On a gray London morning, as usual, Gilbert Fox is preparing to leave for his work. His normal routine included sitting down to breakfast with his wife Lavinia. However, by the end of this morning's breakfast, Gilbert would be contemplating murder. As he sat down at the table, he says "Good morning, Lavinia. Breakfast ready? I'm a bit late today, sorry". She says "Sit down Gilbert. I have something I need to tell you". He says "Would you pour me some tea, please?" She says "The tea can wait". He says "What's the matter with you, Lavinia? Are you upset?" She says "You'll find out why in just a moment, if you'll let me speak". He says "What's wrong, my dear?" She says "I'm leaving you. I'm going away and getting a divorce. When you return from work this afternoon, I shall be gone". Gilbert says "But why? What have I done? We've only been married three months. Lavinia, you said that you loved me". She says "I was wrong. I don't want to be melodramatic about this, but I'll be as honest as I can. When I married you, I thought this is what I wanted, a West End flat, a husband who adored me, and provided me with a fairly decent existence. However, I was mistaken. I want more than this, Gilbert. I've met another man who's very rich, and I'm going to marry him as soon as I get my divorce from you.

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".