In the stunning pilot episode of the ninth season, Mangum P.I. tries to get down to the bottom of the missing pitching staff on Sunday's.
[SCENE: A sunny day at the beach, Mangum is relaxing in a chair listening to the waves and is surprised by Higgins, who comes bearing an odd request]
Higgins: Mangum... Mangum. Mangum!
Mangum: What is it Higgins? What do you need?
Higgins: For God's sake, Mangum, you act as if you're doing something productive right now.
Mangum: Higgins, can't you see that I'm working on a very important case right now?
Higgins, dryly: Mangum, you are wasting your talents and my time.
Mangum: You came to me, Higgins. Now just what is it that you need from me?
Higgins: I need you to find out why none of our pitchers can play well for game three.
Mangum: You mean that the several consecutive top five recruiting classes haven't yielded anything? What about that new kid... Oh gosh, I forget his name, Broccoli? Zucchini?
Higgins: Kale. And no,
Mangum: Fine, Higgins, I'll look into it. But only if I can drive the Ferrari
Higgins: I don't know why you need a Ferrari to go check on the pitchers. The bullpen is literally ri-
Mangum: Higgins, if I didn't know any better, it's almost like you don't trust me, or many other freshmen.
Higgins, frustrated: Fine. Mangum, just hurry up. It's imperative that you find us a Sunday pitcher. SEC play is upon us and the regionals are soon to follow.
[End Scene. Fade to Black. Mangum races off in the Ferrari to go to the bullpen in Starkville.]
Mangum to himself: How did I get to Starkville, Mississippi in a Ferrari?
Higgins: Mangum, that doesn't matter.
Mangum incredulously: HIGGINS? I left you back in Hawaii?!
Higgins dismissive: Hush Mangum, none of this makes sense. There's a reason this script was scrapped back in the 80's.
Mangum: I thought this was 2016? Ah, whatever. You're probably right.
Mangum: Anyway. After looking through the bullpen, it seems like there's several qualified pitchers.
Higgins: That's absurd. We've used approximately 75 pitchers the past three series finales.
Mangum: Did you use one pitcher for more than two batters while he was still pitching well?
Higgins: Occasionally, Mangum. But I think it's best that we rotate pitchers after three pitches.
Mangum: Higgins! That's insane! Constantly switching pitchers in and out won't let you see how good one pitcher is.
Higgins: You might be right, Mangum. Maybe I should trust a pitcher when he's performing well.
Mangum: There you go. Problem solved. Now who will be this Sunday's starter? Vance Tatum? Ryan Rigby? Myles Gentry?
Higgins: No. None of the above
Mangum, irate: Keegan James? Konnor Pilkington? Zac Houston?
Higgins: Nope.
Mangum, furious: Higgins! Then who?! Who is going to be our Sunday starter?!
Higgins, satisfied: This fine lad
Photo Credit: Kelly Price/Hailstate.com
[Credits]
John Cohen as Higgins
Jake Mangum as Magnum
Screen play: Ethan Lee
Directed: Daniel Black
Chief of Production: Daniel Black
Head of Casting: Ethan Lee