All language subtitles for The.Damned.Dont.Cry.1950.1080p.WEBRip.AAC2.0.x264-SbR

Well, they finally got him.

Yep. Had to happen
sooner or later.

He just got it sooner.

I'll phone the sergeant.

Right.

The body of the notorious
gambler and racketeer

was found early this morning
behind a sand dune

3 miles from the famed desert resort.

As yet, the authorities
have issued no statements

concerning
their line of investigation,

but it is felt that
new disclosures are imminent.

Hey, red, when do we get
a look inside?

Later, we're gonna have
a 25-cent tour.

Hiya, bonny.

Hey, is it true he's got
a radar system in there?

Is that all?

Yes, sir.

The coroner says he got it

sometime between 11:00
and 12:00 night before last.

That checks.

According to his boy,

he left here about 10:30.

Know where he went?

No. At least
that's what he says.

Look over this stuff.

Oh, what's all this?

Movies.

I know that.
Who's in them?

Friends.

Got a machine
you can run this stuff?

Yes, sir.

Get it ready.

[Wolf whistle]

Boy, he could really
pick 'em, couldn't he?

That's that
Forbes woman, isn't it?

Forbes?

You know, that rich oil heiress
from back east.

She leased the Braddock
house this winter.

But what would she be doing
with a guy like him?

Maybe we ought to ask her,

because, brother,
that's who it is--

Mrs. Lorna Hansen Forbes.

That's enough.

When was the last time
you saw Mrs. Forbes?

Night before last.

I left the house around 6:30

and didn't return
until midnight.

All her clothes, her luggage--

they're all here,
but she was gone.

Have you any idea
who she was with that night?

Hey, sheriff, take a look.

I suppose you don't know
what this is.

No. No, I don't.

Well, I'll tell you.
It's blood.

"Widow of Wyoming oil magnate,

Denver socialite,
Texas heiress."

Can't we get together on this?

Hand me those clips.

These only go back two years.

Where's the rest of them?

That's all there is.

Before then,
nothing but a blank.

She just popped up one day

wearing a mink stuffed
full of dough.

Where did it come from?

Where did she come from?

10 days have passed,

and the police
still have no clues

to the whereabouts
of the fabulous woman

who chose to call herself
Lorna Hansen Forbes.

A nationwide search has left
the darling of cafe society

completely shrouded
in a veil of mystery.

Who is she?
Where is she?

Is she dead, or is she alive?

The questions continue
to pile up.

Where did she come from?

What was her source of income?

Did she kill
the well-known racketeer

whose bloodstains were found
in her home in desert Springs?

Or is she, herself,

the victim
of some kind of gang war?

How and why
the obviously well-bred

and cultured society beauty

could be
even remotely associated

with members of the underworld

is a question
which baffles the authorities.

Hello, dad.

It's me--Ethel.

Mother: Who is it, Jim?

Hello, mom.

Ethel!

Oh!

It's so good to see you.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Jim, put some coffee on.

Don't bother, mom.

It's no bother.

Why, you look fine,
Ethel, real fine.

Don't she, Jim?

She was too good
to stay with us before.

Why does she have to come back?

It's all right, mom.
I won't leave again.

I haven't anyplace else to go.

That's what I thought.

She's in some sort of trouble.

Where'd you get the money
for all them clothes?

The money you triedto send us?

The money you couldn't
tell us about?

Jim!

Come. Come, Ethel.
You are tired.

Mom, has anyone been
here looking for me?

No.

[Door closes]

[Ringing bell]

Gee, it's keen, ain't it, mom?

Yeah.

Can I get it?

I'll speak to your dad about it.

Maybe next Christmas, huh?

Aw, that's what you and
pop said last Christmas!

Man: Here you are,
Ethel.

That'll be 69 cents.

Mighty nice bike there,

one of the best
we've ever stocked.

Yeah, it is.
It's pretty.

I'm afraid we can't
afford it now.

I could probably let you
have it at a good price,

seein' it's the last one
of that size we got.

Please, mom. I'd take
awful good care of it.

Honest, I would!

Kind of hate to see you
pass up a bargain.

May be some time
before we get any more.

Oh, Roy would shoot me

if I came home with this.

I'd help pay for it.

With a bike, I could
get myself a paper route.

There you are.

Well...We'll think
about it. Come on, son.

Don't think too long.
It may not be here tomorrow.

If we lose it, we just have to
lose it. That's all.

We can't always have
what we want,

can we, Tommy?

I guess not.

Come on.

Good day.

Bye.

[Crying]

Tommy!

Thanks, Ed.

See you in the morning, Roy.

Hi, pop!

How do you like it?

Hey, take it easy!

Ethel!

Ethel!

Where is she?

She's taking the clothes
off the line.

She'll be in in a minute.

Have a nice day, Roy?

My days are all the same.

Whose bike is that
Tommy's riding on?

I don't exactly know.
Why don't you get washed up?

Supper'll be ready
in a little while.

Oh, hello, Roy.
Just get in?

Did you buy Tommy that bike?

Yeah. Ain't it a beauty?

I never saw him
have so much fun.

He hasn't been off it
since we got home.

Well, that's great.

It was a bargain, Roy.

It would have been crazy
to pass it up.

Besides, I only had to pay $10.

$10! For a new bike?

Well, the rest next month.

How much is the rest?

Aw, listen, Roy,
practically all the kids

in the neighborhood have bikes.

I don't care
if they have zeppelins.

Always what somebody else
has we got to have, too,

whether we can afford it or not!

How much was it?

$39.50.

It takes every cent I earn now

just to keep us going

without wastin' it
on a silly bicycle!

It's not silly!
It's important!

What's important about it?

Is it more important
than my insurance?

Yes.

I don't care
about your insurance.

You hear that?

She don't care.

Well, I do!

That bike's going back!

Roy!

Roy, you can't take it
away from him now.

I'll go without
something myself,

that coat you promised me
this winter.

What's that got to do with it?

If anything happens to me,

I want that kid taken care of!

Then take care of him
now, why don't you?

He's just a kid, Roy.

He don't know about insurance.

That's in the future.

He can't see that far,

and I don't want him
to see that far.

Oh, please, Roy,
don't make it so that

all he's got to look forward to

is something happening to you.

What's she complaining
about now?

Same old thing.

I don't do enough for her.

You'll never do enough for her.

I'm beginning to
think you're right.

Roy!

Tommy! Come here!

You're not gonna do it!

Come back here,
and bring that bicycle back!

I got to go now.

Ok, you take it away from him,

but that's the last thing

you'll ever take away from him.

I'm not gonna stand by
and watch him

bury his hopes,
one after another.

You're not gonna do that to him.

He's gonna have a bike

if I have to go out
and steal it.

[Horn honking]
Hey! Look out!

Tommy!

[Crash]

Ethel, where are you goin'?

I'm leaving you, Roy.

You can't hold him responsible

for what happened.

It was god's will.

A 6-year-old boy?

It's not for us to question.

I don't believe that.

I don't believe
god works that way.

Then you do blame me.
That's why you're leaving.

No, I'm leaving because
I haven't anything

to hold me here anymore.

I would have left
a long time ago

if it hadn't been for Tommy.

Why don't you
think it over, Ethel?

Things will look better
in the morning.

How many mornings
have you lived, mom?

And how many of those mornings

have things looked better?

You got to keep hoping,
keep trying.

That's whati've been doing.

That's all I've been living on.

Don't you see, mom?

I'm not a kid any longer.

I got to do something
about it now

while I've still got a chance.

But there's still a chance here.

It can work out.
We can start over.

Don't you understand
anything about me?

How can we start over?

We can. We can
plan it different,

have another kid.

What have we got
to give another kid?

Whatever you want.
We'll get it.

I'll show you.
I promise you.

That's what you said
when we were married.

It's what you saidwhen
Tommy was born.

It's what you said
every year since,

but it's still the same.

With you, it'll
always be the same!

Well, I've done
the best I could!

Well, it ain't good enough.

Ethel.

Let her go.
She'll be back.

She'll find out what it's like.

Whatever it's like,
it'll be better than this.

I want something more

than what I've had out of life,

and I'm gonna get it.

My dear young woman,

you can't type,
you don't know shorthand,

you've never operated
a compometer,

and I suspect

you've never even seen
a billing machine.

Just what kind of work
have you been doing?

Housework, mostly.

Why didn't you say so?

If you girls would only speak up

instead of making me go through

all this shadowboxing.

Now, I have a very good job
open as a personal maid.

No, I don't want that.

Isn't there something else,

something better?

Well, there's the republican
presidential nomination.

Would that suit you?

Now, see here, my dear,
there's quite a gap

between what you want
and what you're going to get.

You have no equipment,
no training.

If you want something better,
go to school.

Learn a trade.

I can't wait that long.

Oh, you can't?
Well, go sit in the park,

take a shower, anything,
but make up your mind,

then come back.

A batch of lorenas, please.

Right up there behind
you on the top shelf.

Hey, you're new here,
aren't you?

Yes. The other girl's
on her vacation.

That's too bad.

This is quite an improvement.

Well, thanks.

What?
For telling the truth?

That's my specialty.

I'm upstairs, sixth floor,

with fit-rite fox.

You know-- dresses, gowns.

If I can get you
a discount or anything,

let me know.

Wally Talbot's the name.

Thanks, Mr. Talbot.

I could sure use
a couple of new dresses.

Ok.

Hey, how late do they
keep you penned up here?

I, uh, may run out of these.

If you run out, I'll be here.

I'll run out.

Now, here's a nice piece
of merchandise, boys.

Comes in beige, chartreuse,
magenta, and black.

Number 9127.

What's the exchange?

Uh-uh. We don't give out
the phone numbers

till after the customer
signs the order.

Since when?

It's the new policy
of the house.

Come on, boys.
What do you say?

I say Sandra's putting
on a little weight...

In the wrong places.

Ha ha ha!

Honestly, Mr. Riley,
the things you say.

Try 426, and lay off
them pastries.

Ha ha ha!

Sensitive.

Well, gentlemen,

what do you think of
our new fall line?

Well, it's not bad,
Barney, but...

Hey!

[Wolf whistle]

Did you ever see a peplum
like that, Mr. Maggio?

Not in Topeka.

It'd be great in Topeka,

but in St. Paul,
it would start a wave

of double pneumonia.

Miss Whitehead,
move out a little.

Let them see the hemline.

Who cares about the hemline

when you got
a neckline like that?

Come on back, honey.

Come on, come on,

is the customer always
right or isn't he?

You boys don't start
doin' some writin'

on those order pages, she's
gonna forget you're a customer.

What do you you want, Wally?

An annuity for life
on these orders?

Why not?
I got three kids.

Ok, honey.
That's number 836.

Better put it down
before you forget it.

Don't worry. This number
I won't forget.

I'll be right back.

Sandra!

Yes, Mr. Riley!

Baby, you're doing great.

We wrap up this order
and tonight we celebrate.

Can I help you?

No, thanks.
I can manage.

I'd love a nice, juicy steak.

I know a place
where they come thick.

The place you came from,
they're all thick.

Ah, don't pay
any attention to her.

Our blood types
are antagonistic.

See you at 7:00, baby.

7:00, baby, you'll be
seeing your three kids.

Who asked you?

Mr. Riley of St. Paul.

Then give your advice to him!

And Mr. Maggio of Topeka
asked Ethel!

Asked me what?

He asked you
to have dinner with him.

But he didn't.

It's all the same.
He asked the boss.

And the boss answered for you.

Why?

Tell her, flap-jaw.

The customer's
always right, honey.

Ahh...

Sandra, do I have to
go with him?

You missed the point.

They're out-of-town buyers.
They want to keep on buyin',

and long as it's for us,
we want to help them.

So they wrestle
with you a little.

It's no worse than the subway.

In fact, it's a lot better.

How's your dice game?

My dice game?
Yeah.

We're goin' to Grady's for
dinner, and after that,

we'll have a friendly little
game in the back room.

Sandra, I don't think
I'd better go.

Listen, hon, you got to
stop being antisocial.

All this living by yourself,

that's for channel swimmers.

Now, just hang onto me tonight,

and you'll have a great time,

and at retail prices.

Good night.

Enjoy yourself, honey?

I feel like something

that's been on sale
in a bargain basement.

I'm one big bruise
from here to here.

Ain't it rugged?
But you'll get used to it.

Good night.

Good night.

Hey! Wait a minute!

I almost forgot.

$20.
What's this for?

Your cut.

Whenever we steer a couple
of guys into Grady's back room,

he gives us a bonus.

We split 50-50.

It helps, don't it?

Say, how about us
working as a team?

I think I better learn
one job at a time.

Aw, honey,
it's all the same job.

It's still modeling,

only it pays better at night.

What else have we got to sell
but a face and a figure?

Anybody who could make
a peplum move like you

don't need anything else.

Ok, handsome, take me home.

Madam, do you think you know
what home looks like?

It looks a lot better
than this dump.

There you are.

Hey, wait a minute.
What is this?

Your cut of last night.

Those 2 suckers from Nebraska.

What'd you do, shave it
off with a razor?

No, I did what you do--
split it down the middle.

Oh, don't give me that.

I saw Grady slip you 100.

Since when is 20
right down the middle?

Since I began using
your arithmetic book.

The night we started,
you gave me 20.

I learned from Grady
it should have been 50.

This just straightens out
the bookkeeping.

It does more than that, honey.
It closes the books.

I'm getting myself
a new partner!

While you're at it,

you better get yourself
a couple of other new items,

if you'll excuse the expression.

I'll excuse it!

I'll show you how far
you can get without me.

And wait till you see

what I got lined up for tonight!

But I'd take my mother
before I'd take you!

Aw, shut up.

May I have the next waltz?

Excuse me.

What do you get headaches from?

I beg your pardon?

I said what do you
get headaches from?

Oh.
The heat, I guess.

It'll disappear in a minute.

Is there anything
I can do for you?

Yeah. You can give me
a cigarette.

Oh, of course.

Thank you.

Don't you smoke?

I'm trying to limit myself
to half a pack a day.

So what do you save?
A dime.

You'll never get rich that way.

No, but I might get
a lot healthier.

Yeah, there's room
for improvement.

C.P.A.S never get
enough exercise.

What's that?

Exercise?

No, I mean that other word.

Oh, C.P.A.--Certified
public accountant.

I'm with tuttle and Wagner.
We're tax consultants.

We take care of your auditing.

My what?

Your books and records.

Oh.

Well...

Why haven't I seen you
around here before?

Well, I only come over
about once a month,

usually on a Saturday afternoon.

I'm usually off Saturdays.

So there you are.
It must be fate.

What?

Fate-- f-a-t-e.

Oh.

Well, I'm afraid I really
have to get back to work.

What if you don't?

Well, the secretary
of the treasury won't like it.

Neither will your boss.

It's my job
to keep them both happy.

You do all that
with nothing but this?

Well, it takes
a little of this, too.

I'll bet.

How much of that
is it gonna take today?

I'll be here till 9:00, 10:00.

When do you eat?

Whenever I finish.

That's what's giving you
those headaches.

Skip a meal, you gotta
take an aspirin.

Too many aspirins,
you got an ulcer.

Then the first thing you know,

you got to havean operation.

You can't work, you're
flat on your back,

and your company goes to pot.

Then where are you?
Dead.

Well, I never thought of it
quite that way.

Think of it.

Well, guess I better
get dressed.

Well. Too bad we won't
see you at Grady's tonight.

You'll see me.

[Band playing]

Check your hat, sir?

Good evening, miss Whitehead.

Good evening, George.

Four as usual?

No, just two tonight.

Very well.

This way, please.

Reading spoils
my appetite, George.

Just bring me the squab
with wild rice,

asparagus with hollandaise,

a small mixed green salad

with a touch of garlic,

cherries jubilee,
and a double Martini.

And you, sir?

I'll have
a chicken salad sandwich.

And a cup of coffee.

Yes, sir.

I thought you were hungry.

Reading has spoiled
my appetite, too.

What's the matter,
you sick or something?

Oh, just embarrassed. I'm afraid
I'm a bit short of funds.

That's all right.
They'll take your check.

I don't think
you understand, miss Whitehead.

How much do you think
an accountant earns?

Well, I don't know.

Less than that.

Half a day's salary.

I earn exactly $60 a week.

You could earn more than that

bouncing drunks out here.

I like chicken salad sandwiches.

Really, I do.

Hello, folks.

Hi, Grady.

How are you this evening, Ethel?

Fine. I want you to
meet a friend of mine,

Martin Blackford of
the treasury department.

How do you do,
sir? How do you do?

We don't get many
representatives

of the treasury department here.

I'm afraid miss Whitehead's
a little confused.

My only contact
with the treasury

is when I make a mistake.

You make many of them?

Certainly not.

That's what the clients
pay him for.

He's a C.P.A.

Is that so?
Well, whatever he is,

any friend of yours
is a friend of mine.

That means certified
public accountant.

Sure. C.P.A. Sure.

Say, after you finish
your dinner,

you and Mr. Blackford might like
to drop in to the back room.

No, he couldn't possibly.

You see, he's
right in the middle

of a terrific conference.

He barely has time
even for a sandwich.

Just a friendly little game.

But he's got to
rush right back, Grady.

I keep telling him,
what's the point

of having a brain
from here to here

and making a pile
of money that high

if he can't take time off
to keep from starving?

Well, some other time.

Some other time.

Say, Mr. Blackford,

I don't suppose you
could stop by my office

on your way out
just for a second?

What about?

Personal problem.

I made one of those little
mistakes with the treasury.

This morning, they
contacted me personally.

I sure could use a little
professional advice,

if you could spare it.

Well, time is money,

but I think we could spare it,

huh, Marty?

I don't see why not.

After all, friends of yours
are friends of mine.

We'll be glad to.

Good. Good.

Oh, Grady.

Send George back.
We want to change the order.

Right.

Now, this letter explains

that due to the high risk
of confiscation

of your gaming equipment,

you have accordingly taken

accelerated depreciation on it.

When did I do that?

Last march.

This letter explains
why you did it.

Oh, I see.

Let me suggest, however,

that you apply for permission
from the treasury department

to change your system
from an accrual to a cash basis.

That way, you'd undoubtedly
realize a savings

of several thousand
dollars a year.

No kid?

No kid.

As simple as that, huh?

If you know how.

Yeah.

Blackford, I got to
hand it to you,

you sound like a guy
who knows his racket.

What do I owe you?

Why, nothing.

I was glad to do it.

Now, listen,
I'm no brain-picker.

When a guy
does a job for me, I pay.

Well, when I do
a friend a favor,

I don't charge.

Well, at least I can take care
of the dinner check.

Say, Marty, now that you got

all this stuff straightened out,

who's gonna keep it that way?

I think Mr. Grady's accountant

ought to be able handle it.

He hasn't done
so good up to now.

What's the chance of you
takin' it over?

No, I don't--

say, that's an idea, Blackford.

I know you're a busy man,

but if there's a possibility--

no, I'm afraid I couldn't.

Oh, now, Marty,
you can't just walk out

and leave him in the lurch.

I don't think Mr. Grady
spends much time in the lurch.

Look, maybe you could do it
in your spare time.

A fella like you,
how long would it take?

Two or three nights a week,
I'll bet.

He's right, Marty.

I know you don't need the money,

but you'd be doing me a favor.

Grady's an old friend of mine.

I'm sure he'd make it
worth your while,

wouldn't you, Grady?

Sure, I would.
Well, whatever's reasonable.

For two nights a week,

I'll pay you what I pay
my full-time guy--

50 bucks.

50?

Ok.
I'll up it 25.

Make it 100, and you got a deal.

So it's a deal.
Shake.

[Telephone rings]

Hello.

Yes, this is Grady.

See you later.

Right.

Yeah, we did ok tonight--

a little over 9,700.

No, Malloy hasn't
checked in yet.

A little early.

I'll take it on one condition--

that you share it with me,
the fee I mean.

Oh, I wouldn't think of it.

You mean, like a percentage?

Why not? I guess
you could use the money

as well as I could.

I wouldn't feel right otherwise.

Well, I wouldn't want you to do

anything you felt was wrong.

Then, it's settled.

After all, you're responsible
for this whole thing.

I wouldn't have had the nerve.

You don't need it.

I got enough for both of us.

[Buzz]

Well, hello!

Hello.

I thought you were
working tonight.

I am...

But instead of an aspirin,

I thought I'd try
a steak for a change.

Now you're getting smart.

Sit down. Pour yourself a drink.

I'll be with you in a second.

I was hoping you'd have
dinner with me tonight.

Oh, I'm sorry, Marty,

but I have a date.

Out-of-town buyer?

What about tomorrow?

Tomorrow night, I'm busy.

Grady got me a new account.

Another one?
How wonderful!

That makes four of them.

If you're not careful, Marty.

You're gonna wind up a rich man.

Just makes it more
difficult to see you.

Here. Zip me up, will you?

Couldn't you break
the date for tonight?

I'd love to, Marty,
but it's impossible.

He's a big chain store buyer,

one of our most
important customers.

It's been such a long time.

Well, whose fault is that?

If you'd quit that stupid job
at tuttle and Wagner,

maybe we'd have a chance
to see each other

once in a while.

It's not as easy as that.

I've been there for 12 years.

It's like home to me.

Home? How do you know they won't
throw you out on your pants

when you get so old
you can't count?

They don't operate that way.

If a man does his job,
he'll stay there for good.

Look, Marty, your future
lies with Grady and the boys.

If you have any doubts,
check your bankbook.

I appreciate the money,
but I just wish

I was getting it some other way.

[Buzz]

Sure. And I wish
I never had to see

another out-of-town buyer.

Hi, Grady.

Hi, Ethel.

Sorry I have to rush right off.

This ain't no social call.

Just came to pick up Marty.

We're goin' to a meeting.

But I'm due back
at Malloy's tonight.

Malloy will be there, too.

What kind of a meeting?

Business, big business.

Like an invitation

to the governor's mansion

from the gov himself. Coming?

Sure, he is. If you like,
I'll come along, too.

Now, wait a minute, Ethel.

George didn't tell me
to bring you.

This George, did he tell you
not to bring me?

Why should he?

He doesn't even
know you're alive.

Ok, let's prove to him I am.

But what about your date?

Where your interests
are concerned, Marty,

my date can go to the movies.

George wants to see
Marty, not you!

All right, let's leave it
up to Marty.

If he wants me to go along,
fine. If not...

I'd like
to have her along, Grady.

That's what I figured.

Hiya, Robert.

Good evening, sir.

Where's Mr. Castleman?

He's in the library
with the other gentlemen.

Tell him we're here, huh?

Yes, sir.

Grady: That's what
they call an Etruscan.

A what?

An Etruscan.

It comes from
over there in Italy.

Oh.

Man: It refers to
an early art period.

Etruria was an ancient country

with a highly developed
civilization

located in part of what
is now known as Italy.

That's what I said.

George has got stuff

from all over the world.

Oh, this is Marty Blackford.

George Castleman.

I've heard a lot
about you, Mr. Blackford.

I hope it's been favorable.

If it weren't,
you wouldn't be here.

This is miss Whitehead.

How do you do?

How do you do?

I don't believe
I've heard anything

about you, miss Whitehead.

Grady: Ethel's Marty's friend.

He don't go anywhere
without her.

I wonder if Marty's friend
would release him

long enough for a short
business session.

I don't mind, as long
as it's short

and he's in good company.

Will you take Mr. Blackford
into the library

and introduce him
to the gentlemen there?

Sure thing.

I must say, I admire your choice
of friends, miss Whitehead.

I like men with brains.

It's a quality that isn't
offensive in women, either.

Would you come this way, please?

Is this where you
entertain your guests?

When I have guests.

Could I get you a drink?

No, thanks.

I hope you'll be able
to amuse yourself

while Mr. Blackford and
I are in the library.

I'll try and find something.

I wish I knew what to suggest.

You might invite me
into the library.

There's one thing I never do

in the presence of women--

discuss business.

That should leave you

plenty of room
for other interests.

I have no other interests.

Here's George.

Have you met everyone?

Quite a while ago, some of them.

I've been handling their books.

What you mean is you've been
handling George's books.

[Laughter]

Have you met Nick Prenta?

He's our west coast man.

Nick, this is Martin Blackford.

You're the bookkeeper?

Mr. Blackford is the accountant.

What's the difference?

You'll find out, especially
with that set of books you keep.

[Laughter]

All right, boys, find a seat.

Over here, Mr. Blackford.

Come on, Marty.

Sit down, Nick.

Now, boys, I had
a very special reason

for having you here
tonight to meet Mr. Blackford.

As you know,

we've expanded much faster
in the past few years

than we ever expected,

but most of you are still
running your territories

like a country store,

and your accounts show it.

I told you at the conference
in hot Springs--

particularly you, Nick--

I'm always touched
when you single me out, George.

Try to be less touched
and more attentive.

I told you then
that if we adopted

regular, streamlined
business methods,

we could function as profitably

and with as little interference

as any nationally known
organization.

I also told you

that the cheap, front-page
hoodlum tactics

of the twenties and thirties
could finish us,

just as they finished
Lepke and Schultz and Capone.

Now, most of you seem
to have understood this.

But I haven't,
is that what you mean?

That's exactly what I mean.

I handed you two of
the biggest race tracks

in the country,
the bookie franchise

and the slot machine
concession--

the biggest gambling
house in the west--

enough to satisfy anyone.

The way I got it figured,

a guy who's satisfied
is a guy standing still.

You're not standing still.

You're moving backwards.

Don't look that way
from where I sit.

It's where I sit that counts,

and from where I sit,
I don't like what I see.

I don't like the way your
returns have been falling off

and your expenses going up.

You know how it is, George.

Sometimes a customer has
a lucky streak at the wheel.

Sometimes the fix is big.

The boys have been asking
a bigger cut lately.

And you've paid them?

What else?

Then why did they string
microphones all over your house

and plant that bug
in the fireplace?

You know something?
I planted one on them.

Ha ha!

[Man stops laughing]

What are you worried about?

Everything's under control.

Sure. Perfect control!

That's why those cheap hoods
took a potshot at you.

Those guys'll be taken care of.

You'll take care of nobody!
That kind of stuff is out!

You're not running
a shooting gallery out there

and if you got a beef,
you settle it over a table!

I don't sit down at any table

with those hopped-up hoods.

Now, you listen to me,
you stupid show-off.

You're gonna do as you're told.

Get the spotlight off us,

stop planting your kisser
on the front pages

with every thrill-happy dame
that comes to town.

And stop shooting off
your big mouth.

This is a legitimate
business we're operating,

not a three-ring circus.

Now, on that connection,
I'm setting up a central,

overall accounting system,

a system that will enable us
at any given moment

to get a clear picture

of our financial operations.

Are you listening,
Mr. Blackford?

Yes. Yes, of course,
Mr. Castleman.

Fine, because this concerns you.

Good evening.

He's a nice-looking boy,
isn't he?

He'll be 14 next October.

In April, he won the ribbon

for cadet of the month.

I--I frightened you, didn't I?

A little.

I'm waiting for a friend.

He's in a meeting
with Mr. Castleman.

I'm Mrs. Castleman.

How do you do?
I'm Ethel Whitehead.

Mrs.?

Miss.

A pretty girl like you--miss?

He's very handsome, isn't he?

Yes, he is.

A son can be such a comfort.

When was it painted?

Last April, when he won
the ribbon.

[Door opens]

I hope we haven't kept
you waiting too long,

miss Whitehead.

Not at all.

Good. I've asked Grady
to stay over.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to
send you home in my car.
Do you mind?

I'm not afraid of anything,
Mr. Castleman,

unless it's a bad driver.

Don't worry. My chauffeur
will be careful.

He knows he's carrying
valuable cargo.

Good night.

What happened in the library?

They offered me a job--

secretary of the treasury.

Grady and the others, they're
just outposts in an empire.

They have everything
in the world,

except a good
bookkeeping system.

And they want you
to give it to them?

Castleman's going to open
a suite of offices,

my name on the door.

I'm to run the whole show.

Oh, Marty, that's wonderful!

It's more than just
a bookkeeping office.

It's a front.

A front for the biggest
wire service in the country.

I knew it. I knew
you'd come through!

You haven't heard
a word I've said.

It's to be a wire service

for bookmaking, betting--

wires to every race track

and sports arena in the country.

All right.
So what?

So what? It's illegal.
It's against the law.

As long as there's
a wire service in back

and I know about it,

I'm an accessory
before the fact.

They throw you in
the penitentiary for that!

What did you tell Castleman?

Nothing. He didn't
give me a chance.

He just told me what I was
to do, and that was it.

What are you gonna do?

What do you think?
I'm gonna get out, fast!

Are you crazy?

You can't do that now.
I won't let you.

You want me to be like them--

a criminal?

You bet I want you
to be like them. Smart!

Nothing's gonna happen to you.

Castleman won't let it.

You don't understand.

This is a syndicate
of organized crime.

Not just betting and gambling,
but narcotics, prostitution--

every kind of vice and
corruption you can think of!

I don't want to think about it,
and you don't have to, either.

You're gonna be an accountant,
just like you've always been.

Ethel, there's such
a thing as self-respect.

Don't talk to me
about self-respect.

That's something
you tell yourself you got

when you got nothing else.

What kind of self-respect
is there

in living on aspirin tablets
and chicken salad sandwiches?

Look, Marty,
the only thing that counts

is that stuff
you take to the bank,

that filthy buck that everybody
sneers at, but slugs to get.

I know how you feel.
You're a nice guy,

but the world
isn't for nice guys.

You got to kick and punch
and belt your way up

'cause nobody's
gonna give you a lift.

You gotta do it yourself

because nobody cares about us
except ourselves.

It can't be right.

It can't ever be right.

I'm not saying it is.

But if you don't do it,
what happens?

I go back to fit-rite fox

and wait for
the out-of-town buyers.

Is that what you want?

You know it isn't.

Then there's
no other way, not for us.

If I could be sure
it was for us...

Marty, everything
I've ever done was for us.

Miss Whitehead
to see Mr. Castleman.

Mr. Castleman says

he doesn't know
any miss Whitehead.

Tell him he has a bad memory.

I was at his house last night.

You don't trust anybody, do you?

Grady told me

Blackford didn't go
anywhere without you,

but he didn't tell me

you went anywhere
without Blackford.

Grady doesn't know
as much as he thinks.

I had a talk with Martin
last night.

The office idea's ok
he's agreed to come in.

Was there any question about it?

Sure. A big question.

Martin has an important position

with a very old
and reliable firm.

He'd be giving up quite a lot
to come in with you.

Really?

Martin Blackford.
34 years old.

Started work with
tuttle and Wagner

at $40 a week.

After 12 years,
raised himself $20.

Lives with his mother
in a cheap suburb,

drives a broken-down jalopy,

and until hired by Grady,

never owned more than
two suits of clothes

at one time.

Well, there are
other things--the terms.

And there's a little matter
of protection.

Protection?

From whom?

Why, from whoever you need
protection from,

or is running a bookie joint
legal these days?

My dear miss Whitehead,

operating a wire service
does involve

a certain amount of cooperation

from the authorities

and an even greater
amount from the public,

but I never initiate a project

until I'm assured
of that cooperation.

As for the terms,
I think Mr. Blackford

can safely leave those to me.

Well, I didn't mean

you weren't gonna give him
a fair shuffle.

It's just that he hasn't
had much experience

at this kind of thing.

You seem a little new
at it yourself.

Here.

Sit down.

What did you really
come to see me about?

Well, I--

excuse me.

What kind of perfume
are you using?

Temptation.

Yes, I suppose it is
in some quarters.

Now, you were about to say?

I was about to say
it was a pleasure

being associated
with a gentleman,

but I was wrong on both counts!

What do I have to do
to get out of here?

You have to get
permission from me.

You enjoy making a person
look like two cents, don't you?

Well, get this straight--

I don't like being made
to look like two cents!

Especially by somebody

who was small change
himself not so long ago!

What do you mean by that?

I mean Joe Caveny,

who changed his name
to George Castleman.

You and your Etruscan
flowerpots.

You and yoursensitive nose.

Since when did Joe Caveny
know anything about perfume?

Since you were
a loudmouth hoodlum

hijacking beer trucks in Jersey,

running rum from Cuba,
plugging guys for a $10 bill?

I can find out things, too!

You didn't waste
any time, did you?

I don't have any to waste.

I made the mistake last night.

I should have invited you
into the library.

I admire a woman with brains,

but a woman with brains
and spirit excites me.

A woman like that

reminds me of Joe Caveny.

What is it you want?

I want what Joe Caveny wanted

and what George Castleman has.

I think you're quite capable

of getting it, too.

There must be a place
in my organization

for someone like you.

I already have a place
in your organization.

I had a somewhat more
prominent place in mind,

although there's a lot
you'd have to learn.

I could learn it.

For example, lesson number one--

it's an Etruscan vase,
not a flowerpot.

To be able to own one
is one thing,

to appreciate it, another.

Lesson number two--

cheap perfume is cheap perfume,

no matter who tells you--

Caveny or Castleman.

And lesson number three--

a well-dressed woman
never wears anything

that deflects a man's attention

from her face.

And now that I see it,

it's a very handsome face.

Just what kind of a place

in your organization did you
have in mind, Mr. Castleman?

It's too soon to judge yet.

We'll have to see
in which direction

your capabilities lie.

You're asking for trouble,
aren't you?

I never got anything
yet worthwhile

without trouble.

Only don't take this

for anything more
than it's worth.

It might be worth
more than you think.

[Laughter]

That's the kind of man he was!

Which one is Mr. Blackford?

Right over here.

Here you are, Marty.
Another one.

Hey, that's a beaut.

I wonder who that's from.

Marty, if this doesn't stop
soon, you're gonna spend

your first year's take
in tips alone.

Hey, listen to this, everyone.

"All best wishes
to the big bookkeeper

from the little bookies."

Ha ha!
Ha ha!

Marty, you've come
a long way fast.

Well, I...

I got a high-powered motor.

Ha ha ha!

Hello, George.

Grady. Martin.

Mr. Castleman.

Congratulations.
It looks splendid.

Thank you, sir.

Good evening, miss Whitehead.

Good evening.

I hope you won't think
I've spent too much.

You never know
until you start buying

how things run up--
Typewriters,

adding machines, comptometers.

It makes me nervous
just to think about it.

Then why think about it?

Whatever it costs to make
our business efficient,

we'll spend,
and spend cheerfully.

If you want to see something

that really is
efficient, this way.

Oh, yes.

Here we are.

The thing I like,
about the set-up, George,

is the clientele comes in
the regular reception room,

and when they come through there
and open those doors,

bank night.
Pretty neat, ain't it?

Mm-hmm.

Who selected that?

Me. I furnished
the whole room myself.

Well, put a calendar on it

and hang it in your living room.

But, George--

take it down.

Well, what do you think of it?

I think you're
quite right. I don't--

no, no, no.
I mean the room.

Oh. Well, for what
it's intended,

I'm sure it's fine.

Good. Now suppose
we unveil your inner sanctum?

Now, this is in good taste.

I detect no traces whatever
of the Grady influence here.

Well, miss Whitehead
decorated this room.

My compliments, miss Whitehead.

It's important
the impression one makes.

Important in a commercial sense.

Now, Martin, tomorrow morning,

I want you to begin
a detailed analysis

of our west coast branch.

Oh, that's Mr. Prenta's
territory, isn't it?

It seems to be the way
he regards it.

It's possible he considers
his own pocket

one of the syndicate's
operating costs.

However, we'll know more
about that

after Grady's been out
there a while.

He's leaving tomorrow.

I am?

Your health
hasn't been good lately.

I never felt better in my life.

You'll develop a cough
by the time you get there.

I spoke to Prenta long distance

and told him your doctor

had ordered you west,
perhaps for a year.

But, George, a year
in all that sun?

You're not going to have
very much time for the sun.

You'll be busy keeping
your eyes and ears open.

Well, Marty,
the best of luck to you.

And I'll be waiting
for that report.

Now let's have
a drink with the boys.

Oh, Ethel...

Yes?

May I speak to you
for a moment, please?

Will you excuse me, please?

Now that I have
a private office,

there's something private
I'd like to say.

Here.

What's this?

When I was a kid,

they used to call it
an engagement ring.

Marty--

I've been wanting
to say it a long time.

This just makes it official.

I can't.

You mean you can't now?

I mean I can't ever.

But...Why?
I always thought

as soon as we got
what we wanted--

you don't need me
anymore now, Marty.

You're on your way.
You're a success.

Aw, look, go find
yourself another girl,

a girl as nice as you are.

I don't want another girl.
I want you.

But I'm no good for you.

I never said you were,

but it's too late for that.

I want you to marry me.

I'm sorry, Marty.

You're sorry?

What kind of an answer is that?

Why did you do this to me?

This office, this wire room,

the whole stinking business?

Do you think I wanted it?
I hate it.

I hate every part of it.

I only did it because of you.

I did it for you.

I thought it was
the only way I could have you.

You had no right to think that.

You made me think it.

I didn't make you do anything.

If you didn't want all this,
you didn't have to take it.

And if you don't want it now,
you can still leave.

Nobody's holding you.
Nobody's twisting your arm.

You couldn't have done this
to me deliberately.

You couldn't have
planned it this way.

There's somebody else,
isn't there?

That's it, isn't it?

Tell me!

Yes. He's promised me
the world, Marty,

and I've got to have it.

This world he promised...

Does it include this?

I didn't ask.

I'm not even sure it matters.

Maybe someday it will,

but right now,
all I can think of

are the years I've wasted,

the years I've got
to make up for.

Don't you see, Marty?

A woman has only a short time

when life can be
exciting for her,

when she can enjoy being
a woman.

Well, I want that time.
I want it desperately.

I'm gonna drain everything
out of those years

there is to get.

I'm gonna squeeze them dry.

Try to understand, will you?

Don't look at me like that.

I can't help it.
I can't help myself.

I'm afraid I'll have
to be going along, Marty.

I thought if miss Whitehead
was leaving,

I could give her a lift.

Good night.

Miss Whitehead?

Yeah.

I'm Patricia Longworth.

A mutual friend told me

I might find you here.

May I join you?

Yeah, sure. Sit down.

Thank you.

Well, our friend tells me

you're interested in
a new apartment,

some new clothes, et cetera.

He thought I might be able
to offer some helpful advice.

If George thinks
I need any advice,

why doesn't he give it
to me himself?

Or doesn't he want to be seen
with me in public?

My dear miss Whitehead,
I happen to know

that George sees rather
great potentialities in you.

So far as being seen
with you in public,

you must remember,
he is a married man,

and he does occupy a position

of some importance
in the community.

Ok. I'll buy that.

But just who are you,
and how do you fit in?

A moment ago when I mentioned

I was Patricia Longworth,

you never batted an eye.
That proves conclusively

that you didn't spend
your youth in this city.

Or if you did, you
didn't waste your time

reading the society page.

I was too busy
reading the want ads.

What are you selling?

My old contacts.

Some of them are still open,

and they have
a certain market value

to some of my newer contacts--

people such as our friend.

Cigarette?

Thanks.

Waiter! I'm having
a bourbon and soda.

What'll you have?

Vermouth Cassis.

She'll have a...
Vermouth Cassis, please.

Now, let's start with your name.

Ethel Whitehead.

I wonder if we couldn't find

something a little more
provocative.

Hmm?

This is really
one of our nicest apartments.

It'll do.

We'll redecorate the bedrooms,

change the lighting fixtures,

and redo the terrace.

Is that clear?

Madam, we can redecorate
radio city

if you want to spend the money.

We do.

Now, in whose name
shall we write the lease?

Mrs. Forbes.

Mrs. Lorna Hansen Forbes.

Forbes. Oh, yes.
Of course.

Steel, isn't it?
Or is it tobacco?

No. Oil.
That's why I'm leaving.

Derricks everywhere--
even in the backyard.

Mrs. Forbes, it's a privilege
to have as our tenant

the representative of
such a celebrated family.

[Horn blowing]

He isn't here, Patricia.

Mrs. Forbes, I have
the car here for you.

Right this way.

George.

Welcome home, Mrs. Forbes.

Well, what's happened
to your discretion?

In front of all these people?

What people?

Then there was the riviera.

We arrived at the peak
of the season.

Late summer, we went to amalfi

and then St. Moritz in the fall.

And, of course,paris in
the spring.

It was enchanting, George,

the most wonderful
experience imaginable,

but I never want to be

that far away from you again.

Alfred, I think Mr. Castleman

would like a Brandy.

No, thank you, Alfred.

[Door buzzer]

Mr. Castleman needs
no stimulation.

His head's already swimming.

He's hypnotized, stupefied,
drugged, and bewildered.

What ever became
of Ethel Whitehead?

Haven't you heard?

She ran away with Joe Caveny.

The got married
and lived happily ever after.

They deserved each other.

I'm interested in
the castlemans and the Forbes.

What about their future?

They're a different breed.

Cigarette?

Thank you.

I beg your pardon, Mrs. Forbes.

A gentleman to see
Mr. Castleman.

A Mr. Martin Blackford.

I give you my word, Lorna.

I left explicit instructions
that I wasn't to be disturbed.

I'm sorry.

It's all right, darling.

Show him in, please, Alfred.

Marty's worse
about business than I am.

I sincerely believe
he thinks of nothing else.

Hello, Marty.

Good evening, Martin.

Sorry to interfere
with your evening

like this, Mr. Castleman,

but something came up
that couldn't wait.

Well, let's have it.

Won't you sit down, Martin?

No, thanks, Ethel.

I'll only be a moment.

I think we better
call her Lorna.

I'm sorry.

It's about Grady.

Nick Prenta's been trying
to reach you long distance.

He finally got me.

What about Grady?

He's been killed.

Killed? How?

Automobile accident.
It happened last night.

They found him this morning.

He had evidently been drinking.

He must have lost control
of the car.

Who says he was drinking?

Prenta. They found
a bottle in the wreck.

Prenta lied. Grady didn't drink.
He was murdered.

They fixed it to look like an
accident, but he was murdered!

George, you don't know that.

I know Nick Prenta!

Grady was on the track
of something. Prenta found out

and that's why he killed him!
The rotten thug.

I pulled him out
of a garbage pail,

gave him a start,

the richest territory
in the set-up.

But before I'm through with him,
I'm gonna dump him

right back into
that garbage pail!

Marty: That's presents quite
a problem, doesn't it?

Why should it?

I had the pleasure
of meeting Mr. Prenta

the first time I was
invited to your home.

He didn't strike me as a man

you could dump
into a garbage pail.

I don't care how he struck you!

You don't think
I'm afraid of him, do you?

I didn't say that,
but I was under the impression

we're a legitimate business,

that an old-fashioned gang war
was to be avoided at all cost.

Why should it come to that?

George, you're head of
the organization.

If Prenta stepped
out of line, replace him.

You don't replace Nick Prentas.

You eliminate them,
and you don't do that

until you find out
what's going on.

Others may be involved.

That'll be a problem, too,
won't it?

Sending somebody else out
to check on him

after he's been alerted.

Yeah.

Unless it was someone
he'd never suspect.

Lorna.

You can't be serious.

I don't know anyone I'd have
more confidence in,

anyone more perfect for the job.

You could do it, Lorna.

You're the one person
who can do it.

George, you--

you really want me
to go out there?

Why not? Nick's a set-up
for you.

He's always hangin'
around cafe society.

Lorna Hansen Forbes good-looking
widow, lots of money,

your name in all the papers.

Why, he'll be pouring his whole
life out to you in a week.

George, it's insane. You can't
risk it. He's a killer.

He's a man first.

But it's too dangerous.
If Prenta ever finds out--

listen, bookkeeper, I pay you
to take care of my accounts,

not tell me what I'm gonna do!

George, did it ever occur to you

I might have something
to say about this?

Of course, dear.
I'm sorry.

You can leave us.

George, I-- good night.

Good night.

Now, Lorna, what
did you want to say?

First, I want to get
things clear.

You want me to ingratiate myself

with this rotten thug
from a garbage pail,

as you put it,

to the point where he'll tell me

what you want to know.
Is that it?

That's it.

Well, from
what I've heard tonight,

Mr. Prenta isn't likely
to pour out his life story

without very strong inducements.

There must be a limit

to how far you want me
to go to induce him.

Oh, Lorna, stop coloring it.

You can handle yourself.

I wouldn't ask you to go

if I thought there'd
be any complications,

but I've got to know
what's going on out there.

Would you send your wife?

Why bring my wife into this?

Why bring me into it?

Because my wife is
incompetent for this job,

and you're not.

I equipped you for it.

Every step up the ladder,

every Paris label,

they can all pay off now.

Oh, I see.
What am I, George?

Another wire service
you've underwritten?

A new racetrack you've
bought into?

Is thatwhat I mean to you?

Is that all I've ever meant,
just another investment?

You know better than that.

Do I?

All right.
Forget it.

Forgive me.

I wasn't very flattering.

I'm afraid I didn't
stop to think.

I simply took for granted

that you were part of me

and the things that concern me.

I know now I had no right

to take that much for granted.

You had every right,

but don't ask me to believe

you've ever regarded me
as a part of you.

We've both had to wait, Lorna.

It won't be much longer.

If you do this one job for me,
I promise you.

When you come back,
I'll be free.

Will you go?

I learned
a long time ago, George,

that the customer's
always right.

Will tonight be
soon enough to start?

Tonight?

You're a guest of honor
at a party I'm giving

at the hacienda club.

You invited Mr. Prenta,
or course?

He didn't have to be
invited. He owns the hacienda

place your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

All bets down.

No more bets.

Number 13--black.

Make your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

What's happened to that system

of yours, darling?

I thought you always quit

while you were still ahead.

I've been experimenting
with a new one--

stay till the bitter end.

If you'll
write out the obituary,

I'll give you my check.

Certainly, Mrs. Forbes.

You can make it out over there.

Thank you.

Number 25--red.

What's happened to
your Mr. Prenta?

We can't wait for him forever.

He'll be here.

I made sure
he knew you'd be here.

Either your communication
system is faulty,

or you overestimated
my drawing power.

Here you are, Mrs. Forbes.

Better luck next time.

Make your bets,
ladies and gentlemen!

Your check's no good,
Mrs. Forbes.

My check's good anywhere.

Except here.

That's right. I'm fresh.

But I'm also generous.

Tonight, you're the guest
of the house.

Tomorrow night,
that's different.

Tomorrow night,you could lose
your shirt.

I'll even pay to see that.

I'm Nick Prenta.

For a moment,
you had me frightened.

Because if there's
anything good about me,

it's my credit.

There's more than that
good about you.

Could I show you around?

Excuse me, Mr. Prenta,
but she's my guest.

Ok, we'll share her.

I never understood
that picking up a check

gave one an automatic entree

into a private party.

No offense, of course.

Of course not.

A woman from
a glossy family like yours

has to be careful
who she's seen with.

Do you also intrude

into your customers' background?

Only when they start flapping

their background in my face.

I'd be delighted to see
your place, Mr. Prenta.

You knocked the wind
out of me just now, Mrs. Forbes.

I'll be able to say
thank you in a minute.

Don't be fooled.

I only did that
to discourage you

from inquiring into
my background.

Or have you done that already?

Not yet, but I'm considering it.

Shall we dance?

One newspaper calls you
an Oklahoma oil heiress.

The other said
you're from Wyoming.

Which is it?

Are you this inquisitive
with everyone you meet?

It's a habit I picked up
from my business.

People I deal with
I want to know about.

In what way do you feel
you're dealing with me?

Right now,
I'm just showing you around.

As for the future,

I had something more
like this in mind.

You'd better change your mind.

Because you'll be
spending your future

with somebody else.

Hold out on that
for one day, hmm?

We're having
a little charity party

here tomorrow--
diving exhibition.

I want you to sit at my table.

How clear must I
make myself, Mr. Prenta?

My friends call me Nick.

I wouldn't be so presumptuous

as try to break into
your little circle of friends.

Why not?
I moved into yours.

You shouldn't be
so presumptuous, either.

Thank you for the tour.

Your club is very nice.

[Applause]

I had a hunch
that was too plain.

Try this.

I was going to
send them to your house.

I figured this would save time.

You're supposed to wear them.

You're very thoughtful,

but I don't care for
orchids in the afternoon.

Now, look, what did I do
that was so terrible?

Don't tell me no one's

ever made a pass at you before?

Well, not like that before.

Mrs. Forbes,

when I do something that
isn't in the rule books,

I admit it.

I have a notion

that you've never admitted
a mistake in your life,

even to yourself.

And to admit one
in front of others

would really be a catastrophe,
wouldn't it?

All right. I'm sorry.

I acted like a mug,

but I've done worse than that

and to people like you

and never been called for it.

If I had, it wouldn't
have mattered.

With you, it does.

Did that hurt so much?

Plenty...

But if you want me to,
I'll do it all over again.

Please sit down, Mr. Prenta.

Thank you.

All right. Go!

Oh, that's enough!

That completes a reel

of the best-looking
scenery in the west.

At least it's
the best-looking swimming pool

in the west.

Yeah.

I spent $20,000 for it.

Never been in it

more than a half a dozen times.

Just doesn't seem safe

not having orange peelings

and tin cans
floating around in it.

That's the kind of water

I learned to swim in,

right off the end of a pier.

I should think you'd make
a national shrine out of it--

a constant reminder
of the things you've attained.

A constant reminder

of the things I've
been able to buy.

But there's some things
a man can't buy,

some things I may never
be able to have.

Excuse me, Mr. Prenta.

Long-distance calling.
Detroit.

I'll be right back, darling.

Business.

Hello.

Yeah.

I'll take this call later.

Could I have a cigarette?

There's a half a dozen boxes

around the pool

filled with cigarettes.

There must be more
than half a dozen women

who could be calling you
on long-distance.

You're jealous.
I can't believe that.

There are a lot of things
I can't believe either--

things about you.

You see, I have a friend
who has a friend

who's heard rumors.

I know what you've heard.

There have been others, sure.

But they were just women...

Not like you.

I'm not talking
about the treatment

you give your...
Your friends.

It's the treatment
you give your enemies

that disturbs me.

Your old man
made his money in oil,

and that made you an heiress.

I never knew my father

or anybody I could call that.

I had to make mine myself.

Well, I'm making it,

but there's someone's who's
always trying to take it away.

You either protect
what you've got,

or you've got nothing.

Everyone tries to protect
what he has, Nick.

The difference is
in how he does it.

The difference is in the people

you have to deal with.

In your crowd,
a polite no is enough.

In mine, it isn't.

The only kind of a no
they understand

is from the end of a gun.

You mean, you've
actually had men killed?

You don't like
what you're hearing, do you?

That's because you've never
had to be a part of it.

You've never had to
watch yourself 24 hours a day

against somebody trying
to cut you down,

against stooges
sent out to trip you up,

against people you can't trust.

Suppose you couldn't trust me.

Would you have me killed?

No.

I'd do that myself.

Thank you, Nick.

No.

Save it for tonight.

I can't make it tonight.

That long-distance call, huh?

Maybe.

No. Some people are coming over.

Strictly business.

Don't you believe me?

Maybe.

Depends on what kind
of business it is.

I've been waiting for you.

You have a visitor
from out of town.

George?

Martin Blackford.

Marty, here?

No. The palm inn.

He's expecting you.
Ask for Mr. Baldwin.

Ethel.

What are you doing here?

I go where George sends me.

He sent me out here

to check on one
of his investments.

He, uh...

He hasn't heard from you
in some time.

He hasn't heard from me

because I've had
nothing to report.

Oh, I guess he just
didn't understand.

He knows you've been busy.

He's had reports on that.

I was ordered
to ingratiate myself

with Nick Prenta.

That's exactly what I've done,

no more, no less.

George thinks you've
been taking his orders

too literally.

I'm inclined to agree with him.

Your agreement or disagreement
doesn't interest me.

Oh? You'd be amazed to learn

how highly my opinions
are regarded.

I'm a very important fellow now.

That's why I'm in a position

to offer you some sound advice.

Don't hold out on George.

If you do...

Are you absolutely certain
you've learned nothing?

Nothing he didn't already know.

Prenta did have Grady killed.

What else?

Nothing else.

In all the times
you've been with him,

all the hours alone,

you learned nothing else?

Not even the people he talks to?

Sometimes there are calls,
long-distance.

From whom?

I don't know.

From where?

There was one from Detroit.

When? This afternoon.

What about?

Nothing.

He's expecting
some people tonight,

business, a meeting.

Go on. What's the rest?

That's all I know,
all I want to know.

Oh, you're upset.

I thought you were
enjoying your work,

or has Mr. Prenta

suddenly become
important to you?

What do you mean?

Has he promised you
the world, too?

He means nothing to me,

except he's a human being,
and he trusts me.

Don't tell me
that disturbs you--

taking advantage
of a man's trust.

At any rate,

you better forget
your stricken conscience.

Tonight, you're going
to Prenta's house.

You're gonna
find out every person

who's at that meeting,

his name and why he's there.

If what George thinks is true,

you're gonna do even more.

You're gonna help him
get rid of Prenta.

Get rid of him?

You don't think George

intends to let him live, do you?

He's only been waiting

until he had all the facts.

That's what you're going
to get for him.

No.

I can't.

You're talking about killing,

taking a man's life.

I won't do it.

I want no part of it!

You want no part of it?

You are a partof it.

What do you think

you've been living
on all this time?

Playing on, traveling on?

Where do you think
the money came from

that converted you

into the fashionable
Mrs. Forbes?

It came from a hundred killings,

a thousand beatings,

all the pennies and
nickels and dimes

squeezed from a million fists,

all the $3.00 payments

at the foot of the stairs,

just to make a lady of
refinement out of you.

No, miss Whitehead.

This isn't a party you can leave

when you get bored.

We could have left, you and I,

a long time ago.

We were only guests then,

but we stayed too late.

Now you do what George
sent you out here to do,

only do it better.

Find out about
that meeting tonight.

George likes to think

that when he gave me
the west coast,

it was a gold mine.

Huh! Gold mine!
You know what it was.

It was an ashcan, nothing.

But I turned it into something.

Me, myself-- nobody else.

I developed it.

The same goes for you boys
in your districts.

Well, I'm tired of sending
the cream back east

to a worn-out guy

who does nothing but sit back

and watch a mousy bookkeeper
add up what I made.

And I'll tell you
something else,

I'm tired of you guys
getting the same kind of deal.

Not half as tired
as we are, Nick.

Ok. We'll go
to New York in the morning.

I chartered a plane.

And when we get there--

[door buzzer]

Mrs. Forbes.

Hello, darling.

What are you doing here?

I know unscheduled visits
are frowned upon, but--

what-- is something wrong?

Yes, Nick.

I'm afraid I've come down

with a terrible malady--

a bad case of jealousy.

I'm sorry, but I had to be sure.

About who I was with tonight?

Come on.

I want you to meet
your competition.

It's ok, boys.

Great bunch of
heart-crushers, aren't they?

Darling, I want you
to meet Mr. Fredericks.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Mr. bender.

Hello.

Loman.

Good evening.

It's a pleasure, I'm sure.

And Mr. hart.

How do you do?

Boys, Mrs. Lorna Hansen Forbes.

Haven't we met
before, Mrs. Forbes?

I'm afraid I don't recall,
Mr. Loman.

The name is hart, Eddie hart.

Oh. Are you from
around here, Mr. hart?

Kansas City, but I
get back east a lot.

I could have sworn--

you must have seen
her picture in the papers.

Yes, somebody's always
recognizing me

and assuming
they've met me before.

Exactly what happened

the first minute I saw you,

except for one thing.

Your pictures don't
half do you justice.

I must remember to complain
to your editor.

Also Kansas City?

No. Cleveland.

We get your pictures out there.

My humble apologies
for the interruption, Nick.

Please forgive me, gentlemen.

Good night.

Good night.
Good night.

Good night.

Relax, boys.

I'm so ashamed.

I shouldn't have
come here, Nick.

I'm sorry.

Darling, you couldn't have
picked a better time.

Do you know who
those fellas are in there?

They work for
the same guy I work for--

George Castleman.

But in exactly 48 hours,
they'll be working for me.

Mr. Castleman
will be canceled out.

This whole countrywill be mine,
Lorna.

I want you share it with me.

You didn't answer me.

What is it--
I'm not good enough?

I didn't say that.

But that's it.

When you really
have to face it, that's it.

I know the right people,

I wearthe right clothes,

but I don't bleed
the right color.

Stop it.

I'll show you
what color I bleed.

You and your
gold-plated friends.

When that deal goes through,
I'll own them all.

Maybe then my name will
be worth something to you.

Maybe then you won't
mind sharing it.

Share your name?

I've been asking you
to marry me.

Nick...

Ohh...

Will you marry me, Lorna?

What is it?
Hey.

Do I really mean
that much to you?

Nick, how much do I mean to you?

Everything.
Is that enough?

Then get out of this.

Nick, I'm scared about
what you're doing,

what you're planning,
what it'll lead to.

If you'll give this up--

if that's what I takes
to get you,

you've got a deal.

I can get out of this
inside of a year.

No, it'll be too late then.

But I can't get out now, Lorna.

This is the big jump.

I've got to see it through.

Oh, no, don't.
Please don't, Nick.

Don't go through with it.

Give it up, please.

[Door opens]

What do you want?

Could I see you a minute, Nick?

Sure.
Come on, darling.

You go on home.
I'll see you later.

Patricia!

Patricia!

Marty: Patricia isn't here.

She's gone to the movies.

George sent her.

Hello, Lorna.

George.

Aren't you glad to see me?

Why, yes, of course.

When did you get here?

A little while ago.

I haven't been too far away.

How was the meeting?

Meeting?

What meeting?

The meeting you told Marty about

at Nick's house.

Or maybe you made a mistake.

Maybe you shouldn't
have told him.

What do you mean?

I suppose you don't
know anything

about a plane trip
tomorrow morning.

Or are you going
to New York with them?

George, I don't know
what you're talking about.

You don't.

George!

What do you think I been doing

since Marty gave me your report?

That was more than just
a little meeting tonight,

wasn't it?
They're all here!

Eddie hart, Sam Loman.
It's a planned revolt.

They're out to get me,
aren't they?

Aren't they?!

Yes.

Stop it, George!

Then why didn't you tell me?

What have you been
Stallin' about?

No!

[Sobbing]

I only found out
about it tonight.

I would have called you.

You expect me to believe that?

You're in love with Nick!
You're tryin' to protect him!

No, George.
That's not true.

I love you.

I just don't want
to see anyone killed--

not you, not Nick, not anyone.

Oh, please believe me.

You're lyin'.

You're so used to
lyin' and cheatin'

and double-crossin',

you could almost
make it seem good.

Oh!

No, George!
Don't!

George, stop it!
That's enough!

She's no good, Marty,
not even to you!

But she is to you.

She can still help.
She can still be useful.

There's only one thing
to do with dirt--

sweep it up!

George! Now listen to me!

You want Nick, don't you?

She can get him
for you here tonight,

and you'll be in the clear!

She can call him on the phone,

get him over here.
He'll never know.

She'll tell the police
it was self-defense.

He tried to attack her.

Look at her.

It'll work, George.

Don't you see?
It's perfect.

Ok, Marty.

You got a brain,

the best kind.

The kind you don't
have to go out and buy.

Pick her up.

Ethel.

Martin...

Put her in that chair.

Give her the phone.

Ethel.

Call Nick.

Tell him you want to see him.

Tell him to come over
right away...

Alone.

Ethel.

Ethel.

Here. What's his number?

I'll dial it for you.

Go on.

What's the number?

[Car approaching]

See who it is.

It's Nick.

Uh!

All right.
Let him in.

One word out of you,
and I'll kill you both.

Do you hear me?
Let him in.

He has a key.

You pass out keys
to all your friends?

Oh...

[Crying]

I want to apologize
for busting in

on you like this, Mrs. Forbes.

But a friend of yours,
Eddie hart,

said it would be ok.

He said Castleman
might not like it,

but Ethel Whitehead
would go for anything.

[Crying]

Lorna!

Don't move, Nick.

I'm going to give you a lesson

in political science.

Revolutions are started
by smart people,

but they're always finished
by smarter ones.

You always liked being
in the headlines, haven't ya?

Well, this time, we're
going to move you over

to the obituary column,

aren't we, Ethel?

You dirty tramp.

Where is she?

[Car engine running]

We'll have to dispose
of him first...

And then I want her.

Mrs. Whitehead:
There's someone here
to see you, Ethel.

Marty.

You can't stay here
any longer, Ethel.

Because of George?

You're unfinished business.

It's only a matter of time

before he gets here.

Excuse me.

Did you tell him where I live?

No. He's known that a long time.

I came here to help you.

Your only chance
is to keep running,

keep hiding,

until the police arrest George.

The police?

Do they know he killed Nick?

I told them.

You told them?

Why?

It doesn't matter.

That means you're
unfinished business, too.

That doesn't matter either.

You did that for me.

We do what we do because...

Well, as you once said,

we can't help ourselves.

You better get your things.

[Car approaching]

Mrs. Whitehead: Where will
you go, Mr. Blackford?

Mr. Whitehead:
Where can they go?

Where's Blackford?

I don't know.

I haven't seen him.

Now you're covering up for him.

If that's what
you want to believe.

You were getting ready to leave.

Don't tell me you were
waiting for me.

Strangely enough, George,

there was a time
when I did wait for you

and no one else,
but that's over now.

[Door opens]

George!

[Gunshot]

What'd she have to do
with this Castleman guy?

Was she in lovewith him?

Or was she working for him?

How'd she get the name
Lorna Hansen Forbes?

Whose ideas was that?

Was she ever married
to a guy named Forbes?

This fella Blackford,

what's he got to do with it?

I don't know.
I don't know!

Where'd she get the money

to throw all them big parties?

What did she have to do
with Nick Prenta?

Why'd she go out west?

Leave us alone, can't you?

We've told you all we know.

Mr. Whitehead,

you and your wife
can come in now.

Let 'em through, boys.

Let 'em through.

Reporter: Can we talk to her?

Doctor: Later.

Well, it must be pretty tough

living in a place like this.

Tougher to get out.

Think she'll try again?

Wouldn't you?