- [Shayne has been hired to investigate a murder]
- Dick Hamilton: All right, where are we going now.
- Michael Shayne: Back to the theater.
- Dick Hamilton: Good.
- Michael Shayne: After I drop you off.
- Dick Hamilton: Why? I'm not tired!
- Michael Shayne: You know what they say about early to bed and early to rise.
- Dick Hamilton: It makes a good milkman.
- Tim Rourke: I hope you don't mind me turning your couch into a bed. I'm so tired, the sheep where counting me.
- [bringing coffee to Mike and Tim]
- Lucy Hamilton: Room service.
- Michael Shayne: Thanks, Angel.
- Lucy Hamilton: I brought some for you, too, Tim.
- Tim Rourke: Aw, let's elope!
- Lucy Hamilton: Well, you better taste it before we start making plans.
- Michael Shayne: Hello, Webster.
- Webster: Just put up the 'Closing' notice. Ohh, the saddest thing in the world, shutting down a theater. You know, in the old days, their were touring companies, Shakespeare... My father and I used to have this place booked solid every night.
- Michael Shayne: And now?
- Webster: I'm lucky to get a houseful of termites.
- Michael Shayne: You know, Emily Tallen hung around the show a lot. Do you think she was interested in Gus Hartman?
- Webster: Gus? Never! No, Emily Tallen's so snooty she doesn't even like herself. The Tallens only talk to the Poindexters and the Poindexters talk only to themselves.
- [discussing Emily Tallen]
- Webster: Look, friend, you want to ask any more questions, you come back at two o'clock, because, um, I gotta head down to the bank; pay off the lady athlete.
- Michael Shayne: Give her my regards.
- Webster: She'd rather have money.
- [Gentry's timely entrance allows Mike to disarm the killer]
- Michael Shayne: Glad you got here.
- Police Lt. Gentry: I've been in the wings since you started talking.
- Michael Shayne: Why'd you wait so long?
- Police Lt. Gentry: For dramatic effect. We're in a theater, remember?
- Police Lt. Gentry: Oh, by the way - we haven't found the murder bullet yet.
- Michael Shayne: I knew it, but Miss Tallen didn't. One of the secrets of magic, Will - never tell the audience the truth.
- [last lines]
- Tim Rourke: Well, I guess that's it. You sure wrapped up this case like... *magic*.
- [Dick enters Mike's office wearing an enormous black cape]
- Dick Hamilton: Someone mention magic?
- Tim Rourke: I don't believe it.
- Dick Hamilton: Your attention, please, ladies and gentlemen. The great Hamil-tone is about to perform one of the most amazing feats of prestidigitation. Now watch carefully!
- [Dick spreads his cape wide]
- Dick Hamilton: Watch carefully, gentlemen! And now...
- [Snapping his cape aside, the lovely Georgia appears beside him]
- Georgia: Hello, Mr. Shayne.
- Dick Hamilton: How do you like that?
- Michael Shayne: It's a very cute trick.
- Tim Rourke: Hey, Dick, how much do you want for the cape?