- 2 days ago
A chance encounter on a lonely highway turns an ordinary journey into a nightmare of deception, betrayal, and murder. The Unexpected Detour (1945) is a gripping classic film noir crime thriller featuring unforgettable suspense, morally complex characters, and the dark atmosphere that made 1940s noir cinema legendary. Follow a desperate man as one wrong turn changes his life forever.
Perfect for fans of classic film noir, vintage crime dramas, mystery thrillers, black-and-white movies, and Golden Age Hollywood classics.
Perfect for fans of classic film noir, vintage crime dramas, mystery thrillers, black-and-white movies, and Golden Age Hollywood classics.
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Short filmTranscript
00:02:41Well, here we are.
00:02:42I turned down here at the next block.
00:02:44Thanks, mister.
00:02:45I'll get off there.
00:02:52You want anything else?
00:02:55No.
00:02:56Hey, you.
00:03:01Yeah, you.
00:03:02Where are you heading?
00:03:04East.
00:03:05Yeah.
00:03:07I thought if he was heading north, I might be able to help you out.
00:03:10I'm pushing the Salt Lake and I don't like to ride alone at night.
00:03:13I'm one of those guys who got a talker, I fall asleep.
00:03:16Oh, sure.
00:03:17No, Mike.
00:03:17Pardon me.
00:03:18He's got Lou to keep in company, but I ain't got nobody at all.
00:03:21Where you coming from?
00:03:23West.
00:03:24Yeah, sure, I know, but where, L.A.?
00:03:27Maybe.
00:03:27I got a cousin out in L.A.
00:03:29You don't say.
00:03:30Yeah, he's been out...
00:03:33You're not much of a talker, are you?
00:03:34My mother taught me never to speak to strangers.
00:03:36Oh, wise guy.
00:03:37So what?
00:03:38Okay, okay.
00:03:39Don't get sore.
00:03:40He's trying to be sociable, that's all.
00:03:43Hey, Glamorous.
00:03:45Let me change for a dime, will you?
00:03:56Let's have something quieter this time, Joe.
00:03:58My head's splitting.
00:03:59Is that what's wrong with it?
00:04:04Done with your coffee?
00:04:05No.
00:04:06Then don't rush me, will you?
00:04:15Hey, turn that off.
00:04:16Will you turn that thing off?
00:04:17What's eating you now?
00:04:18Yeah, what's eating you?
00:04:19That music, it stinks.
00:04:20Oh, you don't like it, huh?
00:04:21No, turn it off.
00:04:22Now, wait a minute, pal.
00:04:23That was my nickel, see?
00:04:24This is a free country, and I play whatever I want to.
00:04:29Okay.
00:04:30Sure, and if you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it.
00:04:33And you can leave here anytime you want it.
00:04:35Okay, okay, I'm sorry I asked.
00:04:36First good piece play tonight, and you don't like it.
00:04:39Some people just ain't got any good taste.
00:04:52That tune, that tune, why was there always that rotten tune?
00:04:58Following me around, beating in my head, never letting up.
00:05:05Did you ever want to forget anything?
00:05:07Did you ever want to cut away a piece of your memory or blot it out?
00:05:10You can't, you know, no matter how hard you try.
00:05:14You can change the scenery, but sooner or later you'll get a whiff of perfume where somebody
00:05:19will say a certain phrase or maybe hum something.
00:05:21Then you're licked again.
00:05:25I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:05:27I used to love that song once.
00:05:30So did the customers back in the old Break of Dawn club in New York.
00:05:33I can't remember a night when I didn't get at least three requests for it.
00:05:38Sue, she was always selling it, too.
00:05:41Those were the days.
00:06:07Your eyes are blue, your kisses, too.
00:06:10I never knew what they could do.
00:06:14I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:06:19You're telling everyone you know that I'm on your mind each place you go.
00:06:26They can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:06:31I have always placed you far above me.
00:06:37I just can't imagine that you love me.
00:06:43And after all is said and done, to think that I'm the lucky one.
00:06:49I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:07:02It wasn't much of a club, really.
00:07:04You know the kind.
00:07:06A joint where you could have a sandwich and a few drinks and run interference for your girl on the
00:07:09dance floor.
00:07:13I pounded the piano in there every night from 8 until the place closed up, which usually meant 4 in
00:07:18the morning.
00:07:19A good job as jobs went in those days.
00:07:25Then, too, there was Sue, who made working there a little like working in heaven.
00:07:31But how we felt about each other, well, there was nothing very unusual in that.
00:07:36I was an ordinary healthy guy, and she was an ordinary healthy girl.
00:07:39And when you add those two together, you get an ordinary healthy romance, which is the old story.
00:07:44Sure, but somehow, the most wonderful thing in the world.
00:07:56All in all, I was a pretty lucky guy.
00:08:12Mr. Paderewski, I presume.
00:08:14It's beautiful.
00:08:15You're going to make Carnegie Hall yet, Al?
00:08:17Yeah, as a janitor.
00:08:20I'll make my debut in the basement.
00:08:22I don't blame you for being bitter, darling, but you mustn't give up hope.
00:08:26Why, someday...
00:08:26Yeah, someday, if I don't get arthritis first.
00:08:29In the meantime, let's blow this trap.
00:08:51Would you like to get something to eat, hon?
00:08:52Oh, I don't think so, Al.
00:08:53I lose my appetite working in this flea bag.
00:08:56Let's go home.
00:08:58Okay.
00:08:59I can't stand much more of that dump.
00:09:02Did you see that drunk tonight, trying to paw me?
00:09:05No, what drunk?
00:09:06Does it matter what drunk?
00:09:09Say, what's the matter with you tonight, darling?
00:09:11That's the third time you started to tell me something, then stop.
00:09:15We shouldn't have any secrets from each other, Sue.
00:09:17Next week, we're going to make with a ring and a license.
00:09:19You and me will be a team.
00:09:20Yes, that's right.
00:09:21In the Bush League.
00:09:23I don't get you.
00:09:24We've been struck out.
00:09:27That's a funny way to talk, darling.
00:09:29Don't you want to marry me?
00:09:30Al, look, I love you.
00:09:31You know I do, and I want to marry you.
00:09:34What?
00:09:35But not now.
00:09:36Only after we've made good.
00:09:39Sunday, I'm going away.
00:09:41Oh, I know you'll think it's silly.
00:09:43That's why I hesitated to tell you.
00:09:45But I'm going to California.
00:09:47I want to try my luck in Hollywood.
00:09:50That's the most stupid thing I ever heard of.
00:09:52Don't you know millions of people go out there every year and wind up polishing cuspidors?
00:09:56I thought you had better sense.
00:09:57You sound as if you don't think I have any talent.
00:09:59That has nothing to do with it.
00:10:00I'll make out all right.
00:10:02Maybe.
00:10:02But what about me?
00:10:03Doesn't it mean anything to you that you're busting up all our plans?
00:10:06We may not see each other for years.
00:10:07It won't be that long.
00:10:09I thought you loved me.
00:10:11I do.
00:10:12You know I do.
00:10:17Well, here we are.
00:10:20Al.
00:10:22Al, why can't you see my side of it?
00:10:25I'm young.
00:10:26We both are.
00:10:28And we've got all the time in the world to settle down.
00:10:32Really, darling.
00:10:33What I'm doing is the only sane thing to do.
00:10:38I hate the thought of being so far away from you.
00:10:41But we'll be together again someday.
00:10:44Maybe you'll decide to come out too later on.
00:10:47So long.
00:10:49Al, aren't you going to kiss me good night?
00:10:53Sure.
00:10:54Why not?
00:10:57Good night.
00:12:41Say, Roberts, you hit the jackpot this time.
00:12:44Ten bucks.
00:12:46Thanks.
00:12:53So when this drunk handed me a ten spot after a request, I couldn't get very excited.
00:12:57What was it I asked myself?
00:12:59A piece of paper calling with germs.
00:13:01Couldn't buy anything I wanted.
00:13:04It couldn't...
00:13:07Then I thought of something.
00:13:33Let's go.
00:13:34Let's go.
00:13:34Let's go.
00:13:46Let's go.
00:13:54Let's go.
00:13:55Let's go.
00:13:58Let's go.
00:14:02Let's go.
00:14:07Let's go.
00:14:17Let's go.
00:14:31Let's go.
00:14:37Let's go.
00:14:40Let's go.
00:14:42Look at me.
00:14:43Train?
00:14:44Who knows?
00:14:45Train, plane, bus, magic carpet.
00:14:46I'll be there if I have to crawl.
00:14:48I have to travel by pogo stick.
00:14:50And then, let's get married right away, huh?
00:14:56Bats the stuff.
00:14:57That's what I've been wanting to hear you say.
00:15:00Well, goodbye for now.
00:15:04I'll be seeing you soon.
00:15:07Yeah.
00:15:09Bye.
00:15:15The only way I could cross country was to thumb rides.
00:15:18For even after hocking everything, I only had enough money to eat.
00:15:22Money.
00:15:23You know what that is.
00:15:25It's the stuff you never have enough of.
00:15:27Little green things with George Washington's picture that men slay for, commit crimes for, die for.
00:15:33It's the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world than anything else we ever invented.
00:15:38Simply because there's too little of it.
00:15:41At least I had too little of it.
00:15:43So it was me for the thumb.
00:16:01Never mind.
00:16:01Ever done any hitchhiking?
00:16:03It's not much fun, believe me.
00:16:06Oh, yeah.
00:16:07I know all about how it's an education, how you get to meet a lot of people and all that.
00:16:11But me, from now on, I'll take my education in college.
00:16:15or in P.S. 62, or I'll send $1.98 in stamps for 10 easy lessons.
00:16:29Thumbing rides may save your bus fare, but it's dangerous.
00:16:34You never know what's in store for you when you hear the squeal of brakes.
00:16:38If only I had known what I was getting into that day in Arizona.
00:16:44Here, throw that in the back seat.
00:16:49Okay, let's go. Make sure that door's closed.
00:17:05You know, Emily Post ought to write a book of rules for guys thumbing rides.
00:17:09Because, as it is now, you never know what's right and what's wrong.
00:17:13We rode along for a little while, neither one of us saying anything.
00:17:17I was glad of that.
00:17:19I never know what to say to strange people driving cars.
00:17:23And, too, you can never tell if a guy wants to talk.
00:17:26A lot of rides have been cut short because of a big mouth.
00:17:30So I kept my mouth shut until he started opening up.
00:17:35Hand me that little box in the compartment, will you, pal?
00:17:37Well, hold the wheel, will you?
00:17:53How far are you going?
00:17:55L.A.
00:17:56Well, you're really traveling, aren't you?
00:17:58Yeah, but I don't expect to make it for a couple of years at the rate I've been promoting rides.
00:18:02Not much luck, huh?
00:18:03Sure, all bad.
00:18:05Not many people stop for a guy these days.
00:18:07Afraid of a stick-up, maybe.
00:18:09Well, you can't blame them.
00:18:11Where are you coming from?
00:18:12New York.
00:18:13Well, New York.
00:18:15You're in luck this time.
00:18:17I'm going all the way.
00:18:19Right through to Los Angeles.
00:18:21You drive a car?
00:18:23Sure.
00:18:23Whenever you're tired, let me know.
00:18:25I'll holler.
00:18:28I guess at least an hour passed before I noticed those deep scratches on his right hand.
00:18:33They were wicked.
00:18:34Three puffy red lines about a quarter of an inch apart.
00:18:38He must have seen me looking at them because he said...
00:18:42Beauties, aren't they?
00:18:43They're going to be scars someday.
00:18:47What an animal.
00:18:49Whatever it was, it must have been pretty big and vicious to have done that.
00:18:52Right on both counts, New York.
00:18:54I was tussling with the most dangerous animal in the world.
00:18:57A woman.
00:18:59She must have been Tarzan's mate.
00:19:00Looks like you lost her bob.
00:19:02Certainly wasn't a draw.
00:19:05You know, there ought to be a law against dames with claws.
00:19:08Yeah.
00:19:09I tossed her out of the car in her ear.
00:19:12Was I wrong?
00:19:13Give a lift to a tomato, you expect her to be nice, don't you?
00:19:16Yeah.
00:19:17After all, what kind of a dame's son rides?
00:19:20Sunday school teachers?
00:19:21Yeah.
00:19:23A little witch.
00:19:25She must have thought she was riding with some fall guy.
00:19:28And me, who's been booking horses around race tracks since I was 20.
00:19:32I've known a million dames like her.
00:19:35Two million?
00:19:36Yeah.
00:19:39Stopped the car, opened the door.
00:19:42Take it on the Arthur Duffy's sister, I told her.
00:19:44That's the stuff.
00:19:45It's always done, huh?
00:19:48Well, if you want to see a real scar, brother, get a load of this.
00:19:54I got that one jewelry.
00:19:57Dueling?
00:19:58Yeah, we're just kidding, of course.
00:19:59My dad owned a couple of Franco-Prussian sabers.
00:20:02Kept them on the wall for decorations.
00:20:05Well, one day, another kid and I took them down.
00:20:07The old man wasn't around.
00:20:08Had a duel.
00:20:11You get me in the arm here.
00:20:13Pretty mean cut.
00:20:15Infection sat in later.
00:20:17Yeah, I can see that.
00:20:19Now, give me that box again, will you?
00:20:20Yeah.
00:20:33Pain made me lose my head, I guess.
00:20:35Began slashing.
00:20:37Before I knew it, I'd put the other kid's eye on.
00:20:40That was tough.
00:20:42Well, it was just an accident, of course.
00:20:44Do you know how kids are?
00:20:45I got scared, decided I was going to run away from home.
00:20:48Oh, man, almost caught me when I was packing my duds.
00:20:52The bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist
00:20:54hadn't caught his attention.
00:20:56You've seen the bundle for sure.
00:20:58But I beat it when he was phoning for a doctor.
00:21:02I was 15, 16 years ago.
00:21:04I haven't been home since.
00:21:10Pull in there for a bite or something, huh?
00:21:12A bite or something?
00:21:14Brother, was I hungry?
00:21:15I hadn't had anything in my stomach for hours.
00:21:19Yet even with that gnawing in the pit of my belly,
00:21:21I didn't want to be in too big a rush
00:21:22to put on the feed bag.
00:21:24First, I had to make sure this guy knew the score.
00:21:27If I got him down on me,
00:21:29it was goodbye ticket to Hollywood.
00:21:32I'll wait out here for you, mister.
00:21:33If it's the money, don't worry about paying for it.
00:21:35This time it's on me.
00:21:36Well, that's what of you, mister...
00:21:37Haskell, think nothing of it.
00:21:39You make your first million,
00:21:40maybe you can do the same for me.
00:21:41Come on, New York.
00:21:42I gotta make the West Coast by Wednesday
00:21:44for the horse running at Santa Anita
00:21:45named Private Bicycle.
00:21:47You can't sell to me if I'm wanting.
00:21:48We'll make it, all right.
00:21:50He did most of the talking
00:21:52during the half hour we were in the place.
00:21:54I ate.
00:21:56He rambled on about his old man
00:21:58whom he hadn't heard from
00:21:59since he ran away as a kid.
00:22:00Now he happened to become a bookie.
00:22:02And then all about how he got rooked in Miami.
00:22:05One race, 38 grand.
00:22:07They cleaned out my book.
00:22:08How do you like that?
00:22:10That was tough luck.
00:22:11Yeah, and I'm supposed to be the smart guy.
00:22:13Well, you just wait.
00:22:13I'm going back to Florida next season
00:22:15with all kinds of jack.
00:22:16And you'll watch those stinkers run for cover.
00:22:19You want anything else?
00:22:20No, thanks.
00:22:20I've had plenty.
00:22:27That check there, sister?
00:22:28Mm-hmm.
00:22:32Oh, just a miniature change, sir.
00:22:34Keep it, sister.
00:22:35Oh, thank you, sir.
00:22:36Call again.
00:22:37I'll be waiting outside for you
00:22:38when you finish work.
00:22:40Shop checker.
00:22:49I drove all that night
00:22:50while Haskell slept like a log.
00:22:53After a while,
00:22:54I began to get sleepy myself.
00:22:57I was happy, though.
00:22:59Soon I'd be with Sue again.
00:23:01The long trip was practically over
00:23:03and there'd be no more
00:23:03hoofing it down the concrete.
00:23:06I began to think of the future,
00:23:08which couldn't have been brighter
00:23:10if I'd embroidered it with neon lights.
00:23:12It was nice to think of Sue shooting to the top.
00:23:17It's amazing what a full belly
00:23:18can do to your imagination.
00:23:22Your eyes are blue, your kisses, too.
00:23:27I never knew what they could do.
00:23:32I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:23:40You're telling everyone you know
00:23:44I'm on your mind each place you go
00:23:49I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:24:11Mr. Haskell.
00:24:14Mr. Haskell.
00:24:18Mr. Haskell, wake up.
00:24:19It's raining.
00:24:20Don't you think we ought to stop
00:24:21and put up the top?
00:24:31Mr. Haskell, I'm gonna put up the top.
00:24:33Let's go.
00:24:47Up until then, I had done things my way.
00:24:50But from then on, something else
00:24:51stepped in and shunted me off
00:24:52to a different destination
00:24:53than the one I had picked for myself.
00:24:56But when I pulled open that door...
00:25:02Mr. Haskell, what's the matter?
00:25:04Are you hurt?
00:25:06Are you hurt, Mr. Haskell?
00:25:08Start here soon.
00:25:10I'll listen to it.
00:25:11But I know what you're gonna hand me
00:25:13even before you open your mouths.
00:25:15You're gonna tell me you don't believe
00:25:16my story of how Haskell died
00:25:18and give me that don't make me laugh
00:25:19expression on your smug faces.
00:25:24I saw it once, he was dead.
00:25:26And I was in for it.
00:25:28Who would believe he fell out of the car?
00:25:29Why, if Haskell came too,
00:25:31which of course he couldn't,
00:25:31even he would swear I conked him
00:25:32over the head for his dough.
00:25:34Yes, I was in for it.
00:25:37Instinct told me to run.
00:25:38But then I realized it was hopeless.
00:25:39There were lots of people back down the road
00:25:41who could identify me.
00:25:41That gas station guy and the waitress.
00:25:43I would be in a worse spot then,
00:25:45trying to explain why I beat it.
00:25:47The next possibility was to sit tight
00:25:48and tell the truth when the cops came.
00:25:50But that would be crazy.
00:25:51They'd laugh at the truth.
00:25:53Not having my head in the noose.
00:25:56So what else was there to do
00:25:57but hide the body
00:25:58and get away in the car?
00:25:59I couldn't leave the car there
00:26:00with him in the gully.
00:26:02That would be like erecting a tombstone.
00:26:32My idea was to cover him
00:26:33with a knife.
00:26:33Rush, not to rob him, but then I remembered that even if I only drove the car for a hundred
00:26:37miles or so, I would need money for gas.
00:26:41Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.
00:26:44Not only that, I'd have to take his driver's license in case I was stopped for something.
00:26:50I didn't like to think about it, but by that time I'd done just what the police would say I
00:26:54did, even if I didn't.
00:26:56My clothes, the owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.
00:27:01Some cop might pull me in on suspicion.
00:27:15I don't know.
00:27:28Hey, you, this your car?
00:27:30Don't you know better than to leave a car with the wheels halfway in the middle of the road?
00:27:33That's the way accidents happen.
00:27:36I'm sorry, officer.
00:27:37I was just putting up my top.
00:27:38I didn't think.
00:27:39Well, and the next time, think.
00:27:41I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.
00:27:43I know that's a lonely stretch, but cars come by here once in a while and we have plenty of
00:27:47crack-ups.
00:27:48Thanks, officer.
00:28:12I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's.
00:28:15If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.
00:28:26As I drove off, it was still raining.
00:28:28And the drop streaked down the windshield like tears.
00:28:34I kept imagining I was being followed, that I could hear sirens back in the distance.
00:28:39Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles to the California state line, I don't know.
00:28:44I lost all track of time, but the rain had stopped and the sun was up when I pulled up
00:28:49to the inspection station.
00:28:55Hello.
00:28:56Okay.
00:28:57Carrying any fruits or vegetables?
00:28:59No.
00:29:00Any livestock or poultry?
00:29:01No.
00:29:03I'd like to see your registration and driver's license, please.
00:29:10Anything in the baggage compartment?
00:29:12Just baggage.
00:29:15Charles Haskell, Jr. Aids, 30 brown eyes, dark hair, identifying marks, none.
00:29:20Are you Charles Haskell, Jr.?
00:29:22Yes.
00:29:22Well, remember, if you're employed and you stay over 30 days, you take out California plates.
00:29:27All right, officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.
00:29:31Right, you can go now.
00:29:39I couldn't drive any farther without some sleep, cops or no cops.
00:29:43I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard.
00:29:47I was dead tired.
00:30:06I was dead.
00:30:18Oh.
00:30:20No, no, you can't, Mr. Haskell.
00:30:24No.
00:30:32Mr. Haskell, you can't die.
00:30:36I don't think, I think I did it.
00:30:40No, Mr. Haskell, no, no.
00:30:59Who's there?
00:31:00It's the maid. Can I come in and clean?
00:31:03Later. In a half hour.
00:31:06All right, sir.
00:31:31There was no time to lose.
00:31:33Every minute I had to be Charles Haskell was dangerous.
00:31:36And I'd have to be Charles Haskell until I got to some city
00:31:38where I could leave the car and be swallowed up.
00:31:46That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino.
00:31:48Maybe even to Los Angeles.
00:31:50In a little town, I might be noticed.
00:31:52But in a city, I should be safe enough.
00:31:55Then, after I ditched the car, I could go on to Sue.
00:31:59But those five minutes at the state line
00:32:01made me realize it might be a good idea
00:32:03to find out a little bit about Mr. Haskell.
00:32:06Then, if anybody asked me questions, I could give the right answers.
00:32:10The first thing I found out was that I had $768.
00:32:14This was a lot of jack.
00:32:16But believe me, it was the kind of money I'd rather not have.
00:32:27And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag
00:32:30that he wasn't the open-handed, easy-going big shot
00:32:33who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.
00:32:36Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseler.
00:32:40It was written to his old man in California,
00:32:43the one he hadn't seen in so many years.
00:32:46In it, Haskell posed as a salesman, of hymnals, of all things.
00:32:52It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise a new stake for his book in Miami.
00:32:57By rooking his old man.
00:33:00That was about all I found out from his effects.
00:33:03And it was enough.
00:33:05I told myself, maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.
00:33:10He would never know it.
00:33:11But it saved him from taking a flyer in sacred literature preferred.
00:33:40He would never know it.
00:33:41Near the airport at Desert Center, I pulled up for water.
00:33:45If there was a woman.
00:33:51Hey, you! Come on if you want a ride.
00:34:39What are you doing?
00:34:41How far are you going?
00:34:43That took me by surprise, and I turned my head to look her over.
00:34:47She was facing straight ahead, so I couldn't see her eyes.
00:34:50But she was young, not more than 24.
00:34:54Man, she looked as if she'd just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.
00:35:00Yet, in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.
00:35:03Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you,
00:35:05or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife,
00:35:08but a natural beauty.
00:35:10A beauty that's almost homely because it's so real.
00:35:15Then, suddenly, she turned to face me.
00:35:17How far did you say you were going?
00:35:19Los Angeles.
00:35:20L.A.?
00:35:22L.A.'s good enough for me, mister.
00:35:24That's what I was afraid of.
00:35:25What'd you say?
00:35:27Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud.
00:35:29People get in trouble for doing that.
00:35:31What's your name?
00:35:33You can call me Vera, if you like.
00:35:35You live in Los Angeles?
00:35:36No.
00:35:38Where are you coming from?
00:35:40Oh, back there.
00:35:41Needles?
00:35:42No.
00:35:44Oh, sure. Phoenix.
00:35:45You look just like a Phoenix girl.
00:35:47Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?
00:35:49The girl must have been pretty tired
00:35:51because she fell asleep not 20 minutes after she stepped into the car.
00:35:55She lay sprawled out with her head resting against the far door,
00:35:58like Haskell.
00:36:00I didn't like that part of it much.
00:36:02But I didn't wake her up.
00:36:04It wasn't that this girl still worried me.
00:36:07I've gotten over that funny feeling I had when she looked at me,
00:36:10which I put down as just my jangled nerves.
00:36:13With her eyes closed, the test has gone out of her.
00:36:16She seemed harmless enough.
00:36:18And instead of disliking her, I began to feel sorry for her.
00:36:22The poor kid probably had had a rough time of it.
00:36:26Who was she anyway?
00:36:28And why was she going to Los Angeles?
00:36:30And where'd she come from in the first place?
00:36:32The only thing I knew about her was her name.
00:36:35Not that it made any difference.
00:36:37A few hours more and we'd be in Hollywood.
00:36:39I'd forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.
00:36:42This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.
00:36:45Who this dame was?
00:36:47Well, it was no business of mine.
00:36:48Where did you leave this body?
00:36:51Where did you leave the owner of this car?
00:36:53You're not fooling anyone.
00:36:55This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell.
00:36:57That's not you, mister.
00:36:58You're out of your mind.
00:36:59That's my name, Charles Haskell.
00:37:00I can prove it.
00:37:01It's my driver's license.
00:37:02Take yourself a trouble, mister.
00:37:03Having Haskell's wallet only makes it worse.
00:37:05It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell,
00:37:07all the way from Louisiana.
00:37:09He picked me up outside of Shreveport.
00:37:11You rode?
00:37:12You heard me.
00:37:13Then it all came back to me.
00:37:16All the talk about dueling and scars and scratches.
00:37:19There was no doubt about it.
00:37:21Vera must be the woman Haskell had mentioned.
00:37:23She must have passed me while I slept.
00:37:25Well?
00:37:27Well, I'm waiting.
00:37:28My goose was cooked.
00:37:30She had me.
00:37:32That Haskell guy wasn't dead yet.
00:37:34He wasn't stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.
00:37:38He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad while he haunted me.
00:37:43Well?
00:37:44There was nothing I could say.
00:37:46It was her move.
00:37:48Vera, whatever her name was,
00:37:50it was just my luck picking her up on the road.
00:37:53It couldn't have been Helen or Mary or Evelyn or Ruth.
00:37:56It had to be the very last person I should ever have met.
00:38:00That's life.
00:38:02Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.
00:38:10I told her everything, but she didn't believe my story.
00:38:13I should have saved my breath.
00:38:15That's the greatest cock and ball story I ever heard.
00:38:17So he fell out of his car.
00:38:19Say, who do you think you're talking to, a hick?
00:38:21Listen, mister.
00:38:22I've been around.
00:38:23And I know a wrong guy when I see one.
00:38:25What'd you do?
00:38:26Kiss him with a wrench?
00:38:27Now, wait a minute.
00:38:28What I told you was true.
00:38:29You see, that's why I had to do it.
00:38:30You think I killed him.
00:38:32Well, the cops would have thought so, too.
00:38:33Yeah, well, maybe they still think so.
00:38:35What makes you so sure I'll shut up about this?
00:38:38Vera, I'm innocent.
00:38:39Give me a break, will you?
00:38:42It won't do me any good having you pinched.
00:38:44The cops are no friends of mine.
00:38:46Now, if there was a reward, but there isn't.
00:38:49Thanks.
00:38:50Don't thank me yet.
00:38:51I'm not through with you by a long shot.
00:38:54Let's see that roll.
00:39:01Is that all Haskell had?
00:39:03Isn't it enough?
00:39:04No, I thought he had more.
00:39:05Not that I know of.
00:39:06You can search me.
00:39:07You think I'm holding out on you?
00:39:07Well, maybe I will at that.
00:39:09He told me he was gonna bet $3,000 on a horse named Paradisicle
00:39:13on Wednesday at Santa Anita.
00:39:14He was stringing you along.
00:39:15He meant $300.
00:39:16Maybe.
00:39:16Sure, three bucks, $300.
00:39:18He was a piece of cheese, a big blowhard.
00:39:20Listen, mister.
00:39:21Don't try and tell me anything about Charlie Haskell.
00:39:23Remember, I knew him better than you did.
00:39:25Okay, then you knew he was a four-flusher.
00:39:26That explains the three grand bet.
00:39:28I'm not so sure he didn't have that three grand.
00:39:30Why should I believe you?
00:39:32You got all the earmarks of a cheap crook.
00:39:34Now, wait a minute.
00:39:35Shut up.
00:39:35You're a cheap crook and you killed him.
00:39:37For two cents, I'd change my mind and turn you in.
00:39:39I don't like you.
00:39:40All right, all right, don't get sore.
00:39:43But just remember who's boss around here.
00:39:45If you shut up and don't give me any arguments, you'll have nothing to worry about.
00:39:48But if you act wise, well, mister, you'll pop into jail so fast it'll give you the bends.
00:39:53I'm not arguing.
00:39:54See that you don't.
00:39:55You know, as crooked as you look, I'd hate to see a fella as young as you wind up sniffing
00:39:58that perfume that Arizona hands out free to murderers.
00:40:01I'm not a murderer.
00:40:02Of course you're not.
00:40:03Haskell knocked his own head off.
00:40:04He fell.
00:40:05That's how it happened.
00:40:05Just like I told you.
00:40:06Sure, and then he made you a present of his belongings.
00:40:08I explained why I had to do that.
00:40:10Oh, skip it.
00:40:10It doesn't make a difference one way or another.
00:40:11I'm not a mourner.
00:40:13I liked Haskell even less than I like you.
00:40:15Yeah, I saw what you did to him.
00:40:17What do you mean?
00:40:18Well, scratches on his wrist.
00:40:19Sure, I scratched him.
00:40:21I'll say you did.
00:40:24So your idea was to drive the car a little way, maybe into San Bernardino and then leave it.
00:40:28You weren't gonna sell it?
00:40:30Sell it?
00:40:31You think I'm crazy, somebody else's car?
00:40:33See, all I want to do is leave it somewhere and forget I ever saw it.
00:40:36Not only don't you have any scruples, you don't have any brains.
00:40:39I don't get you.
00:40:40Maybe it's a good thing you met me.
00:40:42You'd have got yourself caught sure.
00:40:43Why, you dope.
00:40:45Don't you know a deserted automobile always rates an investigation?
00:40:48Huh?
00:40:49Look, the cops find a car.
00:40:51Then they get curious.
00:40:52They wonder where the owner is.
00:40:54So all right, they don't trace Haskell.
00:40:56They trace you.
00:40:57I never thought of that.
00:40:59The only safe way to get rid of the car is to sell it to a dealer.
00:41:02Get it registered under a new name.
00:41:04Say, stop at the next door.
00:41:06I want to get a bottle and do some shopping before we hit L.A.
00:41:09Okay.
00:41:09As soon as we find a place, I'll drop you off and pick you up later.
00:41:12Nothing doing.
00:41:13You're coming in too.
00:41:14From now on, you and I are like the Siamese twins.
00:41:17Have it your way.
00:41:18I don't get the point.
00:41:19The point is, I don't want you to get lost.
00:41:21I'm not going to beat it if that's what you're afraid of.
00:41:23I'll say you're not.
00:41:24Well, I'm going to see that you sell this car so you don't get caught.
00:41:27Thanks.
00:41:28Of course, your interest wouldn't be financial, would it?
00:41:31You wouldn't want a small percentage of the profits.
00:41:34Well, now that you insist, how can I refuse?
00:41:37A hundred percent will do.
00:41:38Fine.
00:41:39I'm relieved.
00:41:40I thought for a moment you were going to take it all.
00:41:43I don't want to be a hog.
00:41:46A few hours later, we were in Hollywood.
00:41:48I was recognizing places Sue had written about.
00:41:51It struck me that far from being at the end of the trip,
00:41:54there was a greater distance between Sue and me than when I started out.
00:41:59Vera wasn't kidding with that Siamese twins crack.
00:42:02She rented a little apartment as Mrs. Charles Haskell.
00:42:06When I objected to this, she explained that it was on account of the car.
00:42:09The dealer might think something was funny if he called and found we were using different names.
00:42:19Home, sweet home.
00:42:21Yeah.
00:42:22Not bad, either.
00:42:31In case there's any doubt in your mind, I'll take the bedroom.
00:42:34Yeah.
00:42:36Sure is stuffy in here.
00:42:45Keep the window shut.
00:42:47Okay.
00:42:49The old crow downstairs said there's a folding bed behind this door.
00:42:59You know how to work it?
00:43:00Oh no, my God.
00:43:04You have to work.
00:43:04You know how to work.
00:43:04I've made it.
00:43:09You're going to work.
00:43:10You are the one.
00:43:16I'm trying to work.
00:43:18You're getting the idea of your shoes.
00:43:19I'm going to work.
00:43:20You're going to work.
00:43:21You'll be doing.
00:43:22You're going to work.
00:43:23You're going to work.
00:43:27I'm going to work.
00:43:29You're going to work.
00:43:31Boy, oh boy, it sure feels good to be clean again.
00:43:36I must be ten pounds lighter.
00:43:39You must be.
00:43:41Well, hitch and rides isn't exactly the way you keep your school girl complexion.
00:43:49I wish that guy with the sacks would give up.
00:43:52Gets on my nerves.
00:43:56Forget it.
00:44:00Have a drink.
00:44:02Aren't you afraid I might take you up on it?
00:44:06If I didn't want to give you a drink, I wouldn't have offered it.
00:44:09Why be a sore head, Roberts?
00:44:11You got yourself into this thing.
00:44:13You should be grateful I'm not turning you in.
00:44:16Why, if I wasn't regular, you'd be in the pen this minute,
00:44:19being photographed, fingerprinted, and being pushed around by the cops.
00:44:22So cheer up.
00:44:24Get rid of that long puss.
00:44:27Or is your conscience bothering you?
00:44:34No.
00:44:36It isn't.
00:44:37Swell.
00:44:38That's the spirit.
00:44:41He's dead and no moment around will bring him back.
00:44:46Anyway, I never could understand this worrying about something that's over and done with.
00:44:50Now look, Vera, for the last time I didn't kill him.
00:44:52Haskell was a sick man.
00:44:53Maybe he was dead before he fell out of the car.
00:44:55I don't know.
00:44:55Sure, sure.
00:44:57He died of old age.
00:44:59All right.
00:45:01So if it'll make you sociable?
00:45:04You didn't kill him.
00:45:16Thanks.
00:45:28We're out of liquor, Roberts.
00:45:30Yeah.
00:45:31Too bad.
00:45:33I felt like getting tight tonight.
00:45:35Well, I think you succeeded.
00:45:37Am I tight?
00:45:38There's a prima donna's corset.
00:45:40That's good.
00:45:41I wanted to get tight.
00:45:43Why?
00:45:44What have you got to get tight about?
00:45:46Oh, I don't know.
00:45:48A few things.
00:45:52You should have my worries.
00:45:54If I had your troubles, I'd stay sober.
00:45:56And I've got the key to that door.
00:46:01Yeah.
00:46:03Maybe you're right.
00:46:04I'm always right.
00:46:07You know, I don't like your attitude, Roberts.
00:46:10Well, there's a lot of things I don't like.
00:46:13Sure.
00:46:17But life's like a ball game.
00:46:19You've got to take a swing at whatever comes along before you wake up and find it's the ninth inning.
00:46:24I bet you read that somewhere.
00:46:25That's the trouble with you, Roberts.
00:46:27All you do is bellyache.
00:46:30You've got to take it easy and trying to make the best of things.
00:46:35But maybe that's what's wrong with the whole world.
00:46:38Get the professor.
00:46:40People knock themselves out trying to buck fate.
00:46:43Now, take you, for instance.
00:46:44You're lucky to be alive.
00:46:46Well, I suppose Haskell had pulled open your door.
00:46:48You'd be playing a harp now.
00:46:50Think of that.
00:46:53You think of it.
00:46:54I'm tired of thinking.
00:46:56There's plenty of people dying this minute.
00:46:59That would give anything to trade places with you.
00:47:04I know what I'm talking about.
00:47:06I'm not so sure.
00:47:08At least they know they're done for.
00:47:10They don't have to sweat blood wondering if they are.
00:47:14Your philosophy stinks, pal.
00:47:17We all know we're gonna kick off someday.
00:47:20It's only a question of when.
00:47:23But what's got us on this subject anyway?
00:47:26We'll be discussing politics next.
00:47:29Yeah.
00:47:31Where'd you hide the butts?
00:47:33On the table, sucker.
00:47:43We bored each other with conversation for a couple of hours longer.
00:47:47Every five minutes, one of us was wishing we had another bottle or a radio or something to read.
00:47:53Then, finally, we ran out of chatter.
00:47:56I know it's only 11 o'clock, but I want to get up early and make the rounds of the
00:47:59used car lots.
00:47:59Now, hurry about that.
00:48:01We've got all the time in the world.
00:48:03Maybe you have.
00:48:03But if you think I want to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I have to, you're
00:48:06batty.
00:48:06It's not a bad place.
00:48:08We pay plenty for diggings like this in New York.
00:48:10I wouldn't like it if it was the Ritz.
00:48:16You brought me liquor.
00:48:18You got a mean cough.
00:48:19I ought to do something about it.
00:48:20I'll be all right.
00:48:22That's what Camille said.
00:48:24Who?
00:48:25Nobody you know.
00:48:30Wasn't that the Dane that died of consumption?
00:48:32Yeah.
00:48:34Wouldn't it be a break for you if I did kick off?
00:48:37You'd be free with all Haskell's dough and car.
00:48:40I don't want to see anybody die.
00:48:43Not even me.
00:48:44Especially not you.
00:48:46One person died of me.
00:48:47If you did, well, that's all I need.
00:48:52You don't like me, do you, Roberts?
00:48:55I like you.
00:48:58I love you.
00:49:00My favorite sport is being kept prisoner.
00:49:03After we sell the car, you can go to blazes for all I care.
00:49:06But not until then.
00:49:14I'm going to bed.
00:49:24Good night, Roberts.
00:49:26Don't try and sneak away during the night.
00:49:28All the doors are locked.
00:49:29Anyway, if I find you gone in the morning,
00:49:31I'll notify the police.
00:49:33They'll pick you up.
00:49:33Don't worry.
00:49:34I know when I'm in a spot.
00:49:36Well, good night.
00:49:37I hope that portable rack isn't too uncomfortable for you.
00:49:40Don't lose any sleepover, will you, Roberts?
00:50:19I'll see you in the morning.
00:50:21Chris, few.
00:50:23Six.
00:50:25Five.
00:50:27Seven.
00:50:29Two.
00:50:30Three.
00:50:32Hello?
00:50:35Hello?
00:50:36Hello?
00:50:38Hello?
00:50:40Hello?
00:50:47No.
00:50:50Not yet, darling.
00:50:52Tomorrow.
00:50:55Maybe.
00:50:59If this were fiction,
00:51:01I would fall in love with Vera.
00:51:03Marry her and make a respectable woman of her.
00:51:05Or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me.
00:51:09And die.
00:51:10Sue and I would bawl a little over her grave.
00:51:13And make some crack about there's good in all of us.
00:51:16But Vera, unfortunately,
00:51:18was just as rotten in the morning as she'd been the night before.
00:51:23All right, all right, I'm coming.
00:51:25Look, Vera, it's almost noon.
00:51:28So what?
00:51:29The dealers will be there all day.
00:51:31They'll be there all year, too.
00:51:32But that doesn't mean I'm gonna wait that long.
00:51:33Shut up.
00:51:34You're making noises like a husband.
00:51:39Well, do I rate a whistle?
00:51:41You sure do, but let's go.
00:51:43Let's go, let's go.
00:51:44I spent 85 bucks and two hours preparing bait,
00:51:46and all you can say is, let's go.
00:51:50Come on.
00:51:55We passed a few used car lots last night down this way.
00:51:58What do you think we can get for this heap?
00:52:00I don't know. Plenty.
00:52:02You just let me handle everything.
00:52:04You think we can get $2,000?
00:52:06I don't know, but don't worry.
00:52:07I'll squeeze as much out of this guy as I can.
00:52:09If I let it go cheap without a fight,
00:52:11he might think we've stolen the car.
00:52:13And listen, don't make any slips and call me Roberts.
00:52:16That'll cook us.
00:52:17I don't need you to tell me that.
00:52:19You better just sit by and keep your mouth closed.
00:52:22Remember, we're both in the soup if anything happens.
00:52:24Forget it and drive.
00:52:25You're my wife, Vera Haskell.
00:52:28Look, after the deal's closed,
00:52:30let's go back to that place on Hollywood Boulevard,
00:52:32where I saw the fur jacket.
00:52:33I want to buy it.
00:52:35After the deal's closed, I'm saying goodbye to you.
00:52:38That's right, I forgot.
00:52:39I guess I'm getting kind of used to you.
00:52:42Well, that's a habit you can start breaking.
00:52:44Let's try this place in the middle of the block.
00:52:53Good afternoon. What can I do for you?
00:52:55We're interested in selling a car.
00:52:57If the price is right.
00:53:01Well, if it's in good mechanical condition,
00:53:03it should blue book for about $1,600.
00:53:06Tony, take a look at this motor.
00:53:08$1,600.
00:53:09Are you kidding?
00:53:21Well, maybe $1,850.
00:53:23Before I let it go for $1,850,
00:53:24I'll wreck it and collect the insurance first.
00:53:31Hey, this motor's seen a lot of driving.
00:53:39While the mechanic inspected the car,
00:53:41we haggled.
00:53:43At last, when we were all worn out,
00:53:45we hit a compromise.
00:53:46His price.
00:53:51Okay, it's a deal.
00:53:52All right, come in, we'll sign the papers.
00:53:54I have the ownership papers right here with me.
00:53:55Look, Vera, in the meantime,
00:53:57will you clean out the dash compartment?
00:53:59There may be some stuff in it.
00:54:00All right, darling.
00:54:05$1,850.
00:54:06That dirty cr...
00:54:15New York, huh?
00:54:16Yeah.
00:54:17But you bought the car in Miami.
00:54:19Yeah.
00:54:20Well, let's see about the insurance.
00:54:22We can either have it transferred or canceled.
00:54:24What kind of insurance do you have, Mr. Haskell?
00:54:29Well, uh...
00:54:30Aren't all the papers there?
00:54:33I don't see any.
00:54:35Surely you know what type of insurance
00:54:36you carry in the car.
00:54:37Is the name of the company?
00:54:40Yeah, but, uh...
00:54:41Well, if you'll just tell me the name of the company,
00:54:43I'd be very glad to take care of all the details.
00:54:45Well...
00:54:46Did you sign the papers yet?
00:54:47Not yet.
00:54:48Well, don't.
00:54:49We're not selling the car.
00:54:50Well, wait a minute, Miss Haskell.
00:54:51Come on, darling.
00:54:52What's the matter?
00:54:53Change your mind?
00:54:54Yes, I'm sorry.
00:54:55I guess I have.
00:54:56But, Vera...
00:54:56Let's go.
00:55:03You got me out of a tight spot, Vera.
00:55:05But I still don't understand all this.
00:55:06You will in a minute.
00:55:07I almost threw away a gold mine.
00:55:10$1850 isn't to be sneezed at.
00:55:11The car doesn't book for as much as I thought.
00:55:13We're not selling the car.
00:55:15You want to keep it?
00:55:16Now, wait a minute, Vera.
00:55:17You said yourself I wouldn't be safe
00:55:18until the car was in someone else's name.
00:55:20I'd like to be free of this mess when I go.
00:55:22That's just it, Roberts.
00:55:23You're not going.
00:55:26There's a drive-in at the next corner.
00:55:27Pull in there and we'll get a bite to eat.
00:55:28And I'll explain.
00:55:30What is this?
00:55:30Another one of your brilliant ideas?
00:55:38Oh, can I take your order?
00:55:39Make mine a ham sandwich and coffee.
00:55:41And for you, sir?
00:55:42No, I don't care.
00:55:43The same.
00:55:52Get this, Vera.
00:55:53I've been pretty patient so far.
00:55:55I've done everything you asked me to do, but no more.
00:55:57Shut up.
00:55:58You've taken Haskell's money.
00:55:59And you can have the door we get from selling the car.
00:56:01But you're not going to keep me a prisoner.
00:56:03It's a good thing I bought the paper.
00:56:04Take a look at that.
00:56:05Vera, I'm in no mood.
00:56:06Read that.
00:56:17No.
00:56:18Yes.
00:56:19No, I won't do it.
00:56:20Yes, you will.
00:56:20You think I'm crazy?
00:56:21It's impossible, I tell you.
00:56:23Excuse me.
00:56:30Blow the horn when you're through.
00:56:35No one could possibly get away with an act like that.
00:56:37It would be wise to me in a minute.
00:56:38Don't be yellow.
00:56:39You look enough like him.
00:56:40The same coloring and the same build.
00:56:42See how his clothes fit you?
00:56:44No kidding.
00:56:44You almost had me fooled for a while.
00:56:46Oh, grow up, Vera.
00:56:47Don't you think a father knows his own son?
00:56:49And there must be other relatives.
00:56:50Sir, father won't have to know you.
00:56:51We'll wait till he gives up the ghost.
00:56:53He's an old geezer and he won't pull through.
00:56:55And as far as other relatives are concerned,
00:56:57they haven't seen you in 15 or 20 years.
00:57:00Eat.
00:57:01I'm not hungry.
00:57:03And I won't do it.
00:57:04It's not as tough as it sounds.
00:57:06Remember, you've got all kinds of identification.
00:57:08His car, letters, license...
00:57:09I could never get away with it.
00:57:10It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
00:57:12The old boy has scads of dough.
00:57:14Look in the paper there.
00:57:14Personal fortune assessed at over 15 million.
00:57:17He'll leave plenty, I tell you.
00:57:18Maybe he cut off his son.
00:57:20How do we know?
00:57:20It's out, Vera.
00:57:22I won't have anything to do with it.
00:57:24I think you will.
00:57:27Look, Vera.
00:57:27I'll do anything within reason.
00:57:29But not that.
00:57:30So forget it.
00:57:31Find yourself another stooge.
00:57:32You sick!
00:57:34You'll be fixed for the rest of your life as Charlie Haskell.
00:57:36You can take your inheritance and go away.
00:57:38No more worrying about the rent.
00:57:40No sweating, scheming,
00:57:41wondering where your next meal's coming from.
00:57:42Think about that, Roberts!
00:57:43Vera.
00:57:44Please, you're talking too loud.
00:57:46Unless I'm splitting 50-50 with you.
00:57:48Sure, why not?
00:57:49We're both alike.
00:57:50Both born in the same gutter.
00:57:51Take it easy, Vera.
00:57:52There's people around here.
00:57:53You don't know where you're talking.
00:57:55Well, wait till we read that old man Haskell's dead.
00:57:58Then you show up.
00:57:59Like you read in New York that he was sick.
00:58:02No.
00:58:03Suppose he doesn't die?
00:58:04He will.
00:58:05I know he will.
00:58:05Something tells me.
00:58:09But as much as I insisted I would have no part of her scheme,
00:58:12Vera was taking it for granted I would.
00:58:16Neither of us had our mind on the cards as we played that night.
00:58:19I knew we were just trying to kill time between newspaper editions.
00:58:23This was a death watch for Vera.
00:58:26Maybe it was for me too.
00:58:28Don't you realize if I'm caught, they'll want to know where I got the car and stuff.
00:58:32And they'll have me on a murder charge.
00:58:33If you're smart, you won't get caught.
00:58:35I knocked with seven.
00:58:36And if I'm caught, don't you realize you'll be out too?
00:58:40Eighteen points.
00:58:41That gives me thirty.
00:58:44How will I be out?
00:58:45You'll be out.
00:58:45Eighteen hundred and fifty dollars we would have gotten on the car.
00:58:48Really, Vera, you'd be an awful chump.
00:58:49You threw away all that dough in a dizzy long shot.
00:58:51Let me sell the bus tomorrow.
00:58:52With the money it'll bring and what you've already got,
00:58:54a clever kid like you can run it up in no time.
00:58:56Then we'd both be in the clear.
00:58:57I'll be in the clear anyway.
00:58:59Maybe.
00:59:00Maybe.
00:59:01But if I got caught,
00:59:03I'd get good and sort you, you know.
00:59:05You mean you'd squeal?
00:59:06Well, no, not squeal exactly.
00:59:07Never mind what you meant.
00:59:11Even if you did tell the cops I was in on it with you,
00:59:14what could they do to me?
00:59:16They might give me the same medicine they gave you.
00:59:19Yeah.
00:59:19A rope.
00:59:23But I'm on my way anyhow.
00:59:27All they'll be doing will be rushing it.
00:59:30All right.
00:59:31But think the eighteen fifty you'd lose.
00:59:32You'd kick yourself along the block if you ever let get away from you.
00:59:35I'll take the chance.
00:59:37Want another drink?
00:59:38You're being a goon.
00:59:39That's the way people wind up behind the eight ball.
00:59:41Once they get a few dollars they become greedy and want more.
00:59:44My, my.
00:59:45Caesar.
00:59:46Who?
00:59:46You know that Roman general?
00:59:48He got his for being greedy.
00:59:49He wasn't satisfied so the final wind up was he took the count.
00:59:52A couple of days ago you didn't have a dime.
00:59:55Why you were so broke you couldn't pay cash for a postage stamp.
00:59:57Now you've got almost seven hundred dollars with eighteen fifty in the offing.
01:00:01Take my advice.
01:00:02Don't try for more.
01:00:03I'm tired of this game.
01:00:04Let's have some blackjack.
01:00:05Play solitaire.
01:00:06Okay, I will if that's the way you feel about it.
01:00:08That's the way I feel about it.
01:00:09Getting sore and throwing things won't help much Roberts.
01:00:11I'm really doing you a favor.
01:00:13I help you out of the jam by keeping my mouth shut.
01:00:15I show you how to make some soft money.
01:00:16And what thanks do I get?
01:00:18Thanks.
01:00:18Sure.
01:00:19I would rather I call the cops and told him you killed a man and stole his money.
01:00:21Did you kill anybody?
01:00:22Yes you did.
01:00:22No I didn't.
01:00:23You know I didn't.
01:00:24All right then.
01:00:28Suppose I call the cops.
01:00:30If you're innocent what do you got to be scared of?
01:00:33Okay.
01:00:34Call them you mutt.
01:00:35Go ahead and call them.
01:00:35See if I care.
01:00:36At least they'll give me a square deal.
01:00:38You want me to call them?
01:00:39You heard me.
01:00:40But I'm warning you.
01:00:41If I'm pinched I'll swear you were in on it.
01:00:43I'll say that you helped me.
01:00:44If I fry I'll get even with you.
01:00:46You wouldn't dare.
01:00:47You didn't.
01:00:48Yeah?
01:00:49Then try it and see.
01:00:50Call them.
01:00:52Yeah.
01:00:53Okay.
01:00:53I will.
01:01:07Information?
01:01:09I want the number at the Hollywood police station.
01:01:14Okay.
01:01:15I got it.
01:01:15Thanks.
01:01:20Wait a minute Vera.
01:01:21You wouldn't do that.
01:01:21Oh wouldn't I?
01:01:22Give me that and I'll show you if I wouldn't.
01:01:23Take it easy now.
01:01:24Let's talk this over.
01:01:25This was early in the evening.
01:01:27And the conversation while hectic was at least pitched low.
01:01:31But as the minutes passed and more obstacles to her plan popped into my head the air got blue.
01:01:38Each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip.
01:01:41I reminded her that as Charles Haskell I didn't even know my mother's name.
01:01:45Where I'd gone to school.
01:01:47The name of my best friend.
01:01:49Whether I had an Aunt Emma or not.
01:01:51My religion.
01:01:52And if I'd ever owned a dog.
01:01:54I didn't even know what my middle initial stood for.
01:01:57I also pointed out that the real Haskell had a scar on his forearm.
01:02:01His people never saw that scar.
01:02:03He told me he ran away right after putting out the kid's eye.
01:02:05Yeah but his father knew he was cut.
01:02:07It had to be some kind of a mark.
01:02:08So what?
01:02:10The old man's dead or will be.
01:02:12I hope by tomorrow morning's papers.
01:02:14Anyway.
01:02:15You could cut yourself a little couldn't ya?
01:02:19Boy for that kind of dough I'd let you cut my leg off.
01:02:22You're drunk and you're crazy mad Vera.
01:02:24Turn him in if you want to.
01:02:24But I won't get mixed up in this.
01:02:26Besides how do we know Haskell was such a phony.
01:02:28Maybe he wasn't the man's son at all.
01:02:29Maybe he just dreamed it up.
01:02:30Well dream it or not.
01:02:32You won't be dreaming when the law taps you on the shoulder.
01:02:35There's a cute little gas chamber waiting for you Roberts.
01:02:39And I hear extradition to Arizona's Ascension.
01:02:43Where's that phone?
01:02:45Vera.
01:02:45Leave me alone.
01:02:46Vera.
01:02:47I want a phone call police.
01:02:50I hate you yellow stinker.
01:02:53You leave me alone.
01:02:54I'll let you alone when you promise to leave the phone where it is.
01:02:57You're drunk you don't know what you're doing.
01:02:58You're hurting me.
01:03:09I'm sorry but.
01:03:10It's hot in here.
01:03:11Open up the window.
01:03:12It's not hot.
01:03:13Don't tell me.
01:03:14Now do you do it or do I do it.
01:03:18You're no gentleman see.
01:03:19Yeah.
01:03:21All right.
01:03:21I'll open up the window.
01:03:26Vera.
01:03:32Vera.
01:03:32Vera open the door.
01:03:33Please open the door.
01:03:34Vera open the door.
01:03:35Don't use the phone.
01:03:36Listen to me.
01:03:37I don't like you Roberts.
01:03:39You're no gentleman see.
01:03:41You hurt my hand.
01:03:42And I'm going to get even with you.
01:03:45If you don't open the door I'm going to kick it down Vera.
01:03:48Vera don't call the cops.
01:03:49Listen to me.
01:03:50I'll do anything you say.
01:03:52Vera let me in.
01:03:54I'll break the phone.
01:03:57I'll break the phone.
01:04:22Yes, sir.
01:04:34the world is full of skeptics i know i want myself in the haskell business how many of you would
01:04:42believe he fell out of the car and now after killing vera without really meaning to do it
01:04:45how many of you would believe it wasn't premeditated in a jury room every last man of you would go
01:04:52down
01:04:52shouting that she had me over a barrel and my only out was force the room was still
01:05:00so quiet that for a while i wondered if i had suddenly gone deaf
01:05:04it was pure fear of course and i was hysterical but without making a sound vera was dead and i
01:05:13was
01:05:13her murderer murderer what an awful word that is but i'd become one i'd better not get caught
01:05:22what evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed from the looks of things there was
01:05:25plenty looking around the room at things we'd bought was like looking into the faces of a
01:05:29hundred people who'd seen us together and who remembered me this was the kind of testimony
01:05:33i couldn't rub out no i could burn clothes and hide bottles for the next five years
01:05:41there'd always be witnesses the landlady for one she could identify me the car dealer the waitress
01:05:45in the drive-in the girl in the dress shop and that guy in the liquor store it could all
01:05:49identify me
01:05:51i was cooked done for i had to get out of there while once i'd remained beside a dead body
01:05:59planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing him this time i couldn't this time i was
01:06:05guilty i knew it felt it i was like a guy suffering from shock things were whirling around in my
01:06:14head
01:06:15i couldn't make myself think right all i could think of was the guy with the saxophone and what he
01:06:20was
01:06:20playing it wasn't a love song anymore it was a dirge
01:06:30the
01:06:34the
01:06:36the
01:06:36the
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