The American Side

["Follow The Path of The Stars" playing]

? I'll find a better life For you ?

? The stars have said Our love's untrue ?

? And just because We shared a lie ?

? There is no reason For a soul to die ?

? I've got a soul And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene And let us depart ?

? Don't hang around And let yourself be Caught in this ?

? You'll find a better People there ?

? A friendly love The kind who care ?

? And not the sort Like me you've found ?

? We're mean and hard And we push around ?

? I've got a soul And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene And let us depart ?

? Don't hang around And let yourself be caught ?

? I've got a soul And you broke my heart ?

? Find a new scene And let us depart ?

? Follow ?

? Follow, follow ?

You scratch all day, Charlie. Still a loser.

Somebody busted the lock.

I had to hold my foot against the door.

-Good thing, you're flexible. -Shut up.

-Cutting it pretty close. -Just fixing my face.

That's my last one.

I'll trade you for it.

Suits you better anyway.

Better go out through the back.

Story of my life.

Parking lot D. Don't be late.

Well, well, well, boys. What do you know?

What did you get?

Mickey, tip.

What can I tell you, Professor? Strippers.

My wife will get everything now.

She'll get my boat.

Maybe not.

-She hasn't seen these? -Yet.

I'll give you 500.

She gave me a thousand.

Oh, man.

I love my boat.

-Can I keep these? -You can get 'em framed.

Okay.

You won't make other copies?

What kind of a guy do you think I am?

?

?

[indistinct radio commentary continues]

...our technical director of the project of the day was Nicola Tesla...

-Damn it. Charlie!

?

Hey, it's Kat. Leave me a message.

Pick up, god damn it!

I don't know where you are or what the hell just happened.

I'm going to the club, okay?

You know what I mean?

?

Tom Soberin.

-Hey! -Get out of here!

Seven bucks for a cranberry juice?

I didn't know she was working the Canadian ballet too.

What you don't know could fill the lake.

She made a date last night.

Jealous?

Never heard of him.

She doesn't try that bull shit, of course, on her regulars.

She's in trouble.

Ah, the worst trouble she's got is you, Charlie.

-Listen if you got her messed... -I'll find her.

You're such a bastard.

Mayflower Apartments.

She asked if they were nice.

Maybe she was sizing him up.

Hey, I think you've had enough of rest. Move it!

Get off the bench!

-Tom Soberin. -Who wants to know?

"Charlie Paczynski."

Used to bowl for Charlie Pazinci Any relation?

I said move it or I'll call the cops!

?

Come on in, tough guy. I'm ready. I already died in '45.

Field surgery during the Bulge.

But, you know, I never did see that bright light bull shit either.

6G, you know him?

I know everybody.

You know where he went?

Well, I know, he left in a hurry. And he left with nothing.

-When? -Last night.

Oh, damn it.

What are you? Private investigator?

Yeah.

Oh, I thought I was making a joke.

You ever investigate the hazards of man, hmm?

You know anything about him?

I know 6A cooks meatballs every Friday night, filled with garlic.

And I know 6B keeps an illegal pet named Sparky.

And I know that 6D keeps a key under the mat that is frequently used by 6H.

But 6G never drew anyone's attention.

Until you heard him bolt out of here last night.

And the ado that followed, yes.

What do you mean, ado?

Men in suits.

-Would you like a drink? -No, no. What suits?

What do you mean, "what suits?"

Everyone looks the same in a suit, like a rat.

Oh. I did hear through that door over there

they wanted 6G's Tesla file. "Tesla file," they said.

Tesla file? What's that?

How should I know? I don't go nosing around in other people's business.

Sorry about the lock.

I'm 85 years old, and I'm not scared.

I'm ready.

Uh-uh, that's mine.

What do you got?

Never mind, Charlie. What have you got for me?

Well, Your Honor. I've got a shoe box full of photos

might influence your constituents in November.

Give me the name.

-Soberin. S-O-B-E-R... -Can't help you.

Never heard of him.

Hello?

Jerk.

?

Help me, Mr. Paczynski.

-How do you know my name? -Please, I cannot be seen.

What do you hear? Take it easy.

-Did you find him? -Find who?

Ah, shit.

Your door was open.

Oh.

Been a bad day, miss.

Meeker.

Nicole Meeker.

What brings you to me?

You're the only private investigator in the Buffalo phone book.

What, people don't cheat on their spouses anymore?

Sure they do. But the spouses don't mind.

The man I was involved with, he disappeared.

Maybe he ran off with his wife.

I finally found the address and drove up from Pittsburgh last night.

I went by this morning, couldn't get in,

but I did see something that interested me.

Yeah? What did you see?

I saw you.

What do you mean, me?

The man I'm looking for is Tom Soberin.

The doorman said that you were also asking for him.

Tom hasn't been well. He's been taking medication for depression.

He's been paranoid, delusional.

He says that people are watching him. Even trying to kill him.

He may be right.

Please tell me where he is.

Might not make any sense to you, but if I speak to him personally...

I don't mind getting paid to look for somebody I'm already looking for.

I'm not paying you to look for him.

I'm paying you to find him.

You say Soberin's up here from Pittsburgh?

Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

He must be distinguished in all the right places.

My number's on the back.

And yes, I do have very unconventional taste.

?

Who are you?

Don't look at me! Keep your eyes out.

You made a date with my friend last night.

Oh.

-Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. -God damn it!

It's supposed to be a hit, and you stick her in the middle of it?

No, no. What's happening here you can't begin to comprehend.

I'm three seconds, from throwing you over the rail.

I'm trying to listen too.

Christ! She said you lost it.

-Who? -Nicole Meeker.

-You saw her? -She's looking for you.

Thinks you're worth the trouble. I didn't mention the carnival parking lot.

-I have to tell her. -If you want to confess your sins, find a priest.

Who fired the gun?

Tell Nikki I found the Tin Man.

What the hell are you talking about?

You wanna know who fired the shots? Have Nikki meet me.

Where and when?

Today, out on Three Sisters.

You see her, then you see me. Got it?

I'll be waiting.

Don't let yourself be followed again.