Where Can You Go Without the Little Vice? 1979

A seductive client's hire

A private investigator is hired by a seductive woman to determine if there are other women in her husband's life. He accepts the assignment and begins outlining the scope of the inquiry. The client aims to protect her marriage, while the investigator senses a complex motive behind the request.

Infiltration plan

To gather information without arousing suspicion, the duo decide to pass themselves off as staff—Diogenes the butler and Carlotta the cook. They position themselves as trusted servants to observe the husband and his household. The plan hinges on blending into the mansion's social order.

Inside the house with the staff

The investigators gain entry inside the house, along with the rest of the servants. They mingle with cooks, maids, and other personnel, setting the stage for covert surveillance. The tension comes from maintaining their disguises while keeping the client's secret safe.

The task with three women

Both detectives begin courting the three women who are part of the household dynamics, hoping to uncover any romantic entanglements. The pursuit is complicated by rival emotions and the intricacies of servant life. The investigation tests their ability to stay inconspicuous while gathering clues.

The gardener's menace

The other investigator contends with an abusive gardener who acts as a sex maniac, adding danger and tension to the stealth operation. This subplot complicates the mission and forces the team to navigate threats within the property. It also highlights the moral ambiguity of their undercover roles.

The hidden life of the husband

During shadowing, the duo discovers that the husband is not the conventional businessman he presents himself as. He is homosexual and enjoys wearing women's clothes, and he has a relationship with a transvestite, a former boxer known as Lazio. The discovery reframes the motive behind the client's desire for trust.

The double-deal plan

Convinced by a double-deal arrangement, the investigators coordinate with the wife to receive double compensation from both spouses. They pretend not to have seen anything, allowing the ruse to continue while securing payment. The scheming escalates the tension and moral compromise.

Keeping up appearances

The detectives maintain their disguises and keep up appearances to avoid suspicion while the affair and deception unravel around them. They carefully manage conversations and observations to avoid tipping off the household. The balancing act tests their discipline and professionalism.

Return home after the job

Having completed the surveillance and negotiations, the two detectives return to their own home, briefly sharing a ride with the household's staff. The success of their mission hinges on the quiet exit and avoiding any fallout with the client or the husband. They carry the impression of a job well done.

A twist on the road

On the way back, the detectives give a lift to two Finnish women who are, in reality, two men in disguise. The deception continues into their travel, and the disguised pair rob them of all their money and the car. The incident marks a brutal end to the day’s work and introduces a sudden financial loss.

The robbers' escape

The robbers vanish after the theft, leaving the investigators stunned by the quick turn of events. The once lucrative job ends with a loss and a shaken sense of security. The case closes with unsettled questions about trust and payment.