Programma Televisivo: Psych - 6x4
That's Gus.
He and I are going to the comic book convention.
Just be finished saving the world before the street lights come out.
Where is your costume?
I'm wearing it.
Um...
Tap-Man.
A tap-dancing superhero.
Ugh.
How is it that you always make the wrong choice between cool and stupid?
Hey, hey, Shawn.
Give Guster a chance to present his case for Tap-Man.
Tap-Man meets all the superhero requirements.
His super-power--rhythm.
Alter ego--mild-mannered dance instructor.
His arch-nemesis-- Riverdance Man.
Wow, that is stupid.
Yeah.
And plus, how does he fight?
Well, he confuses the bad guys with his quick syncopation and grabs some tap sand from his trusty pouch, and splat!
Right in the eyes.
Come on, let's go.
We're already late.
To the Tap-Mobile!
Are you sure no one can tell my true identity under this?
For your sake, let's hope so.
[Sighs] [Upbeat rock music] Stop, freeze!
S.B.P.D.!
This is all your fault, Shawn!
You're the one that blew our cover!
No one told you to open a car door and set off the alarm!
Why was the alarm on?
We were still inside the car!
Inside the car, not getting carjacked and brutalized, thank you very much.
Just hurry up.
If we catch these guys, we're heroes.
No, if we catch these guys, we'll be dead.
Aah!
You think we lost 'em?
Yeah, I think we're clear.
[Grunts] [Groans] You--you tripped me.
Come on, Shawn, you tripped me.
You come on, Gus.
Come on.
Come on, get up.
Come on.
Aah.
Aah.
[Grunting] This is the last time I let you use your fast-twitch muscles as an excuse for anything.
You and I both know that's not true.
Damn it.
[Groaning] I'm gonna go catch those guys.
[Moaning] Looks like somebody got to these guys before we did. "
The Mantis."
A little thicker on the eyebrows.
Are you sure?
Let's see him.
Oh, yes.
Yes.
And, uh, you should add another wheel.
It'll imply more motion.
Dude, in your dreams.
You're right.
I can't skateboard that well.
What the hell is this?
He's too cheap to pay the caricature artist at the pier $30, so we decided to get one this way.
That'll be all.
You are done wasting our time.
I'll say when I'm done.
All right, I'm done wasting everyone's time.
Besides, I'm missing a Phineas and Ferb marathon.
[Giggles] Perry the Platypus.
He's a real platypus.
Let me know what you find out.
[Speaking indistinctly] He's an idiot.
All right, which one of you lowlifes want to describe the guy that did this to you?
He was well-built, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds.
He came out of nowhere.
Before we realized what happened, he was gone.
Did he have on a body suit and have intense eyes shining through a dark mask?
You saw him, too, Guster?
No, but I see him now.
[Dramatic music] ♪ ♪ [Wind rushing] Sync & corrected by honeybunny www.addic7ed.com [The Friendly Indians' I Know You Know] ♪ ♪ ♪ In between the lines there's a lot of obscurity ♪ ♪ I'm not inclined to resign to maturity ♪ ♪ if it's all right ♪ ♪ then you're all wrong ♪ ♪ but why bounce around to the same damn song?
♪ ♪ ooh ♪ ♪ you'd rather run when you can't crawl ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I know you know that I'm not telling the truth ♪ ♪ embrace the deception ♪ ♪ learn how to bend ♪ ♪ your worst inhibitions ♪ ♪ tend to psych you out in the end ♪ See?
It's easy to read no matter how you spin it.
I'm telling you, I'll never buy a real paper again.
I can't believe you told them I tripped.
You tripped.
No, I did not.
You tripped.
No, I did not, Shawn.
Chief Vick, is it true that the four criminals the vigilante caught are members of the Camino Drug Syndicate?
Reginald, you've been around here long enough to know I'm not answering that.
All right, that's it!
Last thing we need is a bunch of reporters twisting our words, especially you copy monkeys at The Mirror.
Don't think I've forgotten about the whole "Detective Dipstick" incident.
Look, that piece was written by Chad Gorsuch, and he's now on assignment in South America.
Well, at least he's being punished.
Chief, can you give us any information?
What can you tell us?
Have the Caminos really taken control of all cocaine production from rival gangs?
No comment.
Chief, who was the masked man?
No comment.
Should other citizens follow his lead?
Okay, that I'll comment on.
Vigilantism is a dangerous act.
The art of apprehending criminals should be left to the police officers who have been adequately trained and equipped.
Well, then why does detective Lassiter's report say that the police consultant failed to apprehend the four suspects because he was "woefully out of shape"?
Comment!
I have a comment.
I was tripped by my clumsy assistant, Watson Williams.
I am not your assistant.
And my name is not Watson Williams.
Oh, but you do admit to tripping me.
What?
Okay, no more questions.
[Voices overlapping] You heard the chief.
Everybody outside.
Go on.
Shoo, shoo.
Scat.
All right, people, listen up.
I would be lying if I said this vigilante hasn't made us look bad in recent days.
I'd also be lying if I said I didn't sometimes wish that I could operate outside the constraints of the badge and dish out some good old-fashioned street justice of my own.
But we can't.
[Scoffs] Apparently not even while traveling along the border.
Not even.
Right, so we rely on good old-fashioned police work.
Detective O'Hara.
The first two pictures are locations where the vigilante-- or the Mantis, as he's affectionately known to the public-- apprehended members of the Camino Drug Syndicate. "
Affectionately known"?
We have also listed the dates.
Ted the dates.
In each situation, a major drug exchange was in progress.
This is a well-funded and extremely well-organized operation.
We have located a handful of the phony businesses that they are using as fronts, but there could be a dozen more.
Now we were just notified of this most recent bust 20 minutes ago by our colleagues on the Ventura Police Force.
This bust, combined with the others that the Mantis has impressively handled, gives us eight of the Camino Syndicate members.
Let's get out there and find the rest.
You heard her.
Go do it.
Sounds like you want to give this weirdo some kind of medal.
Shawn, oftentimes, vigilantes are just good people who want to take back their neighborhood from a bad element.
Sure.
Charles Bronson-- a real charmer.
Eastwood in Gran Torino-- there's a guy you want to hop in the tub with.
Okay, the Mantis is a bit eccentric, and I wouldn't go as far as to say that I support what he's doing, but you have to admit, he's done a better job than we have of slowing down the Caminos, and he's just one guy.
I'm just one guy.
I've solved more crimes than I can count.
Because I've solved a lot of crimes, not just because I can't count very high.
Yes, but you have a supernatural psychic gift.
The Mantis is solving crimes using his natural instincts and sharply honed abilities.
She's right, Shawn.
I mean, if you were a regular guy solving these crimes, that'd really be impressive.
But everyone knows that you're a psychic.
I mean, that's really an unfair advantage.
[Chuckles] I guess you're right, Gus.
Thanks a lot, Benedict Arnold Jackson.
I know what this is about.
You're jealous of all the attention that the Mantis is getting, especially from Juliet.
[Scoffs] Please.
You think I care if Juliet gives another guy a little attention?
How insecure do you think I am?
Seriously, how insecure do you think I am?
I need you to tell me.
Will you please tell me?
Why are you bothered by this guy?
Because, Gus, there's already a badass crime fighter in a cool outfit running around this town, and his name is me.
The Mantis can't even fly or activate into half of something you just happen to need in the moment.
He's clearly emulating the "everyman" superheroes like Batman and Iron Man.
Besides, you shouldn't criticize the guy without knowing his origin story.
The Mantis is not a real superhero, Gus.
He's just some nut in a mask.
[Eerie music] Hey, what's that calendar you have on your desk, the--the one that's all loony?
You mean lunar?
It tracks the phases of the moon.
What's the next phase?
New moon.
It's coming soon, the 26th.
The 26th.
Everyone stop what you're doing and only pay attention to me!
I'm getting a clear psychic vision on when the next Camino drug exchange will take place.
September 26th.
[Whispering] It's October.
[Whispering] That means it's almost, like, a year away.
October of this year, Shawn.
[Normal voice] October 26th, because this is the month of October.
Spencer, you're not even officially on this case.
You know the routine.
First you-- Dad, can I please-- You're hired.
Well, there it is.
Fine.
We'll look into it.
Have vice monitor any local street chatter for anything going down on the 26th, especially any large industrial shipments occurring after hours.
Nobody breathe a word of this to anybody outside the force.
How's that for one man?
No, seriously, h-how was that for one man?
I need you to tell me.
It was all right.
It's on, Mantis.
I'm not the Mantis, Shawn.
You're damn right, you're not.
You could never be the Mantis.
You have problems.
Attention, sitting docks.
All units respond.
Really?
Again?
The Mantis took out four perps single-handedly.
Again without a gun or needless bloodshed.
That is classic superhero moral code.
Whoever he is, I'm glad he's on our side.
She used to talk about you that way.
Would you stop it?
Whoever the Mantis is, he's not doing this by himself, Gus.
He clearly has an inside angle, which means he either overheard my psychic revelation or he got ahold of the information the cops have.
How is that possible?
Nobody breathe a word of this to anybody outside the force.
It isn't, unless he's already on the...inside of the police department.
Whoever this brother is, he's gonna be hard to spot.
You can't just assume he's a brother because he's all mysterious and smooth.
You'll see, he's either a brother or Persian.
I can't talk to you when you're like this.
Okay.
All right.
[Sighs] We know it's not Lassie, because he's way too proud to solve crimes anonymously.
[Slamming keyboard] And it's not 1976.
[Humming theme from Jaws] Both: No.
Who's the new guy?
I don't know, but he is the right height and weight.
And he was here when I revealed my inside tip.
Hey, there.
We've never met officially.
This is Gus.
I'm Shawn.
Scott Reynolds, just transferred over from Ventura P.D.
We were just notified of this most recent bust 20 minutes ago by our colleagues on the Ventura Police Force.
That's quite a grip you have there, Scott.
You must work out.
A little.
Oh, come on now.
Feels like more than just a little.
Doesn't it, Gus?
Shawn...
Feel it.
I don't want to feel it.
Feel the man's fitness level.
I'm not feeling-- Do it.
Fine.
Oh, you are kind of fit.
Uh-huh.
You look like you could handle yourself in a dark alley full of guys.
I suppose if I had to.
Uh-huh.
I bet you're real nice with the hand-to-hand action.
Okay.
Dude, what are you doing?
Get to the bottom of it.
Watch and learn, Gus.
This is--it's like a dance.
I know how to dance, Shawn.
Uh, guys, excuse me, I've got some work to do.
Yeah, no problem.
We'll catch you later, Dr.
Muscles.
It's definitely him.
So what do we do next?
I should probably go throw some lunchmeat at the guys in the drunk tank.
After we prove that he's the Mantis.
No, we do that first.
Which they all ate using the same fork.
Shawn, you're not even listening.
I am.
I am.
Mm-hmm.
Why?
Why do you say that?
I just gave you a setup containing Mr.
T., Crockett, and a word that rhymes with "mork" and I got nothin'...
[Chuckles] Mork.
Not even a "Battle of the Network Stars" joke.
[Chuckles] What's going on?
[Clears throat] All right, uh-- All right, listen, I-I need to say this.
With regards to the Mantis...
Oh, okay.
Um, you know what?
Let's just-- let's just finish our dinner and not talk about work or the Mantis.
Wh-why--why not?
Well, I just think that we clearly have different opinions about it.
[Scoffs] Clearly.
And I don't want it to be an I issue between us if we don't see eye-to-eye on a case or a suspect or whatever.
How would that possibly be an issue?
I mean, Gus and I never see eye-to-eye on work stuff.
For instance, he doesn't like being used as a human shield when we're being shot at.
I happen to think it's a very noble way to meet one's maker, especially for a guy like him.
Bottom line is we never let that difference of opinion interfere with anything.
Okay, well, as long as you know that it's not a competition.
I know that.
Look, let's just-- let's just have a nice dinner, see who can eat the fastest...
[Giggles] And, uh, not talk about work.
Great.
[Cell phone buzzing] [Eerie music] What's up?
Oh, um, it's nothing.
It's, uh...
Just a work thing.
You need to go.
No.
No, no, no.
They send the message out to everybody, and they know that I'm off duty.
You want to go, don't you?
Well...
It's okay, Jules.
You can go, and you should go.
Go.
You can go.
Really?
Yes.
Okay.
I'll call you later.
Yep.
Okay.
Mwah.
[Whispering] Hey, excuse me.
[Normal voice] Could I get a check as soon as humanly possible?
Thank you.
Confirm multiple units en route to reported activity at 1215 Marine Way.
Potentially armed suspects.
Proceed with caution.
[Alarm blaring] He's been here again.
[Alarm continues blaring] It's the Mantis.
[Dramatic music] [Indistinct conversation] Make way, make way.
Did the police I.D.
the last culprit?
Can you confirm or deny reports that the Mantis has been identified?
Was the Mantis injured, sir?
[Voices overlapping] You caused quite a stir.
It's a madhouse out there.
Oh, thanks, Buzz.
I-I think I'm safe now.
[Chuckles] Do you expect anyone to believe that you were actually the Mantis this entire time?
Please, of course I'm not the Mantis.
What have we been doing?
We've been trying to expose him.
Well, how do you explain being dressed as him?
Because from the looks of it, you're a copycat vigilante.
Maybe you secretly look up to this guy.
Look...
[sighs] I realized that the Camino Syndicate was gathering in one of the Baine Industry buildings.
I thought I could finally expose his identity by getting to the bad guys first and catching him in the act.
[Alarm blaring] And just as I thought, he had the same inside information I did and was already there.
You hear that?
It looks like your game's up.
We're gonna have to find out who you really are.
First, I used a classic combat distraction move.
You went boneless, didn't you?
I used my entire body as a weapon.
[Grunting] After an epic, very evenly matched fight, [screaming] he sucker-punched me.
I woke up with the fire alarm blaring, wearing that ridiculous painted-on costume, which means he saw me in my underwear.
You mean like on Diff'rent Strokes?
Yes, Gus, just like Diff'rent Strokes.
That's not cool.
No, it's not, Gus.
He must have put on my clothes and blended in with the crowd leaving the first floor.
[Pounds fist on table] Damn it!
I had a handful of gummy worms in that jacket that he probably won't even eat.
Get your story straight.
Everybody's waiting to hear what happened.
You had everybody fooled there for a second.
Even if you were the Mantis, I was gonna have to bring back Tap-Man.
It's still the stupidest idea for a superhero ever.
How does he even fight?
Sand, Shawn, right in the eyes.
You ever had sand thrown in your eyes, Shawn?
It's debilitating.
[Sighs] No wonder you were acting so weird at dinner the other night.
I mean, I knew you were capable of amazing things, but this is just-- Wow.
Well, the cat's out of the bag now.
You guys get in here.
The real Mantis was just spotted 20 minutes ago.
Oh, was he?
[Scoffs] I know you know I'm not telling the truth.
I know...
You know.
All right, listen, we're in a lot of hot water with the mayor's office for all the free press we're giving this guy every time he slips through our grasp, so maybe you'd like to fill us in on what the hell happened down there.
The real Mantis jumped him like a sack of flour, took pictures of him in his underwear, then dressed in his clothes and escaped through the crowd downstairs.
You didn't even get a good look at him?
Great.
So we still don't know who this guy is.
But we can add one more big bust to his record.
The perp we found knocked out next to you was a lieutenant in the Camino Syndicate.
We put the screws to him, and he let it slip that they're moving a huge shipment next weekend.
Which means this is our last chance to stop them before they flood the streets with product.
The Mantis knows that now, too.
What makes you say that?
Because he's someone in this department.
Can you prove it?
Give me one minute.
Can we get a comment?
I didn't have my best stuff today.
Mr.
Spencer, over here.
One game at a time.
[Voices overlapping] We just gotta execute.
Hey, hey, hey.
Officer Reynolds, I know who you are, or should I say, what you are.
Excuse me?
Come on, man, you can't hide your identity from me.
It's time to let the secret out.
Listen, man, I'm sorry I acted all weird earlier.
I'm just not used to getting hit on.
You're not--what?
[Sighs] Look, I'm flattered, but I don't shoot that way.
I can't imagine how tough it must be for you around here, but, look, it gets better.
Oh, my God, what would make you think that-- You must work out.
Handle yourself in a dark alley full of guys.
Bet you're nice with the hand-to-hand action.
Okay, okay, okay, look.
Let's be very clear here, okay?
I was not hitting on you.
It's okay, man.
Look, I got this buddy, Pete, that would be perfect for you.
Stop it.
I'm not-- We're talking about your secret identity, man--yours.
You know, by day, you're officer Reynolds.
By night, you're officer Mantis, or should I say, Mantis Reynolds.
[Grunting] [Groaning] Why the long sleeves?
Huh?
You hiding something, like maybe the marks from your last fight?
Huh.
No bite marks, no scratches.
And you have a tattoo of a bull mastiff.
That's my Nana.
Is she pretending to be a bull mastiff?
[Chuckles] Oh, I bet she's stopping traffic in heaven.
She's not dead.
[Sniffs] Good talk.
[Sniffs] I got nothin'.
Well, the crime scene photos from when we found you came in.
Maybe you can get something off of these.
[Eerie music] There was no satchel of drugs.
Hey!
I know where it came from.
The Mantis had the satchel, not the Camino.
I'm sensing that this evidence was planted.
We're dealing with a fake bust.
The Mantis is padding his resume and possibly his costume.
Sorry, Spencer, forensics has already confirmed the drugs confiscated at the scene are the same strain sold on the streets by the Caminos, just a much lower grade.
Which corroborates the info from our perp.
They put out quality product first, then flood the area with lower grade and maximize the profits.
In that case, I think we should consider the possibility that the Mantis is working with the Caminos.
First, you say he's on the force.
Then you say he's with the Caminos?
How hard did that guy hit you?
Hard.
Let me know when you can be useful.
I'm telling you, Jules, we are dealing with a bad, bad dude here.
Shawn, a messenger dropped this off for you.
Hey.
It's the clothes the Mantis stole from me. "
Sorry for the inconvenience. "
I had your clothes dry-cleaned as an offer of gratitude, even though you pinched and bit me."
See?
You see what I mean?
Just pure evil.
You pinched and bit a man?
Okay.
I know that I've been off, but seriously, when have I ever been wrong when I felt this strongly about something?
Shawn, what I was going to say is that maybe we should believe you.
I mean, if your suspicions about the Mantis are this strong, then maybe we're missing something.
[Telephone rings] Hang on.
Thank you.
[Ring] Hello?
Is this Juliet O'Hara?
[Altered voice] It's the Mantis.
[Whispering] It's the Mantis.
I'll put it on speaker in the conference room.
Go to the conference room.
Go.
Come on.
Okay, I'm listening.
I'd like to compliment your department on helping me bring down the Caminos.
We make a good team.
His voice is really deep.
[Deep voice] I've heard deeper.
Wow, really?
Thank you.
I wanted to let you know that in addition to the drugs found at the latest scene, if you run D.N.A.
analysis on your perp, you'll find hints to an unsolved murder from last year.
Okay, we'll look into it.
I also have reason to believe that a huge drug shipment to the Caminos is imminent.
Ha!
We already know that one.
Suck it.
Shawn, we're all professionals.
Oh, yeah?
You suck it.
You suck it.
What kind of man takes off another man's pants in a smoky boiler room?
I'm on to all your little tricks, man.
Have the police go down to the warehouse district in two hours.
I'll have another surprise waiting for you.
It's time to escalate the game.
Um, thank you.
You've been very helpful, but it would be even more helpful if you told us who you were.
[Telephone hangs up] Crap.
Don't worry about it.
Let's get some units down to the warehouse district.
Let's beat 'em to this.
[Dramatic music] Freeze, Mantis!
Step away from the body!
Put your hands where I can see 'em!
[Wind rushing] Well...
He escalated the game, all right.
Yeah, to murder.
[Dramatic music] [Dramatic music] Wow, now I can read the paper and listen to my movie score playlist at the same time.
Will you move out of the way?
That's rough.
Quit playing around with that before you break it.
Well, I guess I'm just a little giddy now that my nemesis has been exposed for the fraud that he was.
And yes, I realize that using the term "giddy" is a bit facetious, because the truth is I am tickled pink.
The Mantis is not your nemesis, Shawn.
You don't have an alter ego, a cool suit, or a tragically ironic origin story.
You're just a hater.
A hater?
The only hater is the Mantis, hater of not murdering people.
I still don't get it.
Shooting a guy goes against the Mantis' established M.O.
[Eerie music] And I don't see a guy who is that consistent in his mythology suddenly abandoning it and using a gun.
Hmm.
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
Shawn, I know that look.
No, you don't.
You just deduced something that might prove the Mantis is innocent, but you don't want to say it, because it might mean you were wrong about him.
I didn't deduce anything.
Shawn, you are an hysterical deducer, and you know it.
So spit it out.
Okay, fine, listen.
Generally, as a rule, when you shoot someone in the back, they fall forward, right?
Well, when we saw the Mantis, the victim was on his back.
Meaning the Mantis had to flip the body over, like you'd do if you were checking to see if somebody was already dead when you found him.
Or even if you were trying to save him.
Shawn, this man is innocent, and we need to help him clear his name.
Well, guess what, Gus?
We can't.
Why not?
'Cause that is the downside of being all secret identity.
Look, we can't find him, unless we blast the Mantis light into the sky, which would be pretty stupid, right?
Because the Mantis looks like a little stick that walks around.
You're thinking of a walking stick.
No, those are the bugs that hop around in the grass.
That's a grasshopper. "
Could not remove stain on sleeve."
Well, I could've told 'em that.
Nothing gets out motor oil, especially not more motor oil, which I've tried.
Gus.
You know how the police couldn't trace that package back to the Mantis?
Yeah, because he paid in cash and didn't leave a record.
But he didn't know the dry cleaners put this in my jacket.
A paper trail.
Yeah, that was a special rush order.
I'm sorry, I can't give you any more than that.
No.
Well, we're paying customers here.
Well, where are your items?
Dude, take off your shirt.
Give it to her for dry-cleaning.
You must be out of your damn mind.
Give her your shirt.
Then what am I supposed to wear tomorrow?
And the day after that?
And the day after that?
I don't know.
Oops, my bad.
Shawn, this is a custom-made shirt.
Uh-oh.
Well, what can we do about this stain before it sets in?
I have some industrial stain-block in the back.
Just a minute.
All right.
Shawn.
Shawn, will you hurry up?
Bingo.
It's his regular dry cleaners.
I got the address.
Let's get out of here.
All right.
All right, let's see.
What do we got here?
Oh, that's kind of weird.
What does it feel like?
Look at that, buddy.
Oh.
There it is.
Look at that.
Good as new, buddy.
Good work from you.
[Sighs] [Door opening] We're in, Gus.
I don't know, Shawn.
Are you sure this is the right place?
501, just like the computer said.
Oh, I hear you.
This place isn't very superhero-ish, is it?
Maybe we made a mistake.
♪ What?
♪ ♪ What?
♪ You know that's right.
[Loud clatter] We need to get out of here.
We shouldn't be here in the first place.
You should have thought of that before you picked the lock.
No, you picked the lock.
[Whistling] Human shield.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
He's the Mantis?
Come on, chief, can you give us any information?
What can you tell us?
That's how he got the information for the bust on the 26th.
[Camera shutter clicks] Wait, we're here to actually help you--aah!
Clear your--aah!
Because we know--ugh!
We know that you were--aah!
Cozened!
Ugh!
Nobody knows what "cozened" means.
[Groans] "Cozened" is a fairly common word, Shawn.
Aah!
Why can't you just be a normal person and say-- "Framed"?
We know you were framed?
You do?
Yeah.
[Groans] I'm really, really sorry about this, guys.
I thought you were here to take me in to the police.
No, we think you're innocent.
Might be innocent.
I am not yet convinced.
It's amazing.
Nobody's gotten this close to actually figuring out who I really am.
Your psychic powers are amazing.
Gus, we have to help him.
He's a good man.
First, I have to know, why would a reporter want to become a superhero?
All I do every day is write about recent pet grooming trends in Santa Barbara, where Rob Lowe had brunch, where Rob Lowe had dinner...
Lucky's.
And the politics and red tape that keep the police in this town from actually doing their job.
So I decided to do something.
With my background in mixed martial arts, the Mantis was born.
And the first thing you decided to do was go after the biggest drug gang in town?
I knew that the Caminos operated in small groups with each drug transaction, which makes 'em quick and mobile, but it also keeps them pretty vulnerable, if you have their schedule in advance.
Okay, so what really happened to the guy on the rooftop of the Baine building?
That was Carlos Jacott.
He was my inside man with the Caminos.
The head bosses found out he was trading secrets, and so they killed him for snitching.
And then they set me up to look like I was a murderer.
Well, they're desperate.
You're very close to bringing 'em down.
Yeah, but not close enough.
I still can't figure out how the drugs are getting to the syndicate.
You know, I've looked into all the clever ways criminals are smuggling drugs these days-- inside children's toys, seafood shipments, plastics.
What about glass?
I suppose that could work, yeah.
You could embed the cocaine in the glass, and then melt it, separate it at a later time.
That's it.
Aah!
I can see the drugs infused in panes of glass loaded into cargo containers, a bunch of 'em, in a shipment yard called n-o-- No...
Nosco.
Nosco.
That's a cargo company.
They ship from overseas.
So that's how they've been moving so much product without being detected.
Yeah, we've just got to figure out where those cargo crates of glass are entering Santa Barbara before the drugs hit the streets.
But I'm sensing you're not gonna want to help with that, are you?
What, are you nuts?
Now I've got the cops and the Caminos following me.
The Mantis is done.
Reginald, as difficult as this is for me to say, you were actually making a difference.
I mean, the Camino Syndicate was running scared all because of you.
Your presence alone will slow them down.
Trust us, all you have to do is show up to that shipment yard.
They'll take one look at you and run.
[Makes whooshing noise] Yeah, I don't know, guys.
I mean, it's one thing to fight one-on-four, but if we actually do find their distribution center, it's gonna be more like one-on-ten.
What if you had help?
Detective unit backup request-- Criminal investigation at warehouse district, 3900 Saltair.
[Footsteps] [Dramatic music] [Tapping] It's the Mantis!
The Catch.
And Tap-Man!
[Tap music] Give up while you still can.
We know how this will end.
[Electricity buzzing] [Tapping] [Gunshots] Shawn, I thought you said we were gonna just scare them away!
They don't seem scared to me!
That's 'cause you just went up on your toes and started dancing!
What do we do now?
You two go distract 'em.
I'll take 'em out one by one.
[Gunshots] [Wind rushing] [Grunting] [Loud banging] [Grunts] Detectives Lassiter and O'Hara requesting backup under heavy fire!
I told you this was a bad idea.
The only bad idea was you thinking that Tap-Man would fool anyone.
It's better than anything that Catcher Man has.
The Catch.
Whatever.
He has no skills at all.
The Catch is an impenetrable wall, Gus, and he will smack the mess out of you with this mitt.
Please.
What are you talking about?
Man, before anything went wrong, you were totally on board with Catch and Tap-Man.
Tap-Man and the Catch.
Get it right.
[Loud crunch] What was that?
Man, I told you that wouldn't work.
You have to believe.
Shut up!
Aah!
You're welcome.
Guys!
What?
Come on!
Ow, okay.
[Gunshots] Freeze!
Put your hands in the air!
Put 'em up!
Get down!
Get down!
Get down!
Spread 'em!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it!
Get down on the ground, Mantis!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Lassie, Jules, wait.
He's with us.
I don't care what you say, Spencer.
This man's wanted for murder.
No, no, no, the Mantis was framed.
When we caught him above the body, he was actually trying to revive the victim.
And if you run ballistics on the Caminos' firearms, I bet you find your murder weapon.
Spencer, we can sort all this out down at the station.
Especially why are you wearing that ridiculous get-up?
What the hell are you supposed to be anyway, the Turtle?
I am the Catch, though I might have to borrow "the Turtle" if "the Catch" is already taken.
That's not bad--"the Turtle."
Yeah.
We're done here.
I'm taking him in.
Ooh.
Guster.
[Spits] Guster, did you just throw sand at me?
Oh, hell.
Where's the Mantis?
Oh, good, you're all here.
Uh, the mayor just called.
I would like to pass on his congratulations to all of you for bringing down the Camino Syndicate.
Oh, just doing our job, chief.
Besides, it was Shawn who psychically realized the Mantis had been framed and led him to Caminos' headquarters.
He really deserves all the credit.
I wouldn't say that.
Well, not that it isn't true.
I-I just wouldn't say it.
Oh, come on.
You might like it if you try it.
I would rather spend the rest of my life at Lilith Fair.
Fair enough.
Okay, but, gentlemen, this case is far from over.
We're still looking for where the Caminos hid all the money that they made from the drug trade.
Don't worry, chief, if it hasn't already been laundered, it's bound to show up somewhere.
Just like no one will know where or when Tap-Man and the Catch may show up.
[Laughs] The Catch and Tap-Man.
Shawn.
Oh, I think we know a lot of places and times they better not show up.
Are we clear on that?
Both: Yes, ma'am.
Good day, gentleme
He and I are going to the comic book convention.
Just be finished saving the world before the street lights come out.
Where is your costume?
I'm wearing it.
Um...
Tap-Man.
A tap-dancing superhero.
Ugh.
How is it that you always make the wrong choice between cool and stupid?
Hey, hey, Shawn.
Give Guster a chance to present his case for Tap-Man.
Tap-Man meets all the superhero requirements.
His super-power--rhythm.
Alter ego--mild-mannered dance instructor.
His arch-nemesis-- Riverdance Man.
Wow, that is stupid.
Yeah.
And plus, how does he fight?
Well, he confuses the bad guys with his quick syncopation and grabs some tap sand from his trusty pouch, and splat!
Right in the eyes.
Come on, let's go.
We're already late.
To the Tap-Mobile!
Are you sure no one can tell my true identity under this?
For your sake, let's hope so.
[Sighs] [Upbeat rock music] Stop, freeze!
S.B.P.D.!
This is all your fault, Shawn!
You're the one that blew our cover!
No one told you to open a car door and set off the alarm!
Why was the alarm on?
We were still inside the car!
Inside the car, not getting carjacked and brutalized, thank you very much.
Just hurry up.
If we catch these guys, we're heroes.
No, if we catch these guys, we'll be dead.
Aah!
You think we lost 'em?
Yeah, I think we're clear.
[Grunts] [Groans] You--you tripped me.
Come on, Shawn, you tripped me.
You come on, Gus.
Come on.
Come on, get up.
Come on.
Aah.
Aah.
[Grunting] This is the last time I let you use your fast-twitch muscles as an excuse for anything.
You and I both know that's not true.
Damn it.
[Groaning] I'm gonna go catch those guys.
[Moaning] Looks like somebody got to these guys before we did. "
The Mantis."
A little thicker on the eyebrows.
Are you sure?
Let's see him.
Oh, yes.
Yes.
And, uh, you should add another wheel.
It'll imply more motion.
Dude, in your dreams.
You're right.
I can't skateboard that well.
What the hell is this?
He's too cheap to pay the caricature artist at the pier $30, so we decided to get one this way.
That'll be all.
You are done wasting our time.
I'll say when I'm done.
All right, I'm done wasting everyone's time.
Besides, I'm missing a Phineas and Ferb marathon.
[Giggles] Perry the Platypus.
He's a real platypus.
Let me know what you find out.
[Speaking indistinctly] He's an idiot.
All right, which one of you lowlifes want to describe the guy that did this to you?
He was well-built, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds.
He came out of nowhere.
Before we realized what happened, he was gone.
Did he have on a body suit and have intense eyes shining through a dark mask?
You saw him, too, Guster?
No, but I see him now.
[Dramatic music] ♪ ♪ [Wind rushing] Sync & corrected by honeybunny www.addic7ed.com [The Friendly Indians' I Know You Know] ♪ ♪ ♪ In between the lines there's a lot of obscurity ♪ ♪ I'm not inclined to resign to maturity ♪ ♪ if it's all right ♪ ♪ then you're all wrong ♪ ♪ but why bounce around to the same damn song?
♪ ♪ ooh ♪ ♪ you'd rather run when you can't crawl ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I know you know that I'm not telling the truth ♪ ♪ embrace the deception ♪ ♪ learn how to bend ♪ ♪ your worst inhibitions ♪ ♪ tend to psych you out in the end ♪ See?
It's easy to read no matter how you spin it.
I'm telling you, I'll never buy a real paper again.
I can't believe you told them I tripped.
You tripped.
No, I did not.
You tripped.
No, I did not, Shawn.
Chief Vick, is it true that the four criminals the vigilante caught are members of the Camino Drug Syndicate?
Reginald, you've been around here long enough to know I'm not answering that.
All right, that's it!
Last thing we need is a bunch of reporters twisting our words, especially you copy monkeys at The Mirror.
Don't think I've forgotten about the whole "Detective Dipstick" incident.
Look, that piece was written by Chad Gorsuch, and he's now on assignment in South America.
Well, at least he's being punished.
Chief, can you give us any information?
What can you tell us?
Have the Caminos really taken control of all cocaine production from rival gangs?
No comment.
Chief, who was the masked man?
No comment.
Should other citizens follow his lead?
Okay, that I'll comment on.
Vigilantism is a dangerous act.
The art of apprehending criminals should be left to the police officers who have been adequately trained and equipped.
Well, then why does detective Lassiter's report say that the police consultant failed to apprehend the four suspects because he was "woefully out of shape"?
Comment!
I have a comment.
I was tripped by my clumsy assistant, Watson Williams.
I am not your assistant.
And my name is not Watson Williams.
Oh, but you do admit to tripping me.
What?
Okay, no more questions.
[Voices overlapping] You heard the chief.
Everybody outside.
Go on.
Shoo, shoo.
Scat.
All right, people, listen up.
I would be lying if I said this vigilante hasn't made us look bad in recent days.
I'd also be lying if I said I didn't sometimes wish that I could operate outside the constraints of the badge and dish out some good old-fashioned street justice of my own.
But we can't.
[Scoffs] Apparently not even while traveling along the border.
Not even.
Right, so we rely on good old-fashioned police work.
Detective O'Hara.
The first two pictures are locations where the vigilante-- or the Mantis, as he's affectionately known to the public-- apprehended members of the Camino Drug Syndicate. "
Affectionately known"?
We have also listed the dates.
Ted the dates.
In each situation, a major drug exchange was in progress.
This is a well-funded and extremely well-organized operation.
We have located a handful of the phony businesses that they are using as fronts, but there could be a dozen more.
Now we were just notified of this most recent bust 20 minutes ago by our colleagues on the Ventura Police Force.
This bust, combined with the others that the Mantis has impressively handled, gives us eight of the Camino Syndicate members.
Let's get out there and find the rest.
You heard her.
Go do it.
Sounds like you want to give this weirdo some kind of medal.
Shawn, oftentimes, vigilantes are just good people who want to take back their neighborhood from a bad element.
Sure.
Charles Bronson-- a real charmer.
Eastwood in Gran Torino-- there's a guy you want to hop in the tub with.
Okay, the Mantis is a bit eccentric, and I wouldn't go as far as to say that I support what he's doing, but you have to admit, he's done a better job than we have of slowing down the Caminos, and he's just one guy.
I'm just one guy.
I've solved more crimes than I can count.
Because I've solved a lot of crimes, not just because I can't count very high.
Yes, but you have a supernatural psychic gift.
The Mantis is solving crimes using his natural instincts and sharply honed abilities.
She's right, Shawn.
I mean, if you were a regular guy solving these crimes, that'd really be impressive.
But everyone knows that you're a psychic.
I mean, that's really an unfair advantage.
[Chuckles] I guess you're right, Gus.
Thanks a lot, Benedict Arnold Jackson.
I know what this is about.
You're jealous of all the attention that the Mantis is getting, especially from Juliet.
[Scoffs] Please.
You think I care if Juliet gives another guy a little attention?
How insecure do you think I am?
Seriously, how insecure do you think I am?
I need you to tell me.
Will you please tell me?
Why are you bothered by this guy?
Because, Gus, there's already a badass crime fighter in a cool outfit running around this town, and his name is me.
The Mantis can't even fly or activate into half of something you just happen to need in the moment.
He's clearly emulating the "everyman" superheroes like Batman and Iron Man.
Besides, you shouldn't criticize the guy without knowing his origin story.
The Mantis is not a real superhero, Gus.
He's just some nut in a mask.
[Eerie music] Hey, what's that calendar you have on your desk, the--the one that's all loony?
You mean lunar?
It tracks the phases of the moon.
What's the next phase?
New moon.
It's coming soon, the 26th.
The 26th.
Everyone stop what you're doing and only pay attention to me!
I'm getting a clear psychic vision on when the next Camino drug exchange will take place.
September 26th.
[Whispering] It's October.
[Whispering] That means it's almost, like, a year away.
October of this year, Shawn.
[Normal voice] October 26th, because this is the month of October.
Spencer, you're not even officially on this case.
You know the routine.
First you-- Dad, can I please-- You're hired.
Well, there it is.
Fine.
We'll look into it.
Have vice monitor any local street chatter for anything going down on the 26th, especially any large industrial shipments occurring after hours.
Nobody breathe a word of this to anybody outside the force.
How's that for one man?
No, seriously, h-how was that for one man?
I need you to tell me.
It was all right.
It's on, Mantis.
I'm not the Mantis, Shawn.
You're damn right, you're not.
You could never be the Mantis.
You have problems.
Attention, sitting docks.
All units respond.
Really?
Again?
The Mantis took out four perps single-handedly.
Again without a gun or needless bloodshed.
That is classic superhero moral code.
Whoever he is, I'm glad he's on our side.
She used to talk about you that way.
Would you stop it?
Whoever the Mantis is, he's not doing this by himself, Gus.
He clearly has an inside angle, which means he either overheard my psychic revelation or he got ahold of the information the cops have.
How is that possible?
Nobody breathe a word of this to anybody outside the force.
It isn't, unless he's already on the...inside of the police department.
Whoever this brother is, he's gonna be hard to spot.
You can't just assume he's a brother because he's all mysterious and smooth.
You'll see, he's either a brother or Persian.
I can't talk to you when you're like this.
Okay.
All right.
[Sighs] We know it's not Lassie, because he's way too proud to solve crimes anonymously.
[Slamming keyboard] And it's not 1976.
[Humming theme from Jaws] Both: No.
Who's the new guy?
I don't know, but he is the right height and weight.
And he was here when I revealed my inside tip.
Hey, there.
We've never met officially.
This is Gus.
I'm Shawn.
Scott Reynolds, just transferred over from Ventura P.D.
We were just notified of this most recent bust 20 minutes ago by our colleagues on the Ventura Police Force.
That's quite a grip you have there, Scott.
You must work out.
A little.
Oh, come on now.
Feels like more than just a little.
Doesn't it, Gus?
Shawn...
Feel it.
I don't want to feel it.
Feel the man's fitness level.
I'm not feeling-- Do it.
Fine.
Oh, you are kind of fit.
Uh-huh.
You look like you could handle yourself in a dark alley full of guys.
I suppose if I had to.
Uh-huh.
I bet you're real nice with the hand-to-hand action.
Okay.
Dude, what are you doing?
Get to the bottom of it.
Watch and learn, Gus.
This is--it's like a dance.
I know how to dance, Shawn.
Uh, guys, excuse me, I've got some work to do.
Yeah, no problem.
We'll catch you later, Dr.
Muscles.
It's definitely him.
So what do we do next?
I should probably go throw some lunchmeat at the guys in the drunk tank.
After we prove that he's the Mantis.
No, we do that first.
Which they all ate using the same fork.
Shawn, you're not even listening.
I am.
I am.
Mm-hmm.
Why?
Why do you say that?
I just gave you a setup containing Mr.
T., Crockett, and a word that rhymes with "mork" and I got nothin'...
[Chuckles] Mork.
Not even a "Battle of the Network Stars" joke.
[Chuckles] What's going on?
[Clears throat] All right, uh-- All right, listen, I-I need to say this.
With regards to the Mantis...
Oh, okay.
Um, you know what?
Let's just-- let's just finish our dinner and not talk about work or the Mantis.
Wh-why--why not?
Well, I just think that we clearly have different opinions about it.
[Scoffs] Clearly.
And I don't want it to be an I issue between us if we don't see eye-to-eye on a case or a suspect or whatever.
How would that possibly be an issue?
I mean, Gus and I never see eye-to-eye on work stuff.
For instance, he doesn't like being used as a human shield when we're being shot at.
I happen to think it's a very noble way to meet one's maker, especially for a guy like him.
Bottom line is we never let that difference of opinion interfere with anything.
Okay, well, as long as you know that it's not a competition.
I know that.
Look, let's just-- let's just have a nice dinner, see who can eat the fastest...
[Giggles] And, uh, not talk about work.
Great.
[Cell phone buzzing] [Eerie music] What's up?
Oh, um, it's nothing.
It's, uh...
Just a work thing.
You need to go.
No.
No, no, no.
They send the message out to everybody, and they know that I'm off duty.
You want to go, don't you?
Well...
It's okay, Jules.
You can go, and you should go.
Go.
You can go.
Really?
Yes.
Okay.
I'll call you later.
Yep.
Okay.
Mwah.
[Whispering] Hey, excuse me.
[Normal voice] Could I get a check as soon as humanly possible?
Thank you.
Confirm multiple units en route to reported activity at 1215 Marine Way.
Potentially armed suspects.
Proceed with caution.
[Alarm blaring] He's been here again.
[Alarm continues blaring] It's the Mantis.
[Dramatic music] [Indistinct conversation] Make way, make way.
Did the police I.D.
the last culprit?
Can you confirm or deny reports that the Mantis has been identified?
Was the Mantis injured, sir?
[Voices overlapping] You caused quite a stir.
It's a madhouse out there.
Oh, thanks, Buzz.
I-I think I'm safe now.
[Chuckles] Do you expect anyone to believe that you were actually the Mantis this entire time?
Please, of course I'm not the Mantis.
What have we been doing?
We've been trying to expose him.
Well, how do you explain being dressed as him?
Because from the looks of it, you're a copycat vigilante.
Maybe you secretly look up to this guy.
Look...
[sighs] I realized that the Camino Syndicate was gathering in one of the Baine Industry buildings.
I thought I could finally expose his identity by getting to the bad guys first and catching him in the act.
[Alarm blaring] And just as I thought, he had the same inside information I did and was already there.
You hear that?
It looks like your game's up.
We're gonna have to find out who you really are.
First, I used a classic combat distraction move.
You went boneless, didn't you?
I used my entire body as a weapon.
[Grunting] After an epic, very evenly matched fight, [screaming] he sucker-punched me.
I woke up with the fire alarm blaring, wearing that ridiculous painted-on costume, which means he saw me in my underwear.
You mean like on Diff'rent Strokes?
Yes, Gus, just like Diff'rent Strokes.
That's not cool.
No, it's not, Gus.
He must have put on my clothes and blended in with the crowd leaving the first floor.
[Pounds fist on table] Damn it!
I had a handful of gummy worms in that jacket that he probably won't even eat.
Get your story straight.
Everybody's waiting to hear what happened.
You had everybody fooled there for a second.
Even if you were the Mantis, I was gonna have to bring back Tap-Man.
It's still the stupidest idea for a superhero ever.
How does he even fight?
Sand, Shawn, right in the eyes.
You ever had sand thrown in your eyes, Shawn?
It's debilitating.
[Sighs] No wonder you were acting so weird at dinner the other night.
I mean, I knew you were capable of amazing things, but this is just-- Wow.
Well, the cat's out of the bag now.
You guys get in here.
The real Mantis was just spotted 20 minutes ago.
Oh, was he?
[Scoffs] I know you know I'm not telling the truth.
I know...
You know.
All right, listen, we're in a lot of hot water with the mayor's office for all the free press we're giving this guy every time he slips through our grasp, so maybe you'd like to fill us in on what the hell happened down there.
The real Mantis jumped him like a sack of flour, took pictures of him in his underwear, then dressed in his clothes and escaped through the crowd downstairs.
You didn't even get a good look at him?
Great.
So we still don't know who this guy is.
But we can add one more big bust to his record.
The perp we found knocked out next to you was a lieutenant in the Camino Syndicate.
We put the screws to him, and he let it slip that they're moving a huge shipment next weekend.
Which means this is our last chance to stop them before they flood the streets with product.
The Mantis knows that now, too.
What makes you say that?
Because he's someone in this department.
Can you prove it?
Give me one minute.
Can we get a comment?
I didn't have my best stuff today.
Mr.
Spencer, over here.
One game at a time.
[Voices overlapping] We just gotta execute.
Hey, hey, hey.
Officer Reynolds, I know who you are, or should I say, what you are.
Excuse me?
Come on, man, you can't hide your identity from me.
It's time to let the secret out.
Listen, man, I'm sorry I acted all weird earlier.
I'm just not used to getting hit on.
You're not--what?
[Sighs] Look, I'm flattered, but I don't shoot that way.
I can't imagine how tough it must be for you around here, but, look, it gets better.
Oh, my God, what would make you think that-- You must work out.
Handle yourself in a dark alley full of guys.
Bet you're nice with the hand-to-hand action.
Okay, okay, okay, look.
Let's be very clear here, okay?
I was not hitting on you.
It's okay, man.
Look, I got this buddy, Pete, that would be perfect for you.
Stop it.
I'm not-- We're talking about your secret identity, man--yours.
You know, by day, you're officer Reynolds.
By night, you're officer Mantis, or should I say, Mantis Reynolds.
[Grunting] [Groaning] Why the long sleeves?
Huh?
You hiding something, like maybe the marks from your last fight?
Huh.
No bite marks, no scratches.
And you have a tattoo of a bull mastiff.
That's my Nana.
Is she pretending to be a bull mastiff?
[Chuckles] Oh, I bet she's stopping traffic in heaven.
She's not dead.
[Sniffs] Good talk.
[Sniffs] I got nothin'.
Well, the crime scene photos from when we found you came in.
Maybe you can get something off of these.
[Eerie music] There was no satchel of drugs.
Hey!
I know where it came from.
The Mantis had the satchel, not the Camino.
I'm sensing that this evidence was planted.
We're dealing with a fake bust.
The Mantis is padding his resume and possibly his costume.
Sorry, Spencer, forensics has already confirmed the drugs confiscated at the scene are the same strain sold on the streets by the Caminos, just a much lower grade.
Which corroborates the info from our perp.
They put out quality product first, then flood the area with lower grade and maximize the profits.
In that case, I think we should consider the possibility that the Mantis is working with the Caminos.
First, you say he's on the force.
Then you say he's with the Caminos?
How hard did that guy hit you?
Hard.
Let me know when you can be useful.
I'm telling you, Jules, we are dealing with a bad, bad dude here.
Shawn, a messenger dropped this off for you.
Hey.
It's the clothes the Mantis stole from me. "
Sorry for the inconvenience. "
I had your clothes dry-cleaned as an offer of gratitude, even though you pinched and bit me."
See?
You see what I mean?
Just pure evil.
You pinched and bit a man?
Okay.
I know that I've been off, but seriously, when have I ever been wrong when I felt this strongly about something?
Shawn, what I was going to say is that maybe we should believe you.
I mean, if your suspicions about the Mantis are this strong, then maybe we're missing something.
[Telephone rings] Hang on.
Thank you.
[Ring] Hello?
Is this Juliet O'Hara?
[Altered voice] It's the Mantis.
[Whispering] It's the Mantis.
I'll put it on speaker in the conference room.
Go to the conference room.
Go.
Come on.
Okay, I'm listening.
I'd like to compliment your department on helping me bring down the Caminos.
We make a good team.
His voice is really deep.
[Deep voice] I've heard deeper.
Wow, really?
Thank you.
I wanted to let you know that in addition to the drugs found at the latest scene, if you run D.N.A.
analysis on your perp, you'll find hints to an unsolved murder from last year.
Okay, we'll look into it.
I also have reason to believe that a huge drug shipment to the Caminos is imminent.
Ha!
We already know that one.
Suck it.
Shawn, we're all professionals.
Oh, yeah?
You suck it.
You suck it.
What kind of man takes off another man's pants in a smoky boiler room?
I'm on to all your little tricks, man.
Have the police go down to the warehouse district in two hours.
I'll have another surprise waiting for you.
It's time to escalate the game.
Um, thank you.
You've been very helpful, but it would be even more helpful if you told us who you were.
[Telephone hangs up] Crap.
Don't worry about it.
Let's get some units down to the warehouse district.
Let's beat 'em to this.
[Dramatic music] Freeze, Mantis!
Step away from the body!
Put your hands where I can see 'em!
[Wind rushing] Well...
He escalated the game, all right.
Yeah, to murder.
[Dramatic music] [Dramatic music] Wow, now I can read the paper and listen to my movie score playlist at the same time.
Will you move out of the way?
That's rough.
Quit playing around with that before you break it.
Well, I guess I'm just a little giddy now that my nemesis has been exposed for the fraud that he was.
And yes, I realize that using the term "giddy" is a bit facetious, because the truth is I am tickled pink.
The Mantis is not your nemesis, Shawn.
You don't have an alter ego, a cool suit, or a tragically ironic origin story.
You're just a hater.
A hater?
The only hater is the Mantis, hater of not murdering people.
I still don't get it.
Shooting a guy goes against the Mantis' established M.O.
[Eerie music] And I don't see a guy who is that consistent in his mythology suddenly abandoning it and using a gun.
Hmm.
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
Shawn, I know that look.
No, you don't.
You just deduced something that might prove the Mantis is innocent, but you don't want to say it, because it might mean you were wrong about him.
I didn't deduce anything.
Shawn, you are an hysterical deducer, and you know it.
So spit it out.
Okay, fine, listen.
Generally, as a rule, when you shoot someone in the back, they fall forward, right?
Well, when we saw the Mantis, the victim was on his back.
Meaning the Mantis had to flip the body over, like you'd do if you were checking to see if somebody was already dead when you found him.
Or even if you were trying to save him.
Shawn, this man is innocent, and we need to help him clear his name.
Well, guess what, Gus?
We can't.
Why not?
'Cause that is the downside of being all secret identity.
Look, we can't find him, unless we blast the Mantis light into the sky, which would be pretty stupid, right?
Because the Mantis looks like a little stick that walks around.
You're thinking of a walking stick.
No, those are the bugs that hop around in the grass.
That's a grasshopper. "
Could not remove stain on sleeve."
Well, I could've told 'em that.
Nothing gets out motor oil, especially not more motor oil, which I've tried.
Gus.
You know how the police couldn't trace that package back to the Mantis?
Yeah, because he paid in cash and didn't leave a record.
But he didn't know the dry cleaners put this in my jacket.
A paper trail.
Yeah, that was a special rush order.
I'm sorry, I can't give you any more than that.
No.
Well, we're paying customers here.
Well, where are your items?
Dude, take off your shirt.
Give it to her for dry-cleaning.
You must be out of your damn mind.
Give her your shirt.
Then what am I supposed to wear tomorrow?
And the day after that?
And the day after that?
I don't know.
Oops, my bad.
Shawn, this is a custom-made shirt.
Uh-oh.
Well, what can we do about this stain before it sets in?
I have some industrial stain-block in the back.
Just a minute.
All right.
Shawn.
Shawn, will you hurry up?
Bingo.
It's his regular dry cleaners.
I got the address.
Let's get out of here.
All right.
All right, let's see.
What do we got here?
Oh, that's kind of weird.
What does it feel like?
Look at that, buddy.
Oh.
There it is.
Look at that.
Good as new, buddy.
Good work from you.
[Sighs] [Door opening] We're in, Gus.
I don't know, Shawn.
Are you sure this is the right place?
501, just like the computer said.
Oh, I hear you.
This place isn't very superhero-ish, is it?
Maybe we made a mistake.
♪ What?
♪ ♪ What?
♪ You know that's right.
[Loud clatter] We need to get out of here.
We shouldn't be here in the first place.
You should have thought of that before you picked the lock.
No, you picked the lock.
[Whistling] Human shield.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
He's the Mantis?
Come on, chief, can you give us any information?
What can you tell us?
That's how he got the information for the bust on the 26th.
[Camera shutter clicks] Wait, we're here to actually help you--aah!
Clear your--aah!
Because we know--ugh!
We know that you were--aah!
Cozened!
Ugh!
Nobody knows what "cozened" means.
[Groans] "Cozened" is a fairly common word, Shawn.
Aah!
Why can't you just be a normal person and say-- "Framed"?
We know you were framed?
You do?
Yeah.
[Groans] I'm really, really sorry about this, guys.
I thought you were here to take me in to the police.
No, we think you're innocent.
Might be innocent.
I am not yet convinced.
It's amazing.
Nobody's gotten this close to actually figuring out who I really am.
Your psychic powers are amazing.
Gus, we have to help him.
He's a good man.
First, I have to know, why would a reporter want to become a superhero?
All I do every day is write about recent pet grooming trends in Santa Barbara, where Rob Lowe had brunch, where Rob Lowe had dinner...
Lucky's.
And the politics and red tape that keep the police in this town from actually doing their job.
So I decided to do something.
With my background in mixed martial arts, the Mantis was born.
And the first thing you decided to do was go after the biggest drug gang in town?
I knew that the Caminos operated in small groups with each drug transaction, which makes 'em quick and mobile, but it also keeps them pretty vulnerable, if you have their schedule in advance.
Okay, so what really happened to the guy on the rooftop of the Baine building?
That was Carlos Jacott.
He was my inside man with the Caminos.
The head bosses found out he was trading secrets, and so they killed him for snitching.
And then they set me up to look like I was a murderer.
Well, they're desperate.
You're very close to bringing 'em down.
Yeah, but not close enough.
I still can't figure out how the drugs are getting to the syndicate.
You know, I've looked into all the clever ways criminals are smuggling drugs these days-- inside children's toys, seafood shipments, plastics.
What about glass?
I suppose that could work, yeah.
You could embed the cocaine in the glass, and then melt it, separate it at a later time.
That's it.
Aah!
I can see the drugs infused in panes of glass loaded into cargo containers, a bunch of 'em, in a shipment yard called n-o-- No...
Nosco.
Nosco.
That's a cargo company.
They ship from overseas.
So that's how they've been moving so much product without being detected.
Yeah, we've just got to figure out where those cargo crates of glass are entering Santa Barbara before the drugs hit the streets.
But I'm sensing you're not gonna want to help with that, are you?
What, are you nuts?
Now I've got the cops and the Caminos following me.
The Mantis is done.
Reginald, as difficult as this is for me to say, you were actually making a difference.
I mean, the Camino Syndicate was running scared all because of you.
Your presence alone will slow them down.
Trust us, all you have to do is show up to that shipment yard.
They'll take one look at you and run.
[Makes whooshing noise] Yeah, I don't know, guys.
I mean, it's one thing to fight one-on-four, but if we actually do find their distribution center, it's gonna be more like one-on-ten.
What if you had help?
Detective unit backup request-- Criminal investigation at warehouse district, 3900 Saltair.
[Footsteps] [Dramatic music] [Tapping] It's the Mantis!
The Catch.
And Tap-Man!
[Tap music] Give up while you still can.
We know how this will end.
[Electricity buzzing] [Tapping] [Gunshots] Shawn, I thought you said we were gonna just scare them away!
They don't seem scared to me!
That's 'cause you just went up on your toes and started dancing!
What do we do now?
You two go distract 'em.
I'll take 'em out one by one.
[Gunshots] [Wind rushing] [Grunting] [Loud banging] [Grunts] Detectives Lassiter and O'Hara requesting backup under heavy fire!
I told you this was a bad idea.
The only bad idea was you thinking that Tap-Man would fool anyone.
It's better than anything that Catcher Man has.
The Catch.
Whatever.
He has no skills at all.
The Catch is an impenetrable wall, Gus, and he will smack the mess out of you with this mitt.
Please.
What are you talking about?
Man, before anything went wrong, you were totally on board with Catch and Tap-Man.
Tap-Man and the Catch.
Get it right.
[Loud crunch] What was that?
Man, I told you that wouldn't work.
You have to believe.
Shut up!
Aah!
You're welcome.
Guys!
What?
Come on!
Ow, okay.
[Gunshots] Freeze!
Put your hands in the air!
Put 'em up!
Get down!
Get down!
Get down!
Spread 'em!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it!
Get down on the ground, Mantis!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Lassie, Jules, wait.
He's with us.
I don't care what you say, Spencer.
This man's wanted for murder.
No, no, no, the Mantis was framed.
When we caught him above the body, he was actually trying to revive the victim.
And if you run ballistics on the Caminos' firearms, I bet you find your murder weapon.
Spencer, we can sort all this out down at the station.
Especially why are you wearing that ridiculous get-up?
What the hell are you supposed to be anyway, the Turtle?
I am the Catch, though I might have to borrow "the Turtle" if "the Catch" is already taken.
That's not bad--"the Turtle."
Yeah.
We're done here.
I'm taking him in.
Ooh.
Guster.
[Spits] Guster, did you just throw sand at me?
Oh, hell.
Where's the Mantis?
Oh, good, you're all here.
Uh, the mayor just called.
I would like to pass on his congratulations to all of you for bringing down the Camino Syndicate.
Oh, just doing our job, chief.
Besides, it was Shawn who psychically realized the Mantis had been framed and led him to Caminos' headquarters.
He really deserves all the credit.
I wouldn't say that.
Well, not that it isn't true.
I-I just wouldn't say it.
Oh, come on.
You might like it if you try it.
I would rather spend the rest of my life at Lilith Fair.
Fair enough.
Okay, but, gentlemen, this case is far from over.
We're still looking for where the Caminos hid all the money that they made from the drug trade.
Don't worry, chief, if it hasn't already been laundered, it's bound to show up somewhere.
Just like no one will know where or when Tap-Man and the Catch may show up.
[Laughs] The Catch and Tap-Man.
Shawn.
Oh, I think we know a lot of places and times they better not show up.
Are we clear on that?
Both: Yes, ma'am.
Good day, gentleme