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Zodiac · 2007 — Chapter 13 of 30 · 5'06" · B2

Graysmith Finds the Zodiac's Source, Explained: come out of the woodwork

In the newspaper archive, two men match a Zodiac letter against old clippings and find that every detail had already been printed. The killer even took credit for a murder the police had solved: "Zodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press."

What happens

Graysmith and Avery dig through newspaper archives and discover that the Zodiac's letters merely recycled facts from published articles, and that even his crossed-circle symbol came from a watch. The realization shrinks the case, then Avery asks for a gun, and Graysmith heads to a date at a gun range.

InvestigationFirst datesExplainingTeasingCoworkersB2mediumamerican
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shake loosecome out of the woodworkremain infamousfeel it in my bones

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Phrase of the scene

come out of the woodwork

to appear suddenly in large numbers

报道把威胁闹大之后，各种线索和想借机出名的人一股脑儿都冒了出来。

After the article ran, old classmates came out of the woodwork.

Also in this scene

  • shake loose

    to become available or yield a result

  • remain infamous

    to stay famous for the wrong reasons

  • feel it in my bones

    to feel certain about something without proof

Everything marked in this scene

33 notes across 84 lines

Slang · B2full of shitThat's because he's full of shit.
Phrase · B2attempt not to do somethingI'm going to stand here and attempt not to vomit.
Phrase · A2never mindYou know, never mind. I'll see to that.
Phrase · B2see to somethingYou know, never mind. I'll see to that.
Soundsee to that

weak form

You know, never mind. I'll see to that.
Grammar · B1Couple days after this article came out

reduced a couple of

Couple days after this article came out.
Phrase · B2be in custodyThe police already had somebody in custody.
Phrase · B2take credit for somethingZodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press.
Phrase · B2be in it for somethingZodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press.
Grammar · B2took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press

because clause

Zodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press.
Phrase · B1promise not to do somethingIf I show you something, you promise not to tell anyone?
Grammar · B2the only place that word and that symbol ever appeared together

the only ... that clause

That's the only place that word and that symbol ever appeared together before the letters.
Phrase · B2pull someone off somethingChief's pulling everybody off buses.
Phrase · B2business as usualBusiness as usual.
Phrase · B2shake loose

to become available or yield a result

Something'll shake loose.
Phrase · B2not a peepNot a peep in four months.
SoundNot a peep

elision

Not a peep in four months.
Phrase · B2drive someone undergroundMaybe we drove him underground.
Slang · C1retardDoes it bother you that people call you a retard?
Grammar · B2pledge to use all my influence to make sure that

pledge to for a commitment

As governor, I pledge to use all my influence to make sure that Darlene Ferrin's killer is brought to justice.
Slang · B2SayonaraSayonara, police endorsement. Good work, Flo.
Slang · C1Holy fucking crapFuck! Holy fucking crap!
Phrase · B2feel it in one's bones

to feel certain about something without proof

"I feel it in my bones, you ache to know my name "and so I'll clue you in.
Phrase · B2spoil the game"But then, why spoil the game? Happy Halloween."
Grammar · B2you did call him a latent homosexual

did for emphasis

Paul, you did call him a latent homosexual in at least one of your articles.
Phrase · B2a windfallIt's been a windfall, since they published the threat on my life.
Phrase · B2come out of the woodwork

to appear suddenly in large numbers

I got the leads coming out of the woodwork.
Phrase · B2tag along-You wanna tag along? -No, I have a date.
Soundtag along

liaison

-You wanna tag along? -No, I have a date.
Phrase · B1get along with someoneSo we're going to get along great.
Grammar · B1I just got here myself

myself for emphasis

Just a few minutes, really. I just got here myself.
Soundjust got here myself

flap

Just a few minutes, really. I just got here myself.
Phrase · B2bumper to bumperTraffic's bumper to bumper. I was at the gun range.

Graysmith Finds the Zodiac's Source, explained

What's really going on

The archive scene is about dismantling a myth. The Zodiac looks like an all-seeing killer until the two men notice that his letters repeat details anyone could have read, and that he claimed crimes he did not commit: "Zodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press." That line turns him from a monster into a performer chasing headlines. The same appetite for attention rebounds on Avery, whose investigation wins him a death threat, a windfall of leads coming out of the woodwork, and a gun. What the scene cannot give anyone is certainty, only the feeling that the case is being played in public, on the killer's terms.

Theme

DeceptionThe killer copies details from the papers and takes credit for crimes he never committed, building a false legend.
LiesLetters that look like inside knowledge turn out to be retold headlines, changing what the evidence means.

What you'll learn

  • Use in it for to name a motive
  • Hear not a peep as total silence
  • Catch woodwork as people appearing
  • Split anonymous from infamous

Listen for

  • see to that — weak form
  • Not a peep — elision
  • tag along — liaison
  • just got here myself — flap
He wishes to remain anonymous. I wish to remain infamous.

One man hides from the spotlight while the reporter wants to be known for the story, a neat contrast of two kinds of fame.

Zodiac didn't do it, but took credit for it anyway because he's in it for the press.

The Zodiac's letters claim crimes he never committed, which shows he is chasing coverage more than victims.

"But then, why spoil the game? Happy Halloween."

A taunting line from a letter, treating the search for his identity as a game he controls.

I got the leads coming out of the woodwork.

After the threat is printed, tips arrive in a flood, turning notoriety into a stream of new information.

Questions about this scene

How do they prove the Zodiac copied the papers?

They compare his letter about Kathleen Johns to an old article and find every detail already in print, then trace his symbol to a watch.

Why did the Zodiac claim a murder he didn't commit?

The killing of Officer Radetich was already solved, but the Zodiac took credit anyway, which suggests he wanted press attention rather than accuracy.

Why does Avery want a gun?

After the Zodiac prints a threat against his life, Avery feels targeted and asks his colleague for a weapon.

Who is Melanie?

A woman a reporter friend sets Graysmith up with; their meeting at a bar follows the gun-range line that closes the chapter.

Zodiac · 30 chapters

All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 14in my gutGraysmith Talks Zodiac on a Date
Chapter 1creep someone outDarlene Ferrin's Last DriveChapter 2I wouldn't kid youThe Zodiac Confession CallChapter 3shed light onZodiac's Cipher Reaches the ChronicleChapter 4get any ideasZodiac Attacks the Couple at the LakeChapter 5a hell of a get-upZodiac's Lake Berryessa AttackChapter 6flag a cabThe Presidio Cab MurderChapter 7did inZodiac Claims the Taxi MurderChapter 8skip townPolice Bicker Over the Zodiac CaseChapter 9at a moment's noticeZodiac Calls the TV Talk ShowChapter 10crack the codeBelli Tries to Catch the ZodiacChapter 11What's your angle?Graysmith Cracks the Zodiac CipherChapter 12the more the merrierKathleen Johns Escapes the ZodiacWatching · Chapter 13come out of the woodworkGraysmith Finds the Zodiac's SourceChapter 14in my gutGraysmith Talks Zodiac on a DateChapter 15beat the bushesRiverside Investigators Compare NotesChapter 16lost in the shuffleThe Informant Describes Leigh AllenChapter 17the whole pointPolice Question Arthur Leigh AllenChapter 18greener pasturesPolice Question Leigh Allen's MotherChapter 19home turfPolice Build a Case Against AllenChapter 20tore out of herePolice Search Allen's TrailerChapter 21holding the bagBill Transfers Out of the ChronicleChapter 22fade into a footnoteGraysmith Pitches a Zodiac BookChapter 23yesterday's newsGraysmith Talks His Way InChapter 24more than just a coincidenceGraysmith Follows the Birthday ClueChapter 25tread lightlyGraysmith Chases Rick MarshallChapter 26blow overThe Letter That Framed ToschiChapter 27put yourself out thereGraysmith Chases the Case at HomeChapter 28get it in your headGraysmith Meets the Theater OwnerChapter 29the date that didn't endLinda Recalls the Painting PartyChapter 30cancel each other outRobert Confronts Dave About Allen
Chapter 13 of 30 · about 86 min to go