Michael Caine's character asks George (Hoskins) to keep track of "little things," i.e. to "find out what she does." What did he mean by that? Was he implying that Simone (Cathy Tyson) charges more for sex acts than she lets on and is short changing her pimp?
shareI'm not sure, Ed -- but it's a good question. I was of the opinion, based on the way Caine puts forth the issue, that he was asking out of jealousy. Naturally a man in his position can acquire intimate moments with women under his charge with ease, but maybe she had been cagey about what specifically she was doing with "the arab".
I would guess this sort of non-disclosure would drive Caine's character batty (possibly for the reason you suggest).
He's a blackmailer.
shareI watched the film again a few weeks ago, and caught the scene where George asks Simone why Mortwell asked that question. She said "He wants to make friends and influence people," which was probably her sarcastic way of implying that he did want information for blackmail.
shareBlackmail was the game. Remember the scene at the end with Cathy, the old man and the double mirror. Michael Caine entered the room but didn't open the false door with the mirror.
shareI'm sure this has already been answered better than I can & I'm surprised you didn't cotton on. Mortwell (Caine) clearly has a sideline in blackmailing rich & probably important clients. Clients who not only indulge in sex with prostitutes, but far more perverse/sadistic acts, as evidenced when George (Hoskins) 'rescues' Cathy from Mortwell's mansion. I'm still not sure what the old guy was doing to her in front of the two-way mirror (there were needles, so I'm guessing heroin was involved). Obviously, finding some dirt on a rich Arab would be quite lucrative to him & so he asked George to find out what he & Simone got up to.
I used to have the Willem Dafoe living under my bed.