Original subtitles

after the end of the day.

That's okay. I got plenty of tickets, honey.

Plenty of tickets?

You're in the groove, Maisie. Right in the groove.

I'd like to lay down in a nice, cool groove and just rest.

Sorry, honey punch. I guess I missed that one. But you know how it is.

will happen. Yeah, so they tell me.

But that kind of accident happened to me just once, brother.

Thanks, pal.

No, Maisie, don't be like that.

Look, I got all these tickets.

Fifty of them. Five bucks' worth.

Maisie, come on.

What's going on? I'm going out. Tell her she's got to dance with me. That's what

she's here for, ain't it? You heard what the gentleman said.

Look, you've seen what I've been going through for the last ten minutes. You've

seen him throw me down just now. I didn't mean to, Maisie.

Be that as it may, I hit the floor just as hard as if you meant it. No, brother,

I'm through. Flesh and blood can stand only so much. Look, if you walk off of

this dance floor and leave this gentleman flat, you're fired. Oh.

Oh.

You mean either I go on with it here waltz and mouse or I'm fired?

That's right.

I'm fired.

agency. Screen, stage, and radio talent. Yeah.

Hello, Vic. This is Maisie Revere.

Guess what?

I know what.

I'm beginning to think that maybe you're temperamental, Maisie. And for

temperament, I ain't got no use. What do you mean temperamental? You don't know

what that taxi dancing's like, Vic. It's cruel on your feet.

Gee, if it not, I had to walk home in my hands.

You got anything for me, honey?

Well, I tell you. I got a wire just this morning from a client.

Ricky Dupre. He's a dancer.

I booked him at the Shady Lawn Hotel up on Cedar Lake, him and his partner.

Today I get a wire that this girl turned her ankle, and this and that, and he

wants us to send him up a new partner.

Gee, Vig, it's like fate.

How much and where is this place, anyhow?

Not so fast, honey. You'll have to go up on a one -night tryout.

If he likes you and the customers like you, you're in.

Forty dollars a week in groceries.

If they don't, you ain't. Oh, they're like me. I don't want to brag, but you

know yourself, I got style and I pick up a routine quick.

It's okay about the tryout. What kind of wardrobe?

Huh? You can use her stuff.

He opens his act with an Apache dance.

Did you ever do an Apache dance?

Uh, woo, woo, woo, woo, or, um, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

Oh, that.

You mean what he throws around that Paris cafe?

Sure, cinch.

Oh, and, um, look, Vic, um, could you advance me the train fare?

Oh, you don't feel that you could, huh?

Well, how much is it about?

Eight bucks?

Gee, I only got nine.

But it'll be all right.

Thanks a million, Vicki, baby. I'm on my way.

Bye.

Good morning.

Oh, hello, Mrs.

Muldowney. Here you're leaving.

Yes.

Yes, that's right. I got a swell job up at the... Eight dollars and forty cents.

Oh, well, look, Mrs.

Muldowney, the fare is eight, see? So how would it be if I gave you... Eight

dollars and forty cents.

But I gotta go way up to the Adirondack Mountains and I can't give you the cent

I got nearly.

Eight forty or I'll hold your things.

Mrs. Modoni, before we say goodbye forever, I want to give you a little

If you ever run short of rooms, you can rent out that big empty space in your

chest where your heart ought to be.

But be sure you give them plenty of blankets so they won't freeze to death.

One, two, three.

75,

80, 85, 90, 95, 500.

Your ticket, miss.

Pardon me?

Ticket.

Oh.

Well, you see, I had the money for the ticket, okay, but some things came up

I... Ticket.

Oh, now, look, miss, don't get me wrong. I'm not the type of a jip anybody, even

a railroad.

Ticket.

But I'm on my way to see you late. There's a real good job waiting for me

and I'll send you that $8 .20 out of my first week's check.

I'll make it $10. That's fair, isn't it?

$2 interest and...

Oh, look, mister, what are you planning to do? This job means the world and all

to me. But I'm only asking you to trust me for one week.

How would it cost them anything to let me ride the train going this way anyhow?

Well, I absolutely got to get to Cedar Lake. They're trying me out tonight.

Well, at least you might have the common decency to tell me where this is and

which way to Cedar Lake.

Ask at the information booth in the rotunda.

Just stand still.

What's the matter, miss?

Are you lost?

No.

Somebody chasing you?

This is road work.

I'll say. I've got to do 15 miles by sundown. Come on.

Well, where are you going? Maybe we can give you a lift.

How? Piggyback?

No, my train will be along in a minute in the station wagon.

Well, thanks. If it wouldn't be too much out of your way to drop me by the Shady

Lawn Hotel.

Why, sure. The camp's just over the hill up ahead.

When I get back, I'm supposed to spar a couple of rounds with shots he can take

you over. No trouble at all.

This is him now.

Well, I certainly do appreciate this, Mr... My name's O 'Hara. I fight under

name of Young O 'Hara. Well, I'm sure glad to meet you, Mr. O 'Hara.

My name's Mary O 'Connor, but I fight under the name of Maisie Revere.

This is Peaches, my sparring partner.

Hello. How'd you do?

Shotzi, this is Miss Revere.

Hello. Hello.

She's going over to the Shady Lawn Hotel, so you can drop me off and take

over. Sure thing.

Gee, I certainly do appreciate this.

I'm not so sure I could have made the hotel.

Spending your vacation there?

Vacation?

Listen, where I come from, you spend your summers on the fire escape watching

the L trains. That's just until you're old enough to get your working paper.

No, I'm going into an act, a dancing act, and I'm due there right now for

rehearsal. Gee, an actress.

Well, why do you know?

Maybe I'll get a chance to see you later. I was planning on going home for

supper. My girlfriend comes up every weekend.

I guess she's there right now. Came up on the train.

Oh.

I was on the train, too, for a while.

You were?

Well, if you're on the train, what are you doing? No ticket.

Not to put too fine a point on it, I'm broke.

Oh, but once I get to that hotel, I'm fine.

A real class act and a swell salary. I'm set for Labor Day. That's great.

Hey, Terry, what's Skeets gonna say about you riding back?

He's liable to be awful sore.

Oh, did I make trouble for you taking a lift? No. Well, because if I did, you'd

let me out right now. Now, Skeets McGuire's my manager. You've probably

him. Skeets is the best. He's the best friend I got.

Terry's gonna be champion of the whole world.

Well, I sure hope you make it.

I still got a long way to go.

So long, Miss Revere. I wish you lots of luck with your dancing.

Say hello to my girlfriend, Cecilia Reardon, if you get a chance. You bet I

will. Thank you, Mr.

Reardon. Okay.

What's the idea?

Hello, Skeets. Miss Revere, shake hands with Skeets McGuire.

Hello, Mr. McGuire.

So you rode back, huh?

Only from the bottom of Pine Hill. I did eight miles. I said ten.

You, Shotzi, what's the matter with you? You're supposed to watch his road work.

I'll make up for it. Shotzi's going to take Miss Revere over the whole time.

on your gloves and get that ring with peaches here and go four rounds and

Riding in cars when you've got to sweat up. What do you want to do, get lumbago?

You, Shotzi, get in there with them. See, they keep moving.

But, Skeets, I promised Mr. Pierce... Take enough yellow -haired mice when you

ought to be doing your road work.

Wait a minute, foul mouth.

I want a few things understood around here.

I didn't thumb this rider ass forward in any way at all.

I was walking along and he was doing his running.

He offered me a lift in a gentlemanly way and I took it.

But if I'd have known they keep a big mongrel dog around here to bark at

strangers, I'd have declined with thanks.

Better do like Papa tells you, boys, or Papa will take a strap to you.

Well, you sure made me into it, Heal. I told her Shotzi'd take her over to the

hotel. You know I don't allow women around the training camp.

Listen, you got no complaints about me. I always do what you tell me. But you

know nobody else is going to make me Walsh on a promise. I'm going to bring

back.

Okay, but tell her to wait in the car.

Keep her away from the boys.

Hey, Miss Rivera.

Hey, wait up a minute.

Hey, don't be sore, will you? That was just a little misunderstanding.

Shotzi will take you back to the hotel just like I said, as soon as I finish

sparring. Just four rounds, inside a half an hour. No, no, not after the way

carried on. I still got my pride.

No, don't be sore at me. Come on back.

I'm not sore at you. You've been more than nice throughout.

But gargantuan is something else again.

Well, Skeets has always had a lot to say about what I did, and I always listened

to him because he was right. But he was wrong just now.

I said I was going to take you to the hotel, and I want to make good on it.

Despite him?

No, just to prove him there are a couple of things around my own boss.

Okay.

Hey, Peaches, remember what the boss said. A good, fast workout.

Okay, boys, go to it.

Okay. Yellow -haired mice.

What are you doing in here?

I am having a drink of clear, cold water.

I set for you to wait in the car.

Ah. And what you say goes around here, huh? That's right.

When I have more time, I must tell you about Abraham Lincoln.

He was a wonderful, wonderful man. And guess what?

He freed the slaves.

Listen, sister.

This is your first visit to this camp and your last.

So if you're getting any ideas, drop them.

Now. Ideas of what?

You listen, tall, dark, and bad -mannered. I got no designs on your

I have neither the time nor the inclination to take up the part of

can't understand what a wren like you is doing so far from the sidewalks of New

York. You take that back. Hold it now. Take it easy there, velvet paws.

Just remember what I said, sister.

Stick to your act, whatever it is. Well, you'll see what it is, and it's good,

too. Strictly class, big time.

Yeah, I'll bet.

Well, drop over to the Shady Lawn Hotel and catch it sometime if you're sure it

won't sweep you off your feet being so susceptible.

Managers don't train, baby.

I might drop over at that.

In a gilded cage A beautiful sight to see

And her beauty was sold For an old

man's gold She's a bird

A beautiful sight, a beautiful sight, a beautiful sight, a beautiful sight to

see. I said a beautiful sight to see.

You may think that she's happy and free from all care.

She's not, though she seems to be, to be, to be, to

be. Tis sad, tis sad, tis sad when you think of her wasted.

to where she found them.

She's just a bird in a gilded cage.

She sold her soul for an old man's gold.

She found that youth could never make...

Stand up and let me see you in the dress.

Say, they fixed it for you okay.

Why, you look better in it than the other girl. Yeah, you fill it out more.

Yeah, I think it looks swell.

We're on in a minute.

You nervous?

Oh, well, you know.

Listen, you haven't a thing to worry about. Not a thing. Why, you rehearse

great. Well, thanks. I'll try to do my best.

This is going to be a wonderful summer, kid.

Yeah, sure, we're going to be a great team.

You click.

me the minute I saw you.

You know what I mean?

We've got rhythm, baby.

And how.

Oh, now look, Ricky, we've got a show to give.

Oh, plenty of time. I never missed a cue yet.

Well, you got the wrong cue this time. Yeah, yeah. That's what you think. Oh,

now look, Ricky, I've got nothing against you personally. I like you fine

the longer I've known you, but I just don't play around.

What's the matter? I got a guy you're stuck on? No, but there's a guy

someday I'm going to be stuck on.

Oh, well.

There are no strings to me. Oh, no, Ricky.

Oh.

Not good enough, huh?

Come on, now, don't get sore.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you that

sensational Apache dancer, Ricky Dupre, and his new partner, fresh from New

York, Miss Maisie Revere.

Ricky, Ricky, don't be sulky. I just have to tell you, because that's how I

Yeah, well, here's how I am.

Dames who think they're the Queen of America give me a pain.

Say, you're on. No, I'm not.

And I don't go on. This dame's the worst I've ever seen, barring none.

But you're rehearsed fine. I saw her myself. I saw her, too, and I say she's

finished. I'm getting a new partner up from New York tomorrow.

And she goes back tonight.

And no expenses, either. Well, that's the smallest thing I ever heard.

Letting a personal matter influence your professional age. Scram.

Say, that's a shame. I thought you were good.

Yeah, that's my trouble.

Miss Revere, young old Herr is out front with some people. He wants you to join

them as soon as you're through.

Yeah, and I'm through right now.

Funny coincidence.

Hello? Oh, Miss Revere.

Won't you sit down?

Thanks.

This is my girlfriend, Miss Reardon.

Hello. Glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Revere. I understand we are not

going to have the pleasure of seeing you dance.

No, you're not going to have that pleasure.

The reason is too personal to discuss.

Oh, gee, that's too bad.

You were kind of counting on this job, too, weren't you?

That's right.

That's a shame.

Well, will you have some supper?

No, thanks. I ate. Worth luck.

Uh, Terry.

It's time for you to be getting back.

Okay. Sorry, sweet. It's got to be in bed by ten, you know. Oh, that's all

right, dear.

I'm ready to retire myself.

I've had a difficult week.

The train trip always takes so much out of one.

Yeah, here's one they took out of the train.

I'll be right back, Miss Rivera. I'm just going to take Sissy to the

Good night, Pete. Night.

Goodbye, Miss Rivera. I'm glad to have met you. Good night, Miss Rivera.

You, uh, run through jobs kind of quick, don't you?

All through before you can get started?

Haven't they got some kind of rules in the fight game about hitting a man when

he's down?

Well, things changed since my Uncle Matt went 23 rounds with John L. Sullivan.

Okay, okay.

I apologize.

Pardon me, Mr. McGuire. Yeah? Your call to New York is through. Okay, thanks.

Will you excuse me, Miss Revere?

I'll be right back.

Don't hurry.

Where's Skeets?

Oh, um, he had a New York call.

Oh.

I, uh, guess you're feeling kind of low, huh?

I could look a snake in the eye if I had a pair of stilts.

Well, uh, what are you going to do?

I don't know.

Gee, I've been in jams before, but there's some angles to this one that

the worst yet.

Gee, I'd like to help you.

Oh, don't you worry about me. I'll pull through this, okay?

Would getting back to New York help any?

Oh, sure.

There's a lot of dust and blisters between here and New York, and thumb and

just isn't a good idea.

I know.

Well... Oh, well, I say you're intended as very pretty.

Oh, yeah, Cecilia's a fine girl.

But what I was thinking, I could drive you down tomorrow.

Sunday's my day off.

I drive Sissy down every weekend. She comes up. Then we stop to see my mother

for a couple of hours.

Oh, that sure would be a lifesaver.

But you sure I wouldn't be crowding you or taking you out of your way? No, no. I

take the station wagon. There's all the room in the world.

Then after I see Mom, I'll take you on over to Manhattan.

You're not dreaming this up just to help me out.

No.

Mom gets lonesome when I'm away like this. She can't get out at all anymore.

She's in a wheelchair.

Got arthritis.

Had it pretty bad now for two years.

Gee, that's awful.

Well, that's all set then. You'll leave with us in the morning. Yeah.

Now, here I was crying and carrying on, and now it's all right.

Oh, uh... Uh, what about your room for the night?

Are you all set?

Oh, sure.

Sure, that's under control.

Now, wait a minute. This afternoon you told me you didn't even have train fare.

Oh, yeah, that.

Oh, but this hotel always treats an artiste right, even if they fire her.

Now, you're dreaming something up, aren't you?

I didn't tell that one so good, did I? I'll fix it up with this.

You will?

You know, it sure means a lot meeting someone like you.

Just when I was beginning to think the wolves had taken over the world.

Thanks.

Uh, I just talked to Denny. He says the seat sale for the fight's going swell.

Looks like this is going to be our biggest gate. Well, come on. It's

late. Okay, I have to stop by the desk for a minute. Huh?

What for?

Well, uh...

To pay for a room for me.

Harry offered to lend me the money, and I accepted it in the spirit in which it

was meant.

Oh. Well, I'll stop by for you around nine, then. I'll be ready.

Sleep well. See you in the morning. Good night, Harry, and thanks again.

Come on, Skeets.

You go on back over to the camp, go to bed, and tell Shotzi to come back and

pick me up. I've got some business I've got to do. Okay. Good night, Maisie.

Night.

I want to talk to you.

About what?

Outside.

Well, what am I, under arrest?

What are you trying to pull?

I beg your pardon. I gotta hand it to you, though. You sure work fast.

Roam in the hotel for the night, date tomorrow.

What's the plan for tomorrow? Is he gonna drive you around the car and show

the beautiful, beautiful countryside?

Thanks very much for your interest in my business, Mr. McGuire, but... As far as

you're concerned, I'm interested in one thing, Terry.

You see, he's a little more than a prize fighter to me. He's kind of like a kid

brother. Oh. I picked him up when he was 17 years old, flat broke.

A good, clean kid with a knockout punch in either hand and willing to learn.

Now I'm grooming him to be the champion of the world, and nothing is going to

stand in his way.

Nothing. Nor no one.

Meaning what?

Look, sister, this isn't Terry, you know.

This is McGuire you're talking to. Oh, I know that. I can tell you a part easy.

You're the rude one. I'm the wise one, and I'm wise to your game.

Big dough, easy pickings. Shut up! You shut up.

These pickings aren't easy.

In the first place, the kid's engaged, and you and none of your sisters could

get a tumble out of him. In the second place, he couldn't spend any dough on

if he wanted to because I handle him.

So I guess it's no dice on a shakedown. How dare you?

Oh, I dare.

I'm brave. I never heard such vile talking all my life, and I've been

some people who were pretty low.

I'll bet in your racket. You close your mouth!

I've been earning my living since I was 14 years old, and I never did a crooked

thing or took one cent I didn't earn.

If my own mother was to come back from her grave today, I could look her right

in the eye and never be ashamed of anything.

When do you get off talking about shakedowns and rackets? I know the type,

sister. I've been around. Type? Type? Who's the type? I'm me.

What are you trying to do, anyhow?

Blame me for what every cheap girl in the world ever did?

I'll have you know, if I wanted to lower my standards, I could be working right

here in this hotel until September.

Okay, sister.

Okay. Maybe I was wrong.

But you just try to pull anything and you get it right across the knuckles

Poor

sissy

it's like this every trip we make she gets to feeling car sick Then she has to

lie down on her back like that and try and sleep

She's asleep.

Maisie, before we get to Mom, there's something I gotta tell you.

Oh, Mr. Dirty Mind McGuire's been talking, huh?

Skeets? No, he must have got Skeets all wrong, Maisie.

You don't like him, do you?

No. You would if you knew him. He may act tough, but he's all heart.

Yeah, well, maybe an x -ray would change my mind.

What is it you wanted to tell me, Terry?

Oh, uh... Well, you see, Mom doesn't know I'm a boxer.

She doesn't?

No, so don't make any slips, will you?

That's not my real name, you see. Young O 'Hara.

That's only a ring name. My name's Dolan. Terry Dolan.

I took the other so she wouldn't know.

Gee, if I was her, I wouldn't want to be lied to.

Do you have to?

Well, I guess you must have thought it all out, but it seems to me it's awful

risky business.

You know, looking back on it, I don't think I ever told a lie in my life and

really got by with it.

Somehow, no matter how white the lie was or how smart I thought I was about it,

it always snapped back and hurt someone.

Well, I sure hope this never hurts Mom.

She thinks prize fighting is for... Well, they're animals to her.

Two guys in there punching each other silly.

Well, it's a wonder to me you get by with it. Right now, she thinks I'm a

salesman. Thinks I'm selling razor blades. Like now when I'm training, I'm

supposed to be on the road.

So don't say anything, will you?

Oh, not me.

Thanks.

Terry. Yes, honey?

I think I could eat something.

Might settle my stomach.

Sure, darling. I'll stop right now.

Skeet says the camp cook put up a lunch that won't break training.

Is mine separate?

Separate? No, it's all in one basket. Enough for three of us. Why?

Oh, I thought maybe Mr. McGuire picked me some mushrooms.

If we hadn't lost that grocery store, I'd never been in that prize ring. Dad

left the business to Mom, see? She could have had a swell income for life if

this guy hadn't come along selling stock in some kind of an oil company.

Uh -oh.

Yeah. It was phony.

Is there any more of the chicken?

There's only a wing.

Oh, all right.

I prefer the white meat.

The dark meat's a little too rich when you're not feeling just right.

Well, if you two will pardon me, I think I'll go back to the wagon and lie down

for a little.

Sitting on the ground like this is hard on your back if you're not robust.

All right, honey, can I help you? Oh, no, thank you. I'll manage.

That mom told me we lost the store.

There were two guys that got in on this deal, see, and I knew them. So I went

down to the office, they had to see him. But they wouldn't see me.

Gave me the brush off. Just stepped out, out of town.

So I laid for them.

There was a little restaurant over near the Coliseum where they used to eat.

Well, I walked in there one night. Gee, it's a mercy I didn't kill them, both of

them. That's how mad I was.

All I could think of was a store the old man built up, and Mom alone in the

world without a cent. I just stepped right into them. Bang, bang, just one

apiece. Right there in the restaurant?

Gee. Yeah, I knocked them stiff as boards, out cold.

Then a lot of waiters grabbed me, and someone called a cop.

They could have jailed me, I guess, but I didn't care much.

Then I hear this guy say, hey, the kid's a friend of mine, Joe, to the cops,

see? That was Skeets.

They had it coming, he says, the rats from way back.

Well, the cop knows Skeets, so he kind of laughs and says, all right, Skeeter,

but make him be doing his fighting in the ring from now on.

Was that on a level about the McGuire and you being friends?

No, he'd never laid eyes on me before in his life. But then that's the way

Skeets is.

And the next thing you know, he signed me to this contract.

And for two years, he wouldn't match me with anybody.

Just kept bringing me along and training me.

And 50 a week for Mom all the time without him making a cent on me. Well, I

guess it was a pretty good investment.

Well, I'll be back in a store pretty soon.

Got my eye on one already.

Take care of Mom.

Have a store free and clear.

Have a nice home for me and Sissy and a couple of kids, maybe.

A nice home and some kids.

Sure sounds ideal.

That's the best daughter I've heard in ten years.

Oh, it's an old one, honey. Well, it's brand new to me.

Well, I gotta go, sweetheart.

Go? Well, the dust you kicked up coming in's hardly settled yet. Must you go so

soon? Yeah, I gotta get back.

And how long will you be working in that part of the world?

It seems to me that every man, woman, and child in Utica and thereabouts must

have bought a razor blade off you by this time.

Well, uh, it's an awful big territory, Mom.

But week after next, I'm going to have two weeks off, and I'm going to spend

them right here with you.

Isn't it wonderful? There's so much money to be made out of a little thing

razor blades.

This lad's been coining money since Mr. McGuire hired him. Well, I guess he's

plenty good.

Oh, he's no great shakes.

Hey, what's the idea of running me down like that?

How's the pain, Lady Sweets? Any better? It comes and goes.

Well, thanks a lot, Mrs. Dolan, for letting me barge in on you like this. I

don't know when I've had a better time. When you've had a better time.

Miss Revere, you're as good as a wedding.

Tell me, when are you appearing next?

Maybe I could manage somehow or another to get over to the theater to see you.

Well, the way things look right now, I'm liable to be playing the supper show at

the Salvation Army shelter.

Oh, I didn't tell you, Mom.

Macy had a little bad luck. She's out of a job.

Yeah. Now, how can that be?

And you're dripping talent from every pore.

You're out of a job, and I'm out of company.

Terry.

Oh, no.

It would be too dull for you altogether.

Say, I never thought of that.

Maisie, I've been looking for I don't know how long for somebody to stay with

Mom, haven't I? Yes.

That girl out in the kitchen there is as dull as ditch water, and I'm starved

nearly for someone lively to talk to. How about it, Maisie? Will you stay on

be a companion to Mom?

Laughing like she did in there is better than all the medicine in the world.

Twenty -five a week and all you can eat. What do you say?

Well, gee, it sure sounds like heaven. Well, if it's anything like heaven, it's

all settled.

Oh, but Mrs. Dolan, I don't... Please, Maisie, see and stay.

Well, gee, sure.

I'll get your bag.

I'd like to see a certain party's face when he hears about this.

the summer wind up ends, and we come to the main event, a ten -round bout

between young O 'Hara, sensational young heavyweight, and veteran Joe Gardia,

the Bayonne Panther.

There are many who predict that young O 'Hara will be the next heavyweight

champion of the world, but tonight's goal is the most severe test O 'Hara has

yet faced.

Gee, if it was my men fighting, I'd be nervous as a witch.

Doesn't the bottom of everything kind of drop away from you seeing Terry fight?

Yes, it's a severe strain.

Is that boy who was selling the pop anywhere around?

Oh, boy.

One's throat gets so dry.

A chocolate milk, please.

Hello,

Maisie. Hello, sweet. Hello.

How's Mom?

Oh, she's fast asleep. She thinks I'm at a movie.

Good luck, honey. We'll be rooting for you. Thanks, Maisie.

Oh, Maisie. Hello. Hello.

Hiya, Maisie. Hey, don't forget, I want to hear that South Portland soprano of

yours leading those cheers.

That schemes, making you conspicuous like that.

Why, I'm surprised at his being so familiar.

You're surprised? I'm not for a loop.

I've been two weeks working up from hey, you to hello there, and tonight I get

hi, Maisie.

Well, things are certainly picking up around here.

I want you boys to fight until I tell you to break. And when I do, I want you

break clean.

Careful of your low punches. In case of a knockdown, go to a neutral corner.

Shake hands now and come out fighting.

Now, remember what I told you. Just take it easy and seal him out. Let him come

to you. Sure, sir.

Here we go again, kid.

Arrow is a shadow.

A shadow with a pile driver's punch.

I'll give you a call next week as soon as the Johnson door is all set. Thanks

for coming in. Hello, Duchess. Well, kids, come on and get the next champion

the world, a nice big kid.

How about a picture with the ladies? Nothing doing. You'll make no glamour

out of her hair. On your way, boy.

Keep them out, will you, Fred?

Hey, Terry. Here are your two girls. Hello.

Oh,

I was proud of you here.

I'm sorry.

What do you say we go out someplace and tie on the feed bag? I think you can

break training tonight. You're rated. Well, let's go.

Us two? Sure. What about you girls?

Okay, all you girls outside while the boys stand on the inside. We'll change

clothes and be right with you.

Honey,

are you going to eat that sausage?

I hate to see it go to waste. Help yourself.

Do you know what the scribes used to call Peaches when he was fighting?

No, Chauncey, what?

The Cherry Street Adonis.

Really? Yep, that's what the scribes called him.

He was a Greek.

Adonis was.

Just a good -looking Greek.

Could never make out what they called me then.

Why, Peaches, did you think you were good -looking?

Oh, sure, sure, he was good -looking, all right.

But he ain't no Greek.

Well, I think I should take my departure.

I have to be at work so early in the morning. All right, honey, I'm going to

home in time to see Mom anyway.

Ready, Maisie?

You take Sissy home, huh?

Come back for Maisie? No, no, don't bother.

I'll take care of Maisie.

Well, haven't I got anything to say about this?

No. Well, fine, then.

Skeets, how about spending the night with us? Mom would like to see you.

No, thanks. I think I'd kind of like to take a little ride and let the night

breeze blow through my hair.

Come on, Sissy.

Well, good night, everybody.

Good night, Sissy. Good night.

Good night.

Sure is one sweet fighter.

You fellas finished?

Sure.

You may be excused.

Huh?

Scram, will you?

Take a powder, my lads, take a powder.

Oh, I get it. I get it. He thinks we're dumb. He wants us to go.

Good night, Mr. Vance. Good night, boss.

Good night, Peter. Good night, Kathy.

Good night.

Would you like a drink?

I told you once I don't drink.

Well, there must be something that you do do.

How about a dance?

That's it.

You seem to have forgotten that nice frank talk we had up at the Shady Lawn

Hotel. Yes, I have. I kind of wish you'd forget it, too.

No, that's all right. Oh, come on. Let's bury the act.

I just pegged you wrong, that's all. Anybody can make a mistake.

Not that kind.

Look, I was wrong. I apologize.

See, a lot of things can happen to a fighter, you know, and I kind of made up

mind that none of them are going to happen to Terry.

I guess sometimes I lean over backwards.

You didn't lean over backwards that night, brother. You fell flat in your

Say, what do you want me to do? Kiss your foot? So I was wrong, so I

What changed your mind?

Oh, plenty of things.

Like what?

Well, like getting to know you better.

Well, plenty of things.

Say, what are you trying to do, get me to hand you a load of compliments?

Sure.

And you're not doing so bad either for a guy just up from the amateurs.

Why, you.

So, uh, the old hatchet's buried, huh, Maisie?

It's buried.

But I'm leaving the earth kind of loose on top of it just in case.

Now you boys know the rules.

I want you to break clean when I tell you.

doing?

You can't stop here. This is the George Washington Bridge.

You'll get pinched.

You shouldn't have done that without asking me.

And what would you have said if I had asked you?

Yes.

What's the name?

Francis X. McGuire.

Rivoli Hotel.

It was worth it, Chum.

Boy, it was worth it.

Yeah, yeah, I'm awake.

Can I come in a minute?

Sure, come in.

Hello, honey. Did you get home in time to see Mama?

Yeah, yeah, I saw her.

How'd you think she was looking?

Oh, fine, fine. She looked fine. Glad to see you, huh?

Yeah. Well, that's all I wanted to know. I don't want to disturb you.

Good night, Terry. That sure was a sweet fight.

Good night, Maisie. Thanks for coming in.

don't look so good. Is something the matter?

Matter? No, no, there's nothing the matter.

Oh, come on now, there is something.

Well, I, uh, I just had kind of a nightmare. You know, like you get them

sometimes. Oh, sure, I know how I get them sometimes.

But the way you live, you shouldn't have nightmares.

What is it, honey? Do you and Sissy ever run in? Oh, no.

I'll be okay. I just felt kind of restless, that's all. Like I wanted to

around. Well, maybe a glass of hot milk would make you sleep better.

What do you say I fix you one?

No, no, thanks. Just the same.

Well, okay, then.

Night.

Macy, wait a minute.

Yeah?

I've been keeping something to myself for four years now.

I never had anybody I could spill it to.

It's been eating at me for so long, it's all bottled up inside of me. It's

driving me crazy.

Well, what is it, honey? You can tell me anything.

You probably think I'm cracked.

Or yellow.

Maybe I am. I don't know anymore.

Yellow?

Listen, I know better. I saw you fight tonight.

That's just it, Maisie. I got no business fighting.

It's all wrong, me being in the ring. I don't like it. I never did like it.

That's why I'm quick, I guess. Just to get it over with.

Oh, I can fight all right when I'm mad or for a reason. But just to stand up

there and slug somebody you got no grudge against.

Run the chance of getting your brains knocked loose or doing the same thing to

them.

Like Shotzi.

Jarred down on your heels and your head going.

Oh, Terry, that's awful feeling like that.

But there must be plenty of boys fighting who never get hurt.

Bad, I mean.

Sure, but they're born fighters. When they're in the ring, they're doing what

they were cut out to do. They love it. They love the whole thing.

Money, the crowd.

I belong in a grocery store.

I like everything about it. How it smells and waiting on the people.

That's the only reason I got into this thing at the start. Just to make enough

money to buy a store.

Never for itself or to make a million or be champion.

But just enough to take care of Mom.

Get married and have a couple of kids.

Here I am, going from one fight to another and keeping on lying to Mom. I

you, it's got me crazy.

You think I'm nuts, don't you?

No.

If you haven't got your heart in something, you shouldn't ought to be

You should quit.

Well, why don't you? Certainly by now you've got enough money to buy the

No, I haven't. Not yet.

I need the Johnson fight.

That'll give me just enough.

Well, fine.

You'll fight Johnson and you'll win from him too, Terry.

And then you can quit and buy the store.

It's not that easy.

I got a contract with Skeets.

Oh, and that's what's been worrying you.

He's got it all planned out. There's Duffy after Johnson and then the champ.

set on me being the champion.

Well, only because he doesn't know how you feel. Nobody could have guessed that

you've been keeping it all to yourself.

All you have to do is tell him.

Oh, Terry, you should hear how he talks about you. You're like his own brother.

I'll bet the two of you never even had an angry word.

Yeah, but I never crossed him.

Well, honey, you've known him longer than me, but just lately, like tonight,

got pretty close and...

I think I could figure just about how he'd take a thing like this, and I'm

telling you, he'd be swell about it. So when the two of you get up to training

camp, just spill the whole thing to him. Tell him you're quitting after the

Johnson fight. And once you put it to him straight, he'll be the first one to

say you should quit.

You think so, Maisie? Oh, sweetie, I know so.

Okay.

I feel better already.

Gee.

You're the best.

Thank you.

Gee, kid, I didn't mean to throw it somewhere.

Well, sure, sure, Terry. It's okay.

It's all in a day's work. I must have been nuts. I'm sorry.

Okay, let's go.

Oh, come on. Get her up.

Say, if he punches like that Friday night... He'll punch like that Friday

or any other night he fights. He'll take Johnson, then he'll take Duffy, and

then he'll take the champ.

Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy. That was okay, kid. Let's get that headgear

off there.

You go on and get inside before you cool off.

Skeets, if you can shake the scribes, there's something I want to talk to you

about. Say, what is this? For two months now, that's all I've been hearing. I

want to talk to you and you haven't said anything yet.

Well, there's something I've got to tell you.

All right, you go on in. I'll be right in.

Well, here I am. You wanted to talk? Start talking. What's on your mind, kid?

Well, Skeeter, I... Come on, Shotzi, come on. Don't let those muscles tighten

up, will you? He fights Friday, you know.

Yeah, kid, what's the beef?

Oh, no beef.

I just been thinking over how much money you spent on me the last four years.

The first two, it was all going out, nothing coming in.

Well, it's coming in now, kid, and from now on.

Lie down there, relax.

Yeah, yeah, I, uh... Well, I figure you're just about even now.

The Gardia fight must be just about even, Jeff.

Yeah, yeah, that's just about it. In fact, I might be a little bit out in

So what?

Well, here's how it really is, Skeets.

You make a good bid on the Johnson fight.

Maybe not enough considering it's four years, but... Say, I never heard such a

line of devil talk in my whole life.

What, uh, what are you leading up to a touch? Because if you are, you're a

cinch, you know that, kid? No, no, I don't need any money. Well, I was

wondering. You got practically every cent you ever made in the bank.

I ought to know.

I sock it in there for you. Keep going, Shotzi. Sure, I'm fixed fine. I'm all

right. Well, uh, uh... No trouble between you and Sissy, is there? Sissy?

no. Well, I didn't think so, but then you can never tell.

Did I miss something? No, no. Just keep working.

Well, come on, kid. Spit it out. What's bothering you?

Well, only like I said, Skeeter.

Up to now, you've only laid out money on me and... Well, what I've been trying

to tell you is I want to... You're crying out loud. So that's what's been

you, huh?

You've been worried because I spent a little money on you. Well, relax, kid.

Forget it.

The day we ran into each other was a very lucky day.

For us, I've got big plans.

I'm going to wind up right on the top of the fight racket.

And it's you who's going to put me there.

I can remember when I was just a kid fooling around the racket. I used to

at Tex Rickard, rest his soul.

And I used to think to myself, that's where I'm going to be before I'm

Of course, then it was just a pipe dream. You know, a kid dreaming big.

But no more.

It's no dream now.

I'm going to get there.

I'll make a nice piece of change on the Johnson fight. Yeah, but Skeets, I ain't

even met Johnson yet.

Shut up.

Why, you'll take that Johnson just the way you took Gardea. You're improving

the time, kid.

So will you quit moping because for a couple of years I spent a little money

you? You're my one -way ticket to the top of the heap, sonny boy.

Try and get that through that thick mick head of yours, huh?

Now keep working on him, Shotzi.

You relax. I gotta get back to scribes. I'll see you later.

Johnson will be able to do what none of his eight other opponents have done,

land a solid blow on Skeets McGuire's wonder boy.

Take hands now and come out playing.

Remember, kid, just like we talked, so you got nothing to worry about. Just

it easy, take them whenever you're ready.

Well, here we go again, kid.

Hey, come on, come on, where's that old smile?

the short left intended for O 'Hara's face. But in his characteristic fashion,

'Hara stepped aside.

Johnson seems to be trying to solve O 'Hara's style.

He throws a looping left, but it's blocked by O 'Hara's arm.

Now the boys are in the center of the ring.

O 'Hara lands a left. A right.

It's time for my medicine, don't you think so, dear? Oh, yes, I'm sorry. I

forgot.

Thank you.

Um, is there any... Anything else I can... Let's have a bit of that book

reading. It'll help pass the time till Terry comes.

Oh, but honest, honey, you shouldn't wait up for Terry. Oh, yes, now, Maisie.

The sight of him will do me more good than a couple of hours of sleep.

Sure, I can sleep any time. And those razor blades have kept my boy from me

two months nearly. But, Mommy, he said he might not be home until after

midnight. Oh, go on. Read to me after the book.

Where is it we're wearing now?

Oh, yes.

She'd gone to sleep in that grand tent like.

Yeah, here it is.

opened her cornflower eyes and looked about her. She had been dreaming that

was at home in the either -clad manor house of her father, the Duke.

Then it came back to her in a rush.

She was held captive in the desert kingdom of that half -savage, half

gentleman, that outlaw emperor, the Falcon.

Mama Dolan, I'm a level. Do you like this?

No, it's trash.

That kind of stuff's only good for women who never had the luck to know the real

thing.

All right, Maisie, I'm for bed.

It's like you said, if I get my rest, I'll be as fresh as a daisy to greet the

boy in the morning.

You know, I'd be glad to see Terry shut up his razor blade business.

More like a grocery business, huh? That's what I was thinking.

That's a business that even smells good.

The tea and the coffee and the cheeses, and he'd be home all the time.

Well, let me tell you something.

A little bird whispered to me that after tonight, Terry's washed up with the

razor blade game.

Skeets didn't fire him. Oh, no, no. But he's had it in mind for a long time.

Quitting, I mean.

And, uh, here's something else that'll make you happy.

He's got his eye on a grocery store.

Oh, Maisie, it's not true.

Crash my heart. If you must have given me a million dollars, you couldn't give

me so much joy.

Oh, but when Terry tells you, act surprised. I'll be the picture of

Kiss me goodnight, Mary Anastasia O 'Connor, alias Maisie Revere.

For I'm a happy woman this night.

Goodnight, dear. Sleep well. Goodnight, darling.

I don't know what's keeping him on his feet.

We're seeing a great display of fighting heart here tonight, ladies and

gentlemen. This boy has absorbed seven rounds of grueling punishment. Who are

you talking about? You're dope!

But Hank Johnson still stands on his feet.

O 'Hara pours in with a smashing left to the jaw, a right to the midsection.

and spend a couple of days. Mom would like to see you. Say, I'd like to see

Mom. And I wouldn't mind going a couple of rounds with the Brooklyn Bonfire.

Okay, swell.

In you go, champ.

How's the Duchess of Greenpoint? Hey, hey, just a minute. I'm his manager, you

know. I'm supposed to get part of whatever he gets. Okay, I feel so good

now. I don't care what I do.

Hey, you feel all right about everything?

Sure, why not?

Well, Terry, where's the starboarder parking suitcase?

Same old place? Same old place, Skeeter.

Maisie, how about roughing up some groceries?

Oh, sure. I scramble a fine egg. How wonderful.

I know you must be famished, Terry.

We'll all sleep the better for having something on our stomachs.

Well, if you'll pardon me, I'll freshen up a bit. Okay, Sissy, and then set the

table in the nook, huh?

Come on, Terry, give me a hand.

How's Mom?

Oh, never better. She can't wait to see you.

Say, Skeet sure is high.

I'll bet he took it fine, just like I said. He did, didn't he? He took it

huh?

I didn't tell him.

You didn't tell him?

Oh, I tried up there in camp, but then he began telling me about all the plans

he has.

He's got his whole heart and soul on that million -dollar gate.

I'll tell him, though. I got to.

Tomorrow, maybe, or the day after.

That's why I asked him out here.

Terry, you've got to tell him tonight.

I told your mother you were through selling razor blades and you had a

store all picked out.

I wish you hadn't have said anything.

Oh, look, two months ago when you left for camp, you told me you were going to

speak to him as soon as you got up there.

Hon, I knew you'd stall it off all this time.

Don't you think you'd better boil some bacon, Miss Revere? I presume Skeets and

Terry would enjoy it.

Okay.

Well, whether I should or I shouldn't, I told her.

So you'd better have your talk with Skeets tonight.

Well, uh, what's up? What's the matter?

Oh, nothing, Skeets. We were just... Go ahead, Terry.

Tell her.

Tell me what?

Skeets are something you don't know.

I don't like the fight game. I never did like it.

Every minute I'm in there, I'm so scared I'm sick.

Hey, what is this, a rib?

No, it's the truth, Skeets.

Yeah, it's the truth, all right.

When I first met you, I didn't know what I wanted to do.

I only knew I wanted to kill those two guys that robbed Mom.

But these last few years, I've been thinking more and more about the store

used to have. That's the life for me. Skeet's running a grocery store, not

fighting.

Oh, I never cracked to you because you're always talking about me being the

champion.

And I figured maybe I could go on and maybe win the title like you wanted me

But I can't.

That purse tonight gives me all the dough I need to take care of Mom, buy a

store, and get married.

But, sweetheart, you won tonight.

You fight Duffy next.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute, sissy.

I want to get this straight.

You're scared of fighting, and you want to buy a grocery store, and with

tonight's purse, you can do it.

Well, what's the plan?

I'm quitting, Skeets.

I fought my last fight.

You're quitting?

Did you ever stop to think you and I've got a contract?

Yeah, sure, I know, but you're gonna let me out of it, Skeets. I gotta quit,

that's all. Contract or no contract.

I don't like it. I don't like lying to Mom, and I don't want to get punched

silly. Why, you sniveling little... You're scared. You're gonna quit. You're

gonna buy a grocery store. Ha!

In a pig's ear you are. Oh, wait a minute, Skeet. He's telling the truth.

out of this, Maisie. You're buying no store, see?

You're doing what I tell you. You're fighting Duffy, then you're fighting the

champ. When I tell you, where I tell you, and how I tell you to fight. You

one move to Welch on me, and I'll take the fillings right out of your teeth.

I'll sue you from here to Christmas.

I'll slap an attachment on every cent you got in the world. When the log is

through, you'll be right back where I found you.

On the bread line. But, Skeets, I got my mom to look after. Oh, that's it, eh?

Well, I looked after you, Mom.

Fifty bucks worth every week for two years and not a dime coming in. Now you

look after her by living up the contract you signed your name to. And it'll

stand up in any court in the United States.

I'm getting out of here.

You start training for your next fight in two weeks up at the camp and be

Skeeter.

Skeeter, you didn't get what he said to you. He was telling you the truth,

Skeets. That's straight.

You've got to let him go. You just didn't understand. You never could ask

like that.

Oh. Oh, so I'm the only one that's wrong, huh? Well, just because you

understand. For you, there's no two sides.

He's 400 % right, and I'm a heel. I understand that.

Well, I know it's an awful shock. You know, I know it's a terrible

disappointment. I know that, honey.

But he's what he said is dead on the level.

He's felt like this for four years now.

I saw him myself right after the guard deer fight, and he was as white as a

sheet. He woke up in a cold sweat.

Oh, listen, if you love him like you said, you can't make him go on. That

you, Skeet. Oh, isn't it? Guess again, sweetheart.

Say, I had you right the first time up at that hotel.

Yeah, I had you dead to rights. First crack out of the box, then you mixed me

up. That guy I danced with, the one who parked in the bridge.

Why, he's no more like you than the man in the moon. This is you just the way I

had you pegged.

Well, I've guessed wrong before, but this is an all -time low.

Thanks.

Never let him get set, see?

He's got dynamite in that right hook. Keep moving away from it all the time.

You understand?

Well, do you understand or not? Say it back to me like I just told you so I

you got it. I got it all right.

Maisie and Sister's outside.

Sister wants to see you, Terry.

Okay, I'll go on. You can finish this in a minute, Sheriff. Hey, wait a minute.

Wait a minute. What's the idea? You know you don't see anybody now. Peaches,

tell them to come back after the fight. Look, I'm fighting just like my contract

says, see? But there's nothing in that legal paper that says I can't talk to

I want when I want.

Terry, what's got into you?

What's happened between you two, anyhow?

Why, up in Tampa, you wasn't the same fellow all ten steps... Ah, shut up!

Hello, darling. Hello, Maisie.

Hello, Parrish. What's up? Something wrong with Mom? Oh, no, no. She's as

as silk. No, Miss Revere just wanted to satisfy herself that you're all right,

knowing you've been so nervous.

Well, not that exactly, but I just wanted to see you and find out how you

Oh, I'm okay. Thanks. I'm okay.

Last week up at camp, I thought you were doing quite a bit of worrying.

And you mustn't, Terry. You mustn't.

Oh, you must have cut me on an off day or something.

I'm in good shape, Maisie. Really, I'm not worried about anything.

I'm fine, honest.

Sure you are. Sure you are, Terry.

I'll be shouting my lungs out for you.

Good luck.

Thanks, Maisie.

Best of luck, dear.

Just keep thinking to yourself, I'm going to win.

Yeah. Yeah, thanks for coming in.

Goodbye. Good luck. Good luck, dear.

And here comes Jackie Boy Duffy.

Those cheers are for the woodchopper, Jackie Boy Duffy, who is just entering

ring.

the new men know the rules.

This crowd expects a clean sportsman -like contest, and I'm relying on you to

give it to them. You're going to break clean when I tell you to. A low blow

means a loss in the round to one of you that struck it. In the event of a

knockdown, go to a loopy corner.

I want you boys to shake hands now, and when the bell sounds, come out fighting,

and may the best man win.

Remember, he's a great puncher. Watch his right hand.

Good luck, kid.

Thanks, Pastor.

This is earlier, and O 'Hara seems slow, as if a little uncertain of his death.

Something's screwy here. He was trying to make you open up. They were stalling

that round, trying to make you rush him. Now watch yourself and don't crowd him.

Cross me.

You throw this fight, you'll have a tough one on your hands. What's the

with you?

What's happened to you, sir? What's wrong?

I don't know. I can't get going.

My time is... No, sir. This is not the same O 'Hara who fought Johnson here

two months ago.

Don't put him away. It's no stall.

He's all shot.

Okay, this is it.

your best, kid.

Anybody could have said you was doing your best. You feel okay now?

Yeah, my head hurts so.

You hit that canvas pretty hard. You had a slight concussion.

It was quiet for a week or so.

Well, they got me now.

What, back in your dressing room, sweetheart?

Oh.

Well, you can turn on the lights now. I'm okay.

Why is it dark?

It's not dark.

My eyes are open. The lights are on, aren't they?

It's not dark here.

I can't see. That's what it is. I'm blind.

Answer me. That's what it is, isn't it? Easy, easy, boy. It's just the result of

the fall. It'll soon pass.

I'll get you right over to the hospital.

Sissy.

Sissy.

Take his hand.

Mom expects me home tonight.

You tell her.

Break it to her easy.

Oh, don't you worry, Terry. You'll be perfectly okay by tomorrow.

Mama ought to know we shouldn't keep this from her.

I'll tell her.

Thanks, Maisie.

I'll get her and bring her to the hospital.

Don't worry.

Just rest and the doctors will fix you up fine.

I never figured this.

With all the dread I had of it, I never figured this.

Blind. Don't talk like that, Terry.

You just heard what the doctor said.

It'll be over in about an hour.

You'll be all right.

Isn't that right, doctor?

Yeah, that's right. We'll just get him over to the hospital. All right, Doctor.

That doctor was lying.

You know that, don't you?

Well, I know it. It was written all over his face.

He thinks Terry's blind for good.

Maybe he's right.

Maybe Terry is blind for good.

22 years old and Mom don't even know he's a fighter.

Well, she'll know now.

I gotta tell her.

I got to tell her Terry wasn't a salesman like you thought. He's been

for four years now.

Oh, he didn't have any heart for fighting. He was so frightened he

sleep, but he had to keep on.

He had plenty of money. There wasn't any reason for him to keep on. He could

have bought a grocery store like he wanted to.

But he had to go in there and fight.

Because his best friend, the guy who loved him like they were born of the

mother, wanted to make money on him.

Well, that's out now.

He won't have to fight anymore. Even Mr. McGuire's legal contract that'll stand

up in any court can't make him fight now because he's blind.

He don't know whether his night or day of his eyes are open.

He's blind.

That's what I gotta tell that old lady.

Because of you, that's what I gotta... Will you tell her?

I'll take you to the hospital, honey, before I go to get Mama.

No, I can't go down there.

Oh, sure.

Sure you can, sissy.

Terry might call for you, and he wants you to be right alongside of him. You're

his girl.

No.

Well, he may be blind for good.

You said that yourself.

He might always be blind.

I can't marry a blind man.

I want a real home, and someone will take care of me.

Why do you have to lead him around and put on his clothes like a baby?

kind of life is that for a girl?

Oh, Maisie. Maisie, you see how it is. How could I marry him now?

How could I?

Why, you dirty, mean, cold, little nasty slug. Don't you dare.

Is that my mother?

It is, son.

Mama.

I'll be right outside.

Stay here, dear.

Hello, Maisie.

Hello, honey.

Gee, Mama, it must have been an awful shock for you.

I feel terrible you had to know.

I never meant for you to know at all, least of all this way.

Does it hurt bad?

Now, I shouldn't have lied to you, Mom.

I guess it's true, Maisie. No good ever comes out of a lie.

Forgive me, Mom.

Forgive? There's nothing to forgive.

What were you to do, so young and left without your daddy to look after you?

The root of the whole thing was me being greedy, wanted to make money fast.

You did it all for me, to keep me in comfort.

Yeah, I... I didn't even succeed in that.

Don't say that, Terry.

I'm living like a queen.

But now that... The doc says it's something pressing on my brain that

me... Well, it's not the eyes. They're okay. It's hitting on the back of my

like that.

There's a specialist coming from Boston.

A brain specialist.

There's only about three of them in the country can do a job like this.

It'd be plenty expensive.

Paying them will just about clean me out.

And what's money for?

Except to buy the best when you need it.

When will you get here?

This doctor that's going to put you right.

In the morning.

Dr. Kramer, he's the commission doctor. Went to Boston to get him.

But, Mom, maybe when he examines me, he won't be able to do it. He'll do it.

Well, I don't want you to count on him, Mom. He'll do it.

Mr. Duffy's outside.

Oh.

He's the fellow I fought tonight, Mom.

Oh?

Let him in

You

may come in

Hello

Terry, hello Jackie boy, this is my mother and Miss Revere

Look, Terry, it's like they say, but you can't see.

Yeah.

I said, look, kid, I soon had cut off my arm.

I was six years in the ring, but I never hurt no one.

I'm beyond a shiner, boy, a cut lip, but nothing like this.

You probably got no use for me.

But you got it right.

All I can say is, I didn't mean to hurt him.

But he had a good name in the ring.

Ask anybody.

I never stumped anybody, rabbit punched, or hit low.

That's the truth.

Ain't it, Terry?

Sure, sure, Jackie boy.

Put it out of your mind. It wasn't your fault.

He could have took the fight.

But I would have thrown the fight even then to have this happen.

Don't reproach yourself boy.

Just say a little prayer for him. Yeah, I will You bet I've been

doing it ever since he told me I'll keep in touch kid

Thanks

Well

good night good night Jackie good

night

Gee.

And to think how I hated him tonight.

Oh, he's okay.

Sissy didn't come down, huh? I thought maybe she'd be here... You might as well

know, son.

You've seen the last of Sissy.

Oh, Mama, you shouldn't have.

Oh.

The eyes.

I guess she figured I'd always be like this.

Well, she didn't figure it all, Terry. It's just... Well, like Mama says, the

least thing and she goes to pieces.

Yeah, it's funny.

Even as long as I've known her, I never felt like I really knew Sissy.

Like I knew you, Maisie, right from the start. Or Skeets.

Skeets hasn't been around.

Oh, he'll be around.

He's most likely known that you should rest.

You really ought to sleep now, Mr. Dolan.

Yes, son.

Do as the lady tells you.

Get a good rest.

We'll be back first thing in the morning.

Good night now, darling.

God keep you.

Good night, Mom.

Good night, Maisie.

Thanks.

Don't cry, honey.

He'll be all right.

All

right,

son. We're going to do a bit of surgery on you.

Gee,

it's funny. I can't get used to talking to somebody when I can't see him.

I'm right here, just to your right.

Thanks.

Will you tell me straight, Doc, just what my chances are?

You have a good chance, Terry.

But you're a sensible boy.

I won't lie to you. Or to you, Mrs. Dolan.

Yeah, I want to know.

Without the operation, you would very probably live for years, but... Blind.

Yes, son.

Okay.

I'll take my chance.

I'll do my best for you, Terry.

Prepare him for surgery.

Yes, Doctor.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Dolan, but you must wait in the waiting room. I can't let you

stay here.

That's right, Mama. We shouldn't stay here. They'll tell you when it's over.

But they'll have to come looking for me. We'll find you.

They've had him in there such a long time.

Well, the doctor said it'd take a long time, Mama. They always do this kind of

an operation.

Everything's going fine.

Skeeter.

Hello, Mama.

Come over here to me.

Oh, you poor boy.

You look all worn out.

I guess none of us had much sleep last night.

I'm surprised you're talking to me, Mama Dolan.

You mean because it was you got Terry into this prize -fighting business?

There's no help for that now.

And how were you to know it would end like this?

If you did, you'd have been the first one to stop him doing it.

Why, you're like his own brother, Skeeter.

You thought you were acting for the best.

I know that boy.

Thanks, darling.

They promised they'd come and tell me it.

It's taken a cruel long time.

Yeah.

It's all over, Mrs. Dolan. He's going to be perfectly well. Oh, praise God.

Praise God.

Maybe, maybe.

Can I go to him now? Well,

he's still unconscious.

Oh, let me be there when he comes to his senses. He'll be asking for me. Very

well. Just Mrs. Dolan. I'll take it.

You didn't tell her about me, huh?

You didn't tell her what I did?

Boy's going to be all right now.

What I did to him has been patched up.

Well, I guess that's that.

I just want to say thanks for not telling Mom the truth about me.

I know I don't rate it, but it means a lot to me.

Work up the biggest branigan in town.

Well, so long, Maisie.

They don't come any better.

Hello, Terry.

Oh, Miss Revere, have you seen McGuire?

Yeah, he just left.

I see a man he's looking after. Did he seem all right?

He could never seem all right to me, thanks.

I worried about him last night. He sat in that plane as if he'd carved out of

wood. What plane?

What? He sat in what plane last night?

On the way up to Boston to get Dr. Taylor.

You mean you took him along with you?

Well, he took me along with him. He charted the plane. I thought you knew

No. Well, he asked me who the best brain man in the country was, and I told him

Stanley Taylor of Boston.

We were over in New Haven before I caught my breath.

Lucky for me, the Taylor wasn't in Shanghai.

And McGuire felt he'd have gone anywhere.

He spent his last cent.

Nothing mattered to him except getting Terry well and setting him up in the

grocery business.

Oh, and me kicking him when he was down.

Oh, can you perform a brain operation on me?

What Thank you, is it like it told us downstairs gonna be all right. Yes, it's

gonna be all better good. Go on. Maybe you can see him

It's mr.

McGuire who's calling Look, Mrs. Meredith, this is important.

Is he in?

Who is calling?

Okay, have it your way.

His wife.

314, please.

Yeah? Mr. McGuire.

There's a young lady calling.

Young lady?

Who? What's her name? She says she's your wife.

My wife?

What does she look like?

A yellow -haired mouse.

Maisie! Oh, darling.