- 7 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00The
00:00:30THE END
00:01:00THE END
00:01:30THE END
00:01:32THE END
00:01:34THE END
00:01:38THE END
00:01:42THE END
00:01:46I thought if he was heading north, I might be able to help you out.
00:01:50I'm pushing to Salt Lake, and I don't like to ride alone at night.
00:01:53I'm one of those guys who got to talk or I fall asleep.
00:01:56Oh, sure, not much.
00:01:58Pardon me, he's got Lou to keep him company, but I ain't got nobody at all.
00:02:02Where you coming from?
00:02:04West.
00:02:05Yeah, sure, I know, but where, L.A.?
00:02:07Maybe.
00:02:08I got a cousin out in L.A.
00:02:10You don't say.
00:02:11Yeah, he's been out.
00:02:13You're not much of a talker, are you?
00:02:15My mother taught me never to speak to strangers.
00:02:16Oh, wise guy.
00:02:17So what?
00:02:18Okay, okay, don't get sore.
00:02:19He's trying to be sociable, that's all.
00:02:21Hey, Glamorous.
00:02:22You change for a dime, will you?
00:02:24Let's have something quieter this time, Joe.
00:02:26My head's splitting.
00:02:27Oh, no.
00:02:28Oh, no.
00:02:29Oh, no.
00:02:30Oh, no.
00:02:31Oh, no.
00:02:32Oh, no.
00:02:33Oh, no.
00:02:34Oh, no.
00:02:35Oh, no.
00:02:36Oh, no.
00:02:37Oh, no.
00:02:38Oh, no.
00:02:39Oh, no.
00:02:40Oh, no.
00:02:41Oh, no.
00:02:42My head's splitting.
00:02:43Is that what's wrong with it?
00:02:47Done with your coffee?
00:02:48No.
00:02:49And don't rush me, will you?
00:02:58Hey, turn that off.
00:02:59Will you turn that thing off?
00:03:00What's eating you now?
00:03:01Yeah, what's eating you?
00:03:02That music, it stinks.
00:03:03Oh, you don't like it, huh?
00:03:04No, turn it off.
00:03:05Now, wait a minute, pal.
00:03:06That was my nickel, see?
00:03:07This is a free country.
00:03:09And I play whatever I wanted.
00:03:12Okay.
00:03:13Sure.
00:03:14And if you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it.
00:03:16And you can leave here any time you want it.
00:03:18Okay, okay.
00:03:19I'm sorry I asked.
00:03:20First good piece played tonight, and you don't like it.
00:03:22Some people just ain't got any good taste.
00:03:24That tune.
00:03:37That tune.
00:03:38Why was there always that rotten tune?
00:03:41Following me around, beating in my head, never letting up.
00:03:48Did you ever want to forget anything?
00:03:50Did you ever want to cut away a piece of your memory or blot it out?
00:03:54You can't, you know.
00:03:55No matter how hard you try.
00:03:57You can change the scenery.
00:03:59But sooner or later, you'll get a whiff of perfume,
00:04:01where somebody will say a certain phrase or maybe hum something.
00:04:04Then you're licked again.
00:04:07I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:04:10I used to love that song once.
00:04:12So did the customers back in the old break of dawn club in New York.
00:04:16I can't remember a night when I didn't get at least three requests for it.
00:04:21Sue, she was always selling it too.
00:04:24Those were the days.
00:04:46When your eyes are blue, your kisses too.
00:04:54I never knew what they could do.
00:04:57I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:05:03You're telling everyone you know that I'm on your mind each place you go.
00:05:09They can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:05:15I have always placed you far above me.
00:05:21I just can't imagine that you love me.
00:05:27And after all is said and done, to think that I'm the lucky one.
00:05:33I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:05:46It wasn't much of a club really.
00:05:48You know the kind.
00:05:49A joint where you could have a sandwich and a few drinks
00:05:51and run interference for your girl on the dance floor.
00:05:57I pounded the piano in there every night from eight until the place closed up.
00:06:00Which usually meant four in the morning.
00:06:02A good job was jobs went in those days.
00:06:08And two.
00:06:09There was Sue.
00:06:10Who made working there a little like working in heaven.
00:06:14But how we felt about each other, well, there was nothing very unusual in that.
00:06:19I was an ordinary healthy guy and she was an ordinary healthy girl.
00:06:22And when you add those two together you get an ordinary healthy romance.
00:06:25Which is the old story.
00:06:27Sure.
00:06:28But somehow, the most wonderful thing in the world.
00:06:32All in all, I was a pretty lucky guy.
00:06:55Mr. Paderewski, I presume.
00:06:57It's beautiful.
00:06:58You're going to make Carnegie Hall yet, Al?
00:07:00Yeah.
00:07:02As a janitor.
00:07:03I'll make my debut in the basement.
00:07:05I don't blame you for being bitter, darling.
00:07:07But you mustn't give up hope.
00:07:09Why, someday.
00:07:10Yeah, someday.
00:07:11If I don't get arthritis first.
00:07:12In the meantime, let's blow this trap.
00:07:30Let's go home.
00:07:31Okay.
00:07:32I can't stand much more of that dump.
00:07:33Did you see that drunk tonight?
00:07:34Trying to paw me.
00:07:35No, what drunk?
00:07:36Does it matter what drunk?
00:07:37Say, what's the matter with you tonight, darling?
00:07:38That's the third time you started to tell me something and then stopped.
00:07:39We shouldn't have any secrets from each other, Sue.
00:07:40Next week, we're going to make with the ring and the license.
00:07:41You and me will be a team.
00:07:42Yes, that's right.
00:07:43In the bush league.
00:07:44I don't get you.
00:07:45We've been struck out.
00:07:46I don't get you.
00:07:47We've been struck out.
00:07:48We've been struck out.
00:07:49We've been struck out.
00:07:50We've been struck out.
00:07:51We've been struck out.
00:07:52We've been struck out.
00:07:53We've been brought to you.
00:07:54Well, look, I love you.
00:07:55You know I do.
00:07:56And I want to marry you.
00:07:57But?
00:07:58But not now.
00:07:59Only after we've made good.
00:08:00Sunday afternoon.
00:08:01I'll take your opinion.
00:08:02Well, what's the matter with you tonight, darling?
00:08:03What's the matter with you tonight?
00:08:04That's the third time you started to tell me something and then stopped.
00:08:06We shouldn't have any secrets from each other, Sue.
00:08:08Next week, we're going to make with the ring and the license.
00:08:10You and me will be a team.
00:08:11Yes, that's right.
00:08:12In the bush league.
00:08:13I don't get you.
00:08:14We've been struck out.
00:08:15It's a funny way to talk, darling.
00:08:17Don't you want to marry me?
00:08:18I love you.
00:08:19You know I do.
00:08:20only after we've made good sunday i'm going away i know you'll think it's silly that's why i
00:08:27hesitated to tell you but i'm going to california i want to try my luck in hollywood that's the most
00:08:34stupid thing i ever heard of don't you know millions of people go out there every year and
00:08:37wind up polishing cuspidors i thought you had better sense you sound as if you don't think
00:08:41i have any talent that has nothing to do with it i'll make out all right maybe but what about me
00:08:47doesn't mean anything to you that you're busting up all our plans we may not see each other for
00:08:50years it won't be that long i thought you loved me i do you know i do well here we are
00:09:04al al why can't you see my side of it i'm young we both aren't and we've got all the time in the
00:09:12world to settle down really darling what i'm doing is the only sane thing to do i i hate the thought
00:09:22of being so far away from you but but we'll be together again someday maybe you'll decide to come
00:09:29out too later on so long al aren't you going to kiss me good night sure why not good night
00:09:59you
00:10:01you
00:10:02you
00:10:04you
00:10:06you
00:10:08you
00:10:10you
00:10:12you
00:11:14Say, Roberts, you hit the jackpot this time.
00:11:29Ten bucks.
00:11:31Thanks.
00:11:31Thanks.
00:11:38So when this drunk handed me a tin spot after a request, I couldn't get very excited.
00:11:42What was it I asked myself?
00:11:44A piece of paper crawling with germs.
00:11:46Couldn't buy anything I wanted.
00:11:48It couldn't...
00:11:49Then I thought of something.
00:11:54Long distance.
00:12:19I'd like to put a call through to Los Angeles.
00:12:22Miss Harvey.
00:12:23Sue Harvey.
00:12:24H-A-R-V-E-Y.
00:12:26The number is Crestview 65723.
00:12:28H-A-R-V-E-Y.
00:12:37Hello, Sue?
00:12:54Hello, Sue?
00:12:58This is Al.
00:13:00Oh, baby, it's great to hear from you, too.
00:13:02What's that?
00:13:03You do?
00:13:04Oh, me too, darling.
00:13:05I thought I'd go batty without you.
00:13:07I just had to...
00:13:08Huh?
00:13:10You're working as a hashlinger?
00:13:12Gee, honey, that's tough.
00:13:14Those guys out in Hollywood don't know the real thing when it's right in front of them.
00:13:17You just stick it out, Sue, baby.
00:13:19Keep going around to those casting offices.
00:13:21I'm sure you'll click.
00:13:23Look, I'll tell you what.
00:13:23You stay put out there.
00:13:24I'll come to you.
00:13:26No, don't try to stop me.
00:13:27Just expect me.
00:13:28Train?
00:13:29Who knows?
00:13:30Train, plane, bus, magic carpet.
00:13:32I'll be there if I have to crawl.
00:13:33If I have to travel by pogo stick.
00:13:35And then...
00:13:36Let's get married right away, huh?
00:13:41That's the stuff.
00:13:42That's what I've been wanting to hear you say.
00:13:45Well, goodbye for now.
00:13:49I'll be seeing you soon.
00:13:52Yeah.
00:13:52I'll be seeing you soon.
00:13:54Bye.
00:14:00The only way I could cross country was to thumb rides.
00:14:03For even after hocking everything, I only had enough money to eat.
00:14:07Money.
00:14:08You know what that is.
00:14:10It's the stuff you never have enough of.
00:14:12Little green things with George Washington's picture that men slave for,
00:14:16commit crimes for, die for.
00:14:18It's the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world than anything else we ever invented.
00:14:23Simply because there's too little of it.
00:14:26At least I had too little of it.
00:14:28So it was me for the thumb.
00:14:29Never.
00:14:46Ever done any hitchhiking?
00:14:47it's not much fun believe me oh yeah I know all about how it's an education how
00:14:54you get to meet a lot of people and all that but me from now on I'll take my
00:14:59education in college or in PS 62 or I'll send a dollar ninety-eight and stamps
00:15:03for ten easy lessons
00:15:06thumbing rides may save your bus fare but it's dangerous you never know what's in
00:15:20store for you you hear the squeal of brakes if only I had known what I was
00:15:25getting into that day in Arizona
00:15:29yeah throw that in the backseat okay let's go make sure that door is closed
00:15:49you know Emily Post ought to write a book of rules for guys thumbing rides because
00:15:55as it is now you never know what's right and what's wrong we rode along for a
00:15:59little while neither one of us saying anything I was glad of that I never know
00:16:05what to say to strange people driving cars until you can never tell if a guy wants
00:16:10to talk a lot of rides have been cut short because of a big mouth so I kept my
00:16:16mouth shut until he started opening up
00:16:19hand me that little box that can pop it with it pal
00:16:26hold the wheel with
00:16:38how far you gone LA well you're really traveling aren't you yeah but I don't
00:16:44expect to make it for a couple of years at the rate I've been promoting rides
00:16:46not much luck huh sure all bad not many people stop for a guy these days
00:16:52afraid of a stick-up maybe I can't blame them where you're coming from New York
00:16:58well New York they're in luck this time I'm going all the way right through to Los
00:17:04Los Angeles you drive a car sure I'd be a tire let me know I'll holler I guess at
00:17:14least an hour passed before I noticed those deep scratches in his right hand they
00:17:18were wicked three puffy red lines about a quarter of an inch apart he must have seen
00:17:24me looking at them because he said beauties aren't they they're gonna be scars
00:17:29someday what an animal whatever it was it must have been pretty big and vicious to
00:17:36have done that right on both counts New York I was
00:17:39tussling with the most dangerous animal in the world a woman must have been Tarzan's
00:17:45mate looks like you lost the buff certainly wasn't a draw you know there
00:17:50ought to be a law against dames with claws yeah I tossed her out of the car in her ear
00:17:55was I wrong give a lift to a tomato you expect her to be nice don't you yeah
00:18:01after all what kind of dame some rides Sunday school teachers a little witch she must have
00:18:11thought she was riding with some fall guy to me who's been booking horses around
00:18:15race track since I was 20 I've known a million things like her two million yeah
00:18:21stop the car open the door take it on the Arthur Duffy's sister I told her
00:18:29that's the stuff is always done huh but if you want to see a real scar brother get a load of this
00:18:36wow I got that one doing dueling yeah we're just kidding of course my dad owned a couple of
00:18:46Franco-Prussian sabers kept him on the wall for decorations well one day into the kid and I
00:18:51took him down the old man wasn't around had a duel you got me in the arm here pretty mean cut
00:18:59affection set in later yeah I can see that I'll give me that box again with it yeah
00:19:16pain made me lose my head I guess I began slashing before I knew it I'd put the other kid's eye out
00:19:24that was tough well it was just an accident of course do you know how kids are I got scared
00:19:31decided I was going to run away from home old man almost caught me when I was packing my duds
00:19:36the bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist hadn't caught his attention you've seen the bundle for
00:19:42sure but I beat it when he was calling for a doctor I was 15 16 years ago I haven't been home since
00:19:50pull in there for a bite or something huh a bite or something brother was I hungry I hadn't had
00:20:01anything in my stomach for hours yet even with that knowing in the pit of my belly I didn't want to be
00:20:06in too big a rush to put on the feedback first I had to make sure this guy knew the score
00:20:11if I got him down on me goodbye ticket to Hollywood I'll wait out here for you mister if it's the
00:20:18money don't worry about paying for it this time it's on me well that's what your ask them think
00:20:22nothing of it you make your first million maybe you can do the same for me come on New York I gotta
00:20:27make the West Coast by Wednesday the horse running at Santa Anita named powered bicycle means daughter
00:20:31me if I'm on him we'll make it all right he did most of the talking during the half hour we were in
00:20:37the place I ate he rambled on about his old man whom we hadn't heard from since he ran away as a
00:20:44kid now we happen to become a bookie and then all about how he got rooked in Miami one race 38 grand
00:20:51they cleaned out my book how do you like that that was tough luck yeah and I'm supposed to be the smart
00:20:56guy will you just wait I'm going back to Florida next season with all kinds of Jack and you'll watch
00:21:01those stinkers run for cover do you want anything else no thanks I've had plenty let's check there
00:21:12sister oh just a miniature change sir keep it sister oh thank you say call again I'll be waiting
00:21:21outside for you when you finish work sharp check huh
00:21:31I drove all that night while Haskell slept like a log after a while I began to get sleepy myself
00:21:39I was happy though soon I'd be with Sue again the long trip was practically over and I'd be no more
00:21:48hoofing it down the concrete I began to think of the future which couldn't have been brighter if I'd
00:21:54embroidered it with neon lights it was nice to think of Sue shooting to the top
00:21:58it's amazing what a full belly can do to your imagination
00:22:04your eyes oh your kisses too I never knew what they could do I can't believe that you're in love with
00:22:21me you're telling everyone you know I'm on your mind each place you go I can't believe that you're in love
00:22:37Mr. Haskell Mr. Haskell wake up it's raining don't you think we ought to stop and put up the top
00:23:06up until then I've done things my way but from then on something else stepped in and
00:23:36shunted me off to a different destination than the one I had picked for myself but when I pulled
00:23:41open that door mr. Haskell what's the matter are you hurt are you hurt mr. Haskell start yourself I'll
00:23:54listen to it but I know what you're gonna hand me even before you open your mouths you're gonna tell
00:24:00me you don't believe my story of how Haskell died and give me that don't make me laugh expression on
00:24:04your smug faces I saw it once he was dead and I was in for it who would believe he fell out of the
00:24:13car why if Haskell came too which of course he couldn't even he would swear I conked him over the
00:24:17head for his dough yes I was in for it instinct told me to run but then I realized it was hopeless
00:24:23there were lots of people back down the road who could identify me that gas station guy and the
00:24:27waitress I would be in a worse spot then trying to explain why I beat it the next possibility was
00:24:32to sit tight and tell the truth when the cops came but that would be crazy they'd laugh at the
00:24:36truth not have my head in the news so what else was there to do but hide the body and get away in
00:24:43the car I couldn't leave the car there with him in the gully that would be like erecting a tombstone
00:24:48my idea was to cover him with
00:25:05My idea was to cover him with brush, not to rob him, but then I remembered that even if I only drove the car for a hundred miles or so, I would need money for gas.
00:25:25Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.
00:25:29Not only that, I'd have to take his driver's license in case I was stopped for something.
00:25:35I didn't like to think about it, but by that time I'd done just what the police would say I did, even if I didn't.
00:25:41My clothes. The owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.
00:25:45Some cop might pull me in on suspicion.
00:26:05Hey, you. This your car? Don't you know better than to leave a car with the wheels halfway in the middle of the road?
00:26:18That's the way accidents happen.
00:26:20I'm sorry, officer. I was just putting up my top. I didn't think.
00:26:24Well, from the next time, think.
00:26:25I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.
00:26:27I know that's a lonely stretch, but cars come by here once in a while, and we have plenty of crack-ups.
00:26:32Thanks, officer.
00:26:33I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's.
00:26:45If they found a dead man on the gully now, it would be me.
00:26:50I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's.
00:26:55If they found a dead man on the gully now, it would be me.
00:27:10As I drove off, it was still raining, and the drop streaked down the windshield like tears.
00:27:16I kept imagining I was being followed, and that I could hear sirens back in the distance.
00:27:24Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles to the California state line, I don't know.
00:27:30I lost all track of time.
00:27:32But the rain had stopped, and the sun was up when I pulled up to the inspection station.
00:27:41Hello.
00:27:42Carrying any fruits or vegetables?
00:27:44No.
00:27:44Any livestock or poultry?
00:27:46No.
00:27:48I'd like to see your registration and driver's license, please.
00:27:55Anything in the baggage compartment?
00:27:57Just baggage.
00:28:00Charles Haskell, Jr. eats 30 brown eyes, dark hair, identifying marks none.
00:28:06Are you Charles Haskell, Jr.?
00:28:07Yes.
00:28:08Well, remember, if you're employed and you stay over 30 days, you take out California plates.
00:28:12All right, officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.
00:28:14All right, you can go now.
00:28:25I couldn't drive any farther without some sleep.
00:28:27Cops are no cops.
00:28:28I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard.
00:28:33I was dead tired.
00:28:34I got to hit the hell on this tree.
00:28:34I was dead.
00:28:35I was dead.
00:28:35I was dead.
00:28:40I'll be there.
00:28:40I was dead.
00:28:43I was dead.
00:28:46I had to hit the ball.
00:28:50I was dead.
00:28:56I was dead.
00:29:01No, no, you can't, Mr. Haskell, no.
00:29:17Mr. Haskell, you can't die.
00:29:20You don't think, I think I did it.
00:29:24No, Mr. Haskell, no, no.
00:29:31Who's there?
00:29:45It's the maid. Can I come in and clean?
00:29:48Later. In a half hour.
00:29:51All right, sir.
00:30:01There was no time to lose.
00:30:18Every minute I had to be Charles Haskell was dangerous.
00:30:20And I'd have to be Charles Haskell until I got to some city where I could leave the car and be swallowed up.
00:30:25That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino, maybe even to Los Angeles.
00:30:35In a little town I might be noticed, but in a city I should be safe enough.
00:30:39Then, after I ditched the car, I could go on to Sue.
00:30:44But those five minutes at the state line made me realize it might be a good idea to find out a little bit about Mr. Haskell.
00:30:50And if anybody asked me questions, I could give the right answers.
00:30:55The first thing I found out was that I had $768.
00:30:59This was a lot of jack.
00:31:01But believe me, it was the kind of money I'd rather not have.
00:31:05And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag that he wasn't the open-handed, easy-going big shot who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.
00:31:20Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseler.
00:31:24It was written to his old man in California, the one he hadn't seen in so many years.
00:31:30In it, Haskell posed as a salesman of hymnals, of all things.
00:31:35It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise a new stake for his book in Miami, by rooking his old man.
00:31:43That was about all I found out from his effects.
00:31:47And it was enough.
00:31:49I told myself, maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.
00:31:54He would never know it.
00:31:56But it saved him from taking a flyer in sacred literature preferred.
00:32:00Near the airport at Desert Center, I pulled up for water.
00:32:28There was a woman.
00:32:35Hey, you!
00:32:36Come on if you want a ride.
00:32:58How far are you going?
00:33:00How far are you going?
00:33:13How far are you going?
00:33:26How far are you going?
00:33:28That took me by surprise, and I turned my head to look her over.
00:33:33She was facing straight ahead, so I couldn't see her eyes.
00:33:36But she was young, not more than 24.
00:33:38Man, she looked as if she'd just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.
00:33:45Yet in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.
00:33:48Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you,
00:33:51or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife,
00:33:54but a natural beauty.
00:33:55A beauty that's almost homely because it's so real.
00:34:00Then suddenly she turned to face me.
00:34:02How far did you say you were going?
00:34:04Los Angeles.
00:34:05L.A.?
00:34:06L.A. is good enough for me, mister.
00:34:09That's what I was afraid of.
00:34:11What'd you say?
00:34:12Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud.
00:34:14People get in trouble for doing that.
00:34:17What's your name?
00:34:18You can call me Vera, if you like.
00:34:20You live in Los Angeles?
00:34:22No.
00:34:24Where you coming from?
00:34:25Oh, back there.
00:34:27Needles?
00:34:27No.
00:34:29Oh, sure. Phoenix.
00:34:31You look just like a Phoenix girl.
00:34:33Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?
00:34:34The girl must have been pretty tired
00:34:36because she fell asleep not 20 minutes
00:34:38after she stepped into the car.
00:34:41She lay sprawled out with her head
00:34:42resting against the far door,
00:34:44like Haskell.
00:34:45I didn't like that part of it much,
00:34:47but I didn't wake her up.
00:34:50It wasn't that this girl still worried me.
00:34:52I'd gotten over that funny feeling I had
00:34:54when she looked at me,
00:34:55which I put down as just my jangled nerves.
00:34:58With her eyes closed and the testness gone out of her,
00:35:02she seemed harmless enough.
00:35:04And instead of disliking her,
00:35:05I began to feel sorry for her.
00:35:08The poor kid probably had had a rough time.
00:35:10Who was she, anyway?
00:35:13And why was she going to Los Angeles?
00:35:15And where'd she come from in the first place?
00:35:18The only thing I knew about her was her name.
00:35:21Not that it made any difference.
00:35:22A few hours more and we'd be in Hollywood.
00:35:25I'd forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.
00:35:28This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.
00:35:31Who this dame was, well, it was no business of mine.
00:35:34Where did you leave this body?
00:35:36Where did you leave the owner of this car?
00:35:38You're not fooling anyone.
00:35:40This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell.
00:35:42That's not you, mister.
00:35:43You're out of your mind.
00:35:44That's my name, Charles Haskell.
00:35:46I can prove it.
00:35:46It's my driver's license.
00:35:47Save yourself the trouble, mister.
00:35:49Having Haskell's wallet only makes it worse.
00:35:51It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell
00:35:53all the way from Louisiana.
00:35:55He picked me up outside of Shreveport.
00:35:57You rode?
00:35:58You heard me.
00:35:59Then it all came back to me.
00:36:01All the talk about dueling and scars and scratches.
00:36:04There was no doubt about it.
00:36:06Vera must be the woman Haskell had met.
00:36:08She must have passed me while I slept.
00:36:11Well?
00:36:13Well, I'm waiting.
00:36:14My goose was cooked.
00:36:16She had me.
00:36:18That Haskell guy wasn't dead yet.
00:36:20He wasn't stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.
00:36:23He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad
00:36:25while he haunted me.
00:36:28Well?
00:36:29There was nothing I could say.
00:36:31It was her move.
00:36:33Vera, whatever her name was,
00:36:35it was just my luck picking her up on the road.
00:36:38It couldn't have been Helen,
00:36:40or Mary, or Evelyn, or Ruth.
00:36:42It had to be the very last person I should ever have met.
00:36:46That's life.
00:36:48Whichever way you turn,
00:36:49fate sticks out a foot to trip you.
00:36:50I told her everything,
00:36:57but she didn't believe my story.
00:36:58I should have saved my breath.
00:37:00That's the greatest cock and ball story I ever heard.
00:37:03So he fell out of his car.
00:37:04Say, who do you think you're talking to, a hick?
00:37:06Listen, mister,
00:37:07I've been around,
00:37:09and I know a wrong guy when I see one.
00:37:11What'd you do, kiss him with a wrench?
00:37:12Now, wait a minute.
00:37:13What I told you was true.
00:37:14You see, that's why I had to do it.
00:37:16You think I killed him.
00:37:17Well, the cops would have thought so, too.
00:37:18Yeah, well, maybe they still think so.
00:37:21What makes you so sure I'll shut up about this?
00:37:23Girl, I'm innocent.
00:37:25Give me a break, will you?
00:37:28It won't do me any good having you pinched.
00:37:30The cops are no friends of mine.
00:37:32Now, if there was a reward,
00:37:33but there isn't.
00:37:35Thanks.
00:37:36Don't thank me yet.
00:37:37I'm not through with you by a long shot.
00:37:39Let's see that roll.
00:37:40Is that all Haskell had?
00:37:49Isn't it enough?
00:37:50No, I thought he had more.
00:37:51Not that I know of.
00:37:52You can search me.
00:37:52You think I'm holding out on you?
00:37:53Well, maybe I will at that.
00:37:55He told me he was going to bet $3,000
00:37:57on a horse named Paradisicle
00:37:58on Wednesday at Santa Anita.
00:38:00He was stringing you along.
00:38:01He meant $300.
00:38:02Maybe.
00:38:02Sure, $3,000, $300.
00:38:04He was a piece of cheese,
00:38:05a big blowhard.
00:38:06Listen, mister,
00:38:06don't try and tell me anything
00:38:08about Charlie Haskell.
00:38:09Remember,
00:38:09I knew him better than you did.
00:38:11Okay, then you knew
00:38:11he was a four-flusher.
00:38:12That explains the three grand bet.
00:38:13I'm not so sure
00:38:14he didn't have that three grand.
00:38:16Why should I believe you?
00:38:17You got all the earmarks
00:38:19of a cheap crook.
00:38:19Now, wait a minute.
00:38:20Shut up.
00:38:21You're a cheap crook
00:38:22and you killed him.
00:38:23For two cents,
00:38:23I'd change my mind
00:38:24and turn you in.
00:38:25I don't like you.
00:38:26All right, all right.
00:38:27Don't get sore.
00:38:28I'm not getting sore,
00:38:29but just remember
00:38:29who's boss around here.
00:38:31If you shut up
00:38:31and don't give me any arguments,
00:38:33you'll have nothing to worry about.
00:38:34But if you act wise,
00:38:35well, mister,
00:38:36he'll pop into jail
00:38:37so fast it'll give you the bends.
00:38:39I'm not arguing.
00:38:39See that you don't.
00:38:40You know, as crooked as you look,
00:38:42I'd hate to see a fella
00:38:43as young as you
00:38:43wind up sniffing that perfume
00:38:45that Arizona hands out
00:38:46free to murderers.
00:38:47I'm not a murderer.
00:38:48Of course you're not.
00:38:49Haskell knocked his own head off.
00:38:50He fell.
00:38:51That's how it happened.
00:38:51Just like I told you.
00:38:52Sure, and then he made you
00:38:53a present of his belongings.
00:38:54I explained why I had to do that.
00:38:55Oh, skip it.
00:38:56It doesn't make a difference
00:38:57one way or another.
00:38:57I'm not a mourner.
00:38:59I liked Haskell even less
00:39:00than I like you.
00:39:01Yeah, I saw what you did to him.
00:39:03What do you mean?
00:39:04Well, scratches on his wrist.
00:39:05Sure, I scratched him.
00:39:07I'll say you did.
00:39:09So your idea
00:39:10was to drive the car
00:39:11a little way,
00:39:12maybe into San Bernardino
00:39:13and then leave it.
00:39:14You weren't gonna sell it?
00:39:16Sell it?
00:39:17You think I'm crazy,
00:39:18somebody else's car?
00:39:19See, all I want to do
00:39:20is leave it somewhere
00:39:21and forget I ever saw it.
00:39:22Not only don't you have
00:39:23any scruples,
00:39:23you don't have any brains.
00:39:25I don't get you.
00:39:26Maybe it's a good thing
00:39:27you met me.
00:39:28You'd have got yourself
00:39:28caught sure.
00:39:29Why, you dope.
00:39:30Don't you know
00:39:31a deserted automobile
00:39:32always rates an investigation?
00:39:34Huh?
00:39:35Look, the cops find a car.
00:39:37Then they get curious.
00:39:38They wonder where the owner is.
00:39:40So all right,
00:39:41they don't trace Haskell.
00:39:42They trace you.
00:39:43I never thought of that.
00:39:45The only safe way
00:39:46to get rid of the car
00:39:47is to sell it to a dealer.
00:39:48Get it registered
00:39:49under a new name.
00:39:50Say, stop at the next door.
00:39:51I want to get a bottle
00:39:52and do some shopping
00:39:53before we hit L.A.
00:39:54Okay, as soon as we find a place
00:39:56I'll drop you off
00:39:57and pick you up later.
00:39:58Nothing doing.
00:39:59You're coming in too.
00:40:00From now on,
00:40:01you and I are like
00:40:01the Siamese twins.
00:40:03Have it your way.
00:40:04I don't get the point.
00:40:05The point is,
00:40:06I don't want you to get lost.
00:40:07I'm not going to beat it
00:40:08if that's what you're afraid of.
00:40:09I'll say you're not.
00:40:10Well, I'm going to see
00:40:11that you sell this car
00:40:12so you don't get caught.
00:40:13Thanks.
00:40:14Of course,
00:40:15your interest
00:40:15wouldn't be financial,
00:40:16would it?
00:40:17You wouldn't want
00:40:17a small percentage
00:40:18of the profits.
00:40:20Well, now that you insist,
00:40:21how can I refuse?
00:40:23A hundred percent will do.
00:40:24I'm fine.
00:40:25I'm relieved.
00:40:26I thought for a moment
00:40:27you were going to take it all.
00:40:29I don't want to be a hog.
00:40:31A few hours later,
00:40:32we were in Hollywood.
00:40:34I was recognizing places
00:40:35Sue had written about.
00:40:37It struck me that
00:40:38far from being
00:40:38at the end of the trip,
00:40:40there was a greater distance
00:40:41between Sue and me
00:40:42than when I started out.
00:40:44Vera wasn't kidding
00:40:45with that Siamese twins crack.
00:40:47She rented a little apartment
00:40:49as Mrs. Charles Haskell.
00:40:52When I objected to this,
00:40:53she explained that
00:40:54it was on account
00:40:54of the car.
00:40:56A dealer might think
00:40:56something was funny
00:40:57if he called
00:40:58and found we were
00:40:58using different names.
00:41:05Home, sweet home.
00:41:06Yeah.
00:41:07Not bad, either.
00:41:16In case there's any doubt
00:41:17in your mind,
00:41:18I'll take the bedroom.
00:41:19Yeah.
00:41:21Sure is stuffy in here.
00:41:31Keep the window shut.
00:41:32Okay.
00:41:35The old crow downstairs
00:41:36said there's a fallen bed
00:41:37behind this door.
00:41:38You know how to work it?
00:41:49I invented it.
00:41:54Some joint.
00:41:55One can't have everything.
00:42:01I'm first in the bathtub.
00:42:03Yeah.
00:42:04I don't know why,
00:42:05but I figured you would be.
00:42:17Boy, oh boy.
00:42:19It sure feels good
00:42:20to be clean again.
00:42:22I must be 10 pounds lighter.
00:42:24You must be.
00:42:27Well, hitch and ride
00:42:28isn't exactly the way
00:42:29you keep your schoolgirl complexion.
00:42:33I wish that guy
00:42:35with the sacks
00:42:36would give up.
00:42:38It gets on my nerves.
00:42:41Forget it.
00:42:45Have a drink.
00:42:47Aren't you afraid
00:42:48I might take you up on it?
00:42:51If I didn't want
00:42:52to give you a drink,
00:42:52I wouldn't have offered it.
00:42:54Why be as sorry,
00:42:55Ed Roberts?
00:42:56You got yourself
00:42:57into this thing.
00:42:59You should be grateful
00:43:00I'm not turning you in.
00:43:01Why, if I wasn't regular,
00:43:03you'd be in the pen
00:43:04this minute
00:43:04being photographed,
00:43:05fingerprinted,
00:43:05and being pushed around
00:43:06by the cops.
00:43:08So cheer up.
00:43:09Get rid of that long puss.
00:43:13Or is your conscience
00:43:14bothering you?
00:43:19No.
00:43:21It isn't.
00:43:23Swell.
00:43:23That's the spirit.
00:43:26He's dead,
00:43:27and no moment around
00:43:27will bring him back.
00:43:28Anyway,
00:43:33I never could understand
00:43:34this worrying about
00:43:34something that's over
00:43:35and done with.
00:43:35Now look, Vera,
00:43:36for the last time,
00:43:36I didn't kill him.
00:43:38Haskell was a sick man.
00:43:39Maybe he was dead
00:43:39before he fell out of the car.
00:43:40I don't know.
00:43:41Sure, sure.
00:43:42He died of old age.
00:43:44All right.
00:43:46So if it'll make you sociable,
00:43:49you didn't kill him.
00:43:51Thanks.
00:44:02Thanks.
00:44:13We're out of liquor, Roberts.
00:44:15Yeah.
00:44:17Too bad.
00:44:18I felt like getting tight tonight.
00:44:20Well, I think he succeeded.
00:44:22Am I tight?
00:44:24As a prima donna's corset.
00:44:25That's good.
00:44:27I wanted to get tight.
00:44:29Why?
00:44:30What have you got
00:44:30to get tight about?
00:44:31Oh, I don't know.
00:44:33A few things.
00:44:35Huh.
00:44:37He should have my worries.
00:44:39If I had your troubles,
00:44:40I'd stay sober.
00:44:41And I've got the key
00:44:42to that door.
00:44:43What?
00:44:46Yeah.
00:44:48Maybe you're right.
00:44:49I'm always right.
00:44:52You know,
00:44:53I don't like
00:44:53your attitude, Roberts.
00:44:55Well, there's a lot
00:44:56of things I don't like.
00:44:58Sure.
00:45:02But life's like a ball game.
00:45:04You've got to take a swing
00:45:05at whatever comes along
00:45:06before you wake up
00:45:07and find it's a ninth inning.
00:45:09You read that some...
00:45:10That's such a deal, Roberts.
00:45:12All you do is bellyache.
00:45:14Big and easy
00:45:14and we're trying
00:45:16to make the better things.
00:45:18Maybe that's what's wrong
00:45:19with the whole world.
00:45:21Get the professor.
00:45:22People knock themselves out
00:45:24trying to buck fate.
00:45:25Now, take you, for instance.
00:45:26You're lucky to be alive.
00:45:28Why, suppose Haskell
00:45:29would pull up in your door.
00:45:30You'd be playing a harp now.
00:45:32Think of that.
00:45:34You think of it.
00:45:36I'm tired of thinking.
00:45:37There's plenty of people
00:45:39dying this minute
00:45:40that would give anything
00:45:42to trade places with you.
00:45:45I know what I'm talking about.
00:45:48I'm not so sure.
00:45:50At least they know
00:45:51they're done for.
00:45:52They don't have to sweat blood
00:45:53wondering if they are.
00:45:56Your philosophy stinks, pal.
00:45:59We all know
00:46:00we're going to kick off someday.
00:46:02It's only a question of when.
00:46:03But what got us
00:46:06on this subject anyway?
00:46:08We'll be discussing
00:46:08politics next.
00:46:10Yeah.
00:46:13Where'd you hide the butts?
00:46:15On the table, sucker.
00:46:25We bored each other
00:46:26with conversation
00:46:26for a couple of hours longer.
00:46:28Every five minutes
00:46:29one of us was wishing
00:46:30we had another bottle
00:46:31or a radio
00:46:32or something to read.
00:46:35Then finally
00:46:35we ran out of chat.
00:46:37I know it's only 11 o'clock
00:46:39but I want to get up early
00:46:40and make the rounds
00:46:40of the used car lots.
00:46:41Don't worry about that.
00:46:43We've got all the time
00:46:44in the world.
00:46:44Maybe you have
00:46:45but if you think
00:46:45I want to stay cooped up
00:46:46in this place any longer
00:46:47than I have to,
00:46:48you're batting.
00:46:48It's not a bad place.
00:46:50We pay plenty
00:46:50for diggings like this
00:46:51in New York.
00:46:52I wouldn't like it
00:46:52if it was the Ritz.
00:46:58Rotten liquor.
00:46:59You've got a mean cough.
00:47:00I ought to do something
00:47:01about it.
00:47:02I'll be all right.
00:47:04That's what Camille said.
00:47:06Who?
00:47:07Nobody you know.
00:47:12Wasn't that the dame
00:47:13that died of consumption?
00:47:14Yeah.
00:47:16Wouldn't it be a break
00:47:17for you if I did kick off?
00:47:19You'd be free
00:47:19with all Haskell's dough
00:47:20and car.
00:47:21I don't want to see
00:47:22anybody die.
00:47:24Not even me.
00:47:26Especially not you.
00:47:28One person died of me.
00:47:29If you did,
00:47:30well, that's all I need.
00:47:33You don't like me,
00:47:34do you, Roberts?
00:47:37Like you?
00:47:39I love you.
00:47:42My favorite sport
00:47:43is being kept prisoner.
00:47:45After we sell the car,
00:47:46you can go to Blazers
00:47:47for all I care.
00:47:48But not until then.
00:47:48I'm going to bed.
00:47:57I'm going to bed.
00:48:06Good night, Roberts.
00:48:07Don't try and sneak away
00:48:08during the night.
00:48:09All the doors are locked.
00:48:10Anyway,
00:48:11if I find you gone
00:48:12in the morning,
00:48:13I'll notify the police.
00:48:14They'll pick you up.
00:48:15Don't worry.
00:48:15I know why I'm in the spot.
00:48:18Well, good night.
00:48:19I hope that portable rack
00:48:20isn't too uncomfortable
00:48:21for you.
00:48:22Don't lose any sleepover,
00:48:23will you, Bert?
00:48:23I'll take you.
00:48:42I'll take you up for it.
00:48:47There she is.
00:48:47Take care.
00:48:48com
00:48:50Good night.
00:48:50It's me.
00:48:50Wait, I'll take you up for it.
00:48:52Crescule.
00:49:02Six.
00:49:04Five.
00:49:06Seven.
00:49:08Two.
00:49:10Three.
00:49:12Hello?
00:49:14Hello?
00:49:16Hello?
00:49:18Hello?
00:49:20No.
00:49:22Not yet, darling.
00:49:24Tomorrow.
00:49:26Maybe.
00:49:28If this were fiction, I would fall in love with her.
00:49:30Marry her and make a respectable woman of her.
00:49:32Or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me.
00:49:36And die.
00:49:38I would fall in love with her.
00:49:40Marry her and make a respectable woman of her.
00:49:42Or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me.
00:49:44And die.
00:49:46Sue and I would fall a little over her grave.
00:49:48And make some crack about there's good in all of us.
00:49:50But Vera, unfortunately,
00:49:52was just as rotten in the morning as she'd been the night before.
00:49:54All right, all right, I'm coming.
00:49:56Look, Vera, it's almost noon.
00:49:58So what?
00:50:00The dealers will be there all day?
00:50:02They'll be there all year, too, but they'll wait that long.
00:50:04Shut up. You make us like a husband.
00:50:06Look, Vera, it's almost noon.
00:50:08So what?
00:50:10The dealers will be there all day?
00:50:12They'll be there all year, too, but they'll wait that long.
00:50:14Shut up. You make us like a husband.
00:50:18Well, do I rate a whistle?
00:50:20You sure do, but let's go.
00:50:22Let's go, let's go.
00:50:24I spend 85 bucks and two hours preparing bait,
00:50:26and all you can say is, let's go.
00:50:28Come on.
00:50:35We've had a few used car lots last night down this way.
00:50:38What do you think we can get for this heap?
00:50:40I don't know. Plenty.
00:50:42Let me handle everything.
00:50:44Think we can get $2,000?
00:50:45I don't know, but don't worry.
00:50:46I'll squeeze as much out of this guy as I can.
00:50:48If I let it go cheap without a fight,
00:50:50he might think we've stolen the car.
00:50:52And listen, don't make any slips and call me Roberts.
00:50:55That'll cook us.
00:50:56I don't need you to tell me that.
00:50:58You better just sit by and keep your mouth closed.
00:51:00Remember, we're both in the soup if anything happens.
00:51:02Forget it and drive.
00:51:04You're my wife, Farrah Haskell.
00:51:07Look, after the deal's closed,
00:51:09let's go back to that place on Hollywood Boulevard
00:51:11where I saw the fur jacket.
00:51:13I want to buy it.
00:51:14After the deal's closed, I'm saying goodbye to you.
00:51:16That's right, I forgot.
00:51:18I guess I'm getting kind of used to you.
00:51:20Well, that's a habit you can start breaking.
00:51:23Let's try this place in the middle of the block.
00:51:25Good afternoon. What can I do for you?
00:51:30We're interested in selling a car.
00:51:31If the price is right.
00:51:35Well, if it's in good mechanical condition,
00:51:37it should blue book for about $1,600.
00:51:40Tony, take a look at this motor.
00:51:42$1,600.
00:51:43Are you kidding?
00:51:44Well, maybe $1,800.
00:51:45$1,500.
00:51:46Tony, take a look at this motor.
00:51:47$1,600.
00:51:48Are you kidding?
00:52:00Well, maybe $1,800.
00:52:01Before I let it go for $1,800,
00:52:03I'll wreck it and collect the insurance first.
00:52:10This motor's seen a lot of driving.
00:52:14While the mechanic inspected the car, we haggled.
00:52:22At last, when we were all worn out, we hit a compromise.
00:52:25His price.
00:52:31Okay, it's a deal.
00:52:32All right, come on, we'll sign the papers.
00:52:33I have the ownership papers right here with me.
00:52:35Look, Vera, in the meantime, will you clean a dash compartment?
00:52:38There may be some stuff in it.
00:52:39All right, darling.
00:52:41$1,800.
00:52:42$1,500.
00:52:43$1,500.
00:52:44That dirty cr-
00:52:46New York, huh?
00:52:47Yeah.
00:52:48But you bought the car in Miami.
00:52:49Yeah.
00:52:50Now, let's see about the insurance.
00:52:51We can either have it transferred or canceled.
00:52:52Uh, what kind of insurance do you have, Mr. Haskell?
00:52:54Well, uh, aren't all the papers there?
00:52:55I don't see any.
00:52:56Surely you know what type of insurance you carry in the car.
00:52:57The name of the company?
00:52:58Yeah, but, uh...
00:52:59Well, if you'll just tell me the name of the company, I'd be very glad to take care of
00:53:00all the details.
00:53:01Well, I don't see any.
00:53:02Surely you know what type of insurance you carry in the car.
00:53:03The name of the company?
00:53:04The name of the company?
00:53:05Yeah, but, uh...
00:53:06Well, if you'll just tell me the name of the company, I'd be very glad to take care of
00:53:09all the details.
00:53:10Well...
00:53:11Did you sign the papers yet?
00:53:12Not yet.
00:53:13Well, don't.
00:53:14We're not selling the car.
00:53:15Well, wait a minute, Mrs. Haskell.
00:53:16Come on, darling.
00:53:17What's the matter?
00:53:18Did you change your mind?
00:53:19Yes, I'm sorry.
00:53:20I guess I have.
00:53:21What, Vera...
00:53:22Let's go.
00:53:23You got me out of a tight spot, Vera, but I still don't understand all this.
00:53:26You will in a minute.
00:53:27I almost threw away a gold mine.
00:53:28I almost threw away a gold mine.
00:53:3018, I'm sorry.
00:53:31All right.
00:53:32What's the matter, you know?
00:53:33I got me out of a tight spot, Vera.
00:53:34But I still don't understand all this.
00:53:35You will in a minute.
00:53:36I almost threw away a gold mine.
00:53:3718, 19 years ago, is it worth of a gold mine, but uh...
00:53:40Well, you're using the game left.
00:53:41I did not understand all the money.
00:53:44So eh, don't you know the money.
00:53:47almost threw away a gold mine 1850 isn't to be sneezed at the car doesn't look for as much as
00:53:52i thought we're not selling the car you want to keep it now wait a minute very you said yourself
00:53:57i wouldn't be safe until the car was in someone else's name i'd like to be free of this mess when
00:54:01i go that's just it roberts you're not going there's a drive-in at the next corner pull in
00:54:07there and we'll get a bite to eat and i'll explain what is this another one of your brilliant ideas
00:54:18oh can i take your order make mine a ham sandwich and coffee and for you sir oh i don't care the same
00:54:25thank you
00:54:31get this vera i've been pretty patient so far i've done everything you asked me to do but
00:54:36no more shut up you've taken haskell's money you can have the door we get from selling the car
00:54:41but you're not going to keep me a prisoner it's a good thing i bought the paper take a look at
00:54:44back fear i'm in no mood read that
00:54:57no yes no i won't do it yes you will you think i'm crazy it's impossible i tell you excuse me
00:55:03blow the horn when you're through
00:55:14no one could possibly get away with an act like that
00:55:16it'd be wise to me in a minute don't be yellow you look enough like him the same coloring in the
00:55:21same build see how his clothes fit you no kidding you almost had me fooled for a while oh grow up vera
00:55:26don't you think a father knows his own son and there must be other relatives so father won't
00:55:30have to know you we'll wait till he gives up the ghost he's an old geezer and he won't pull through
00:55:34and as far as other relatives are concerned they haven't seen you in 15 or 20 years
00:55:38eat i'm not hungry and i won't do it it's not as tough as it sounds remember you've got all kinds
00:55:46of identification his car letters like i could never get away with it it's the stupidest thing
00:55:50i've ever heard the old boy has scads of dough look in the paper there personal fortune assessed at
00:55:55over 15 million he'll leave plenty i tell you maybe he cut off his son how do we know it's out vera
00:56:01i won't have anything to do with it i think you will look vera i'll do anything within reason
00:56:09but not that so forget it find yourself another stooge you sack you'll be fixed for the rest of
00:56:14your life as charlie haskell you can take your inheritance and go away no more worrying about
00:56:18the rent no sweating scheming wondering where your next meal's coming from think about that robert vera
00:56:24please you're talking too loud unless i'm splitting 50 50 with you sure why not we're both alike both
00:56:29born in the same gut i take it easy vera there's people around here you don't know where you're
00:56:33talking to will wait till we read that old man haskell's dead and you show up like you read in
00:56:39new york that he was sick no suppose he doesn't die he will i know he will something tells me
00:56:48but as much as i insisted i would have no part of her scheme vera was taking it for granted i would
00:56:53neither of us had our mind on the cards as we played that night i knew we were just trying
00:57:00to kill time between newspaper editions this was a death watch for vera maybe it was for me too
00:57:08don't you realize if i'm caught they'll want to know where i got the car and stuff and they'll have
00:57:11me on a murder charge you're smart you won't get caught try not with seven and if i'm caught don't
00:57:16you realize you'll be out too eighteen points that gives me 30. how will i be out you'll be
00:57:24out eighteen hundred and fifty dollars we would have gotten in the car really very you'd be an
00:57:28awful chumpy threw away all that dough and a dizzy long shot let me sell the bus tomorrow with the
00:57:32money it'll bring and what you've already got a clever kid like you can run it up in no time
00:57:35then we'd both be in the clear i'll be in the clear anyway maybe maybe but if i got caught
00:57:41i'd get couldn't sort you you know you mean you'd squeal oh no not squeal exactly never mind what you
00:57:47meant even if you did tell the cops i was in on it with you what could they do to me they might
00:57:54give me the same medicine they gave you yeah a rope
00:58:01but i'm on my way now
00:58:05i'll be doing we'll be rushing it all right but think the 1850 you lose you'd kick yourself along the
00:58:11block of let get away from you i'll take the chance want another drink you're being a goon
00:58:16that's the way people wind up behind the eight ball once they get a few dollars they become greedy and
00:58:20want more my my caesar oh you know that roman general he got his for being greedy he wasn't
00:58:26satisfied so the final wind-up was he took the count a couple of days ago you didn't have a dime
00:58:32why you were so broke you couldn't pay cash for a post stamp now you've got almost seven hundred
00:58:36dollars with 1850 in the offing take my advice don't try for more i'm tired of this
00:58:40game let's have some blackjack play solitaire okay i will if that's the way you feel about
00:58:45that's the way i feel about getting sore and throwing things won't help much roberts i'm
00:58:48really doing you a favor i help you out of the jam by keeping my mouth shut i show you how to make
00:58:52some soft money and what thanks do i get thanks sure i would rather call the cops and told him you
00:58:57killed a man and stole his money yes you did no i didn't you know i didn't all right then
00:59:02suppose i call the cops if you're innocent what do you got to be scared of okay call them you mutt
00:59:12go ahead and call them see if i care at least they'll give me a square deal you want me to call
00:59:16them you heard me but i'm warning you if i'm pinched i'll swear you were in on it i'll say that you
00:59:21help me if i fry i'll get even with you you wouldn't dare you can yeah then try it and see
00:59:27call them yeah okay i will
00:59:44information i want the number of the hollywood police station
00:59:51okay i got it thanks
00:59:53wait a minute vera you wouldn't do that i wouldn't do that i'll show you if i would
00:59:59take it easy now let's talk this over this was early in the evening and the conversation while
01:00:04hectic was at least pitched low but as the minutes passed and more obstacles to her plan popped into
01:00:11my head the air got blue each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip i reminded her that as
01:00:18charles haskell i didn't even know my mother's name where i'd gone to school the name of my best
01:00:24friend whether i had an aunt emma or not my religion and if i had ever owned a dog i didn't even know
01:00:31what my middle initial stood for i also pointed out that the real haskell had a scar on his forearm
01:00:37his people never saw that scar he told me he ran away right after putting out the kid's eye
01:00:41yeah but his father knew he was cut it had to be some kind of a mark so what
01:00:44the old man's dead or will be i hope by tomorrow morning's papers anyway you can cut yourself a
01:00:52little couldn't you boy for that kind of dough i'd let you cut my leg off you're drunk and you're
01:00:58crazy mad vera turn me in if you want to but i won't get mixed up in this besides how do we know
01:01:02haskell was such a phony maybe wasn't the man's son at all maybe he just dreamed it up well dream it or
01:01:07not you won't be dreaming when the law attacks you on the shoulder there's a cute little gas chamber
01:01:13waiting for you roberts and i hear extradition to arizona's ascension where's that phone
01:01:21leave me alone here i want a phone call police i hate you you're a stinker you leave me alone
01:01:30i'll let you alone you promise to leave the phone where it is you're drunk you don't know what you're
01:01:33doing you're hurting me will you promise all right
01:01:43you hurt me i'm sorry but it's hot in here open up the window it's not hot don't tell me now do
01:01:50you do it or do i do it you're no gentleman see yeah all right i'll open up the window
01:02:03you're open the door please open the door vera open the door don't use the phone listen to me
01:02:13i don't like you roberts you're no gentleman see you hurt my hand and i'm gonna get even with you
01:02:21if you don't open the door i'm gonna kick it down vera
01:02:24vera don't call the cops listen to me i'll do anything you say vera let me in
01:02:28i'll break the phone
01:02:44the world is full of skeptics i know
01:03:14i'm one myself in the haskell business how many of you would believe he fell out of the car
01:03:19and now after killing vera without really meaning to do it how many of you would believe it wasn't
01:03:23premeditated in a jury room every last man of you would go down shouting that she had me over a
01:03:30barrel and my only out was force the room was still so quiet that for a while i wondered if i had
01:03:38suddenly gone deaf it was pure fear of course and i was hysterical but without making a sound
01:03:47vera was dead and that was her murderer murderer what an awful word that is but i'd become one
01:03:55i'd better not get caught what evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed
01:04:00and from the looks of things there was plenty looking around the room and things we'd bought was
01:04:04like looking into the faces of a hundred people who'd seen us together and who remembered me
01:04:08this was the kind of testimony i couldn't rub out
01:04:12no i could burn clothes and hide bottles for the next five years
01:04:17there'd always be witnesses the landlady for one she could identify me the car dealer the waitress
01:04:21in the drive-in the girl in the dress shop and that guy in the liquor store
01:04:23it could all identify me i was cooked done for i had to get out of there while once i'd remain beside
01:04:34a dead body planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing him this time i couldn't this
01:04:40time i was guilty i knew it felt it i was like a guy suffering from shock things were whirling around
01:04:49in my head i couldn't make myself think right all i could think of was the guy with the saxophone and
01:04:56what he was playing it wasn't a love song anymore it was a dirge
01:05:19but here's the guy with the man in the book that was a friend of the girl in the world
01:05:31and he was in the house and i wish her to be the guy with the girl who was playing it
01:05:33i did not know that he was a kid and he wasn't a kid in the run, he was a kid in the game
01:05:36in the house and until then he six days after that i was told he could take him out of it
01:05:40but my problems weren't solved i had to stay away from new york for all time because al roberts was
01:05:57listed as dead and had to stay dead and i could never go back to hollywood someone might recognize
01:06:03me as haskell then too there was sue i could never go to her with a thing like this hanging over my head
01:06:15all i could do was pray she'd be happy
01:06:17i was in bakersfield before i read that vera's body was discovered
01:06:33that the police were looking for haskell in connection with his wife's murder
01:06:38isn't that a laugh haskell got me into this mess and haskell was getting me out of it
01:06:44the police were searching for a dead man
01:06:50i keep trying to forget what happened and wonder what my life might have been if that car of haskell's
01:06:57hadn't stopped but one thing i don't have to wonder about i know someday a car will stop to pick me up
01:07:08that i never thumbed
01:07:14yes fate or some mysterious force can put the finger on you or me for no good reason at all
01:07:33so
01:07:38so
01:07:39so
01:07:41so
01:07:43so
01:07:45so
01:07:47so
Be the first to comment