All language subtitles for Chicago Syndicate (1955).en

DAVID:
"Chicago."

"Hog Butcher for the World,

"Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,

"Player with Railroads
and the Nation '3 Freight Handler,

"Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of Big Shoulders."

Those are the proud words
of Carl Sandburg.

It's how we like
to think of our city.

Underneath the carpet
of our complacency and inertia

was the dirt
which had caked up again

since Al Capone, Mr Big,
was put out of circulation.

We 'd fooled ourselves
into believing

that the air
was fresh and pure again,

but all that had happened
under Mr Big was small potatoes

compared to the syndicate
which had taken over

the mantle of crime and corruption
on a nationwide scale.

As I learned when
Nelson Kern paid me a Visit.

This time,
they were hiding

behind a phoney veneer
of legitimate enterprises.

And it wasn't long
after Mr Kern left my office

when it all started again.

Hey, Mr Kern!

[GUNSHOT]

[MURMURING]

DAVID:
That's when I knew for certain

that Kern hadn't lied to me,

that they were back in business,
bigger and dirtier than ever,

a malignancy that would have
to be cut out at the core.

By nightfall,
it was all over town.

The radio and the newspapers
were full of it.

Nelson Kern, respected head
of the highly successful

accounting and business
management firm,

Kern Associates,

by his own admission
to David Healey,

editor of
the Chicago Telegraph,

branded himself a close working
associate of Arnold Valent,

alleged head of Chicago's
vast crime cartel.

Later that night,
Mrs Kern committed suicide.

She left a note
for her daughter, Joyce Kern,

living in France
the last four years,

engaged to some guy
in the State Department.

You know, usual thing.

Crowds, newspapers
hounding her.

Couldn't face the scandal,
the disgrace.

By the next morning, the news services
were giving us the story on Joyce Kern.

She had disappeared
from Paris,

was rumoured to be on her way
to a sanatorium in Switzerland.

Her fiance's family issued
a formal statement for the press.

If there had ever been an engagement,
it was all off now.

That was it. Dirty.

Hey, fellas, come here!
A heater, for real.

Golly, it's a real gun.

DAVID:
Late that afternoon,

I met with a group of men
at one of the Loop hotels.

They were quite a collection.

Clarence Haynes,
who was Kern 's lawyer.

Henry Nugent, owner of one
of our largest department stores.

Sam Landell, one of our
foremost business executives.

Harold Unkers,
president of a utility company.

Detective Lieutenant Robert Fenton.

He 'd fought the mob in the old days
and hated their guts.

And Pat Winters, state attorney
and Illinois' leading crime-buster.

Kern was hired
by Unicorn Casualty and Life.

The insurance company that occupies
the building on Clark Street?

Right. He told me he discovered
it was just a legitimate front

for all of Valent's
illegitimate enterprises.

The more Kern saw,
the dirtier he began to feel.

He felt he had to wash
his hands

for the sake of his family
as well as himself.

Why did he go to you?

Well, he said Valent had
a lot of friends in the right places.

He wanted me
to front for him.

Act on his behalf in making a deal
with the Federal and State authorities

and make sure the police
guaranteed his family

the maximum protection possible.

- Mr Winters...
- Yes, sir.

HENRY:
Seems to me

the Attorney General's Office
should be able to do something.

Well, we can't build a case
without evidence,

and that isn't easy
to come by.

Sure, the big dough
still rolls in

from gambling, shakedowns,
vice, all the other rackets,

but what happens
to the money?

For every illegal operation,

the syndicate has a dozen
legitimate fronts.

So, a little of the take drifts
into this business and a little into that.

Pretty soon, it's like trying to separate
sewer water from the ocean.

Well, what do you suggest, Dave?
That we pack up and move?

Not if you're willing to open
your chequebooks and take a gamble.

Just what's on your mind?

Some information
came in this morning

that we may be able
to hang our hats on.

We know who killed Kern.

That is, who pulled the trigger.

A kid found the gun
this morning on a piling.

It belonged to a hood
by the name of Mel Burke.

He's one of Valent's boys.

- Did you arrest him?
- No.

I sent out a tracer on him
without telling anybody why.

But even when I do find him,
I'm not going to pick him up.

Oh, we asked him not to.

You see, if we pick up Burke,
we get ourselves one small fry.

He means nothing.

We think we may be able to use
this information as bait for the big fry.

You understand this is
all under wraps, of course.

That's why I called you
all together.

We've got an opportunity
to break the syndicate,

but it'll take money.

I've already contacted
the other newspapers.

They're willing to co-operate
to clean out this element.

So you can see I'm here
as a representative of all the dailies.

First time we've ever
agreed on anything.

- [ALL CHUCKLING]
- That's quite true.

Well, I'm sure money
will be no problem.

Good. That's what
I wanted to hear.

You'll be apprised of everything we do
when it happens.

Gentlemen, I, uh, suggest
we leave one at a time.

Thirty-six, single. Background,
attended Northwestern University

to prepare for CPA and career.

Took business administration
and commercial law

to get his Bachelor of Science.

Two years as Infantry Officer
during the war.

Four major campaigns.
Decorated twice.

Wounded, transferred
to Judge Advocate's Office.

Helped crack a million-dollar
black market operation in France.

Now living here in Chicago,

auditor for the Internal
Revenue Bureau, grade seven.

- Sounds made to order.
- He is.

I got to know him well
during the war.

I was his CO.
We've kept in touch since.

Do you think he'll go
for this deal?

Well, he's ambitious.
Wants to get out on his own.

Could fly pretty high
on $60,000.

- I wouldn't know.
- [BOTH CHUCKLING]

DAVID:
This was the man

Winters wanted for the job.

His name was Barry Amsterdam.

[HORN HONKING]

DAVID:
After Barry had been introduced to us,

we quickly briefed him
on what we wanted him to do.

Unicorn's a syndicate front,

a financial clearing house,
but we've got to prove it.

And that's where you come in.

Kern was an accountant.
Tax expert.

Break it all down and it still adds up
to a high-priced bookkeeper, right?

I should only be
such a bookkeeper.

Kern operated first class.

Brooks Brothers suits,
dollar cigars...

Just the way I'd like to operate
when I get out on my own.

But on the level, Lieutenant.

Play along with us
and you will.

Kern said he had enough evidence
to put Valent on ice

for the next hundred years.

Now, what kind of evidence
could a bookkeeper get his hands on?

Well, wait a minute.

Wait a minute, you want me to find out
what Kern found out, is that it?

That's it.

I've already taken the liberty
of speaking to your commissioner.

He'll co-operate,
if you're willing.

Well, it's very nice
to have met you gentlemen.

Pat, I'll get out
at the next corner.

You were born
for the job, Barry.

I was born to die in bed
at the age of ninety.

Winters said
you were a bright boy.

I'm bright enough to be a coward
where the syndicate is concerned.

I'm not cut out
for this cloak-and-dagger stuff.

We think you are.

Give me one good reason
why I should stick my neck out.

We can give you
60,000 good reasons.

What?

Sixty thousand dollars, Mr Amsterdam,
if you pull this job off.

You wanted to set up

your own accounting and business
management firm, didn't you?

Yes. Yes, of course I did,
but I wanted to do it while I was alive.

Look, Mr Amsterdam,
you're going to get sixty grand

for doing what the guys
on the force do every day,

and you know how long
it takes them to make sixty grand?

Twelve years.

All right.

You shamed me into it, Lieutenant.
You and the 60,000.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

♪ One at a time,
one at a time

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time

♪ Take my advice,
you're gonna find

♪ You're better off
loving one at a time

[VOCALISING]

♪ Men from twenty to eighty-three
don't go in for variety

♪ When you start
lovin'two or more

♪ Trouble comes a knockin'
at the door

♪ One at a time,
one at a time

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time

♪ Tell all the gals
that you decline

♪ To be in love with more
than one at a time

[VOCALISING]

♪ Old King Solomon
thought he could

♪ Have a lot more
than one man should

♪ But when he felt
the end was near

♪ This is what he shouted
for all to hear

♪ One at a time,
one at a time

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time

♪ Take my advice,
you're gonna find

♪ You're better off
lovin' one at a time

[VOCALISING]

♪ One at a time,
one at a time

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time

♪ Tell all the girls
that you decline

♪ To be in love with more
than one at a time

♪ One at a time,
one at a time

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time

♪ Tell all the girls
that you decline

♪ You better be in love
with one at a time ♪

[CROWD APPLAUDING]

- Well...
- Stinger.

I feel lucky again.

Sue, be sensible, will ya?

You've been in there twice now
and each time you've taken a bath.

Isn't that enough?

Well, I happen to enjoy it.
Do you mind?

You know, I've been trying
to determine

whether you're more fascinated
by gambling than by gamblers.

After all, the way
you played up with them...

Really, for a new date,

don't you think you're taking
too much for granted?

I don't trust that kind.

They'd just as soon
cut your throat as look at you.

Look, why don't
we compromise, Tony?

You go home,
and I'll take a cab later.

Over my dead body.

How would I know
the difference?

Okay, Sue, it's your throat.

See you around, honey.

Oh, Tony?
The card, please.

You must've been born
in Las Vegas.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

This time, Sue,
why don't you try Moe's system?

Moe always wins.
He says you can't lose

if you just bet
on winning numbers.

Of course, if you insist on betting
on losing numbers...

- What's the big idea?
- Moe always wins.

Oh, it's just that I wouldn't
wanna see you take another bath.

On the other hand, it might
be a very pleasant sight.

Next time, ask your friend Moe

to tell you how to get in here
without using me for a front!

But where would I find
a more attractive front?

CROUPIER:
Four, even, black.

Oh, you'll never beat it
that way.

Really? I suppose Moe
told you a better system.

Mmm-hmm. He said to watch you
and do exactly the opposite.

CROUPIER:
Place your bets, folks.

Well, like they say,
every man to his own poison.

What's yours?

Red, even.

Black, odd.

CROUPIER:
Twenty-five, red, odd.

Haven't you had enough?

I'll have to have
this okayed, Miss Morton.

- All right, I'll be at the bar.
- Thank you.

You're not serious about going back
there for more punishment, are you?

Why not?
The night's young.

Compared to you, it's ancient.

Whatever that means.

Honey, when it comes to gambling,
you belong in diapers.

When it comes to gambling.

I've just had a streak
of bad luck.

- It'll change.
- Sure. Sure it will.

Just as soon
as you go out that door.

The gent may have a point there,
Miss Morton.

- Excuse me, Gilbert.
- Certainly, Brad.

- I'm Brad Lacy.
- Yes, I know.

I'm happy to meet you, Mr Lacy.

About this cheque, Miss Morton,
I'd like to help you out,

but we have a strict policy
about cashing personal cheques.

Afraid it might bounce?

Wouldn't be the first time
it's happened.

Not that I think this one will.

Like I said,
it's just a matter of policy.

BARRY:
Mr Lacy?

You, uh, seen Mel Burke around?

He hasn't been around
in some time.

That's what I figured.
Since about, uh, Tuesday, huh?

If you happen to see him, uh, tell him
someone saw him make the hit.

He might be interested.

[WHISPERING]
There's a guy out there,

said he saw Mel Burke
make the hit.

- Where is he?
- He's over by the cashier's window.

Get Valent on the phone.

Well, look, with the horses you play,
you put up two,

you get back two and a half.
What good is that?

So I put up two grand,
Iget2500”.

Oh! Gee, I'm sorry.

Jeez, buddy, we was just
talking about the horses.

I know, yeah,
it's all right, thanks.

That's a lot of weapon
for only a dime.

Mr Barry Amsterdam.

Better than smelling salts, huh?

Didn't I just see you at the Tropicana
shaking your maracas?

My fan club.
I told you I had talent.

Still hurt?

Only when I laugh.

Need an emcee, Connie?

- Dance? Sing?
- [RADIO TURNING ON]

I don't know about his dancing,

but I got a hunch
he can sing like a mink.

You like that music, Mr Amsterdam?

Old stuff, isn't it?

Everything gets better
with age except women.

They don't write songs
like that anymore.

Of course,
they used to play it faster,

but then everything was fast
in those days.

Twenty, twenty-five years ago, huh?

I imagine you were
a lot faster yourself.

A philosopher.

College man.

- Must be Phi Beta whatchamacallit.
- Kappa.

- Kappa or copper?
- Oh, you read the clipping.

Yes, what do you carry it with you for?
To impress the girls?

I don't as a rule, but I thought
you boys might enjoy it

- more than they would a comic book.
- Oh, figured we'd frisk ya, huh?

How else was I gonna get in
to see ya?

You took money
under the table, huh?

Guess the table
wasn't low enough.

ARNIE:
You must be a lousy tax man

if they found it out.

They found it out
because Landell got drunk one night

and he shot off his mouth.

- For your scrapbook.
- Thanks.

I read about that
a few days ago.

One of the other papers
gave you a much bigger spread.

Ah, like the man said,
I don't care what you say about me,

- just so you spell my name right.
- The man was wrong.

In some business,
it's better if no-one sees your name.

You know who I am?

Of course I do,
you're Arnie Valent.

I've seen your picture in the paper
a couple times.

You see what I mean?

Publicity is good for actors
and politicians only.

You know why you're here?

- I can guess.
- You tell me.

[SIGHING]

I saw Mel Burke
make the hit.

"The hit."

College man.

Don't talk to me as if I were
some gangster or something.

I understand good English.

All right.
I saw Burke kill Kern.

You just happened
to be there at the time, huh?

I was coming out
of the Federal building.

The Bureau was giving me
my walking papers, so I was walking.

How did you know Burke?

I didn't. Never saw him before
in my life.

- How did you know it was him?
- I got a pretty good look at him

and I had an idea
I could find out who he was.

Who said you could
have a drink?

Excuse me.

Go ahead, but ask first.

Like I said,

I thought I had an idea
how I could find out who it was.

I went to the cops.

I told them that somebody
had stolen my hubcaps,

and I thought
I could recognise the thief.

They let me look through the mug shots,
and I picked out Burke's picture.

You told them
that Burke stole your hubcaps?

[LAUGHING]

The cops laughed even harder.

They said Burke
was one of your boys

and that he didn't have
to go around lifting hubcaps.

Well, I told them I guess
maybe I'd made a boo-boo and...

Well, that's how I found out
who shot Kern.

Why didn't you tell the police,
Mr Amsterdam?

Barry, to my friends.

Why didn't you tell the police,
Mr Amsterdam?

Ouch.

Well, supposing I had.
So what?

I get a pat on the back for outstanding
service to the community

and, a couple of days later,
I get a bullet hole in the same place.

You want a payoff
for keeping your mouth shut, is that it?

I'll let you tell me
what it's worth to you.

I'll tell you what it's worth.
Nothing.

So you go to the police.
So they pick up Burke.

So he doesn't talk.
So I know nothing about it.

Why am I here then?

That's a good question.

You a lawyer too?

Hmm. Commercial law,
business management, stuff like that.

Business management, huh?
That's a good background.

Shame to waste it
on the tax department.

I'll tell you why you're here,
Mr Amsterdam.

Because I don't like trouble.

If you go to the police and tell them
that Burke killed Kern,

immediately the papers say
that Arnie Valent is behind it.

Do they know?
They know nothing.

I say I don't know anything about it.
Kern was my friend.

But I'm supposed to be
a big man in the syndicate.

I don't even know
what they mean.

But, like I say, I don't like trouble.
That's why you're here.

If I'd wanted to cause you trouble,
Mr Valent, I'd have done it by now.

You want a job?

Strictly legitimate,
I don't touch anything else.

One hundred dollars a week.

Is there a future in it
for me?

There's either a good future
for you, Mr Amsterdam,

or there's no future at all.

Go down to the Unicorn Casualty
and Life Insurance company

tomorrow morning
and ask for Jack Roper.

Take him home.

Mr Valent told me
to come in and see you.

See Ben Lewis,
he's head of accounting.

- He'll show you what to do.
- Thank you.

[DOOR CLOSING]

Get me Mr Valent.

What do you think
of the little enchilada I ran into?

Maybe she'll be good
for the Ralph band in 'Frisco.

What do you think of it, Connie?

CONNIE:
Can she sing?

CHICO:
Oh, with a chest like that,

she ought to sing bass.

- You saw enough.
- Get her.

Mr Roper calling.

- Adio's, boss.
- Bye.

Yes, Jack.

Amsterdam just came in.

I turned him over to Lewis
in the accounting department.

Good. Keep your eye on him.
Let me know everything he does.

If he works out,
I have some plans for him.

JACK:
Okay, Arnie, I'll keep you posted.

Good.

Would you stop
filing your nails at the table?

Where were you
brought up, anyway?

Sometimes I wonder
why I put up with you.

Want me to tell you?

Now don't get funny.

Will you lay off the gargle
so early in the morning?

DAVID:
Barry was smart enough

not to rush things.
He wanted to wait

until they accepted him
as a permanent fixture,

knowing all the time that they
were watching every move he made,

not only in the office,
but even when he tried

to get lost in the heavy
shopping crowds at the Loop.

Barry knew there was always
someone tailing him

to see where he was going,
who his friends were,

or whether he would
make a contact.

Barry knew it was going to be tough
to shake that shadow,

or at least
be one jump ahead of it,

so that he could keep a date
he had made

in the Northern Indian
and Eskimo wing

of the Chicago Museum
of Natural History.

Put the necklace bid
into operation anytime now.

Sit down, Barry.

What's this you told Ben Lewis
about settling that Cleo Allen claim?

Seventy-five grand's a lot of dough
to be handing out,

especially if we can duck it.

She lost a diamond
and, uh, emerald necklace.

What's wrong with it?

Nothing wrong, but I can beat it.
Legitimately, I mean.

Everything strictly
on the up and up.

I can't take that chance.

All she has to do
is drag us into court.

She won't, don't worry.

You seem pretty sure
of yourself.

Well, I wouldn't be wasting
your time if I wasn't.

What have you got to lose?
If it doesn't pan out,

you write the lady a cheque,
and that's that.

It's just not healthy, that's all.

You start messing around
with business ethics...

Look, I'm not selling any,
I'm just trying to save you 70,000 bucks.

Seventy thousand?
What happened to the other five?

Well, you see I'm, um... I'm not eligible
for the regular Christmas bonus.

I thought maybe I could earn one.

Ethically?

Smelling like a rose.

Let me think about it.

Did he tell you
how he's gonna pull it off?

No, but he wants five grand
for himself if he does.

[CHUCKLING]

That's what I like about him, Jack.
He's hungry for money.

That could be good for us.

- Shall I let him go ahead?
- Yeah, let's see how he does it.

[SLOT MACHINE CLICKING]

- [COINS RATTLING]
- You hit the jackpot.

FiX it.

Well, that's the nicest necklace
I never owned.

Oh, Lieutenant Fenton
gave me a message for you.

Valent went to the fights
with Roper.

Oh, thanks.
Thanks very much.

[CROWD SHOUTING]

[BELL DINGING]

- Hi, Mr Roper.
- Hi, Barry.

- Mr Valent.
- Oh, where you sitting?

Oh, I'm back up there
with the peasants.

Swap with him.

You'll see better there.

Thanks.

You remember Connie.

Never pass a brandy bottle
that I don't think of her.

Mr Chico, Mr Amsterdam.

- Hi, Mr Chico.
- Hello.

He comes to all the fights,
but he hates 'em.

Oh, it will never
take the place ijai alai.

What happened to that claim
you were going to fix up, Barry?

Just a lot of talk, huh?

There you are.
All signed, sealed and delivered.

- She's withdrawing the claim?
- Read it.

Hit him with a left, stupid!
Hit him!

Looks like Barry made a gift
of $75,000 to the stockholders.

Seventy thousand.

Mr Roper promised me five
if I delivered.

That claim looked pretty solid to me.
How did you manage it?

Well, in checking the claim,

I noticed that while the policy
was made out to Cleo Allen,

someone else was making
the payments on the premiums.

Guess who?

Henry Nugent.

JACK:
Old Holy Joe himself.

He's married
and got three kids.

That's what came
to my mind.

I figured that if Nugent were making
the payments on the insurance,

he must also
have bought the necklace.

JACK:
Blackmail is a touchy proposition, Barry.

Oh, Mr Roper,
I wouldn't stoop that low.

I simply told Mr Nugent that the company
might have to contest the claim.

In that event, there'd be witnesses
and, uh, evidence subpoenaing.

Well, the next thing I knew,

the old boy was telling me
to pick up a letter at the theatre,

and that's all
there was to it.

You earned the five grand, Barry.

Oh, thanks, Mr Valent,

but I'm still looking
for that future you promised me.

Don't blame you.

I'd like to get my fingers on some
of that real long green, regular-like.

I've been poor
and I've been rich.

Take it from me,
rich is better.

[CROWD SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

Come on,
I've seen enough of this.

You'll be hearing from me.

Don't you wanna stay
and see who wins?

Are you kidding?

DAVID:
Valent wanted to test Barry,

so he gave him the set of books

Kern kept for government
examiners only.

If Barry blew the whistle on him,
Valent knew he was protected

because these were not
his personal books.

But Barry knew
it was a dry run.

Valent had messed them up
just enough

to have Barry holler
to the authorities.

He knew that, somewhere,
there was another set of books.

Valent's own.

Shape those books were in,
I can't believe that Kern kept them.

- Why not?
- There were some holes in there

big enough to drive
Leavenworth through.

A guy could get killed
with books like that.

Yeah, maybe that's
what he wanted.

I thought you said
he was your friend.

That's what I thought.

Well, they're all right now.

You can take them
to the Internal Revenue

and get a clean bill of health.

[CHUCKLING]

Mind if I have a drink?

You don't have to ask.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

Yep?

Yeah.

Like I said.

What do you want?

Just like to ask you
a few questions.

How did you get in here?

Oh. Oh, police.

We heard you saw
who bumped Kern.

Oh, did you now?
Now, where'd you hear that?

- Things get around.
- What do you think?

Valent's got a tab
on what we're doing,

and we don't have a tab
on what he's doing?

That kind of dirt travels fast
on a two-way street.

Why don't you take me down
to headquarters?

If we take you down there,
and you say you saw nothin',

that ends it.

We can't question you there
like we can here.

Oh, I see.

Your questions might be
different down there,

but my answers'd be
the same.

You boys had better get a refund.
You bought the wrong dirt.

Good night, fellas.
I'm going to bed.

Uh. You don't listen good,
do you?

I miss something?

We said the reason
that we're not dragging you in

is because we can
question you better here.

[CHUCKLING]

I don't see the difference.

You get the difference now?

You saw Mel Burke
trigger Kern, didn't ya?

[GRUNTING]

Valent ain't here
to take care of ya now.

- So give it!
- No, wait a minute. Wait a minute, fellas.

- Don't get smart.
- Yeah, don't... Don't hit me anymore.

I'll tell you everything you...

[GRUNTING]

[PANTING]

[INHALING]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

[DOOR OPENING]

BARRY:
Where's Mr Valent?

HUGO:
He's in bed.

BARRY:
I wanna see him.

HUGO:
I told ya, he's in bed.

BARRY:
I don't care whether he's in bed or not.

- I wanna see him.
- [DOOR CLOSING]

HUGO:
Just a minute, Mack.

Ah, it's all right, Hugo.

What's the trouble, Barry?

I just wanna tell you this.
You can take your books and yourjob

and everything else you got,
and you know what you can do with it.

- What's eating you?
- If you don't trust me,

you don't want me
and I don't want you.

How did you know?

No cops could afford suits
like they wore.

Besides that, to be a cop,
you gotta have some education.

Those two goons talked

like they've been left back six times
in the fourth grade.

Well, don't be hard on me, Barry.

You know by now
I can't be too careful.

Did I ever do anything
to make you run a test on me?

Now, forget it.
Let's just say I goofed.

Remember when I gave you
thatjob at Unicorn,

I told you there'd either be
a good future for ya or no future at all.

- Yeah, which is it?
- Good.

I'm gonna give ya a chance

to make some of that big money
you've been itching for.

I need somebody to make
some spot checks for me.

Make sure some of the boys

haven't been holding out
since Kern died.

Well, that shouldn't be
too hard to do.

What's in it for me?

Ten per cent of everything
they've been holding out on me.

- You feel better now?
- Oh, yeah, sure.

That long green
can cure most everything.

[CHUCKLING]

Come on,
make yourself a drink.

DAVID:
From Chicago,

nerve centre of the operation,

Barry now learned
how the syndicate worked.

It was like a giant octopus

whose tentacles spread
from Chicago

into practically every state
in the Union.

The syndicate took in
from ten to fifteen million a year

from gambling alone.

Another twenty million
from shakedowns

and all the other rackets.

This money was turned over
to underlings

who operated bars, nightclubs,
all sorts of joints, by the hundreds.

The syndicate also controlled,
for example, ice companies.

And who used ice?
Bars and nightclubs.

So, for a lot of ice cubes
that were never delivered,

the bars paid
the ice companies a fortune.

Valent would hold
the ice companies a few years

and then sell to the Unicorn
Casualty Insurance Company.

Through Unicorn,
the money flowed out

to finance other businesses,
some phoney, some legitimate.

Trucking, distilleries,
the Sapphire Hotel in Miami,

and dozens of other enterprises.

It was one pocket to another,
multiplied a hundred times.

Big profits, small taxes,
since it all became capital gains,

and the syndicate
stayed clean.

When he got through checking,

he told Valentin what spots
he was being taken and by whom.

- You know Ben Hammond?
- How are you?

Uh, Delaware,
Mohawk Loan and Mortgage, right?

That's right.

Sid Lowe.

Uh, Detroit,
Larson's Used Cars.

- That's it.
- Henderson.

Henderson's easy.
I came from there.

St Louis, Apex Ice.

- No mistake.
- Miller.

Miller is, uh, Miami.
Peacock Room.

- I had a good time there.
- I saw ya!

[ALL LAUGHING]

- What a memory for names, huh?
- And for figures.

He scared me more
than the tax boys.

- Where'd you find him?
- I didn't. He found me.

What is there
I don't like about him?

Probably Arnie.

I never figured a pair of pants
would push me out of the picture.

Oh, a man gets
to a certain age,

he's more interested in brains
than dames.

Arnie ain't that old.

[PLAYING PIANO]

Sweeten this,
would you, please?

Well, if it isn't
the lady gambler.

What are you doing here,
slumming?

I wasn't until now.

Oh, flattery
will get you nowhere.

And who fronted for you
so you could crash in here?

Oh, no-one.
I've been spoiled by you.

Whaddaya say?
Let's be friends.

Let's not be anything.

[WHISPERING]

Well, not that it will break your heart,
but I have to leave.

Is he your old friend?

I told you before,
I don't even know his name.

You will.
See where he went?

- Inner sanctum.
- For big wheels only.

[SCOFFING]

I'm not that big, Sue.
I just take orders.

They give 'em.

- What did you say his name was?
- I didn't.

But it's Amsterdam.
Barry Amsterdam.

Valent's number one man.

She a big wheel too?

Valent's personal property.

He likes young stuff.

ARNIE:
I told you to get out and stay out.

I think she just aged ten years.

I'm gonna make this
short and sweet.

After Kern
wasn't around anymore,

some of the boys thought
they'd fatten up at my expense.

Smart. Didn't think
I'd find out about it.

So some of the money that was
supposed to come through didn't.

They weren't satisfied
with their cut.

They wanted part of mine.

Well, what's part of mine
is part of yours.

But they forgot one thing.

That sooner or later, I'd dig up
somebody as smart as Kern.

Maybe smarter.

Barry.

So those that got a little extra green
on their fingers got a warning.

The others are out,
for good.

Now, I want you to pass
the word down the line

that if there's any more holdouts,
there'll be no more warnings.

No more talk.

No more nothing.

They're finished.

Now, go out
and have some fun.

[MEN MURMURING]

I'll go to the bar
and get a drink.

Truce pact?

What did you do,
spike it with hemlock?

You're a trusting soul,
aren't you?

Well, I must say our relations
haven't exactly been cordial.

Well, I'm trying to remedy it.
What else can I do?

You know,
that's a leading question,

and I hope it's leading
to where I think it is.

To, uh, better relations
between us?

Would you do me a favour?

Oh, I knew there was a catch
to this truce pact business.

Well, I hope it's not that bad.

Ijust wanted you
to take me home.

You wanted me to...

Well, um,
what would Lacy say?

What could he say?

He takes orders,
you give them.

Friend of yours, Barry?

Oh, yes.
Miss Morton, Mr Valent.

- How do you do?
- We met some time ago,

when we both carved our initials
in the leg of a roulette table.

- You have good taste, Barry.
- Thank you.

"You have good taste, Barry."

Same line he handed me
when Chico first brought me around.

- You're drunk.
- What have I got to be sober about?

- You'd better go home. Chico.
- Wanna get rid of me, huh?

Got your eye on this new hunk
of merchandise

that bright boy
brought around.

He's good with the figures all right,
in more ways than one.

Shut up.

- Come, Connie, I'll take you home.
- Nobody's taking me home!

I wanna stay, I'll stay!

Nobody pushes Connie around

because I can do
some pushing myself...

- Now, get her out of here!
- Come, Connie, let's go home.

I'm, uh...
I'm sorry, Miss Morton.

You don't have to go
to all this trouble, Sue.

- I'm really a pushover.
- That's one out of left field.

Thanks.

Oh, wow!

- You see it go by?
- What?

- My hat.
- [LAUGHING]

Like a chaser?

No, thanks.
The way you're mixing these,

I'd probably need a chaser
for the chaser.

What are you after?

What makes you think
I'm after something?

You've got more switches
than a railroad yard.

First, you give me the brush.

Now, you're romancing me
like I was Liberace.

A woman's prerogative
to change her mind.

It's a man's prerogative
to find out why she changed it.

Well, Ijust decided I'd rather have you
as a friend than an enemy.

All right, so we're friends.

Just what are you trying
to prove, friend?

Soft light, stiff drinks,
loaded conversation.

What have I got
that you want?

Maybe I'm just fascinated
by men who live in shadows.

Oh, brother, shadows yet.

Well, you don't have to make fun of me
just because I'm hospitable.

Does this "hospitable" business
include Arnie Valent as well?

How did Valent get in here?

Oh, he hasn't yet,

but I have a feeling he will,
if you have your way.

Look, let's stop
this footsie business.

You don't like Valent.
He's not your type.

Aren't you presuming a lot?

You almost upchucked tonight
when he pushed Connie around,

yet you pretended
it was all right.

Why?
Where are you climbing?

Climbing?

From Lacy
to Amsterdam to Valent.

A triple play, is that
what you had in mind?

You make it sound
as though I were Mata Hari.

Hey, you know
what happened to her.

She caught her death of cold
standing in front of a firing squad.

Oh! Oh, I'm sorry.
That was clumsy of me.

- Here, I'll pick up the pieces...
- Oh, I'm so sorry.

It's all right, all right.
I'll live.

If you just get me a Band-Aid
or something, I'll be as good as new.

Find what you were looking for,
Mr Amsterdam?

Yes, I think so.

The, um, the "J.K." on the luggage...

Now, what could that J
stand for?

Jean? Janet? Jenny!

No.

No, "Jenny" doesn't seem
to suit you.

It'd be more like, uh...

Joyce?

And the K...

I wonder, if by any possible chance,
that could stand for "Kern".

Joyce Kern?

Now that you've found
what you're looking for,

suppose you tell me
what I'm looking for.

All I know is what
I read in the papers.

May I?

Mr Amsterdam,
you said something before.

"Let's stop playing footsie."

My father's been killed,
and my mother's dead because of it.

Well, my hair's down now
and my hate is showing.

So, before this gun goes off,

perhaps you'll tell me
who killed my father.

What makes you think I know?

You're Valent's number one man,
remember?

You give orders,
others take them.

Supposing I told you to, uh,
put that thing away.

There, you see?
People don't always do what they're told.

[SIGHING]

You little idiot!

What do you think you're doing,
playing games?

If Valent finds out who you are,
he'll strip the skin off your lily-white back!

Well, you're his number one boy,
aren't you?

What are you waiting for?

I should. I should at that, but then
the neighbours might complain about the noise

and I'd have to spend
the night in jail.

Besides that, I prefer your skin
where it is, on your back.

You see, I had a weak spot
for a gal named Sue Morton.

Now, let me give you
a little A-1 advice.

You get out of this town
and stay out!

Don't ever let me see you
around here again!

Next time, Iwon't care
if the neighbours do complain.

- 407, please.
- Second door to your right.

Thank you.

- Hello, Barry.
- Hi.

Dave, why didn't you tell me
that Kern's daughter

was playing Sue Morton,
girl detective?

Nobody knew until she went
to see Haynes after you found her out.

She'd taken a tramp steamer
home from Europe

without telling anyone.

Oh, the little dope could've wound up
on the bottom of some river.

- Did Haynes tell her about me?
- He felt he had to.

Thought it would
make her feel better

to know someone
was trying to get Valent.

Well, Ijust hope he told her
to keep off my neck.

How are things going, Amsterdam?

Oh, fine, fine.
I'm getting rich fast.

We're paying you
sixty grand to get Valent,

- not to get rich off him.
- Yes, I know. I know.

A weaker man would be tempted,
believe me

I never saw so much cash
floating around.

What about his personal books?

No, sits on them like a hen on eggs.
Nobody gets to look at those.

Unless maybe
it's this girl, Connie.

She seems to have
something on him.

I thought he trusted you.

[CHUCKLING]

Where his own books are concerned,
he doesn't even trust his mother.

He's got one, too.

But he's been hinting lately.

Hinting? At what?

Well, evidently his own
personal bookkeeping

was all loused up
when Kern died.

He's been talking
about setting up

some kind of a business
partnership with me.

Probably wants me to keep
an eagle eye on his own funds.

Can't we get Valent through some
of those phoney companies he set up?

Mmm, no, no, no.
He's too smart for that.

None of those companies
are registered in his name.

They're all held in the name
of some flunky of his,

a front man
who cuts it up with Arnie.

You clamp one and you get
the front man, but not Arnie.

No, you can't touch him that way.

Then the only solution
is to get a look at Valent's own books.

That's only half of it.

The other half
is gonna be much tougher.

Getting them out of his hands
to use as evidence.

You're getting the sixty grand,
you figure it out.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

I came to tell you
how sorry I am.

- I had no idea that...
- Wait a minute. Come on in.

Haynes was a fool
to tell you.

No, he wasn't.

It made me feel better
to know that...

there's some people
trying to do something about this.

After my father was killed, I...

I heard nothing more.

[SIGHING]

- I was desperate.
- I know.

But it's better this way,
believe me.

You'd have only gummed things up.

Besides, that's much
too pretty a neck to stick out.

If I can ever do
anything to help...

Just stay out of the way.

And, whatever you do,
keep using that Sue Morton moniker.

All right, Barry.
Good luck.

Sue...

Uh, Joyce.

I'm gonna ask you something.

It's not gonna be
very pleasant for you, but...

Well, you were
your father's only legatee.

He left everything
he had to you.

Since you've been back,
have you come across anything

that you think
I should know about?

No, not that I know of.

But then, I didn't know
much about his affairs,

having spent
the last few years in Europe.

I'm gonna ask you
to do me a favour.

Would you get a hold
of every paper, bill, letter, receipt,

anything at all that belonged
to your father,

and bring them here to me?
I'd like to look at them.

- You can't tell, it might...
- [TELEPHONE RINGING]

Excuse me.

Hello?

ARN IE:
Barry?

Arnie.

I want you to take
a little ride with me.

I wanna show you something.

I wanna show you some figures.

Some very special figures
you haven't seen before.

- I'll pick you up in ten minutes.
- Fine, fine.

I'll, um... I'll meet you downstairs.
I'll be waiting.

Right.

- Valent.
- Yes.

I'm finally gonna get a look
at his personal books,

the ones your father
kept for him.

This is the evidence
that I've been waiting for.

Got to let Fenton know, but I don't know
where Valent's taking me.

Did you come in a cab
or did you drive?

I drove.
My car's downstairs.

I'll give you a chance
to play girl detective,

only this time for blood.

You know where I'm taking you?

I'll find out soon enough, I guess.

You're gonna meet my old lady.
You'll like her.

She still worries about me,
like the friends I keep.

Like I was still a kid.

Well, they're all the same.

- To them, you never grow up.
- Yeah.

You know that partnership
I talked to you about?

I've decided
to go through with it.

You'll check on everything
the way Kern did.

That's why I want you to see
my system of bookkeeping.

Now this partnership,
how's it gonna work?

I'll cut you in on everything
from my end.

- Thanks, Arnie.
- You've earned it.

One other thing.

Uh, these books will be mine,
but they'll be in your name.

Oh, if anything goes wrong
and they're found...

Then you'll take the rap.

- You'll be in the clear.
- Right.

Is this the way
you worked it with Kern?

No, I made a mistake
with Kern.

Those books were in my name.

This way, if anybody
wants to blow the whistle,

they'll blow it on you,
not me.

I tried to get her to move
out of this neighbourhood years ago.

Wanted her to have a fancy apartment
over on Lake Shore Drive.

She wouldn't have
any part of it.

She's lived here
ever since she was married.

Saw her kids born here,
my old man die.

All her friends are here.
Markets, church.

She wouldn't feel at home
anyplace else.

Just so she's happy,
that's all that counts.

That's the way I figure it.

Wait till ya see
the apartment.

Hasn't changed
since I was a kid.

Here. Get yourself
some candy.

Come on, let's split it.

See that corner?

They call it "Death Corner".

I used to hang out there
when I was a young punk

itching to make
something of myself.

There were more killings there
with shivs and guns

in the twenties and thirties
than any spot in this town.

That's where I first saw
the big boys.

Capone, O'Banion,
Big Jim Colosimo.

I'm the last of the old mob, Barry,

only because I learned
from the boners they made.

Come a long way, eh?

That's the window
to my old lady's apartment.

When I was a kid,
I used to yell up,

"Hey, Ma, throw me down
two cents." Big deal.

Buyjawbreakers
and Tootsie Rolls.

- BOY: Hey, Ma!
- Yeah, Louis?

Throw me down a dime, will ya?
All the kids got 'em.

Oh! Ah!

Inflation. Come on.

[DINGING]

Detective Lieutenant Fenton, please.

- Arnie!
- Hi!

How you feeling, Mama?

I'm fine, Arnie, fine.
Come in, come in.

I want you to meet a friend
of mine, Barry Amsterdam.

Oh, I'm always happy
to meet a friend of Arnie's.

How do you do, Mrs Valent?

Well, I haven't seen you
for a long time.

Why didn't you let me know
you were coming?

I would've made something special
for you.

I can't stay very long, Mama.

I just wanted to see how you were
and pick up that book I left here.

Oh, well, you go ahead.
I'll make some coffee.

Excuse me. Oh, now, son,
take off your coat

- and make yourself at home.
- Oh, thank you.

What's he doing
at Mame” and Peoria?

- His mother still lives there.
- I didn't know he had one.

Here you are, Barry.

I'll talk to the old lady
while you look this over.

[CHILDREN LAUGHING]

[DOOR OPENING]

Arnie, this is so simple,
a kid could follow it.

That's why I want you to keep
the same system

so I can make
heads or tails of it.

Complicated bookkeeping
throws me.

Arnie tells me
you're a college graduate.

I wanted Arnie to go
to college too.

How we could have afforded it,
I don't know,

but we would have
managed somehow.

But Arnie didn't want it.

Suppose I had gone
to college, Mom.

I might have become an accountant
like Barry here.

This way I can afford to pay
an accountant to work for me.

Ah, your son does pretty good,
Mrs Valent.

I know.

Can I show you something,
Mr Amsterdam?

- Come on, I'll show you.
- Sure.

Come on. Look at what I have
to show you.

This is Arnie when he was confirmed.
Would you believe it?

- [LAUGHING]
- No, I wouldn't.

And this is Arnie when he graduated
from public school.

There, that one.

Oh, it's not hard
to pick him out, is it?

Oh, I've heard some bad stories
about Arnie, but I don't believe them.

I know my son.

And I know he wouldn't do
anything bad... Really bad.

Now, you run and see if Arnie's
letting that coffee get burned.

You go ahead,
and I'll come after you.

- Arnie?
- Yeah, Barry.

Arnie, what did you do with the...

Well, now that you know
how I want ours kept...

Why don't you go
into the living room?

I'll have coffee ready
for you in a minute.

- Okay, Ma.
- Oh, go on, son. Join Arnie.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

MRS VALENT:
Who can that be?

I wasn't expecting anyone.

- Pr0bably Nate.
- Yeah, I'll... I'll get it.

Just a minute!

[WHISPERING]
He burned it! He burned it!

What goes, Fenton?

- You know him?
- All my life.

He's a detective.
A lieutenant detective.

Detective? I thought
he was a hood.

Just goes to show,
you can't tell the difference.

When he tried to push past me,
I thought he was going for you.

What's the matter?
What's happened?

It's nothing, Ma.
It's all right, you go inside.

I wanna talk
to these boys out here.

- What's your name?
- Amsterdam. Barry Amsterdam.

I heard. Crooked tax boy
who made good in a bad way.

Take it easy, Fenton.

What do you expect
when you come busting in here?

Yeah, did you say you were a cop?
Did you show a search warrant?

- Let go of me.
- It's all right, boys.

What am I supposed to do?
Let everyone who wants push up to Arnie?

What do you want, Fenton?

I, uh, just wanted to ask you
a couple of questions

about Me! Burke.

Well, what about him?

We found the gun
used on Kern.

The bullets matched,
and we traced it to Burke.

We thought you might know
where he was.

What did you have to come here for
and scare the life out of his old lady?

You know where he lives.
Why didn't you go there?

We did. He wasn't home.
So we put out a call

and his car
was spotted downstairs.

You passed the question, Valent.
I said where's Burke?

I haven't seen him
in more than a year.

Maybe you'd like to tell us.

Maybe you'd like to buy one
of our life insurance policies.

You might get killed
going down those stairs.

All right, we'll find him.

And when we do, we're gonna have
a couple more questions to ask you, Valent.

Anytime at all, Fenton, except
announce yourself next time, huh?

You pull another trick like this,
and I'll break your head wide open.

Come on, fellas.

I've been wanting to do that all my life.
Never had the guts.

DAVID:
On the very same night,

Joyce came to see Barry
with all the data she could find

that belonged to her father.

Barry knew that police
had picked up Burke in Florida

and had started
extradition proceedings.

The papers Joyce brought
were meaningless

until Barry came to one
in particular.

Fourteen dollars and sixty cents
for microfilming.

What was that for?

I wondered
about that one myself.

But I thought many accounting firms
might use microfilm to record papers.

Yes, that's true,
there's a lot of business reasons.

Except that this was made out
to your father personally,

not the firm
of Kern Associates.

And it was paid for
with cash.

Why?

DAVID:
The next morning,

Joyce went down
to the Melrose Microfilm Company.

I have a receipt here made out
to Mr Kern for some microfilming.

Was it ever picked up?

Well, now, let's see.

Uh-huh. K... K...
K-A, K-E... Kern.

Here it is.

Oh, uh... This was picked up
quite some time ago.

Did Mr Kern pick it up himself?

No... No, it was a young lady.

She said she was
Mr Kern's secretary.

[CHUCKLING]

The reason I remember, um...

Well, she was also
very attractive.

Would you remember what it was
that Mr Kern had microfilmed?

Well, yes, it, uh, was a ledger.

Several hundred pages,
for which we charge two cents a page.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

DAVID:
Miss Becker, Nelson Kern 's secretary,

had quickly been summoned

to Lieutenant Detective Fenton's office
for questioning

based on the information
Joyce Kern uncovered.

Miss Becker knew nothing
about any microfilm,

but Fenton now knew
why Kern was killed.

And he could almost put his finger

on the person
who picked up the microfilm.

To make certain, he sent Joyce
back there with a photo.

The clerk at Melrose Microfilm

was quick to recognise
a photo of Connie

as the girl who called for the envelope
addressed to Mr Kern.

That night, Isneaked up
to Barry's apartment with Joyce Kern.

The knowledge that Connie
had picked up the microfilm

spelled a dead end for Barry.

Feeling that he had
nothing else to go on,

he wanted to call it quits.

All right, so we know who picked it up.
What good does that do?

If we could find it,
we could prove that he's...

Do you think Valent is stupid enough
to hang onto that?

That microfilm could cause
an explosion bigger than the H-bomb.

Take it from me,
it's nothing but ashes now.

It's no use, Dave.

We're... We're bush leaguers
compared to them.

Isn't there something else
we can do?

Well, you tell me.
Everywhere I turn, I hit a stone wall.

All right, so I am finally
a partner of sort,

even keep Valent's books.
But they're in my name.

If anybody finds them,
he stays in the clear

and I end up a crook!

What do you want me to do?
Put the finger on myself?

- Wait for the breaks.
- What breaks?

The way Valent plays it,

he's got things plugged so tight,
there are no breaks.

I'm serious, Dave.
Forget it.

I know when I'm licked.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

- Who is it?
- Nate.

Just a minute.

- Ah, what brings you here?
- Arnie sent me over.

He tried to get you earlier.
No dice.

Yeah, well... I was out for a while.
What does he want?

He decided to throw a little party

to celebrate that new partnership
that you and...

- [CLATTERING]
- What?

- Who's in there?
- No-One.

I thought I heard some talking
on the way up.

I said, no-one!

[GASPING]

Why didn't you tell me?

Don't I have any private life
of my own any more?

Now I know why you didn't even
answer the phone.

I'll tell Arnie.

Meet us at the Tropicana.

You know, it's funny.

Arnie told me to ask you
to bring that trick along.

He goes for her.
See ya.

Thanks, Joyce.
For a minute there, I thought...

This could be the break
we wanted, Barry.

You said that you thought
Connie had something on him.

You mean, use Joyce to make Connie
mad enough to talk, is that it?

It's our only chance.

I heard him say
Valent's attracted to her.

Well, not in exactly those words.

How about it, Joyce?

You willing to be used
to do a little green-eyed needling?

What do you
want me to do?

[BAND PLAYING MUSIC]

You remember Miss Morton, Arnie?

Of course. Couldn't forget her.
Glad you could come.

I'm so happy
to see you again, Mr Valent.

- You know everyone.
- I believe so.

Pardon me.
I didn't mean to sit so close.

- Couldn't be close enough.
- Oh, brother.

Why aren't you up there, Chico?

Long ago, I found out
they do very well without this stick.

But this stick without them?
Nothing.

Barry...

Excuse me, boys.

Miss Morton.

What are you drinking, Barry?

Oh, I'm drinking Stingers.
I'll have another one.

Ginger ale.

Nate told me about, uh...

Oh, he did.

Nate's got a pretty big mouth.

One Of these days,
I'm gonna put my fist in it.

That's what I like
about you, Barry.

You're a gentleman, you never talk.
I admire that.

You didn't bring me up here

just to tell me what a gentleman I am,
did you, Arnie?

No.

It's a touchy subject.
This partnership...

I was wondering
if we could spread it a little

to have you cut me in
on something of yours.

- What about Connie?
- Do you like her?

- She does nothing to me.
- Me neither.

There was a time, though.

You see, Miss Morton may not
be a lady, but she acts like one.

Connie isn't a lady
and doesn't act like one.

Connie's a bomb.

Thing like this
could cause her to explode.

She knows a lot, Arnie.

Suppose you let me
worry about that?

All right. You can wrap it up
and take it home.

Thanks.

This time, why don't you just
try climbing into his lap?

I would
but you're already there.

And I'm staying there.
You might as well understand that.

Say, uh... How does she feel about me?
Personally, I mean.

You'll have no trouble
making the grade.

Good.

Arnie's always telling me,
"Barry's girl is such a lady."

Lady, my foot!

Well, by comparison...

Ooh!

Sugar and cream?

Why, you dirty...

Knock it off!
Knock it off!

From what I saw,
you had it coming.

Come on, Connie.
Change for your new number. Quick.

[SNAPPING FINGERS]
Andre! Clean this up.

♪ Cuban mambo,
take it away

♪ Cuban mambo,
ai-ai-ai-ai

♪ Cuban mambo... ♪

Hiya, Connie. Come on, sit down,
join the leftovers.

- Where did Arnie go?
- Quick switch, honey.

But I'm really not such a bad guy,
until after you get to know me better.

What kind of man are you,
letting him walk off with your girl?

What kind of woman are you,
letting her walk off with your man?

I wasn't here to stop them!

Come on. Cut it out, honey.
He's finished with you.

Through, done with, kaput.
And there's nothing you or I can do about it.

Well, maybe there's nothing
you can do about it,

- but there's plenty I can do.
- Give me a for-instance.

I'll save it for Arnie.

Don't worry, bright boy, you'll soon
have her right back in your hair.

Like dandruff.

Want me to stick around,
drive you home?

Thanks, but Chico knows
where I live.

Good old puppy-dog Chico.

Still hanging around
with his tail wagging.

[BAND CONTINUES PLAYING]

DAVID:
For a week,

Connie tried to get in touch
with Valent.

Every time she called,
Barry was on the other end.

No, no, he's out with Sue.

How would I know
when he's coming back?

It doesn't matter anyhow,
he's not home to you.

Look, do me a favour,
will ya, honey?

Don't call anymore.

Who was that?

The ex-girlfriend.

Can't you smell
the tamale burning?

She's beginning to be a nuisance.

You'd imagine
she'd have learned by now.

Nobody learns
without a lesson first.

Why don't you
teach her one, Barry?

Sort of spell it out for her,
easy-like.

Well, it's a little out
of my department,

but, uh, I'll see what kind
of a teacher I could be.

Oh, uh, don't miss me
too much.

- Hasta manana, baby.
- Good night, Chico.

I've been waiting
for you, Connie.

- I've got something to tell you.
- Save it.

Oh, now, don't be like that.
I came here to do you a favour.

What kind of a favour?

Stop hounding Arnie.
Forget him. Lay off.

Don't phone, don't threaten.
Forget he lives, otherwise...

Otherwise?

You can take it from there,
can't you?

Why are you
telling me this?

Call it affinity.
As one discard to the other.

You know, the cord that binds
between cast-offs.

You not only let him walk off
with your girl,

but now you're acting
his watchdog.

How low can you get?

Well, now, if you hang around,
you might find out.

As far as I'm concerned,
you've already hit bottom.

Scared the girdle off her.

Fenton ought to give me
a medal for this.

- You all right? You okay?
- Let me alone!

Tell Arnie that if he ever tries that again,
or if I'm ever found dead,

the DA's gonna get a letter
that'll blow Arnie higher

than he just tried to blow me!

Come on, get in the car.

Get in the car.

Why, Arnie, I thought
you didn't wanna see me again,

and here you practically
force me to come.

Miss me, huh?

Hello, Arnie.

Connie, you oughta know me
pretty well by now...

- Too well.
- Don't interrupt.

You oughta know
that I don't frighten easily,

- and I don't like to be threat...
- Chico, fix me a drink.

Shut up and listen!

You can tell
the honeymoon's over, can't you?

Someday he may even
talk to you this way.

He may even try to have you
knocked off, like he did me.

You told me
to teach her a lesson.

I tried talking,
she wouldn't listen,

so I had a couple of the boys
throw a scare at her.

Well, I can throw
a few scares myself.

If you ever try that again...

ARNIE:
I'll do the talking.

Now what's this
about a letter to the DA?

You know a letter's no good
unless you can prove what's in it.

Well, according to a lawyer
I spoke to, microfilm is, uh...

To use his words...
Now what did he say?

Hmm.
Oh, yes, "primary evidence".

That's what he said,
"primary evidence".

- You're lying.
- Don't test it.

You told me you burned it
the minute you got out of the store.

I lied then,
but I'm not lying now.

Do you think I don't know
what happened

to those meaty young kids you played
around with before you met me?

When you had your fill,
you shipped them off,

and nobody ever heard a word
from them again.

I knew this, and I wasn't gonna let you
bounce me around that way,

so I kept the microfilm.

Better than life insurance,
huh, Arnie?

Now you gotta make sure that I live,
otherwise you don't live either.

You're making this up.

Like to find out?
Get rid of me. Try it.

Where is it, Connie?

[CHUCKLING]
Don't make me laugh.

Where is it, Connie?

You'll never get it from me, never.
Not even if you kill me,

and you won't do that.
You can't afford to.

Maybe you'll be almost glad I did
before I'm through with you.

- Arnie, don't!
- Are you still carrying a torch?

Then get her to talk
if you want her back in one piece.

- Connie, tell him. Please.
- Stay out of this, Chico!

[HARD SLAPS]

[CONNIE SOBBING]

[HARD SLAPS CONTINUE]

[CONNIE CONTINUES SOBBING]

You'd better get
a new singer, Chico.

Connie won't be able to appear
in public for a while.

[SLAPPING CONTINUES]

[CONNIE SCREAMING]

Arnie, don't.
Leave her alone.

I'll tell, but leave her alone.

You'll tell! You know?

Well, she gave me something
to keep for her.

She said that if anything
should ever happen to her,

to mail it to the District Attorney.

But I didn't know what it was
till just now. Honest, I didn't.

ARNIE:
Where is it?

In my violin case,
in the rosin box,

in the case I keep at Marchi's,
the music shop.

[SOBBING CONTINUES]

Hold it, boys. The stuff's
at some music shop.

What's the address?

CHICO:
131 Cleveland Street.

[WHIMPERING]

Chico, you didn't!
You didn't!

Can't you see what you've done?
You've killed me.

I couldn't help it.
I couldn't help it.

You know how I feel
aboutyou.

I couldn't sit here
and listen to you screaming.

I was taking it, not you,
and if I didn't talk...

Oh, you fool!
You gutless, frightened little fool!

Oh, please, Connie, please.
I couldn't help it.

- I just couldn't help it.
- Take us there.

I can't. I can't.
I feel sick.

Well, go telephone 'em
and tell 'em we're coming.

[CONNIE CRYING]

Hello, Marchi?
Chico.

A Mr Valent will come down
to get my violin case.

You know the one, the spare one
you're holding for me.

Give it to him.

No, I... I can't come down myself,
I'm too busy.

Adio's.

Hugo.

You wait here till I come back.
Hugo will keep you company.

Barry.

I'm sick. I'm sick.
I'm really sick.

Some coffee, Hugo, please.

I think we could all
stand some.

Detective Lieutenant Fenton.
Hurry!

Detective Fenton, this is Joyce...

[SCREAMING]

FENTON:
Hello, hello, hello...

Let me go!

Hello, hello...

G0 on, tell him. Tell him!
I don't care if they kill Arnie.

Iwant them to kill him.
Tell him!

Lieutenant!
Lieutenant, are you still there?

I'm Valent.
Chico called you?

Yes, Mr Valent.
I have it ready for you.

Get that basket.

You got a match?

Burn it.

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT NEARBY]

What's the tunnel used for?

We use it to deliver merchandise
from one department store to another.

Don't have to buck
street traffic.

Also to get rid of the trash
and that sort of stuff.

There's forty miles of it,
but only three openings.

Where are they?

Cleveland, Halsted and Ohio.

You two go down after them.
You take Halsted and we'll take Ohio.

[GUN CLICKING]

Drop it, Arnie!

Arnie! Arnie!

[WHIMPERING]

Call an ambulance.

- How did you know?
- Joyce.

Arnie... Arnie.

[CRYING]

Oh, Arnie.

My boy. My boy.
Oh, my...

Mama.

Oh, my boy.
Oh, Arnie.

DAVID:
The information contained

on the microfilm
was turned over

to the various
law enforcement agencies,

who moved in
with a vengeance.

Everyone incriminated
was picked up, tried and convicted,

and the syndicate
was cracked wide open.

For how long
it will remain so

is a matter for constant
civic vigilance in our city

as well as yours.