Murder, She Wrote

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

I heard a shot.

It crossed my mind it might be a champagne cork.

We may be involved with pornography

and perhaps blackmail.

Either you sign,

or I will tie you up

with injunctions and litigations.

Panassié has done it again.

I think you've once again arrested the wrong woman.

Keep an eye on Maxim and the attractive Miss Taylor.

You're not involved.

You don't know how wrong you are.

So have you spoken to Eva Taylor yet?

Now, are you sure that you want to pursue

the dazzling world of high fashion modeling?

Maybe you think I am not pretty enough.

How does your mother feel about this ambition of yours?

She is all for it. I told you that, Maxim.

Oh.

Well, if she has no objection, I will speak with Eva.

Thank you.

Pernod.

So she's still after you to talk to Eva, huh?

It's up to you.

My daughter cannot wait tables all her life.

Well, to business then.

Maxim, your wife is very generous.

She allows our relationship.

I am not that generous.

Valerie, my American business partner

is just that:

a business partner

who is going to make me very, very rich.

We're all set for Friday night.

No, we're not.

Now, we're all set. Look.

Just arrived from the workrooms.

For the finale, the orchestra can play.

"Stars and Stripes Forever."

Peter, what country are we in? No.

We will line them up in blue, white and red.

Play "the Marseilles,"

and all of France will rise to its feet.

Now you are thinking like a diplomat.

What dedication.

Still, the candles burn.

Maxim!

I was afraid you didn't get my message.

Come on. We can talk in the backroom.

Peter, start accessorizing those gowns,

jewelry and shoes and purses.

Givenchy, move over.

Maxim, I have the most wonderful news.

I went to a party last night. I met Lu Waters.

The famous model?

I talked her into modeling in my show.

Isn't that marvelous?

How much is this marvelous opportunity going to cost me?

Cost? Cost? Maxim, it's an investment.

The publicity alone is well worth her fee.

- Which is? - Ten thousand dollars.

But that's nothing when you consider

how important she is...

Eva... Eva, please, stop.

If you have $10,000 to throw around,

perhaps you should use it to pay me back.

But I can't pay you back until my new fall collection

starts selling here in the salon.

Well, you should have thought of that

before you signed our little business arrangement.

I tell you what.

I will give you your $10,000

and a six-month extension.

Oh, Maxim, thank you.

In return for a 50-50 ownership agreement

- in the Taylored Look. - What?

Well, a bank would want everything.

- I ask for only half. - "Ask"?

You have a gun to my head.

Either you sign a business partnership agreement

with me before the show,

or I will tie you up with injunctions

and litigations.

Need I color in the grisly details?

Oh.

By the way, Valerie's daughter, Kim,

wants to be one of the models Friday night.

Eva.

Eva. Shh.

Eva.

Jessica?

Eva! Oh, my goodness.

Don't you look wonderful.

Well, you don't look so bad yourself.

Well, it's not bad for Regent Street,

but I can hardly wait to get you

into an Eva Taylor original.

Well, I... you can't wait?

I've been waiting for ages for this day.

Come on. I'm starved.

It was such fantastic luck reaching you in London.

How was your flight across the Channel?

Well, you know, I am such a diplomat,

I switched from tea to Perrier halfway across.

Oh, Eva, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you.

After all these years, all those disappointments,

to have your own collection, and here in Paris.

I don't know, Jess.

I just knew I had to give it one more shot.

Well, there's nothing like

taking on the other fella in his own backyard.

Oh, Jess, those first few years,

believe me, I really worked my fanny off.

I did some things for a tiny little shop

over on the Left Bank,

and I designed some gowns for a nightclub.

That's when I met Maxim.

He financed me until...

Until now, anyway.

Money troubles?

Nothing that can't be solved.

Now, Eva, you and I have known each other too long.

What's wrong?

Oh, I don't know.

I think I'm just nervous about the show.

After lunch, you are going to come to a rehearsal

where you will tell me how much you love this collection.

I can't wait.

Kim, it's very simple. You enter, you pose, you turn.

You show the garment.

And it's step, step, step,

turn, turn,

and walk, walk, walk, walk.

Okay.

Step, step, step,

turn...

- And walk, walk. - Lu, darling. Welcome.

Hello.

- How's that suite we got you? - It's perfect, Eva. Thank you.

Everyone, Lu Waters, our star.

I am a working girl.

Just give me one of your size eights

and push me down the ramp, okay?

Come on, darling.

There's somebody I want you to meet.

Eva, these are absolutely wonderful.

Thank you. They better be.

Jessica, this is Lu Waters.

- Hello. - Oh, yes, of course.

I've seen you on the cover of Vogue.

Or was it Bazaar?

- Both, I'm thrilled to say. - Peter.

Make sure Lu gets 506, 517...

If Claudia has come in early from the country,

this could become uncomfortable, Valerie.

Relax, Maxim. I just want to wish Kim well.

Besides, I think your wife and I

would get along famously if we ever had the chance.

Mother!

I'm actually learning how to walk.

The red becomes you, darling.

Just what we need, a rookie.

You see that incredible red dress they gave her?

Honey, I don't even notice other models' dresses.

Good luck, darling.

I have to go rehearse a new number

I'm putting in this evening.

Do your mama a favor, huh?

Keep an eye on Maxim and the attractive Miss Taylor.

Mother, I am not a spy.

Of course you're not, darling.

I had, uh, my attorney draw these up this morning.

Our new 50-50 partnership agreement.

Unless, of course, you have found an elusive angel.

Hmm?

Mrs. Fletcher, we have not yet met.

Maxim Soury. Oh, yes.

Eva has told me how very helpful you've been to her.

My wife Claudia.

- How do you do? - A pleasure.

Maxim seldom shares his business interests with me.

But this new venture, it is so exciting, no?

- Mm-hmm. - I will watch backstage.

Claudia, I will see you later, yes?

- - Madam.

Mesdames et messieurs, bonsoir.

Le Inter-Continental hotel proudly welcomes you

to the premier collection of Miss Eva Taylor

and the Taylored Look.

First, we have Margo in number 501.

This magnificent gold lamé is dramatically strapless,

perfect for the many moods of an evening in Paris.

Eva, my top hook.

Okay.

Here is number 506,