Alias Nick Beal Page #4

I collect them.

Don't tell him.

Tell me something?

You know I did burn Hanson's books.

You don't believe me.

Sure I believe you.

Then how?

Probably copied them

before the trial began.

Yeah. That's all.

That would be smart.

I better go. It's already ten.

Won't be necessary.

The money.

I've got it.

You have?

That's swell. I was kind of nervous.

Only not here.

Mr. Beal?

- Yeah.

You forgot your pipe.

Did I?

You sure you have the money?

You been trying to find me?

Yes, I have.

What for?

I was talking to Hanson's bookkeeper.

So?

I thought he'd skipped town.

- No, he's here.

He's supposed to be here at ten.

He has a very odd story, Beal.

Says he personally

burned Hanson's books.

Claims the ones we used

are counterfeit.

They looked alright, didn't they?

If they're faked, I want to know it.

What did the guy want?

$2,000

Shakedown.

I'm not sure.

Why else would he pick the night

they're deciding who's

going to run for governor?

I don't know.

I wouldn't worry.

It's quarter past ten

I'll lay even money the fellow

doesn't even come.

That's beside the point.

I want to know

if those books were faked.

What do you think?

I'm asking you.

Yes or no?

Take it easy.

How could they be faked

if they were burned?

By putting ashes

through a printing press?

I want a direct answer, Beal.

- Don't touch me.

I don't like to be touched.

Besides what's the difference

if they were faked?

I have to admit in this trial

and set Hanson free.

And blow the governorship sky high?

That doesn't matter.

I happen to have a conscience

about these things.

Hello.

Oh. Hello, Ben.

Yes. I knew the committee was meeting.

Oh, they have?

Well, tell the committee

that I'd be very pleased

to accept the nomination.

If we can get all the churches

in the state...

...staring a series of sermons

on good government...

We want to blast Kennis.

Yes on that tax decree.

-What about

That'll be fine. Mimeograph some copies

to our list of women's clubs.

May I see it please?

No, no. Change this.

Joseph Foster means good government.

Just Foster on top and

good government below.

Print 5000 copies to begin with.

Yes, Miss Allen.

He hasn't come in yet?

No, Mr. Norton, I'm sorry he hasn't.

But it's nearly three o'clock.

Well, the jury's luncheon

lasted longer than we expected.

Miss Allen speaking.

You'll have to ask

at the regular press conference.

Is the committee still in there?

They've been waiting for over an hour.

Let them wait.

You should have been with us.

A thousand women and

ten thousand questions.

The governor wowed them.

I knew he would.

I wish everybody had as much faith

in me as you have.

Everybody doesn't know you

as well as I do.

Don't overplay it, sugar.

Sorry I'm a bit late, gentlemen.

It was an interesting gathering.

Joseph, I'm afraid we have

some bad news for you.

The Stafford report.

What about it?

Indicates you were run more than

a hundred thousand short of Kennedy.

Couldn't be wrong.

It's accurate to more than one percent.

What should we do?

We keep working and hope

something will happen.

Kennedy's too smart for that.

You've got just one chance.

And what's that, Mr. Beal?

Make a deal with Faulkner

and his downstate machine.

You're not serious?

You want to win, don't you?

Not that much!

- We couldn't!

Biggest crook in the state.

Just the kind of people

we're out to beat.

What do you say, Joseph?

I agree with these gentlemen, of course.

It would negate everything we stand for.

It's out of the question.

I'm surprised you'd suggest

such a proposition.

Gentlemen, shall we consider

next week's agenda?

Feeling low?

I'm disappointed.

You don't like the Faulkner idea, huh?

No, I don't.

That's too bad because

the deal's already made.

I set it up the day before yesterday.

You set it up?

No charge, Governor.

Beal

I'm going to toss you

through that window.

I don't like anyone to touch me.

Alright.

But get out.

Sure.

I'll get out after I speak my piece.

Whose team do you think I'm playing on?

I don't know and I don't care.

I'm playing on yours.

I'm trying to help you.

I want you to be governor.

If I've done wrong,

you can repudiate it.

And me too.

Alright, I intend to.

And sell the state down the river

at the same time?

It's funny about reformers.

They're all colorblind.

They see everything

either in black or white.

No in-betweens, no greys.

They don't realize that politics

is full of greys; all different shades.

Like in this case.

In order to do good as governor

you must be elected first.

And to be elected you must

make a deal with Faulkner.

Sure, that's kind of grey.

But it's white beside Kennedy's color.

You know that, don't you?

Are you through?

And it's funny about you being sore.

You didn't set the deal.

Your conscience is clear.

After you're governor all you have to do

is throw Faulkner

a couple of scraps from the table.

Get out.

Get out.

I'd think it over.

Would you like to

check these, Miss Allen?

Have they been signed?

- Yes

Send them right away.

- I'll get a special messenger.

You've got a date tonight, baby.

Who with?

The next governor of the state.

Better get prettied up.

And don't forget the case.

It cost me three thousand.

Good evening, Donna.

Good evening, Doctor.

Oh. Mr. Beal.

I've been trying to place your face

for over a month now.

Maybe you better give up.

Did anyone ever paint your portrait?

Yes.

Yes, Rembrandt in 1655.

No thanks, Eileen.

Darling,

I'm not hungry.

Something's bothering you, isn't it?

No.

Joseph, what's the matter with us?

We used to be able to talk things over

when we had problems.

It's not that girl?

What would she want

with an old duffer like me?

I'd want you.

Can't you tell me?

It's that Falkner machine downstate.

Beal made an arrangement with it

in my name.

It's no problem.

Issue a statement to the newspapers.

It means giving up the governorship.

It's that important?

Yes.

Yes it is.

It amounts to electing Kennedy.

Selling the state down the river.

I'd rather have you sell the state

than yourself.

That's not the point.

There's so many good important things

I could do if elected.

Isn't that what Hitler said once

and Mussolini?

That's a lot of nonsense.

There's no comparison.

But they made deals with

downstate machines too.

Martha,

You just asked me why I don't

talk things over with you anymore.

Well, I'll tell you.

I'm fed up with cant,

righteousness and sanctimony.

I'm fed up with preaching.

You're not a wife. You're a missionary.

Good evening, Opal.

Good evening, Mr. Beal.

Tell Miss Allen I'm here.

Yes, sir.

Looks as though you were wrong

about tonight.

He'll show.

Put those down.

- Why?

I had Opal fix them special.

That isn't all that was fixed special.

What's wrong with this?

Same as the dish; too obvious.

Now wait a minute.

- Look, I know the deal.

A couple of drinks,

light down low, half a pint of perfume

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