Detail office. McNulty's calling the whorehouse back. I think it's because of assignments like these that he's never going to miss the boat. He says he'd called a few nights before, but that this will be his first visit. The Russian-accented operator asks what McNulty does: "Are you the police? Do you work with the police?" McNulty chuckles that of course he doesn't (remember: the police can always lie to you!), and lies, "I'm a travelling salesman! I travel and, you know, uh..." Before he can add "sell things," presumably, the operator asks where he lives, and McNulty says he isn't going to tell her that. The camera has now turned a half-circle so that we can see Rhonda and Kima sitting nearby, wearily monitoring McNulty's exchange because it's not like they haven't already seen what kind of game he has. Anyway, McNulty tentatively tells the operator, "I live out of town?" She sadly tells him, "I don't think we can help you tonight." Dude, you couldn't just say Milwaukee? Weak. The operator hangs up, and as Rhonda flops back against the wall, Kima spits, "You sucked. I mean, really." Ha! One gets the impression that she would have no problem negotiating with a madam for just about any service. McNulty whines that he didn't expect to get interrogated: "I mean, Christ, I'm just a guy looking to get laid, right?" Sure, and don't you work a little bit harder than that when you're using your own money and not the Department's?

Clement Street Café. On the sidewalk out front, Ziggy paces back and forth, apparently distressed enough over whatever's in his hands that he's crying around gritted teeth. Shortly, Nick rolls up and can tell he's in a bad way, asking, "What the fuck is wrong with him?" It's only on the nearer shot that I can tell he's holding the duck's collar and leash...which is why he lamely tries to throw a punch at Nick. Ziggy's evidently had a few, though, and falls over without landing a good shot, but quickly gets back to his feet and starts shoving Nick, enraged. Nick easily holds him off, finally just holding him really tight and pinning his arms; it's practically as though Nick is swaddling Ziggy to soothe him. Nick eventually lets Ziggy go, and Ziggy starts stomping impotently up the street, ignoring Nick's repeated questions as to what's up his ass.