A Fancy Piece of Homicide

- Out here, let me tell you.

I’ve got the official news bulletin that they’ve set down

to find here, listen to this, okay, here we go.

The investigation of city and police leaders stem from

the allegations...

- The past never dies.

It hibernates in the deep caves of our minds

waiting to resurface.

The sound of an old song or a familiar voice.

The sight of a face or a special setting.

Sometimes we seek out the past in an attempt

to relive the moment.

Sometimes not.

Sometimes the past comes sliding under the front door,

a wake up call.

I once killed a man.

Or at least that’s how the story goes.

In 1985, 49 year old,

Thomas Anderson, was arrested and charged in the killing

of small business owner, 51-year-old, Arthur Lovell.

When confronted with the possibility

of receiving life imprisonment,

Anderson entered into an Alford plea,

which maintained his claim of innocence.

The plea resulted in a 20-year prison sentence.

However, he was able to withdraw the plea

after discovering the state had withheld vital evidence

found while investigating the killing.

Years would pass with Anderson behind bars

as litigation continued.

He was finally released with little to no progress made

in clearing his name.

Tonight, Mr. Thomas Anderson joins us

to discuss his upcoming memoir.

After an hour-long interview,

I needed a drink.

So I went to my second home across town.

There.

Now is it possible to get the coin into the glass

without touching anything at all?

Can’t hit the bar, can’t try to shake the ground.

I don’t know.

Oh come on.

I give up.

Those fucking cops.

I know I ain’t gotta tell you.

This Sullivan guy’s got some balls though.

- They say a truth told with bad intent

can beat all the lies you could ever invent.

- By they you mean William Blake?

By they I mean William Blake.

- Oh I got one from the other day.

"Whatever satisfies the soul is truth."

Walt Whitman.

- Walt Whitman’s a bad motherfucker.

That’s one way of putting it.

You love Walt Whitman, you love reading newspapers,

you’re a dying breed.

How about one more?

You can’t spring for a fresh glass?

- I can’t keep up with all the dirty ones you produce.

You got any matches?

May I?

You a poet?

Poet, no, no.

I’m nothing.

He’s retired.

And a smart ass.

Retired what?

Beer drinker.

- I heard there’s good buck in that these days.

- If there is I’ve yet to find it.

Put that one on me.

Fred, right?

Yeah.

- Keep this up you’ll be best man at my wedding.

- What are you really retired from?

US steel.

- You don’t seem like a steel worker.

I was in safety management.

Do you know Terry Cales?

He’s a friend of mine.

Worked in the offices.

I was a private investigator.

- I read an article about you in the paper.

Didn’t I?

I dunno, did you?

- You’re writing that book.

Something like that.

Thomas, Thomas.

Anderson.

Anderson, Thomas Anderson.

I’m Don.

Don?

Thanks for the drink.

So is the book finished?

Not quite.

But it’s coming one way or another.

I read that article,

I thought it was just amazing.

- Just what is it that you do, Don?

I’m in sales.

A salesman?

Yeah.

What do you sale?

- Lot of different things over the years.

Right now it’s industrial vacuums

for heating and cooling systems.

That sounds exciting.

Not really.

I was joking, Don.

Can I get you another one?

No, no.

I’m gonna owe you one.

Oh, I’m fine.

I really should be getting going, I...

Wet Don’s whistle for me, eh?

Thanks.

You’re welcome.

See what we got.

You have any kids?

What’s that?

You have any children?

No children, no.

You?

Son.

We don’t talk much though.

Must be tough.

Sometimes.

You married?

Never got around to it.

How about you?

- I was, she passed away a few years ago.

I’m sorry.

What is it they say?

Better to have loved and lost

then never to have loved at all.

What was her name?

Diane.

Here’s to Diane.

- Six letter word for Aristotle’s principle of four.

Principle of four?

Yeah, six letters.

- I can’t remember, did you say you live close by?

- You know what makes a good drinking buddy, Don?

What?

- A man who can enjoy the silence of the drink.

And the burn.

Thursday, poker.

I’m bringing someone so we shouldn’t need a fifth.

Okay.

Oh, keep it.

Goodnight Don.

Goodnight.

- I don’t think I’m cynical.

- You make me not wanna get out of bed.

You’re like a hangover on a winter morning.

- I seem to have that effect on people.

- You did well, you had no reason to be nervous.

- Sweetheart, I wasn’t nervous.

Those goddamn lights made me sweat like a pig.

I don’t even notice anymore.

When do you think it will air?

Monday night.

Better get that book finished.

Yeah.

It’s almost bedtime for me.

I’m interviewing Daniel Sullivan in the morning.

We’re gonna combine your interviews

into one big piece.

- Gonna fix everything in one night, huh?

- What we’re doing here is making a difference.

I’ll be in touch, goodnight.

Goodnight.

I first met Mira six months ago.

She wanted to interview me for a new piece

she was doing for the local news channel.

At first I said no, but she was persistent.

She was ambitious and naive

to a fault about the world.

But she also inspired me.

What do you say, Donny boy?

Following me, Don?

- I was, but I wanted to speak with you.

- That’s what we’re doing right now.

In private.

In private?

Yeah.

Yeah, all right.

Want a drink?

No thank you.

Bullshit.

You’re gonna talk to me in private,

you’re gonna do it with a drink in your hand.

Go get yourself a glass.

I need help.

- There are clean glasses in the cupboard.

- No, I mean from a professional.

- Yeah, what kind of help?

I’d like to hire you.