Backfire Page #5

- Steve Connolly?

- Yeah.

- You know him?

- Sure, why?

- It seems there's been a little trouble.

- Because of Lou?

- Lou?

- Lou Walsh.

Oh, Lou. Yeah.

Yeah, I think that's what

she wanted to talk to me about.

Oh.

I don't like it. I don't like it at all.

That guy Lou, he's poison.

The way he used to look at her. Like he'd

kill anyone who even said her name.

A guy who loves you like that,

that ain't love.

How long have they known each other?

Steve and Lisa?

She met him the same time I did.

The night the Topaz room folded.

That's where she and I used to work.

I'd finished for the night,

and I was waiting at Lou's regular table.

Lisa was on her last number.

- Yes, sir?

- Mr. Walsh's table.

This way, please.

- She's good, huh?

- Yeah. Very good.

- Anything for you, sir?

- Nothing, thanks. We're leaving.

I'm Steve Connolly.

Lou sent me to pick up you and Bonnie.

I'm Bonnie. That was Lisa.

Oh, uh, Lisa, this is Steve Connolly.

Lou told me to bring you to the party.

- I told Lou on the phone that I was tired.

- He said you'd change your mind.

- And if I don't?

- We didn't get that far.

Do you mind

if I have something to drink?

Waiter.

- Miss Raidoff would like a drink.

- Coffee, please.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Nothing for me.

It must be an important game tonight.

I heard a few blue chips rattle.

- Is there a big crowd?

- Not too big.

What she means, buster,

is are they stinking?

They're businessmen from out of town.

They're stinking.

- Would you like another one of those?

- No, thanks.

How do you fit into the picture,

Mr. Connolly?

I work for Lou. New boy.

Sort of a handyman.

- And where did he find you?

- A sale. War surplus. Big reduction.

He's not only cute, he's funny.

Part of my job.

Every hour on the hour, a joke.

Lou likes jokes. He'll like you.

You're amusing, Mr. Connolly. And hard.

It's a hard world.

Well, shall we go to the party?

What would you do, Mr. Connolly?

It depends on what you want.

- Do you know what you want?

- Uh-huh.

- That's why I'm working for Lou.

- Then you better be careful.

I know exactly

what Lou must have told you.

"Don't come back without her."

Can I drop you any place?

No.

I've changed my mind.

I think I'll go to the party.

Oh, Miss Lisa?

- Yes?

Mr. Lou wanted to see you

as soon as you arrived.

- Hello, Lisa.

- Hello, Solly.

You've just won another mink coat,

from me.

How nice.

Solly.

- Hello, Bonnie. How are you?

Never saw anything like it.

Give me a highball.

Try to keep my brain clear.

Nothing helps tonight.

That Lou Walsh just filled

his third inside straight.

Do you know what

we always say in Detroit?

When your luck starts running

against you, start running.

I'll give it a few more hands.

If you're from Detroit,

maybe you can get me a new car.

- Maybe I could.

- Without a bonus.

Hey...

...didn't you fight Bingo Brett

last Friday?

Yeah. How did you recognize me

on my feet?

- Connolly, you owe me a grand.

- Did you bet on me?

Not on you. Against Bingo.

I own him. He couldn't

fight his way out of a paper bag.

Well, meet a torn paper bag.

- I'm Solly Blayne.

- How are you?

- What're you doing?

- Work for Lou.

- You're retired from the ring.

- Allergic to canvas.

Ha, ha. You'll probably get

a bonus tonight.

Your boss is running wild in there.

Well, one more round.

Cards, I mean, champ.

Back to the lion's den.

- Say, she's all right. Who is she?

- Name, Lisa Raidoff.

Age 25. Weight 112.

- Unavailable.

- Yeah?

Miss Raidoff...

...l'm Dick Manning from Detroit.

- That's interesting.

Party sure brightened up

when you came in here.

- Have a cigarette?

- No, thanks.

Have you been lucky tonight?

Well, not in the card game...

...but I wonder

what my chances might be here.

Want to dance?

- Can you dance without music?

- We got music.

- Take five minutes, Rocky.

- Sure.

Sit back down there.

How much does a guy have to lose

in Los Angeles to dance with some gal?

Wanna dance with me, chum?

I'm rough but I'm good.

- What? Are you trying to be funny?

- No, I'm just being nice.

But I can be funny too.

Why, this is a fine way to treat a guest.

When I'm in Detroit

you can do the same for me.

- Now go find yourself a neutral corner.

- What a party.

He just wants to have something

to brag about when he gets back home.

- Thank you. Lou will be grateful.

- That was on my own time.

Take five minutes anyway, Rocky.

You don't have to stay with me

if you want to be with the guests.

I'm with a guest.

Must be 1:
00, Mr. Connolly.

Every hour on the hour, a joke.

No joke.

What's the name of that?

- Why do you ask?

- I've heard it before.

- You must be mistaken.

- No.

No, I can even tell you where.

It was a little town

a few miles outside of Vienna. Um...

- Vianashtak?

- That's it.

There was a beer joint.

It had a string orchestra.

Three old guys, they were playing that.

- How do you know?

- It was my home.

Oh.

Did you like my home?

We liked anyplace we could

get out of the tank and stretch.

The beer joint was a bonus.

I remember we whistled that tune

all the way into Vienna.

I'm glad you like it, Mr. Connolly.

My father wrote it.

- Your father?

- Yes...

...he told everyone

he had written it for me...

...but that was only so I would practice.

And he was right too.

For a long time

I wouldn't play anything else.

- It made me feel important.

- Must be a good feeling.

It was.

- You know, I envy you, Mr. Connolly.

- Why?

- You said you know what you want.

- It's not much.

A buddy and I are...

What?

If I told you, you'd think

it was my 2:
00 joke.

Maybe you will tell me some other time.

Maybe...

...when I get out of the jungle.

The jungle.

That's what Lou calls it.

Only the strong or the cunning can live.

The gospel according to Lou Walsh.

And according to you?

Lou doesn't ask me.

I'd been holding my breath

all the time those two were at the piano.

It was the first time I'd ever seen Lisa

without the ghost on her shoulder.

If Lou had come out of that card room...

...Steve would have been right back

in war surplus.

Um, this party was at

Lou Walsh's apartment, huh?

- Where does he live?

- At the Brentwood Palms...

...but he's in Miami now.

- How do you know?

- I called up.

They said he'd checked out

and that's where he was.

Ooh! The coffee.

You say Solly Blayne lost in that game?

Well, he said he was clean.

It's when I heard he got bumped off

that I called up.

He's a pretty good guy. I got all excited.

Naturally, knowing him and all.

Say, do you take cream and sugar?

I said do you take cream and sugar?

Hey.

Hey, what's the idea?

Too bad. A young girl like that

had a long time to live.

If there's anything I can do.

If she had a family.

It's too late for that now. I warned you

last night about playing bird dog.

If you'd come to me with those numbers

maybe she wouldn't be lying on a slab.

Don't you think he feels bad?

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