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ROCKFORD, Jim
(The Rockford Files)
(555-2368
[or 2867 or 9000]
c/o Rockford Private Detective Agency
Paradise Cove Trailer Colony
2354 Ocean Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA [Malibu area] |
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Jim is an ex-con turned private detective. A
veteran of the Korean war (5th Regiment Combat
Team), Jim served five years of a twenty year
sentence in San Quentin (C Block) for
armed-robbery until new evidence earned him a
pardon. Most days Jim would rather be fishing,
but he’s got to pay the bills and so he charges
$200 a day plus expenses for his private eye
services.
Jim owns a gun but keeps it in a cookie jar in
his mobile home [“I don‘t shoot it. I just point
it“]. To get around, Jim drives a bronze-colored
Firebird Esprit [License Plate # 853 OKG]. He
keeps a small offset press in the back seat to
print up instant business cards for any
occasion. When Jim gets into a fist fight he is
more likely to hurt his hand when he punches a
guy in the face or get clobbered in the head
from a sucker punch. But Jim is tenacious and no
matter how much he gets abused, he always finds
the energy to fight the good fight and come
through for his clients.
Jim’s close friends included his crusty father,
Joseph “Rocky” Rockford, a retired long-haul
truck driver who nags Jim to get a real job;
Beth Davenport, Jim’s lawyer and romantic
interest; Sgt. [later Lieutenant] Dennis Becker,
Jim’s police contact at the Wilshire Division of
the LAPD; Dennis’ wife, Peggy; Evelyn “Angel”
Martin, Jim’s cowardly ex-cellmate and con
artist who constantly involves Jim’s in his less
than legal shenanigans; Gandolph Fitch, a
tough-talking black man; John, a former outlaw
biker turned criminal lawyer who replaced Beth
as Jim’s Lawyer; Meghan, a blind psychologist
whom Jim truly cared for; and Rita Capkovic, a
streetwise hooker.
Jim with
his father Joseph "Rocky" Rockford
Some of Jim’s rivals in the PI business included
Richie Brockleman, an eager, novice
investigator; and Lance White, a handsome,
impeccably dressed male model/private eye who
has no talent but gets all the glory [which
really gets on Jim’s nerves].
When Jim is not on the job, he just likes to
relax in his ocean side abode, watch some
baseball or basketball on TV and maybe do a
little fishing with his father, Rocky. Jim's
favorite foods included Oreos, beer, a good
steak dinner and a hearty, spicy taco from his
favorite restaurant Casa Tacos.
"This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave a name
and message. I'll get back to you."
Jim fields his personal and business messages on
an
answering machine. The recorded message
proclaims "This is Jim Rockford. At the tone
leave a name and message. I'll get back to you."
Some classic messages left on the machine
included:
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“Jim, it‘s Nora at the Market. It bounced.
Do you want us to tear it up, send it back
or put it with the others." |
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"Jimmy, ol'
buddy-buddy--It's Angel. You know how they
allow you one phone call? Well, this is it.
Hello?, Hello? Hello? Hello?!" |
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"This is Marie at Liberty Bail Bonds. Your
client Todd Lehman skipped and his bail is
forfeit. That's the pink slip on your '79
Firebird, I believe. Sorry, Jim. Bring it on
over." |
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"This is Mrs. Mosely at the library. We
billed you for your overdue book Karate
Made Easy. We abuse our library, we
don't get our cards renewed." |
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"This is the Message Phone Company. I see
you're using our unit.
Now how
'bout paying for it!?" |
Continued on
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