Deadline at Dawn

KNOCKING

Why, it's Sleepy Parsons!

Aren't you dead yet?

Here's to nothin'!

Still on your 20 cigars a day?

Can your heart take it, Sleepy?

You're drunk again.

Yes!

It took you a long time to answer the door.

-It's a relief being divorced from you.

-Give me the money and I'll go.

You think it'll rain and cool off?

Give me my money, Edna. Don't kid around.

What are you gonna do? Take out a chorus girl?

It's gone!

Don't fool around. I'm not in the mood!

-Must be that kid!

-You owe me 1,400. You said you'd have it here tonight!

The sailor took it! The money's gone and that's it!

He took MY cash but you're worried he kissed me!

Don't flatter yourself. I just want my money!

I remember you, Edna, as you used to be before...

long ago.

-Give me it to me and I'll go!

-You'll get it when the police pick up the sailor! Good night!

You'll never change, Edna, you're bad!

I loved you very much...

but you're bad.

No, don't sit down, get out!

You're pulling some sort of trick.

I'm just too tired to think.

-You'll be sorry if you don't get out. You hear?

-I heard you.

-Don't put your snout in my door again! You hear?

-I hear it.

-I'll send my brother round. I don't think your heart can take another beating.

-Yes, I hear you.

I hear you...

-Phew! This heat is bad!

-I'm sweating like a river!

It's bad in August. Nature provides everyone with air conditioning in their nose.

I didn't realise that.

There's a sound in my ears like a seashell.

-Try some more of this coffee.

-No, thanks.

It's very kind of you to let me sit here.

I wouldn't drink that stuff in this heat. Booze makes a million widows.

You know what I'll do? Walk down the street and cool off.

It's seven hours until my bus leaves.

-What's this?

-Money, and you dropped it.

-Money?

-Take it, it won't bite!

-I dropped this?

-It came out with the handkerchief.

Hi! >

Hello, Tom.

Well, so long, Ray. It was nice to have met you.

So long!

Hey!

-Don't forget this!

-Gee! It shows you how unconcentrated you can get.

-Non compos mentis, that's me!

-No jokes!

ITALIAN ACCENT: Hello, mister!

-I'll sell you a hand of bananas for 30 cents.

-No, thanks.

If I sell you my last bananas, I can go home.

-Why you no buy?

-You wanna go home?

I like-a go home, yes!

-How much for the whole bunch?

-Two dollars.

Don't struggle, sailor. Let them carry you along like a mother!

-Where's everyone going?

-To the dogs!

< Upstairs! That's where the girls are!

< Upstairs! Dance to the haunting strains of the rumba-bumba!

Twisting, twirling girls! Upstairs!

Servicemen in uniform are half-price, brother. Upstairs! Don't wait! What's half a dollar to you?

Upstairs, folks! Dance with 40 young dancing partners, 40 lovely...!

BAND PLAYS A DANCE NUMBER

You'll have to get another partner. I'm tired.

-No disrespect.

-It's late and I'm tired.

Refreshments? Meaning no disrespect.

No.

After all, you see, I... Don't misunderstand...

What's wrong here? >

She asked me to get another partner.

I have so many tickets, you see.

She won't dance!

-What's the idea?

-He's been hanging on like a leech for nights!

-Meaning no disrespect!

-That's what you're here for!

He don't buy tickets to look at himself!

What about the gloves? He's got the itch!

-You misunderstand.

-He's got a rash!

-Is that a fact?

-It's nerves!

Don't never come back in The Jungle again with things like that!

No disrespect...!

Gee, that's terrible! He could pass that on!

Excuse me. It was not my intention to get fresh.

Go away. I'm tired.

You wouldn't care to dance?

-Do you think it might rain and cool off?

-Things DO happen.

There's a lot of nice people here.

It's a post office full of second class matter.

What did you want to do when you were 12 years old?

Marry John Barrymore!

Do we have to talk? Are you an author or something?

Conversation is very necessary, as my father says.

-Why?

-What would life be without conversation?

They give men in the services salt pills when it's hot like this.

-What for?

-They say it balances up the system.

What system?

I guess I need some food to settle my stomach.

I want one pound of steak, down there.

One glass of ice tea with lemon.

Let's not wait. Let's make the sandwiches up at my place. Don't misunderstand me...

We'll buy the food and make the sandwiches at your house.

-Half a pound of corned beef, no fat.

-Corned beef! Make it snappy!

Well, is your system balanced yet?

I'm losing respect for myself, that's the truth. I've no confidence.

I even lost out to a girl I really cared about.

-Because you lacked confidence?

-Yes.

-People say I'm too slow...

-She gave you that bracelet?

No, my father did. That's where the trouble started.

I came home and he'd taken a body to Pennsylvania.

-A what?

-My father's a mortician.

I thought it only happened in jokes.

Someone's father has to be a mortician!

He's got the largest stocks of caskets in Putnam County that's where I'm from.

My father's a very honest man, my stepmother don't like it.

Three or four haircuts ago...

That's the last time I saw him.

-Gee! Here we are getting blue this hour of the night.

-I'm not blue.

I'm tired.

Please excuse me, the time didn't occur to me! Non compos mentis!

It's all right, I'm beat out.

It's this balmy weather.

-SIREN

-What's that?

That, Colonel, is a ton of law a police car.

It's all right to live in a cocoon if you expect to be a butterfly some day.

-Are you unhappy, too?

-Yes, I was too ambitious.

I should have taken the commercial course.

Now say good night. Drop into The Jungle.

It's nice of you, Miss Gough, but I'm leaving on the 6 o'clock bus.

-I'm proud of this uniform.

-Why not?

That's what worries me. They'll nab me before I get to Norfolk.

-Norfolk?

-Norfolk, Virginia, where the naval station is.

Is that where you're taking the 6 o'clock bus to? The terminal on the corner of Monticello?

-I was born in Norfolk!

-You were?

-Yes, I was!

I was, I was...

What's your problem, son?

Do something for me and I'll help you. Visit my mother in Norfolk.

All she's got is an old hound dog.

You saw me in a show, in a good leading part, dancing and singing.

-Say I looked happy and I'll visit soon.

-That's not true.

Oh, sure! Of course! Why not?!

A stickler for the truth.

You'd like to say I'm a dance hall girl,

sick with pride and depression.

-Tell an old lady THAT, with a son a belly-gunner over Japan?

-Wait!

-Get out before I throw you out!

I'm sorry, I...

Can you do me a favour, Miss Gough?

I don't want to burden you with my problems but I have a lot of money.

You could use it. Go back to Norfolk, surprise your mother.

-This is real money, son.

-I took it.

Let us pause for station identification...

-You stole it?

-I did and I didn't.

-You either do or you don't.

I didn't know what I was doing.

She and her brother run this Italian place. The brother asked me to play casino.

-After two hours of him cheating like a skunk, I was broke.

-Why not stop him?

-I was too embarrassed.

They closed up and the sister asked me to come back and fix her radio.

Up her house she kept...drinking and being disgusting in general.

But I fixed the radio. By this time I'd had a few drinks and then blacked out.

-When I came round she was asleep.

-Passed out?

-Yes.

I said if she paid me for the radio I'd go.

I decided to take the money for fixing the radio.

-That's all I remember.

-Until?

Until I was sitting at a newsstand, drinking black coffee.

Then a roll of bills fell out of my pocket. I did THAT in this uniform!

1,400 and some cheques.

She's probably still out put it back.

Suppose I'm caught? Her brother knows where I'm from.

-Your only chance is to put it back.

-Might I leave my radio here?

You might not, I'm going to bed.

I wonder if you would help me, Miss Gough?

-Just wait downstairs...

-No! I should say not.

It's the uniform, otherwise I'd do it no problem.

You see, Miss Gough, suppose I was your brother, the belly-gunner, Miss Gough.

What an operator!

Are there any more at home like you?

-Which house?

-Opposite the place with two lights.

That's a police station, that "place with two lights"?

This is it, Miss Gough.

Call me June, it rhymes with moon.

I'll turn on the radio if anyone starts up after you.

Yes. Thanks.

Come along now! >

POLICEMAN: No, you don't!

You can't come in here. Don't make the sergeant mad! >

All I want is to lay my head down. A cell...

You gotta commit a crime to get in a cell.

MUTTERING: No-one wants anyone on a night like this...

-Did you put it back?

-I won't need your help any more.

-What happened?

The woman is dead.

Hold this.

"I hear the whistle blowing."

Who did it? You?

-You think

-I

-did it?

Didn't you?

Don't look at me like that.

I think you'd better leave.

Yes.

Well, this is New York...

where hello means goodbye.

What are you gonna do?

I don't know.

Walk or we'll go home!

-DOG YAPS Hot, isn't it?

-Yes.

He won't hurt you! He's just a puppy! A baby!

He wouldn't hurt a flea!

A baby...

Did you do it?

Please believe me someone has to!

Oh, sure(!) Why not?

The cops' windows look into these windows. Didn't you think of that?

Who did YOU want to be when you were 12? Boo McNut?!

It can't be suicide, there's no weapon.

Strangled, is she?

Yes, that's how it looks. Strangled.

-You're perspiring.

-Well, I...

BUZZER

You better drop down on your bendified knees and pray!

SLURRED: Edna! It's Babe, Babe Dooley! >

Answer the door! >

Edna! Why don't you answer me?!

I need a bottle! >

Rain, rain, go away, come back another day.

You only love the fat man...

Or the second! Or the third!

Oh, never mind!

He's gone.

Yes.

We'd better wait in the dark a minute.

Do you hear anything?

-Only your breathing.

-(Is that what that is?)

Yes...and mine.

-Should I call the police?

-It's your problem, not mine.

You're smarter than me what should I do?

-Cut and run now. Get on your bus...

-They'll catch me.

Her brother knew I came up here. I'm the first one they'd look for.

-What's the good...?

-They couldn't say I ran away.

-If we look around...

-Don't say "we"! It's not my problem.

-People don't drop clues!

-Why are you so mad?

This weather brings me to the boil and you're such a helpless baby!

Here's a clue! Mentholated cigarettes, used by the million.

Or this a lipstick! Some matches and a book!

A dead carnation.

It's not her lipstick, it belongs to a blonde...

-Light...

-A man did it, not a woman!

A man came here to get the money or she'd never have brought it home.

She let him in so she knew him. She made him mad and he did it.

A woman wouldn't strangle someone.

-It wasn't premeditated he'd have had a weapon. Sounds right?

-Go on.

I can't.

But he must have been very nervous when he left. We have that clue!

We have that clue(!) What a clue(!)

Nervous like every butcher, baker, candlestick-maker in town.

Now suppose we stick to the text.

-What?

-The text.

It wasn't theft her jewellery's on her.

-She lived alone, liked men, drank a lot.

-Looks like she put up a good fight.

It's the biggest city in the world.

Somewhere in it, one man or woman...

I'm sorry,

it's no use.

So, I guess you're IT.

-Is this her key?

-Yes, I saw her put it there.

What are you looking at?

You left and came back. Why? To leave me more alone?

This is hopeless! Why not admit it? Anyway, it's not my problem.

OK, it IS my problem. My brother's a belly-gunner, I'll help you.

How? Go where?

We need to find a murderer before you get the bus or the maid comes.

Well? Tell me what to do.

Let's go downstairs. Outside.

I'll take the key. I think I'll call you June.

Now, concentrate!

-On what?

-You're the man who did it. You're as a nervous as a cat.

What do you do? Where do you go?

Where would I go?

Anywhere... Away from the police station.

This way.

Here you are.

-Here I am.

-What do you do now?

Well...

What I do is go over there and take an orangeade cos my throat's dry.

I'm not thirsty.

-Neither am I.

-Let's leave.

Wait a minute, that's just what that "certain party" might do!

-Would you settle a bet?

-I'll lay you one you and your husband are looking for a hotel.

We bet we're the first to walk away without drinking our drink.

It happens eight times a day! An hour ago a beautiful blonde did it.

-I near fell when she stepped into a cab. Beautiful and lame.

-How lame?

-Enough to make you want to treat her like a sister.

-Oh. Thanks.

Come drink our grapeade next time!

She got in a cab, a blonde, lame. Shall we try to trace it?

-What do you think?

-It might be worth it. Wait.

Say!

My sister walked out on me blonde, maybe limped a little...

That one! Why was she crying? Life's too short for tears.

Where'd you take her, philosopher?

Downtown on 11th. In the village, over a bakery. Drive you down?

-He took her. It might be worth a try.

-We'll go!

Not "we", me. I can handle a woman alone.

You find a nervous man, Alex. That is your name?

Alex Winkler, yes.

Are you coming back, June?

That's a chance you'll have to take.

Be careful.

Cab!

Straight ahead!

Follow that cab!

-That's not soda water in his gas tank!

-Don't lose him!

I'm a stubborn man, you'd be amazed!

KNOCKING

-Is something wrong?

-Yes, something's wrong!

-He's not in.

-Who?

She's dying...and he's not in!

-Who?

-My Snappy... She's swallowed a chicken bone.

It's too late. I see now.

It's too late.

My dearest friend in the whole world.

From a chicken bone!

You can't feed a cat chicken bones!

He was my dearest friend.

I'm a janitor in a house,

this is my companion.

She did everything but speak.

I'm no hawk but this looks like the corner.

-Will you wait here?

-The night is young and so am I.

Don't stop if you want a room. We don't want girls here.

That's right! They wash their things in the sink.

-A friend?

-Yes.

-You should know where she lives!

-I forgot.

-350.

-I'm the super there and in four buildings in this block.

-What of it?

I don't get paid enough! That's what.

DOOR BUZZES

Yes?

Sorry, my hand slipped.

-<

-Is the baby asleep?

-I asked you a civil question.

-WOMAN: Yes, he's asleep.

Go to bed, you have to get up early.

You're considerate but you haven't answered my question.

What about it?

-Can't I ask my wife where she was until 2.00am?

-I took in a picture.

You took in a picture(!) You suddenly love pictures?

It's too hot to argue, Gerry.

Sure(!) When I open my mouth it's an argument!

Please don't wake the baby up!

How about when you left her alone for two hours?

What do you want, Gerry? Mrs Daniels kept an eye on her.

-I try to be a good wife.

-Your best ain't good enough.

-Please. What are we fighting about?

Some people call it love.

-I can't listen to this.

-Jump out the window, then.

-<

-Where are you going?

-Downstairs to cool off.

Mrs Robinson? Don't turn around.

I know where you were tonight.

-Where was I?

-You left a lipstick there.

Come in here a minute.

You wouldn't want him to know, would you?

Wouldn't want him to know what?

-You left a fine mess in that room.

-I don't know you. What do you want?

You took a cab from 51st and Lexington...

-Did I?

-Yes.

-Get out! Leave me alone!

-Helen, are you down there?

-Do you want him to know?

-No.

-Then go sit on the step.

Fix your hair.

Helen?!

-I've got my eye on you.

-I don't know you and I don't want to talk.

-Come back there with me.

-I don't understand!

Is that why you tried to beat my brains out?

Don't you know Edna Bartelli is dead?

I don't know Edna Bartelli.

I went to a party with a man. Please, my husband mustn't know.

-What party?

-Near the 50s.

-Near where?

Near where you said... Please!

Turn around.

Face the light.

No lipstick.

-I don't use it.

-Except when you go to parties.

-No! Please!

Go upstairs to bed.

Don't leave unless you want the police knocking.

I won't leave. Good night.

-Did you cool that bird-brain off?

-Edna Bartelli had been killed.

You saw a movie uptown!

And you?

Where were you until one o'clock?

-Back to where I picked you up?

-Right.

HE SIGHS Beg your pardon?

-What?

-You sigh like the end of summer.

-Troubles?

-Personal.

Oh.

Personal...

-That's killed a lot of people in its day.

-Yes.

If it's not too personal, what was that all about?

Er...personal.

-I buy it back forget I asked. Good night.

-Good night.

-What is it?

-Nothing.

Statistics tell us everyone has troubles. Was it your last dollar?

No?

Forget it.

-Good night.

-Good night.

-THUD!

-Who's that?

-Alex!

-June?

That noise is my skin creeping. Did anything happen?

That makes no hits, no runs and two errors.

You look happy, character!

Glad you came back cos you didn't have to...but you did.

I could sure use that orangeade now.

Is there an icebox? Let's see.

Are you hungry?

-No.

-Thirsty?

Let's melt some ice together!

Frozen joy!

KNOCK AT DOOR

Who is it?

It's Mr Hoffman!

He's the one who drove me up.

-What did you say?

-Nothing! Personal, I said.

We're having a cold drink. Come in!

-I heard your voice.

-Must have been listening close!

-As close as I can.

-This is...

-Miss Bartelli. Why were you listening?

This man seemed in trouble, I wanted to help. Don't hate me for trying.

-Did you mention the "text" to Mr Hoffman?

-No.

Take 100% for trying. Good night.

Good night.

-Between us and the lamppost, you're not Miss Bartelli.

-What do you want?

Young lady, you're in a sweat why?

-Look at that boy.

-Miss Bartelli's dead.

-In the next room.

Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that.

Excuse me for this intrusion in your hour of grief.

Mr Hoffman, she was murdered.

-Have you informed the police?

-It's more complicated than that.

I'm willing to listen.

My name is Alex Winkler, my father is an undertaker.

About seven o'clock last night I went to a restaurant...

Dark Mystery...very expensive!

What did you do after you cleared the blonde woman?

Came right back here.

The divine being made many loathsome creatures but none so low as a woman with a cold heart.

She had these to blackmail... even her own brother!

A blind man can see how many boyfriends she had!

The water tasted good so she jumped down the well!

But in the professor's opinion we are wasting our time.

Why?

-We have no clues...

-There's a cheque.

-What cheque?

-For 1,000, signed by Lester Brady.

That might give Mr Brady a motive, but we're only guessing.

The divine being would not permit an innocent boy to suffer.

What do you suggest we do?

Get out of here! Get your bus.

I can't leave, but you and June should go!

First it's stay, then it's go!

-It's hopeless!

-He has a point.

-Why do you want to get him out?

-It's hopeless.

I think we should try Lester Brady and his cheque.

I am putty in your hands. Whatever, Miss Gough.

Call me June.

June.

Blitzkrieg with hair on her head!

-Two numbers for Brady home and business.

-Monkey business!

Someone called her at 10.38pm...or she called them! Let's try this one.

May I see?

This is my handwriting

but I don't remember writing it.

June...

-June, I think

-I

-murdered Miss Bartelli!

-What does that mean?

-It's proven!

From 10.00 to 11.00pm, my mind is blank. I must have done it then!

-That's nonsense!

-It's possible, isn't it?

I'm wrong four times out of five, but you're the wrongest guy I met!

-He did it?

-No, but he's such a character!

Shhh! Don't raise your voices! We are not mice!

-You think it was you?

-I don't know!

Let's stop zagging when we should be zigging! Call the 10.38pm number.

'When you hear the signal it will be 3.10am.'

Meridian 71212.

KNOCK AT DOOR

That's upstairs!

MORE KNOCKING

DOOR THUDS Edna!

Edna?

Are you here?

Aaagh!

Keep still!

-Who are you?

-I'm Mrs Raymond.

Welcome! What are you doing here?

Miss Bartelli...

Was a friend so you stole her letters!

You don't understand... I read them, I understand.

I'll take them back and the money, too.

-The money was an accident.

-Were you here earlier?

No, I wasn't. Now, what happened? Are you a detective?

Maybe. > I know a cab driver's badge!

-Put the gun down.

-Keep away!

Alex!

I tripped over my own feet!

She's gone!

You weren't afraid of her.

I'm not afraid of anything that's real.

I'm polite but not afraid.

Can the Mutual Admiration Society decide what to do about that woman?

She won't report it, she's a criminal herself!

-She left the letters.

-She'll be back.

Possibly. Honey draws flies! The town is full of flies there's one across the street now!

-"I hear the whistle blowing."

-He's not police.

-Let's find out who he is.

But not next to the station house!

We ride off in your cab, the human fly follows and Alex goes to see Brady.

-If the fly follows us?

-Swat him!

-Just like that?

-Yes!

-June, our daddies had a better life, but Steve Brodie took a chance!

-Alex...

get Mr Brady on the phone.

-Is this a gag?

-'Don't get excited. It's not a gag.'

You say you're in a uniform... sailor...

-You said your name was?

-'I didn't say.'

-Are you alone?

-'Yes.'

Come right over to room 1019... Bring the cheque with ya!

KNOCK AT DOOR

Who is it? < Me.

What do you want? I don't want you in here!

< Let me in before you read about it.

Don't flatter yourself. I'm not here for the love of it!

Edna's been killed!

I've just been there. She's lying dead on the floor.

I have an idea who did it. You have?

You.

That's all the love I'm giving away this morning. Now you sit there!

Put Val Bartelli on the phone.

Only give him the cheque as a last resort. Pick his brains first.

Speech was given to man to hide his thoughts.

Best wishes.

June, I'm almost glad this happened.

-Are you nuts or what?

-I mean it.

Oh, sure(!) Of course. Why not?

I'm mailing her letters to myself. If someone calls for them, we have a weapon.

-THUNDERCLAP

-What's that?

A cooler for the city thunder.

Be indifferent, don't look around. My cab's beyond the door.

-Every minute brings Alex closer to his last hour of freedom.

-We'll do our best.

-He's such a baby!

A sweet baby?

Yes!

It's hot tonight! Not since the old days...

-Is he there?

-Yes.

ENGINE STARTS

-Don't lose him!

-He's right behind us.

We'll go up west and meet him uptown.

We'll make a sharp right. There's a police booth to intimidate him.

What is this? My fare asked me to follow ya.

Who is he? Ask him.

-What are you following the lady for?

-It's a mistake.

-What do you mean?

June! What kind of lizard are you following a lady in the night? You know this man?

-I can't see him.

-Get out, kind sir.

-No!

The police are there. No trouble!

I work. What are you following her for?

-Oh!

-You know him?

-Meaning no disrespect, my admiration.

-Let him go, Gus.

No disrespect, you understand.

I am Edward Hornig, 526 Fifth Avenue Hornig Accordion Company.

I am foreign-born but since last month am a citizen of your great country.

My citizenship papers.

American!

-No, don't go, please!

-Come on, Gus.

No! Meaning no disrespect!

Quiet, Mr Hornig, quiet.

Take the American citizen home.

That poor wreck of a man proposed to me tonight on the dance floor.

Why are you crying, June?

I don't know.

I thought this chase would lead to something.

What'll happen to that boy?

He can't take care of himself.

It's hot and I feel unnerved.

Big storms always unnerve me.

This crazy city unnerves me but I pretend otherwise. Where's the logic to it?

-Where?

-THUNDERCLAP

The storm clouds have passed us.

They're over Jersey now.

Statistics tell us we'll see the stars again.

Golly, the misery that walks around this pretty, quiet night.

June...

The logic you're looking for...

The logic is that there IS no logic.

The horror and terror you feel comes from being alive.

Die and there is no trouble. Live and you struggle.

It's beautiful to struggle for possibilities.

Not "I hate the sun cos it don't light my cigarette."

You're so young, you're a baby! Love's waiting at any door you open.

Some say love's a superstition.

Dismiss those Miss Bartellis from your mind.

Their poison is on the sweetest facts of life.

At 23 believe in love and its possibilities as I do at 53.

< What's wrong?

-Is he bothering you?

-He's the only man in four years who hasn't.

It's no place to park.

Let's face it, Val, you and I are partners in a 42,000 investment.

You own 20% of my show. If it's not opening, you own a piece of dirt.

Why won't the show open Tuesday? And who's this broad here?

Mrs Raymond! Her husband has pledged 10 Gs for the show!

If he learns we're friends, we're ruined.

Cut off her head, she'd be pretty.

Yeah. What would you do in my place?

-How will he know?

-Your sister has some letters.

Little notes she wrote last spring.

She'll show 'em to Raymond unless she gets a piece of the show.

Wax heads should keep out of the sun.

-I don't know anything about it.

-Wait!

You tried to buy those letters back from Edna.

-You gave her a bad cheque. You're surprised she's sore?

-Wait!

Frankly, I don't know how to tell you this...

We gotta get those letters because...

er...right now, your sister... is lying dead in a room.

Easy!

Yeah... Mrs Raymond just came from there.

You shut your mouth! Hear me?

Play it again and play it sweet!

-It's true. I swear, I didn't do it!

-Who? Her?

Some people there tried to hold her up. A sailor, a cabbie and a dame.

-Who are they?

-The boy's coming here!

-Boy?

-RINGING

-Stay put!

-That's him!

Don't I know how to talk to a boy?

RINGING

Yeah?

Who's this?

Come right up, sailor boy.

Put on your clothes, Lester.

Come in. >

Put the cheque on the table.

-Going somewhere?

-You wanna be paid first?

-I wanna be sure it's yours.

-Out of seven million you found me, it must be mine.

Some grapes.

Frankly, you kids are the limit!

-You could be behind bars for that trick.

-Or for passing bad cheques.

-<

-You shouldn't have hit me!

-Where was it?

-In a cab.

-Where?

-In a cab!

-Where?

-Who's that?

Call me sweetheart. Shut that transom so it don't rain in.

-Did you go home with my sister, Romeo?

-Yes.

-You killed her!

-No!

Val! Not here! We can take him to Edna's place. This is a hotel! A public place!

-Go home!

-Do as he tells you!

-Keep your mouth shut!

-Keep it shut!

Yes, I will!

How can you love a boy you've just met?

How can a passing stranger change your entire life?

You'd be amazed.

My wife, I met and loved in a minute.

The dentist's office with all the vitamins, too!

I love her to this day.

Although it's sixteen years she's been gone.

No children?

A girl. She's married now.

Last year I put her husband in a dry-cleaning establishment.

I had some savings.

I'd die for that girl!

-She remembers her mother?

-Very well. She even remembers the man.

-What man?

-The man my wife ran off with.

HORN BLARES

The first six years I shaved every night before I went to bed.

I thought she might come back.

There's no papers in there, anyway.

She was no lullaby

but she had the brains like a man.

I'll take her inside.

Val! Stop it!

-The cops are across the street!

-Stop?

-Val! Stop!

GUNSHOT

I hope nobody heard that.

I was in the deep water for a minute.

Drop the gun and don't turn around!

-Is he hurt?

-He's punched black and blue!

Get some water.

Now you can turn around. Who are you?

-Who likes to know?

-A man with a gun. Don't move!

The body bleeds very easy. Don't move! Where's the body?

-My sister is in her bed.

-I'm his friend Lester Brady.

-Are you hurt?

-Pretty weak, can't deny that.

What did you beat that boy up for?

-He killed my sister.

-Where is your eyes, gangster? He couldn't hurt a fly.

There HAS been a murder here tonight.

You had a motive, Mr Brady. And you, too.

< Call the cops if you're so legitimate.

-I don't need this gun to hold you here!

-He knows something, Lester.

First some gas station courtesy.

What's Mr Raymond's wife's first name?

Nan.

-And the waiter who your sister found you were in cahoots with?

-Why?

-Put nothing in writing the first law of life.

-Don't waste time, Gus!

I read the incriminating papers you wanted and hid them like a squirrel.

Why? Intuition.

But you can get those papers back.

How?

-Help this young man.

-A murderer is in this city. Help us find him!

Weren't you talking to my sister a while ago?

Never. What about my offer?

Edna! It's Babe! >

Are you home, Edna? >

He was here before.

Edna! It's late! I can't get a drinkie anywhere!

Throw down a bottle, will ya?

It's that drunk ball-player Dooley.

Throw it down, Edna! I'll come up there if you don't!

Do you think you're on a picnic? Move on!

It's the Babe! Babe Dooley!

Are you for me or against me?

Are ya?

Nothing's too good for the Babe. Then go up there.

I can't navigate the stairs.

Are we gonna cut it this year, Babe?

Give me the bottle and we'll cut the house!

He's coming up here the cop.

What are you going to do?

-Be careful!

-Shut your face, Lester.

-FOOTSTEPS

KNOCKING

-What's cooking?

-Babe Dooley says a friend lives here.

-I'm her brother, she don't fuss.

-He only wants a drink.

Here. Give him this but far away.

-Sorry for the trouble.

-Excused.

Edna! Edna! >

There's a fat ball-player who'll die in the street.

OK. You've got until 6.00am.

We start with clues. Who smokes mentholated cigarettes?

-Who rides in subways?

-A man in evening clothes was here. Would your sister know him?

Sure! About 50,000!

Statistics tell us white carnations go with tuxedo coats. Who wears white carnations?

-Why?

-He was here.

-Who said?

-This says!

Did you find this here?

-On the table.

-What time is it now?

Ten past four.

I know where the sick pigeon is tonight.

Come with me, Lester.

-I need my sleep.

-Sleep rots the brain!

-We'll all go.

-You'll stay here.

No, we'll all go.

All right.

Gee, time takes so long and goes so fast.

The sun comes up soon, don't it?

Too soon.

HE WHIMPERS

Edna...

Edna!

Edna!

Edna...

Edna...

Edna...

Police! Police! Police!

What are you thinking, June?

Tired, son?

I'm in trouble and sick at heart, I know that.

Nothing can happen to me.

-I was dead once, did I tell you?

-No!

Drowned in a river when I was 12.

I was "dead" but was revived after two hours.

Next day I played handball and fainted. I stayed in bed for six weeks.

Nothing more can happen to me.

The air goes to your head like dope.

Mr Bartelli, I'm mighty sorry about your sister but I'll have to hit you before 6.00am!

Now!

What's Val Bartelli doing here? This is a private party!

I couldn't stop him!

Whisky and soda.

WAITER: It's too late. Sandwiches? No.

­ Anyone want some sandwiches?

­ A mineral water and some lemonades.

What a surprise!

-Who are the people?

-A party for a retiring police captain.

This boy's leaving, I'm showing him around.

-Fine.

-Don't tell Sleepy we're here.

-Sure, Val.

Old cops...delicious!

-We'll have to wait.

-Until school opens?

-Turn him over to the cops.

-If he's innocent?

-He done it!

Wait! He'll see you!

He's as blind as a bat! Blind?

APPLAUSE

-Gee!

-Don't waste your pity!

This girl has got a head!

If I can get him outside a moment...

The party'll be over soon. > Blind...

-Breaks your heart, don't it?

-The city's full of men like that.

Nerves and worry.

Living on cigars and bicarbonate of soda.

-Wrung out by sleepless nights.

-He'll sleep good in a box.

The bed bugs will never forgive you. Your skin is iron.

No fuss!

Am I supposed to baby him along all night?

-Be patient!

-OK?

Yeah. What would you like to do? Because I suggest you do it.

Well?

That's right we'll wait.

It's not your nature to wait, nor your sister's.

Take, break, smash and kill! You and your sister alike!

-What do you know about my sister?

-I read her intimate correspondence.

Highly perfumed!

The perfume. I'm wearing her perfume.

Suppose I stand at the piano and let him get a good whiff.

-Proving what?

-If he's guilty we'll see it with our eyes.

-This girl has got a head!

-BANGING ON TABLE

Friends, who have been so kind to make this gathering possible,

the hour grows late and we must part.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow," as the poet says. >

I must say a few words before... we won't get home until morning!

I've heard myself referred to tonight, >

as a credit to the force... >

l HE PLAYS A MOODY JAZZ BALLAD

MUSIC STOPS

MUSIC RESUMES

MUSIC STOPS

Who's that?

Is that...?

Who is it?

Is someone standing here?

Yes.

-Who is it?

-Edna's dead and you killed her!

What?

What's that?

Shhh! The captain's talking. Don't run!

-Who's that?

-You know who it is.

Val... Val, I just heard. A woman whispered...

-You heard? What you just heard?

-Edna, she's...

No! Don't hit me! Don't hit me!

I can't take it, Val. Please don't hit me! I loved her, I always loved her!

He didn't do it! Leave him!

Which one of you spoiled the captain's party?

-You sure?

-Yes.

-You're not lying?

-No, sir.

-She kept asking you to hug her?

-Yes.

-But you wouldn't.

-No, sir.

-Why?

-She didn't appeal to me.

-You don't say?

You say no to her. You expect us to believe that?

Why would I lie? This is like the time my aunt won a car and the whole family fought!

RINGING

Yes?

Right.

Bartelli's not wanted. Narcotics had him years back.

-You can't keep me here.

-Lieutenant Kane's outside for you.

You're gonna see the building's foundations now!

Very sweet of you, June.

Look at the time! What will the captain say when I don't report for duty? Or my father when he hears?

Listen to how the murderer talks!

A punch on the nose, remember that?

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

Whatever happens, I don't know how I existed before I met you.

-That's the truth.

-POLICEMAN: Sit down, sister.

Babe Dooley's in the case. I don't think he done it.

It gets more complicated.

The girl?

Airtight she left the dance at one.

Why take a boy back? Her brother's a belly-gunner.

Sympathy.

We can't hold Bartelli for Sleepy's death it was heart failure.

Did HE tap his sister?

I doubt it but I don't like him.

How about the cabbie? Clean record. We're wasting our time.

Why? The boy did it but he won't crack.

Maybe he's innocent. Maybe he ain't.

Ready for work, Smiley? Say when, Lieutenant.

When.

-SMILEY: Turn the radio off.

-"I hear the whistle blowing."

-Bartelli, still making book?

-I never had no interest in THAT.

You're the boy who killed her? >

-I did NOT.

-Stand up! What's that?

-I did NOT!

-Get up!

Get up! >

I'm too tired, I won't get up.

-You're ready for a grave in Potter's field.

-My friends will tell you I'm all right.

-Your friends?

Put 'em out the hall with the mops and brooms!

Now you're alone.

No friends. A murderer has no friends.

-Are you ready to sign a confession?

-I'm ready to sleep!

Do you know what it's like to fry in the electric chair?

-Stop this!

-Detective, you're getting too rough.

Kids like this make my blood boil!

Calm down! We're in the United States!

Officer, bring this lad some cold water.

-What's happening in there?

-The other one steps in, sympathetic,

and Alex tells him everything.

-What can he tell him?

-About that blank hour in his life.

He didn't do it, Gus!

I know he didn't.

Do you want these others to leave?

No, they don't annoy me. I'm annoyed anyway.

I don't get it! He don't deserve no coddling.

There's no reason to lose your head!

Did you enlist or were you drafted, lad?

-I enlisted after Pearl Harbor. The president was on the radio.

-You didn't kill that woman?

-No, sir.

-Who do you think did?

I don't know. I thought it was her husband but I don't know.

-You didn't.

-No, but...

-But what?

Sometimes you wish you had a sore toe so you can sit and not worry.

That was my mood last night.

No place to go, disgusted.

She kept offering me these drinks.

I don't have any sales resistance, as my father says.

After a few drinks... Non compos mentis.

-Non compos mentis.

-Yes, sir.

I was lost. Like swimming under water in the dark.

-Next thing the money was in my pocket.

-You were unaware...

-I was.

-..the money was in your pocket?

-Right.

-You wanna help us find the killer?

-Yes.

Did you do it?

When you were non compos mentis and didn't know that you took the money?

Is it possible? Be sincere.

It's possible. I might have done it and not known I did.

-Did she drink a lot?

-More than I could count and I'm not dumb.

-You're not dumb.

He's not dumb! What's he doing in there? Shhh!

You think it's possible you did it when you were fuzzy in the head.

Be sincere.

-Yes. It's possible.

-You've pinned the tail on the donkey.

-RINGING That's all!

-But it's only possible!

A technicality. Book him on a murder charge.

Lieutenant!

Tell my lawyer to go back to sleep when he gets here.

Gus!

-Yes?

-You know what that means?

Yes, I know what it means.

The boy is innocent.

In a minute he'll be free.

Look at me, June.

Your face is very beautiful when it's sad.

A certain party is guilty.

-All night he's been sawing off the branches.

-Who is it?

Do you want to come in with me?

Lieutenant!

The murderer of Edna Bartelli has just confessed to Captain Dill down at Homicide.

GUS: Who? A man I never heard of.

-Why are you keeping my wife?

-You rushed?

Our baby's at home.

I love babies! Does my smoking bother you?

No.

Come in!

Hello, Ken.

Ever see 'em before?

No.

Just confessed like a baby doll!

-Make fun!

-Why did you kill her?

-That's my business!

-Not now, it isn't.

I killed her, that's enough! Let her go!

-She's exhausted.

-Do you love your wife?

-Yes.

-Where did you get the gun?

-I won't answer. Let her go home!

-Did you ever rob a house before?

LIEUTENANT: What did you do with her rings?

-Let my wife go home!

-I

-did it!

->

-This gun you bought it?

-What's the diff?

The diff is she wasn't robbed. And she was strangled not shot.

-She wasn't shot!

-Shut your mouth!

How do you know, Mrs Robinson?

She knows cos she did it! > No!

Mrs Robinson? How do you know she wasn't shot?

Because she was there.

My daughter is innocent. She's protecting me.

He's protecting her. She followed me to the apartment, too late.

< Sit down.

Gerry met Miss Bartelli in his dry-cleaning business. Met and was conquered.

My grandchild was about to be born.

I visited the lady and begged her to cut it out.

It continued after the child was born. >

Naturally my daughter was unhappy.

I visited Miss Bartelli a second time useless!

Last night, I visited the lady again.

The lady was very abusive.

At best, I am not a happy man

but the years bring you discipline.

She made me break that discipline. I took her...

Sit down, Bartelli!

Anything can happen in this heat and it happened.

And yet I felt calm and satisfied, as if I did the right thing.

That woman's heart was made of ice. She made people suffer. >

People I love. >

Maybe you won't believe it, but I murdered her for love!

Statistics tell us...

Oh, I forgot what they tell us.

Then I picked up the boy innocence personified!

I chased him away, he wouldn't go. So I tagged along.

Every hour he got more involved. Myself, I could have saved a dozen times. But not at that boy's expense.

Between you and me and the lamppost, Captain,

happiness is no laughing matter.

SHE SOBS No!

No!

Don't cry!

Gerry, take her home.

-You earned the right tonight. Cherish anyone who loves unselfishly as she does.

-Yeah.

Here.

We'll be back this afternoon.

Better lock him up.

Release the boy, he has a bus to catch.

He's a fine character. He'll give you an incentive. Pack and move closer to him!

-Go back to Norfolk together, on a later bus.

-Yes.

Push through the daily cha-chaque of life together.

Go ahead.

Imagine, at my age, to have to learn to play a harp.

-Mr Bartelli!

->

It's terrible what happened, all of it. No hard feelings.

-What's the matter? Afraid you hurt him?

-I should have hit him more!

It'll have to wait, character. We've a bus to catch.

-To Norfolk?

-Mm-hm.

Home.

Subtitles by Mark Thomas BBC 1995