Tequila Sunrise

Whose idea was this?

What idea? Meeting here.

Theirs.

Why? It looks like we're dealing dope.

You like listening to static? It's tough getting FM, okay?

Sure, under a fucking freeway and high tension wires.

These guys are late.

What time did they say they were gonna meet you?

Seven. Yeah, they're real late.

Okay, what do I do about it now?

Why don't you just back up and see if you can get K-EARTH?

Boy, this is not too cool. He ought to lower his brights, at least.

Lights, goddamn it!

Jesus Christ! We're just meeting here...

to make sure we weren't followed.

Christ, how did I get here?

He's got the cash. Now we got to go weigh it and test it.

Why not just do it on the hood of the car?

Stop here.

What are you looking at?

Peanut shells.

Right! Jesus!

Go in the room and leave the door unlocked. I'll be there in a minute.

What were you doing in there?

Who is it? Answer it.

It's Leland, man.

Andy, how you doing, baby? Great.

Say hello to Nick. Nick's my partner.

Hold it.

Who the fuck is that?

It's a friend.

He's not my friend. And I got all the friends I need.

He's my ride. He drove me, that's all.

Let him wait in the car. I don't like meeting strangers.

Look, he's just a friend of mine.

Hey, that's cool.

Just let me take a quick leak and I'll be out of here.

Deal's still good.

How do you want to weigh it and test it?

We'll work it out, Andy.

It's none of my business...

but I don't think you should be looking for any new faces in your life, either.

Fine with me. I'll wait outside.

Hey.

Pfft. I thought you retired. I am retired.

Then what are you doing here? A favor.

Oh, you mean a felony favor.

A client paid him with a pound of coke.

He wanted me to hold his hand while he sells it.

Man, that is one flimsy fucking excuse. Oh, yeah?

He also tells me his customer asks more questions about me than the dope.

My phones have funny little noises on them.

You're setting me up, Nick.

Not tonight, pal. I got here by accident.

Ha! Talk about a flimsy fucking excuse!

Later. This is going down right now.

And do yourself a favor. Don't go back to the car.

Don't you go back to the room. There's no evidence.

I'm sorry. I couldn't afford to have him busted, as dumb as he is.

He's my lawyer.

Who authorized this shit?

You did, lieutenant.

Look, Nick, that's what we were told, okay?

What a waste of time.

Units 3, 4 and 5, return to parking lot.

Units 6 and 7...

check all of the exits and the stairwell. Look at those vents...

Got a runner going across the freeway!

Fucking A! Forty-five minutes.

It's the only fucking phone I've ever met that don't...

Get in there!

Vallenari's. Good evening. Hi, this is Dale McKussic.

Yeah, Mr. McKussic, I'm sorry. It's a little noisy at the moment.

Aren't we seeing you this evening?

I don't think I'm gonna make my reservation.

I'm gonna be a little late.

How late will you be? Uh...

I don't know. How late is the kitchen open?

Tell me something, Hal.

When you asked for my help, you didn't know who you were asking me to bust?

I knew who it was. Why didn't you bust him?

Well, you know that too.

He's a friend of mine.

The first thing I heard when I came to L.A...

Nick wouldn't work South Bay because he didn't wanna bust McKussic.

Tonight you proved that point. You not only let him walk...

you kicked him out and gave him a personal escort. Why?

Because you're predictable, Hal. You're very predictable.

Mac saw you coming a mile away. How did you know he wasn't holding?

Was Andy Leonard? You busted him.

Okay. No coke. No sale. No conspiracy to sell.

All you've got is a lightweight conversation...

with a chickenshit Century City lawyer.

And a probable lawsuit for entrapment.

Mac's lawyers would make mincemeat of you.

I let him walk to save you from a bad bust.

Hal.

I did you a favor.

How are you? Fine, thank you.

What is it?

It's McKussic.

You're kidding.

He's in and out of this place all the time.

Andy Leonard's the lawyer for this restaurant.

McKussic and the Vallenaris talk drugs and money?

They're real careful what they say.

Let me hear.

I told you, Nick, they're real careful. I'm sure you're right. Could I hear?

Yeah, sure!

In that case, why don't I give you a taste...

of something different tonight?

How about...

rigatoni?

Rigatoni? Rigatoni quattro formaggi.

A creamy blend of four Italian cheeses.

Fontina, taleggio, gorgonzola, and parmigiano.

Sounds good.

Sounds good to me too.

Look, before we spend another five grand to hear Mac's dinner...

take my guys off the clock and let me ask him.

Unless you guarantee the Federal government's picking up the tab tonight.

Thanks.

What's good here?

Everything. Why, are you hungry?

I missed dinner. Oh.

What are you having? A little pasta.

Something like rigatoni quattro formaggi?

Good guess.

Dinner's over, Bart. Pay the tab at the bar.

You just had the head of Narcotics arguing with the DEA about what you're doing here.

Why? What do you mean?

You're a drug-dealer and don't pay taxes.

I'm not active these days.

But you're a legend around here, man. Not only that, you're white.

When they print your picture in the paper, they'll be able to see it.

So, what do you figure, Nick?

I made lieutenant.

It'll be announced next week.

I'm the head of Narcotics for L.A. County.

Gee, uh, congratulations.

That's all you got to say?

What about your law degree? I thought you were trying to get...

Stop worrying about my career. The government swears you're doing business.

I'm not, here or anywhere. And you couldn't catch me if I was.

Try the sand dabs.

Try the sand dabs. Okay.

Here, look. Watch!

That's terrific.

You know, I just...

think something's going on.

I don't stop being a detective because there's no crime.

What do you think's going on? Something you don't want me to know.

How are we treating you this evening, Mr. McKussic?

Uh, fine, thank you.

Can I offer you anything more? More?

There are two fish you haven't tried. They're excellent.

Sure. What are they?

I thought I'd surprise you.

Uh, this is my friend, Nick Frescia.

A pleasure, Jo Ann Vallenari. Can I bring you a plate?

Thanks, I've got to be going.

Try us another night. What I tried tonight was terrific.

I'm pleased to hear it.

She's attractive.

Huh? Oh, yeah.

So, how about it?

How about what?

Whatever you're doing...

do it somewhere else. Don't make me look bad.

There is one last thing.

There's no new business. It's, uh, an accounting problem.

Accounting? The Colombians.

Always some discrepancy about money.

Sure. They don't know how to count.

I got your word, Mac?

Yeah.

One more thing. Jesus.

How about another bite of that fucking fish, man? It's great.

I give him two drinks. That's two too many.

If my brother sees Nino like this... What's he gonna do, fire him?

No, he's not going to fire the chef, Arturo.

But one bartender less is not the end of the world.

I don't want him driving that car. He can have mine.

Your Cadillac? You want to kill him?

I'll drive. I could dance.

No, no. Yes.

No, you're going home. Why?

Happy birthday.

How did you know it was my birthday?

Oh, uh, Arturo told me.

Thank you.

Well?

Well, uh...

In the course of last night...

something came up which persuaded me...

that Mac dining in that restaurant is a non-drug related activity.

Yeah.

Your friend's not gonna get away with what he's gotten away with...

for 15 years and just retire.

What do you suggest?