The Pyjama Girl Case [La ragazza dal pigiama giallo]

I've decided I'm never ever gonna go back to that rotten hairdresser.

From now on I shall comb the children's hair.

You should just look at little Mary here to see what a good job I do.

Kitty! Kitty.

What's wrong?

'Toyoui News.'

'Striking postal workers to be struck down.

'The Lusher enquiry recommends legalized casinos.

'Drugs ruled out in Presley death.

'This is Richard Mason.

'Canberra: The Postal Commission is going to stand down employees

'involved in the current mail dispute.

'Sydney: Legalized casinos have been recommended for New South Wales.

'The recommendation is made in the Lusher report

'into the possible legalization of casinos,

'which was tabled in State Parliament today.

'In his report Mr. Lusher QC says he favors club or restricted-type casinos

'rather than the lavish Las Vegas type...'

Inspector!

Inspector!

Yes, what is it?

Inspector, you're wanted on the telephone.

Thank you.

'...at a news conference in Sydney this afternoon.

'The merger has produced the largest union in New South Wales

'and one of the ten biggest in the country.

'The new secretary of the combined union, Barry Eagan, says one of their first moves

'will be to seek the deregistration...'

Thanks, Danny.

Yeah.

- Yeah, it's me. - (Turns music down)

Well, thank you, Morris.

What happened?

I'll be right over.

OK.

This one's gonna be difficult.

What are you doing here, Timpson?

Well, I was just on my way home, and I was passing by.

So I thought you know... But if you want me to go, I'll...

No. You're here. You might as well stay. Just close the door.

Let him see her.

Who is she?

God knows. The fingerprint check was negative.

She was shot in the throat, and her head's been broken open

with a metal bar or stone.

And she was stuffed into that sack, and set alight.

- What is it, Timpson? - Look, Buckingham.

You need somebody who's on the ball.

Now who have you put on the case?

Taylor and Morris.

Now, look, Buckingham. I wanna work again.

I'm standing around doing nothing, but climbing up walls.

I mean, after all, remember that case ten years ago

when that Chinaman was knocked off at the docks.

Wait a second, will ya, Timpson?

Morris?

Oh, this is Buckingham.

OK, then get him. I'll wait.

- Look, this case needs someone like me. - Timpson...

- I spent a lifetime digging up dirt. - Timpson...

Timpson, please go and enjoy your old age.

- Don't you remember? You're retired. - (Sighs)

Times have changed. The modern delinquent's a different breed.

And the chances are they're stoned, and they're meaner.

Now don't take this to heart, but age isn't on your side.

and God knows what you might run into in a case of this kind.

Ah, Morris.

So what have you got?

I'm on my way down right now.

Listen, I'll have something for you after I've spoken to the kid who found her.

Yeah, I know the body's arrived. I'll be with you as soon as I've finished.

OK.

Get this sent off as quick as you can, Milly. It's urgent.

'Buckingham? Are you listening?

'I've got a theory.

'In my opinion...'

- (Typewriter keys clacking) - The girl was raped before she was killed.

Obviously by some psychopath.

'Probably a man with a castration complex.'

You see what I mean?

The kid's head is full of that crap they teach you in college.

Stuff about analysis and psychoanalysis, sexual deviation and all that. Shit!

- Oh, Timpson, lay off, will you? - Come on!

- You know I could... - All right, all right!

If you want to work on the case, I won't stop you,

but remember that Taylor is officially in charge.

So I'm still working, right?

Unofficially. And don't expect to get paid for it.

- You're working on your own time. - I understand.

- Don't go getting yourself into trouble. - Don't worry.

- If you need help, ask for it. - Thank you.

What were you doing on the beach?

Just playing.

Well?

Well, what?

- Who's he? - The boy who found the body.

Ah, well, thanks for calling me.

Hey now! Between you and me I didn't call anyone.

Thanks, anyway.

Have you seen my panties? They're not here.

- Did you look under the cover? - They must be here somewhere.

I bet you're one of those guys who keeps a girl's underwear as a trophy.

What a mess you've made.

Don't worry about it. I'll put everything back into place before I leave.

Ah, here they are.

You were sitting on them.

This is where we started.

So you're going to work that way.

No panties.

Does it bother you?

The few times I've seen you, you've always had them on.

They weren't easy to get off.

Oh!

Yesterday at the clinic they told me that you telephoned twice.

You knew you were gonna see me today.

Now what did you have to tell me that was so important?

Oh, it wasn't important. Forget it.

Henry, you're someone who knows a lot of important people, right?

- Do you know anyone in the police? - Why?

Do you need somebody who can renew the visa in your passport?

No, nothing like that.

This inspector left a message at my house, asking me to telephone him.

I wonder what it's about.

So telephone him. If you need anything, be sure to call me.

I know the assistant director of the foreign section of the police department.

A member of my club.

- (Chuckles) - You can see I really have influence.

Hmm. I bet.

Anyway, Inspector, my...

My department has run tests on these two exhibits,

and we've determined that the pyjamas are of Japanese manufacture.

You can get them from Woolworths, or at any one of the large stores.

They cost from 10.50 on up, depending on the size.

My little niece has got the same set.

The only difference being hers are pink, and these are yellow, Inspector.

- And the sack? - It had once contained rice.

There were some grains in the stitching. I also informed Inspector Timpson.

Dammit, what the hell does Timpson have to do with it?

How many times do I have to tell you? I'm the one in charge of this case!

But I thought he was to have a free hand to do what he wants.

- Did you give the stuff to Watson? - Ah...

- Timpson took it with him. - What?

What interested him the most was the sack.

Did he take the body, too?

No, Inspector! Of course not!

Do you think I'd have given him my permission to do that?

The way things are going, I've a good mind to give up this case.

Don't you see the way he sneaks around conning information?

Yeah, but it's the only thing he's ever done.

- He's a natural cop. - Who gives a damn?

Why doesn't he go back to Canada where he bloody well belongs?

I'm sorry. I know he's your friend, but...

He's past it. His methods are out of date.

Do your best to understand.

Or Timpson's looked upon as some kind of institution.

- He oughta be put out to grass. - The chief couldn't get rid of him.

- (Taylor) Ball breaker. - He didn't have the heart to.

How's your new job on the ferry?

- Why do you ask? - Just curious.

You're thinking of offering me a job in your clinic?

I prefer to work out in the open.

It's more fun.

Oh, I didn't tell you what happened with the police.

They just wanted some information.

- What about? - Evelyn.

I think they thought there was something between us.

I kept telling you that Evelyn was in love with you, not me.

I kind of doubt that,