A Perfect Murder

anoXmous

There you are!

And how was your day? Any progress in saving the world?

I'm working on it.

So I guess you changed your mind about tonight?

Not really. Told you I didn't want to miss it.

What happened with that dinner with the London people?

- You made it sound so unavoidable. - It was.

Fortunately, they missed their plane.

Here's to...

...stolen moments.

You look so handsome, I better see if I can catch up.

Nobody home?

I left some Security Council transcripts out

but everybody's gone.

Anything earth-shattering?

No, it's just important enough not to be left out.

You look incredible.

Yeah, but we have to hurry.

I prefer this one.

Right.

Can I have a picture, please?

This way. This way, please.

This way, please.

One more.

There's Andrew. Good to see him. Robynn, hi.

Steven, how are you?

- Nice to see you. - Emily, you look wonderful.

Keep up the good work.

That's Steven Taylor and his wife, Emily.

Well, at last!

The beautiful people have arrived.

- Fantastic dress! - Thank you.

I didn't expect to see you tonight, with Greenspan and all.

Why's that?

I thought you'd be up to your ass in alligators.

Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

All I need is her phone number.

Absolutely. I must see about something.

Lovely! Thank you, darling.

The temple's hieroglyphics are supplications...

...to the gods of fertility.

I do believe I know his work.

Perhaps we could come along to your studio one day...

You said he wasn't coming.

He changed his mind. I tried to call you.

What are we going to do?

Nothing. Just relax.

- He doesn't know who I am, right? - No.

You're a peach.

Lunch tomorrow?

And tomorrow...

...and tomorrow.

So I leave you alone for 30 seconds, and you elope with a younger man.

Steven, I'd like to introduce you to David Shaw.

- Pleasure! Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

David is a painter.

I saw some of his pieces downtown. I thought they were amazing

What brings you uptown to our little inbred soirée?

Actually, Emily was kind enough to wrangle me an invite.

Me too.

So tell me about your work...

...David?

A couple small galleries carry me when there's space.

- You studied formally? - Berkeley, Cal Arts.

Almost formally graduated too.

Too much study pollutes the soul.

- And he's good? - He's wonderful.

I'd love to see your pieces. Maybe we can arrange a time.

- Whenever you want. - Emily has your number?

No. The gallery can get ahold of me. You know which one?

Oh, yes, yes...

If you're as good as she says...

...I'll pass the word on to my acquisitive friends.

Thanks. That's very generous.

Nice to meet you.

You too.

Pleasure to see you.

We cannot be held accountable...

...for the actions of others that require us to defend ourselves.

Madame Ambassador.

This is the same speech he gave in Geneva 3 months ago...

word for word.

Show-off!

- Ann, good morning, how are you? - Fine, thank you.

Steven, spreads are blowing out.

The way things look in Europe, it could turn into a bloodbath

- So what are we talking? - At least 1'50 basis points.

The Bundesbank will have to tag along

Your yen and mark positions will get hammered

So what's our exposure?

Based on my preliminary trend model?

Yes. No frills

Think Chernobyl

Greenpoint, next stop

- What you got there? - It's a little surprise

Come on up

Here's your fortune

"You have a deep interest in all that is artistic"

It's true

You didn't have to get this for me

You need a little civilizing

What do you need?

What do you need?

You know, we could be in Belize this time tomorrow

Belize...

- You ever been there? - No

You'd think you'd died and went to heaven

But I already think that

You look so pretty today

Hey, it's David. Leave one. I'll get back to you

David, hi. It's Steven Taylor. I'm finishing a little early today

I thought I might come by and check out your work

Say about six

If that flies with you, call me at my office here at 5-4-4-...

...1-8-1-7

I look forward to seeing you

What are you going to do?

I guess I'll call him

Be kind of weird if I didn't, wouldn't it?

You're playing with fire, David

If you're so upset about it, why'd you give him my number?

I didn't

Mr. Taylor?

Hi. Here, sit down

That was stupid. Sorry about that

Thanks very much

Drink?

No, I'm okay

Unless you want another one

I just had us meet here because my place is hard to find

Like an illegal loft space?

That's one way to put it

I feel like I'm knee-deep in bohemian cachet

Lead on

- How's Emily? - She's fine, thank you

Well, be sure and say "hi"

I will

One more. One more floor

Building's over 100 years old now

Watch your step

Well, I can certainly see what Emily was drawn to

Yeah? What's that?

Your work. It's...

...very trashy...

...but potent

Trashy?

Is that what she said?

Your anger it's...

...it's very controlled

You think I'm angry?

The anger in your work

The color of despair

Wonder where that comes from

I don't know

Inside, I guess

Inside... indeed

Nowhere to sit but the goddamned bed

You know, I envy you

You envy me?

You should be...

...flattered. I'm not prone to envy

It's a pathetic emotion

Sneaks up on you like cancer

I've got it and you know why

- No - Oh, of course you do

One of life's legitimately sublime experiences. It's so...

...utterly complete

What?

Fucking my wife

Mr. Taylor, I don't know...

I think it's about time you called me Steven

We're in love, sir

That's it?

You steal the crown jewel of a man's soul...

...and your only excuse is some candy-ass Hallmark card sentiment?

Even if it was true, that's not good enough!

If what were true?

She is in love

You, buddy...

...you're in business

What the hell are you saying?

I'm saying you did not meet my wife by chance

I'm saying you didn't study at Berkeley

I'm saying you learned to paint while doing 3 to 6 in Soledad Prison...

...for relieving a widow in San Francisco of her life savings

Your second conviction...

...if I'm not mistaken

Your real name is Winston Lagrange, which I rather like

Born to pure trailer trash in Barstow, California

Ward of the courts since the age of ten

You went from pickpocket to car thief to con man till you found out...

...that you had a way with the softer sex

No doubt looking for that mother you can barely remember

A life made up completely of depressing little scams...

...until now

Where'd you get all that?

All that is for sale. The hell of it is, you're not...

- ...half-bad with a brush - Thank you

Called rehabilitation