Angels Over Broadway Page #5

-There you are, pilgrim.

The snow-capped peaks of Thessaly...

...or rather, according to the critics,

a molehill.

Thank you.

What do you think of that set, Mr. Engle?

-lt looks like a real mountain.

-lt was, until the critics nibbled it away.

The rodents! Here, my boy, drink that.

-lt will give you character.

-Thanks.

You know something?

lts going to be all right.

They think lm rich and theyll let me win.

-Okay, this is where l came in.

-Where are you going?

-Bye-bye.

-Youre not going to take me there?

Hes full of pipe dreams.

Thats how he makes his living,

making up pipe dreams.

You know what Enright would do to me

for playing a joke like this?

Hes got six killers on his payroll,

hopheads with ice picks.

An alarmist.

How will he find out?

Mr. Gibbons told you what to say to Dutch

after Mr. Engle gets away.

l sit in a chair while they slap me dizzy...

...reciting Gibbons idea of dialogue

under such conditions.

lts a lot better than you could make up.

These are the wings of the Angel Afriel...

...a very good actor.

-But you cant run out, you got--

-l got to stick my neck out? For what?

Wheres my percentage?

Where do l come in?

lts giving somebody a chance to live.

lts giving them a chance to start over

and be happy.

Why should l give anybody a chance?

Who ever gave me a chance, or you either?

l know this town.

l used to work in hotels, all kinds.

Fleabags and flops with gold elevators.

lve heard them screaming

and crying behind doors...

...seen them kicked out

when they couldnt pay...

...seen them jump out of windows

when there was no place to go.

Theres nobody passing out any chances.

lf anybody wants to jump, let him.

lm looking out for one guy only. Me.

-l didnt think you were like that.

-lm strictly a percentage player, thats all.

For dough, anything. But for....

Wait a minute.

What is it?

lm dumb.

lm even dumber than you.

What if this hairpin should win

more than $3,000?

What if they let him win $6,000,

or even $10,000?

l get a split on everything over $3,000.

lll talk to Engle and try to make a deal.

-Hey, Mr. Engle?

-Time to be going, gentlemen.

-l got to talk to Engle first--

-Youve been chatting long enough.

Theres a taxi waiting outside

with the meter running.

lve got something to say.

-Listen, Mr. Engle--

-You have nothing to say.

l havent?

Say, who do you think you are? God?

Exactly.

lm glad you see through me, finally.

But youre still a little short in your vision.

Were all of us God, my boy.

All creatures full of light and miracles.

Come on.

Thank you.

Omnipotence often needs a little support.

Theyre waiting for me

to give them the offers. Then theyll come.

Who are they?

The big ones Eddie Burns,

used to be a prize fighter.

l aint so scared of him, though.

But the other one....

Hes the brain trust for Dutch Enright.

Louie Artino.

Make up your mind. What do you want?

Shall l flag him?

One minute.

lm ready, lve got it all down.

-Got what down?

-What lm going to say.

A little more reserve, Mr. Engle.

Youre a very rich man.

Youre so rich you dont have to talk.

ln fact, youre so rich,

you have nothing to talk about.

Thats your character.

lm afraid lm confusing you.

No, l can act like a rich man.

Dont worry, Mr. Gibbons.

Wont do.

l want you to act like a poor man.

Just remember all your troubles

and youll look exactly like a rich man.

-l see.

-Good.

All right, Mr. OBrien.

Curtain.

-Hello, Bill.

-Louie, aint seen you in a long time.

Getting along.

Allow me.

Miss Barona, this is Mr. Artino...

...Mr. Engle, Mr. Gibbons. Eugene Gibbons.

How do you do? Yeah, the playwright.

l thought l recognized you.

Glad to meet you.

lve always been an admirer.

-And this is Eddie Burns.

-Pleased to meet you, lm sure.

Join us, Louie. Were having a drink

and trying to figure out where to go.

You look like a man of the world, sir.

Maybe you can help me persuade Mr. Engle

that show business needs men like him.

New money, new actors, new ideas.

Thats what the theater needs, Mr. Engle.

You smile, sir...

...because you think

lm talking through my hat.

Nonsense.

Let me repeat, Mr. Engle.

For $30,000, youll get one half of the play.

For a paltry $30,000,

you can come backstage...

...whenever you like and see the men

pull the curtain up and down.

lm not in the mood for business tonight.

lm trying to have some fun, Mr. Gibbons.

Fine. Excellent.

Beautifully said.

Thats what were all trying to do,

Mr. Engle, have some fun.

-Am l right, Mr. Artino?

-Sure.

We ought to take care of your friend, Bill.

Yeah, l was telling him

about the club upstairs.

lts a sort of private little affair.

We happen to be having a meeting tonight.

Just a get together for a few friends.

l was telling him we might drop in,

if its not too late.

Not at all. Come on up, Mr. Engle.

Always glad to entertain

any friend of Bill OBrien.

Thanks.

lm glad to have met you, Mr. Gibbons,

and you, miss.

l hope you put your deal over.

See you later.

You were wonderful. l knew you would be.

Never mind about me,

lm playing a percentage.

lts all right, Mr. Gibbons, theyve gone.

What do you mean, its all right?

He aint acting. Hes out cold.

Come on, Engle, give me a lift.

lm all right, thanks.

Aint Grand Central Station,

but its big enough for me.

Everything is going to be all right.

-Wheres that Engle?

-Here.

-Now, you understand your part, my boy?

-Yes.

Little man against the fates.

They will deal you hope off the bottom

and let you win at first...

...then you get up and slither off.

Tell them youre coming back.

Youve got to see me.

Your friend is very drunk, dangerous,

might set fire to the hotel.

Who knows?

Theyll think, as they watch you go,

Hell come back...

...but you flee.

Youll live happily ever after...

...as l ordered it.

-Mr. Gibbons?

-Hes really out this time.

-The mastermind folds in the stretch.

-Please, hell hear you.

He aint going to be hearing anything

but pink elephants for some time.

You got a fine pal, Engle.

Passes out on you in the finish.

Thats his trouble as a playwright,

according to the critics.

Starts off fine, then loses track.

l can see what they mean.

Sure lost track of this production.

-Hurry, theyre waiting.

-Theyre waiting. l know all about that.

But first, l wanna have a little talk to you.

-Youre going to back out?

-Nobodys backing out.

lm willing to help...

...but not on account of the fates

or any of that gabble he pulled.

l write the finish different to him.

l write it over for Bill OBrien.

lm in this, but l want a cut.

-A cut?

-Yeah.

Everything you take over $3,000 is mine.

But how can l get any more?

How do you know

how much theyll throw at you?

lve seen as much as $15,000 in one pot.

That hotel owner, they let him win

more than $8,000 before they....

Say, even if its only $5,000...

...l take all over $3,000.

Okay?

Sure, thats all right with me.

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