The Rockford Files (TV Series)

Hotel of Fear (1977)

Stephen Coit: Thompson Welles

Quotes 

• Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : [Angel's milking his witness-situation for as much as he can. One thing he's got cooking; his autobiography - ghost-written, of course]  There's some big bucks in this, Jimmy, big bucks. I'ma see to it my publisher gets ya a little. Call it, uh, 'research'.

  Jim Rockford : [Incredulously]  Your 'publisher'?

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : [Angel chuckles a self-knowing laugh. He turns to the portable typewriter, and with his free hand - the other holding his champagne, 'natch - he pulls a page out of it, and hands it to Jim]  I wrote a book about the whole thing.

  Jim Rockford : [Jim holds his glass of champagne in one hand - looks at the page Angel just handed him, with the other]  You have trouble writing your laundry list.

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : This is Thompson Wells. He's ghosting it for me.

  [Mr. Wells - who seems kind of burnt from dealing with Angel, meekly smiles, at Jim, then rolls his eyes] 

  Jim Rockford : [Jim looks at the page Angel's handed him. In capital letters is the title; 'Hotel of Fear', by Evelyn - The Cobra - Martin. Jim slowly looks back at Angel]  'The Cobra'?

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : Well, that's a better moniker for this kind of thing. See, temp title is; 'Hotel of Fear', and we stick with that angle if we go with the 'protective custody'-thing. But, if we get into an exposé, we call it

  [Angel whispers] 

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : The Martin Papers. I got a better title, too; 'Witness For The Prosecution'.

  Jim Rockford : You can't use that!

  Thompson Welles : That's what I told him

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : Why? Because some other guy used it once? So, some people get confused at the book stand. Some people buy my book, instead of his. What's it gonna hurt?

  [Jim hands Angel back the piece of paper, then, silently hands him back the glass of champagne, as well, and wordlessly walks towards the door] 

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : Where are you going, Jimmy? We got a deal?

  Jim Rockford : I'm going over, and I'm gonna have a little talk with Mr. Pleasance, at the District Attorney's office, and I will think about it, Angel.

  [Jim turns to Mr. Wells, who's been standing, almost silently] 

  Jim Rockford : Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Wells.

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : Thank you, Jimmy. You know, I'm, uh, liable to put you in the dedication.

  Jim Rockford : Oh, thanks.

  Evelyn 'Angel' Martin : [Chukles, then walks towards Mr. Wells]  Heck of a guy.