Written By: Peter S. FischerDirected By: John Llewellyn Moxey
Dennis relates to Jessica his latest case, which involves nerdy ventriloquist Elwood Perkins, whose dummy, Billy Boy, has gone missing. Although Dennis locates the dummy, it is found near the body of Kate Kelley, co-owner of the comedy club where Perkins works, and, since he was seen leaving before the murder, becomes the prime suspect in her death. Determined to help him, Dennis investigates to smoke out the real culprit.
Tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: In 14 out of 264 episodes, JB is not the main detective. This is the eighth episode that Dennis Stanton operates as the main detective telling JB about the case.
- Inhibition-Destroying Puppet: The primary suspect is a nervous ventriloquist who finds it easier to let the dummy (the eponymous Billy Boy) do the talking. When Billy goes missing shortly before the murder, the only way he can explain the situation is by phoning Stanton as Billy.
- Ventriloquism: The main suspect is a cripplingly shy ventriloquist whose dummy does his talking for him, without making it a Demonic Dummy.
