I just wanna help.Zodiac · 2007 — Chapter 23 of 30 · 5'05" · B2
Graysmith Talks His Way In, Explained: yesterday's news
A cartoonist who wants to help on the Zodiac case is turned away — "I can't allow you to help" — because the police don't cooperate with writers. He keeps pushing, trading on a friend's name and a mild "what's the harm," until he is allowed to read the files with one condition: no pens, no paper.
What happens
Robert Graysmith asks to help with the Zodiac investigation and is refused: it's an open case, and the police don't work with writers. He mentions a recommendation from a detective and argues it can't hurt, until he is allowed to read the files from memory, with no pens or paper. Later he corners the inspector to ask about Darlene.
Listen for
yesterday's newsdo some goodNo pens, no paperWhat's the harm?
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Phrase of the scene
yesterday's news
something no longer important or interesting
记者想激对方开口，说凶手早就没人关心了，用「过时新闻」这个说法试探警探的态度。
That scandal is yesterday's news by now.
Also in this scene
- do some good
to have a useful or positive effect
- No pens, no paper
a clipped rule stated as paired negatives
- What's the harm?
used to argue that something is harmless to try
Everything marked in this scene
36 notes across 76 lines
I can't allow you to help.allow someone to do something
I can't allow you to help.liaison
I can't allow you to help.I can't discuss the case with you.I can't give you information, and I certainly couldn't tell you to go see Ken Narlow in Napa.I can't give you information, and I certainly couldn't tell you to go see Ken Narlow in Napa.I'm sorry, Mr. Graysmith, but we don't cooperate with writers.to have a useful or positive effect
Maybe he thought that I could do some good.-What are you, some kind of boy scout? -Eagle Scout, actually, first class.-What are you, some kind of boy scout? -Eagle Scout, actually, first class.Well, if you wanna do this, don't let me stop you.Better start with Vallejo, Jack Mulanax.I understand what you're trying to do.But this is an open police investigation.And he said that you might be able to help.modal with be able to
And he said that you might be able to help.I mean, the case is dead. Zodiac's long gone.something no longer important or interesting
He's yesterday's news, right?used to argue that something is harmless to try
So, what's the harm?a clipped rule stated as paired negatives
No pens, no paper.Anything that you see that's relevant, you got to remember in your head.relative clause modifying anything
Anything that you see that's relevant, you got to remember in your head.Man, you really creeped us out.liaison
Man, you really creeped us out.Man, you really creeped us out.Some cartoonist. Thinks he's gonna solve the Zodiac.Well, good for him.We're just two guys who happen to be sitting on the same bench at the same time.weak form
We're just two guys who happen to be sitting on the same bench at the same time.Okay. As far as you know, did anyone ever get in touch with Mike Mageau during your investigationWell, he's the only surviving victim who ever saw Zodiac without a mask.Sounds like a terrible party.And Darlene is terrified of him.conditional with future obligation
So if you wanna connect Darlene to Zodiac, you're gonna have to find anotherway.and one to Darlene's father-in-law. Just heavy breathing.Graysmith Talks His Way In, explained
What's really going on
The scene is about access, and about how a civilian gets it. The inspector's refusals are formal, almost rehearsed — "I can't allow you to help," "we don't cooperate with writers" — and Graysmith's countermove is to be harmless: not a writer, an Eagle Scout, a friend of a friend. The line "we're not meeting" that denies even their bench conversation shows how carefully the rules are drawn. His persistence is both admirable and a little unsettling, since he is chasing a case everyone else calls "yesterday's news." The files he is allowed to touch teach the audience the same rule he learns: look, but don't take anything away.
Theme
JusticeA cartoonist pushes to help a cold case the police have written off as yesterday's news.
DutyThe inspector guards the rules, allowing no pens or paper to keep the investigation clean.
What you'll learn
- They cannot let him help, discuss the case, or send him to Narlow in Napa.
- Cartoonist and Eagle Scout earns a dry don't-let-me-stop-you.
- No pens, no paper: anything relevant has to stay in his head.
- The files warn not to clear a suspect on handwriting, and record the breathing calls.
Listen for
- allow you — liaison
- creeped us out — liaison
- happen to be — weak form
I can't allow you to help.A flat refusal: the officer will not let an outsider take part, whatever his reasons.
We're just two guys who happen to be sitting on the same bench at the same time.A joke meant as a legal dodge: this is not a meeting, so nothing said here counts as official help.
I mean, the case is dead. Zodiac's long gone.The visitor's argument for access: the case is cold and the killer has vanished, so what is the harm?
I understand what you're trying to do.An opening line of recognition before the official reasons for refusal, mixing sympathy with a wall.
Questions about this scene
Why won't the police let Graysmith help?
They say it's an open investigation and that they don't cooperate with writers, since a book or article could compromise the case.
Why does Graysmith insist he isn't a writer?
He draws cartoons for a living, so he uses that to argue he isn't a journalist chasing a story, even though he clearly wants in on the case.
What are the rules for reading the files?
No pens and no paper. He can read anything relevant but must remember it in his head, so nothing leaves the room.
Does the inspector actually help him later?
Only on his own terms. The later bench conversation is framed as two men coincidentally sharing a seat, not as an official meeting or help.
Zodiac · 30 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 24more than just a coincidenceGraysmith Follows the Birthday Clue
Chapter 1creep someone outDarlene Ferrin's Last Drive
Chapter 2I wouldn't kid youThe Zodiac Confession Call
Chapter 3shed light onZodiac's Cipher Reaches the Chronicle
Chapter 4get any ideasZodiac Attacks the Couple at the Lake
Chapter 5a hell of a get-upZodiac's Lake Berryessa Attack
Chapter 6flag a cabThe Presidio Cab Murder
Chapter 7did inZodiac Claims the Taxi Murder
Chapter 8skip townPolice Bicker Over the Zodiac Case
Chapter 9at a moment's noticeZodiac Calls the TV Talk Show
Chapter 10crack the codeBelli Tries to Catch the Zodiac
Chapter 11What's your angle?Graysmith Cracks the Zodiac Cipher
Chapter 12the more the merrierKathleen Johns Escapes the Zodiac
Chapter 13come out of the woodworkGraysmith Finds the Zodiac's Source
Chapter 14in my gutGraysmith Talks Zodiac on a Date
Chapter 15beat the bushesRiverside Investigators Compare Notes
Chapter 16lost in the shuffleThe Informant Describes Leigh Allen
Chapter 17the whole pointPolice Question Arthur Leigh Allen
Chapter 18greener pasturesPolice Question Leigh Allen's Mother
Chapter 19home turfPolice Build a Case Against Allen
Chapter 20tore out of herePolice Search Allen's Trailer
Chapter 21holding the bagBill Transfers Out of the Chronicle
Chapter 22fade into a footnoteGraysmith Pitches a Zodiac Book
Watching · Chapter 23yesterday's newsGraysmith Talks His Way In
Chapter 24more than just a coincidenceGraysmith Follows the Birthday Clue
Chapter 25tread lightlyGraysmith Chases Rick Marshall
Chapter 26blow overThe Letter That Framed Toschi
Chapter 27put yourself out thereGraysmith Chases the Case at Home
Chapter 28get it in your headGraysmith Meets the Theater Owner
Chapter 29the date that didn't endLinda Recalls the Painting Party
Chapter 30cancel each other outRobert Confronts Dave About AllenChapter 23 of 30 · about 35 min to go