Ace in the Hole Page #6

Ladies and gentlemen, something

phenomenal is going on here,

right in front of this

400-year-old cliff dwelling.

A new community is springing up

a veritable town of tents

and trucks and trailers.

Standing here, I can

pick out licence plates

from California, Arizona,

Texas and Oklahoma.

And more cars pouring

in all the time.

And more volunteer workers

from all over the state.

Top-flight newspapermen from the biggest

papers in the country are here.

The most outstanding of

these newspaper people is,

of course, Chuck Tatum,

the courageous reporter who first

made contact with Leo last Saturday.

Later on in this broadcast, we will try

to get Mr Tatum to this microphone.

In the meantime, I'm sure you'll

want to hear from some of the folks

who have gathered here to hope

and pray for Leo's rescue.

This gentleman right here,

what is your name, sir?

Federber. Al Federber.

What business are you

in, Mr Federber?

In the insurance game, in Gallup.

Feel right at home, Mr Federber.

Speak right into the

microphone, please.

We're from Gallup. This is

Mrs Federber and the boys.

It's a very wonderful thing

to see a man and his family

come all the way from Gallup to join

us here during these anxious days.

Well, I didn't exactly

what you call join.

I heard you talking to some other

people on the radio last night.

We were over there in our

trailer having supper.

And they said they were

the first ones here.

Oh, I hate to call anybody a liar,

but that just plain isn't so.

My wife will bear me out.

Nellie, who were the first

people here? Tell them.

Why, we were. I wouldn't lie

about a thing like that.

I'm sure you wouldn't,

Mrs Federber.

Now, Mr Federber, what is your reaction

to this wonderful job being done here?

I think it's wonderful.

I run up against accidents all the time.

I know what I'm talking about.

I'm in the insurance game myself.

You never can tell when an

accident's gonna happen.

I sure hope Leo had the good sense to

provide for an emergency like this.

Now, you take my outfit,

the Pacific All Risk.

- We have a little policy that covers...

- Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr Federber.

I'm sorry we have to interrupt

these on-the-spot interviews,

but I see it's almost time for Mr Tatum to

make his first visit of the day to Leo.

Stand by while we

move our microphone.

We'll try to get Mr Tatum to say a

few words to you when he reaches us.

Hold it, fan.

Look, Mrs Minosa, they're having a rosary

at that little church this evening.

I want you to be there.

I don't go to church.

Kneeling bags my nylons.

You're making enough dough to

buy yourself another pair.

I want you to be there

because I'm sending Herbie down to

get a couple of shots, understand?

Okay.

But only because you wrote me

up so pretty in today's paper.

You sure can make with the words.

"A figure of fair-haired loveliness

in the lengthening shadow

- "of the cursed mountain. Beautiful..."

- Unquote.

Tomorrow this'll be yesterday's

paper, and they'll wrap a fish in it.

And another thing, mister.

Don't ever slap me again.

Did you buy the cigars for Leo?

Real Havana. The best I

could find in Albuquerque.

I got a job for you, fan. Pick up

Mrs Minosa. Lorraine, I mean.

Make sure she gets to

that church this evening.

I want a picture of

her with her beads.

If she hasn't got any,

get some for her.

Sure. And how about me taking

a picture of a medicine man,

you know, with the fancy

headdress and all the trimmings,

- exorcising all the evil spirits?

- Now you're clicking, fan.

- That's got a message.

- Thanks.

When I take your copy

in Albuquerque...

No more copy. Not for Boot anyhow.

As of now, I'm not working with

the Albuquerque Sun-Bulletin.

- Neither are you. We quit.

- Both of us?

- Hope it's all right with you.

- Sure, Chuck.

There isn't anything you could do

wrong as far as I'm concerned.

But I don't get it.

Quit in the middle of a story right

when it's snowballing like this?

That's exactly the time

to do it, Herbie, boy.

They've been lapping it up.

Every word, every paper,

from New York to Los Angeles.

So now we turn off the

spigot. Just like that.

Watch them with their tongues out.

Stop at that tent. Let's see

the gentlemen of the press.

Look, boys, I don't care

where you come from,

New York, Philadelphia,

Chicago or the moon.

Nobody goes down to see Leo.

- What about Tatum?

- It's out of bounds.

- Why?

- Because it's dangerous down there.

Because a wall could

fall in on you.

Because I'm sheriff and because I'm

responsible for everybody's safety.

- What about Tatum?

- Out of bounds! You heard me.

What about Tatum?

You're repeating yourself.

This is a pretty nice place I

fixed up here for you boys.

Be a shame to cut all these

wires and kick you out.

Don't try it, Mr Sheriff.

We wouldn't take that kind of guff from

J. Edgar Hoover, let alone from you.

We came all the way out here to do

a job and we're going to do it.

- It's out of bounds!

- Now you're repeating yourself!

How come it isn't out

of bounds for Tatum?

How come he goes in as

much as he wants to?

- What about Tatum?

- That's right. What about Tatum?

Howdy, fans. Why,

it's like old home week.

Glad to see you, Mac. Mr McCardle,

used to work together in New York.

And if it isn't Jessop.

Big-hearted Mickey Jessop.

Thanks for the 50 bucks

you didn't send me.

Guess he didn't get my wire.

And what do you know?

Josh Morgan. Where was it?

Boston? Chicago? All I

know is he's got a hernia.

Sitting pretty, aren't you, Chuck?

Got everything sewed up,

Leo, the sheriff.

Try to talk to the father, the

mother, the wife, and what do I get?

- "See Tatum! See Tatum!"

- He's a friend of the family.

Now, what's your beef, fans?

You're smart cookies,

big-city newspapermen.

There's a lot of good stories

lying around here all yours.

The weather,

the crowds, the Indians.

Inside stuff, how they weave a rug.

Cut it out, Chuck. We're all buddies.

We're all in the same boat.

I'm in the boat.

You're in the water.

Now let's see you swim, buddies.

Tatum, I always knew

you were a louse.

Easy, Mr Morgan. You're talking

to an officer of the law.

That tin badge will do you no good.

We've launched a protest

with your publisher.

Launch it with the sheriff.

He's my superior.

All right, we'll take

this all the way

to Santa Fe, to the Governor.

- And you know what he'll do.

- You bet I do.

He's a fine man, and he'll take action.

He'll phone the sheriff.

And I'll write him a letter and

tell him I'm doing my duty.

Then you talk to the Governor again,

and he'll talk to the Attorney General,

and for all I know, they'll

throw me out of here.

Only by that time,

buddies, Leo will be out,

and the story is finished.

Over, done!

Excuse me, gentlemen.

I got a date with Leo.

Popcorn! Popcorn!

Just so you don't think

I'm a complete louse,

I do have some news for you.

Put it on a teletype.

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