"You got the wrong guy pal........"

So who exactly is Mr. Nightime?

Those who are deeply into Blade Runner as I am, know that there were several versions of the script that were written. One of the last, before shooting started contained something of a different scene where we are introduced to Deckard. Edward James Olmos, who plays another Blade Runner by the name of Gaff, has been sent to fetch Deckard back to police HQ to talk with Inspector Bryant, Deckard's former boss. (Deckard had quit as a Blade Runner some time beforehand.) Gaff encounters Deckard at a noodle bar in downtown LA, as this excerpt from the script shows:

    GAFF
                     (in Japanese)
              *** You will be required to
              accompany me, sir. ***

    Deckard doesn't understand Japanese, thinks the man
    wants a seat.

                            DECKARD
              Wait your turn, pal.

    Deckard turns back to his food.

                            GAFF
                     (in Japanese)
              *** If you do not comply with an
              official request, I will be
              obliged to exert my authority. ***

    Deckard is ignoring Gaff but the Counterman leans in
    Deckard's face and translates.

                            THE COUNTERMAN
              He say, you go with him.

    Deckard turns and finds Gaff waving a badge in his face.

                            GAFF
                     (in Japanese)
              *** To defy duly constituted
              authority is to flaunt the public
              good. ***

    Deckard doesn't understand a word.

                            THE COUNTERMAN
              He say, you're under arrest, Deckard.

    Deckard turns back to his food.

                            DECKARD
              Tell him he's got the wrong guy.
                     (turning to Gaff
                      loudly)
              You got the wrong guy, pal.

                            GAFF
                     (in Japanese)
              *** Wrong guy, my ass.  You're
              known as The Boogeyman in every
              mean joint in town. ***

                            THE COUNTERMAN
              He say, Boogeyman.

    Deckard flinches at the word "Boogeyman," but goes on
    eating.  But now we know, and he knows it's not a
    mistake.

                            GAFF
                     (in Japanese)
              *** You are a Blade Runner in the
              Four Sector and after the slaughter
              at the steel shop they called you
              Mister Nighttime. ***

                            THE COUNTERMAN
              He say, Brade Runner.  He say,
              Mister Nightime.

                            DECKARD
              Tell him I'm eating.

Now, what was actually shot in the movie is slightly different. Edward James Olmos, the great actor that he is, developed a language he called "Cityspeak," which is a mixture of Japanese, and Hungarian, with some other things thrown in.

Here is how the scene appeared in the movie:



"Slaughter at the steel shop...," Brings up a far too uncomfortable memory of an auto body shop slaughter I responded to back in the early 90's. It was a front for a drug running operation......They had one thing in common with replicants.....they were both illegal.......