All language subtitles for (hdpopcorns.com) Born Yesterday (1950)

[Tires Screech]

Captain!

Eddie, where's my briefcase?
I got it here.

Well, hang on to it.

[Horn Honking]

All right, already.
Come on. Come on.

This way, Mr. Brock.

Sorry I missed your arrival,
Mr. Brock.

Welcome to
the Washington Statler.

I've been inspecting
your wing...
I ain't got a whole floor?

You've got an entire wing,
Mr. Brock.

When I say
I want a whole floor,
I don't want one wing.

I don't want two wings.
I want the whole bird.

Your private elevator.

Private, huh?
That's more like it.

Hello, Mr. Brock.
How are you?

Mr. Brock, Mr. Devery...
I thought you said
this was private.

What are you waitin' for?
Take off.

You'll be more
than satisfied.

This is the public corridor
and elevators.

No need to use them,
but you may if-

The west, east
and south suites,
all duplex.

Which one's mine?
The south suite.

Each one
a completely private
and separate apartment.

This is it.

Sleeping quarters upstairs.

Terrace overlooks
half of Washington.

I would like to point out...
It's all right.

I would like to point out
that this suite is one we...

That this suite
is usually reserved
for foreign diplomats.

Oh, I almost forgot.

We thought you
might like this.

Compliments
of the management.
Okay, don't bother me.

May I?

May I show you the rest
of the accommodations?

Hey, Billie!

What?

Not bad, huh?

- It's all right.
- "All right," she says.

- Do you know what
this place costs a day?
- 400. You told me.

Mrs. Brock seems delighted
with the arrangements.

It's not Mrs. Brock.
Oh?

There ain't no Mrs. Brock
except my mother,
and she's dead.

I see.
Now, look, don't get nosy.

Well, not at all.

She's a fiancée.
Mine, in fact.

Eddie, take care of him.

Pardon me, sir.

Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Brock.
Okay, don't bother me.

How's the monarch
of all he surveys?

You plastered again?
Still. Welcome to our city.

I told you I got a couple
of things that can't wait.

Hey, son, I got this ticket
to get fixed.
What's it about?

Some louse
just as we blew into town. Here.

Just because I'm a lawyer
does not mean I own the law.
What'd I do? What'd I do?

All right, I'll see
what I can manage.

What did we make out?
It may cost you a shade more
than we estimated.

How much more?
It's negligible.

Why more?
Supply and demand, Harry.

Crooks are becoming rare
in these parts.

Don't worry.
Don't worry? This stuff
ain't deductible, you know.

I'm not so sure.

Item:
One bribe, $80,000.

Eighty? You're very
handy with my dough,
you know it?

And you're gonna be interviewed.
Fella's coming up here
any minute.

Name's Paul Verrall.
He's a writer.

Freelance snoop, political stuff.
Think pieces.

I don't wanna talk
to no writers.
I gotta get shaved. Eddie!

You better talk
to this one.
Why?

This is one
of the few fellas in Washington
to look out for.

The thing to do is take him in.
Then he doesn't go poking.

What's so important?

What we're after here
is pretty important.

Listen, Harry,
to get by in this town
takes power. You got some.

Takes money.
You got plenty.

But above all, it takes
judgment and intelligence.

That's why you
pay me 100,000 a year.

What's all
the excitement?

Nothing. I'm just trying
to make it clear where I fit in.

Eddie, get me
a shave up here.

Right.

Harry.
What?

Barber shop.

Tell Billie to wear
something nice and plain
for the congressman.

He may bring his wife.
Tell her yourself.
You ain't pregnant.

This is Harry Brock's apartment.
Send up a barber and a manicure
right away.

Harry Brock.

That's right.
Okay, make it snappy.
And a shine!

And a shine.
Be right up.

Look, don't you worry
about Billie.

One thing,
she knows how to dress.

[Door Buzzes]
Probably Verrall.

Hello, Paul.
Hello, Jim.

Harry Brock,
Paul Verrall.

How do you do, sir?
How are ya?

Ain't I seen
you someplace
before lately?

I'll leave you gentlemen.
Come in.
What'll you drink?

Scotch, please,
if you've got it.
If I got it. Eddie!

I got everything.
Where do you think you are?

Where you been?
Stick around and get this man
a scotch and... soda?

Plain water.
Plain water.
Right.

Rye ginger ale for you?
Right.

He always knows
what I feel to drink.

Worked for me I don't know
how many years now.

Also he's my cousin.
He knows me insides out.
That's right.

Maybe I should be
interviewing Eddie.

That's pretty good.
Maybe you got something there.
Sit down. Sit down.

Well, what's it gonna be, pal,
a plug or a pan?

Why...
I know how to talk
if I know your angle.

No angle, just the facts.
Oh, a pan, huh?

Not exactly.
That's all right.
Write whatever you want.

Look, go on upstairs.
I wanna get shaved.

You can't hurt me.
You can't help me.
Nobody can.

I'm only talking here
'cause Jim Devery
asked me to.

I pay a guy 100 grand
a year for advice.

I'm a sucker if I don't
take it, right?
That's right.

Butt out, will ya?

Devery likes it
when I get wrote about.

Well, fella,
what do you wanna know?
How much money you got?

What?
How much money
you got?

How should I know?
What am I, an accountant?

You don't know?
Not exactly.

- Fifty million?
- To tell you the truth,
I don't know.

Ten million?
Maybe.

- One million?
- More!

- How much more?
- Plenty.

- Okay.
- And I made every nickel of it.

Nobody never give me nothing.
Nice work.

I can see right off
you're gonna give me
the business.

Oh, wait a minute...
That's all right.
I like it.

You got me all wrong.
Pan me. Tell 'em
I'm a roughneck.

Everybody gets scared.
For me, that's good.
Everybody scares easy.

Oh, not everybody.
Enough.

Look, you can't
hurt me.

All you can do
is build me up
or shut up.

Hey, Eddie.
Have a drink.
No, thanks, really.

Do what I'm tellin' you.
Who pays you around here?

When we're home,
he shaves me
every day.

I got my own barber chair.
Right?
That's right.

Go ahead, pal.
I thought you wanted
to interview me.

Where were you born?

Jersey. Plainfield,
New Jersey. 1907.

I went to work
when I was
12 years old.

I been workin'
ever since.

[Water Running]
My first job
was a paper route.

I bought another kid out
with a swift kick
in the keister.

And you've been workin'
ever since.
Yeah.

Tell you how I'm
top man in my racket.

Been in it
over 25 years.
Same racket.

Steel.
Junk.

Not steel, junk.
Oh.

Now, look,
don't butter me up.

I'm a junk man.
I ain't ashamed to admit it.
All right.

Let me give you
a little advice, sonny boy.

Never bull a bull artist.
I can sling it
with the best of 'em.

For 25 years, you say.
Yeah.

I tell ya, I'm a kid
with a paper route.

I got this little wagon.
Goin' home nights I go through
the alleys pickin' up junk.

I'm not the only one doing it.
The other kids
are doing it too.

The only difference is,
they keep it.
Not me. I sell it.

And the first thing you know,
I'm makin' seven, eight bucks
from junk...

and three bucks from papers.

Right off I can see
which is the right racket.

I'm just a kid,
but I can see that.

Pretty soon the guy
I'm sellin' to is handing me
anywhere from 15 to 20 a week.

Then he turns around
and offers me a job for 10.
Dumb jerk.

I'd be sellin' him his
own stuff back half the time,
and he never knew.

How do you mean?
Look, in the night,
I'm under the fence,

I drag it out, I load it up.

In the morning,
I go in the front way and collect.

12 years old you were.
Yeah, something like that.

So, pretty soon
you own the whole yard.
Right.

Now, this guy, the jerk,
he works for me now.
You know who else?

The kid
whose paper route I swiped.

I figure I owe him.
That's the way I am.

Pretty good years
for the junk business,
the last few.

I ain't kickin'.

Do you anticipate
any decline now?
Talk plain, pal.

Is it still going to be
good, do you think?
We'll make it good.

Who's we?
"We" is me, that's who.

Look, fancy talk
don't go with me.
[Knocking]

- [Eddie] Come on in.
- Good evening.

Well, I'll get
out of your way...
No, don't go. I like ya.

Stick around,
play your cards right,
I'll put you on the payroll.

Once over light
and no talk.
Just brush 'em up.

I get a manicure
every day.
[Woman] Yes, sir.

Over there someplace.

Okay, fella, go ahead.
Go ahead.

I've been wondering, uh,
what you're doing
in Washington.

What are you,
some wonder boy?

Not so tight.
Sorry, sir.

Sightseeing.
That's what I'm doing
in Washington.

Some talk
you may be around
for a long time,

that you've come to find out...
So far I've been nice to ya.
Don't pump me.

[Jim]
How's it going?

How are you getting on
with King Junk?

Great.
Found out he was born
in Plainfield, New Jersey.

He sure is a tough man to dig.
[Jim] I can't believe that.
He loves to talk. Oh, Billie.

This is my friend,
Paul Verrall.
Billie Dawn.

How do you do?

[Harry]
Wait a minute.
What's the matter?

Where do you think
you're going with that?
To my place.

- Put it back.
- I just wanted to...

I know what you wanted.
Put it back.
Why can't I just...

We got somebody comin',
somebody important.

I don't want you
around here stinkin'!
Well, can't I just...

Go to your room
and change your clothes
and don't give me no trouble!

Do what I'm tellin' ya!

[Sets Bottle Down]

Barber,
what'll you take
to cut his throat?

Ooh! Ooh!
Some kind of jokes
I don't like, Jim.

Don't get excited.
Don't tell me
what to do.

Just a joke, Harry.

That's all.
I'm not quite finished.

I said beat it.
You too.
Eddie, take care of 'em.

I'll be going too.
No, don't go.
Stick around.

You're the only friend
I got left around here.

Well, I live
just around the corner.

If anyone starts beating you,
just lean out the window
and scream. I'll come running.

Bye, Jim. Thanks.
Good-bye.

I need Billie's signature
on a few things.
Sure.

Billie!

You sore?

Not sore, Harry.

You look funny.
I know.

Don't you feel good?
You want an aspirin?

No, no, I'm fine.

In fact, considering
I've been dead for 16 years,

I'm in remarkable health.

Billie!

What?

Billie!

What?
Come over here
right away!

Hey, would you please
fix this safety catch?

He's sure got
good lungs.
Yeah.

Thanks.
There's a shortcut
through the service.

This way.
Oh.

That's the door
down there, honey.
Thanks, honey.

Sometime I don't
understand you at all.

Sometime?

What do you want?
Jim.

A few things
I want you
to sign, honey.

That's all I do
around here is sign.

Too bad about you.

What time's he comin',
this congressman guy?
Any time now.

I'd better get fixed up, huh?
She look all right to you?

Look who's talkin'.
You tell me
if something's wrong.

I don't wanna start off
on no left foot.

Well, what got into him?

Nothing. Just wants
to make a good impression.

So let him.

Two places
on this one, please.

What happened
to all that stuff
I signed last week?

All used up.

I bet I must've signed
about a million of these.

What you get
for being a multiple
corporate officer.

I am?
What do you know?

You've come a long way
from the chorus,
all right.

I wasn't only in the chorus.
I spoke lines.

Really?
Of course.

How many?

How many what?
Lines did you speak.

Five.

I never knew that.
Ask anybody.

I believe you.

I could've been
a star probably
if I'd have stuck to it.

Why didn't you?
Well, Harry didn't want me
bein' in the show.

He didn't want to share me
with the general public.

I see.
[Sighs]

He's changed, Harry.
Don't you think so?

How?
I don't know. He used
to be, like, more satisfied.

Now he's always
runnin' around like this.

And what did
he have to come
to Washington, D.C. for?

Long story.
Well, don't tell it to me.

I don't care where we go.
I just wish he'd settle down.

He's ambitious.
I know.

He talks all the time now.
He never used to.

Now he's got me up
half the night tellin' me
what a big man he is,

how he's gonna be bigger,
run everything.

He may at that.
And personally, I don't care
one way or the other.

Take it easy.
Look, now,
don't you start.

Better if you drink later,
after they're gone.

Who, this congressman guy?
And Mrs. Hedges.

Harry tells me
this fella works for him.
In a way.

So what he's
puttin' it on for?
[Door Buzzes]

Now, all you have
to do is be nice.
And no rough language.

I won't open my mush.
I didn't mean that.

I don't have to be
down here at all.

I could go back
to my place.

In fact, I think I will.

I'm telling you, Billie,
Harry wouldn't like it.
Oh, all right, all right.

[Door Buzzes]

How are you,
Norval?
Can't complain.

Haven't seen you
in a long time, Anna.
No, you haven't.

Come on in. Congressman,
you ought to remember
this little lady,

a great first-nighter
like you.

She used to be
Billie Dawn.
Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

Billie, this is
Mr. Norval Hedges...

I've told you
so much about.

How do you do?
How do you do?

And this is
Mrs. Hedges, Billie.
Glad to meet you.

Glad to meet ya.

Well, it's
a lovely evening.

How about the terrace?
Oh, that would be nice.

What about a drink?
Love one.

Sounds all right to me.
Scotch?

It'd be fine.
Scotch all around, Eddie.

Right.

He's awfully tired.
You've been standing over
a hot resolution all day?

Just about.

How do you like Washington,
Mrs. Brock?

I haven't seen it yet.

You mean to say
this is the very first time
you've been here?

That's what I mean.
I never went
on the road.

Well, we must
show you around.
Beautiful city.

Too bad the Supreme Court
isn't in session.
You'd love that.

What is it?

[Chuckling]

Lots of people
would like to know
the answer to that one, Billie.

Hello, everybody.
Here we are.
Mr. Hedges, Harry Brock.

It's about time
us two got together.
About time.

And I suppose
this is Mrs. Hedges.
That's right.

Well, I'm happy to make
your acquaintance.
Thank you so much.

Sit down.
Congressman.

Have a good trip down?
Oh, sure.

I come down in my car.
Stopped off in Baltimore.
I got a yard there, you know.

Junkyard.
Second one I picked up.

Before that,
I only had one yard.
How many do you have now?

I couldn't answer
that one, baby...

Excuse me.
Oh, that's all right.

I don't know why
I like this little Baltimore outfit.

I kinda get a feeling from it.
You know what I mean?

Sentimental.
That's it. I'm sentimental,
like you say.

Well, I think we're
all a bit sentimental.
[Harry] Yeah.

Well, it's a free country.

Do you play bridge,
Mrs. Brock?

No. Only gin.

I beg your pardon?
Gin rummy.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, I was going
to ask you to join us,
a few of the girls.

We meet now and then.
Well, I don't play bridge.

You could learn
if you wanted.
I don't think so.

Sure, you could.

She couldn't play gin
till I learned her.

Now she beats
my brains out.
[Laughs]

How are you fixed
for time tomorrow, Norval?

I wanted to bring Harry over.
on a few things.

10:00 all right?
That's pretty early for me.

[Chuckles]
I'll say.

11:00?
Okay.

I can drop by here,
if that's all right.

Sure.
It's right on your way.

We can discuss the entire
operation at that time
and get a head start.

You wanna wash
your hands
or anything, honey?

I, uh, hope you're free
Friday night.

Doing a little dinner.
A few people
I want Harry to meet.

And who'd want
to meet him, I'm sure.

I want to thank you,
Mr. Brock, for everything.

Call me Harry,
will ya, Congressman?

I haven't written you
about it, Harry, because...
Well, you understand.

Look, Congressman,
you know what I'm interested in.

Scrap iron. I wanna buy it.
I wanna move it. I wanna sell it.

I don't wanna get stuck
on account of no falling prices.

I have a copy for you
of the preliminary...
Give it to me fast.

I didn't come down here
to do a lot of paperwork.
♪♪ [Jazz]

The way I work is like this:
It's every man for himself.
♪♪ [Humming Along]

Like dog-eat-dog,
Like you gotta get the other guy
before he gets you.

[Snapping Fingers]
I got in mind an operatin'
combo all over the world.

There's enough in it
for everybody,
if they're in, that is.

Up till now, I'm just doing fine.

Everybody's lined up,
and everybody
understands everybody.

♪♪ [Stops]
I wanna get movin', see?

I'm sure you understand, Harry,
in legislation of this kind...

[Harry]
Listen, that, to me,
is just a lot of hot air.

I ain't talkin' about peanuts.

[Jim]
...this jam the committee's
gotten itself into.

Give them enough rope.
I've said so...

The trouble
with these professional
do-gooders is...

♪♪ [Jazz]
They never seem to know
when to stop.

♪♪ [Humming Along]
I've said that...

[Harry]
There's a way
to get this thing done,

and it's up to you and Jim
to find out how.

Yes, the Hedges-Keller Amendment,
for example, guarantees
government support...

♪♪ [Stops]
of scrap iron price levels,
foreign or domestic.

We're doing everything we can
to get it through quickly.
See that you do.

That's why I'm here...
to see that I get
what I paid for.

Uh, how do things look
to you, Norval?

Generally?
Yes, generally.

I said to Sam only last week,

this country will soon
have to decide...

if the people are going
to run the government...

or the government
is going to run the people.

That's good, sound
thinking, Norval.

Thank you.

Worthy of Holmes.
Great man, Holmes.

My personal god.
Who?

Oliver Wendell Holmes.
A wonderful man.

He gonna be here
Friday night?

I don't think so.
Too bad.

Well, we mustn't keep you.
No, we mustn't.

Good night, Mrs. Brock.
Good night.

Good night, Norval.
Good night, Jim.

See you tomorrow at 11:00.
That's right.

Good night, Anna.
It's been so nice.

Good night,
and thank you so much.
For what?

Wait till I'm down here a while.
I'll give you something
to thank me for.

[Chattering]
Good night, all.

♪♪ [Jazz]

Drips.
What?

I said they're drips.
Who are you to say?

Myself, that's who.
Well, nobody asked you.
Shut up.

Pardon me for living.

Get lost.
Not yet.

Get lost, I told ya!

She's gonna be in the way,
that dame.

What are you going
to do about it?
I feel like I give her the brush.

Pretty complicated.
Yeah, I know.

She owns more of you
than you do on paper.

She's gonna louse me up
all the way down the line.
Dumb broad.

You may be right.

Listen, Harry.
Send her home.

No.
Why not?

I'm nuts about her.

Can't have your cake
and eat it.
What?

Just a saying.
That don't make
any sense.

All right.

What's cakes
got to do with it?

Nothing, Harry.

Must be a way
we can smarten her up
a little, ain't there?

I suppose so.
Some kind of school
we can send her to, maybe?

I doubt that.
Then what?

Well, we might be able
to find someone who could
smooth the rough edges off.

How?
Let me think about it.

♪♪ [Stops]
And there's something
I'd like you to think about.

What?
About marrying her
right away.

What's so important
I should get married
all of a sudden?

If you ever got dragged into court,
a wife couldn't testify
against her husband.

Anyway, you've been engaged
for seven years.

I've never understood
why you waited this long.
I didn't want to be rushed.

Look this way,
I give her somethin',
I'm a swell fella.

We get married,
she's got it comin' she thinks.

Billie's not like that.
A broad's a broad.

A time may come,
you'll be sorry.
I'll let you know.

If I do or don't,
we still gotta do
somethin' about her.

Every time
she opened her kisser tonight,
somethin' wrong come out.

Couldn't you talk with her?
It'd take more than a talk.

Then what?
It's not easy
to make a person over.

Maybe impossible.
Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

Th-Th-That interview guy.
What's his name again?
There's a pretty smart cookie.

Verrall. Paul Verrall.
He knows this town,
knows the angles.

He's very classy
with that bowing.

He could do it,
but he won't.
Why not?

He's not...
I'll pay him
whatever he wants.

I don't think so.
I'll make you a bet.
What's his number?

Harry, I'm not sure...
I like it!
What's his number?

Come on, come on, come on.

You ate already, huh?
Yeah.

You want a piece of pie
or something?
No, thanks.

Sit down.
How about a drink?
No, thanks.

Okay, pal,
I wanna ask you something.

Sure.

How much
you make a week?

How should I know?
What am I, an accountant?
I love this guy.

What's your name again?
Verrall.

No, I mean
your regular name.
Paul.

Paul, I'll give you the layout.
I got a friend, a good kid...

Oh, maybe you
seen her around. Billie?
Oh, yes.

She's a good kid,
but to tell you the truth,
but she's a little on the stupid side.

It's not her fault.
I got her out of the chorus.

For the chorus,
she was smart enough,

but I'm afraid
she's gonna be unhappy
around this town.

Never been around such people.
You know what I mean?
No, I don't.

I figure a guy like you
could help her out. Me too.
How?

Show her the ropes, sort of.
Kind of explain things to her.

In your spare time.
What do you say?

No, I don't think
I could handle it, Mr. Brock.

Mean an awful lot to me.

I'll give you
200 bucks a week.

All right, I'll do it.
I'm tellin' you,
I love this guy.

When do I start?
Right now.
Why not right now?

Fine.
Come with me,
and I'll introduce you.

And you can take it
from there.

Billie!
What?

Come down here a minute.
Come on in.

She's a nice kid.
You're gonna like her.

I'm gettin' dressed.
It's all right.
He's a friend of the family.

Come on,
I'm tellin' ya!

Honey, this is
Paul Verrall.
Yes, I know.

He wants
to talk to you.
What about?

You'll find out.
Look, Jim and I got
some work to work on.

I'm gonna have
to leave you two.

Uh, your, uh, friend,
Mr. Brock, has an idea.

He'd like us to spend
a little time together.

You and me, that is.

You don't say.
Yes.

What are you,
some kind of gigolo?
Not exactly.

Well, what's the idea?

Well, it's
nothing special.

Uh, he'd just like me
to put you wise
to a few things,

uh, show you the ropes,
answer any questions.

I got no questions.
Well, I'll give you some.

Thanks.

You know, it might be fun
for you in a way.

There's a lot
to see down here.

I'd be glad
to show you around.

You know the Supreme Court?
Yes.

I'd like to take that in.
Fine.

We're on then, huh?
How you mean?

Uh, the arrangement.
I don't mind.
Got nothing much to do.

Good.
What's he payin' you?

Uh, 200 a week.
Sucker.
You could've got more.

He's got plenty.
Oh, I'd have done it
for free.

Hoo-hoo.
I would.

Why?
This isn't work.
I like it.

He thinks
I'm too stupid, huh?
Uh, no.

He's right.
I'm stupid, and I like it.

You do?

Sure. I'm happy.
I got everything I want.
Two mink coats, everything.

There's somethin' I want,
I ask.

If he don't act friendly,

[Sighs]
I don't act friendly.

Uh-huh.

So, as long as I know
how to get what I want,
that's all I wanna know.

As long as you know
what you want.
Sure.

What?
As long as you know
what you want.

Are you tryin'
to mix me up?
Well, no.

Well, I'll tell you
what I would like.
Yes.

I'd like to learn
how to talk good.
All right.

Is it hard to learn?
I don't think so.

What do I have to do?

Well, I might give you
a few books to start with.

And then every now and then,
I'll correct you
if you don't mind.

Go ahead.
Well, that is,
when I know.

I... I don't talk
so good myself.

You'll do.
Good.

I never say "ain't."
Did you notice that?
Never.

Oh, I do.
I'll correct you then.

Do that.
Since I was very small,
I never say it.

We had this teacher.
She used to slug you
if you did it.

Did what?
Said "ain't."

Oh.
So I got out
of the habit.

You think it was worth
the slugging?
Oh, not hard.

It's the principle of the thing.
There's too much slugging.
I don't believe in it.

All right,
I don't believe in it either.
Good.

I learn pretty fast, don't I?
You're great, Miss Dawn.

Billie.
Billie. Sort of
an odd name, isn't it?

What are you talkin'?
Half the kids I know
are named it.

Anyway,
it isn't my real name.
Oh? What is?

Holy cats. Emma.
Well, what's the matter?

Well, do I look to you
like an Emma?

No. You don't look
like a Billie either.

So what do I look like?

To me?
Yeah, you.

You look like
a lovely girl.

Oh.

Let me ask you.

[Clears Throat]
Are you one
of these talkers...

or would you be interested
in a little action?

What?

I got a yen for you
right off.

Well, do you
get many?

Now and then.
What do you do
about 'em?

Stick around,
you'll find out.

All right, I will.
And if you want a tip,
I'll tell you.

Sweet-talk me. I like it.
Like that "lovely girl" line.

Don't worry about him.
He don't see a thing.

He's too dizzy
from bein' a big man.

Well, this is gonna be
a little different
than I thought.

Do you mind?
No.

It's only fair.
We'll educate each other.
Yeah.

Uh, about those books...
Yes.

I'll look
around my place.

If there's
anything interesting,
I'll drop it back later.

All right.

You can drop it by
even if it's not
so interesting.

[Harry]
Hey!

You two gonna
get together?

Uh, I-I think
we're all set.

Great. Great.
Appreciate it.

So do I.

Well, I guess...
I guess I'll be going.

So long, kid!

So long, kid.

Gin!

Forty-one.

Forty-one?
Forty-one!

If you pay attention,
that Verrall guy
can do you some good.

All right.

You're in the big league now,
and I want you
should watch your step.

All right.

You gotta learn to fit in.

Can't have you around
if you don't,
and that's no bull.

Have to be careful
of what you do
and what you say.

Three!

Twenty-eight.

Twenty-eight?
Twenty-eight!

[Shuffling Cards]

You could use
a little education yourself,
if you ask me.

Who asked ya?
Nobody.

So shut up!

Sss.

Can't I talk?
Go on.
Play your cards.

It's a free country.

That's what you think.

♪ Da da da da da
doo doo doo doo ♪

♪ Doo-doo-doo
doo-doo, baby ♪

♪ Doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo ♪

♪ Doo doo ♪

♪ Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta,
da da da ♪

♪ Da da da, ba-boom ♪

♪ Da da da
ba-boom-boom ♪

♪ Da da da
ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta ♪

♪ Da da da, da da da ♪

♪ Da da da
da da da da... ♪

Do you mind?

Gin.

Thirty-four.

Thirty-four?
Thirty-four!

Schneider!
Where do you get
that Schnei...

$55.60.

All right, that's enough.

Pay me now.
What's the matter?
Don't you trust me?

Sore loser!

Shut up!

$55.60.

Thanks.

You gonna play like that
all night?

What?

Hurt your eyes.

♪ Gee, I like to see you
lookin' swell ♪

♪ Da da da da da, baby ♪
[Door Slams]

♪ Diamond bracelets
Woolworth doesn't sell ♪♪

[Door Buzzes]

Hello.
Hello.

I, uh, tried your suite.
No answer.

[Chuckling]
Yeah, I know.
I'm not in.

Morning papers.
Oh.

You could've saved
yourself the trouble.
I don't read papers.

Never?
Once in a while
the back part, the funnies.

Oh, I think you should.
The front part,
the not-so-funnies.

Why?
Well, because
it's interesting.

Not to me.
Well, how do you know
if you never read it?

Look, if you're gonna
turn out to be a pest,

we can call
the whole thing off
right now.

Sorry.
Oh. Well, I look
at the paper sometimes.

But I just never
understand it,
so what's the sense?

I tell you what you do.

You look through these,
and anything
you don't understand,

why, just make
a circle around it.

Then tomorrow I'll explain
whatever I can.

All right?
All right.

And I thought
you might like these.

Well, I'll try.

Look, just start reading.
If you don't like it, stop.
Start something else.

Oh, there's only one thing:
My eyesight isn't so hot.

Well, why don't
you wear glasses?
Glasses?

Sure. Why not?
'Cause they're terrible.

Of course they're not
so bad on men.

Good night, Billie.
Good night.

Hello!

Miss Dawn around?

Have you seen
Miss Dawn?
In her room.

Hello!
[Billie]
Yeah!

Ready to start.
Come on up!

Hello.

Been reading, huh?
That's good.

Yeah.

Sit down.
Thanks.

Uh, did you have
your breakfast yet?

And lunch.
Oh.

There's
a few things here.

Which?

Read it out.

You want me to read?

Billie, I...
I feel that things
are complicated enough...

without
complicating them further.

I oughta take this pencil
and make a circle
around you.

Now, here are a few
of the places you oughta see.
A few?

Let's start
with the Capitol.

I'll tell you all I know
about it first,

and then we'll join
one of the tours.

Senate's in session today.
We might be able
to take that in.

But first let's go
to the rotunda.
It's famous for...

Come on. You'll
find it interesting.
I'm comin'.

[Chattering]

[Woman]
...starting with
the landing of the Pilgrims...

[Woman #2]
...of the spirit
of George Washington.

Washington is the figure
with the purple robe
across his lap.

The figures around him
represent liberty
and victory...

and the 13 original states.

Brumidi did most of that work
while lying on his back...

on a scaffold
built from the floor
to the dome,

a distance of 180 feet
and three inches.

Now, if you
will follow me...

How could anybody paint
upside down like that?

Hey, give me
one of those.

Hello.
How are ya?

Woo-oo-oo-oo!

Hello.
Come here. I wanna
show you something.

There's the Constitution.

The Declaration
of Independence.

And come here.

And the Bill of Rights.

Know how old
these Rights are?
Oh, about 160 years.

Who told you?

What else do you know
about them?
What else?

What else?

Well, for instance,
this whole country
is practically founded...

on these three pieces
of paper.

This whole country?

"The right of the people
to keep and bear arms...

shall not be 'infrin'."

Infringed.

It's a good thing
they got this
covered with glass.

I'd be makin' circles
all over it.

How about some ice cream?

Anything but tutti-frutti!

How is chocolate?
Fine.

I think
I like you better
with them on.

What?
Your glasses.

Thanks.
You know, chocolate's
the most popular.

I read that.

You know, it's
interesting how many
interesting things...

a person could learn
if they read.

I don't suppose
you got a chance
to read my piece.

What are you talkin'?
Of course I read it.
Twice.

What did you think?

I think
it's the best thing
I ever read.

I didn't understand
one word.

What didn't
you understand?
None of it.

Here. Show me what.

[Chuckling]

What's so funny?
That I'm blind,
practically?

Practically blind.

Practically blind?
You're wonderful.

I'm sorry I look
funny to you.

Don't be. They make you
look lovelier than ever.

You sound like
one of those ads
for eyeglasses.

Now, what didn't
you understand?

Well, like the name of it.

"The Yellowing
Democratic Manifesto."

Simple.
To who?

Whom? Who?

Anyway, not to me.

Well, you know
what "yellowing" means.
Not this time.

Well, when a piece
of paper gets old,
what happens to it?

Throw it away?
No. It turns yellow.

It does?
Of course.

What do you know?
Now, "democratic."
You know what that means?

Not Republican.

Well, not exactly.
It means...

Well, it just means pertaining
to our form of government,
which is a democracy.

Oh.

What's "pertaining"?

Has to do with.

"Pertaining."
Nice word.

All right.
"Manifesto."
I don't know.

Why didn't you look it up?
I did look it up.
I still don't know.

Well, look,
when I say "manifesto,"

I mean a set of rules
and principles
and ideals and hopes...

on which the United States
is based.

The ideas of those men
who wrote that Constitution
up there.

So you think
it's turning yellow?
Yes.

I think a lot
of the original inspiration has
been neglected and forgotten.

And that's bad.
And that's bad.

[Clears Throat]

"Even a... cursory...
Cursory.

examination
of contemporary...

society in terms
of the Greek...

philosophy,
which defines the whole...

as a representation
of its parts...

sends one immediately
to the consideration...

of the individual
as a citizen...

and the citizen
as an individual."

Well?

I looked up
every word.

Listen.

Thousands of years ago,
a Greek philosopher said...

that the world
could only be as good
as the people who lived in it.

Makes sense.

So I said,
you take one look
at America today...

and you figure you'd better
take a look at the people in it,
one by one, sort of.

Yeah.
That's all.

That's this?
Sure.

Well, why didn't
you say so?

♪♪ [Classical]

What's the name
of this number,
did you say?

Beethoven's Second Symphony,
Opus 36.

I didn't ask you
who made it up.

I just asked you
what's the name of it.

[Chattering]

Here.
Wait a minute.
Huh?

There.
Thanks.

[Sighs]
I can't get over it.
Music that bad?

The music?
No, it was swell.

Well, then what?

I got a letter today
from my father.

New York?
Yeah.

I can't get over it.
Why?

Well, it's the first time
he ever wrote me
in about eight years.

We had a fight, sort of.

He didn't want me
to go with Harry.

What does he do?

My father?
Yeah.

Gas company.
He used to read meters.

But in this letter,
it says how he can't
get around so good anymore,

so they gave him
a different job,
elevator man.

He's a goofy old guy.

He used to take
a little frying pan
and a can of Sterno...

to work every morning
and cook his own lunch.

He said everybody
should have a hot lunch.

I swear, I don't know
how he did it.

There were four of us...
me and my three brothers.

He had to do everything.

My mother died.
I never knew her.

He used to feed us
and give us our baths
and buy our clothes.

Everything.

That's why all my life,
I used to think...

how someday I'd like
to pay him back.

It's funny
how it worked out.

One night
I brought home $100
and gave it to him.

You know what he did?

Well, it sure didn't
do the plumbing no good.

I thought he was gonna
hit me sure,
but he didn't.

His whole life
he never hit me once.

How'd he happen to write you?
I mean, after all this time?

Oh, 'cause I wrote him.
Oh?

He says he's thought
about me every day.

Oh, gosh.

I haven't thought
about him maybe but once,
even in five years.

Oh, that's nothing
against him.

I haven't thought
of anything.

Be nice to see him, maybe.

I guess so.

He says I should
write him again...

and I should have
a hot lunch every day...

and I should
let him know how I am.

But he doesn't want
to see me...

if I'm still living
in any way unethical.

I looked it up.

He always used to say,
"Never do nothin' you
wouldn't want printed...

on the front page
of the New York Times."

Hey, I just realized...

I practically told you
the whole story of my life
by now, practically.

I enjoyed it very much.

How about the story
of your life?

Oh, no. Much too long.

And mostly untrue.

Hey, this is
even more gorgeous...

than the Radio City
Music Hall, even.

And you notice,
it smells nice.

It does.

Come on. Sit down.
No.

You're tired.

I'm not a bit tired.

[Sighs]

See?

You know that little thing
you gave me
about Napoleon?

No. What?
By Robert G. Ingersoll.

Oh, yes.
Well, I'm not sure
I get that.

Well, there's
no deep meaning there.
There must be.

He says about
how he goes and looks
in Napoleon's tomb...

Yeah?
And he thinks of Napoleon's
whole sad life.

Yeah.
And then in the end,

he says he himself
would've rather been
a happy farmer.

"And I said...

I said I would rather
have been a French peasant
and worn wooden shoes.

I would rather
have lived in a hut...

with a vine
growing over the door...

and the grapes
growing purple...

in the kisses
of the autumn sun.

I would rather have been
that poor peasant...

with my loving wife
by my side...

knitting as the day
died out of the sky,

with my children
upon my knee
and their arms about me.

I would rather have been
that man...

and gone down
to the tongueless silence
of the dreamless dust...

than to have been
that imperial impersonation
of force and murder...

known as Napoleon the Great."

How do you remember
all that stuff?

[Sighs]

[Chuckles]
So he'd rather been
a happy peasant than Napoleon.

So who wouldn't?
So Harry wouldn't,
for one.

What makes you think that?
Ask him.

He probably never heard
of Napoleon.

What's worse, he probably
never heard of a peasant.

Do you hate him
like poison?
Who, Harry?

Yeah.
No.

You don't like him.
No.

On account
of me and him?
One reason.

There are lots more.
What?

Think about it, Billie.
You'll see Harry's a menace.

Oh, he's not so bad.
I seen worse.

Has he ever thought
of anyone but himself?

Who does?
Millions of people, Billie.

The whole history
of the world is a story...

of the struggle
between the selfish
and the unselfish.

I can hear you.
All that's bad around us
is bred by selfishness.

Sometimes selfishness
can even get to be a cause,

an organized force,
even a government.

And then it's called fascism.

Can you understand that?
Sort of.

Well, think about it.

You're crazy about me,
aren't ya?

Yes.
That's why you get
so mad at Harry.

Listen, I hate his life,
what he does,
what he stands for, not him.

He just doesn't know
any better.

I go for you too.

I'm glad of it.

Ooh!

"I have sworn upon
the altar of God...

eternal hostility
against every form
of tyranny...

over the mind of man."

So that's
Thomas Jefferson, huh?
Uh-huh.

You know, I heard
quite a bit about him.

I mean, even before
I hit town, even.

♪♪ [Opera]
[Knocking]

Come in.

What are you trying
to do with those books,
hatch 'em?

[Groans]

Blue?

Nice, huh?

"Beethoven, Op. 36."

What's up, Billie?

It's all on account of you
I started doin' all this.

I guess you know.
No, I didn't.

A lot of good it did me.

I never had this kind
of trouble before, I can tell you.

- Trouble?
- Sure.

After that first night
when I met ya,

I figured everything
was gonna work out dandy.

Then when you wouldn't...
step across the line,

I figured maybe the way
to you is through your head.

Well, no.

Well, anyway,
what's the diff now?

Difference.
But I like ya, anyway.

It's too late
for the rest.
Why?

Why?
Oh, look, Paul.

There's a certain time
between a fella and a girl
when it either comes off or not.

If it doesn't then,
then it never does.

Maybe we haven't got
to our time yet.

I think we did,
and you dropped the ball.

Don't be so sure.

I never thought
I'd go through a thing
like this for anybody.

Like what?
Like gettin' all mixed up
in my head...

like wondering
and worrying and thinking,
stuff like that.

Last night, I went to bed.
I started to think.

I couldn't fall asleep
for 10 minutes.

I never know if
it's good to find out
so much so quick.

Nobody's born smart,
Billie.

You know what the stupidest
thing on Earth is?
An infant!

What do ya got against
babies all of the sudden?
Nothing.

I got nothing against a brain
that's three weeks old
and empty.

But after it hangs around
for 30 years and hasn't
absorbed anything,

I begin to wonder about it.
What makes you think
I'm 30?

I didn't mean you.
Oh, yes, you did!

I swear it.
You certainly know how
to get me sore!

I'm sorry.
Thirty! Do I look
30 to you?

No.
I don't know.
Then why'd you say it for?

How old are you?
Twenty-nine.

Don't stop it.
I meant, don't stop studying.

[Groans]
Will ya?

I don't know why it's
so important to you.

It's sort of a cause.
I want everybody
to be smart.

I want 'em to be as smart
as they can be.

A world full of ignorant people
is too dangerous to live in.

I know.
That's why I wish
I was doin' better.

You're doing
wonderfully.
It's no use.

Most people would just
laugh at me if they knew
what I was trying to do.

I'm not laughing.
I am.

I started laughing
at myself.

♪♪ [Stops]
[Chuckles]
Who do I think I am anyway?

♪♪ [Jazz]

♪♪ [Stops]

Once in a while, just for a change.
Don't try so hard,
Billie, please!

You miss the whole point.
I like to like
what's better to like.

There's room for
all sorts of things
in you.

The idea of learning
is to be bigger,
not smaller.

You think I'm
gettin' bigger?
Yes.

Glad to hear it.

But all them books?
It's not only
books, Billie.

I told you
a hundred times.
It's mostly.

It is not.
Now look,
who said this:

"The proper study
of mankind is man."

I don't know.
You should.

Why?
I told you.

I forgot.
Pope.

The pope?
Not the pope.

Alexander Pope.

"The proper study"...
"Of mankind is man."

"Of mankind is man."

'Course,
that means women too.
Yes.

Yes, I know.

I've been doin' some studyin'
of a different mankind lately,

like the ones you told me...
Thomas Jefferson last week...

and this week, Tom Paine.

And all by myself,
I got to thinkin' about Harry.

He works so hard to get
what he wants, for instance.

But he doesn't know
what he wants.

More of what he's got,
probably.

Money.
Money, more people
to push around, more money.

Oh, he's not so bad
as you think he is.

Hello.

Hello, Harry.
We were just
talking about you.

Yeah? That ain't
what I pay you for.

She knows enough
about me already.
Too much, in fact.

Jim phone?
No.

I had a date with him.

What'd you find out
about Tom Paine?
Oh, he was quite a fella.

Where was he born?
Do you remember?
London, or England.

Someplace like that.
What do you mean,
"London or England"?

That's the same thing.
It is?

London is in England.
London's a city.
England's a whole country.

I forgot.
Oh, brother,
you've got patience.

Take it easy.
How can anybody get
to be so dumb?

Well, we can't all know
everything, Harry.

Who's Tom Paine,
for instance?

What?
You heard me,
Tom Paine.

What do I care
who he is?
I know.

So what. If I wanted
to know who he is, I'd know.
I just don't care.

Go on, go on.
Don't let me butt in.

Which of his books
did you like best?

Oh, well,
I didn't read by him yet,
only about him.

But I made a list.
Who is Rabbit Maranville?

Who?
Rabbit Maranville.

I don't know any Rabbits!
Think you're so smart, huh?

He used to play shortstop
for the Braves, didn't he?

What are you,
some kind of genius
or something?

No.
I hire and fire
geniuses every day.

I'm sure you do.
Where's the list?
Here.

Well, suppose you start
with The Age of Reason.

The Age of Reason?
Mm-hmm.
Then next...

Who's Willie Hoppe?
National billiard champion.

And it's pronounced
"hoppy."
That's what I said.

But I didn't ask you,
I asked her.
Sorry.

Where were we?
The Age of Reason.

Yes.
Next, The Rights of Man.

The Rights of Man.
I think that'll...

What's a peninsula?
Shh!

Don't give me that "shh."
You think you're so smart.

What's a peninsula?
Not you, her.
It's a...

It's that new medicine.

It is not.

What then?

It's a body of land surrounded
on three sides by water.

[Sighs]
So, what's that to know?

So, what's that
"Sam Paine" to know?

There's some difference
between...
Tom Paine, not "Sam Paine."

Tom Paine practically
started this whole country.

You mean he's dead?
Of course.

What are you learnin' her
about dead people for?

All I want you to do is
to teach her how
to act with live people.

Well, education is a difficult
thing to control, Harry.

One thing leads to...
Work on her, not me.

No extra charge.
I don't need nothin'
you can tell me.

Oh, I'm sure we could tell
each other some very
interesting things, Harry.

What's the idea
of that mean?
Just trying to be friendly.

Who asked you?

You know,
the more I see of you,
I don't like you as much.

For a chump
who got no place,
you're awful fresh.

Now, you better watch out.
I got my eye on you.

All right.
We'll both watch out.

If I wanted, I could
knock your block off,
if I wanted.

Yes, I know.
All right, just do what you're
supposed to do, and that's all.

Well, we'll stop for now.
No, go on, go on.

I wanna see how you do it.
Not just now,
if you don't mind.

I've gotta go and lie down.
You don't realize
how hard I work.

Ha, ha.
Some joke.

Two hundred bucks a week,
and I can't even watch.

Take you on separately,
Harry. Glad to.

Got a special course
for backward millionaires.

"London or England."

Why don't you give up.

Harry?
What?

What's this business
we're in down here?
Could you tell me?

What do you mean, "we"?

Oh, I figure
I'm a sort of partner,
in a way.

A silent partner.
So?

So shut up!

I got a right to know.
You got a right to
keep out of my hair too.

Put your nose in the book
and keep it there!

I don't wanna do anything
if it's against the law.

That's one sure thing.
You'll do
what I tell ya!

I think I know what it is,
only I'm not sure.

What's the matter with you?
You're doin' all right,
ain't ya?

Somethin' you want
you ain't got, maybe?

Yeah.
What?

I wanna be like
the happy peasant.

All right, I'll buy it for you.
Now, will you quit crabbin'!
[Door Opening]

Well, I finished finally.

Thanks loads
for the loan of it.
How'd you like it, Helen?

Uh, not me.
I don't go for these stories...

where everyone has a big beef
against the world.

Me, I like to look
on the cheerful side.

Yeah, well you see
of course the point...

All right! All right!
Can the coffee klatch!

You, knock off!
Sorry, Mr. Brock.

You don't have to get
so pally with everybody.

Paul says it's all right.
Never mind, Paul says.
I don't like it.

You know what you are?
What?

Antisocial!
You can say that again.

Hello.
Where do you guys
think you've been?

You know what time it is?
Sorry.

You're always sorry.
My fault.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

- How are ya, Billie?
- Superb. A new word.

All right! All right!
What happened!
It's just this, Harry.

It may take
a little more time.
And a little more money.

- Yeah. Why more?
- Well, the amendment
has to be redrafted.

[Door Closes]

Listen, I don't like you.
You make me feel like
some kind of sucker.

I'm sure Norval
is doing his best.
His best ain't good enough.

Don't be unreasonable, Harry.
There are a great number
of votes up there.

Norval is just one guy.
Well, he's the wrong guy.

I'm sick and tired of waiting.
Let's get the wheels rollin'.

We're all in this deal.
You pull your weight
or I'll get somebody who can!

Do you hear me? Good!

Quite a temper, hasn't he?
Don't mind him.

He's always lived at
the top of his voice.

So long, Norval.

Psst. Psst.

I don't think Harry
should talk to you like that.

After all,
you're a congressman.
Oh, well.

I don't think anybody should
talk to a congressman
like that or be able to.

A member of Congress
is a wonderful thing.

Thank you.
You know, I think
I could use a drink.

Oh, sure, Congressman.
Come on in.

The way it looks to me,
if he pushes you around...

it's like he's pushing
a few million people around.

How do you mean?
The ones who picked you.

Well, not quite that many.
How many then?

306,434.

Well, that's quite a few
to push around.

You're not one
of my constituents
by any chance, are you?

I mean,
are you one of the people
who voted for me?

Oh, I never voted
for anybody.

Why not?
I don't know.
I wouldn't know how,
I guess.

It's simple.
You just press a button.

[Giggles]
Yeah, but which one?

Well,
you listen to the speeches,
you make up your own mind.

That's all there is to it.

Yeah, but why do you
take it from Harry?
That's what I wanna know.

You're more important than him.
You're a congressman.

Yes, and as such I have
a great many duties...

and responsibilities and...

[Sighs]
The operation of government
is very complex.

Why should it be?

I understand it
pretty good in a book
so when Paul tells me.

But when I see
somethin' like this happen,
it's like, different.

How?
Well, when it gets down
to what should be
the laws and...

what shouldn't,
is Harry more important
than anybody else?

No.
Then how come he's got
so much to say?

Who ever voted for him?

Well, we'll have a nice
long talk about it sometime.

All right.

Good-bye.
Good-bye.

And thank you.

Quite a little girl.
Oh, yeah.

Billie?
Come in.

Uh, will you come inside?
A few things for you.

Sign those,
will ya, honey?

What is this?
Same old stuff.

What?
Take too long
to explain.

No, it wouldn't.
I like having things
explained to me.

I found that out.

Some other time.
Now.

It's just an agreement
about some merger.

Merger?
What's that?

Several companies
being formed into one.

All Harry's?
No.

Whose then?
A few of Harry's
and some others.

French, Italian,
and so on.

A cartel!

What are you
talking about?
About cartels!

If that's what it is, I'm against it.
Paul explained me
the whole thing.

It's perfectly
all right.
Don't worry.

Are you sure?
Ask Harry.

I will.
He won't like it.

Why not?
Well, he just won't,
that's all.

He doesn't like
people butting in.
I'm not people.

Listen to me, Billie.
Be smart.

How can I be smart if nobody
ever tells me anything?

I'm telling you
something.
What?

Sign this stuff
and don't start up
with him.

Tomorrow.
Why tomorrow?

I wanna look it over,
know what I'm doin'.

It's all right.
It must be
somethin' fishy.

If not, you'd tell me.
Take my word for it.

No.

I know what
you feel bad about.

You don't like to be
doin' all his dirty work...

'cause you know
you're better than him.
That's enough!

But I'm not so sure.
Maybe you're worse.

[Door Slams Shut]

Interesting?

Not very.

I suppose you're used to reading
more high-tone stuff.

Yes, I am.

What's the matter, kid?
Nothin'.

All of a sudden...
I don't like that Jim.

Why?

What'd he do to ya?
He didn't do nothin'...
anything to me.

It's what he's done
to himself.
Done what?

Paul told me he could've been
assistant attorney general...

of the whole United States.

Who?
Jim.

So what's wrong with that?
So nothing's wrong with it.

Look at him now.
Hangs around,
helps you... promote.

Lets you walk over him
'cause you pay him for it.

Oh, so we finally
get around to me.

[Sighs]

I'm not sure
I like you either.

You're selfish.
That's your trouble.

Since when is all this?
Since now.

I used to think you were
a big man, Harry.

I'm beginning to see
you're not.

All through history
there's been bigger men
than you, and better.

Now too.
Who, for instance?

Thousands.
Name one.

My father.

Twenty-five a week.

Listen, cutie,
don't get nervous
just 'cause you read a book.

You're as dumb
as you ever were.
You think so, huh?

Yeah, but I don't mind.
You know why?

'Cause you're the greatest...
Oh, leave me alone!

Come here!
I've never seen you
like this!
No!

I've never been like this!
I feel like I wanna go away!

Where? In a couple of weeks
we'll go to Florida.
I don't know!

I mean alone!
Maybe!
I think you've gone nuts!

All right! Calm down!
I can't!

Why not?
I don't know!

I just know I hate my life.
There's a better cut.
I know it.

And if you read
some of these books,
you'd know it too.

Maybe it's right
what you say:
I'm still dumb.

But I know one thing
I never knew before.

There's a better kind of
life than the one I got.

Or you!

I suppose you'd think you'd
be better off with that
lousy saxophone player?

At least he was honest!
Nah, he was
a dime-a-dozen chump!

He worked for a living!
That's one thing!

I've worked since I was 12!
Nobody never gave me nothin'!

If a man goes
and robs a house,
that's work too.

In my whole life...

In my whole life,
I never robbed a house!

What are you talking about?
You can hardly
understand anything.

Get off that high horse,
you dumb little putt!

You... menace!

I picked you up
out of the gutter!
I can throw you back!

You never had
a decent meal
until you met me!

Yeah, but I haven't
had one with you!
You eat terrible!

You got no manners!
Taking your shoes off
all the time.

That's another thing,
and picking your teeth.

You're just not couth!

I'm as couth as you are!
[Groans]

And that cheap perfume
you put on yourself.

Cheap. I don't own
nothin' cheap,
except you.

You don't own me.

Nobody can own anybody.
There's a law that says.

What do I care
what the law says!
If I was scared of the law,

I wouldn't be
where I am!
Where are ya?

You talked enough!
You don't like it here,
beat it!

Wait a minute!

First, this!
Right now!
Not now! No!

Come here!
I'm not signin' anything
till I know what I'm signin'...

from now on!
Do what
I'm tellin' ya!

[Screaming]
Harry, please don't!
No!

No!
[Crying]

Here!

All right, now go on.
Blow!

What?
I don't want you bawlin'
around here. That's what!

I've been too good to ya.
You don't appreciate nothin'!

So go on, blow!
Sit on a park bench
and learn how to behave!

Go on, beat it!

This way out.

I gotta put
somethin' on.
Well, hurry it up.

I don't want you around
here like this.
You bother me!

Big fascist!

[Books Crashing]

All set?

Certainly, all set.
What do you think? I'm gonna
let a broad talk back?

Where is she?
I told her
to take a walk.

One thing I can't stand
is a crier.

What's she crying about?
How do I know?

She's becoming
a strange girl.
Aw, she's all right.

It's just all these books,
they got her nervous,
that's all.

It looks like your passion
for educating her
was a mistake.

I didn't know it was gonna
turn out like this, did I?

Remind me to fire that-that
four-eyed Verrall skunk.

Why blame him?
He taught her too much.

You know what she
called me before?
A fascist!
She did?

That don't make sense.
I was born in Plainfield,
New Jersey.

She knows that.

What's the matter,
Harry?

I love that broad.

Hey, you think
we could find somebody
to make her dumb again?

[Door Opening]

And don't be late
if you don't want
no bloody nose.

[Sniffles]
Would you do me
a favor, Harry?

What?
Drop dead.

♪♪ ["America The Beautiful"]

[Man]
I have sworn upon
the altar of God...

eternal hostility...

against every form
of tyranny...

over the mind of man.

Oh, hello?
Uh, Chestnut 7-1-8-0.

I'd like to speak to
Thomas Jefferson, please.

Oh, no.
I mean, Thomas Verrall.

No, Paul Verrall.
Paul Verrall.

Well, it's very important.

Oh, well,
I'll hold on.

[Sighs]

- Jim!
- Yes?

What time is it already?
11:30.

I'll slug her senseless
when she gets back.

If.
Oh, I've had this
with her before.

She always winds up
where I want her.

I hope so.

Jim!
Yes?

What time is it?

11:30.
You said that before.

11:31.

She's been gone eight hours.
Maybe she's seeing
a double feature.

Yeah.

That don't take
eight hours.

Could've got in
an accident.
You'd hear.

Could've got attacked.

Happens all the time.
Not to Billie.

Maybe the other way around,
but not to Billie.

- [Elevator Arriving]
- [Bell Dings]

She here?
What do you mean,
she here?

No!
Go look some more.
I've been all over town.

Well, go over it again!

Do what I'm tellin' ya!
Sure.

Just changin' my socks.

Harry.
What?

Marry her.

Still harpin', huh?
I'm thinking of your
legal safety.

On paper, she owns...
Yeah, I know
what she owns.

You've got to
do it, Harry.

They always hook you
in the end, them broads.

This whole trouble
is on account of
a dame reads a book.

It's the new world, Harry.
Force and reason
changing places.

What?
Knowledge is power.

I don't like the way
things are goin' around here...

you stewed all the time
and that broad out of line.

And that's some fine
congressman you bought me.

I think he's cute.
Yeah, well I'd like to trade
him in, no kiddin'.

On what, for instance?
For instance, on a senator.

On a senator.

Take those blinders off,
Harry, and let in
a little light.

Just for a second.
It won't hurt much.

You don't go around this town
buying up senators...

and congressmen as if
they wore price tags.

These guys are honest,
sincerely trying
to do a job.

Once in a while,
you find a rotten apple,
like Hedges.

Then you can have them,
but just once in a while,

in a great while.

Are you sure you're ringin'
Mr. Brock's suite, Operator?

How about the bedroom?

[Sighs]
Well, ring a few more times,
will ya, honey?

I wanna make sure.
He's not in.

Just one more ring.

Let's go.

The stuff's in his briefcase...
Uh-huh.

in his bedroom.
Uh-huh.

I probably won't
see ya again, Paul.
Uh-huh.

So I wanna say good-bye.
What?

And thanks for everything.
Where are you going?

Just away from here,
that's all I know.

Where?

You can tell me.
I don't know.

I thought I might go see
my father for a while.

I've got
a better idea.
What?

Let's get married.

[Chuckles]
You must be daffy.

I love you, Billie.

[Chuckles]
You don't love me.
You just love my brain.

That too.

[Sighs]
Well, I'll think it over,
but I can tell you now...

the answer's no.

What are you doin'?

Well, if you don't know,
I must be doing it wrong.

[Harry]
Fine time!

Hello, Harry.
Where ya been?

I took a walk
like you told me.

I met Paul.

Okay, buster,
knock off!

Good night, Paul.

Good night, Billie.

Good night, Harry.

What's the matter, Harry,
ya miss me?

I decided somethin' to tell ya,
somethin' good. I don't like
to wait when I get an idea.

Yeah, I know.
Now that I see ya, I'm not
so sure I should tell it.

Why not?
Runnin' out,
talkin' fresh,
slammin' doors.

I knew you'd be
back though.

Ya did, huh?
I told Jim.
He was worried, not me.

Not yet.
What took ya
so long?

I had a lot to think.
For instance?

Just where I stand
around here.
I've been tryin' to tell ya.

What?
Where ya stand
around here.

Uh-huh.
First, that Verrall stuff is out.
It gets in my way.

I don't like
to see you upset.
It's bad for you.

The next thing,
we're gonna be married.
No.

But you gotta learn
how to behave your...
No?

What do you mean, no?
I don't wanna.

That's what I mean.
No!

In fact, I've never
been so insulted.

Who are you to say no
if I tell ya?

Don't knock yourself out.
You got a lot of
surprises comin'.

Look!
Just tell me first.

What?
How can you not
wanna marry me?

Well, for one thing,
you're too dumb.

I just got a different
kind of life in mind,
Harry, entirely.

I'm sorry, but you
just wouldn't fit in.

Listen, Billie,
I don't understand what's
happenin' around here.

I do.
What did I do?
What did I?

All right,
I talk rough to you
once in a while.

Maybe I hit you
a couple of times... easy.

Is that any reason
to treat me like this?

I done good for you too.
Couldn't we straighten
this out?

No.
Why not?

Well, all that stuff
I've been studying...

what Paul's been tellin' me,
it just mixed me up.

But when you hit me before,
it was like...

everything knocked itself
together in my head
and made sense.

All of the sudden
I realized what it means,

how some people are always
givin' and some takin'.

And it's not fair,

so I'm not gonna
let ya anymore,
or anybody else.

Listen, kid, I got an idea.
Ya wanna come to Florida?

We used to have some
good times together.
Remember, honey?

I think you should
marry me, don't you?

Look, Billie,
I want you to marry me.
I don't wanna argue about it.

I heard enough.
Do what I'm tellin' ya
or you'll be good and sorry!

I'm not scared
of ya anymore, Harry.
That's another thing.

Oh, you're not, huh?

[Sighs]
Hit somethin' else.
I'm leavin'.

What?
For good.

Let's get organized
around here! You just
can't walk out, cutie!

You're in this too deep!
I'm in the middle of the
biggest thing I ever done!

Maybe I was wrong
hookin' ya in,
but you're in!

I'm not gonna be,
I decided.
All right, fine!

You wanna wash it up?
All right, we'll wash it up.
Yeah.

I'm too important to monkey
around with what you think!

Jim!
Jim, wake up!

- Jim!
- [Jim] What is it?

[Harry]
Come on!
You got some work to do!

[Jim]
All right.
Be right with you.

Okay, well,
get a move on!

I'll fix it so
you're out of here
in no time!

I spoiled ya!
I was gonna make ya
real partners!

You don't want it? Fine!
Let's see how you do
without me!

And you don't look like you
looked nine years ago.
In fact, you look lousy.

If you want the truth,
I'll be glad
to be rid of ya!

And as far as
I'm concerned,

Yeah?
"vi-ce ver-sa."

Oh.

You're back.

All set?
Shut up!

What's the matter?

She's goin' off!
We're gonna settle things
and get her out of here!

You sure you know
what you're doing?
First time in my life I do.

Where's that stuff
you wanted her to sign?
In your bedroom.

Well, come on!
No!

What do you mean, no?

I mean...
Uh, take the shortcut.
The sooner, the better.

[Footsteps Approaching]

They're in
the bottom drawer.

- Blue covers?
- Yeah.

Three copies?
That's right.

Paul took them.

When?
Just now.

- What for?
- What do you think for?

To get put
in the newspapers,
I guess.

Some kind of jokes
I don't like.
It's no joke.

Paul said it's
the biggest swindle since...

the tea pots,
somethin' like that.

What are you gettin'
so white about?

You told me yourself
it was perfectly all right.

Why, you double-crossin'
little...
I don't see it like that!

If there's a fire
and I call the engine,
so who am I double-crossin'?

The fire?

We're in trouble, Harry.
If this stuff breaks,

nobody will play with us.
What's to do?

It might be best
under the circumstances
to call it off.

What?
Let him publish.
If nothing happens,
he looks silly.

I've been here two months!
I've spent I don't know
how much dough.

I'm supposed to let
all that ride?

You don't want
to play it safe?
I want what I came after!

It's gonna be tough.
Because some little weasel
gets noisy?

I'll cut his tongue out!
You're chicken!
Yes think so?

Yes, I think so.
You're off the handle because...

it looks like I've been right
and you've been wrong!

Shut up! I'll handle this.

All right.

Lookin' for someone?

Billie.
Come on in.

Billie!
Gee, I'm tired.
I was down...

I think you've got somethin'
by mistake belongs to me.
That so?

How 'bout it?

Hey.

Sit down.

Hello.
How you been?

Fine. And you?
Fine.

Go around to his place
and get the stuff.
It's not there, Jim.

Where then?

You wanna play rough?
I know how to do that too.

Listen, you two heels.
I make business.
I got too much at stake here.

You've got somethin'
that belongs to me.

If you want out of here alive,
you better give it back.

I'm no blowhard!
Tell him!
He's no blowhard.

He's had people
killed before.

About six years ago,
there was this guy...
Shut up!

You ain't gonna be tellin'
nobody nothin' pretty soon.

Double negative,
right?
Right.

You don't seem to be
gettin' the idea!
You've never been in trouble...

like you're gonna be unless
you do what I'm tellin' ya!
Wait a minute, Harry.

There's another way to handle this.
I really think you've
pulled a boner, friend.

My advice to you is lay off.
And mine is stop sticking
your noses in my business.

Yeah.
Talk about stickin' noses!
You're the biggest buttinsky...

I ever run into!
Told you once before, Harry,
that's my job.

That's why your papers
are in the U.S. mails
addressed to myself.

You're job? What?
Gettin' in my way?

Well, not exactly.
What then?
I'd like to know?

To find out what goes on
and get it to the people.

What people?
The people.

I never heard of 'em.
You will, Harry, someday.

They're gettin' to be
more and more
well-known all the time.

What if I told you
this whole operation
is strictly according to law?

Then I'd say
the law needs revision.
Who are you, the government?

Of course.
Since when?

Since 1779, right?
Right.

What do you think
you've got, Paul?

A connection between
Harry's combine and
the congressman's amendment.

All right.
But why single us out
to make a fuss over it?

Yeah, why?
What we're doing
isn't uncommon.

It's done every day.
Done every day,
that's right.

For all I know, there's
an undiscovered murder
committed every day.

And what does that prove?
All this undercover pressure.

This bribery, corruption,
government between friends.

Sure, it goes on all the time,
and it's tough to crack!

Just ask me.
I've tried for years.

You need more
than knowing about it.

You gotta have
facts and figures,
and most important, the names.

And he's got 'em.

All right,
let's get down to it.

What'll you take, Paul?

I'll take a drink,
please, if I may.
Don't get fancy!

I ain't met a guy yet
didn't have his price!
I have.

- I'm talkin' about
big numbers!
- You and your big numbers!

You don't watch out,
you'll be wearin' one
across your chest!

I'll get to you later!

Now make up your mind.
There's two ways
we can do business.

One, you play ball,
and I'll make it
worth your while.

Two, start watchin' your step,
'cause there's no place
you can walk...

no place you can live
if you monkey wrench me.

Now, what do you say?

I'd like to think it over.
All right,
you got two minutes.

Come on, Billie.

Wait a minute, Harry!
Harry!

Cut it out, Harry!
Cut it out, Harry!

- Operator!
Let me go! Operator!
- Get a hold of yourself!

[Gasping]

[Jim]
You stupid fool!
What do you think you are?

Can't you see that
all this muscle stuff
is a thing of the past?

You cut it out,
or you'll be a thing
of the past too!

- I got mad.
- Who are you to get mad,
you big baboon?

You ought to be grateful
you're allowed to walk
around free.

You don't know me
good enough for that
kind of talk.
I know ya.

A kick in the keister,
a crooked play, and your
problems are all solved.

Bigger problems,
bigger kicks.
Who's next?

The government?
The nation?
Aw, don't blow your top.

I'm still ready
to do business.

How's a hundred grand?

[Sighs]
A hundred grand
is beautiful.

But I can't take it.
Why not?

My girl wouldn't like it,
would she?
She certainly wouldn't.

All right, then!
What's your idea?
Nothing. No idea.

I'm just trying to show you
that... legislation's not meant
for buying and selling.

This country,
with its institutions,

belongs to the people
who inhibit it!
Inhabit!

Inhabit it!
I always did what I want.
I'm always gonna.

Try it.
Who's gonna stop me?

Us two.
Youse two!

Oh, don't make me
split a gut.

It's gonna be some fine day
when a 100-a-week hick and
a dumb broad can stop me.

What are you standin' around
like a thief and dummy?
What do I pay you for?

Say somethin'!
All right,
I'll say something.

Well?
They're right.

Whose side
are you on?

What do you want?
Rye, ginger ale.

Who asked you? Butt out!

Tell that congressman of yours
he's all washed up.
I guarantee it.

As far as you're concerned,
you're not gonna get away
with it either.

Don't worry about me.
Oh, but I do.

I worry like the devil.
I stay up nights.

You know, when you live
in Washington, it's enough
to break your heart.

You see a perfect piece
of machinery...
the democratic structure...

and somebody's always
tampering with it, trying
to make it hit the jackpot.

When you steal from
the government, you're stealin'
from yourself, ya dumb ox!

You two, go ahead.
I'm goin' right ahead.
Wait a minute.

I'll tell you
where you're goin'.
You?

Sure. In this whole thing,
I guess you forgot about me...
about how I'm a partner.

Jim once told me...
126 different yards I own.

Control.
Same thing.

So here's how it's gonna be.
I don't want 'em.

I don't want anything of yours
or to do with you,
so I'm gonna sign 'em all back.

All right.
Only not all at once.
Just one at a time.

One a year.

Only you gotta behave,
'cause if you don't...

I could let go
on everything.

For what you've done,
even since I've known you...

I bet you could
be put in jail
for about 900 years.

You'd be a pretty old man
when you got out.

What's goin' on
around here?
A revolution.

Come on, Paul.
I'll send for my things.

You little crumb!
You'll be sorry
for this day.

Just wait and see.
Go ahead and go with him,
but you don't stand a chance.

If I've ever seen anybody
outsmart themselves,
it's you.

Good-bye, all.
And you!

Me?
Yeah!
You're fired.

Sorry, Harry.
I enjoyed working for you.

Open up.

All right, Harry?
[Imitating Harry]
Do what I'm tellin' you!

How do you like that?

He could've had 100 grand.
She could've had me.

Both wind up
with nothin'.
Mm-hmm.

Dumb chump.

Crazy broad.

To all the dumb chumps
and all the crazy broads...

past, present and future...

who thirst for knowledge
and search for truth;

who fight for justice
and civilize each other...

and make it so tough
for crooks like you...

and me.

[Siren Wailing]

License, please.

[Chuckles]
No, not this license.
Oh, sorry.

Okay, forget it.
My wedding present.
But take it easy...

or you'll never make it.
Oh, don't worry.
We'll make it.

It's a clear case
of predestination.

"Pre"...what?
Look it up.