT THAT WE MUS GO IN A NEW DIRECTION.
TO THAT END, THE MAYOR AND I
ARE ANNOUNCING A TASK FORCE
WHICH'LL BE LED BY THE NEWLY
HIRED CHIEF OF DETECTIVES,
JOEL MANGAL,
WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF
BRINGING THIS THIEF TO JUSTICE.
ALSO, THE FBI HAS AGREED
TO COME ON BOARD
TO HELP US SOLVE THIS CASE.
NOW, UH, I'LL TURN THE PODIUM
OVER TO DETECTIVE MANGAL.
- SO MY DAD WAS SEN TO THE BENCH.
HE'D BE HOME TONIGHT,
BUT HIS HEAD AND HIS HEAR WOULD BE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
- WELL, THAT WAS PLEASANT.
SO WHAT HAPPENED?
- HE MUST HAVE HAD ACCESS
THROUGH THE JANITORIAL AREA,
MAYBE AS A SANITATION WORKER.
- WELL, HE KNEW WHERE THE
MUSEUM'S BACKUP GENERATOR WAS.
THAT'S NOT IN THE BROCHURE.
- A CLEANUP GUY
WOULD HAVE TOTAL ACCESS.
- TELL IT TO THE NEW TASK FORCE.
THEY'RE ON THE JOB NOW,
AND WE'RE NOT NEEDED.
- FOGLE AND I COULD GO TALK
TO THE SANITATION COMPANY
THAT SERVICES THE MUSEUM.
- THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
THAT NEW TASK FORCE WON'T WAN TO GET THEIR CUFFS DIRTY.
- YEAH, AND THE FBI
WON'T EITHER.
- WELL, GENTLEMEN?
THEY'RE NOT COMING HERE.
[incredulous accordion music]
- [sighs]
LET ME SEE HERE...
AH, OUI.
ONLY ONE MORE TO GO AND
IT'S THE EASIEST OF THEM ALL.
- AND THIS JUST IN:
CHIEF VAN OWEN HAS ANNOUNCED
THAT A SPECIAL TASK FORCE
HAS BEEN CREATED
TO CAPTURE THE CAT, WHO,
LAST NIGHT,
BROKE INTO THE BARTLEBY MUSEUM.
- A SPECIAL TASK FORCE, HUH?
MAYBE MY LAST ROBBERY
IN THIS QUAINT LITTLE TOWN
SHOULD BE VERY SOON.
HUH.
[brooding instrumental music]
- YOU'RE LATE.
ruff!
NOT A GOOD WAY
TO START OUR NEW BUSINESS.
- I SEE YOU FOUND
YOUR DETECTIVE WARDROBE.
- I HAVEN'T LIVED HERE
VERY LONG,
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE CA IS THE BIGGEST STORY IN TOWN.
- YEAH, I WAS AT THE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING.
THEY ASSIGNED A NEW TASK FORCE
TO TRY TO CATCH HIM.
- I KNOW, AND IT SEEMS YOUR DAD
ISN'T ON THE CASE ANYMORE.
- HE'S ON THE CASE.
HE'S JUST NO PART OF THE TASK FORCE.
- I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING
THIS CAT PERSON--
A ONE-MAN DES MOINES
CRIME WAVE--
AND THE POLICE ARE NO CLOSER
TO CATCHING HIM
THAN THEY WERE ON DAY ONE.
- LOOK, IF YOU'RE TRYING
TO MAKE ME MAD...
- I'M NOT TRYING
TO MAKE YOU MAD, SAM.
I WAS JUST THINKING
THAT CATCHING THE CA MIGHT BE GOOD FOR OUR BUSINESS.
- AND HOW ARE WE
GOING TO DO THAT?
- WE OUTTHINK HIM.
THAT'S HOW.
MOM WANTS ME HOME
TO DO SOME CHORES.
CALL ME WHEN YOU WANT ME
BACK HERE.
- I HAD TO ADMIT IT:
THE KID HAD MOXIE.
ONE DAY ON THE JOB AND
SHE WANTED TO TAKE ON THE CAT.
- SAM, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU
ALL MORNING.
- JUST GETTING SOME EXERCISE
ON MY BIKE.
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
- SANDWICHES, BUT YOU'RE GOING
TO HAVE TO SERVE YOURSELF.
I'M ON MY WAY DOWNTOWN
TO SEE YOUR FATHER FOR LUNCH.
NO COMPANY WHILE I'M GONE.
AND IF YOU LEAVE, LOCK THE DOOR,
OKAY?
I'LL BE BACK IN AN HOUR.
[bell ringing]
[dramatic orchestral music]
[siren blaring]
[bangs on door]
- YOU ALL RIGHT, MA'AM?
- OH, I'M SO SORRY.
I WAS COOKING A ROAS AND GOT PREOCCUPIED
IN THE BACKYARD.
WELL, NEXT THING YOU KNOW,
THE ROAST IS BURNING.
THERE'S SMOKE
ALL OVER THE KITCHEN.
- SO THERE'S NO FIRE
THAT YOU CAN SEE?
- OH, HEAVEN FORBID, NO.
JUST A BURNT ROAST.
I'M TRYING TO LEARN
HOW TO COOK
BUT FAILING, I'M AFRAID.
- WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
CHECK IT OU JUST THE SAME, MA'AM.
- OH, OF COURSE.
PLEASE, COME ON IN.
- AGENT 170 TO RADIO.
IT'S GOING TO BE A FALSE ALARM.
FOOD ON THE STOVE.
AGENT 170 HAS CONTROL.
CANCEL ALL THE RESPONDING UNITS.
- I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY
OUR ALARM SYSTEM
IS SO SENSITIVE,
BUT I DO HATE TO BE THE BOY
WHO CRIED WOLF.
- I GOT IT DOWN HERE, MARSH!
CHECK, UH, THE UPSTAIRS.
[suspicious orchestral music]
YOU GUYS EAT OUT A LOT?
- OCCASIONALLY.
- HI, SWEETHEART.
SORRY I'M LATE.
- IT'S OKAY.
- SO WHAT HAVE THEY
GOT YOU DOING NOW?
- FOGLE AND I HAVE BEEN
INTERVIEWING SANITATION WORKERS.
WE'RE RELEGATED TO DESK DUTY.
IT STINKS.
- OH, SAM, IT'S JUST ONE CASE.
YOU'LL BE BACK ON TOP
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
- NO, NO, NO.
I FELT LIKE WE HAD THIS GUY
FIGURED OUT,
AND HE STILL GOT PAST US.
I HAVE AN IDEA ABOU WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO NEXT,
BUT NOBODY WILL LISTEN TO ME.
[ominous orchestral music]
- HERE'S YOUR WATER, SIR.
ARE YOU READY TO ORDER?
- AH, PAS MAINTENANT.
- ALL RIGHT, WELL,
WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
[crickets chirping]
- HONEY, DON'T FEED DOUG
FROM THE TABLE.
- I'M NOT, MOM.
HE MUST HAVE PICKED UP SOME
BAD HABITS AT THE FIRE STATION.
- SO WE HAD A FALSE
AT THAT HUGE ART DECO MANSION.
IT WAS AN AMAZING PLACE.
- I LOVE DRIVING THROUGH
THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
DID YOU GET A GOOD LOOK INSIDE?
- ACTUALLY, I DID, AND IT WAS
EVEN NICER ON THE INSIDE
THAN ON THE OUTSIDE.
I THINK THEY EVEN HAD
A REAL MICHELANGELO.
- A REAL MICHELANGELO?
- ART EXPERT, COULD HAVE BEEN
FAKE, I GUESS,
BUT IT LOOKED REAL TO ME.
- WELL, IF IT IS REAL,
THEY BETTER HAVE GOOD SECURITY
WITH THAT THIEF
STILL ON THE LOOSE.
- I'M SURE THEY DO, HONEY.
THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
WAS STATE OF THE ART.
- CAN I BE EXCUSED?
- ALL RIGHT, JUST HURRY BACK
BEFORE YOUR DINNER GETS COLD.
OKAY, HONEY?
- MAYBE SHE'S NOT FEELING WELL.
- SAM, YOU THERE?
SAM?
ARE YOU THERE?
- YEAH, WHAT'S UP?
- WE MAY HAVE A LEAD.
MEET ME AT THE OFFICE
AT 8:00 A.M. TOMORROW.
- UGH, 8:00 A.M.?
- THAT BOY IS LAZY.
- [whimpers]
- YES, YOU ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL.
AND LIKE ALL BEAUTIFUL THINGS,
YOU HAVE A WEAKNESS.
I MUST FIND IT.
- JUST MY LUCK TO HAVE A PARTNER
WHO WAS RAISED ON A DAIRY FARM.
[yawns]
- I HOPE YOU'RE NOT TOO TIRED.
WE'VE GOT A LATE NIGH AHEAD OF US.
- WHAT'S THE STORY,
MORNING GLORY?
- MY DAD SAID HE SAW
A MICHELANGELO AT A MANSION
IN WEST DES MOINES YESTERDAY.
IF IT'S REAL, THEN WE MAY HAVE
THE CAT'S NEXT TARGET.
- BUT WHO WOULD HAVE
A MICHELANGELO
IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE
IN DES MOINES?
- DANIEL HARGROVE WOULD.
HE'S THE CEO FOR A MULTINATIONAL
COMPANY BASED HERE IN IOWA.
AND HE'S AN ART COLLECTOR,
ACCORDING TO HIS COMPANY BIO.
- YEAH, I KNOW
THE HARGROVE PLACE.
I WENT THERE FOR A PARTY
LAST YEAR.
IT WAS FOR THEIR GRANDSON.
- GOOD.
SO YOU KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND.
- YEAH, BUT I NEVER SAW
A MICHELANGELO,
AND IF HE HAS ONE,
WHY DOESN'T HE TELL ANYBODY?
- PRIVACY?
SECURITY?
YOU NAME IT.
AND IT'S PROBABLY IN THE ROOM
WHERE THEY DON'T ALLOW
FUDGESICLES.
- WELL, IF THERE'S
A MICHELANGELO
THAT MIGHT BE STOLEN,
WE NEED TO TELL MY DAD.
- NOT YET.
- WHY NOT?
- IF WE TELL THE AUTHORITIES
AND THE MICHELANGELO IS A COPY,
WE LOOK LIKE IDIOTS.
AND SO DOES YOUR DAD.
- YEAH, WE NEED TO DO SOME
LEGWORK OF OUR OWN.
- RIGHT.
STARTING TONIGHT.
MEET ME IN YOUR BACKYARD
AT 10:00 P.M.
- BUT MY CURFEW'S 9:30.
- SO WEAR YOUR FOOTIE PAJAMAS
UNDER YOUR TRENCH COAT.
JUST BE THERE.
- WELL, I GUESS
THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY
REALLY IS BACK IN BUSINESS.
- YOU LOOK LIKE A DETECTIVE.
NOW LET'S START ACTING LIKE ONE.
- SHE WASN'T AROUND WHEN
I SOLVED THE CASE
OF THE MISSING LUNCHBOXES,
SO I GAVE HER A PASS.
SHE WAS GOING TO SEE ME
IN ACTION SOON ENOUGH.
THEN, RESPECT.
- QUIT TALKING TO YOURSELF
AND MAKE SURE THE WALKIE-TALKIE
BATTERIES ARE FRESH.
- [sighs]
- I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME
WHEN YOU'VE BEEN TO BED
THIS EARLY, SWEETHEART.
ARE YOU SURE
YOU'RE FEELING OKAY?
- I'M FINE, MOM.
I'M JUST...TIRED.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HOME, DAD.
- IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME, SON.
- SLEEP TIGHT.
- OKAY.
[mischievous instrumental music]
- ARE YOU GOING TO HANG THERE
ALL NIGHT?
- AH, YEAH.
OKAY.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THE CAT.
- HE'S, UM, THAT WAY.
- OKAY, RIGHT.
THE GATE'S LOCKED.
NO WAY IN.
- WE'LL FIND A WAY IN.
COME ON.
LET'S FIND A SPO TO STAKE OUT THE HOUSE.
- [whimpers]
[train clattering on tracks]
[ominous orchestral music]
- ONCE I GET OVER THE WALL,
I'LL UNLOCK THE GATE.
[grunting]
thud!
[cat meows]
- FRONT GATE WAS OPEN.
[mysterious orchestral music]
- NICE BINOCULARS.
- THANKS.
DAD BOUGHT 'EM FOR ME
AT A MILITARY SURPLUS STORE.
- [Doug growls]
- YOU'RE RIGHT, DOUG.
SOMEONE'S IN THERE.
AND IT'S NOT THE OWNERS.
I WISH THE HARGROVES WERE HOME.
WE'VE GOT TO CALL THE POLICE.
- YOU CALL THE POLICE.
HE'S GETTING AWAY.
I'LL CALL YOU
ON THE WALKIE-TALKIE
AS SOON AS I KNOW WHERE
HE'S GOING.
- FIGURES.
THE PHONE ONLY WORKS
WHEN YOU DON'T NEED IT.
COME ON, DOUG.
LET'S GO FIND A SIGNAL.
[frog croaks]
- TOO EASY.
[dubious accordion music]
[engine turning over]
- POLICE?
HELLO?
MY NAME'S EMMA MARSH, AND I JUS SAW THE CAT COMMIT A ROBBERY.
HELLO?
HELLO?
- MRS. STEELE!
MR. STEELE!
- EMMA?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
- WHAT HAVE YOU AND SAM
BEEN UP TO?
- OH, HONEY, WE PUT SAM
IN THE TENT HOURS AGO.
HE'S ASLEEP.
- THAT'S NOT RIGHT, IS IT, EMMA?
- WE'RE THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE
AGENCY,
AND WE THOUGHT WE KNEW WHERE
THE CAT WOULD STRIKE NEXT,
AND WE WERE RIGHT.
HE ROBBED THIS MANSION, AND NOW
SAM'S IN THE TRUNK OF HIS CAR,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE SAM IS.
- WHAT?
- WHERE IS THE HOUSE
THAT WAS ROBBED?
- IT'S THE HARGROVE PLACE.
- WHAT?
- WHAT KIND OF CAR WAS IT?
WHICH DIRECTION WAS IT HEADED?
AND HOW LONG AGO
DID YOU LAST SEE IT?
- IT'S AN OLD MUSCLE CAR.
A FORD GALAXIE.
1960s.
BURGUNDY.
HEADED WEST ON BERGER
ABOUT 20 MINUTES AGO.
- GO HOME, EMMA.
LET THE POLICE TAKE I FROM HERE.
WE'LL FIND HIM, KATHY.
EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT.
- I NEVER SHOULD HAVE LET HIM
SLEEP IN THAT TENT.
- FOGLE, I'LL BE IN FRON OF YOUR HOUSE IN TEN MINUTES.
WE GOT A LEAD ON THE CAT.
- BUT WE'RE NOT ON THE CASE
ANYMORE.
- DO IT.
[distressing instrumental music]
- WHAT HAVE WE GOT, PARTNER?
- I'VE ALREADY GO AN ALL POINTS OU ON A BURGUNDY MID-'60s
FORD GALAXIE,
AND THE TASK FORCE
IS AT THE ESTATE.
- CHIEF DOESN'T WANT US
ANYWHERE NEAR THE TASK FORCE.
- I'M NOT GOING THERE.
I'M GOING TO FIND SAMMY.
[somber orchestral music]
[anxious instrumental music]
- [chuckles]
mwah!
RESTEZ.
[sighs]
[laughs]
BIEN, BIEN.
OH, MY DARLINGS.
YOU MUST WAIT HERE.
PAPA WILL RETURN FOR YOU
IN A FEW WEEKS,
YOU SEE, WHEN THE HEAT IS OFF,
AND THE POLICE, THEY ARE LOOKING
FOR THE JAYWALKER.
OH, SWEETHEART.
OH, MY MING VASE, IT IS YOU
I WILL MISS MOST OF ALL.
THE WAY YOU CURVE...
OH.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
OPEN THIS DOOR, HUH?
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE
TROUBLING WITH!
WHO ARE YOU?
- I'M SAM STEELE JR.,
AND YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!
- I CANNOT HEAR YOU.
MAYBE IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR, HUH?
- AH, SURE.
HEY.
I'M NOT FALLING FOR THAT.
I COULDN'T SEE THE LOOK
ON HIS FACE,
BUT I'M SURE THE CAT WAS SHOCKED
TO LEARN
HE HAD BEEN OUTSMARTED
BY SAM STEELE JR.
- SAM, ARE YOU THERE?
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
SAM?
- EMMA.
EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL.
THE CAT IS MY PRISONER.
HEY, WHY DON'T YOU WAKE UP
MY DAD
AND TELL HIM THAT THE RES OF HIS CAREER IS WAITING FOR HIM
AT THE DES MOINES
MINI WAREHOUSE COMPLEX.
- WILL DO, SAM STEELE JR.,
PRIVATE DETECTIVE.
MRS. STEELE!
HE'S ALL RIGHT!
- THANK GOODNESS.
WHERE IS HE?
- HE'S AT THE DES MOINES
MINI WAREHOUSE COMPLEX,
AND HE'S CAPTURED THE CAT.
- OH!
OH, MY.
AND IT'S ALMOST DAWN.
I'M GOING TO CALL HIS FATHER.
THANK YOU, EMMA.
- DOUG, WE DID IT.
- HE'S IN HERE.
- I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU.
YOU ARE GROUNDED FOR A YEAR.
thud!
- HE'S BEEN COMPLAINING
ALL NIGHT.
WHY DON'T YOU LET HIM OUT?
- CAT!
WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED.
IF YOU HAVE A WEAPON,
PUT IT DOWN.
WE'LL SEE HOW MANY LIVES
YOU HAVE.
- HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!
STEP FORWARD.
- THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL
"SURROUNDED"?
- WE LIED.
- MUST BE WHERE HE'S KEEPING
ALL THE LOOT.
KEEP IT TILL ALL THE HEA WAS OFF.
- [sighs]
AND I SUPPOSE THIS IS
THE PRIVATE EYE
WHO CAPTURED ME, HUH?
- YES, SIR, MR. CAT.
YOU'RE JUST A VICTIM
OF SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED
DETECTIVE WORK.
- THERE'S A SCOOTER INSIDE.
CAN I HAVE I IF IT'S NOT STOLEN?
- DIBS ON THE SCOOTER.
- DIBS. DIBS.
I HATE DIBS.
- I NEVER BELIEVED THAT BEING
A GOOD DETECTIVE WAS HEREDITARY,
BUT WHERE DETECTIVE SAM STEELE
AND HIS SON ARE CONCERNED,
THAT IS THE CASE.
NOW, DETECTIVE STEELE
AND, TO A MUCH LESSER EXTENT,
DETECTIVE FOGLE
HAVE MADE US PROUD
BY STAYING ON THE CASE
AND MAKING THE ARRES OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS THIEF
EVER TO VICTIMIZE
THE GOOD CITIES OF DES MOINES
AND WEST DES MOINES.
AND FROM THIS DAY ON,
ANY TIME I HAVE A CASE
THAT NEEDS SOLVING,
I WON'T HESITATE TO CALL ON
THE JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
NOW, SAM AND EMMA AND DOUG
HAVE PROVEN THEIR WORTH
TO THIS DEPARTMENT.
NOW THE MAYOR WILL PRESEN THE MEDALS OF HONOR.
[applause]
[mischievous orchestral music]
[phone rings]
- JUNIOR DETECTIVE AGENCY.
EMMA MARSH SPEAKING.
OH, YES, SIR, MR. MAYOR.
WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.
THE MAYOR'S DAUGHTER
LOST HER EARRINGS AT THE MALL.
SHE WANTS US TO LOOK INTO IT.
- HMM.
- TO THE SCOOTER.
ruff!
Captioning by CaptionMax
[brassy detective music]