Miami Vice s04e11 Episode Script

A Rock and a Hard Place

[Man Narrating.]
Previously on Miami Vice.
You're gonna make me a star again? Is that the idea? Why not? I got all the promo men in my back pocket.
Racketeering strike force, U.
S.
Attorney's Office.
Anything you say may be used against you.
Let's go.
This one's for Will.
You were gonna make him a star too, remember? And Rocky and Lex and everyone else you screwed over, you mealy-mouthed, two-faced bastard! Come on.
Let's go.
Let's go.
You have had it.
Had it! We finagle a plea, the worst you get is a year, reduced to six months.
In the record business, rule number one is don't get caught.
You do time, I don't care if it's six months or six minutes, your own grandmother won't return your calls—you're dead.
If Lowe's not gonna take a fall, he's gonna name names.
Whose? Mine.
And who am I gonna name, Paul? You.
And you're gonna name everybody but the janitor on the 10th floor.
Then the subcommittee on payola reconvenes, and we got another two years of indictments and headlines.
So? So, Tommy's about to become a very minor footnote in the history of rock and roll.
Tommy got a couple of armed security guards to hang Will from the showerhead in our hotel.
You know that? Yeah.
But I can't prove it.
I'm sorry.
What is this, heavy metal? Man, that's terrible about Tommy Lowe, huh? Yeah.
Heard his car overheated in Miami.
Yeah, those imports really aren't designed for that humidity.
So, what are we going to do about Caitlin? [Narrator.]
Tonight on Miami Vice.
Hello.
How did you get into first class? - I walked.
- Awesome, isn't it? - Where's your boarding pass? - It's okay.
- What's your name? - Henry.
Henry.
Hank.
Thanks a lot.
Come on, "Henri.
" Let's go.
Yeah.
[Clears Throat.]
Nice lookin' fans, honey.
[Chuckling.]
[Bell Dings.]
Well, better buckle up.
We're goin' down.
[Stewardess.]
The captain has turned on the "no smoking"sign.
[Crowd Clamoring.]
[Man.]
I want to get a good picture.
Now, come on.
Let's do it.
Get the camera right up against the door.
I want to get a picture.
[Woman.]
Out of the way! Out of the way! [Clamoring Continues.]
Welcome to L.
A.
Yeah? Who are you? [Woman.]
Come on, please.
For your fans.
We better step on it.
Excuse me.
[Man.]
Can you tell us who does your hair? Our readers are dying to know.
[Clamoring Continues.]
[Man.]
What are you gonna be recording this year? Uh, may I see your press credentials, please? Uh, well— I have to see a press card, sir.
I don't have a press card.
That's my wife.
I'm sorry.
I can't let you enter without credentials.
I'm sure you understand, sir.
[Woman.]
What's your husband going to be doing while you're on tour? Sweetie, I'm so excited.
Gordon.
Thank you.
We're all excited.
I am too, Paul.
Thanks.
Caitlin, I just heard the new tracks.
They are unbelievable.
So much integrity— artistic integrity.
They're gonna blow everyone out of the box come Christmas.
Guaranteed.
Thanks.
[Sighs.]
See you around 7:00, okay? I'll be ready.
- What the hell was all that about? - Business as usual.
God, I'd forgotten how odious it can all be.
Yeah, you won't get an argument out of me, but that's not what I'm talkin' about.
What the hell was that? I mean, that mob scene— Who—Who's responsible for that? The public relations geniuses It was all carefully planned and orchestrated.
Yeah, yeah.
Like the Kennedy assassination.
Sweetheart.
I'm serious.
If you ask me, those airheads spaced on the damn security arrangements.
Maybe they just forgot.
They forgot? " Your wife is dead, Mr.
Crockett.
We forgot"? Okay, I'll call Wiggins later.
Yeah, well, we're in nutcase central now, and I'm not gonna let you out of my sight.
You won't get any arguments from me on that one.
Don't you wanna argue just a little bit? [Chuckles.]
Maybe, uh, get the blood boiling, you know what I mean? [Rock And Roll.]
[Group Singing.]
[Man Singing.]
[Indistinct.]
[Continues.]
Hey, Stevie, I had no idea.
Hey, uh, my machine's been on the fritz.
Sorry.
Yeah? Yeah.
For three weeks? Frankly, I'm surprised to see you.
- Thought I read your obit in Melody Maker years ago.
- [Snickers.]
[Fremont.]
Another fast-lane breakdown.
Stevie, here's a guy you should be talking to.
Jerry Lee, you know Steve Owens? Yeah, sure.
How ya doin'? Nice party.
Nice article.
- You wrote that Rolling Stone article? - Nah, the National Inquisitor.
This kid made Caitlin sound like Mother Theresa in a black leather habit.
Very thorough.
Well researched for a gossip rag.
Thanks.
Except for one thing.
Couldn't get a line on the old man.
[Fremont.]
Sonny Burnett.
He's nobody, a small businessman.
- What kind of business? - Import-export.
Stevie, don't be a stranger.
Import-export? Give me a break.
Want somethin' to drink, darlin'? Yeah.
Excuse me.
Could we have a glass of champagne and a blackJack straight up? Actually, I'm starving.
They never give me enough time to eat.
Here you go.
Go for it.
Hey, Caitlin! Hi.
Come on, love.
There's no time to eat now.
Well, I want you to meet my— Hey, dude.
Listen, Terry Cox is in town, and he's dying to meet you, love.
Save me a seat.
[Continues.]
Yeah, a blackJack, please, neat.
Sonny.
- I know you? - [Chuckling.]
Not yet.
But I am a big fan of Caitlin's.
Big fan.
"Mr.
Ralph Slick.
Personal management.
" Not the Mr.
Slick? [Laughs.]
My reputation precedes me.
[Exhales.]
[Crockett Blowing.]
Your reputation sucks.
[Sighs.]
Mornin', sweetheart.
You're up early.
Well, I was just thinkin'.
It's about 9:00 back in Miami, and Switek's just comin' in with the doughnuts, and eatin' 'em all.
[Chuckles.]
Sounds like a man who's missin' his work.
Well— When are you goin'? This afternoon.
I got to.
Plus, I don't wanna rain on your parade.
It's not my parade.
[Chuckles.]
Well, it sure as hell isn't mine.
It's only for a little while.
Then we can take the money and run.
I thought we were doin' okay before.
We were, but the way this album's movin'— Even I didn't expect it to go this fast.
When it's rainin' money in the music business, you don't put up an umbrella.
We could be set for life.
And anyway, you know I love to sing.
A hit album means that I could keep on doin' that as much as I want.
Well, darlin', if that's what you want, then that's what I want too.
Here's to the future.
Then of course, there's always the unexpected and excessive promotional expenses.
That's always good for four or five hundred thousand.
What'd she get on this thing up front? Nothin', right? Thirty grand? Thirty-five.
But she got a lot of points— 55.
Any loopholes? Well, if she fails to tour in support of the album, she loses the points.
There's a possibility.
She never was much for touring.
Especially now that she's settled into matrimonial bliss.
Yeah, it's nice to see her so happy.
Well, we'll think of something.
In the meantime, I want the promo guys to hype the bejesus out of this album.
My gut tells me this pied-piper trip is gonna go right down the toilet on number three.
The novelty's gonna wear real thin.
[Crowd Clamoring.]
What are you doing? What does it look like? It's okay.
You don't wanna miss your plane.
What I don't want is my wife hassled.
[Crowd Clamoring.]
[Chuckles.]
You gonna be all right? I'll be fine.
You're the one going up in the airplane.
Don't worry.
I'll call you, okay? Bye.
Sonny, great meetin' you, man.
[Tubbs.]
You know, man, I would've brought the limo, but, um, it's in the shop.
Don't get me started.
What's wrong? Too laid back in, uh, Lotusland? Yeah, laid back, like a school of piranha in a hot tub.
[Chuckles.]
I'm just happy to be back in the real world.
Yeah, if you can call Miami real.
Yeah.
[Chuckles.]
How's Cait? She's fine.
Said to give you a big kiss.
- [Laughing.]
- [Chuckles.]
Hey.
Morning, Sonny.
Hey, Trudy.
Well, Mr.
Hollywood.
Nice picture.
Everyone's famous for 15 minutes, Sonny.
[Switek.]
Yeah, you can almost make out your hairline.
We did a little brainstorming down at the D.
A.
Office this morning.
Your wife fingered Tommy Lowe.
We figured maybe you hear a little pillow talk.
They pay you for that? Brainstorming? [Crockett Chuckles.]
Give me a break.
Brain-dead maybe.
Tommy Lowe was gonna cop a plea on ratting out some business suits at Royalty Records.
- Only somebody hot-wired him first.
- Names, Mahoney.
I always forget 'em.
They're like, uh, "Frick" and "Frack.
" Fremont and Wiggins? Yeah, that's it.
Paul Fremont and Gordon Wiggins.
What? Want me to do your job for you? - San Diego's near L.
A.
, isn't it? - Yeah, near enough.
Why? Seems there was a lot of speculation about some no-name deejay that stiffed your boys on some airplay.
[Crockett.]
And? Last week border agents found him in pieces all around the desert.
Fremont and Wiggins? Rumor has it they pushed the buttons.
I'll take it.
Who's gonna be better positioned than me? Hey, man.
Hey, partner.
How ya doin'? How ya doin'? All right.
Look, I brought you some dinner since you're livin' alone again.
[Laughs.]
Not for long.
I thought Caitlin was gonna be in L.
A.
For the entire week.
Well, she is, but I'm on my way back.
Tommy Lowe? Yeah.
She's gonna get absolutely orbital when she finds out I'm workin' her bosses.
Nah, she'll understand.
I wouldn't bet on it.
We have an— had an agreement.
She didn't get involved in the police work, and I didn't get involved in the music business.
Separate but equal.
But this is my case.
I got no choice.
Uh-huh.
Your choice.
What's that supposed to mean? You could have handed it off.
Castillo could've kicked it all the way back to Los Angeles.
Are you kiddin' me? It's complicated, Rico.
Nobody else has the inside track.
I mean, this Fremont and Wiggins are a couple of tube steaks, but it's just guesswork tryin' to tie 'em to Tommy Lowe's murder.
Like I said.
If it was your wife, would you shine it on? So what do you want me to do? Import-export? I'll be damned.
God.
These guys should take out ads in the yellow pages.
"Import-export.
" [Laughing.]
Kinda puts a spin on the Caitlin Davies resurrection story, doesn't it? Yeah.
"Candidate for sainthood found in love nest with dealer.
" Yeah.
Yeah.
This could be a killer.
Michael, see if you can track down our Miami stringer.
Then get him to get some names of people thatJerry Lee can talk to about this creep Burnett.
Are you ready to go? And book Jerry Lee on the next flight down.
Me? [Chuckles.]
Nah.
I've been, uh, choking off my emotions.
Why? You miss me? Nah, not much.
Well, maybe a little.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feelin' a little empty.
[Chuckles.]
I don't carry a nightstick.
[Clears Throat.]
Mm-hmm.
Yeah? And then what do I do? I read you your rights, or do I just whip out the handcuffs? Mm-hmm.
And then what? And then you take my— Excuse me, Cait.
The problem is solved.
We better get goin'.
I'm sorry, darlin'.
Yeah, me too.
I love you too.
Bye.
[Man Singing Rock.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
[Continues.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
[Continues.]
[Continues.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
Operator? Hello? Well, they damn well better accept the charges.
Trish, Jerry Lee.
Bump the alien baby-eater cover story.
You're not gonna believe the dirt I'm getting on this Burnett dude.
This guy makes Scarface look like Mr.
Rogers.
[Laughs.]
Absolutely.
If it's dirty, it's got his fingerprints on it.
I got a couple more sleazeballs to interview, then I'm gettin' fumigated and flying home.
[Laughing.]
Right.
I'm sure I remember you, Mr.
Burnett, but if you'll just wait, I'll ring her room.
That won't be necessary.
It's a surprise.
[Elevator Bell Dings.]
So, uh, who was Johnny B.
Goode? He's damage control, Sonny, workin' overtime.
Oh, no.
Yeah.
We knew it wasn't gonna be easy.
[Sighs.]
How bad is it? Johnny B.
Goode's got friends at the Inquisitor, but even with a correction, it's pretty bad.
I'm supposed to be the shinin' example of drug-free America.
[Panting.]
Oh, no.
What? Wow.
There go the record sales.
We're dead, Gordon.
Don't be an idiot.
This is great.
You wanna talk about it? What's to talk about? There's a big fat lie out there and not a damn thing either of us can do about it.
Maybe I should just go to the papers and announce that I'm a cop.
Don't dangle solutions you can't deliver, Sonny.
Cait.
I am sorry.
I know.
Great.
[Man.]
Here they come.
Let's go.
Move in.
[Woman.]
Miss Davies! [Man.]
Is it a fact that you're a drug dealer? Were you surprised to find out your husband is a drug dealer? Or was that how you met him? Was it love or was it ludes? [Punch Lands.]
I'll see what I can do.
Look, I hate to be brutally direct, Cait, but doesn't he have some work to do in Miami? It was just a romantic weekend.
He's goin' back tonight.
Well, at least they caught my good side, my chivalrous side— if a bit Neanderthal.
A bit? How much worse does it get? Okay, one more time.
I'm really sorry.
I know.
And I love you, Sonny, but this is drivin' me stark ravin'.
I didn't know it was so important to you.
I mean, the-the music I understand, but the-the business side— It's not— It is.
Look, I despise all the phony crap that goes with it, but I have to put up with it 'cause it allows me to do the work that I love to do best.
I'm a singer.
I could sing in the shower for myself, but I get so much more satisfaction when people can hear me.
To get airplay, I have to cooperate with the business people.
They're under investigation for murder.
- What? - Fremont and Wiggins.
I found out when I was in Miami.
- They hit Tommy Lowe.
- That's ridiculous.
They're executives, for cryin' out loud.
They don't go around blowin' people up.
All right, then who did? Some ofTommy Lowe's greatest hits were on the freebase pipe.
He owed money to half the dealers in South Florida.
Maybe.
We're puttin' our money on the payola line.
We? You're on assignment here, aren't you? It's not just me.
You've got a job to do here too.
It's my case.
The same way it was my case when we met.
So what now? I gotta figure my next move.
Okay.
But let's just get one thing clear.
Until you have proof on Fremont and Wiggins, I don't want to hear about it.
It's your move, Sonny.
I'm not involved.
See you later.
[Door Closes.]
Little Caitlin sure picked herself a winner this time.
This guy's a lunatic.
Bad ink's better than no ink, Paul.
This Burnett's been calling me every day.
I told Marianne to tell him I'm tied up till next week.
Guy keeps callin' back.
Tell him to call next decade.
So what did you wanna talk to us about, Charlie? Cash flow.
If it doesn't improve radically, we're out of business in 60 days.
What? Is that some kind of joke? Am I known as a big kidder? [Charlie.]
We need to get the new Caitlin Davies product out right away, and we need to maximize our profits on it in a serious way, gentlemen, or else we're all on the beach.
So what do we do? We do what's right in front of us, Paul.
We use this lunatic to our advantage.
I'm calling Charlie Atwater in Legal Affairs.
[Pop.]
[Man.]
That was very nice, Cait.
Let's try the harmony lines on the second chorus, all right, darlin'? Ready? Yeah.
I'll do the high one first, okay? Okay.
You've been married, right? Three times.
What happened? Well— The first time, I was in a band, and she was pathologically jealous of the groupies.
And the other two, they weren't crazy about the long hours.
You know.
You're either in the business or you're a non-pro.
Outsiders, they just don't get it.
Yeah.
Okay.
Right then.
From the top.
Most guys gotta proclaim their loyalty to the little missus or to the assembly line.
There's no conflict there.
But you— Now you got a little bit different situation.
I can see how she might think that you're puttin' the job before her.
Aw, come on, Rico.
You know that's not true.
Yeah, I know that and you know that, but how are you gonna get her to know that? Look.
The job has always been a bitch on the matrimonial state.
It always will be.
Yeah, but this is different.
This situation existed before we met.
Hell, it's the reason we did meet.
I'm just concerned about her, man.
I'm tryin' to keep her from bein' hurt.
[Chuckles.]
I wouldn't lay that line on her if I were you.
Listen.
Fremont and Wiggins are not gonna kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
Bottom line is, you're doin' exactly what you believe is right, and you can't ask any more of yourself than that.
Mahoney come up with anything new? No, I'm afraid not.
If we're gonna get this one, we're gonna get it on you.
Great.
[Man.]
What's the matter with this thing? [Feedback.]
Thanks, Sid.
Come on! Geez! Do you understand English? I said thank you.
Get 'em off the stage.
What time is the Caitlin Davies meeting? It's time to meet her psychopath husband.
What the hell for? I've been talking to Miami.
You mention Sonny Burnett, you get this endless horror story— torture, double cross, murder.
He's perfect.
For what? Solving our cash-flow problems.
Come on.
Let's go.
[Sid.]
Hey, thanks a lot, buddies.
[Wiggins.]
Rent a Ferrari—how very L.
A.
[Tires Squeal.]
[Honking.]
This is very, very smart, Gordon.
This guy probably carries a gun.
No.
We couldn't get that lucky.
You boys got a problem? Well, well, well.
Should've just used the phone.
It would've been easier.
No privacy on the phone.
Mr.
Burnett, how would you like to become very, very rich? [Fremont.]
Terrific lady, Caitlin.
Quite the artist.
[Crockett.]
Yeah, my wife's terrific, and the surf's up.
So what do you want? We hear you're a man of many talents.
Yeah, that's me— Mr.
Renaissance.
But I'm not flattery operated, in case you hadn't noticed.
So once again, what do you want? Well, I've been doing some research into your background, Mr.
, uh— Sonny.
Yeah, well.
Our product, like any other, needs to move fast.
You make it, you get it out while it's hot.
We're having a little trouble with one of our distribution points.
Actually, it's down in your neck of the woods.
Miami's a big woods.
Yeah, that's why we're a bit lost.
You see, uh, one of our shipments is frozen in transit in Nassau.
And my people need someone to get it moving again with a minimum of fanfare, an experienced expediter.
I take it this shipment isn't, uh, frozen old 45's.
[Laughs.]
Let me guess— some Medellín marching dust? A hundred keys.
Uh-huh.
And if I expedite things for you? A third of the product has your name on it.
[Sighs.]
That's B-U-R-N-E, double "T.
" Wonderful.
[Engine Starts.]
We'll see you in Miami.
You can call me stupid, but I don't see how this is gonna help us at all.
Simple, stupid.
Think.
What happens if Caitlin Davies doesn't go out on tour? But she wants to tour.
But what if she can't? Because she's— No one's going to be surprised if poor Cait is caught in the cross fire of her ill-starred love.
Sad, but not surprised.
And the 55 share of her last album reverts back to the company.
Her last album.
Yeah.
The farewell album.
Well, well, well.
How ya doin', slugger? Hey, Angela.
Hey, ask me, I would have blown the little dork away.
[Chuckles.]
Where's Cait? I don't know.
She went out.
When did she leave? I don't know.
A while ago.
She's probably down at the pool.
What else she gonna do when she's not workin'? You know this don't mean anything.
Oh, yeah.
You know, you two need to spend more time together.
Think I like this? No.
I know you both hate it, but that don't change the fact that you're not there for her.
I'm tryin'.
Tryin'ain't gonna get it.
She needs you to be there.
She can't even keep her mind on her business, worryin'about you, never knowin'when you're gonna blow in or blow out.
She's miserable behind it.
Yeah, well, I, uh— I gotta keep my mind on my business too.
Otherwise people could get killed.
Look, I know you think I got it in for you, but that ain't so.
Fact is, I think you're a pretty solid guy.
But you and shejust got your stars crossed.
I hate to see either of you hurt like this.
You think she'd be better off without me, don't you? Honey, that ain't for me to say.
Because they're scum.
Behind that cheap corporate facade, they're low-life scum.
I agree.
But whatever indiscretions Wiggins has committed, he's sellin' records, not sittin' in the Supreme Court.
Indiscretions? Cait, we're talkin' about murder here.
No.
You're talkin' about your unproven suspicions.
I told you, show me proof.
Our careers were to be mutually respected and totally separate.
Now, all of a sudden, yours is gettin' mine all screwed up, and I've had it.
Look, what happened to Tommy Lowe, speaking of scum, was too bad, but a lot of people wanted to be at his funeral, includin' me.
Just because you think they did it doesn't mean I'm gonna blow my career.
It's ridiculous anyway.
Those two can't even get bad notices killed.
Cait.
I got thrown into this, and I don't like it.
But I'm gonna finish it.
Why you? If you've got somethin' on them, why not turn it over to the locals? It's not that simple, sweetheart.
Anyway, they're back in Miami.
I'm on my way there tonight.
Am I flyin' alone? Look, Sonny, you gotta do what you think is right.
It's one of the things I admire most about you.
But this thing scares me.
If what you say is true, then Tommy Lowe is not the only victim.
My career's gonna be history.
Cait, people love what you do.
That's not gonna change.
And you damn sure don't need these guys.
What I need is you.
And I need you.
I'd better go change if I'm gonna make that flight.
[Phone Ringing.]
I'll get it.
- Yeah? - [Wiggins.]
Sonny, glad I caught you.
Couple of things.
First of all, tonight's the night.
Kinda sudden, isn't it? These people aren't bus drivers, Sonny.
They don't work to a timetable.
Yeah.
Okay, okay.
What else? Well, it involves Caitlin.
Uh, maybe I should talk to her directly? She's unavailable right now.
I think I can relay the message.
Right.
Right.
Well, tell her that, uh, tomorrow's shoot has been moved up to tonight, 8:00.
Tonight? We've got dinner reservations tonight.
That's a pity.
See, Klaus Herrmann is leaving on the first plane to Berlin tomorrow morning.
His photographs will practically guarantee us a national cover on very glossy stock.
All right? It's in Coral Gables.
Got a pen? No, but I got a good memory.
The address is 2641 Wexford Road, in the Gables, 8:00.
Tell her not to be late.
[Tapping Keys.]
Lieutenant, I'm gonna need full-on backup.
The Haulover Pier, about 11:30.
Yes, sir.
[Handset Settles In Cradle.]
What time you want me to pick you up? You got a date or somethin'? Why don't you come in and watch? Well, I guess she'll wait.
[Laughs.]
So, uh, they feed ya before they shoot ya? Yeah, I suppose so.
Don't worry about me, darlin'.
Sorry about dinner.
That's all right.
That's showbiz.
I'm still sorry.
[Camera Shutter Clicking.]
Uh, Miss Davies, uh, just finishing.
Could you wait just a moment? Uh, take your time.
Oh, no.
[Chuckles.]
Okay.
Freeze! Cait? Cait, are you all right? Baby? I want you to stay down here.
Stay down and don't you move.
You have the right to remain silent.
Don't tell me you're a cop! Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Can't we discuss this like civilized human beings? You have the right to an attorney.
If you can't afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.
[Man Singing Soft Rock.]
Got everything? Yeah.
I'm gonna miss you so much.
Nah, you're gonna be busy.
And I'm gonna stay pretty busy since we got the break in the Santangelo case.
Where you goin' first? Memphis.
And then O.
K.
City and North Carolina— South Carolina.
I don't know.
Somewhere.
I'll call you every night.
And I'll see you in New York, yeah? Three weeks from tomorrow.
I know it's different worlds, Sonny, but tell me we can make it work.
Or die tryin'.
[Continues.]
[Continues.]
[Fades.]

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