Body and Soul Page #4

Come on, Shorty...Not with me.

He's restless, he's had a lot of fights, he's all wound up, like a guy on a jag.

Peg, you've got to...

What have I got to?

You two still getting married?

Well, I haven't had time to say no!

Then get married right away.

- Why, have I got a rival?

- Yeah, money!

You know what Charlie is, what they're making him? A money machine.

Like gold mines, oil wells, ten percent of the U.S. Mint!

They're cutting him up a million ways!

You're the only one left, Peg, the only one. He won't listen to me.

If you don't hold onto him, it's Goodbye, Charlie Davis.

Marry him, Peg, but do it now, now!

How do you like this coat? Handmade! Shorty's got one like this, too.

Come on, honey, we're gonna burn up the town! We'll rob the stores!

Wait a minute, wait a minute, I forgot. Oh, yeah...Mom...Mom is coming up.

Would you do me a favor, Shorty, the old lady's coming up. Keep her happy. Make with the jokes!

- Where'll you be?

- On the town!

- Quinn?

- Arnold...

What did you decide, Arnold?

The champ and I talked it over. We owe you...

- about 40 grand.

- Exactly 40 grand.

And we figure if we can hold the title for six months or more, we could pick up some easy money.

You know...making appearances, and...

The champ hasn't fought a real match in two years, Arnold. That costs money. No gates.

We waited for a real contender. He's here!

I know.

It's a business, Arnold. We get one fight now, another in six months.

It's money at the gate...and the betting!

Besides, I been carrying you and your boy.

Debts have to be paid or it wouldn't be business.

I guess you're right, Mr. Roberts.

Too bad about Ben getting hurt in that last fight. I liked Ben, he was a real fighter.

- Hard luck.

- Accidents happen.

Let them happen to other people!

After Ben's head cracked into that post, I wanted to die.

It's still there...the blood clot.

Doctors say no more fights.

What do you want me to do?

I told you...get your boy in the ring.

It's up to you, Ben.

If you say no...no.

If it's no, I want the money right away!

And I hold you responsible, Arnold!

People don't count with you, do they, Mr. Roberts?

You've been square with me, Arnold. I'll fight Davis.

Okay, Mr. Roberts.

- In two months.

- In two months.

But we agree it's for a decision...No slugging!

I don't want my champ killed, Mr. Roberts.

Nobody's gonna get killed!

Thank you, Mr. Roberts...Thank you!

- Have a good cigar, Quinn. For the new champ.

- Thanks, Mr. Roberts!

Too bad about Ben's head...he was a great fighter.

I like fighters, Quinn, better than horses.

But you gotta look out for business.

So we don't tell Charlie anything about this. Let him go into the fight and knock Ben out.

But Ben's sick, Mr. Roberts. Charlie might kill him!

The crowd likes a killer, and Charlie's a hard fighter.

- It'd look fixed if he takes it easy.

- I know, Mr. Roberts.

So wipe your nose and forget the whole thing!

Where's your boy? I asked you to bring him down.

He said you'd know where to find him.

- Fresh kid, huh?

- Yeah.

I'll see him.

- Why don't you freshen your drink, Quinn?

- It tastes all right.

Lay off in front of the old lady, will you?

If you're sleepy, why don't you go home?

I'm not sleepy, I'm just thinking.

Don't tell me.

It's getting kind of late, Mrs. Davis.

Oh I've waited, I'll wait, Shorty. I wouldn't want to disappoint Charlie.

I'm waiting for Charlie, too.

Quinn promised me...It's lucky to meet lucky people.

You're a lucky woman, Mrs. Davis!

You think so, in what way?

Your son's going to be champ. And that means he's gonna be rich.

And that means you're gonna be rich.

I'm beautiful, why should I want to be rich?

- Why, hello!

- Ma!

- Charlie...How are you?

- Fine...You look wonderful.

- Let me look, let me see...

- Well, I haven't changed, and neither have you.

How do you like everything?

Wonderful.

I'm sorry we kept you waiting, but Peg and I, we've been on the town.

My fault, Mrs. Davis...my fault, everyone.

We danced and danced and Charlie just couldn't get me home.

Look at my dress, we robbed the stores!

And what do you think of my wedding present?

Yeah, we're gonna get married, right away! We decided this afternoon!

Now I am rich!

Getting married, that's great! Peg, that makes me feel fine!

- Look now, Shorty, that's enough!

- It sure is wonderful!

It's been such a night! Such a day!

Did you ever drink an oceanful of champagne?

Every place we went, there were millions of people,

and every one an intimate, personal friend of Charlie's.

And every place we went, there was another party, and more champagne!

And Charlie was the king, and I was...Charlie's girl!

And you're Charlie's mother, and you're Charlie's manager...

and you're Charlie's friend, and...

Who are you?

I'm nobody.

Don't sulk...We're all nobody.

You know who nobody is?

Nobody is anybody who belongs to somebody.

So if you belong to nobody, you're somebody.

Understand?

I'm sorry...This is Alice, Charlie, she's a friend of mine. She sings in a nightclub.

- Pleased to meet you, Charlie.

- Hello.

- And Miss Born?

- Hello.

- Could I try it on?

- It's all yours!

- Well, when's the wedding?

- Right away! - Good, good!

We'll invite the whole neighborhood. You wanna have it uptown or downtown?

- Uptown.

- Downtown.

Anyplace, as long as it's legal!

Gee...soft like baby skin.

I bet it cost a lot of dough!

Too rich for your blood.

Probably Roberts.

Hello, Mr. Roberts, we've been waiting for you.

Who asked you to wait?

- I'm Roberts...You're Charlie Davis.

- Yeah...Pleased to meet you, Mr. Roberts.

- This is my mother.

- How do you do, Mrs. Roberts.

And this is my girl. We're gonna get married.

I just bought her a mink coat for a wedding present.

And...who's this?

That's my friend, Shorty.

- How about a drink, Mr. Roberts?

- Never touch it.

- How do you like the layout?

- Nice.

We've got a wonderful view...you can see the whole park from here.

- What's on your mind, Roberts?

- Oh...a social call.

A social call, huh?

What kind of a deal did you cook up with Quinn?

Lay off, Shorty!

Who did you say this was?

- That's my friend.

- For how much?

Ten percent.

Good evening, friend.

Good evening, partner.

Watch your arm, Charlie!

I told you it was my arm, didn't I?

Well...can we talk?

Yeah...who's this?

He's with me.

She's with me.

We have to get straightened out on this deal, Charlie.

- I thought you arranged that with Quinn?

- I don't talk money with Quinn.

- What do you want?

- I only make one kind of deal, Charlie, from now until the time you retire: 50 percent.

50 percent of what?

Quinn gets 30 percent, Shorty gets 10 percent and I get 60.

You want a crack at the title, don't you, Charlie?

We start fresh...You're a fresh young kid, so we start fresh.

There's always 100 percent.

You take 50 and I take 50.

Well, what about Quinn?

He's your manager. We both need him. You give him 5 percent and I'll give him 5 percent.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes