-What do you mean? -Well, on the poster, the one letter that absolutely, positively does not match is the letter "K."Zodiac · 2007 — Chapter 26 of 30 · 5'06" · B1
The Letter That Framed Toschi, Explained: blow over
On the surface a new Zodiac letter shows up at the paper, mocking the detective by name. Underneath, the story turns on the police themselves: a columnist claims the letter is a forgery written by the very detective hunting the killer. The case collapses from suspicion.
What happens
A new Zodiac letter arrives at the Chronicle, claiming the writer is back and naming detective Toschi. Then the news turns: a columnist says the letter is a forgery, and that Toschi himself wrote it to draw attention. Toschi is pulled from Homicide, while Graysmith keeps chasing the case anyway.
Listen for
get a kick out of itdrum up publicityblow oversuck someone dry
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Phrase of the scene
blow over
to pass or settle without lasting harm
有人安慰格雷史密斯，说这场围绕托斯基的指控风波迟早会自己过去，不用太当真。
The scandal blew over by the end of the summer.
Also in this scene
- get a kick out of it
to enjoy something a lot
- drum up publicity
to generate public attention
- suck someone dry
to drain someone of money, energy, or resources
Everything marked in this scene
38 notes across 92 lines
relative clause
-What do you mean? -Well, on the poster, the one letter that absolutely, positively does not match is the letter "K."You wouldn't happen to have any animal crackers in there, would you?tentative hypothetical
You wouldn't happen to have any animal crackers in there, would you?Unit Five. Toschi needs to call in on a landline.-Dave? -Yeah. What's up?liaison
-Dave? -Yeah. What's up?It came in this morning and you need to see it right now.Shit. All right, come on.Do you have it with you?"That city pig Toschi is good, but I am smarter and better."He will get tired, then leave me alone."I'm waiting for a good movie about me. Who will play me?weak form
We need to talk.the Zodiac makes no overt threats against the citizenry,Fine, but you have to come back and finish at least half of what's on that plate.have to for obligation
Fine, but you have to come back and finish at least half of what's on that plate.San Francisco Chronicle columnist Armistead Maupin says that he thinks not only is this new letter a forgery,inversion after not only
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Armistead Maupin says that he thinks not only is this new letter a forgery,but it was written by the very man trusted to hunt down this killer, David Toschi.Maupin, a very well-respected author, has gone on record sayingto generate public attention
that he believes Toschi wrote the letter to drum up publicity for himself.liaison
that he believes Toschi wrote the letter to drum up publicity for himself.to enjoy something a lot
David got a kick out of it and so he wrote a couple of anonymous letterslike plus gerund
It was like writing fan mail to himself. That's all.to pass or settle without lasting harm
No, I'm sure that he didn't. And I'm sure that this will all blow over.They kicked him out of Homicide.I'll catch up to you.-Jesus. -Look, two seconds.to drain someone of money, energy, or resources
Okay, the Rick Marshalls of this world will suck you dry.weak form
Okay, the Rick Marshalls of this world will suck you dry.They're blind alleys.Too much time has gone by, okay? Too much of the evidence is lost.People get old, Robert. They forget.I am through with you.-Okay, which one was that? -The Lake Tahoe nurse goes missing.before for time
One day before the vernal equinox.That's got to be near the summer solstice.The Letter That Framed Toschi, explained
What's really going on
The scene is about how a case destroys the people closest to it. A letter arrives claiming, "I am back with you," and mocks the detective by name—but the real blow comes from the press, which floats the theory that Toschi forged it to drum up publicity. Nothing needs to be proven for the damage to stick: he is taken off the case and asked for his handwriting "like some common criminal." Meanwhile Graysmith, warned that suspects like these will suck you dry, refuses to let go, telling Toschi the killer is still out there. The two men who once worked the same case end the scene split, one through with it and one unable to stop.
Theme
JusticeA letter and a rumor push a good detective off the case while the killer stays free.
LiesAn unproven claim that Toschi forged the letter does more damage than the murder itself.
What you'll learn
- The one letter on the poster that does not match—and scares him most—is K.
- After 51 months of silence the new letter names city pig Toschi.
- Internal Affairs arrives; Toschi answers with 25 years a cop, 12 in homicide.
- Graysmith tests dates like September 26, 1970 and June 19, 1971 against the seasons.
Listen for
- What's up — liaison
- need to talk — weak form
- drum up — liaison
- suck you dry — weak form
Okay, the Rick Marshalls of this world will suck you dry.A blunt warning that chasing suspects like Marshall will drain Graysmith's time and life for nothing.
Too much time has gone by, okay? Too much of the evidence is lost.Toschi's reason for quitting: the case has aged past the point where an arrest is realistic.
You stop calling my house. Do you understand me?A hard boundary from a man who has already paid for this case and wants it out of his home.
It was like writing fan mail to himself. That's all.The explanation of the earlier anonymous letters turns a suspicious act into something vain and harmless.
Questions about this scene
Why is Toschi suspected of writing the letter?
A columnist claims he forged it to get publicity, pointing to earlier anonymous letters he wrote asking for a character in the column to return.
What happens to Toschi because of the rumor?
He is removed from Homicide and asked to hand over handwriting samples, even though the claim was never proven.
Why does Toschi tell Graysmith to stop?
He thinks too much time has passed and too much evidence is lost, so the chase only drains people and leads nowhere.
Does Graysmith stop investigating?
No. He insists the killer is still out there and keeps working the old leads, even after being warned they are blind alleys.
Zodiac · 30 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 27put yourself out thereGraysmith Chases the Case at Home
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
Chapter 23yesterday's newsGraysmith Talks His Way In
Chapter 24more than just a coincidenceGraysmith Follows the Birthday Clue
Chapter 25tread lightlyGraysmith Chases Rick Marshall
Watching · 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 26 of 30 · about 20 min to go