Max is assigned to protect Trinka Markoff, a foreign diplomat. However, CONTROL cutbacks force Max and 99 to become private eyes, as they now only work for CONTROL from eight until noon. As a private eye, Max begins to act like Bogart and 99 plays his secretary. They get hired by Mr. Sidney and Mr. Peter, two caricatures of Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. When a Mrs. Weatherley also tries to hire Max, it becomes apparant that the Maltese Falcon spoof has begun!

Bruce Bilson won an well-deserved Emmy for directing for this episode.

Buddy Hackett plays Wilbur, a nearly blind KAOS assassin.

Gordon Jump (Hobson & WKRP) plays a passenger in the cab with Max.