SPADE: …won’t be able to get the falcon till daylight, and maybe later.
GUTMAN: It strikes me that it’d be best for all concerned if we did not get out of each other’s sight until our business has been transacted. You have the envelope.
SPADE: Miss O’Shaughnessy has it. That’s all right. Hang on to it. We don’t have to lose sight of each other. The dingus’ll be…umm…
GUTMAN: Is anything wrong?
SPADE: Yeah. Since when did you start wearing powder blue suits?
GUTMAN: Surely, you jest, sir. I have never –
SPADE: You better take a look at yourself.
GUTMAN: Well, I – egad, sir! You appear to be correct!
BRIGID: But, Sam, how is that possible? This is a black and white film!
SPADE: Exactly.
GUTMAN: You are full of surprises, aren’t you? Still, I don’t see how that can possibly affect our…arrangement.
SPADE: It changes everything. The scenes in this movie were lit and shot to take advantage of patterns of light and grey tones. Laying tacky pastels over everything destroys a crucial element of the esthetic experience.
CAIRO: A fine time you picked to worry about esthetics!
BRIGID: Why, Mr. Cairo, I do believe you’re turning red.
GUTMAN: Assuming what you say to be correct – and, I must admit that, at this point, I have no reason to doubt your judgment – what can be accomplished by not simply seeing the film to its conclusion?
SPADE: You mean, what’s in it for you?
GUTMAN: I would not have put it quite so…boldly. But come – there the matter is. What, as you say, is in it for me?
SPADE: Yeah, well, I’ve had to put up with that attitude for over 45 years, and it’s really beginning to wear thin. Don’t you see? If they can do this to us, they can do it to any black and white film ever made! Somebody has to speak out against this desecration of old art!
GUTMAN: A commendable attitude. I sympathize completely. Really, I do. Still, I can no reasonable course of action other than to finish the film we have started.
CAIRO: Yes! Please! Let us put an end to this now!
SPADE: What do you think, Angel?
BRIGID: Oh, Sam! I’m so confused! But, I…I think they may be right.
SPADE: Okay, then. Where were we?
GUTMAN: I believe it was my line.
SPADE: Right.
GUTMAN: Excellent, sir, excellent! Then, in exchange for the 10,000 and Wilmer, you will give us the falcon and an hour or two of grace.
SPADE: Now, let’s get the details fixed first. Why and where did he shoot Thursby and how did he shoot Captain Jacoby? You see, I’ve got to – no, I’m sorry. This isn’t going to work.
CAIRO: Mr. Spade! Please!
SPADE: I can’t work under these circumstances! I’m going out to get a bite to eat and a drink, so clear out. All of you!
GUTMAN: Well, sir, I believe you are quite serious. Quite serious. But, I would ask that you think very carefully about what you are saying. We wouldn’t want any rash actions to spoil things. Now, what about the ending?
SPADE: The bird is a fake, you Cairo and Wilmer get caught and I have Miss O’Shaughnessy arrested for killing my partner, Miles Archer. Now, will you –
BRIGID: Sam, no!
GUTMAN: Miss O’Shaughnessy, eh? I must say, I’m not surprised. Not in the least. Still, the news about the falcon is most distressing…
SPADE: There’s an element of dreams going unfulfilled…of the impossible quest in the film. Of course, I’m no critic…
CAIRO: So, what is going to happen to us? What is going to happen to me?
GUTMAN: Forty-five years I’ve perfected this character. If we must spend another few months to find another movie, well, sir, what the heck?
CAIRO: And, I am to go with you?
GUTMAN: I don’t suppose…?
SPADE: Are you kidding? I don’t relish the idea of becoming involved in another movie, only to have it changed into something it wasn’t intended to be whenever somebody comes along with a new technology. I really need a drink.
GUTMAN: Then, I bid you…farewell… (Gutman and Cairo exit)
SPADE: You too, sonny.
WILMER: I’m supposed to be unconscious.
SPADE: I said beat it!
WILMER: And I said I was – aww, ferget it. (Wilmer exits)
BRIGID: Sam…what about…what about us?
SPADE: How can I trust you not to shoot me when my back is turned?
BRIGID: How can I trust you not to have me arrested when my back is turned?
SPADE: Yeah, well, we seem to have a problem.
BRIGID: I guess I better be going, then.
SPADE: Yeah. Here’s looking at you, kid.
BRIGID: Oh, Sam! That’s a line from another movie!
SPADE: Yeah. (Brigid exits) Film noir in colour! What next!