Alias Nick Beal Page #2

with Hanson conviction.

That's right.

Only I hear you've run

into a little snag.

Some missing books.

- Where did you hear about that?

What would you say

if I'd dig them up for you?

Why would you be so obliging?

I'm just a humble follower of your work.

Wayward boys set right,

criminals successfully prosecuted

and I...

admire you.

Incorruptible enemy

of the legions of evil.

Rather flamboyant way of putting it.

Perhaps.

But of course, I'm not

altogether altruistic.

I thought so.

But you're interested.

- Naturally.

How much will this cost?

Whatever you decide is

fair.

That's a proposition

I can hardly refuse.

Should we be going?

Well?

Canning records

don't intrigue you, Mr. Foster?

Hardly.

You may be wrong.

You'll find Hanson's signature

at the bottom of each page.

And how did you happen to...

Mr. Beal?

- Yeah?

How did you happen to know about these?

I hear things.

Of course, I can't take them.

Why not?

Illegal.

Without a warrant.

Didn't you say you'd give

I believe it was your soul

to nail Hanson?

Yes.

I guess I did.

Mr. Beal?

Where are you?

Beal?

Beal?

"Foster Triumphs -

Hanson Guilty"

"Foster Convicts Hanson"

What's this, Martha?

I thought we might celebrate

Hanson's conviction.

Oh. Sure.

You know...

I feel a little odd.

You're not sorry for him?

No. It's something else.

Remember my telling you

about Hanson's account books?

Of Course.

There's something else I didn't tell you

What?

I stole them.

I didn't have a warrant

to search the cannery

until afterwards.

Do you mind drinking with a criminal?

I don't know.

It's not that serious, Martha.

But you've never done anything

like that before.

I never convicted Hanson before either.

Yes, I know.

But Joseph. Next time

even if it's more important than Hanson

you won't let it happen again?

Not while I have a conscience.

And a wife.

We ought to go somewhere this evening.

How long since we've been dancing?

- The New York trip.

That's five years ago.

- Yes, I know.

I'm a pretty dull sort of husband.

I wouldn't say that.

Mr. Foster?

Dr. Garfield and some other gentlemen.

We'll have the champagne after they go.

Coming, Martha?

- In just a minute, dear.

Eileen, did you fill the ice bucket?

No, ma'am.

Well, the reform element

seems to be out in force.

Naturally now that Hanson's gone.

Judge Hobson tells me

you did a splendid job.

Pulling those account books

out of your sleeve at the last minute

was a great piece of work.

Thank you, Ben. But sit down,

sit down, gentlemen.

The furniture's reliable.

I'll fetch you a drink.

This isn't exactly a social call.

There's a party caucus next week

We're wondering if you have any ideas

especially for the governorship.

What about you, Norton?

You know municipal finance.

You've been on the board of

commissioners for the last 20 years.

I'd like to run; as lieutenant governor.

Why not for governor?

- That's you.

Me? Oh, a dozen better men.

No. At the risk of turning

your head, I'll explain.

Hanson's conviction has

made you a national figure.

And your boy's club work

is known all over the state.

We have nobody quite like you.

We sort of figured on

hanging on to your coattails.

Would you object, Joseph?

I don't know. It's a bit sudden.

I sound like a girl receiving

her first proposal tonight.

I'll make you a drink

and sort out my thoughts.

Alright.

He'd make a good governor.

There isn't any ice, my friend.

How did you get in here?

I've been here ever since

you started dinner.

That isn't what I meant.

Don't worry about me. I'm doing fine

even without ice.

So I see.

- Darling?

Oh. Sorry. I didn't know

anybody was here.

Martha, this is Mr. Beal.

A pleasure, Mrs. Foster.

Aren't you the man who found

Hanson's papers?

He tell you about that?

Joseph and I have very few secrets.

Then you must be feeling

pretty proud tonight.

He didn't tell you he's to be

our next governor?

Joseph.

Martha, will you take this inside?

Tell them I have some

business to transact.

I suppose you came here to collect.

How much?

Did you tell your friends

how you got the books?

No, I didn't.

Well...

We said whatever we thought was fair

under the circumstances.

That's right.

Only it seems like circumstances

have changed.

I have a feeling your political career

depends on my keeping quiet.

It wouldn't look good if people learned

you didn't have a search warrant.

How much?

Make it out for $4,586.11

That's absurd.

We haven't got that much money.

Ask the governor to

take a peek at his balance.

You're a hundred dollars off.

I can't be.

There's that check you gave me

at the office this morning.

Yes, that was for a hundred.

You must have friends at the bank.

- Maybe.

Not backing out, are you?

No.

I gave my word.

Joseph, you can't.

I think Hanson's conviction

is worth it.

Especially with a governorship

thrown in.

Thanks.

Now, if you'll wait

You'll hear me tell my friends

exactly how I got the books.

Well, well. I guest the reports

weren't exaggerated.

Real integrity.

Would be a shame

to take advantage of it.

The first completely

honest person I've met in

a long time.

I'm not surprised.

I'd kind of like to participate

in your campaign.

I think we can do without your help.

You don't like me do you, Mrs. Foster?

No, I don't.

Would you change your mind

if I made a small contribution?

Say twenty five thousand?

But I haven't decided to run yet.

You will.

- Don't take it.

No strings attached.

- How do we know?

How do we know that you're

not some sort of racketeer?

My racket concerns

good government, Mrs. Foster.

I don't believe you.

- No?

We don't want your money.

You letting her run things?

I think she's right.

OK.

But I think she's wrong.

Joseph, his money.

Mr. Beal?

Excuse me.

Where'd he go?

- Who?

The man who just came out of there.

I didn't see anyone.

- Neither did I.

Well, Joseph

have you come to a decision?

I'll have to talk it over

with Martha first.

She makes the decisions.

That's fair enough.

Yes, behind the decision of every man

I've found there's generally a woman.

Light?

Give me another bourbon.

Hey sister, that's not your drink.

Isn't it? I'm so sorry.

What happened to mine?

- I wouldn't know.

Hijacking drinks.

- That ain't all she's trying to hijack.

How did you get in here anyway?

Look, piano legs...

Piano legs? How do you like that?

Come on, break it up girls!

Break it up!

Break it up. Come on.

Let me go!

Take it easy, baby. You need some air.

Now scram and stay scrammed.

How about giving a lady a hand?

Sure.

Are you alone, honey?

I'm looking for Donna Allen.

That's me.

I know.

What do you want?

A woman

quite beautiful,

wearing sapphires,

and silk

and sable.

What are you talking about?

Come on, give us the gag.

Are you a cop?

Why don't you come along

and find out.

You sure got a different line, mister.

No key?

Never use one.

Come on in.

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