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00:06His student in the short skirt, couldn't remember her name,
00:11appeared during office hours that afternoon.
00:16You looked up my skirt, she said.
00:19What are we going to do about it?
00:21How dare she?
00:23He was a distinguished member of the faculty, for God's sakes.
00:27And this Lisa, yes, that's it.
00:30Would not be satisfied until he was dismembered.
00:37How had he arrived here?
00:39From walking home, from school, to his mother's embrace,
00:44and a tuna fish sandwich on perfectly toasted toast.
00:52To this horror.
00:54Of course he had looked up her skirt.
00:58But, you know, was that a choice?
01:01In that moment, he knew she had complete power over him.
01:07And he knew that he was maddeningly, absurdly,
01:16in love with her.
01:19Sixteen books in eighteen years.
01:21Well, that includes a collection of my essays, too.
01:24Oh, such modesty.
01:27A new novel by Elliot Pope is a major event,
01:30especially in our mutual hometown of Massapequa,
01:33which has featured prominently in many of your books.
01:36I'm sure that's just a coincidence.
01:39Do you ever go back?
01:40Only in my work.
01:41Well, everyone there is very proud,
01:43even if they're afraid that you're going to write
01:45your next metafiction Romana Clay about them.
01:49You know, I never write about anyone in particular.
01:52I write what I write.
01:54And it has worked out for you.
01:55After those early, smutty bestsellers,
02:00you have become an institution,
02:01winning prizes and raves from everyone,
02:05except me.
02:05But that is because I have recused myself.
02:08I don't read reviews, Barney,
02:10but it is nice to know that if I did,
02:13I wouldn't even have the option to read yours.
02:16Well, that's probably for the best.
02:20Back through here.
02:22My God.
02:23I know it's gotten out of hand,
02:26but I know where everything is.
02:28Oh, hey, would you like to sign some books?
02:30I'm not in the mood.
02:32Oh, is that a rat?
02:34Oh, Templeton.
02:35Smart little guy.
02:37Can't catch him.
02:38Bev keeps threatening to call the health department.
02:42Hey, tonight was great.
02:44It was an honor just being on that stage with you.
02:49Then, um,
02:50why did you have to spew all that,
02:52uh, made-of-fiction romantic clay garbage?
02:55It diminishes my work.
02:56It's saying, uh,
02:58I don't make things up.
02:59Don't be so touchy.
03:01What's wrong?
03:02Is the writing not going well?
03:04Oh, God.
03:04What are you working on?
03:05That's not your business.
03:07Oh, come on.
03:07Are you stuck?
03:08You know, I could be helpful.
03:10I'm not a total idiot.
03:12Barney, you're a critic.
03:13Who doesn't review your books?
03:15Let me read what you're working on, please.
03:17As a fan.
03:19It's not ready.
03:21Well, maybe not for the world, but for me.
03:23Come on.
03:24It would give me so much joy
03:25to be the first person to read a new Elliot Pope.
03:29Wow.
03:30You're laying it on a little thick.
03:32It's true.
03:33Elliot, I'm begging you.
03:35It would mean so much that you trusted me.
03:42Well, it's still in longhand.
03:45So if you lose the manuscript, I will kill you.
03:51Edgar Bishop walked up Madison,
03:54past the fresh-faced girls leaving the Dalton School,
03:58as was his habit.
04:00His thoughts kept returning to the little man in the bookstore.
04:03Two months, and still not a word.
04:07Not one word.
04:14Let me get you a bag.
04:17There you are.
04:32Yes, I'm sure they'll just fly off the shelves
04:34when they're arranged like this.
04:37I'm glad you're here.
04:38I want to show you something.
04:39I took this out of my safe deposit box today.
04:42I have to sell it to cover some debt.
04:46Rent went up again.
04:47This is tough stuff for Forrester.
04:49Not effeminate like the others.
04:51That's a first edition Howard's End
04:53from Henry James Private Library.
04:56Well, we think so.
04:58The proof is iffy.
04:59Let me get you a drink.
05:00I hate to part with it,
05:02but if I don't,
05:03I'll have to let Bev in
05:04on the state of our finances.
05:08Oh.
05:10Oh.
05:12I sensed some awkwardness,
05:15and I assume it's because
05:16I never called you about your manuscript.
05:21I read it.
05:24I mean, how much do you want me to say?
05:29I don't want you to say anything.
05:31I didn't even want you to read it
05:33in the first place.
05:34I don't care what you think at all.
05:38Oh.
05:42Why are you thanking me?
05:44For not making me give you my notes.
05:46I'm so tired of the sound of my own voice.
05:49Pompously pointing out flaws in people's work.
05:52Flaws?
05:54What flaws?
05:55I thought you didn't want to know.
05:57Okay.
05:57Well, now I'm interested.
05:58So go ahead.
05:59Come on.
05:59Tell me.
06:00You sure?
06:03Well, where to start?
06:06You know, it's just another sad,
06:10masturbatory exercise
06:11steeped in misogyny and casual cruelty.
06:14Once again, you have strip-mined the lives
06:17of the good people of Massapequa.
06:19I recognized every one of them
06:21for filthy lucre.
06:23And all but your sainted mother
06:25and her tuna sandwiches
06:26are subjected to your snide disapproval.
06:30Honestly, every impeccably crafted sentence
06:34made me want to vomit.
06:43Well, thank you, Barney.
06:46I value your opinion.
06:48The way I would value the opinion
06:53of a loser wannabe
06:56of no literary importance.
07:00A man who sells and criticizes books
07:03he wished he had written,
07:05but all the while knowing
07:07he is incapable of holding anyone's interest
07:11because his life, like his mind,
07:14is completely worthless.
07:25Maybe so, my old friend, maybe so.
07:28I'm sorry.
07:29You know, it's the people who know us best
07:32whose bad opinions hurt the most,
07:34so forgive me.
07:35Oh, I deserve every bit of it.
07:39You still want me to sign some books?
07:42Oh, of course.
07:48Oh, boy.
08:05Elliot!
08:07Elliot, please, help, help.
08:10Elliot, doesn't our friendship
08:13mean anything to you?
08:17Elliot, please, help, help.
08:17How much do you want me to save?
08:21No, no, no, no.
08:23Elliot, please.
08:24Oh!
08:26Oh!
08:35Jeff, Jeff.
08:54Edgar Bishop knew his life wouldn't change much
08:57after the death of his friend.
08:58Was that even the word?
09:00Acquaintance?
09:01More like a mirror.
09:05For Marty Roper could always show him who he really was.
09:09You would miss this, son of a bitch.
09:12Now, the character of Marty Roper does bear a passing resemblance to a mutual acquaintance of ours.
09:18Yep, Barney Corman.
09:19Now, for those of you who don't know, Barney Corman was a critic who owned Barney's books
09:23and who died, tragically, a year and a half ago, crushed by his own bookcases.
09:29You know, I remember hearing from his wife, Bev, who mentioned that you were devastated when she called you.
09:35I mean, you know, who wouldn't be?
09:37Did you know immediately you wanted to write about it?
09:39Well, no, because, you know, I haven't.
09:42I mean, yes, Barney's death did spark my imagination, you know, at some level.
09:47But, you know, I'm not interested in parsing out, you know, what's true and just pure invention.
09:52That's been a constant in your career, hasn't it?
09:54People asking what's made up, what isn't.
09:56It's irritating.
09:58And I just did it.
10:00Bad friend.
10:02All right, let's open it up to some questions.
10:04Oh, oh.
10:05Yes.
10:06Me?
10:08Hi, I'm Cheryl Jacobs.
10:10I'm actually an author, too.
10:12My book, Unwell, On My Way, is out in paperback.
10:16What is your question?
10:17Sorry, I'm a little nervous.
10:20Such a fan.
10:22Again, your question?
10:24I forgot what it was.
10:25Oh, no, wait, my friend has one.
10:27Oh, yeah, right.
10:28Okay.
10:29Hello.
10:30Hi.
10:31Hi, Fred.
10:33Oh.
10:35Well, I was just curious about the way Marty dies in the avalanche.
10:40I was surprised when he went on that ski trip.
10:43He wasn't very athletic.
10:45Well, you know, character is often revealed through contradiction.
10:49But the narrator, Edgar, says that his and Marty's eyes meet just before he dies.
10:57That doesn't seem possible.
10:59How do you mean?
11:00Well, I mean, if they were actually that close, then both of them would have been killed by
11:05the falling snow.
11:07You're reading it wrong.
11:08Oh, okay.
11:11It's just, it says their eyes meet, so.
11:15And Eddie is really you, isn't he?
11:18Okay, let's move on to the next question.
11:20Uh, yes, over here.
11:24To Cheryl.
11:25Oh, thank you.
11:27Could I give you a copy of my book, too?
11:31It would mean so much to me.
11:32Sorry.
11:33Life is fine, I can't.
11:35Oh.
11:36Oh.
11:37No, I understand.
11:40Hi.
11:42It's for Elsbeth.
11:43With a B.
11:46Elsbeth.
11:47With a B.
11:48That's right.
11:50I'm sorry if my question seemed rude.
11:52I'm actually so impressed with how vividly you imagined that death scene, because, of
11:57course, you weren't there when your friend died.
12:00No.
12:01I read it in the paper like everybody else.
12:03I thought Fred said you got a call from Barney's widow, and that's how you found out.
12:09Yes.
12:10And then I read the details.
12:12You know, a word of advice, Sid, you focus so much on unimportant details, you lose deeper
12:18meaning.
12:19You can't read my books like they're Agatha Christie murder mysteries.
12:24Who said anything about a murder mystery?
12:31I've met that woman before.
12:33She's pretty kooky.
12:35Hard to believe she works for the police.
12:38You know, I heard you come in.
12:41Hi.
12:43It's actually.
12:57Oh, Elliot Pope.
12:59Now that man can write.
13:01So you've read his books?
13:02Yeah, one or two.
13:04You mean the early dirty ones.
13:05Hey, now, just because Pope's books were somewhat explicit
13:09doesn't detract from their literary merit.
13:11My older brother gave me a copy of Couch Liar when I was 12,
13:14saying it would put hair on my chest.
13:16I still don't know why he was expecting it to do that.
13:18So, what are we talking about?
13:20Well, I've been making my way through Pope's books.
13:23He's not very good at writing women, is he?
13:26And I can't stop thinking about his new book,
13:28Snow Falls Down, which is inspired by the death of a friend of his.
13:35Oh, I see where this is going.
13:37Barney Corman was crushed by falling bookcases 18 months ago.
13:44Ah!
13:46In the book, Marty Roper was crushed by an avalanche on a ski trip.
13:53So, the first could have inspired the second.
13:56That's what writers do.
13:57True.
13:58But in most of Pope's books, the narrator, his alter ego is usually named Edgar Bishop,
14:03is wracked with all sorts of guilt about everything, but in this book, Edgar doesn't feel guilty
14:08at all about Marty's death, even though he had sex with Marty's wife in a cave at the
14:13top of the mountain, which is what caused the avalanche.
14:15Oh.
14:16Yeah, yeah, yeah.
14:17The man's still got it.
14:18Don't you see?
14:21Pope is trying to distance himself from the death of Barney Corman, but he can't resist writing
14:28about it.
14:29So, what did we know about the guy under the bookcase?
14:32Barney Corman was a minor figure in New York literary circles.
14:37He wrote reviews freelance and owned Barney's Books Bookstore, which sold retail and also
14:42dealt in rare editions.
14:43So what's all that?
14:45Oh, this is all from the original police report?
14:47Which was very thin.
14:48Yeah, it looked like an accident.
14:50A man crushed by old bookcases, clutching a copy of Howard's End in a room that was a
14:56health hazard.
14:56Barney's wife had called the health department, but nobody wanted to be in close quarters
15:01with Templeton.
15:02Templeton?
15:03Oh, that's the name that Barney gave to the rat who lived there.
15:05Probably named after the rat in Charlotte's Web.
15:08Oh, I love that book.
15:10Yeah.
15:11So, I asked Elliot Pope some totally innocent questions at his book signing, and he lectured
15:17me about caring too much about facts.
15:20So he clearly doesn't want anyone to do a close reading of this case.
15:23So, can we?
15:27Look, as much as I tried to indulge your hunches, which I admit usually turn out right, there's
15:33simply not enough there.
15:34The man died 18 months ago.
15:36Oh, come on.
15:37A novelist and a critic who grew up together?
15:40That is fertile ground for a literary feud.
15:44Sure, like my feud with Cyrus Tully.
15:46But I would never go out and kill the man.
15:47Well, that's you.
15:49Elsbeth, your consent decree doesn't include creating new cases that don't exist.
15:53Well, it does include pointing out cases that may have been missed.
15:56Or at least it should.
15:57Good.
15:58What do you think?
16:01Me?
16:02I'm tired of being in this position.
16:04If you're convinced that this is an actual murder case worth investigating, then I'll agree.
16:08So what's it going to be?
16:11Well, I agree with Captain Wagner.
16:16There's no hard evidence, so there's not enough here.
16:19Yet.
16:21Yet?
16:22Thank you, Lieutenant Connor.
16:24That's all we need.
16:33Why, you can just smell the literature.
16:39This place is classic New York.
16:41Barney liked to think so.
16:43Oh, you must miss him a lot.
16:45More than when he was alive, that's for sure.
16:48So you say you're with the police?
16:52Sort of.
16:53I hope to make sure they do everything right.
16:56They didn't do something right?
16:58I don't know yet, but there are some things I wish were in the report that aren't there.
17:04I knew it.
17:06Oh, I should have pushed.
17:07But they were so sure, and I figured the storeroom was a disaster waiting to happen.
17:13I've kept it locked up ever since.
17:16Do you think I could take a look?
17:17You're not afraid of rats?
17:20Oh, no, I most definitely am.
17:23Hmm.
17:24Oh, oh, I have an idea.
17:27That is one feisty little rat.
17:30Oh, thank you for not just killing him.
17:34He was a friend of my husband's.
17:37Oh, no, we never kill rats with names.
17:39It's in our manifesto.
17:41Oh, we'll find Templeton a good home in the wilds of New Jersey.
17:46Thanks for calling us, Elspeth.
17:48You're always my first thought when I see vermin.
17:53Well, what are we waiting for?
18:02Oh, they put the bookcases back up, but everything else is just as it was.
18:13Cool.
18:15What, what, what exactly are you looking for?
18:18Not quite sure yet.
18:29But I just found it.
18:32But the scratches on the footstool were clearly made by the molding on top of the bookcase.
18:37Footstool.
18:39Bookcase.
18:42Barney.
18:46Somebody must have dragged the footstool out from under the bookcase after it fell.
18:53And if that's true, then that somebody murdered Barney Corman.
19:03Or Barney Corman accidentally pushed out the footstool in his confusion.
19:10You enjoy doing this to me, don't you?
19:12The report did mention a witness who arrived at the store at 640, but the sign said it was closed.
19:18But the store didn't close until 8 o'clock.
19:20So who turned the sign to closed?
19:24Is that it?
19:25Isn't that enough?
19:26Yes.
19:27I believe that is enough to warrant a new investigation.
19:30All right.
19:31So, uh, which detective should we go to?
19:33No detective.
19:34Since Lieutenant Connor is convinced, he's gonna help you on the very cold, barely a case case.
19:40Good enough for me.
19:41So, uh, should we talk to Elliot Pope?
19:44Edgar Bishop knew the vultures of biography were circling.
19:48He needed a strategy to confound them.
19:51But his mind was diverted by a woman dressed in absurdly bright colors, asking irritating, yet perceptive questions.
20:00Who was she?
20:04Everything I say here is off the record.
20:06What record?
20:07Any record.
20:08From official precinct memoranda to Teddy Taccioni.
20:12Understood.
20:13The election is now a few days away, and Alec, if he wins, wants to hit the ground running.
20:18So, what do you want from me?
20:20Alec is choosing people for important appointments, and he wants to know, would you be interested
20:25in being police commissioner?
20:27Yeah.
20:29Big stuff.
20:30What?
20:32Marissa!
20:33Hi!
20:34What's this about?
20:35Nothing.
20:36We're asking him if he wants to be police commissioner.
20:38I thought you said this was off the record.
20:40Well, Alec trusts Elsbeth clearly.
20:44Don't answer right away.
20:46Think about it.
20:47But don't take too long.
20:48Don't lead Alec on.
20:50Be clear on what you want.
20:52He deserves that.
20:56Wow.
20:58So, what are you going to do?
21:00I don't know yet.
21:03What did you...
21:05Oh.
21:05I really want to question Elliot Pope, but his agent refuses all requests for interviews.
21:11But you won't let that stop you.
21:13I'll consider that your blessing.
21:17Why, hello.
21:19You remember me?
21:20Actually, I do.
21:22This isn't a coincidence, is it, Elsbeth with a B?
21:25Oh, you're so smart.
21:28No, I read how every work day you go to the place down the street to get a tuna fish
21:33sandwich.
21:33Just like the one your mother used to make you.
21:35Boy, you must think about your mother a lot.
21:39She's the only woman who has never disappointed me.
21:42Well, that's... sad.
21:45Anyway, you mentioned this little lunchtime ritual in several interviews, which is surprising for someone who claims to treasure their
21:51privacy.
21:52Is there something, I don't know, specific you want to talk to me about, or are you just attracted to
21:58me?
21:59Oh, the former.
22:01I work with the police.
22:02I heard.
22:03And we're taking another look at the death of your friend, Barney Corman.
22:07We have evidence that suggests that he was murdered.
22:10No. What new evidence?
22:12Well, there were marks on a footstool that was probably keeping a bookcase from crushing him.
22:17Someone must have yanked it away.
22:20You don't say.
22:21And a book dealer came by to pick up a rare edition of Howard's Inn, but the store was closed
22:27too early.
22:28Now, you knew Barney well. You were together for an event a few months beforehand.
22:33Did he say anything about any difficulties that he may have been having?
22:37Elsbeth, do you like Russian food?
22:40Russian food?
22:41Have dinner with me.
22:42Mm-hmm.
22:42At Gogol's, it's kind of my place.
22:45Why do you want to have dinner with me?
22:47Well, I confess I've been thinking about you since we met.
22:51I'd like to write about you.
22:52And in order to do that, I have to understand you.
22:56I thought you don't write about real people.
22:58I don't, but I need fodder for my imagination.
23:04Okay.
23:05Elliot, I will have dinner with you, but just to be clear, I'm not interested in romance.
23:12Neither am I.
23:19I've thought more about it.
23:21And?
23:22I'm interested.
23:23The city would be lucky to have you.
23:26Of course.
23:26If it happens, I'll have to review the department's use of consent decrees.
23:30Oh.
23:32Don't worry about that on my account.
23:34You've already done so much for me.
23:37Beth Corman is here.
23:39She found something.
23:40I was wondering about the fax machine on Barney's desk.
23:44I mean, why is he still the only idiot using one?
23:47Well, that's not necessarily suspicious.
23:49Maybe.
23:51But I put a new roll of paper in it and it spit out a log of all the faxes
23:56he sent over the years.
23:58I figured maybe you could find out who they went to.
24:01I'm working on it.
24:04He needed money.
24:06Maybe he sent some faxes to a loan shark who killed him.
24:11Oh, let's not jump to conclusions.
24:13Okay.
24:14I traced a number that appears several times.
24:17Oh.
24:18And it's listed as belonging to a Maura Davidoff.
24:22Oh.
24:24Who's Maura Davidoff?
24:26Elliot Pope's first wife.
24:32Barney, Corman, and me?
24:34Please.
24:34I have some self-respect.
24:36We thought perhaps Elliot knew of your secret relationship and was driven to murder.
24:41Elliot wouldn't care if I'd cheated.
24:44If anything, it would relieve his guilt for his serial philandering.
24:49The man's a hound.
24:51Incapable of relating to any woman without trying to sleep with her.
24:54Oh, dear.
24:55Why do you think he works all alone in that dreary office of his?
24:58His publisher won't let him hire any more young female graduate students to work for him.
25:03Not since the lawsuits.
25:05Lawsuits?
25:06He kept taking them to dinner at Gogol's.
25:08He'd order schnapps.
25:10You know the rest.
25:12Well, it must have been hard being married to him.
25:15You can read all about it in my book, Writer's Wife Strife.
25:19Of course, the critics killed it.
25:21It only sold 147 copies.
25:25147.
25:25That sounds low.
25:27I told the truth about our marriage, unlike his novels.
25:31But Elliot is still a better writer than I am.
25:34Life isn't fair.
25:35Not usually, no.
25:38So, if you weren't romantically involved with Barney Corman, why was he faxing you regularly?
25:44He liked to send me his reviews of Elliot's books.
25:46He couldn't publish them because he'd recused himself.
25:48They made a big deal about growing up together.
25:50But he knew I'd get a kick out of them.
25:53Because they were insightful?
25:54Because they were vicious.
25:57Did you by chance keep any?
26:01These are extremely uncharitable.
26:03Is that how you spell puerile?
26:07Hmm.
26:07I guess it is.
26:08Was Elliot Pope aware of these?
26:10I have no way of knowing.
26:12We don't speak.
26:13We don't even scream at each other anymore.
26:16I've never heard of this one.
26:18Trouble Pants.
26:19It's the latest review, but I've never heard of that book.
26:23Wait, the cover sheet says sneak peek.
26:25Could it have been a working problem?
26:27Possibly.
26:28People always begged Elliot to read what he was working on.
26:30He'd let them when he needed that extra hit of adulation.
26:34Hmm.
26:35Are you sure you never showed these to Elliot?
26:38Because it seems like that would have given you pleasure.
26:40Yeah, well, I stopped reading Barney's reviews a few books ago.
26:45I'm a bitter person, but even I have my limits.
26:51I don't know how much more Elliot Pope I can read.
26:54I want to take a shower after every chapter.
26:56He does present a somewhat outdated form of masculinity.
26:59One that's making a comeback.
27:01Grace!
27:02Welcome!
27:03Hi!
27:05Aw, you sweet thing.
27:07I'm sorry I'm late.
27:08I went to early voting.
27:10Oh, smart.
27:11People online were very excited and nervous.
27:14Looks like it's gonna be a real nail-biter.
27:16What do you think, Elspeth?
27:17Do you think Alec Bloom will win?
27:19Ooh, yeah.
27:19Has he given you any inside info?
27:21We're not here to talk about the election.
27:23We are here for the Elliot Pope Investigation Book Club,
27:28for which I have made his favorite tuna fish sandwich.
27:31Well, I love book club-themed food.
27:33I followed his mother's recipe in Couch Liar.
27:37How are they?
27:39They're good.
27:40Chewy.
27:41I don't know if this is something I would write about for decades.
27:44To be honest, you can get a better sandwich at the Massapequa Diner
27:47near his childhood home.
27:48I did some research.
27:50But, you know, these are good, too.
27:53Oh, no.
27:53You don't have to finish them.
27:55All right.
27:57Has anyone found anything helpful?
27:59I did.
27:59In the childhood section of Sunday's Playhouse,
28:03a friend of Eddie Bishop stays at Eddie's place
28:06when the other boy's parents split up.
28:08Then, Eddie gets jealous when his mother compliments the other boy's penmanship.
28:14Maybe that friend from school was little Barney Korman.
28:18And we definitely think that Eddie Bishop is a stand-in for Elliot Pope.
28:23Pope Bishop.
28:25Duh.
28:26How did I miss that?
28:27Are published authors really that petty?
28:29Oh, absolutely.
28:30Yeah, being published does something to you.
28:33Every time I go into a bookstore, I have to make sure that they're displaying my book properly.
28:39Well, I guess I'll have to find out more in my dinner with Elliot Pope on Tuesday.
28:44What?
28:44Is that wise?
28:45That's one way to avoid Alec on election night.
28:48No, Elizabeth, I have read enough to know that any woman should keep her distance from that man.
28:55I can take care of myself.
28:57I have met plenty of charming monsters.
29:03And, yeah, we'll both have the worst.
29:06Yep.
29:09You didn't have to order for me.
29:11You've never been here before, so you don't know what you want.
29:15More schnapps?
29:15Actually, I've had about enough schnapps as I can handle.
29:20So, Elsbeth, tell me about your hopes and dreams.
29:25Well, before we get to those, I wanted to show you something.
29:29What do you got in there?
29:31Well, these are photos taken from events at Barney's Books before and after the night he died.
29:38Here was a launch party before, and here was a memorial for Barney after.
29:46You see?
29:48See what?
29:51In the second photo, the display of your books is different.
29:56It's way more prominent.
29:58Now, why would that be?
29:59Well, maybe a fan thought I wasn't getting the respect I deserve.
30:06Or, more likely, Barney was reminded of how much he revered my work when we appeared together and wanted his
30:15customers to pay more attention.
30:18See, that doesn't square with the reviews that Barney wrote of your books.
30:24Yeah, well, Barney did not write reviews of my books because of our history.
30:29Oh, he actually did.
30:32He just didn't publish them.
30:35He sent them to your first wife, Mara.
30:39He did?
30:40Mm-hmm.
30:41She had them on that curly fax paper, but we made nicer copies for the publisher.
30:48The publisher?
30:49Yes, Fred Harrison is helping us get these published.
30:52Oh.
30:52They're so well written.
30:54And by an important critic with such a close relationship to your work.
30:59And then the proceeds will help shore up Bev and the bookstore's finances.
31:04Well, that's a win for everybody.
31:07Right.
31:07And to think, if Barney hadn't died, these might never have come to life.
31:14Well, this is very illuminating.
31:17I mean, I knew he was jealous.
31:20I had no idea he was so obsessed with me.
31:24Right.
31:25And you wrote a book about him.
31:28Oh, I was wondering if you could help us.
31:30The last one is of a thing called Troubled Pants.
31:35What was that?
31:36Uh, that doesn't ring a bell.
31:39Are you sure?
31:40Because I feel like this might be important.
31:42We did it, New York!
31:43It's a new day!
31:45Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this a reality.
31:49Looks like your pal, Alec Bloom, just got elected mayor of New York City.
31:54Everybody who worked on this campaign showed tenacity.
31:58Yes.
32:00Looks like he did.
32:02And to those people who aren't in this room tonight,
32:06who played such an important part and made me a worthy candidate,
32:10you know who you are.
32:12Now let's celebrate!
32:13Uh, maybe.
32:15After our chicken Kiev, we could celebrate back at my place.
32:20Hmm.
32:21Hmm.
32:23No.
32:25Okay.
32:52A fire in Elliot Pope's?
32:54Fire Marshal Jake said it was very suspicious.
32:56Did he, now?
32:57Now, fortunately, no one was hurt.
32:58But here's the thing.
32:59The fire wasn't in the kitchen.
33:01It was in his office, where he writes.
33:04Clearly, my questions at dinner struck a nerve.
33:06He was burning evidence!
33:07Okay.
33:07You got me.
33:08Do your thing.
33:09Can I send things to the lab?
33:11You can send things to the lab.
33:12But, Elsbeth, you have to prove that Elliot was in the bookstore the night that Barney Corman died.
33:20I brought you something.
33:22I'm writing.
33:23Well, you have to stop for lunch.
33:26And I saved you a trip to your local sandwich shop.
33:29You mean you...
33:29A tuna fish sandwich, exactly like your mother used to make you.
33:32Well, I'm gonna be the judge of that.
33:38You know, I have never, ever found one, even if half at...
33:43Oh, my God.
33:46Oh, my...
33:48How did you...
33:49I didn't make it.
33:51It's from the diner near your childhood home, which has been owned by the same family for 75 years.
33:59Well, what are you implying?
34:01Oh, nothing.
34:02Just that your mother didn't make those sandwiches when you came home from school.
34:06She just pretended to.
34:07Isn't that funny?
34:10Oh, I'm sure she still loved you.
34:13She went to the trouble of lying to you.
34:16To think that all of those books were written right here.
34:21If you're looking for the lost manuscript, you're not gonna find it.
34:24I already looked.
34:25Oh.
34:27Gosh, I hope it didn't get destroyed in that mysterious fire.
34:31Hey, maybe it's in Barney's storeroom.
34:34Have you ever been there?
34:35I'm afraid of rats.
34:37How do you know about Templeton if you've never been there?
34:40It's a small community.
34:42And it's a good story.
34:44Yeah, but who told you?
34:46I couldn't be one of those female graduate students who used to work for you because you're not allowed to
34:52hire them anymore.
34:53Well, that was one of several misunderstandings.
34:57That makes sense, though.
34:58I've read your books.
34:59You do have a pretty severe woman problem.
35:05I beg your pardon?
35:07I don't have a woman problem.
35:10I have a problem with women like you.
35:15You know, liars who will do anything to trap me.
35:18I know you're attracted to me, and I remind you of your father.
35:22I'm not, and you don't.
35:23And you're disappointed in every man you ever met.
35:26But you will not tear me down.
35:29I will remain on required reading lists and a giant in the canon.
35:36Now thank you for the sandwich, Elizabeth.
35:40Now get out.
35:41Get out!
35:51How was election night?
35:52It looked exciting on TV.
35:55Well, I was...
35:57I was sorry you weren't there.
36:00You deserve to win, Alec.
36:01You ran a great campaign.
36:03Especially at the end.
36:05Because of you.
36:07Thank you, Elizabeth, for inspiring me, for pointing me down the...
36:12path of truth.
36:14Forcing you is more like it.
36:16Yes.
36:17But ever since you did, I feel so much better about what I'm doing.
36:22My life.
36:23Everything.
36:24I want this to continue.
36:27With you by my side.
36:30Oh, Alec.
36:32Before you go any further, I need to say something.
36:36Okay.
36:38I admire you.
36:40What you've done so much.
36:42And I really do think you can be a wonderful mayor.
36:47Maybe you'll go even further than that.
36:50One thing at a time.
36:51You're right, right.
36:54But whatever you do...
36:58It won't be with me.
37:01Why?
37:03I... I did what you asked.
37:06I can't stop thinking about that night.
37:09At the jungle restaurant.
37:11When I asked, and you said yes, there was a guy named Pete.
37:18You lied to me right to my face.
37:21I wasn't ready.
37:23Okay, but here's the thing.
37:25I couldn't tell.
37:26No.
37:28And that's kind of my thing.
37:30And I understand what it is to be a people pleaser.
37:35I am one.
37:37And that could be really great for the people of New York, but it won't work for me.
37:42Elizabeth, politics is a tricky business.
37:47Yes, I know.
37:48I've been there, done that.
37:50And maybe I'm being childish.
37:52Maybe I'm expecting too much from a man.
37:55From anyone.
37:56But this is who I am.
37:59What about second chances?
38:02Oh.
38:04Alec.
38:06You got one.
38:09Just not with me.
38:19Come on, Gonzo. Poop already.
38:22Don't push her.
38:23She needs to do it her way.
38:25What is it with you men?
38:28You did the right thing, Mom.
38:30Really.
38:31I don't know.
38:32Maybe now that you're not dating the mayor-elect, my editor will let me write about politics again.
38:37Well, that's good.
38:39Oh, I hope I didn't make a mistake.
38:42Elliot Pope says I find all men disappointing.
38:45That's just a sign of intelligence.
38:49Gonzo.
38:50You're lucky you're spayed.
38:52Oh, there we go.
38:54We got a pooper.
38:55Yes, I have the poop bag.
38:56Yes.
38:59Ugh.
39:00These things are always so hard to...
39:09So I'll introduce you, you'll read a chapter, and then the interview.
39:13I know the drill.
39:15Gosh.
39:16Boy!
39:17For a reclusive author, you sure do agree to a lot of interviews.
39:21I'm nominated for a National Book Award.
39:23Oh, that's very impressive.
39:26But unfortunately, there will be no hit of adulation tonight.
39:31And why is that?
39:32Because you murdered Barney Corman.
39:34Well, that's ridiculous.
39:35You know, this case, it got me back to reading more.
39:39After I finished all of your books, I moved on to Howard's End, the book that Barney was clutching before
39:44he was crushed.
39:45Oh, Forrester writes female characters so well.
39:49Oh, it's like he thinks of them as fully dimensional human beings.
39:52I was also struck by the death of Leonard Bast.
39:56At the end, you know, when Charles Wilcox hits him with a sword and then a bookcase falls on him.
40:04Sort of like an avalanche.
40:06Bast is a fiber used to make rope.
40:08The character in Snow Falls Down is Marty Roper.
40:11These stupid board games, they don't prove a thing.
40:14Okay, you're right. You're right.
40:16We needed real proof that you killed Barney in the storeroom that night.
40:21Proof like your DNA on that copy of Howard's End.
40:26The copy that Barney took from his safe deposit box the day he died.
40:31And sure enough, we found it.
40:34And how? I mean, you don't have my DNA.
40:36You have an interesting habit of licking your thumb every time you turn a page.
40:44You probably don't even notice that you're doing it.
40:46But you did it when you signed my copy of Snow Falls Down.
40:52And you did it when you thumbed through Barney's precious edition of Howard's End just before you killed him.
41:01In fact, we found your saliva on the pages where Leonard Bast dies under a bookcase.
41:08Boy, you're not very good at making things up, are you?
41:12Elliot Pope, you were under arrest for the murder of Barney Corman.
41:16My lies have won me a shelf full of prizes.
41:19What have yours gotten you?
41:21Hmm?
41:25I have to hand it to you. Not only did you solve a murder, but you found an excellent source
41:28for tuna fish sandwiches.
41:29Right? No wonder he thought his mother was magic.
41:32I wonder if this was the kind of sandwich that Pete from the MTA gave the young Alec Bloom.
41:38There was no Pete.
41:40Or maybe there was.
41:41Are we still on this?
41:43Barissa, pull up a sandwich.
41:45I can't stay. I have news.
41:48Alec picked someone else to be commissioner.
41:50What? How can that be?
41:53Who got the job?
41:55Captain Cyrus Tully.
41:57Oh.
41:58That's ridiculous. That man is an unhinged bully.
42:01Alec feels he needs someone who projects toughness because people think he doesn't.
42:06Wait.
42:07Marissa, does this have anything to do with what happened between Alec and me?
42:11These things are never that simple.
42:13I'm sorry.
42:15It's okay.
42:16Police commissioner is a pretty thankless job. I just wanted to be considered.
42:21And I was.
42:23This new mayor won't be in there forever.
42:25Will he?
42:26No. Just for the time being.
42:28And it is nice to have a friend at Gracie Mansion.
42:31Is Alec still a friend?
42:33We'll see.
42:35But you will have at least one friend there.
42:39See you around.
42:51Bye.
42:52Bye.
43:01Bye.
43:05Bye.
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