It is seven o'clock in the evening, and Philip Marlowe is in his office, thinking about his last case, when a huge man named Moose Malloy walks in and says "You Marlowe? I've seen your name downstairs. You're a private eye, huh?" Marlowe says "That's right". Moose says "I'd like you to look for somebody". Marlowe says "I'm closing up. Come around tomorrow and we'll talk about it". Moose grabs Marlowe by the arm and says "I think we should do it now". Marlowe says "Let go of me you big ape". Moose says "I don't mean to do nothing. Here, I'll give you some dough. You come with me". Marlowe says "Okay, I'll come with you". Marlowe and Moose got into a cab, and arrived at a place called Florian's. Marlowe thought the place looked like trouble, but it didn't really matter to him because of the forty bucks Moose gave him. Moose says "They changed this place a lot. There used to be a stage and some booths, lattice work and pink flowers. The girl, she was cute like a bug's ear, a redhead. It's been eight years since I seen her, and for six years she didn't write, but she'll have a reason". Marlowe says "Yeah, she'll have a reason. What did she do here, sing?" Moose says "Yeah, let's you and me have a drink. Hey Jack, some whiskey". The bartender says "Hey Boss, he's here again".

Lieutenant Ben Guthrie is escorting Mr. Reducy, the night watchman, to the line up viewing area. He seems to think that Charlie Barnes, number four in the line-up, is the one guilty of strangling a woman at the building in which he works. Guthrie tells Sergeant Grebbs to hold Number Four for questioning. In the interrogation room, Charlie says "I don't feel good, get me a doctor". Guthrie says "After we talk, Charlie. After you tell me about last night". Charlie says "If you don't want to get me a police doctor, let me call my own". Guthrie says "Last night Charlie, tell me about last night". Charlie says "I was in my apartment, all night and the day before. I was sick." Guthrie says "The night watchman in the Reality Building said that he saw you carry the body of a woman down the fire escape. You left the body on the pavement and walked away". Charlie says "He is a liar, it wasn't me". Guthrie says "Those scratches on your face Charlie, how did you get them?" Charlie says "I don't know, must have cut myself shaving".

George Valentine receives a letter from a man calling himself Tioga Tom. He describes himself as the last honest man in the West. His letter reads "Have you ever heard of the castle I live in out by the desert? If so, you know what these railroad tickets are for. Come see me, but you don't know anything else, understand? The trouble with you fellows is that you jump on conclusions, and think nobody else is smart but you. If you think I need help, then you're crazier than the people in Texas Junction, and I ain't spit in their direction since the WPA. But, I do need a might of assistance regarding the arrest of a culprit. I'm a man everybody tries to pester on account of how rich they think I struck it, but me I like my privacy and I aim to maintain it. P.S. The culprit I make reference to is the one who stole or made disappear or killed my dog. The only botheration is, it was my seeing eye dog".

Nick Dorso works as a collector for a loan shark named Sylvan Mortinoy. Nick, along with Gus and Arnie, are paying a visit to Mr. Angelo. Nick says "Mr. Mortinoy is a very serious individual. A debt of honor is no laughing matter. What about that huh?" Angelo says "I paid. I paid him already, three time over. Joe Angelo got no money to pay no more!" Nick says "I guess let's have a look at that account sheet. Here we are - Joseph Angelo, 500 dollar loan - Amount still unpaid, 396 dollars. Well, it looks like you and Mr. Mortinoy got different books friend". Angelo says "I paid 500, more than 500 I paid". Nick says "So what about the interest, did you pay that too? Mr. Mortinoy don't take kindly to lending out good dough without loanees paying back with interest". Angelo says "Interest? I pay so much interest!" Nick says "Easy pal, keep your voice down". Angelo says "No, I say what's on my mind! Mortinoy is nothing but a crook! I should've gone to a bank, or a legitimate loan company. I do nothing but pay and pay! There is no end to it! Joseph Angelo does not pay any more!" Nick says "Gus, lock the door and close the transom. Arnie, shut those windows."

A motorist, going at a normal speed, enjoying the fresh sunlight, green fields, and rising hills, notices the road curved ahead and the light posts that mark the edge of the embankment. As he slowed down to navigate the road, he notices a broken guardrail fence. He stops his car to take a look over the edge. Suddenly, he sees a car at the bottom of the embankment. He jumps back into his car and begins speeding toward the nearest town, toward the nearest police station. Once there, he tells the Constable "There is a wreck on the curve about a mile south of here!" The Constable asks "Did you have anything to do with it, Sir?" The motorist says "No, of course not. I noticed the broken fence and saw the car down the hill. There seemed to be a woman in it. You'd better come, and bring some help!".

Mark has decided that he has no other choice. His business partner, Hannigan, must be eliminated. He was given a phone number of a man named "Barney" who could do the job. Mark called him and was given the address of a small grocery store. He went to the address and found a grimy storefront between a press-while-you-wait tailor shop and a fly infested fruit store. He walked in, noticing the dust covered stock of tobacco and candy that would not have tempted anyone. Mark said to himself "Not much chance of customers disturbing you here". He walked to the clerk and says "I need to see Barney. I phoned him and he gave me this address." The clerk points him to a backroom. Mark knocks on the door. The man in the room says "Come in". Mark asks "Are you Barney?" The man says "So". Mark says "I phoned you yesterday, my name is..." Barney interrupts him and says "Never mind. You wanted a job done, is that it?" Marks say "Yeah". Barney says "You want a short job, or all the way?" Mark looked confused. Barney says "A short job is to scare him, break an arm, or rough him up". Mark says "No, this has to be all the way".