Mannix (TV Series)

Light and Shadow (1972)

Mike Connors: Joe Mannix

Quotes 

• Joe Mannix : You said that George Oliver, Mr. Bramante's attorney, directed you to me.

  Bill Moseley : Yes, and then Snowy Bartlett told me he knew you personally.

  Joe Mannix : [referring to a newspaper article about a party boat the previous day]  I take it that, uh, this was Snowy's party yesterday.

  Bill Moseley : Yes. I, uh, haven't had a chance to read that yet... but I can guess that it couldn't look worse for her.

  Joe Mannix : I would say that's a good guess.

  Bill Moseley : In any case, Mr. Mannix, I've been authorized to give you this as a retainer.

  [gives Joe a small note] 

  Joe Mannix : I would say this is a bit premature.

  Bill Moseley : Mr. Bramante is anxious that you start immediately to establish, uh, that the evidence against his wife is insufficient... or in some way faulty.

  Joe Mannix : Or even, let's say, pointing in another direction altogether.

  Bill Moseley : What is foremost in Mr. Bramante's mind is that his wife be exonerated. If, of course, out of that some other suspect emerges...

  Joe Mannix : Then all to the good.

  Bill Moseley : Of course.

  [pauses] 

  Bill Moseley : I think you'll find that, uh, Nikky Lorenzo won't be universally missed.

  Joe Mannix : Yes, I got that from Larry Lawton's column. Along with his crowing about being the only newspaperman at the party yesterday. Ah, here it is. "Sparkling Louise Bramante being stubbornly pursued by the inveterate romancer, Nikky Lorenzo."

  Bill Moseley : Meanwhile, if I can be of some further help to you, Mr. Mannix...

  Joe Mannix : Yes, you can start by expressing my thanks to Mr. Bramante for this amount of confidence in me, but I can't accept it.

  Bill Moseley : You mean you won't take the case?

  Joe Mannix : Not until I at least meet my client.

  Bill Moseley : Mrs. Bramante?

  Joe Mannix : Hmm.

  Bill Moseley : I could arrange that immediately.

  Joe Mannix : Good. Then we'll see.

  [shakes hands with Moseley] 

  Joe Mannix : Oh, Mr. Moseley, you didn't mention it, but, uh, do you think it's possible that she didn't do it?

  Bill Moseley : I'll say this- if, uh, she did, I'm certain that her reasons would be acceptable to any jury in the country. Good day, Mr. Mannix.

• Larry Lawton : Files, Mannix. Name anybody important enough to get into my column, and I've probably got a dossier the FBI would be proud to have.

  Joe Mannix : That would take in the Bramante crowd, wouldn't it?

  Larry Lawton : The Bramante's, huh?

  [walks to his drawers and takes out a file] 

  Larry Lawton : See this? On his last wife, Melina. Now remarried, living in Cannes. Staff... Majordomo: Albert Higby, born Coventry, England. Ten years service. Friends: Snowy Bartlett. Everything from his land developments to his Middle East oil holdings to his favorite French wine.

  Joe Mannix : How about the dead man, Nikky Lorenzo?

  Larry Lawton : How about him? Roger, where's my coffee and Danish I asked for 20 minutes ago?

  Roger : Well, the photos were just coming out of that lab, and I thought I...

  Larry Lawton : You thought. That's your trouble. Stop thinking and do what you're told.

  Roger : Right. Shall I make that two?

  Larry Lawton : No, he's leaving. Those guys - "Give us an equal shake, " they're always saying. So you give 'em a camera, make 'em an assistant even, ten minutes later, they've forgotten how to take orders.

  Joe Mannix : Now, uh, about Nikky and the Bramantes...

  Larry Lawton : Get lost, Mannix, your friendly visit's over.

  Joe Mannix : What?

  Larry Lawton : Am I some kind of a nut? I develop a regular library in the Bramantes that's finally going to pay off big, and now I open it up to you? That's what you were after, wasn't it?

  Joe Mannix : For one thing. I thought you might be able to give me a lead that could help Ali Bramante.

  Larry Lawton : Or hang her. Ali Bramante's been helped from the day she was born.

  Joe Mannix : As they say. That's one of the things. The other is, uh... exactly where were you on the ship at the time of the shooting?

  Larry Lawton : Don't tell me I'm a suspect.

  Joe Mannix : Actually, Mr. Bramante's steward said you were in Cabin C. Said he put you there when you asked for a place to jot down some notes for your column. Guest lists, things like that.

  Larry Lawton : So why ask me?

  Joe Mannix : I thought it best to double check, seeing that Cabin C is right next to the cabin that Nikky was in.

  Larry Lawton : And that makes me a suspect?

  Joe Mannix : Well, it doesn't help when you stop to consider that eight years ago, Nikky Lorenzo made a play for your wife and broke up your home. And not long after, she was a suicide. I was sorry to learn that part of it.

  Larry Lawton : Where did you get that?

  Joe Mannix : Let's just say that not all of your old newspaper colleagues remain lifelong friends.

  Larry Lawton : Listen, Mannix, I'll admit I'm sorry that crumb is dead, and I'll admit I was getting ready to pay him back, but not that way.

  Joe Mannix : Then what way?

  Larry Lawton : It's got nothing to do with this case.

  Joe Mannix : You may not be the best judge of that.

  Larry Lawton : Mannix, this could be a big mistake, getting into something that, believe me, is none of your business.

  Joe Mannix : Well, you know what they say, Lawton. Sometimes the best payoffs come from the biggest mistakes.

• Joe Mannix : Good morning, Mrs. Bramante. I believe you were sent word about me. Please.

  Alison Bramante : I'm not used to being handled.

  Joe Mannix : Of course. I can understand how unpleasant this must be for you. But I'm sure George Oliver will have you out of here in no time at all. I doubt if the District Attorney thinks you'll make a run for the border.

  [Bramante puts on her sunglasses] 

  Joe Mannix : I'd rather you didn't put those on.

  Alison Bramante : Then don't stare at me.

  Joe Mannix : Sorry, bad professional habit.

  Alison Bramante : I understand my husband has retained you to help on my case.

  Joe Mannix : Actually, Mrs. Bramante, I haven't decided to take your case yet. There are a few things I'd like to know first.

  Alison Bramante : What sort of things?

  Joe Mannix : For one, did you do it?

  Alison Bramante : I don't know. I mean, I don't know what really happened. And right here and now, I'm not even sure I did happen.

  Joe Mannix : I'm afraid it did happen, Mrs. Bramante. I'd like you to try and remember everything you can.

  Alison Bramante : I've been through it all with attorneys and the police.

  Joe Mannix : I'd like you to go through it again with me.

  Alison Bramante : I'm sure you've heard it already.

  Joe Mannix : There may be something new you'll remember that could help. Now, as I understand it, the party was underway on the bow when you happened to see Nikky Lorenzo leaving.

  Alison Bramante : Sit down. I saw Nikky leave the party, so I followed him.

  Joe Mannix : Why?

  Alison Bramante : I wanted to talk to him.

  Joe Mannix : About what?

  Alison Bramante : A personal matter.

  Joe Mannix : Personal matter? You followed Nikky?

  Alison Bramante : To his stateroom. When I got there, I heard voices. I knocked. There was no answer, so I knocked again. I opened the doors. It was dark, I couldn't see anything, so I stepped inside. Nikky was standing with his back to me. He started to turn. That's when it happened-- a terrible explosion and then a scream. And I think a second shot. I saw Nikky fall. Then...

  Joe Mannix : Then what?

  Alison Bramante : Someone ran past me.

  Joe Mannix : Who?

  Alison Bramante : I don't know. All I could see was Nikky lying there and the gun beside him.

  Joe Mannix : Your gun?

  Alison Bramante : It looked like mine. I keep it on the yacht. That's why I picked it up.

  Joe Mannix : You said you heard a scream.

  Alison Bramante : It could've been mine.

  Joe Mannix : And you have no idea who ran past you?

  Alison Bramante : No.

  Joe Mannix : Man or woman?

  Alison Bramante : I don't know.

  Joe Mannix : Considering Nikky's reputation, a woman seems to be the logical choice. Uh, how did Nikky happen to be on the trip?

  Alison Bramante : We invited him.

  Joe Mannix : You and your husband?

  Alison Bramante : I invited him. Now, listen, however it is you are trying to say it, Mr. Whatever Your Name Is, and whatever cheap and offensive innuendos you are trying to use, I was not having an affair with Nikky Lorenzo and I don't need to hide behind these to say so! If my husband thinks I'd even consider accepting any help from you, he's very wrong. Now get out.

  Joe Mannix : Mrs. Bramante, you may find you need me. I may be the only person who isn't fully convinced you're guilty. By the way, the name is Joe Mannix.