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EXT. Estate porch - Day
Private detective JAKE GITTES has met businessman NOAH CROSS at Cross's home for lunch. Gittes has been hired by Cross' daughter, Evelyn, to investigate the murder of her husband, Hollis Mulray.
CROSS
You know, you've got a nasty reputation, Mr. Gittes. I like that.
GITTES
Thanks.
CROSS
If you were a bank president, it would be one thing. But in your profession, it's admirable. And it's good advertising.
GITTES
It doesn't hurt.
CROSS
It's why you attract a client like my daughter.
GITTES
Probably.
CROSS
But I'm surprised you're still working for her...unless she's come up with another husband.
GITTES
No, she happens to think the last one was murdered.
CROSS
How did she get that idea?
GITTES
I think I gave it to her.
The waiter brings them their lunches on a tray and sets them down in front of the men. On each plate is a well-prepared fish.
CROSS
I hope you don't mind, I think they should be served with the head still on.
GITTES
Fine, as long as you don't serve the chicken that way.
The begin eating.
CROSS
Tell me, what do the police say?
GITTES
They're calling it an accident.
CROSS
Who's the investigating officer?
GITTES
Lou Escobar - he's a lieutenant.
CROSS
Do you know him?
GITTES
Oh yes.
CROSS
Where from?
GITTES
We worked Chinatown together.
CROSS
Would you call him a capable man?
GITTES
Very.
CROSS
Honest?
GITTES
As far as it goes. Of course, he has to swim in the same water we all do.
CROSS
Of course, but you've no reason to think he's bungled the case?
GITTES
None.
CROSS
That's too bad.
GITTES
Too bad?
CROSS
It disturbs me. Makes me think you're taking my daughter for a ride, financially speaking. How much are you charging her?
GITTES
My usual fee, plus a bonus if I come up with any results.
CROSS
Are you sleeping with her?
This question catches Gittes by surprise.
CROSS
Come, come, Mr. Gittes, you don't have to think about that to remember, do you?
Gittes gets up from the table and puts on his hat.
GITTES
If you want an answer to that question, I can always put one of my men on the job. Good afternoon, Mr. Cross.
CROSS
Mr. Gittes, you're dealing with a disturbed woman who's just lost her husband. I don't want her taken advantage of. Sit down.
GITTES
What for?
CROSS
You may think you know what you're dealing with here, but believe me, you don't.
This brings a slight smile to Gittes' face.
CROSS
Why's that funny?
GITTES
It's what the district attorney used to tell me in Chinatown.
CROSS
Was he right? ... Exactly what do you know about me, Mr. Gittes?
Gittes takes off his hat and sits back down.
GITTES
Mainly that you're rich and too respectable to want your name in the papers.
CROSS
Of course I'm respectable. I'm old. Politicians, ugly buildings and whores all get respectable if they last long enough. I'll double your fee, and I'll pay you ten thousand dollars, if you can find Hollis' girlfriend.
GITTES
His girlfriend?
CROSS
She's disappeared, hasn't she? Might be useful to talk to her.
GITTES
Maybe.
CROSS
If Mulray was murdered, she was probably one of the last people to see him alive.
GITTES
When was the last time you saw him?
A mariachi band in the yard begins to play, distracting
Cross. He gets up and walks to the edge of the porch to watch.
CROSS
Sheriff's gold posse...bunch of damn fools who pay $5,000 a piece to the Sheriff's reelection campaign. I let them practice up out here.
GITTES
Yeah. Do you remember the last time you talked to Mulray?
CROSS
At my age you tend to forget.
He smiles at the band and gives them a big wave.
GITTES
It was about five days ago. You were outside the Pig 'n Whistle, and you had one heck of an argument.
Cross stops waving and smiling, and turns white.
GITTES
I've got the photographs in my office, if it'll help you remember. What was the argument about?
CROSS
My daughter.
GITTES
What about her?
Cross turns his attention on Gittes.
CROSS
Just find the girl, Mr. Gittes. I think she might be frightened, and I happen to know that Hollis was fond of her. I'd like to help her if I can.
GITTES
I didn't realize you and Hollis were so fond of each other.
CROSS
Hollis Mulray made this city. And he made me a fortune. We were alot closer than Evelyn realized.
GITTES
If you still want to hire me, I have to know what you and Hollis were arguing about.
CROSS
My daughter's an extremely jealous person. I didn't want her to find out about the girl.
GITTES
How did you find out?
CROSS
I still got a few teeth in my head, and a few friends in town.
GITTES
Okay, my secretary will send you a letter of agreement.
He gets up from the table, puts his hat back on, and walks up to Cross.
GITTES
Tell me, are you worried about that girl, or what Evelyn might do to her?
CROSS
Just find the girl.
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