Strictly for the Birds

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[Birds Squawking]

[Birds Squawking]

[Squawking, Cawing]

[Wings Flapping]

[Chirping, Twittering]

[Squawking Intensifies]

[Cable Car Bell Dinging]

[Squawking Continues]

[Car Horn Honking]

[Boy Wolf Whistles]

[Squawking, Chirping]

[Birds Chirping]

Hello, Mrs. MacGruder.

Hello, Miss Daniels.

Have you ever

seen so many gulls?

What do you suppose it is?

There must be a storm at sea.

That can drive them inland,

you know.

I was hoping you'd be

a little late.

He hasn't arrived yet.

But you said 3:
00.

I know.

I know.

I've been calling

all morning.

Oh, Miss Daniels,

you have no idea.

They are

so difficult to get.

Really, they are.

We have to get them

from India when they're

baby chicks, and then...

This one won't be a chick,

will he?

Oh, no, certainly not.

This will be a full-grown

mynah bird.

- And he'll talk?

- Well, yes, of course he'll...

Well, no, you'll have

to teach him to talk.

I guess maybe I'd better phone.

They said 3:
00.

Maybe it's the traffic.

I'll call.

Would you mind waiting?

Well, maybe you'd better

deliver him.

Let me give you

my address.

Oh, well, all right,

but I'm sure they're

on the way.

Would you mind

if I called?

No. All right.

I wonder if you

could help me.

What?

I said, I wonder

if you could help me.

- Yes. What is it

you're looking for, sir?

- Lovebirds.

Lovebirds, sir?

Yes. I understand there

are different varieties.

Is that true?

Well, yes,

there are.

Well, these are for

my sister for her birthday,

and as she's only gonna be 11,

I wouldn't want

a pair of birds...

that were...

too demonstrative.

I understand completely.

At the same time, I wouldn't

want them to be too aloof.

No, of course not.

Do you happen to have

a pair of birds that are...

just friendly?

Oh, I think so.

Now, then, let me see.

[Chirping Continues]

Aren't those lovebirds?

No. Those are, uh...

red birds.

I thought they were

strawberry finches.

Yes. We call

them that too.

Here we are.

Lovebirds.

Those are canaries.

Doesn't this

make you feel awful?

Doesn't what make me feel...

Having all these poor, innocent

creatures caged up like this?

Well, we can't just let them

fly around the shop.

I suppose not.

L- Is there an ornithological

reason for keeping them

in separate cages?

Certainly.

It's to protect the species.

Yes, that's important,

especially during

the molting season.

That's a particularly

dangerous time.

Are they molting now?

Oh, some of them are.

How can you tell?

Well, they... get a sort

of hangdog expression.

Yes, I see.

Well, what about

the lovebirds?

Are you sure

you wouldn't like to see

a canary instead?

We have some very nice

canaries this week.

All right.

All right.

May I see it, please?

Oh! Oh!

[Mrs. MacGruder]

What is it?

Oh! Oh!

[Mrs. MacGruder]

Oh! Oh! Oh!

Oh! Oh!

There we are.

Oh, there.

Wonderful.

Back in your gilded cage,

Melanie Daniels.

What did you say?

I was merely drawing

a parallel, Miss Daniels.

How did you know my name?

A little birdie

told me.

Good day, Miss Daniels.

Madam.

Hey, wait a minute.

I don't know you.

Ah, but I know you.

How?

- We met in court.

- We never met in court

or anyplace else.

- That's true. I'll rephrase it.

I saw you in court.

- When?

Don't you remember one of your

practical jokes that resulted

in the smashing of a window?

- I didn't break that window.

- Yes, but your little prank did.

- The judge should've

put you behind bars.

- What are you, a policeman?

I merely believe in the law.

And I'm not too keen

on practical jokers.

- What do you call

your lovebird story...

- I really wanted the lovebirds.

You knew I didn't work here.

You deliberately...

I recognized you when I came in.

I thought you might like

to know what it's like to be

on the other end of a gag.

What do you think

of that?

I think you're a louse.

I am. Good day,

Miss Daniels. Madam.

And I'm glad you didn't get

your lovebirds.

I'll find something else.

See you in court.

Who was that man?

I have no idea.

[Cable Car Bell Dinging]

They said the mynah bird would

be here later this afternoon,

if you care to come back.

No, you'd better send him.

May I use this phone?

Why, certainly.

Daily News?

It's Melanie Daniels.

Could you get me the City Desk?

Just a minute,

Mrs. MacGruder.

Hello, Charlie.

Melanie.

I want you to do

a favor for me.

No, this is a small one.

Pressure you?

Why, Charlie, darling,

would I try to pressure you?

Would you call the Department

of Motor Vehicles for me?

Find out who owns

this license plate:

W- J-H-0-0-3.

Yes, a California plate.

No. I'll stop off

in a little while.

Is Daddy in his office?

No, I don't want

to break in on a meeting.

Tell him I'll see him later.

Thank you, Charlie.

Do you have any lovebirds?

Well, no, not in the shop,

but I can order them for you.

How soon?

Well... Well, when

would you want them?

Immediately.

Well, I could probably have them

here by tomorrow morning.

Would that be

all right?

That would be just fine.

[Chirping]

[Door Slides Closed,

Elevator Hums]

[Door Slides Closed]

Miss, is that

for Mitch Brenner?

Yes.

He's not home.

That's all right.

He won't be back

until Monday... I mean,

if those birds are for him.

Monday?

Yes.

I don't think you should leave

them in the hall, do you?

Well... Where did he go?

Bodega Bay.

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