Ripley
Episode title: I A Hard Man to Find
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Neo-noir
Created by: Steven Zaillian
Based on: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Written by: Steven Zaillian
Directed by: Steven Zaillian
Starring: Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Eliot Sumner, Margherita Buy, Maurizio Lombardi
Original release date: April 4, 2024
Plot: In 1960s New York City, petty con artist Tom Ripley is approached by wealthy shipbuilder Herbert Greenleaf, who mistakes him for a friend of his spoiled son, Dickie. Herbert pays Tom to go to Italy to convince Dickie to return home after years abroad, supposedly writing and painting. Tom goes to Atrani, where he meets Dickie and his girlfriend, Marge, who is writing a travel book about Atrani. Tom becomes enamored with the handsome Dickie and his carefree lifestyle.
* * *
[clock ticking]
[ominous music playing]
[metallic tinkle]
[multiple clocks ticking, chiming]
[bell tolling]
[wind blowing]
[dog barks distantly]
[tolling continues distantly]
[man grunts softly]
[thudding]
[footsteps descending]
[suspenseful music playing]
[thudding continues]
[lock clicks]
[door creaks open]
[man gasps softly]
[woman in Italian] Who’s there?
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[music fades]
[Roy Orbison in English] ♪ I close my eyes ♪
♪ Then I drift away ♪
[train wheels screeching]
♪ Into the magic night ♪
♪ I softly say ♪
♪ A silent prayer ♪
♪ Like dreamers do ♪
♪ Then I fall asleep to dreams ♪
[indistinct shouting]
♪ My dreams of you ♪
♪ In dreams ♪
♪ I walk with you ♪
♪ In dreams ♪
♪ I talk to you ♪
[indistinct chatter]
♪ In dreams, you’re mine… ♪
[indistinct announcement over PA system]
[indistinct chatter]
[leaves rustling]
[birds chirping]
[thunder rumbling]
[bell tolling distantly]
[wheels squeaking]
[mailbox clanking]
[man] Oh, good timing. Thank you.
Welcome.
[wheels squeaking]
[dog barking]
[indistinct chatter]
[suspenseful music playing]
[drawer opens]
[man] Dear Mrs. De Silva…
[typewriter clacking] …according to our records,
there is an outstanding balance on your account with Dr. Katz Chiropractic,
in the amount of 42 dollars and 50 cents.
[back cracking]
[Mrs. De Silva] Hm.
[man] We trust this is an oversight and that you will remit payment
to the above address,
as the matter has now been referred to our collection agency.
Failure to settle the account in a timely fashion
will require us to impose a 10% late charge.
Sincerely, George McAlpin.
[suspenseful music continues]
[indistinct chatter]
[over speakers] ♪ I’ll never forget the day ♪
♪ The day you moved away ♪
♪ But what could my heart say? ♪
♪ It was a love that went too far ♪
[chair scrapes]
[suspenseful music playing]
♪ It was so unbearable ♪
[man sighs] ♪ Together we belong… ♪
How’s it going?
Fine, thanks.
Al McCarren.
Tom.
Tom Ripley.
You’re a very hard man to find.
No address, phone, office…
Just a few places people mentioned you might be at, like this.
What people?
I’m a private detective, Tom.
I’ve been hired to find you.
And give you this.
Mr. Greenleaf would like to talk to you.
I don’t know who that is.
I didn’t think you did.
Why would you?
Talk to me about what?
I don’t know, something personal.
He did mention that there might be some money involved for you.
To do what?
He didn’t say, as I said.
Can I tell him you’ll give him a call?
Tell him whatever you want.
Fair enough.
Drink’s on Mr. Greenleaf.
[train rumbling]
[person coughing]
[train horn blowing]
[train wheels screeching]
[suspenseful music playing]
[moody music playing]
[indistinct announcement over PA system]
[thunder rumbling]
[jazz music playing over speakers]
[moody music continues]
[rat squeaking]
[keys jingling]
[mellow piano music playing]
[door closes]
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
Anyone come by for me?
No.
What’s that?
Oh, yeah. Someone did.
What did he look like?
Look like?
Dark hair, mustache, hat…
Could have.
Thanks.
[dog barking distantly]
[distant chatter]
[intriguing music playing]
[Tom sighing]
[dramatic music playing on television]
[gunshots on television]
[intriguing music continues]
[coin rattling]
[telephone dinging]
[banging]
[line ringing]
[man] Hello?
Mr. Reddington.
Yes.
Hello.
This is George McAlpin here, following up on the notices sent to you.
[door slams]
[indistinct chatter]
[Reddington] Excuse me?
Uh, the balance and late charges, sir, on your account with a Dr. Marvin Katz.
[urinating]
What balance? I paid him.
By cash or by check?
By check.
Well, it was not received.
Well, I sent it.
And that’s why you ignored the late notices?
I didn’t receive any late notices. I don’t understand.
I can tell that you’re getting agitated. There’s really no reason to.
Is there someone there that I can talk to about this?
You can talk to me. You’re talking to me, sir.
If you want to talk to somebody else, that would be an attorney,
but I’m hopeful that the matter can be settled without legal action against you.
[woman shouting]
[Reddington] Okay.
Okay. So what you have to do now, sir, is this,
issue a new check for the original amount plus the 10% late fee,
which brings it to $27, made out and sent to…
Do you have a pen?
[Reddington] Yes.
[Tom] Sent to the McAlpin Collection Agency,
which is 421, 8th Avenue, box 864, New York, New York.
Do you need me to repeat that?
[Reddington] No, I wrote it down.
Is there anything else I can help you with today, sir?
No.
Okay. Well, thank you, Mr. Reddington.
You’re welcome.
[children chattering distantly]
[horn honking]
[telephone ringing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Tom] I have some checks I’d like to cash.
[bank clerk 1] Sure.
Do you have an account with us, Mr. McAlpin?
I do not.
Do you have identification?
I do.
Thank you.
One moment, sir.
[indistinct chatter]
Good morning, sir.
Yes.
[quietly] Could you review these checks and this license,
and compare signatures to those on the check.
[guard 1] That’s where you hoity-toities live.
[guard 2] You know me.
[bank clerk 2] I’m gonna make a call.
Perhaps.
Doesn’t feel right.
[tense music playing]
[sighs deeply]
[door opens]
[car horn blaring]
[thunder rumbling]
[suspenseful music playing]
[distant siren wailing]
[clocks ticking]
[thunder rumbling]
[door closes]
[suspenseful music continues]
[metal clanging]
[brakes squeal]
[men yelling]
[man] Mr. Ripley?
Yeah.
Follow me.
[machinery whirring]
Mr. Greenleaf. Mr. Ripley, sir.
[Herbert] Tom, how are you?
So, “What is this about?” you’re wondering.
It’s about Richard.
Sorry, I don’t know who that is.
[Herbert] He’s my son.
I was told you’re a friend of his. Maybe you know him as Dickie.
Who said we were friends?
One of his other friends. I don’t recall which.
Said you knew him, but didn’t know where you were.
Okay.
So you do remember him?
Yeah.
But it’s been a while. How is he?
That’s a good question. I don’t really know.
He’s been in Europe for years.
We get an occasional postcard from him, my wife and I,
but other than that, who knows?
Tom, it’s time for him to come home. He’s too old for this.
But nothing we say means anything to him.
Is there a reason he doesn’t want to come back?
[Herbert] He says he prefers it there.
Says he’s painting. Before, it was writing.
But he’s no painter, or writer, I can tell you that.
Sailing and drinking and avoiding his responsibilities is all he does.
He doesn’t have a job?
[Herbert] A job? No. He’s never had a job.
He lives off trust money that we stupidly put in place for him
and which we can’t legally cut off now.
Okay. So, where is he now?
[Herbert] Now? Italy.
Some place around Naples called Atrani,
where from what I can gather, there’s nothing to do but sit on the beach.
And paint.
[chuckling] And paint. Yes, that’s good.
I’m going to be honest with you, Tom.
You’re the first of Richard’s friends who’s even been willing to listen to me.
So what can I do?
What line of work are you in?
Insurance.
Are you? Well, there’s always a need for that.
Sales?
Accounting.
[Herbert] I don’t suppose you have any vacation time coming up,
or leave of absence?
You… you mean… to go there?
[Herbert] To talk to him, face-to-face.
I’d take care of all your expenses, in addition to a salary.
That goes without saying.
Will you think about it?
[pipes rattling and squeaking]
[suspenseful music playing]
[shower valve squeaks]
[pipes rattling]
[ominous music playing]
[rumbling]
[music stops]
[distant siren wailing]
[pipes rattling, creaking]
[light jazz music playing]
[Herbert] Thank you, Muriel.
Are you from New York, Tom?
I am.
Did you go to college here?
No. Princeton.
Princeton. Oh, your parents must be very proud.
[chuckles]
Tom’s parents died when he was young, Emily.
Oh, dear Lord.
They drowned on Long Island Sound. A boating accident.
[Emily] Oh, you poor thing.
[whispering] Why didn’t you tell me?
[mellow jazz music playing]
[Emily chuckles]
Oh, he was just the cutest baby.
[chuckles]
[Emily chuckles] Mmm… Oh…
He was quite the athlete.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, this is when he left for Europe.
Athens.
Paris.
And this is where he is now. Um, what’s it called?
Atrani.
[Emily] Atrani.
Um, this is Marge something-or-other. A friend, girlfriend, who knows?
Mrs. Greenleaf?
[Herbert] Emily?
Maybe it’s time for a rest?
Well, it was a real pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Greenleaf.
Oh.
Bless you, Tom.
[Herbert] It’s fine. I’ll just be a couple minutes.
[pensive music playing]
[seagulls squawking]
[people chattering in Italian]
[waves lapping gently]
Here you go.
The ship and train reservations. Your expenses.
And your salary.
If you find you need more, just say, and I’ll wire it.
[intriguing music playing]
[man] Mr. Ripley.
[Tom] Yes.
Right this way, sir. We have Richard’s things set aside.
[Tom] Oh, wow. Okay.
The one thing Mrs. Greenleaf wasn’t sure of was the dressing gown.
She said she’d leave that up to you.
Oh, I think the maroon.
The burgundy.
Burgundy.
[man] Oh.
Are you sure?
Definitely.
[intriguing music continues]
[distant siren wailing]
[indistinct chatter]
[radio playing indistinctly]
[distant siren wailing]
[intriguing music continues]
[door closes]
[distant siren wailing]
[seagull squawking]
[music fades]
[knock at door]
[man] Thomas Ripley.
Oh.
Thank you.
[man] De nada.
[pensive music playing]
[Tom] Dear Aunt Dottie,
no, this is not another letter to inform you of a change of my address.
As you can see from the stationery, I am aboard the Orient Express.
An unexpected business offer, which I will not go into here.
[dentist] Open your mouth.
[Tom] I’m sure you noticed I didn’t cash your last little check.
Did you conclude I must therefore be dead?
[hinges squeaking]
Well, I am not.
[dentist] Can you put that in your mouth? It won’t hurt.
[Tom] But you needn’t send me any more.
They were always far insufficient for the price you extracted for them.
[dental drill whirring]
Of course, this will deny you the opportunity
to remind me of my shortcomings,
which I suppose will leave you with nothing else to do in life.
In any case, you’re free of me now.
[whirring intensifies]
And I of you.
[train horn blaring]
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct announcement over PA system]
Attento! Ha rischiato.
[paper rustling]
Grazie.
[clerk] Prego.
Um, Atrani?
Do you happen to know when there’s a bus there, or…
No. Avanti il prossimo.
Vieni con me.
Hey, hey, hey. What… Andiamocene.
[Tom] The bus is this way?
[man] Sì, sì.
Più avanti.
[Tom] Wait, wait…
Wait, you’re gonna bring me to the bus station?
[man] Sì, sì.
[Tom] Okay.
Grazie.
[man] A te.
[ticking, clicks]
How much further?
[driver] Cosa?
Uh, quando… Uh, dove, come?
Cosa?
Niente.
[distant chatter]
[engine starts]
[metal clattering]
[men yelling in Italian]
[dog barking]
[engine idling noisily]
[footsteps approaching]
[indistinct chatter]
[engine revs]
[tires screeching]
[brakes squeak]
[tires screech]
[bell tolling]
[seagulls squawking]
[driver] Atrani.
[brakes squeal]
[birds chirping]
[mellow Italian music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[music fades]
[jingles]
Sì, ecco. [clears throat]
[sighs]
Chi è? Prego.
[Tom] Buongiorno.
Buongiorno.
Uh, conosce Richard Greenleaf?
Come?
Um…
[hesitating] Dove vivere Richard Greenleaf?
Ah, Riccardo.
Sì, Riccardo.
Certo, certo. Su.
Su.
Momento.
Ti faccio vedere. Prego, prego. Vieni, vieni.
Vieni, vieni, vieni.
[Tom] Oh, okay. [grunts]
[bird wings fluttering]
Sopra. [clears throat]
A piedi.
Scale. La grande villa.
Su, su, su, su, su, su.
Eh?
Okay.
Huh.
Grazie.
[hesitating] Mi scusi.
Could I… Can I leave my… my bags here?
Le valigie? Sì, appoggia, appoggia pure, la.
Ah, grazie.
No, lì no perché qualcuno potrebbe inciampare.
Può inciampare qualcuno.
Dall’altra parte.
You want me to… Okay. Here?
[man] Va bene.
Okay.
Okay. Grazie.
La porta!
La porta. Grazie.
[distant chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
[Tom panting]
[dog barking]
[bell tolling distantly]
[panting]
[woman singing opera distantly]
[Tom groans]
[operatic singing continues]
[wind blowing]
[insects trilling]
[birds squawking]
Hello?
[singing fades]
Oh, uh… Uh, per favore, Signor Greenleaf?
Giù.
What?
Giù.
La spiaggia.
La spiaggia.
Giù.
[Tom] Oh, uh…
La spiaggia? The beach?
[mutters]
[sighs] Okay. Uh…
[sighs] Grazie.
[panting]
[wind blowing]
[seagulls squawking]
[dog barking]
[indistinct chatter]
[“Mille Volte” by Nilla Pizzi playing softly over speakers]
♪ Sollevando per le vie la polvere ♪
[woman chuckles]
Bello. State bene.
Oh, wow. Oh, okay.
Do you have anything else? Altri? Altre?
Altri. Sì, sì.
♪ E non ti ho invece ♪
[chuckles softly]
♪ Lasciato mai ♪
Okay.
♪ Se penso poi d’andarmene, tu sai ♪
[sighs] ♪ Che il mio cuor batte solo per te ♪
[waves splashing]
♪ Mille volte tu m’hai detto lasciami ♪
♪ Mille volte tu m’hai detto baciami ♪
[birds screeching] ♪ Ma una volta tu mi hai fatto piangere ♪
♪ Chi sei… ♪
[“Quando Quando Quando” by Tony Renis playing over radio]
♪ Dimmi quando tu verrai ♪
♪ Dimmi quando quando quando ♪
♪ L’anno, il giorno, l’ora in cui ♪
♪ Forse tu mi bacerai ♪
♪ Ogni istante attenderò ♪
Dickie Greenleaf.
Yes?
Tom Ripley.
From New York. We met at Bob Delancey’s place.
It was years ago. What a coincidence!
Tom what-is-it?
Ripley.
Uh, this is Marge. Marge, Tom Ripley.
How do you do?
Fine, thanks.
You don’t seem to remember me.
No, no, I just thought, you know, I…
I haven’t been back to the States in so long.
That’s okay.
I think I’m gonna go for a swim. Does anyone care to join me?
I will.
Tom?
Oh! Uh…
Sure.
♪ Non ha senso per me ♪
♪ La mia vita senza te ♪
♪ Dimmi quando tu verrai ♪
♪ Dimmi quando, quando, quando ♪
♪ E baciandomi dirai… ♪
[Marge laughing]
[Dickie speaking indistinctly]
[Marge] Where do you know him from?
[Dickie] Honestly, I can’t remember.
Yeah.
Tom Ripley? I don’t know.
[song fades]
[Tom panting]
[Dickie] You okay back there?
[panting] Yeah.
Oh, my God.
[“Il Cielo In Una Stanza” by Mina playing]
♪ Quando sei qui con me ♪
♪ Questa stanza non ha più pareti ♪
♪ Ma alberi ♪
♪ Alberi infiniti ♪
♪ Quando tu sei vicino a me ♪
♪ Questo soffitto viola, no ♪
♪ Non esiste più ♪
♪ Io vedo il cielo sopra noi ♪
♪ Che restiamo qui… ♪
Hey.
To the terrace.
[song fades]
So, have you been here long, Marge?
Almost a year.
[bell dinging distantly]
My house is over there.
[wind chimes tinkling]
[Tom] Ah.
And that’s Dickie’s boat.
[Tom] Okay.
Martinis. Perfect.
[glass clinks]
Cincin.
I’m gonna see if Ermelinda needs help with lunch.
Which hotel are you at?
I haven’t checked into one yet.
Try the Miramare. Not Sergio’s. I mean, if you’re planning to stay.
Miramare.
Hmm.
Yeah.
[“E se domani” by Natalino Otto playing]
You like art, Tom?
I do.
Then you’re in the right place.
You could spend a lifetime looking at the art in Italy.
You like Caravaggio?
I do.
[Tom slurps]
[Dickie] All right.
Here’s what you have to do. See every Caravaggio here.
I’ll give you a list of the museums and churches they’re at.
[Dickie slurps]
[Tom] That would be great. Thank you.
Dickie paints.
Yeah, yeah, his fa…
I think… I think you told me that in New York.
[Dickie] Did I?
If I did, I was lying.
I mean, I always wanted to,
but I didn’t really take it up seriously till I came here.
I’d like to see them sometime.
Sure. Yeah.
[Tom] Thanks very much for lunch.
My pleasure. We’ll do it again, if you end up staying.
I look forward to it.
Me too.
All right, well, bye.
Bye.
[song fades]
[panting]
[grunts]
[dog barking]
[indistinct chatter]
Buongiorno.
Buonasera.
Buonasera.
Prego.
Grazie per tenere…
[man] Prego.
Grazie. [grunts softly]
Oh, uh, mi scusi? Ah…
Hmm.
Dove Hotel Miramare?
Su. Le scale. [exclaims]
Su, su, su, su, su.
Eh?
Okay. Grazie.
[man] La porta!
La porta. Sì, sì. Grazie.
[panting]
[bell tolling distantly]
[indistinct chatter]
[wind blowing]
Oh, God.
[operatic music playing over speakers]
[man in Italian] Mmm, nice pen.
[Tom] Grazie.
[man] Signor Ripley.
Stanza 306.
[creaking]
[moody music playing]
[grunts softly]
[indistinct shouting in distance]
[boat engine whirring]
[Marge and Dickie laughing]
[Dickie in English] Right, come on. Here we go.
Ciao, Giulio. Grazie.
[Marge] Ciao.
[Dickie] All right.
Pull it.
[moody music continues]
Yeah, that’s right. Dickie.
Dickie Greenleaf.
It’s nice to meet you too.
[foreboding music playing]
[music fades]
[intriguing music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
[music fades]
[ethereal choral music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[baby fussing]
[thunder rumbling]
[indistinct chatter]
[footsteps]
[dog barking]
[vehicle passing]
[thunder rumbling]
[indistinct rattling]
[suspenseful music playing]
[insects trilling]
[footsteps]
[dog barking distantly]
[typewriter clacking]
[typewriter ratchets]
[waves splashing]
[seagulls squawking]
[man] How much money do you need?
[thunder rumbling]
[man repeating in Italian]
[rain pattering]
[man in English] It’s not enough.
[man repeating in Italian]
