Alias Nick Beal

In every man there's an imperfection,

a seed of destruction.

You discovered that, Foster, when

you traded principles for personal glory

When you sacrificed integrity for power.

You discovered that

in eight short months.

Climbing to a governor's mansion

from a district attorney's office.

District Attorney. Hello, Jack.

He's in conference.

May I take a message?

Hello, Mary

- Hello.

I've got the Beckford file for the boss.

He's in conference.

Well, can I trust you with it?

I'll take them in.

May I?

- I guess so.

What if it is personal?

You're not an old maid, are you?

The Beckford file, boss.

Thanks, Wolfe.

I don't suppose there's any secret

about it. I'll be 48 next month.

Forty eight. That's just about right.

That'll be all, Wolfe.

Right for what?

There's gossip around.

Governor Lambert's gonna retire.

He's old. Pushing 70.

The race will be wide open this fall.

Very interesting.

- I thought it might be.

I got some more gossip for you too.

A fellow who's 48 could win.

With the right sponsors.

Provided the sponsors are out of jail.

They will be.

That's not the way the jury's going to

feel about your man, Hanson.

I think it is after what I heard today.

Seems you had a subpoena issued

for some books of his.

Books with figures in them.

Go on.

Hanson was gonna bring them down

except something funny happened.

They caught fire.

- I don't believe you.

I'd have brought them myself

to show you only...

I didn't think you'd want your office

cluttered up with ashes.

You're licked, Foster.

- No.

And you don't think so either.

Or you wouldn't be talking

about governorships.

Let me tell you about that.

My people up here have been

complaining about you.

Breaking their slot machines,

closing the bookies,

breaking up the numbers game.

It's cost them and me a lot of money.

Then Hanson.

You missed but I have an idea

you'll try again.

Of course, there's another way

to stop you but that's messy.

Blood, a lot of bad publicity.

I don't think either of us

care for that.

What then?

I gather you're offering me a choice.

A governorship or a shroud.

I wouldn't want to put it...

- I don't want to put it any way.

Suppose you get out.

So you don't want to dance, eh?

- That's right.

Maybe you will anyway.

The Reverend, Dr. Garfield.

- Come in, Tom.

Trouble with Faulkner?

- Yeah, bad trouble.

He and his man, Hanson

have outsmarted me.

Sit down, Tom.

- Ah, Joseph.

Burned Hanson's records.

You must have expected that.

Not the way I had the thing set up.

Of course, I wanted the records

but I knew if I went after them before

the trial, he'd destroy them.

So I built my case to look as if I

wasn't going to use them at all,

figuring on a raid later on

when he was off guard.

One of my assistants secured the

subpoena this morning.

But it got through to Hanson too.

I wouldn't worry.

You've made a fine record

No district attorney in the country

has done better.

No, it's not me. It's the little people,

the corner grocer,

the basement tailor,

the one truck cleaner.

All paying from five to ten dollars

a week for protection.

From what?

Hanson.

Someday he'll overreach himself.

- Someday's not soon enough.

I'm going to get him and I'm going to

get him now if I have to...

I'm sorry.

Why should I be bothering you

with my troubles?

Did you bring the boy?

Wolfe has him outside.

Has him?

- He's a bit wild.

That's why we have the club.

Hello, Reverend.

- Hi, Matt.

Well, athletes.

What're ya gonna do,

make me a boy scout?

I know what I'd do with you.

- You ain't big enough.

Come with me, Larry.

Say,Joseph?

-Yes?

Wouldn't the burning of the books be

evidence of Hanson's guilt?

It would be if i could prove he did it

which I can't.

It's a pity.

After all the work you've done.

Let's go in the office, Larry.

- What for?

I just want to talk with you.

If that kid was mine...

- He wouldn't be here, Wolfe.

Sit down.

I'd sooner stand.

What've they got for for, Larry?

Auto rap.

Want to tell me about it?

Why should I?

No reason except that I was once

in the same spot.

Don't give me that soap.

When you were a kid you wore lace pants.

When I was your age I could lick

every kid on the waterfront

and most of the sailors too.

Lace pants.

But I'll tell you something, Larry.

I found out it doesn't pay.

Not in the long run, not any more than

what you're doing.

If it weren't for Dr. Garfield, you'd be

in a reform school.

What's the matter with reform school?

You want to go there?

Sure. This is sissy stuff.

The guys on the block

would laugh at me.

Do you think anybody laughs at me?

No.

- Well, there.

Why don't you give it a try?

Say for a month.

No. I don't think I'd...

About ready to come home, darling?

I'm always ready to come home.

Martha, this is Larry Price.

He's thinking of joining us.

- Oh, you like it here, Larry?

Maybe.

You look tired, dear. Bad day?

- Not good.

Hanson?

- I'm afraid he's outwitted me.

Oh, what a shame.

Joseph would rather convict Hanson

than be president, I think.

He's the last of our evil forces.

He's the last and the biggest.

He's like an octopus.

Sucking the blood of every little

business in the city.

I'd give my soul to nail him.

Mr. Foster?

- Yes. What is it, son?

A man told me to give this to you.

Thanks.

Listen to this.

If you want to nail Hanson, come

to the China Coast at 8 tonight.

It's almost as if he heard you.

Son?

-He beat it.

Joseph, you're not thinking of going?

I would if I knew where he was.

It's a joint of Front St.

Next to the M & R wharf.

Thanks. Martha, I'm perfectly capable of

taking care of myself.

I'll run you home and then drop in on my

anonymous friend.

It's probably just a joke.

'Bye, Tom.

- 'Bye, Joseph.

Well, Larry, will you give us a try?

Yeah, I guess so.

You must have had a tough trip, Joe.

Yeah. I'm two days out and the motor

conked out. And the radio.

For a week we drift south.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Where did you come from?

- Out there.

There's nothing but bay out there.

- That's right.

I'd like two drinks.

Separate drinks brought to this table

and some ginger ale

and a small glass of Barbados.

- Barbados?

Rum, my friend, a dark, pungent rum.

- We ain't got none.

I think you have. A square bottle.

You'll find it.

You'll find it, he says.

As though i didn't know

every drink in the joint

Carl.

- What?

There ain't even a dory out there.

Well, maybe he swum.

Barbados.

Barbados. Where does he think he's at?

He'll drink what we...

Bridgetown Barbados.

Five years I been here and...

Mr. Foster.

You're the man that sent me the note?

- Sit down.

Drink?

- Well, a little ginger ale.

Here it is.

That'll be...

- Exactly one dollar.

Look, mister. Nevermind.

Mutual prosperity, Mr. Foster.

Before I drink to that,

you might tell me who you are.

If you like.

Nicholas Beal, agent.

Agent for what, Mr. Beal?

That depends. Possibly for you.

Foster promises clean city

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