Captain!
Eddie, where's my briefcase? I got it here.
Well, hang on to it.
All right, already. Come on. Come on.
This way, Mr. Brock.
Sorry I missed your arrival, Mr. Brock.
Welcome to the Washington Statler.
I've been inspecting your wing... I ain't got a whole floor?
You've got an entire wing, Mr. Brock.
When I say I want a whole floor, I don't want one wing.
I don't want two wings. I want the whole bird.
Your private elevator.
Private, huh? That's more like it.
Hello, Mr. Brock. How are you?
Mr. Brock, Mr. Devery... I thought you said this was private.
What are you waitin' for? Take off.
You'll be more than satisfied.
This is the public corridor and elevators.
No need to use them, but you may if-
The west, east and south suites, all duplex.
Which one's mine? The south suite.
Each one a completely private and separate apartment.
This is it.
Sleeping quarters upstairs.
Terrace overlooks half of Washington.
I would like to point out... It's all right.
I would like to point out that this suite is one we...
That this suite is usually reserved for foreign diplomats.
Oh, I almost forgot.
We thought you might like this.
Compliments of the management. Okay, don't bother me.
May I?
May I show you the rest of the accommodations?
Hey, Billie!
What?
Not bad, huh?
- It's all right. - "All right," she says.
- Do you know what this place costs a day? - 400. You told me.
Mrs. Brock seems delighted with the arrangements.
It's not Mrs. Brock. Oh?
There ain't no Mrs. Brock except my mother, and she's dead.
I see. Now, look, don't get nosy.
Well, not at all.
She's a fiancée. Mine, in fact.
Eddie, take care of him.
Pardon me, sir.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brock. Okay, don't bother me.
How's the monarch of all he surveys?
You plastered again? Still. Welcome to our city.
I told you I got a couple of things that can't wait.
Hey, son, I got this ticket to get fixed. What's it about?
Some louse just as we blew into town. Here.
Just because I'm a lawyer does not mean I own the law. What'd I do? What'd I do?
All right, I'll see what I can manage.
What did we make out? It may cost you a shade more than we estimated.
How much more? It's negligible.
Why more? Supply and demand, Harry.
Crooks are becoming rare in these parts.
Don't worry. Don't worry? This stuff ain't deductible, you know.
I'm not so sure.
Item: One bribe, $80,000.
Eighty? You're very handy with my dough, you know it?
And you're gonna be interviewed. Fella's coming up here any minute.
Name's Paul Verrall. He's a writer.
Freelance snoop, political stuff. Think pieces.
I don't wanna talk to no writers. I gotta get shaved. Eddie!
You better talk to this one. Why?
This is one of the few fellas in Washington to look out for.
The thing to do is take him in. Then he doesn't go poking.
What's so important?
What we're after here is pretty important.
Listen, Harry, to get by in this town takes power. You got some.
Takes money. You got plenty.
But above all, it takes judgment and intelligence.
That's why you pay me 100,000 a year.
What's all the excitement?
Nothing. I'm just trying to make it clear where I fit in.
Eddie, get me a shave up here.
Right.
Harry. What?
Barber shop.
Tell Billie to wear something nice and plain for the congressman.
He may bring his wife. Tell her yourself. You ain't pregnant.
This is Harry Brock's apartment. Send up a barber and a manicure right away.
Harry Brock.
That's right. Okay, make it snappy. And a shine!
And a shine. Be right up.
Look, don't you worry about Billie.
One thing, she knows how to dress.
Probably Verrall.
Hello, Paul. Hello, Jim.
Harry Brock, Paul Verrall.
How do you do, sir? How are ya?
Ain't I seen you someplace before lately?
I'll leave you gentlemen. Come in. What'll you drink?
Scotch, please, if you've got it. If I got it. Eddie!
I got everything. Where do you think you are?
Where you been? Stick around and get this man a scotch and... soda?
Plain water. Plain water. Right.
Rye ginger ale for you? Right.
He always knows what I feel to drink.
Worked for me I don't know how many years now.
Also he's my cousin. He knows me insides out. That's right.
Maybe I should be interviewing Eddie.
That's pretty good. Maybe you got something there. Sit down. Sit down.
Well, what's it gonna be, pal, a plug or a pan?
Why... I know how to talk if I know your angle.
No angle, just the facts. Oh, a pan, huh?
Not exactly. That's all right. Write whatever you want.
Look, go on upstairs. I wanna get shaved.
You can't hurt me. You can't help me. Nobody can.
I'm only talking here 'cause Jim Devery asked me to.
I pay a guy 100 grand a year for advice.
I'm a sucker if I don't take it, right? That's right.
Butt out, will ya?
Devery likes it when I get wrote about.
Well, fella, what do you wanna know? How much money you got?
What? How much money you got?
How should I know? What am I, an accountant?
You don't know? Not exactly.
- Fifty million? - To tell you the truth, I don't know.
Ten million? Maybe.
- One million? - More!
- How much more? - Plenty.
- Okay. - And I made every nickel of it.
Nobody never give me nothing. Nice work.
I can see right off you're gonna give me the business.
Oh, wait a minute... That's all right. I like it.
You got me all wrong. Pan me. Tell 'em I'm a roughneck.
Everybody gets scared. For me, that's good. Everybody scares easy.
Oh, not everybody. Enough.
Look, you can't hurt me.
All you can do is build me up or shut up.
Hey, Eddie. Have a drink. No, thanks, really.
Do what I'm tellin' you. Who pays you around here?
When we're home, he shaves me every day.
I got my own barber chair. Right? That's right.
Go ahead, pal. I thought you wanted to interview me.
Where were you born?
Jersey. Plainfield, New Jersey. 1907.
I went to work when I was 12 years old.
I been workin' ever since.
My first job was a paper route.
I bought another kid out with a swift kick in the keister.
And you've been workin' ever since. Yeah.
Tell you how I'm top man in my racket.
Been in it over 25 years. Same racket.
Steel. Junk.
Not steel, junk. Oh.
Now, look, don't butter me up.
I'm a junk man. I ain't ashamed to admit it. All right.
Let me give you a little advice, sonny boy.
Never bull a bull artist. I can sling it with the best of 'em.
For 25 years, you say. Yeah.
I tell ya, I'm a kid with a paper route.
I got this little wagon. Goin' home nights I go through the alleys pickin' up junk.
I'm not the only one doing it. The other kids are doing it too.
The only difference is, they keep it. Not me. I sell it.
And the first thing you know, I'm makin' seven, eight bucks from junk...
and three bucks from papers.
Right off I can see which is the right racket.
I'm just a kid, but I can see that.
Pretty soon the guy I'm sellin' to is handing me anywhere from 15 to 20 a week.
Then he turns around and offers me a job for 10. Dumb jerk.
I'd be sellin' him his own stuff back half the time, and he never knew.
How do you mean? Look, in the night, I'm under the fence,
I drag it out, I load it up.
In the morning, I go in the front way and collect.
12 years old you were. Yeah, something like that.
So, pretty soon you own the whole yard. Right.
Now, this guy, the jerk, he works for me now. You know who else?
The kid whose paper route I swiped.
I figure I owe him. That's the way I am.
Pretty good years for the junk business, the last few.
I ain't kickin'.
Do you anticipate any decline now? Talk plain, pal.
Is it still going to be good, do you think? We'll make it good.
Who's we? "We" is me, that's who.
Look, fancy talk don't go with me.
- Come on in. - Good evening.
Well, I'll get out of your way... No, don't go. I like ya.
Stick around, play your cards right, I'll put you on the payroll.
Once over light and no talk. Just brush 'em up.
- I get a manicure every day. - Yes, sir.
Over there someplace.
Okay, fella, go ahead. Go ahead.
I've been wondering, uh, what you're doing in Washington.
What are you, some wonder boy?
Not so tight. Sorry, sir.
Sightseeing. That's what I'm doing in Washington.
Some talk you may be around for a long time,
that you've come to find out... So far I've been nice to ya. Don't pump me.
How's it going?
How are you getting on with King Junk?
Great. Found out he was born in Plainfield, New Jersey.
He sure is a tough man to dig. I can't believe that. He loves to talk. Oh, Billie.
This is my friend, Paul Verrall. Billie Dawn.
How do you do?
Wait a minute. What's the matter?
Where do you think you're going with that? To my place.
- Put it back. - I just wanted to...
I know what you wanted. Put it back. Why can't I just...
We got somebody comin', somebody important.
I don't want you around here stinkin'! Well, can't I just...
Go to your room and change your clothes and don't give me no trouble!
Do what I'm tellin' ya!
Barber, what'll you take to cut his throat?
Ooh! Ooh! Some kind of jokes I don't like, Jim.
Don't get excited. Don't tell me what to do.
Just a joke, Harry.
That's all. I'm not quite finished.
I said beat it. You too. Eddie, take care of 'em.
I'll be going too. No, don't go. Stick around.
You're the only friend I got left around here.
Well, I live just around the corner.
If anyone starts beating you, just lean out the window and scream. I'll come running.
Bye, Jim. Thanks. Good-bye.
I need Billie's signature on a few things. Sure.
Billie!
You sore?
Not sore, Harry.
You look funny. I know.
Don't you feel good? You want an aspirin?
No, no, I'm fine.
In fact, considering I've been dead for 16 years,
I'm in remarkable health.
Billie!
What?
Billie!
What? Come over here right away!
Hey, would you please fix this safety catch?
He's sure got good lungs. Yeah.
Thanks. There's a shortcut through the service.
This way. Oh.
That's the door down there, honey. Thanks, honey.
Sometime I don't understand you at all.
Sometime?
What do you want? Jim.
A few things I want you to sign, honey.
That's all I do around here is sign.
Too bad about you.
What time's he comin', this congressman guy? Any time now.
I'd better get fixed up, huh? She look all right to you?
Look who's talkin'. You tell me if something's wrong.
I don't wanna start off on no left foot.
Well, what got into him?
Nothing. Just wants to make a good impression.
So let him.
Two places on this one, please.
What happened to all that stuff I signed last week?
All used up.
I bet I must've signed about a million of these.
What you get for being a multiple corporate officer.
I am? What do you know?
You've come a long way from the chorus, all right.
I wasn't only in the chorus. I spoke lines.
Really? Of course.
How many?
How many what? Lines did you speak.
Five.
I never knew that. Ask anybody.
I believe you.
I could've been a star probably if I'd have stuck to it.
Why didn't you? Well, Harry didn't want me bein' in the show.
He didn't want to share me with the general public.
I see.
He's changed, Harry. Don't you think so?
How? I don't know. He used to be, like, more satisfied.
Now he's always runnin' around like this.
And what did he have to come to Washington, D.C. for?
Long story. Well, don't tell it to me.
I don't care where we go. I just wish he'd settle down.
He's ambitious. I know.
He talks all the time now. He never used to.
Now he's got me up half the night tellin' me what a big man he is,
how he's gonna be bigger, run everything.
He may at that. And personally, I don't care one way or the other.
Take it easy. Look, now, don't you start.
Better if you drink later, after they're gone.
Who, this congressman guy? And Mrs. Hedges.
Harry tells me this fella works for him. In a way.
So what he's puttin' it on for?
Now, all you have to do is be nice. And no rough language.
I won't open my mush. I didn't mean that.
I don't have to be down here at all.
I could go back to my place.
In fact, I think I will.
I'm telling you, Billie, Harry wouldn't like it. Oh, all right, all right.
How are you, Norval? Can't complain.
Haven't seen you in a long time, Anna. No, you haven't.
Come on in. Congressman, you ought to remember this little lady,
a great first-nighter like you.
She used to be Billie Dawn. Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.
Billie, this is Mr. Norval Hedges...
I've told you so much about.
How do you do? How do you do?
And this is Mrs. Hedges, Billie. Glad to meet you.
Glad to meet ya.
Well, it's a lovely evening.
How about the terrace? Oh, that would be nice.
What about a drink? Love one.
Sounds all right to me. Scotch?
It'd be fine. Scotch all around, Eddie.
Right.
He's awfully tired. You've been standing over a hot resolution all day?
Just about.
How do you like Washington, Mrs. Brock?
I haven't seen it yet.
You mean to say this is the very first time you've been here?
That's what I mean. I never went on the road.
Well, we must show you around. Beautiful city.
Too bad the Supreme Court isn't in session. You'd love that.
What is it?
Lots of people would like to know the answer to that one, Billie.
Hello, everybody. Here we are. Mr. Hedges, Harry Brock.
It's about time us two got together. About time.
And I suppose this is Mrs. Hedges. That's right.
Well, I'm happy to make your acquaintance. Thank you so much.
Sit down. Congressman.
Have a good trip down? Oh, sure.
I come down in my car. Stopped off in Baltimore. I got a yard there, you know.
Junkyard. Second one I picked up.
Before that, I only had one yard. How many do you have now?
I couldn't answer that one, baby...
Excuse me. Oh, that's all right.
I don't know why I like this little Baltimore outfit.
I kinda get a feeling from it. You know what I mean?
Sentimental. That's it. I'm sentimental, like you say.
- Well, I think we're all a bit sentimental. - Yeah.
Well, it's a free country.
Do you play bridge, Mrs. Brock?
No. Only gin.
I beg your pardon? Gin rummy.
Oh, yes, of course.
Well, I was going to ask you to join us, a few of the girls.
We meet now and then. Well, I don't play bridge.
You could learn if you wanted. I don't think so.
Sure, you could.
She couldn't play gin till I learned her.
Now she beats my brains out.
How are you fixed for time tomorrow, Norval?
I wanted to bring Harry over. on a few things.
10:00 all right? That's pretty early for me.
I'll say.
11:00? Okay.
I can drop by here, if that's all right.
Sure. It's right on your way.
We can discuss the entire operation at that time and get a head start.
You wanna wash your hands or anything, honey?
I, uh, hope you're free Friday night.
Doing a little dinner. A few people I want Harry to meet.
And who'd want to meet him, I'm sure.
I want to thank you, Mr. Brock, for everything.
Call me Harry, will ya, Congressman?
I haven't written you about it, Harry, because... Well, you understand.
Look, Congressman, you know what I'm interested in.
Scrap iron. I wanna buy it. I wanna move it. I wanna sell it.
I don't wanna get stuck on account of no falling prices.
I have a copy for you of the preliminary... Give it to me fast.
I didn't come down here to do a lot of paperwork.♪♪
The way I work is like this: It's every man for himself.♪♪
Like dog-eat-dog, Like you gotta get the other guy before he gets you.
I got in mind an operatin' combo all over the world.
There's enough in it for everybody, if they're in, that is.
Up till now, I'm just doing fine.
Everybody's lined up, and everybody understands everybody.
♪♪I wanna get movin', see?
I'm sure you understand, Harry, in legislation of this kind...
Listen, that, to me, is just a lot of hot air.
I ain't talkin' about peanuts.
...this jam the committee's gotten itself into.
Give them enough rope. I've said so...
The trouble with these professional do-gooders is...
♪♪They never seem to know when to stop.
♪♪I've said that...
There's a way to get this thing done,
and it's up to you and Jim to find out how.
Yes, the Hedges-Keller Amendment, for example, guarantees government support...
♪♪of scrap iron price levels, foreign or domestic.
We're doing everything we can to get it through quickly. See that you do.
That's why I'm here... to see that I get what I paid for.
Uh, how do things look to you, Norval?
Generally? Yes, generally.
I said to Sam only last week,
this country will soon have to decide...
if the people are going to run the government...
or the government is going to run the people.
That's good, sound thinking, Norval.
Thank you.
Worthy of Holmes. Great man, Holmes.
My personal god. Who?
Oliver Wendell Holmes. A wonderful man.
He gonna be here Friday night?
I don't think so. Too bad.
Well, we mustn't keep you. No, we mustn't.
Good night, Mrs. Brock. Good night.
Good night, Norval. Good night, Jim.
See you tomorrow at 11:00. That's right.
Good night, Anna. It's been so nice.
Good night, and thank you so much. For what?
Wait till I'm down here a while. I'll give you something to thank me for.
Good night, all.
Drips. What?
I said they're drips. Who are you to say?
Myself, that's who. Well, nobody asked you. Shut up.
Pardon me for living.
Get lost. Not yet.
Get lost, I told ya!
She's gonna be in the way, that dame.
What are you going to do about it? I feel like I give her the brush.
Pretty complicated. Yeah, I know.
She owns more of you than you do on paper.
She's gonna louse me up all the way down the line. Dumb broad.
You may be right.
Listen, Harry. Send her home.
No. Why not?
I'm nuts about her.
Can't have your cake and eat it. What?
Just a saying. That don't make any sense.
All right.
What's cakes got to do with it?
Nothing, Harry.
Must be a way we can smarten her up a little, ain't there?
I suppose so. Some kind of school we can send her to, maybe?
I doubt that. Then what?
Well, we might be able to find someone who could smooth the rough edges off.
How? Let me think about it.
♪♪And there's something I'd like you to think about.
What? About marrying her right away.
What's so important I should get married all of a sudden?
If you ever got dragged into court, a wife couldn't testify against her husband.
Anyway, you've been engaged for seven years.
I've never understood why you waited this long. I didn't want to be rushed.
Look this way, I give her somethin', I'm a swell fella.
We get married, she's got it comin' she thinks.
Billie's not like that. A broad's a broad.
A time may come, you'll be sorry. I'll let you know.
If I do or don't, we still gotta do somethin' about her.
Every time she opened her kisser tonight, somethin' wrong come out.
Couldn't you talk with her? It'd take more than a talk.
Then what? It's not easy to make a person over.
Maybe impossible. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Th-Th-That interview guy. What's his name again? There's a pretty smart cookie.
Verrall. Paul Verrall. He knows this town, knows the angles.
He's very classy with that bowing.
He could do it, but he won't. Why not?
He's not... I'll pay him whatever he wants.
I don't think so. I'll make you a bet. What's his number?
Harry, I'm not sure... I like it! What's his number?
Come on, come on, come on.
You ate already, huh? Yeah.
You want a piece of pie or something? No, thanks.
Sit down. How about a drink? No, thanks.
Okay, pal, I wanna ask you something.
Sure.
How much you make a week?
How should I know? What am I, an accountant? I love this guy.
What's your name again? Verrall.
No, I mean your regular name. Paul.
Paul, I'll give you the layout. I got a friend, a good kid...
Oh, maybe you seen her around. Billie? Oh, yes.
She's a good kid, but to tell you the truth, but she's a little on the stupid side.
It's not her fault. I got her out of the chorus.
For the chorus, she was smart enough,
but I'm afraid she's gonna be unhappy around this town.
Never been around such people. You know what I mean? No, I don't.
I figure a guy like you could help her out. Me too. How?
Show her the ropes, sort of. Kind of explain things to her.
In your spare time. What do you say?
No, I don't think I could handle it, Mr. Brock.
Mean an awful lot to me.
I'll give you 200 bucks a week.
All right, I'll do it. I'm tellin' you, I love this guy.
When do I start? Right now. Why not right now?
Fine. Come with me, and I'll introduce you.
And you can take it from there.
Billie! What?
Come down here a minute. Come on in.
She's a nice kid. You're gonna like her.
I'm gettin' dressed. It's all right. He's a friend of the family.
Come on, I'm tellin' ya!
Honey, this is Paul Verrall. Yes, I know.
He wants to talk to you. What about?
You'll find out. Look, Jim and I got some work to work on.
I'm gonna have to leave you two.
Uh, your, uh, friend, Mr. Brock, has an idea.
He'd like us to spend a little time together.
You and me, that is.
You don't say. Yes.
What are you, some kind of gigolo? Not exactly.
Well, what's the idea?
Well, it's nothing special.
Uh, he'd just like me to put you wise to a few things,
uh, show you the ropes, answer any questions.
I got no questions. Well, I'll give you some.
Thanks.
You know, it might be fun for you in a way.
There's a lot to see down here.
I'd be glad to show you around.
You know the Supreme Court? Yes.
I'd like to take that in. Fine.
We're on then, huh? How you mean?
Uh, the arrangement. I don't mind. Got nothing much to do.
Good. What's he payin' you?
Uh, 200 a week. Sucker. You could've got more.
He's got plenty. Oh, I'd have done it for free.
Hoo-hoo. I would.
Why? This isn't work. I like it.
He thinks I'm too stupid, huh? Uh, no.
He's right. I'm stupid, and I like it.
You do?
Sure. I'm happy. I got everything I want. Two mink coats, everything.
There's somethin' I want, I ask.
If he don't act friendly,
I don't act friendly.
Uh-huh.
So, as long as I know how to get what I want, that's all I wanna know.
As long as you know what you want. Sure.
What? As long as you know what you want.
Are you tryin' to mix me up? Well, no.
Well, I'll tell you what I would like. Yes.
I'd like to learn how to talk good. All right.
Is it hard to learn? I don't think so.
What do I have to do?
Well, I might give you a few books to start with.
And then every now and then, I'll correct you if you don't mind.
Go ahead. Well, that is, when I know.
I... I don't talk so good myself.
You'll do. Good.
I never say "ain't." Did you notice that? Never.
Oh, I do. I'll correct you then.
Do that. Since I was very small, I never say it.
We had this teacher. She used to slug you if you did it.
Did what? Said "ain't."
Oh. So I got out of the habit.
You think it was worth the slugging? Oh, not hard.
It's the principle of the thing. There's too much slugging. I don't believe in it.
All right, I don't believe in it either. Good.
I learn pretty fast, don't I? You're great, Miss Dawn.
Billie. Billie. Sort of an odd name, isn't it?
What are you talkin'? Half the kids I know are named it.
Anyway, it isn't my real name. Oh? What is?
Holy cats. Emma. Well, what's the matter?
Well, do I look to you like an Emma?
No. You don't look like a Billie either.
So what do I look like?
To me? Yeah, you.
You look like a lovely girl.
Oh.
Let me ask you.
Are you one of these talkers...
or would you be interested in a little action?
What?
I got a yen for you right off.
Well, do you get many?
Now and then. What do you do about 'em?
Stick around, you'll find out.
All right, I will. And if you want a tip, I'll tell you.
Sweet-talk me. I like it. Like that "lovely girl" line.
Don't worry about him. He don't see a thing.
He's too dizzy from bein' a big man.
Well, this is gonna be a little different than I thought.
Do you mind? No.
It's only fair. We'll educate each other. Yeah.
Uh, about those books... Yes.
I'll look around my place.
If there's anything interesting, I'll drop it back later.
All right.
You can drop it by even if it's not so interesting.
Hey!
You two gonna get together?
Uh, I-I think we're all set.
Great. Great. Appreciate it.
So do I.
Well, I guess... I guess I'll be going.
So long, kid!
So long, kid.
Gin!
Forty-one.
Forty-one? Forty-one!
If you pay attention, that Verrall guy can do you some good.
All right.
You're in the big league now, and I want you should watch your step.
All right.
You gotta learn to fit in.
Can't have you around if you don't, and that's no bull.
Have to be careful of what you do and what you say.
Three!
Twenty-eight.
Twenty-eight? Twenty-eight!
You could use a little education yourself, if you ask me.
Who asked ya? Nobody.
So shut up!
Sss.
Can't I talk? Go on. Play your cards.
It's a free country.
That's what you think.
♪ Da da da da da doo doo doo doo ♪
♪ Doo-doo-doo doo-doo, baby ♪
♪ Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo ♪
♪ Doo doo ♪
♪ Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta, da da da ♪
♪ Da da da, ba-boom ♪
♪ Da da da ba-boom-boom ♪
♪ Da da da ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta ♪
♪ Da da da, da da da ♪
♪ Da da da da da da da... ♪
Do you mind?
Gin.
Thirty-four.
Thirty-four? Thirty-four!
Schneider! Where do you get that Schnei...
$55.60.
All right, that's enough.
Pay me now. What's the matter? Don't you trust me?
Sore loser!
Shut up!
$55.60.
Thanks.
You gonna play like that all night?
What?
Hurt your eyes.
♪ Gee, I like to see you lookin' swell ♪
♪ Da da da da da, baby ♪
♪ Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell ♪♪
Hello. Hello.
I, uh, tried your suite. No answer.
Yeah, I know. I'm not in.
Morning papers. Oh.
You could've saved yourself the trouble. I don't read papers.
Never? Once in a while the back part, the funnies.
Oh, I think you should. The front part, the not-so-funnies.
Why? Well, because it's interesting.
Not to me. Well, how do you know if you never read it?
Look, if you're gonna turn out to be a pest,
we can call the whole thing off right now.
Sorry. Oh. Well, I look at the paper sometimes.
But I just never understand it, so what's the sense?
I tell you what you do.
You look through these, and anything you don't understand,
why, just make a circle around it.
Then tomorrow I'll explain whatever I can.
All right? All right.
And I thought you might like these.
Well, I'll try.
Look, just start reading. If you don't like it, stop. Start something else.
Oh, there's only one thing: My eyesight isn't so hot.
Well, why don't you wear glasses? Glasses?
Sure. Why not? 'Cause they're terrible.
Of course they're not so bad on men.
Good night, Billie. Good night.
Hello!
Miss Dawn around?
Have you seen Miss Dawn? In her room.
- Hello! - Yeah!
Ready to start. Come on up!
Hello.
Been reading, huh? That's good.
Yeah.
Sit down. Thanks.
Uh, did you have your breakfast yet?
And lunch. Oh.
There's a few things here.
Which?
Read it out.
You want me to read?
Billie, I... I feel that things are complicated enough...
without complicating them further.
I oughta take this pencil and make a circle around you.
Now, here are a few of the places you oughta see. A few?
Let's start with the Capitol.
I'll tell you all I know about it first,
and then we'll join one of the tours.
Senate's in session today. We might be able to take that in.
But first let's go to the rotunda. It's famous for...
Come on. You'll find it interesting. I'm comin'.
...starting with the landing of the Pilgrims...
...of the spirit of George Washington.
Washington is the figure with the purple robe across his lap.
The figures around him represent liberty and victory...
and the 13 original states.
Brumidi did most of that work while lying on his back...
on a scaffold built from the floor to the dome,
a distance of 180 feet and three inches.
Now, if you will follow me...
How could anybody paint upside down like that?
Hey, give me one of those.
Hello. How are ya?
Woo-oo-oo-oo!
Hello. Come here. I wanna show you something.
There's the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence.
And come here.
And the Bill of Rights.
Know how old these Rights are? Oh, about 160 years.
Who told you?
What else do you know about them? What else?
Well, for instance, this whole country is practically founded...
on these three pieces of paper.
This whole country?
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms...
shall not be 'infrin'."
Infringed.
It's a good thing they got this covered with glass.
I'd be makin' circles all over it.
How about some ice cream?
Anything but tutti-frutti!
How is chocolate? Fine.
I think I like you better with them on.
What? Your glasses.
Thanks. You know, chocolate's the most popular.
I read that.
You know, it's interesting how many interesting things...
a person could learn if they read.
I don't suppose you got a chance to read my piece.
What are you talkin'? Of course I read it. Twice.
What did you think?
I think it's the best thing I ever read.
I didn't understand one word.
What didn't you understand? None of it.
Here. Show me what.
What's so funny? That I'm blind, practically?
Practically blind.
Practically blind? You're wonderful.
I'm sorry I look funny to you.
Don't be. They make you look lovelier than ever.
You sound like one of those ads for eyeglasses.
Now, what didn't you understand?
Well, like the name of it.
"The Yellowing Democratic Manifesto."
Simple. To who?
Whom? Who?
Anyway, not to me.
Well, you know what "yellowing" means. Not this time.
Well, when a piece of paper gets old, what happens to it?
Throw it away? No. It turns yellow.
It does? Of course.
What do you know? Now, "democratic." You know what that means?
Not Republican.
Well, not exactly. It means...
Well, it just means pertaining to our form of government, which is a democracy.
Oh.
What's "pertaining"?
Has to do with.
"Pertaining." Nice word.
All right. "Manifesto." I don't know.
Why didn't you look it up? I did look it up. I still don't know.
Well, look, when I say "manifesto,"
I mean a set of rules and principles and ideals and hopes...
on which the United States is based.
The ideas of those men who wrote that Constitution up there.
So you think it's turning yellow? Yes.
I think a lot of the original inspiration has been neglected and forgotten.
And that's bad. And that's bad.
"Even a... cursory... Cursory.
examination of contemporary...
society in terms of the Greek...
philosophy, which defines the whole...
as a representation of its parts...
sends one immediately to the consideration...
of the individual as a citizen...
and the citizen as an individual."
Well?
I looked up every word.
Listen.
Thousands of years ago, a Greek philosopher said...
that the world could only be as good as the people who lived in it.
Makes sense.
So I said, you take one look at America today...
and you figure you'd better take a look at the people in it, one by one, sort of.
Yeah. That's all.
That's this? Sure.
Well, why didn't you say so?
What's the name of this number, did you say?
Beethoven's Second Symphony, Opus 36.
I didn't ask you who made it up.
I just asked you what's the name of it.
Here. Wait a minute. Huh?
There. Thanks.
I can't get over it. Music that bad?
The music? No, it was swell.
Well, then what?
I got a letter today from my father.
New York? Yeah.
I can't get over it. Why?
Well, it's the first time he ever wrote me in about eight years.
We had a fight, sort of.
He didn't want me to go with Harry.
What does he do?
My father? Yeah.
Gas company. He used to read meters.
But in this letter, it says how he can't get around so good anymore,
so they gave him a different job, elevator man.
He's a goofy old guy.
He used to take a little frying pan and a can of Sterno...
to work every morning and cook his own lunch.
He said everybody should have a hot lunch.
I swear, I don't know how he did it.
There were four of us... me and my three brothers.
He had to do everything.
My mother died. I never knew her.
He used to feed us and give us our baths and buy our clothes.
Everything.
That's why all my life, I used to think...
how someday I'd like to pay him back.
It's funny how it worked out.
One night I brought home $100 and gave it to him.
You know what he did?
Well, it sure didn't do the plumbing no good.
I thought he was gonna hit me sure, but he didn't.
His whole life he never hit me once.
How'd he happen to write you? I mean, after all this time?
Oh, 'cause I wrote him. Oh?
He says he's thought about me every day.
Oh, gosh.
I haven't thought about him maybe but once, even in five years.
Oh, that's nothing against him.
I haven't thought of anything.
Be nice to see him, maybe.
I guess so.
He says I should write him again...
and I should have a hot lunch every day...
and I should let him know how I am.
But he doesn't want to see me...
if I'm still living in any way unethical.
I looked it up.
He always used to say, "Never do nothin' you wouldn't want printed...
on the front page of the New York Times."
Hey, I just realized...
I practically told you the whole story of my life by now, practically.
I enjoyed it very much.
How about the story of your life?
Oh, no. Much too long.
And mostly untrue.
Hey, this is even more gorgeous...
than the Radio City Music Hall, even.
And you notice, it smells nice.
It does.
Come on. Sit down. No.
You're tired.
I'm not a bit tired.
See?
You know that little thing you gave me about Napoleon?
No. What? By Robert G. Ingersoll.
Oh, yes. Well, I'm not sure I get that.
Well, there's no deep meaning there. There must be.
He says about how he goes and looks in Napoleon's tomb...
Yeah? And he thinks of Napoleon's whole sad life.
Yeah. And then in the end,
he says he himself would've rather been a happy farmer.
"And I said...
I said I would rather have been a French peasant and worn wooden shoes.
I would rather have lived in a hut...
with a vine growing over the door...
and the grapes growing purple...
in the kisses of the autumn sun.
I would rather have been that poor peasant...
with my loving wife by my side...
knitting as the day died out of the sky,
with my children upon my knee and their arms about me.
I would rather have been that man...
and gone down to the tongueless silence of the dreamless dust...
than to have been that imperial impersonation of force and murder...
known as Napoleon the Great."
How do you remember all that stuff?
So he'd rather been a happy peasant than Napoleon.
So who wouldn't? So Harry wouldn't, for one.
What makes you think that? Ask him.
He probably never heard of Napoleon.
What's worse, he probably never heard of a peasant.
Do you hate him like poison? Who, Harry?
Yeah. No.
You don't like him. No.
On account of me and him? One reason.
There are lots more. What?
Think about it, Billie. You'll see Harry's a menace.
Oh, he's not so bad. I seen worse.
Has he ever thought of anyone but himself?
Who does? Millions of people, Billie.
The whole history of the world is a story...
of the struggle between the selfish and the unselfish.
I can hear you. All that's bad around us is bred by selfishness.
Sometimes selfishness can even get to be a cause,
an organized force, even a government.
And then it's called fascism.
Can you understand that? Sort of.
Well, think about it.
You're crazy about me, aren't ya?
Yes. That's why you get so mad at Harry.
Listen, I hate his life, what he does, what he stands for, not him.
He just doesn't know any better.
I go for you too.
I'm glad of it.
Ooh!
"I have sworn upon the altar of God...
eternal hostility against every form of tyranny...
over the mind of man."
So that's Thomas Jefferson, huh? Uh-huh.
You know, I heard quite a bit about him.
I mean, even before I hit town, even.
Come in.
What are you trying to do with those books, hatch 'em?
Blue?
Nice, huh?
"Beethoven, Op. 36."
What's up, Billie?
It's all on account of you I started doin' all this.
I guess you know. No, I didn't.
A lot of good it did me.
I never had this kind of trouble before, I can tell you.
- Trouble? - Sure.
After that first night when I met ya,
I figured everything was gonna work out dandy.
Then when you wouldn't... step across the line,
I figured maybe the way to you is through your head.
Well, no.
Well, anyway, what's the diff now?
Difference. But I like ya, anyway.
It's too late for the rest. Why?
Oh, look, Paul.
There's a certain time between a fella and a girl when it either comes off or not.
If it doesn't then, then it never does.
Maybe we haven't got to our time yet.
I think we did, and you dropped the ball.
Don't be so sure.
I never thought I'd go through a thing like this for anybody.
Like what? Like gettin' all mixed up in my head...
like wondering and worrying and thinking, stuff like that.
Last night, I went to bed. I started to think.
I couldn't fall asleep for 10 minutes.
I never know if it's good to find out so much so quick.
Nobody's born smart, Billie.
You know what the stupidest thing on Earth is? An infant!
What do ya got against babies all of the sudden? Nothing.
I got nothing against a brain that's three weeks old and empty.
But after it hangs around for 30 years and hasn't absorbed anything,
I begin to wonder about it. What makes you think I'm 30?
I didn't mean you. Oh, yes, you did!
I swear it. You certainly know how to get me sore!
I'm sorry. Thirty! Do I look 30 to you?
No. I don't know. Then why'd you say it for?
How old are you? Twenty-nine.
Don't stop it. I meant, don't stop studying.
Will ya?
I don't know why it's so important to you.
It's sort of a cause. I want everybody to be smart.
I want 'em to be as smart as they can be.
A world full of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.
I know. That's why I wish I was doin' better.
You're doing wonderfully. It's no use.
Most people would just laugh at me if they knew what I was trying to do.
I'm not laughing. I am.
I started laughing at myself.
♪♪Who do I think I am anyway?
Once in a while, just for a change. Don't try so hard, Billie, please!
You miss the whole point. I like to like what's better to like.
There's room for all sorts of things in you.
The idea of learning is to be bigger, not smaller.
You think I'm gettin' bigger? Yes.
Glad to hear it.
But all them books? It's not only books, Billie.
I told you a hundred times. It's mostly.
It is not. Now look, who said this:
"The proper study of mankind is man."
I don't know. You should.
Why? I told you.
I forgot. Pope.
The pope? Not the pope.
Alexander Pope.
"The proper study"... "Of mankind is man."
'Course, that means women too. Yes.
Yes, I know.
I've been doin' some studyin' of a different mankind lately,
like the ones you told me... Thomas Jefferson last week...
and this week, Tom Paine.
And all by myself, I got to thinkin' about Harry.
He works so hard to get what he wants, for instance.
But he doesn't know what he wants.
More of what he's got, probably.
Money. Money, more people to push around, more money.
Oh, he's not so bad as you think he is.
Hello.
Hello, Harry. We were just talking about you.
Yeah? That ain't what I pay you for.
She knows enough about me already. Too much, in fact.
Jim phone? No.
I had a date with him.
What'd you find out about Tom Paine? Oh, he was quite a fella.
Where was he born? Do you remember? London, or England.
Someplace like that. What do you mean, "London or England"?
That's the same thing. It is?
London is in England. London's a city. England's a whole country.
I forgot. Oh, brother, you've got patience.
Take it easy. How can anybody get to be so dumb?
Well, we can't all know everything, Harry.
Who's Tom Paine, for instance?
What? You heard me, Tom Paine.
What do I care who he is? I know.
So what. If I wanted to know who he is, I'd know. I just don't care.
Go on, go on. Don't let me butt in.
Which of his books did you like best?
Oh, well, I didn't read by him yet, only about him.
But I made a list. Who is Rabbit Maranville?
Who? Rabbit Maranville.
I don't know any Rabbits! Think you're so smart, huh?
He used to play shortstop for the Braves, didn't he?
What are you, some kind of genius or something?
No. I hire and fire geniuses every day.
I'm sure you do. Where's the list? Here.
Well, suppose you start with The Age of Reason.
The Age of Reason? Mm-hmm. Then next...
Who's Willie Hoppe? National billiard champion.
And it's pronounced "hoppy." That's what I said.
But I didn't ask you, I asked her. Sorry.
Where were we? The Age of Reason.
Yes. Next, The Rights of Man.
The Rights of Man. I think that'll...
What's a peninsula? Shh!
Don't give me that "shh." You think you're so smart.
What's a peninsula? Not you, her. It's a...
It's that new medicine.
It is not.
What then?
It's a body of land surrounded on three sides by water.
So, what's that to know?
So, what's that "Sam Paine" to know?
There's some difference between... Tom Paine, not "Sam Paine."
Tom Paine practically started this whole country.
You mean he's dead? Of course.
What are you learnin' her about dead people for?
All I want you to do is to teach her how to act with live people.
Well, education is a difficult thing to control, Harry.
One thing leads to... Work on her, not me.
No extra charge. I don't need nothin' you can tell me.
Oh, I'm sure we could tell each other some very interesting things, Harry.
What's the idea of that mean? Just trying to be friendly.
Who asked you?
You know, the more I see of you, I don't like you as much.
For a chump who got no place, you're awful fresh.
Now, you better watch out. I got my eye on you.
All right. We'll both watch out.
If I wanted, I could knock your block off, if I wanted.
Yes, I know. All right, just do what you're supposed to do, and that's all.
Well, we'll stop for now. No, go on, go on.
I wanna see how you do it. Not just now, if you don't mind.
I've gotta go and lie down. You don't realize how hard I work.
Ha, ha. Some joke.
Two hundred bucks a week, and I can't even watch.
Take you on separately, Harry. Glad to.
Got a special course for backward millionaires.
"London or England."
Why don't you give up.
Harry? What?
What's this business we're in down here? Could you tell me?
What do you mean, "we"?
Oh, I figure I'm a sort of partner, in a way.
A silent partner. So?
So shut up!
I got a right to know. You got a right to keep out of my hair too.
Put your nose in the book and keep it there!
I don't wanna do anything if it's against the law.
That's one sure thing. You'll do what I tell ya!
I think I know what it is, only I'm not sure.
What's the matter with you? You're doin' all right, ain't ya?
Somethin' you want you ain't got, maybe?
Yeah. What?
I wanna be like the happy peasant.
All right, I'll buy it for you. Now, will you quit crabbin'!
Well, I finished finally.
Thanks loads for the loan of it. How'd you like it, Helen?
Uh, not me. I don't go for these stories...
where everyone has a big beef against the world.
Me, I like to look on the cheerful side.
Yeah, well you see of course the point...
All right! All right! Can the coffee klatch!
You, knock off! Sorry, Mr. Brock.
You don't have to get so pally with everybody.
Paul says it's all right. Never mind, Paul says. I don't like it.
You know what you are? What?
Antisocial! You can say that again.
Hello. Where do you guys think you've been?
You know what time it is? Sorry.
You're always sorry. My fault.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
- How are ya, Billie? - Superb. A new word.
All right! All right! What happened! It's just this, Harry.
It may take a little more time. And a little more money.
- Yeah. Why more? - Well, the amendment has to be redrafted.
Listen, I don't like you. You make me feel like some kind of sucker.
I'm sure Norval is doing his best. His best ain't good enough.
Don't be unreasonable, Harry. There are a great number of votes up there.
Norval is just one guy. Well, he's the wrong guy.
I'm sick and tired of waiting. Let's get the wheels rollin'.
We're all in this deal. You pull your weight or I'll get somebody who can!
Do you hear me? Good!
Quite a temper, hasn't he? Don't mind him.
He's always lived at the top of his voice.
So long, Norval.
Psst. Psst.
I don't think Harry should talk to you like that.
After all, you're a congressman. Oh, well.
I don't think anybody should talk to a congressman like that or be able to.
A member of Congress is a wonderful thing.
Thank you. You know, I think I could use a drink.
Oh, sure, Congressman. Come on in.
The way it looks to me, if he pushes you around...
it's like he's pushing a few million people around.
How do you mean? The ones who picked you.
Well, not quite that many. How many then?
306,434.
Well, that's quite a few to push around.
You're not one of my constituents by any chance, are you?
I mean, are you one of the people who voted for me?
Oh, I never voted for anybody.
Why not? I don't know. I wouldn't know how, I guess.
It's simple. You just press a button.
Yeah, but which one?
Well, you listen to the speeches, you make up your own mind.
That's all there is to it.
Yeah, but why do you take it from Harry? That's what I wanna know.
You're more important than him. You're a congressman.
Yes, and as such I have a great many duties...
and responsibilities and...
The operation of government is very complex.
Why should it be?
I understand it pretty good in a book so when Paul tells me.
But when I see somethin' like this happen, it's like, different.
How? Well, when it gets down to what should be the laws and...
what shouldn't, is Harry more important than anybody else?
No. Then how come he's got so much to say?
Who ever voted for him?
Well, we'll have a nice long talk about it sometime.
All right.
Good-bye. Good-bye.
And thank you.
Quite a little girl. Oh, yeah.
Billie? Come in.
Uh, will you come inside? A few things for you.
Sign those, will ya, honey?
What is this? Same old stuff.
What? Take too long to explain.
No, it wouldn't. I like having things explained to me.
I found that out.
Some other time. Now.
It's just an agreement about some merger.
Merger? What's that?
Several companies being formed into one.
All Harry's? No.
Whose then? A few of Harry's and some others.
French, Italian, and so on.
A cartel!
What are you talking about? About cartels!
If that's what it is, I'm against it. Paul explained me the whole thing.
It's perfectly all right. Don't worry.
Are you sure? Ask Harry.
I will. He won't like it.
Why not? Well, he just won't, that's all.
He doesn't like people butting in. I'm not people.
Listen to me, Billie. Be smart.
How can I be smart if nobody ever tells me anything?
I'm telling you something. What?
Sign this stuff and don't start up with him.
Tomorrow. Why tomorrow?
I wanna look it over, know what I'm doin'.
It's all right. It must be somethin' fishy.
If not, you'd tell me. Take my word for it.
No.
I know what you feel bad about.
You don't like to be doin' all his dirty work...
'cause you know you're better than him. That's enough!
But I'm not so sure. Maybe you're worse.
Interesting?
Not very.
I suppose you're used to reading more high-tone stuff.
Yes, I am.
What's the matter, kid? Nothin'.
All of a sudden... I don't like that Jim.
Why?
What'd he do to ya? He didn't do nothin'... anything to me.
It's what he's done to himself. Done what?
Paul told me he could've been assistant attorney general...
of the whole United States.
Who? Jim.
So what's wrong with that? So nothing's wrong with it.
Look at him now. Hangs around, helps you... promote.
Lets you walk over him 'cause you pay him for it.
Oh, so we finally get around to me.
I'm not sure I like you either.
You're selfish. That's your trouble.
Since when is all this? Since now.
I used to think you were a big man, Harry.
I'm beginning to see you're not.
All through history there's been bigger men than you, and better.
Now too. Who, for instance?
Thousands. Name one.
My father.
Twenty-five a week.
Listen, cutie, don't get nervous just 'cause you read a book.
You're as dumb as you ever were. You think so, huh?
Yeah, but I don't mind. You know why?
'Cause you're the greatest... Oh, leave me alone!
Come here! I've never seen you like this! No!
I've never been like this! I feel like I wanna go away!
Where? In a couple of weeks we'll go to Florida. I don't know!
I mean alone! Maybe! I think you've gone nuts!
All right! Calm down! I can't!
Why not? I don't know!
I just know I hate my life. There's a better cut. I know it.
And if you read some of these books, you'd know it too.
Maybe it's right what you say: I'm still dumb.
But I know one thing I never knew before.
There's a better kind of life than the one I got.
Or you!
I suppose you'd think you'd be better off with that lousy saxophone player?
At least he was honest! Nah, he was a dime-a-dozen chump!
He worked for a living! That's one thing!
I've worked since I was 12! Nobody never gave me nothin'!
If a man goes and robs a house, that's work too.
In my whole life...
In my whole life, I never robbed a house!
What are you talking about? You can hardly understand anything.
Get off that high horse, you dumb little putt!
You... menace!
I picked you up out of the gutter! I can throw you back!
You never had a decent meal until you met me!
Yeah, but I haven't had one with you! You eat terrible!
You got no manners! Taking your shoes off all the time.
That's another thing, and picking your teeth.
You're just not couth!
I'm as couth as you are!
And that cheap perfume you put on yourself.
Cheap. I don't own nothin' cheap, except you.
You don't own me.
Nobody can own anybody. There's a law that says.
What do I care what the law says! If I was scared of the law,
I wouldn't be where I am! Where are ya?
You talked enough! You don't like it here, beat it!
Wait a minute!
First, this! Right now! Not now! No!
Come here! I'm not signin' anything till I know what I'm signin'...
from now on! Do what I'm tellin' ya!
Harry, please don't! No!
Here!
All right, now go on. Blow!
What? I don't want you bawlin' around here. That's what!
I've been too good to ya. You don't appreciate nothin'!
So go on, blow! Sit on a park bench and learn how to behave!
Go on, beat it!
This way out.
I gotta put somethin' on. Well, hurry it up.
I don't want you around here like this. You bother me!
Big fascist!
All set?
Certainly, all set. What do you think? I'm gonna let a broad talk back?
Where is she? I told her to take a walk.
One thing I can't stand is a crier.
What's she crying about? How do I know?
She's becoming a strange girl. Aw, she's all right.
It's just all these books, they got her nervous, that's all.
It looks like your passion for educating her was a mistake.
I didn't know it was gonna turn out like this, did I?
Remind me to fire that-that four-eyed Verrall skunk.
Why blame him? He taught her too much.
You know what she called me before? A fascist! She did?
That don't make sense. I was born in Plainfield, New Jersey.
She knows that.
What's the matter, Harry?
I love that broad.
Hey, you think we could find somebody to make her dumb again?
And don't be late if you don't want no bloody nose.
Would you do me a favor, Harry?
What? Drop dead.
I have sworn upon the altar of God...
eternal hostility...
against every form of tyranny...
over the mind of man.
Oh, hello? Uh, Chestnut 7-1-8-0.
I'd like to speak to Thomas Jefferson, please.
Oh, no. I mean, Thomas Verrall.
No, Paul Verrall. Paul Verrall.
Well, it's very important.
Oh, well, I'll hold on.
- Jim! - Yes?
What time is it already? 11:30.
I'll slug her senseless when she gets back.
If. Oh, I've had this with her before.
She always winds up where I want her.
I hope so.
Jim! Yes?
What time is it?
11:30. You said that before.
11:31.
She's been gone eight hours. Maybe she's seeing a double feature.
Yeah.
That don't take eight hours.
Could've got in an accident. You'd hear.
Could've got attacked.
Happens all the time. Not to Billie.
Maybe the other way around, but not to Billie.
She here? What do you mean, she here?
No! Go look some more. I've been all over town.
Well, go over it again!
Do what I'm tellin' ya! Sure.
Just changin' my socks.
Harry. What?
Marry her.
Still harpin', huh? I'm thinking of your legal safety.
On paper, she owns... Yeah, I know what she owns.
You've got to do it, Harry.
They always hook you in the end, them broads.
This whole trouble is on account of a dame reads a book.
It's the new world, Harry. Force and reason changing places.
What? Knowledge is power.
I don't like the way things are goin' around here...
you stewed all the time and that broad out of line.
And that's some fine congressman you bought me.
I think he's cute. Yeah, well I'd like to trade him in, no kiddin'.
On what, for instance? For instance, on a senator.
On a senator.
Take those blinders off, Harry, and let in a little light.
Just for a second. It won't hurt much.
You don't go around this town buying up senators...
and congressmen as if they wore price tags.
These guys are honest, sincerely trying to do a job.
Once in a while, you find a rotten apple, like Hedges.
Then you can have them, but just once in a while,
in a great while.
Are you sure you're ringin' Mr. Brock's suite, Operator?
How about the bedroom?
Well, ring a few more times, will ya, honey?
I wanna make sure. He's not in.
Just one more ring.
Let's go.
The stuff's in his briefcase... Uh-huh.
in his bedroom. Uh-huh.
I probably won't see ya again, Paul. Uh-huh.
So I wanna say good-bye. What?
And thanks for everything. Where are you going?
Just away from here, that's all I know.
Where?
You can tell me. I don't know.
I thought I might go see my father for a while.
I've got a better idea. What?
Let's get married.
You must be daffy.
I love you, Billie.
You don't love me. You just love my brain.
That too.
Well, I'll think it over, but I can tell you now...
the answer's no.
What are you doin'?
Well, if you don't know, I must be doing it wrong.
Fine time!
Hello, Harry. Where ya been?
I took a walk like you told me.
I met Paul.
Okay, buster, knock off!
Good night, Paul.
Good night, Billie.
Good night, Harry.
What's the matter, Harry, ya miss me?
I decided somethin' to tell ya, somethin' good. I don't like to wait when I get an idea.
Yeah, I know. Now that I see ya, I'm not so sure I should tell it.
Why not? Runnin' out, talkin' fresh, slammin' doors.
I knew you'd be back though.
Ya did, huh? I told Jim. He was worried, not me.
Not yet. What took ya so long?
I had a lot to think. For instance?
Just where I stand around here. I've been tryin' to tell ya.
What? Where ya stand around here.
Uh-huh. First, that Verrall stuff is out. It gets in my way.
I don't like to see you upset. It's bad for you.
The next thing, we're gonna be married. No.
But you gotta learn how to behave your... No?
What do you mean, no? I don't wanna.
That's what I mean. No!
In fact, I've never been so insulted.
Who are you to say no if I tell ya?
Don't knock yourself out. You got a lot of surprises comin'.
Look! Just tell me first.
What? How can you not wanna marry me?
Well, for one thing, you're too dumb.
I just got a different kind of life in mind, Harry, entirely.
I'm sorry, but you just wouldn't fit in.
Listen, Billie, I don't understand what's happenin' around here.
I do. What did I do? What did I?
All right, I talk rough to you once in a while.
Maybe I hit you a couple of times... easy.
Is that any reason to treat me like this?
I done good for you too. Couldn't we straighten this out?
No. Why not?
Well, all that stuff I've been studying...
what Paul's been tellin' me, it just mixed me up.
But when you hit me before, it was like...
everything knocked itself together in my head and made sense.
All of the sudden I realized what it means,
how some people are always givin' and some takin'.
And it's not fair,
so I'm not gonna let ya anymore, or anybody else.
Listen, kid, I got an idea. Ya wanna come to Florida?
We used to have some good times together. Remember, honey?
I think you should marry me, don't you?
Look, Billie, I want you to marry me. I don't wanna argue about it.
I heard enough. Do what I'm tellin' ya or you'll be good and sorry!
I'm not scared of ya anymore, Harry. That's another thing.
Oh, you're not, huh?
Hit somethin' else. I'm leavin'.
What? For good.
Let's get organized around here! You just can't walk out, cutie!
You're in this too deep! I'm in the middle of the biggest thing I ever done!
Maybe I was wrong hookin' ya in, but you're in!
I'm not gonna be, I decided. All right, fine!
You wanna wash it up? All right, we'll wash it up. Yeah.
I'm too important to monkey around with what you think!
Jim! Jim, wake up!
- Jim! - What is it?
Come on! You got some work to do!
All right. Be right with you.
Okay, well, get a move on!
I'll fix it so you're out of here in no time!
I spoiled ya! I was gonna make ya real partners!
You don't want it? Fine! Let's see how you do without me!
And you don't look like you looked nine years ago. In fact, you look lousy.
If you want the truth, I'll be glad to be rid of ya!
And as far as I'm concerned,
Yeah? "vi-ce ver-sa."
Oh.
You're back.
All set? Shut up!
What's the matter?
She's goin' off! We're gonna settle things and get her out of here!
You sure you know what you're doing? First time in my life I do.
Where's that stuff you wanted her to sign? In your bedroom.
Well, come on! No!
What do you mean, no?
I mean... Uh, take the shortcut. The sooner, the better.
They're in the bottom drawer.
- Blue covers? - Yeah.
Three copies? That's right.
Paul took them.
When? Just now.
- What for? - What do you think for?
To get put in the newspapers, I guess.
Some kind of jokes I don't like. It's no joke.
Paul said it's the biggest swindle since...
the tea pots, somethin' like that.
What are you gettin' so white about?
You told me yourself it was perfectly all right.
Why, you double-crossin' little... I don't see it like that!
If there's a fire and I call the engine, so who am I double-crossin'?
The fire?
We're in trouble, Harry. If this stuff breaks,
nobody will play with us. What's to do?
It might be best under the circumstances to call it off.
What? Let him publish. If nothing happens, he looks silly.
I've been here two months! I've spent I don't know how much dough.
I'm supposed to let all that ride?
You don't want to play it safe? I want what I came after!
It's gonna be tough. Because some little weasel gets noisy?
I'll cut his tongue out! You're chicken! Yes think so?
Yes, I think so. You're off the handle because...
it looks like I've been right and you've been wrong!
Shut up! I'll handle this.
All right.
Lookin' for someone?
Billie. Come on in.
Billie! Gee, I'm tired. I was down...
I think you've got somethin' by mistake belongs to me. That so?
How 'bout it?
Hey.
Sit down.
Hello. How you been?
Fine. And you? Fine.
Go around to his place and get the stuff. It's not there, Jim.
Where then?
You wanna play rough? I know how to do that too.
Listen, you two heels. I make business. I got too much at stake here.
You've got somethin' that belongs to me.
If you want out of here alive, you better give it back.
I'm no blowhard! Tell him! He's no blowhard.
He's had people killed before.
About six years ago, there was this guy... Shut up!
You ain't gonna be tellin' nobody nothin' pretty soon.
Double negative, right? Right.
You don't seem to be gettin' the idea! You've never been in trouble...
like you're gonna be unless you do what I'm tellin' ya! Wait a minute, Harry.
There's another way to handle this. I really think you've pulled a boner, friend.
My advice to you is lay off. And mine is stop sticking your noses in my business.
Yeah. Talk about stickin' noses! You're the biggest buttinsky...
I ever run into! Told you once before, Harry, that's my job.
That's why your papers are in the U.S. mails addressed to myself.
You're job? What? Gettin' in my way?
Well, not exactly. What then? I'd like to know?
To find out what goes on and get it to the people.
What people? The people.
I never heard of 'em. You will, Harry, someday.
They're gettin' to be more and more well-known all the time.
What if I told you this whole operation is strictly according to law?
Then I'd say the law needs revision. Who are you, the government?
Of course. Since when?
Since 1779, right? Right.
What do you think you've got, Paul?
A connection between Harry's combine and the congressman's amendment.
All right. But why single us out to make a fuss over it?
Yeah, why? What we're doing isn't uncommon.
It's done every day. Done every day, that's right.
For all I know, there's an undiscovered murder committed every day.
And what does that prove? All this undercover pressure.
This bribery, corruption, government between friends.
Sure, it goes on all the time, and it's tough to crack!
Just ask me. I've tried for years.
You need more than knowing about it.
You gotta have facts and figures, and most important, the names.
And he's got 'em.
All right, let's get down to it.
What'll you take, Paul?
I'll take a drink, please, if I may. Don't get fancy!
I ain't met a guy yet didn't have his price! I have.
- I'm talkin' about big numbers! - You and your big numbers!
You don't watch out, you'll be wearin' one across your chest!
I'll get to you later!
Now make up your mind. There's two ways we can do business.
One, you play ball, and I'll make it worth your while.
Two, start watchin' your step, 'cause there's no place you can walk...
no place you can live if you monkey wrench me.
Now, what do you say?
I'd like to think it over. All right, you got two minutes.
Come on, Billie.
Wait a minute, Harry! Harry!
Cut it out, Harry! Cut it out, Harry!
- Operator! Let me go! Operator! - Get a hold of yourself!
You stupid fool! What do you think you are?
Can't you see that all this muscle stuff is a thing of the past?
You cut it out, or you'll be a thing of the past too!
- I got mad. - Who are you to get mad, you big baboon?
You ought to be grateful you're allowed to walk around free.
You don't know me good enough for that kind of talk. I know ya.
A kick in the keister, a crooked play, and your problems are all solved.
Bigger problems, bigger kicks. Who's next?
The government? The nation? Aw, don't blow your top.
I'm still ready to do business.
How's a hundred grand?
A hundred grand is beautiful.
But I can't take it. Why not?
My girl wouldn't like it, would she? She certainly wouldn't.
All right, then! What's your idea? Nothing. No idea.
I'm just trying to show you that... legislation's not meant for buying and selling.
This country, with its institutions,
belongs to the people who inhibit it! Inhabit!
Inhabit it! I always did what I want. I'm always gonna.
Try it. Who's gonna stop me?
Us two. Youse two!
Oh, don't make me split a gut.
It's gonna be some fine day when a 100-a-week hick and a dumb broad can stop me.
What are you standin' around like a thief and dummy? What do I pay you for?
Say somethin'! All right, I'll say something.
Well? They're right.
Whose side are you on?
What do you want? Rye, ginger ale.
Who asked you? Butt out!
Tell that congressman of yours he's all washed up. I guarantee it.
As far as you're concerned, you're not gonna get away with it either.
Don't worry about me. Oh, but I do.
I worry like the devil. I stay up nights.
You know, when you live in Washington, it's enough to break your heart.
You see a perfect piece of machinery... the democratic structure...
and somebody's always tampering with it, trying to make it hit the jackpot.
When you steal from the government, you're stealin' from yourself, ya dumb ox!
You two, go ahead. I'm goin' right ahead. Wait a minute.
I'll tell you where you're goin'. You?
Sure. In this whole thing, I guess you forgot about me... about how I'm a partner.
Jim once told me... 126 different yards I own.
Control. Same thing.
So here's how it's gonna be. I don't want 'em.
I don't want anything of yours or to do with you, so I'm gonna sign 'em all back.
All right. Only not all at once. Just one at a time.
One a year.
Only you gotta behave, 'cause if you don't...
I could let go on everything.
For what you've done, even since I've known you...
I bet you could be put in jail for about 900 years.
You'd be a pretty old man when you got out.
What's goin' on around here? A revolution.
Come on, Paul. I'll send for my things.
You little crumb! You'll be sorry for this day.
Just wait and see. Go ahead and go with him, but you don't stand a chance.
If I've ever seen anybody outsmart themselves, it's you.
Good-bye, all. And you!
Me? Yeah! You're fired.
Sorry, Harry. I enjoyed working for you.
Open up.
- All right, Harry? - Do what I'm tellin' you!
How do you like that?
He could've had 100 grand. She could've had me.
Both wind up with nothin'. Mm-hmm.
Dumb chump.
Crazy broad.
To all the dumb chumps and all the crazy broads...
past, present and future...
who thirst for knowledge and search for truth;
who fight for justice and civilize each other...
and make it so tough for crooks like you...
and me.
License, please.
No, not this license. Oh, sorry.
Okay, forget it. My wedding present. But take it easy...
or you'll never make it. Oh, don't worry. We'll make it.
It's a clear case of predestination.
"Pre"...what? Look it up.