Bullets or Ballots Page #3

---

Nothing like a good investigation

to make the public happy.

This one won't make you happy.

The mayor had a talk

with the governor tonight.

- He's convening a grand jury.

- What good will that do him?

Thanks to your letting things

get out of control...

...it'll cost us

an extra million dollars this time.

I think you're beginning to slip, Kruger.

I suggest that you locate the weak spots

in your organization now.

- There aren't any.

- I'd still look around if I were you...

...Mr. Kruger, because if you make

just one more mistake, you're through.

What do you mean, through?

There's just one way to interpret it.

That's all, Mr. Kruger.

You've been in the police department

for 30 years, Captain McLaren.

Thirty-one.

We find that you have

an excellent record...

...and a fine reputation

for honesty and integrity.

And yet you've been very outspoken

against the previous commissions...

...to solve the racket problem.

Why is that?

- Are you asking for a frank opinion?

- Yes.

I've had that attitude because half

the commissions were political sops...

...thrown to the public

to keep them quiet.

The other half did what

they were supposed to do.

They investigated, wrote a report...

...took a swing at the police department

and went home.

- Their work was of no help?

- No.

We don't need investigations

and reports.

Every policeman on the force

knows about the rackets.

We know what they are,

how they're worked.

And they'll keep on as long

as the penalty for running it...

...is no more than for breaking a bottle.

A misdemeanor, 30 to 90 days in jail.

What if stronger laws were passed?

You'll have to go further.

You'll have to wipe out the corruption.

Does this corruption reach

into the police department?

There have been rumors of its reaching

into the other grand juries.

- That's why they went home?

- It's possible.

This one's not going home, McLaren.

Then you'd better make it your job to

find out where the racket money goes.

Who the top men are

that buy protection.

The governor's taking a crime bill

before the legislature next week.

It gives this jury something

the others never had:

Complete power to fight the rackets.

To cut off their source of revenue

and discharge corrupt officials.

We recommend the appointment

of a police commissioner...

...who'll be given the same power.

- Will that help to wipe them out?

- Yes.

Would you accept the post?

- Police commissioner?

- With our complete backing.

- Yes, on one condition.

- What is it?

That I have your full support in all I do

without having to explain it...

...or answer to you for it.

- That's a large condition.

And a necessary one.

Plans are no good

when they leak ahead of time...

...and I've seen some leaks

in high places.

If those terms are satisfactory,

let me know.

Thank you for considering me.

We don't care to waste time.

We accept, and we'll recommend

your appointment at once.

- Will you be ready to take charge?

- Yes, I will.

Patrolmen Jack Owens,

Raymond Keeler...

...Alfred Quinn...

...Frank Raider, Richard Phillips...

...Edward Lynch...

Police-department cleanup.

Read all about it.

Police-department cleanup.

Extra. Paper, mister?

Extra. Paper?

- Hey, Garber.

- Yeah?

Didn't you forget something?

Thanks.

- Hi, boys.

- Hello.

Hello. Hi, Johnny.

- Hi, boys.

- Hi, Johnny.

Get these loafers working, Kelly,

or McLaren will swing his ax at them.

- Hey, Johnny.

- Yeah?

- What's on your mind?

- I've got some bad news for you.

- What?

- You were washed out this morning.

- What are you doing, framing up on me?

- No, I'm on the level, Johnny.

Fired?

Well, where's the discharge?

They sent it up from headquarters.

"Inefficiency. "

It's a rotten deal for McLaren

to give a man with your record.

- I thought he was a friend of yours.

- Yeah.

Good news, Miss Lee.

Mr. Schlosser sold more numbers

yesterday than any day.

- How many?

- I forgot to ask him. Why?

Never mind.

How much have you got there?

Two thousand one hundred and eighty.

No.

- Two thousand eight hundred and...

- Let me see the slip.

- Did Schlosser do this adding?

- No. I did.

That's just what I thought.

How much are seven and four?

Which ones? Ten.

Perfect. Now, suppose you just collect

and let Schlosser do the adding.

It would make it a lot easier that way.

How much did you make

in Harlem today?

I don't know yet. Nellie hasn't come in.

There was something

I wanted to tell you about Mr. Blake.

It was important too.

- So you forgot.

- Oh, I'll remember it.

I got so much on my mind.

Yes, I know. Well, before you forget,

put the money in the safe, will you?

I know it was something,

and I know it was about Mr. Blake.

I won't rest till I think what it is.

Come in.

- Hello, Nellie.

- Hello, Miss Lee. That's all.

If this keeps up, you gonna be rich.

Four thousand five hundred dollars

yesterday, Miss Lee...

...and the game is spreading

all over Harlem.

The boys all around the pool halls are

spending their money on the numbers...

...instead of dice, and when a colored boy

stops crap shooting, that's something.

Rose, how many times have I told you

not to use this on Miss Lee's hair?

You ain't putting the wave in right.

Give me that comb.

Get on out of here.

These no-account girls.

You can't learn them nothing.

Honestly, Miss Lee, you ought to let me

come back and take care of you.

No, Nellie. You've graduated.

You keep on managing the Harlem end.

You thought of this game,

and you deserve to get rich from it.

Sometimes I wish I hadn't thought of it.

Madame Nellie LaFleur.

Seven...

...and four...

...and 18.

Who is it?

He isn't here.

- Who'd they want?

- McCloskey.

That's you.

Hello?

He hung up.

How many had

the winning number yesterday?

- One.

- Who?

Me.

Nellie.

I've been riding my preacher's

auto-license number and it showed.

- People will think you're cheating.

- I didn't tell anyone.

Oh, Miss Lee.

- I remember what I had to tell you.

- What?

Mr. Blake got fired

from the police force last night.

- Somebody's kidding you.

- No, it's true.

Hello, Johnny.

How are you, Lee?

Say, I never thought

you'd get over this way.

What are we gonna do,

stand here and swing on the door?

Why, no. Come on in.

Say, what are you in an uproar about?

Herman said you got fired.

Yeah, that's right.

Sit down, make yourself comfortable.

Who did it?

McLaren.

You were always telling me,

when McLaren got to the top...

...everything would be

just fine and dandy.

Well, I was wrong.

Well, it's time you got wise to yourself.

The only reason friends

pat you on the back...

...is to find an easy place to break it.

Yeah.

You're a friend, aren't you?

Well, I guess you're dumb enough

to think so.

Oh, no. I'm not dumb.

You like me pretty well.

Well, that goes both ways.

If women and home life were my line,

I'd have fallen for you a long time ago.

That would have been kind of nice,

Rate this script:2.0 / 1 vote