Go on, soak them.
The wetter they get, the better I like it.
Theres no money under those umbrellas.
Lot of goops crawling around in the rain.
Thats a laugh.
I aint even got an umbrella.
Seven bucks...
...The Last of the Mohicans.
Looks like I gotta promote something.
Look at her gol
Come on, baby, roll them outl
Thats what this town is...
...a dice game.
Come on, you seven. Rain me a seven.
Dont get any sevens holding out a tin cup.
There must be a seven
rolling for me somewhere.
You found out.
Yes, we found out.
$3,000 stolen by my friend.
My old friend...
...a man l took off the streets
when he didnt have a job.
What are you going to do?
Go on, call the police.
Remember when you came to me and said,
Hopper, she loves me.
This beautiful woman loves me...
...and were gonna get married.
Shut up.
Dont talk about her.
Did you ever ask me up to your house
after you got married?
No, not once.
You were ashamed of me in front of her.
l wasnt good enough for her.
Then comes the laugh.
You werent good enough, either.
But Hoppers money,
that was plenty good enough.
The money that the fat man made
by working hard, night and day.
That was fine for her.
She didnt mind stealing this money, huh?
She didnt steal anything, it was me.
Look at him, he still loves her.
Answer me, you still love her?
She gave the money to Mr. Morgan,
didnt she?
Thats what you stole money for,
so she should give it to the man she loves.
Heres his announcement.
We are pleased to announce the opening
of Dan Morgans beauty parlor...
...March 30.
Youre going to see her tonight again,
free this time, shouldnt cost me anything.
Youre going to tell her
that Hopper wants his $3,000 back.
Youll tell her
that if Hopper dont get it back...
...hell call the police to send his partner
and his partners wife to jail.
Both together.
l got the right. l got the evidence.
Thats all.
Tomorrow morning at 6:00,
lll be sitting in my office...
...and youll bring me the money from her.
Tell her Hopper isnt at her feet crying...
...but standing up
with a policeman beside him...
...waiting to arrest you and her together.
6:00 in my office.
$3,000.
-Where to, mister?
-Uptown.
-$5, got anything smaller?
-Thats all right, keep the change.
Check your things, sir?
Coat, please.
Excuse me.
Cigarettes?
-$20. Just a moment, lll get your change.
-Never mind, keep the change.
Gee, thanks.
-Have you any reservations?
-No.
Emil...
...find a good table for this gentleman.
Right this way, sir.
Have a good time, sir.
Wasnt that the strangest thing?
$20, without even giving me a second look.
l thought he was some sort of a tramp.
Just goes to show
you cant trust your eyes in this town.
-Do you know him, Vincent?
-No, l never saw him before.
But l knew he was somebody
the way he looked at me.
Hello. Sunset Hotel? Room 1007, please.
Bill OBrien calling.
Hello, Dutch? Bill OBrien.
lm over at the Pigeon Club
taking in the sights...
...and l ran into something
that l thought might be of interest to us.
An out-of-town job
came snow-shoeing in here a while ago...
...and throwing money around
like birdseed.
Never saw him before, strictly a hick.
Say, l wouldnt fool a pal like you, Dutch.
l tell you this is a blue plate special.
l thought ld bring him over
for a little get together...
...on the same percentage as last time.
Bill OBrien, what about him?
Nice guy, chief.
Hes got a room down the hall.
He used to be a bellhop at the St. Martin,
got a lot on the ball.
Okay, chief, 12:00 at the Sunset.
Excuse me, are you Mr. White?
No.
Thats very funny,
l could have sworn you were Mr. White.
-Do you mind if l sit down a moment?
-No.
lm not intruding, l hope.
They have a nice show here.
Very artistic, isnt it?
lm not trying to pull anything, really.
lll be frank, l knew you werent Mr. White.
ln fact, there is no Mr. White.
lts just a name l made up.
lm really looking for Mr. Hugo.
He puts on the show here,
engages all the talent.
l knew Mr. Hugo some time ago,
being in one of his units.
No use waiting in the lobby,
he never comes out.
As for hanging out, you know how they are
if you dont have an escort.
They dont care about your feelings.
My name is Nina Barona. lm a Russian.
But this season everything is Latin,
completely Latin.
Hello, how are you? Glad to see you again.
Pardon me, wont you?
Dont tell me
you dont remember me, Nina.
l think you have a slight advantage
over me.
lts Nina Barona, isnt it? Russian?
l never forget a face
if its beautiful enough.
Bill OBrien is the name,
in case your memory is playing tricks.
l hope you dont mind
my barging in on you.
lm on the town with nothing to do
but throw money away.
Have fun and make friends.
Thats my motto.
Waiter.
-Yes, sir?
-Check.
Honey, l cant see,
please make him sit down.
-Sit down, old boy.
-Sit down, we cant see.
One moment and lll leave you
to your tawdry revels.
Very sad.
Venus was never an epileptic.
l leave you heroes at your periscopes.
That was Eugene Gibbons, the playwright.
Really? Do you know him?
Sure, known him for years. Nice guy, too.
Too bad about his last show.
l read about it. No good was it?
Three years ago, the white hope
of the theater. Today, a mug.
Thats New York for you.
Put you on the Christmas tree
and then the alley.
Here we are.
How long are you gonna be in town?
Not very long.
Heres hoping you enjoy your brief stay.
Gene! So good to see you.
My beautiful.
lm so sorry l didnt get to see your play.
l heard it was charming.
Do come around sometime, Gene.
lm giving a little party Saturday--
Put your scissors away, Delilah,
my hairs all cut.
ls this stylish fellow my successor?
-Gene, youre drunk.
-Darling.
You understate the case by three bottles
and a thousand tears.
Avaunt.
What is the idea
of giving me a midgets coat?
Or is the management
handing out straitjackets...
...as it should?
Sorry, Mr. Gibbons, we have a new boy.
Just a second, please.
Mr. Gibbons coat, Frank, that brown one.
To whom it may concern.
lm in receipt of a communication.
This is to inform the police
that l have ended my own life.
-Vincent!
-Yes, Mr. Gibbons?
-Whose mantle is this?
-l dont know his name, sir.
Hes a stranger who came in a while ago.
A stranger out of the night.
Where is he roosting?
You can find anything you want
in New York...
...if you know where to look for it.
Romance. Adventure.
l know that goes on where youre from.
But in New York,
its with an all-star cast and a fast show.
Seven million people all on one skyrocket,
thats New York.
What do you say
we slip out and have a look?
Thanks.
Thanks very much,
but l have another engagement.
Come on, its early yet.
Your engagement will keep.
Lets have a little fun first,
what do you say?
Mr. Engle, l believe?
Yes.
How do you do?
My name is Gene Gibbons...
...the distinguished playwright.
l am glad to see you, Gene.
Wont you join us?
With pleasure.
Do not misunderstand the word
distinguished, Mr. Engle.
lt refers to my misdeeds.
Allow me to present Miss Nina Barona
of the Russian ballet.
Miss Barona, you are enchanting.
Whats your name, son?
Come on now, Gene. lm Bill OBrien.
To be sure, one of the OBriens.
Listen, Brien, will you do me a favor?
For old times sake.
l want to discuss a matter
of personal importance with Mr. Engle.
Always glad to do anything
to oblige my distinguished friends.
Come on, Nina.
We need a little privacy ourselves.
Lets go.
-How did you know my name?
-This letter, sir.
Fine, fine.
l no longer have to order drinks.
l just attract them.
He shall have liquor wherever he goes.
As l understand
from your communication, Mr. Engle...
...youre on the brink of self-destruction.
May l shake your hands, a brilliant idea.
l speak as one who has destroyed himself
a score of times.
l am, Mr. Engle...
...a veteran corpse.
We are all corpses here.
This rendezvous is one of the musical
graveyards of the town.
Caters to zombies
hopping around with dead hearts...
...and price tags for souls.
Will you join me, sir?
lt is the custom here
for the dead to drink...
...heavily.
Allow me to present my credentials, sir,
as a fellow cadaver.
lm being divorced by my wife
whom l love dearly...
...in my own nasty way.
l was disemboweled by another woman.
l have written three bad plays in a row...
...and next year lll write a worse one.
l have neither a home, a single hope...
...nor a shred of curiosity left.
Bankrupt and broke.
lve destroyed myself in becoming famous.
l am no longer a man, Mr. Engle.
lm an epitaph over an ash can.
And now, sir...
...whats your story?
You appeal to me.
Theres something innocent about you.
No, l dont mean really innocent.
-You mean a little dumb.
-Not dumb, just good-natured.
Yes, lm very good-natured.
-No kidding, where you from?
-Brooklyn.
-Where are you from?
-Me?
l fell out of a policemans whistle
in Times Square.
Having fun?
Yes, its fun dancing with someone
who knows everybody.
Come on.
-Gee, its wonderful here.
-Sit down.
-You think lm a big shot, dont you?
-Not necessarily.
l could sell you a penthouse of mink coats,
then youd never see me again.
Just another dream that never came true.
-Youd fall for that, wouldnt you?
-Not necessarily.
l wont keep you in suspense, Miss Barona.
l aint a millionaire.
-No penthouse?
-No penthouse...
...and no carfare.
This is a big disappointment to me,
Mr. OBrien.
The sorrow is all mine, lady.
Millions, millions everywhere,
and not a cup of coffee.
Do you want to make some real dough?
lt depends.
Maybe lm the sap,
but lm going to let you in.
-Oil wells?
-No, no kidding.
Theres a seven rolling for me tonight,
and l could use a partner.
Here, sit here.
Did you ever hear of Dutch Enright?
The gangster?
What do you mean, gangster?
The gambler.
Dont you ever read anything?
Runs the biggest poker game in town.
Didnt you hear about the chump
who lost his hotel on four nines?
Got in all the columns.
So what?
lm the guy who steered him up there
and got a grand for my cut.
Dont get excited. That was five months
ago and all l got left is this suit.
-lts very becoming.
-Save the jokes, now, this is serious.
lm thinking of taking Engle up there
tonight.
Whats the oh for?
Hes stuffed with dough, aint he?
ls he?
A money tramp. l happen to know.
Sorry.
Whats the difference
if he gets took for a little?
A guy like that can afford to lose...
...and besides, he gets a kick out of
meeting important people.
You want to help?
l dont see what use l would be
in that direction.
All you got to do is play up to him a little.
When he starts to get personal,
you say you live at the Sunset Hotel.
We all go up there for a party,
then l take over.
All you gotta do is act sweet, thats all.
Like a gun moll?
Youre scared, huh?
Who, me?
A tragic tale, brother.
A little confused and badly constructed.
l speak as one who eight years ago
won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.
Finish your drink,
while l examine this sad plot.
l disapprove of your death, Mr. Engle.
Nobody has any right
to kill himself for $3,000.
Thats being short-sighted.
My boy, thats killing yourself for peanuts.
Not that you wouldnt be better off dead,
you and l both.
lts a world anyone would be better out of.
lts a rotten world...
...dancing and murdering.
Were l a philosopher, ld say:
An idiot with a gun in one hand
and a clarinet in the other.
ln fact, l did say it,
and the play closed Saturday.
l do not approve of your exit, Mr. Engle.
lf you will be patient
and have faith in a dramatist...
...who once was second to none,
lll rewrite your last act.
Our present plot problem is money.
$3,000.
A straw that destroys.
My boy...
...remove your cerements.
l found you a new godmother.
l refer to the lady
with the pneumatic shape.
That creature loved me madly
three months ago.
As you can see from the jewels
that festoon her battle front.
Mine, all mine.
Homage to love eternal.
Kindly notice that Kohinoor
at the left sector.
Well get that back, son,
in a flanked movement.
Wait here, pilgrim.
lll be back, Charlie, my lad,
with a bauble called Life.
lsnt that Mr. Hugo over there by the wall?
Yeah.
-Would you mind introducing me, please?
-We aint got time for that?
Excuse me.
Mr. Hugo...
...l dont know if you remember me...
...Nina Barona. At the Monkey Club?
l did a specialty,
the slave routine with the chains.
But lm much better now,
if youre remembering, l mean.
l know youre busy,
but if youd give me an audition...
...it would only take a few minutes.
lve still got the costume and the props.
The chains and everything.
What are you doing tonight?
Why, nothing.
Come on, kid,
well go someplace and talk this thing--
There you are! Hello, madam.
lve been combing the joint,
your husband is trying to find you.
-What?
-Yeah, hes breaking dishes.
Come and cool him off
before he starts smacking waiters.
Wait a minute, its a lie.
Youve got a lot of nerve, wasting my time.
l know, Mr. Hugo.
Of all the dirty tricks l ever saw....
Just when l get a break.
This is the most contemptible thing
anybody ever did.
He would have given me a job!
-You fool!
-Maybe, but l figure it wasnt worth it.
You figure?
Listen, you know-it-all,
l dont need you or anybody else to figure.
Take it easy, youll attract attention.
lve always taken care of myself,
understand?
l dont need help from any amateur crooks.
Go on, lve had enough of you.
Please, beat it.
lm no gun moll.
You aint no buzzards dish neither...
...not while lm around.
May l say, those were
the five most wonderful weeks of my life.
l hope you havent forgotten them,
my sweet.
The little farmhouse in Maine...
...winter and the snow...
...and the little stove
burning in the room, as l recall.
And the light on the wall that night.
The only light in the world.
Lonely, and the wind blowing.
And outside, the snow like a white horse.
The little stove burning in the dark...
...like the eye of dreams.
Please, Gene, youre drunk.
l dont want to talk about that now.
Where is the little stove of yesteryear
and the white horse?
Gone, huh?
Burnt out and run away.
What are you doing?
Taking back one humble little gift of love.
Just one, for a good cause.
See?
Sylvia, do you want me to do anything?
Who wants to do something?
You, sir.
Control yourself, son.
Tell this madcap how hard l can hit.
Never mind, Stevie.
lts quite all right.
Thank you, beautiful.
He giveth and he taketh back...
...in a good cause.
Thank you.
Hello, Mr. Engle.
You can dismiss your hearse.
Manna!
This trinket was obtained from Cartiers
for $12,000.
You can raise $3,000 on it
from any financier.
lts yours.
Live, little man, and suffer.
lts hard to understand.
A man you never met before comes along
and does a thing like this.
l didnt think a thing like this
could ever happen.
Your drink, Mr. Engle.
-Heres to tomorrow.
-Tomorrow!
Tomorrow.
Take it easy, Lazarus.
l dont know what to do.
You call on Mr. Hopper in the morning...
...and you hand that moth-eaten nemesis
the $3,000...
...and then you spit in his eye.
Applause.
But thats not the question.
Allow me to explain, sir, the secret of life.
Yesterdays pain...
...is tomorrows joke.
And youll always end up laughing...
...if you can manage
not to cut your throat first.
Thats the message of my last three flops.
Youre a wonderful man, Mr. Gibbons.
l dont know how to explain it.
lts like when you meet somebody
on a dark street and he smiles at you.
You dont feel frightened for a minute.
For a minute, you feel all right.
lll tell you what lm going to do.
Yes, lm going to do it.
lm going to call her up.
Well sit here until his nibs goes back
to his table.
Well sit here until his nibs goes back
to his table.
Then you step in.
Really, l step in?
Thats right.
What am l supposed to do, lasso him?
Do just what you did last time.
Last time? What last time?
The last time
you got some fellow to fall for you.
l dont see why lm wasting my time
to get insulted.
Cut it out.
This is business, so dont hand me any line.
l know your type backwards.
You do?
lf you dont care to talk to me
like a gentleman--
Nix, nix, lets have none of that.
lf we go into partnership,
lets go in with our eyes open.
All lve got on my mind is to grab
some dough and get in the money.
l dont care how l get there.
As for you, baby,
lve known dozens like you...
...sappy kids with a heart like a cur-dog,
that answers whistles...
...and figures theyre having a good time.
lm a little better than you think,
Mr. OBrien.
That wouldnt be hard.
l aint trying to insult you,
just analyzing things, see?
The trouble with you is
that youre a born sucker.
All you know is
how to let people take advantage of you.
What do you think youre doing?
Reform me into a gangsters assistant
so lll end up shooting policemen?
-Thats very funny.
-lt is, huh?
lm trying to show you something else than
nickels to grab and buzzards to run with.
l used to be like you: Two bits
and ld start bowing like a Chinaman.
Baby, youre worth more than two bits.
You dont think so, but l do.
lm getting a little confused.
Youre not trying to make love to me
by any chance?
Baby, when l start making love to you,
it wont be any guessing game.
She was crying
as she answered the phone.
l didnt have a chance to tell her.
She wants to see me in the morning.
Do you know what l think?
Shes through with him, this Morgan.
Why would she be crying?
Sure shes through with him,
she hates him.
lll see her in the morning.
We can go away and start all over.
Not with Hopper. Some place else.
A fellow like me can always get a job.
l know how to do lots of things.
lts nice, isnt it?
Quite a joke, Gene, isnt it?
Hello, my dear.
Are you joining us?
New flagship.
Draw right up, Admiral.
You were always so witty,
such wonderful pranks.
Then so contrite the day after.
lf you are not going to sit down to chat,
pardon me.
l dont want your conscience to bother you
in the morning when you sober up.
l dont want you to feel badly
about being a thief and a swine.
You really didnt steal anything.
That pin is only paste.
l paid $10 for it
while my other was being made over.
You know,
it was terribly funny, your taking it.
Youre quite welcome to it.
Please never mind calling me up
about giving it back...
...or about anything else.
You stupid, drunken fool.
You should give up drinking,
Gene old boy...
...if you want to turn into a Raffles.
Come.
My stupidity begins to amaze me.
Poor little Engle...
...in the hands of an idiotic drunk.
Well...
...we must find other means.
Hello, Mr. Engle.
Do you mind if l have my purse back?
-Thanks so much for guarding it.
-How are they coming, Gene?
My boy,
you wouldnt happen to have $3,000...
...to spare?
Who, me?
Thats a laugh.
Say, whats going on here?
Mr. Engle needs $3,000 very badly.
ln fact, desperately.
lts a matter of life and death.
-What? Why, l thought that he--
-ls that true, Mr. Engle?
-l mean, are you really broke?
-Face to face with disaster.
-Thanks for trying to help me.
-lts going to be all right.
Got to think awhile.
Excuse me for laughing,
but this is too funny.
Cut it out.
The phony. Theres nothing to laugh at.
-lts a funny joke, Mr. Gibbons--
-Shut up.
-Anybodys liable to--
-Maybe you can put it in a play.
Mr. OBrien thought
Mr. Engle was a millionaire.
Thats what hes been telling me.
He was going to introduce Mr. Engle
to some crooked gamblers.
And he, Mr. Engle,
was going to be trimmed.
For $30,000 or $40,000, wasnt it,
Mr. OBrien, playing poker?
We were going to clean up,
l and Mr. OBrien...
...on our cut for steering him up there.
Mr. Engle, the millionaire.
You fell out of a policemans whistle...
...you think.
What you fell out of was your cradle
and right onto your head.
Okay, copper.
Going to make a fortune for me...
...swindling a poor fellow without a dime.
Somebody give me a drink,
this is too funny.
lve got an idea.
Youve given me the finest plot turn
since the Tower of Babel.
-Take it easy, Gene.
-Quiet!
As l understand it,
your crooked friends are waiting...
...for Mr. Engle with felonious intent.
Waiting to swindle him
in a poker game, right?
Forget it. Shes talking through her hat.
No lying, we havent time for it.
Your undivided attention, Mr. OBrien.
This is perfect.
Youre taking our millionaire, Mr. Engle,
to your gamblers den.
Your greedy friends will let him win at first
as a come on.
Let him win, shall we say, $3,000.
At that point, he will excuse himself
for a moment and vanish into the night...
...solvent and with a new lease on life.
Wait a minute. Lets get out of here.
Weve got another date.
Never mind your paltry dates.
lm rewriting you, my Broadway scavenger.
Youll become a hero, from Gyp the Blood
to Galahad in one lesson...
...and you, too, my little moth. Rise.
Heroine, l need you both.
Where is my little man Engle?
Hey, waiter, where did my little man go?
You havent seen
a rather sad-looking man...
...in an ill-fitting overcoat,
walking in the rain, have you?
-l aint seen anybody all night.
-Thats too bad.
You stay here while l reconnoiter.
That doorman couldnt have been wrong.
l didnt say it wasnt interesting.
All l said was that
a guy committing suicide is no novelty.
Please, dont talk to me.
lm gonna pull a fast one
on Dutch Enright and the mob...
...for a total stranger.
No wonder he writes flops,
with ideas like that.
-Are you going to keep crying all night?
-l asked you not to talk to me.
For a nickel, ld leave you flat.
Why dont you?
l dont happen to have any other dates.
Besides which, its raining.
l doubt if l could do much better
on a rainy night.
Cut it out, will you?
Theres nothing to cry about.
That poor man.
l never knew anyone who wanted to die.
Except myself.
-l guess a lot of people are like that.
-Like what?
With a pain inside them they cant stand.
lm getting one now.
-Youre cruel and mean.
-Yeah?
l stick to my own troubles to cry over.
You make me sick.
Throwing yourself away on any buzzard
that comes along.
Living like a floozy on a raft.
And now youre crying
about somebody else.
-Thats laughable.
-Let me alone.
lf you dont want to buy something,
whats the idea of coming here to fight?
This is a store and not a theater.
All right, give me some gum.
-What kind you like?
-Dont want any.
Okay, one package.
l dont know why every nut in town
picks out this store every time it rains.
You said it.
-Did you find him?
-Not yet, come on.
-Have a heart, Gene, shell catch cold.
-lve got a cab outside.
l want you two to cruise up and down
and keep your eyes open.
lve got to find Engle before its too late.
-What about you?
-lm at my best on foot.
Meet me at the 43rd St. Theater.
The doorman will let you in.
lf you find him, take him there and wait.
lf not, lll bring him there myself.
-Have you got that?
-Sure.
Very well. Come along and good luck.
-We really didnt look enough.
-We looked plenty.
$3 worth.
You didnt finish telling what happened
after you left the Monkey Club.
Why, nothing.
-You didnt get another job?
-No.
Just been knocking around
ever since with....
lve kept trying continually.
l mean, for a job.
Thats what l was doing tonight, trying.
Yeah. l know all about tonights try.
-Are you Mr. OBrien?
-Yes.
Mr. Gibbons telephoned about you.
He said you should wait on stage.
This way.
lll go turn on a light.
Dont move around
or youll bump into the mountain.
A mountain, what mountain?
lts called the Acracoronian Mountains,
although theres only one of them.
lll put the light on
and you can see for yourself.
lm beginning to understand
the whole thing.
lts the open season for cuckoos.
Really? Just who are you referring to,
Mr. OBrien?
lm referring to Mr. Engle, Mr. Gibbons,
this guy here with the mountain.
And last, but not least, you.
lts a bad sign if you start to think
everybody but you is crazy.
Dont you think?
l wish hed hurry up with the lights.
What are you nervous about?
Do you think lm going to
make a grab at you?
Well, l aint. You can relax.
lt might be a kind of a novelty at that.
Alone with a guy for an hour
and no passes.
Dont worry, Mr. OBrien.
lm getting a little used to it,
and to your insults, too.
l see. lts insulting
when somebody dont make a grab at you.
l apologize.
l dont know
why you want to make me feel bad.
You keep asking me about myself.
When l tell you the truth, you get mad.
-Dont start crying again, will you?
-Why not?
You said it was all right to cry for yourself.
You make me feel
like the most horrible person in the world.
lm sorry.
l must be nuts.
l tag after you like a puppy
and every time l look at you l get sore.
Tie that.
Okay.
Were friends, huh?
Sure.
Lets go see whats happening.
Whats going on here?
Maybe youre upset having to take
Mr. Engle up to the gambling den.
l know its going to come out all right.
Really.
l can just feel it.
Listen.
One thing l aint upset about
is taking Mr. Engle to the gambling den...
...or anywhere else.
Dont get any false ideas in your head.
l aint here for Mr. Engle or Mr. Gibbons.
lm here strictly on my own business.
Whatever that is.
l wish you wouldnt talk that way,
itll be so easy.
-lts going to be easy. Forget it for now.
-No, lm serious.
Theyre bound to let him win.
Even lve read that crooked gamblers
let you win at first as a come on.
Youre reading the wrong books, baby.
To find out what happens to nice guys,
dont read books, just read the headlines.
What happened to the Poles,
the Finns and the Dutch?
They were nice little guys. Did they win?
-They will sometime.
-Forget it.
Every guy for himself. Thats my motto.
Look, the old guy isnt crazy at all.
There is a mountain.
Of course, this isnt the regular lighting.
lt makes a pretty setting
when its rightly lit up.
A snow-capped mountain in Thessaly.
Thessaly was part of Greece.
-The old Greeks--
-We know all about them.
Hear that noise?
Thats the rats.
Always performing....
lf they left this scenery here,
theyd eat it up.
Eat the whole theater up,
if it wasnt for the actors.
The hollering frightens them.
Had l but served my God
with half the zeal l served my King...
...he would not in mine age
have left me naked to mine enemies.
Go, you!
Get out of there!
Go away! Go away!
Now theyre silent.
He aint crazy, you say.
Gee, its a beautiful theater.
lf l only had my slave costume
and my chains.
Hey, that aint safe.
Youll break your neck.
lts wonderful up here.
Any objections?
Not particularly.
Theres something funny
about you and me.
Maybe its just me.
No kidding,
something just keeps me from kissing you.
You dont have to keep harping on
the fact you dont like me.
Dont play dumb.
l dont like that side of you, thats all.
What side do you mean?
l dont understand, honestly.
Sure you dont, because
lm talking like a chump, thats why.
lm pretending
theres something swell about you.
This delusion came over me
while we were dancing.
You know,
when you look into a girls eyes...
...and you think you see something
that isnt there?
Well, thats what l saw.
Maybe it was there. Maybe--
This is just my night for seeing things.
First l see a millionaire
by the name of Engle...
...then l run into a dream girl.
-Come on, its all phony baloney.
-Bill.
Theres no seven rolling for me tonight.
Lets go someplace sensible.
Theres no seven rolling for me tonight.
Lets go someplace sensible.
Hello, there!
This way, Mr. Engle.
Joe, a couple of glasses with that bottle.
Enter our hero.
-You found him, lm so glad.
-There you are, pilgrim.
The snow-capped peaks of Thessaly...
...or rather, according to the critics,
a molehill.
Thank you.
What do you think of that set, Mr. Engle?
-lt looks like a real mountain.
-lt was, until the critics nibbled it away.
The rodents! Here, my boy, drink that.
-lt will give you character.
-Thanks.
You know something?
lts going to be all right.
They think lm rich and theyll let me win.
-Okay, this is where l came in.
-Where are you going?
-Bye-bye.
-Youre not going to take me there?
Hes full of pipe dreams.
Thats how he makes his living,
making up pipe dreams.
You know what Enright would do to me
for playing a joke like this?
Hes got six killers on his payroll,
hopheads with ice picks.
An alarmist.
How will he find out?
Mr. Gibbons told you what to say to Dutch
after Mr. Engle gets away.
l sit in a chair while they slap me dizzy...
...reciting Gibbons idea of dialogue
under such conditions.
lts a lot better than you could make up.
These are the wings of the Angel Afriel...
...a very good actor.
-But you cant run out, you got--
-l got to stick my neck out? For what?
Wheres my percentage?
Where do l come in?
lts giving somebody a chance to live.
lts giving them a chance to start over
and be happy.
Why should l give anybody a chance?
Who ever gave me a chance, or you either?
l know this town.
l used to work in hotels, all kinds.
Fleabags and flops with gold elevators.
lve heard them screaming
and crying behind doors...
...seen them kicked out
when they couldnt pay...
...seen them jump out of windows
when there was no place to go.
Theres nobody passing out any chances.
lf anybody wants to jump, let him.
lm looking out for one guy only. Me.
-l didnt think you were like that.
-lm strictly a percentage player, thats all.
For dough, anything. But for....
Wait a minute.
What is it?
lm dumb.
lm even dumber than you.
What if this hairpin should win
more than $3,000?
What if they let him win $6,000,
or even $10,000?
l get a split on everything over $3,000.
lll talk to Engle and try to make a deal.
-Hey, Mr. Engle?
-Time to be going, gentlemen.
-l got to talk to Engle first--
-Youve been chatting long enough.
Theres a taxi waiting outside
with the meter running.
lve got something to say.
-Listen, Mr. Engle--
-You have nothing to say.
l havent?
Say, who do you think you are? God?
Exactly.
lm glad you see through me, finally.
But youre still a little short in your vision.
Were all of us God, my boy.
All creatures full of light and miracles.
Come on.
Thank you.
Omnipotence often needs a little support.
Theyre waiting for me
to give them the offers. Then theyll come.
Who are they?
The big ones Eddie Burns,
used to be a prize fighter.
l aint so scared of him, though.
But the other one....
Hes the brain trust for Dutch Enright.
Louie Artino.
Make up your mind. What do you want?
Shall l flag him?
One minute.
lm ready, lve got it all down.
-Got what down?
-What lm going to say.
A little more reserve, Mr. Engle.
Youre a very rich man.
Youre so rich you dont have to talk.
ln fact, youre so rich,
you have nothing to talk about.
Thats your character.
lm afraid lm confusing you.
No, l can act like a rich man.
Dont worry, Mr. Gibbons.
Wont do.
l want you to act like a poor man.
Just remember all your troubles
and youll look exactly like a rich man.
-l see.
-Good.
All right, Mr. OBrien.
Curtain.
-Hello, Bill.
-Louie, aint seen you in a long time.
Getting along.
Allow me.
Miss Barona, this is Mr. Artino...
...Mr. Engle, Mr. Gibbons. Eugene Gibbons.
How do you do? Yeah, the playwright.
l thought l recognized you.
Glad to meet you.
lve always been an admirer.
-And this is Eddie Burns.
-Pleased to meet you, lm sure.
Join us, Louie. Were having a drink
and trying to figure out where to go.
You look like a man of the world, sir.
Maybe you can help me persuade Mr. Engle
that show business needs men like him.
New money, new actors, new ideas.
Thats what the theater needs, Mr. Engle.
You smile, sir...
...because you think
lm talking through my hat.
Nonsense.
Let me repeat, Mr. Engle.
For $30,000, youll get one half of the play.
For a paltry $30,000,
you can come backstage...
...whenever you like and see the men
pull the curtain up and down.
lm not in the mood for business tonight.
lm trying to have some fun, Mr. Gibbons.
Fine. Excellent.
Beautifully said.
Thats what were all trying to do,
Mr. Engle, have some fun.
-Am l right, Mr. Artino?
-Sure.
We ought to take care of your friend, Bill.
Yeah, l was telling him
about the club upstairs.
lts a sort of private little affair.
We happen to be having a meeting tonight.
Just a get together for a few friends.
l was telling him we might drop in,
if its not too late.
Not at all. Come on up, Mr. Engle.
Always glad to entertain
any friend of Bill OBrien.
Thanks.
lm glad to have met you, Mr. Gibbons,
and you, miss.
l hope you put your deal over.
See you later.
You were wonderful. l knew you would be.
Never mind about me,
lm playing a percentage.
lts all right, Mr. Gibbons, theyve gone.
What do you mean, its all right?
He aint acting. Hes out cold.
Come on, Engle, give me a lift.
lm all right, thanks.
Aint Grand Central Station,
but its big enough for me.
Everything is going to be all right.
-Wheres that Engle?
-Here.
-Now, you understand your part, my boy?
-Yes.
Little man against the fates.
They will deal you hope off the bottom
and let you win at first...
...then you get up and slither off.
Tell them youre coming back.
Youve got to see me.
Your friend is very drunk, dangerous,
might set fire to the hotel.
Who knows?
Theyll think, as they watch you go,
Hell come back...
...but you flee.
Youll live happily ever after...
...as l ordered it.
-Mr. Gibbons?
-Hes really out this time.
-The mastermind folds in the stretch.
-Please, hell hear you.
He aint going to be hearing anything
but pink elephants for some time.
You got a fine pal, Engle.
Passes out on you in the finish.
Thats his trouble as a playwright,
according to the critics.
Starts off fine, then loses track.
l can see what they mean.
Sure lost track of this production.
-Hurry, theyre waiting.
-Theyre waiting. l know all about that.
But first, l wanna have a little talk to you.
-Youre going to back out?
-Nobodys backing out.
lm willing to help...
...but not on account of the fates
or any of that gabble he pulled.
l write the finish different to him.
l write it over for Bill OBrien.
lm in this, but l want a cut.
-A cut?
-Yeah.
Everything you take over $3,000 is mine.
But how can l get any more?
How do you know
how much theyll throw at you?
lve seen as much as $15,000 in one pot.
That hotel owner, they let him win
more than $8,000 before they....
Say, even if its only $5,000...
...l take all over $3,000.
Okay?
Sure, thats all right with me.
All l want is $3,000.
Fine, now theres some sense
to the whole thing.
Me, sticking my neck out for nothing
and for no reason.
-Are you ready for the lions den?
-Yes.
Wait a minute.
lf you only had a fur collar or something.
You sure cant go in there
with those five-and-ten-cent cuff links.
Take them off.
A fine millionaire youd look like
with that tin on you.
l didnt notice
but theres some guys smarter than me.
Here, put these on. Theyre rubies.
lts just wasting time.
lm handling this from now on.
l know what lm doing.
Those guys got eyes like sharpshooters.
And take off that pushcart tie, partner.
Carvet, $5 a throw.
-Heres some more props.
-His suit isnt pressed.
Thats nothing.
Theyll think hes an eccentric.
Catos. Handmade. lts a honey, aint it?
Here.
Heres the clincher.
Class, eh?
To Gene, my first, last and only.
Harriet, June, 1924.
lts his wife. Shes suing him
for divorce now, isnt she?
Hurry, were losing time.
My first, last and only.
lmagine a dame writing that
and meaning it.
No, l suppose you cant.
Wouldnt look so hot on a rain check,
would it? Come on.
-Bill.
-What?
-Dont hate me.
-Youre all right.
l mean, if anything goes wrong.
You just take a powder
and kindly omit flowers.
Youll be back?
Those are my plans.
-lm jumping inside.
-Come on, buck up.
lt would be funny, wouldnt it,
if it turned out like l told you.
We make just as much money
saving a guys life...
...as we would have had for trimming him.
Come on.
Theres the stairs.
Keep right on going, all the way down.
Dont stop for a taxi in front of the hotel.
-lf there aint one there, keep on going.
-Yes.
Well, here it is.
Are you ready, diablo?
Hello, Tony. lts okay. Come on.
-Hello, Jack. Hello, Eddie.
-Hello, Billy.
Tell Dutch lm here with Mr. Engle,
will you?
Okay, come on in.
After you, Mr. Engle.
-Mr. Enright, this is my friend Mr. Engle.
-lm glad to meet you, Mr. Enright.
lm glad to see you again.
You two know each other?
This is the gentleman
l was telling you about.
-Looking for a little fun?
-l dont mind.
We got a little club like this back home.
We got a little club like this back home.
-ls that so? Wheres that?
-ln Cleveland.
Fine town.
-Have a chair.
-Thanks.
lts getting kind of late for me.
What time have you got?
1:30, thats all.
l see youve changed your tie.
Yes, you might as well dress up
for a party.
We dont usually let strangers
into the club...
...but were a little shorthanded tonight.
As long as our friend Mr. OBrien
brought you, its okay if you take a hand.
Mr. Engle was worried downstairs
he didnt have any cash.
l told him that the members
usually play for cash.
No cash?
No, but l got my checkbook with me.
lve only used up half of it.
You know the story about the guy
whose bank told him he was overdrawn?
He called up the bank and said,
How can that be?
l havent used up all the checks
in my checkbook yet.
You see, he thought he was still rich.
l get it.
-Cleveland, eh?
-Yes.
Cleveland Bank.
No, its the New York Bank.
l have money in the New York Bank
and in Cleveland and Chicago.
lt makes it easier
when lm traveling around.
-All right with you boys?
-Sure, Mr. Engles all right.
l guess well take your check.
How much do you want, $5,000?
Thats a little bit steep for a starter.
l mean, ld rather have...
...$3,000 to begin with.
That ought to be enough to have fun with.
Okay. Here you are.
-You start it, Mac.
-What limit do we play?
Table stakes, Mr. Engle,
and all the fun you want.
That suits me all right.
l got Gibbons into my room finally.
He was out on his feet
when he was talking to you.
Lucky l didnt bring him.
He was crashing around like a goat.
-Whos that?
-Mr. Gibbons.
The writer l was telling you about.
Pass.
l open for $100.
lm in.
Mr. Engle?
-No. Pass.
-ln.
-How many?
-Give me three.
One.
Three.
l bet $500.
Up $500.
l call.
lm out.
Three queens.
Always beats two pair.
A little action, huh?
Short and sweet.
Regent 4-6-0-7-1.
Hello, who is this?
Hello, Anna.
l want to speak to Mrs. Gibbons, please.
Her husband, tell her.
Hello, sweet. How are you?
Harriet, lll tell you, not so good.
lm drunk, as usual.
At least l think l am. lts all mixed up.
l thought l had an idea for a new play...
...but l dont seem to remember
what it was.
Please, darling, dont get sore.
l want to talk to you.
l want to come home.
l dont know, sweet.
Some fish trap as usual.
lts a hotel, l guess.
Listen, sweet, l need you.
l want to come home.
l dont seem to be able to write
anywhere else.
You are sweet.
Thats very kind of you.
No, its nothing, dear.
Just a little cold, l guess.
Listen, darling...
...the only warm place l have ever been
is in your heart.
Youre the only light
that didnt go out on me.
All the others went out.
But not you.
Thank you.
l can find my way home.
l know the way.
Thank you, sweet.
l might have known l wasnt alone.
You must pardon my bad manners.
l dont usually run out on a lady,
but l have business in the night.
You remind me of something.
l dont seem to remember what it was.
This is all very confusing.
l havent done anything wrong, have l?
No.
Well, l can find my way home all right.
Thank you.
Goodnight...
...Snow White.
-Wheres he going?
-Home.
Hes walking out? Hes picked a fine time.
No, dont! lt wont do any good.
Let him go.
-What happened?
-Nothing.
He doesnt remember anything.
Hes forgotten.
He didnt know who l was.
Whats happened in there?
-Everythings going all right.
-Tell me.
Hes laying back, as per instructions,
waiting for the come-on.
-Theres something wrong?
-No. Nothings wrong.
l suppose its worth it.
lts certainly making money the hard way.
lts like being shot out of a cannon.
-Have you ever been to Miami?
-No.
You ought to go swell down there...
...with the celebrities, in a bathing suit.
Who knows?
You may end up with a real tycoon.
Be my luck, just as lm getting used to you.
Somebody would wave a diamond collar at
you and lm left alone in the cabana.
Whats that for?
For a nickel, ld flatten you.
You make me sick
with that phony look in your eyes.
You and Gibbons both grandstanding!
Dont you try it!
You just be yourself and lll be myself, see?
lm in this for a split.
Youre what youve always been,
only this time it aint for dimes.
lf you dont like it, go look for
that last buzzard of yours, Mr. Hugo!
Listen, lve got things on my mind.
Cut it out, will you?
Pass.
Youre not getting much of a play,
Mr. Engle.
l guess the decks a little cold yet.
-Whos got a cigarette?
-lve got one. Right here.
Thanks.
-Your name aint Gene, is it?
-No.
Thats what l thought.
That belongs to Gibbons, dont it?
Gene Gibbons?
Yes.
Yes, he let me have it.
l guess he wanted to make me feel good,
so ld put money up on his play.
Deal them already.
Lets have a little action.
Of course, he was pretty drunk.
ln fact, lm kind of worried about him.
He looked pretty sick to me.
That play might be...
...a good idea, though, you know?
l understand you only....
l understand you put up only $30,000
for a show...
...and sometimes you make a fortune.
Pass.
Open for $500.
lm in.
l stay.
Out.
lll play.
Pass. How many?
Give me three.
One.
One.
l didnt hear you. How many?
-One card, please.
-There you are.
Check.
Check.
lts up to you, Mr. Engle.
Well, lll bet all lve got.
Theres $2,500 there, l think.
Pass.
-lm out.
-Thats a pretty good bet.
l thought we could bet
as much as we wanted.
Sure. Thats right.
$2,500, eh?
Your call, Mr. Engle.
-What have you got?
-l have three aces and a pair of sevens.
Beats a flush, your pot.
That decks not so cold now, eh?
No, it looks like
theyre beginning to run for me.
l pulled in that extra seven,
or you would have beaten me.
-Like a drink?
-Thanks.
Looks like were beginning
to have some real action.
-Pass.
-Pass.
Mr. Engle.
Pass.
-Open for $200.
-lll play.
lm passing.
-Play.
-Pass.
-Cards?
-lll play these.
Dealer takes one.
Go ahead and bet them.
Bet $2,000.
-What you got?
-A straight, queen high.
Good pot.
Youre right, Mr. Engle,
theyre beginning to run.
lll keep my winnings separate.
lt looks like lm going to be here
for quite a while, so...
...if you dont mind,
ld like to take a look at my friend...
...Mr. Gibbons, before l settle down.
Where is he?
Hes just down the hall,
in Mr. OBriens room.
lm kind of worried
about how hes getting along.
He looked a little bit sick to me. So...
...l wonder if youd mind
dealing me out a couple of hands.
Sure, its all right
if you want to go take a look.
Yes, its sort of on my mind.
-lts all right if l leave this here, l suppose.
-Sure.
lm probably losing a lot of money
by stepping out, even for a few minutes...
...but lll show you some real playing
when l get back.
Whats the matter? You lost?
l forgot the number of the room.
lts 1020. Thats it, right there.
Yes, thats right.
-Get out of here quick, you sap.
-l cant.
-Got the money?
-Yes.
-Get down the steps!
-The big ones there.
-Eddie?
-Yeah.
-So he tailed you, huh?
-Yeah.
He was right behind me.
l didnt notice him at first,
l couldnt get rid of him.
-How much you got?
-$3,000.
-No more?
-No, thats all.
l had to leave the rest on the table,
l couldnt take it.
Thats swell.
Thats fine.
Grabbed it all for yourself, huh?
A lot of good youll get out of it.
-Will he go away?
-Not him.
What can l do?
Wait a minute.
l got to figure this out, see where l stand.
l got the money.
-l got the money here.
-Shut up, will you?
-Youve got to go back into that game.
-No.
That guy out there is a killer.
Hell beat your brains out if you lam.
-lve got to take a chance--
-What about me?
-You know what theyll do?
-Let me go!
Go where?
Theyll murder you and me.
Whats in it for me?
-Theyll punch me silly--
-Theres a fire escape l can get down.
Youre not going to get out
and leave me behind.
-lm going out and call Eddie.
-No.
lll tell him youre a phony
and l took a tumble.
You tried to get out and l stopped you.
lts my only chance.
-No!
-What do you mean, no?
-Youre not gonna do it.
-Why not?
-You dont want to.
-l dont want to?
l wanna get my insides kicked out?
-Wheres Mr. Gibbons?
-He went away.
-Bill.
-Hes gone?
-Please, listen.
-Never mind. He did his best.
-l guess lm just not lucky.
-You give up quick, dont you?
l dont give up. But what can l do?
Nothing.
Look, just listen to me.
Theres only one way to play it.
-Cut out that Gibbons stuff, will you?
-lts not Gibbons, its me.
l can tell you dont want to give him away.
l know what you want to do.
Why dont you do it?
Youve been calling me names all night.
l didnt answer because its too easy.
Anyway, the names are all true.
Yes, theyre all true.
lm just somebody you picked up in a cafe,
thats all lve ever been.
Youre the same kind of nobody.
Were all nickels and dimes,
you, me and Engle.
l knew it wouldnt turn out right.
l mean, when we were dancing.
l knew, because there are some people
that never make money or get anywhere.
Thats us.
But, Bill...
...l dont know how to say it.
Theres other ways of making good.
Bill, why cant we just once
pretend were big shots?
Come on.
Lets play it like big shots.
Just once.
Go on, open the window.
-lts stuck.
-lll get it open.
-lts too late.
-Hurry up!
Whos there?
Me, Eddie.
Bill, keep him out there a minute.
Hello, Eddie.
Theyre waiting for him.
Who, Engle? Hes all right.
Hell be coming right out.
Boss said l should hang onto him.
Thought he was copping a sneak.
No, hes all right.
He told me hes going back there
and clean up $100,000.
You salted him good.
He said hes just been sitting back
watching the play.
Boss said to get him and bring him back.
Before you go in, l want to talk to you
about something, personally.
What about?
You know this guy Gibbons in there.
The fellow with the D.T.s.
He writes shows.
-Youve heard of him, aint you?
-What about him?
Hes writing this show about prize fighters.
Thats why l brought him over.
l figured to introduce him to you,
and you could give him some material.
Now, what l want to know is,
will you split with me if l introduce you?
Nothing doing.
You can tell him about when you killed
the guy in the ring, remember?
Ace Johnson.
Thats the time.
Thats the stuff he likes, dramatic.
Youve got a lot of stuff like that.
You can tell him about--
So, thats what?
Engle went down the fire escape.
Go downstairs, cut him off.
lll take care of this guy.
Next time l see you, itll be the Tombs.
Twenty days. Take him away.
Next case.
Charles Engle.
This man was picked up in a gunfight,
Your Honor.
We found $3,000 on him.
-Who was shooting?
-The other fellow.
-Got away, huh?
-Were after him.
What are you doing carrying $3,000?
Dont you know this is New York?
Your Honor, you see,
the money doesnt belong to me.
lt belongs to Mr. Hopper. Joseph Hopper.
-You can call him up.
-Whats his number?
Union 2-3-1-2.
Hello.
Yeah, this is Mr. Hopper.
Who?
l want to ask you a few questions,
and l want straight answers.
l wanna know
if you know a fellow named Engle.
ls that so?
Now just a minute. Yeah, we got him.
l want to ask you this:
Hes got a little money on him,
he says belongs to you.
lt does, eh?
How much would you say it was?
$3,000.
lts mine. Ask him, hell admit.
lm waiting for it. lts from the business.
lts mine, every penny.
Thats fine.
Yeah, lll wait here.
Tell him from me, lm glad.
lt stopped raining for a change.
lt stopped raining for a change.
A lot of good rain does.
$3, all night in the rain.
l ask you, whats a guy living for?
Here, keep the change, buddy.
lts your turn to get rich.
You feel better now, dont you?
-Yeah, l feel fine.
-lt doesnt hurt so much anymore...
...does it?
l guess lll go then.
l guess you dont need me anymore.
For what?
One beating a night is plenty for me.
-lf you want my phone number, l--
-l dont want anything.
lm sorry you feel this way.
Really, l am.
lm sorry for only one thing:
l butted into your romance with Mr. Hugo.
Otherwise wed have both been
where we belong.
And better off.
You cant be nice, can you?
Even if you want to.
Youre afraid you wont seem
like a wise guy if youre nice.
Okay, Mr. OBrien.
Something wonderful happened tonight.
lll remember it for a long time.
When things dont seem so wonderful...
...lll remember Mr. Gibbons
and Mr. Engle...
...and you.
And that people arent really mean.
They can be better than they are
if they want.
lf theyll let themselves.
Even if it doesnt last.
They can be better than they are.
So long.
-That will be $35 out of $50.
-Keep the change.
Hey, you seven!