Cannery Row Page #6

Duco's pretty good.

You might try that.

Suzy...

I'm sorry about

what happened at the party.

No need to be. It wasn't your fault.

I wasn't ready for what

you were offering me.

I had a good cry about it.

It's all done.

Feeling sorry for me

is a waste of time.

I don't blame you

for rubbing my nose in it now...

You told me how it was.

I was too dumb to listen.

You're a free guy with important

stuff to do. You like what you got.

- You don't need anyone to spoil it.

- That's what I said, but...

I knew it wasn't true

even when I said it.

I saw your face at that party, it

was the truth. You were embarrassed.

You didn't want

to be associated with me.

- You're not going to forgive me?

- Nothing to forgive.

I'm on my own

and it don't hurt me no more.

In fact, it probably helped me.

Okay...

- I better be going.

- Yeah, I got to get to the Poppy.

- Doc?

- Yeah.

I know about The Seer.

He was Maxie Baker,

the guy you hit, huh?

Yeah.

I looked him up.

It said he was in a mental ward.

I had him released in my care.

He'd never have made it in there.

You've got nothing to blame

yourself for. It was an accident.

He would tell you

the same thing if he could.

- It wasn't your fault. None of it.

- Well, maybe not.

But it is my responsibility.

Nothing can change that.

Not even his forgiveness.

Some debts you never can repay.

I'm sorry, Suzy.

So am I.

But you can't have everything.

Great, Suzy,

you sure set him straight.

When first condemned to it,

Hazel rejected the presidency.

But recent events

had made him reconsider.

Some sort of leadership

was obviously necessary.

He began his quest with Suzy.

Howdy, Hazel.

All I got free is coffee.

That's okay. I don't want none.

Hazel? What are you doing?

I'm helping you clean up.

- Say, what is the matter with Doc?

- How would I know?

I got to do something to help him.

He's done everything for me.

Once he was my character witness,

and I ain't even got no character.

- What do you want me for?

- Could you go and sit with him?

- No.

- But I thought you liked him.

I like him all right. If he was sick

or had a broken arm, I'd go see him.

Well... Okay.

I got to go do some thinking.

- So long, Haze.

- So long, Suzy.

- What happened, Hazel?

- I don't know, Doc.

I found him floating by the rocks.

The tide must have sucked him out.

It ain't no use, Doc. He's gone!

He's gonna be all right!

- It ain't no use, Doc.

- He's gonna be all right!

He's gone, Doc.

Oh, God.

I know it.

Goddamn, I know it.

You want me

to carry him to the sheriff's?

I want to do it myself.

So long, Maxie.

Doc, I'm sorry about

all this stuff that's happened.

It's okay.

And now, Suzy,

she won't have you unless...

- Unless what?

- Nothing.

Anything I can do, Doc?

No, Hazel. I just need some sleep.

I was up late last night.

Doc, can I ask you something

before you go to sleep?

You always give me good advice.

Sure, Hazel. What is it?

Suppose there's this guy in trouble.

He can't get out of it, but he's got

a friend that he don't know about.

- That's you?

- No. It's some other guy.

But suppose this friend knows a way

to get the guy out of trouble.

Do you think he ought to do it?

Sure. That's what friendship's for.

Even if it might hurt like hell?

Yeah, I guess so.

Doc, I remember The Seer

told me something once.

He said if you're gonna be

a true friend to somebody,

you got to be ready

to do hard stuff for them.

You got to do stuff that he might

not like you no more for doing.

You got to be ready to kill the guy

if he's in pain real bad.

You think that stuff's right, Doc?

Well, I appreciate your advice, Doc.

I'll be seeing you later.

No one knows how greatness

comes to a man.

Hazel, after fighting it,

denying it, cursing it, everything...

..finally accepted his greatness,

as he had the presidency of the U.S.

There was no longer any escape.

He knew now what he must do.

There's nothing I can do.

You have to wear this cast

for at least two months.

How can I collect specimens

with one arm?

I don't know.

How did you do this anyway?

I can't remember.

I woke up with a pain in my arm.

The last thing I remember was going

for Mack and the boys for help.

The tissue over the break's smashed.

You were hit with a club.

Excuse me, I got to go see a guy.

Eddie will help you get home.

Okay, Mack.

Thanks for bringing me over.

Hit with a club?

Hazel? Hazel?

I just came from the hospital.

Doc's got a broken arm.

- You know something about it?

- You gonna be mad at me, Mack?

- No, Hazel. I promise.

- I didn't have no choice, Mack.

Suzy wouldn't go see him unless

he was sick or had a broken arm.

I tried, but I couldn't figure out

how to get him sick.

There was no other way.

- Are you sure you ain't mad?

- Hell, no.

We don't know if it'll work, but

it's a step in the right direction.

Fauna has got to get somebody else

for the President of the U.S.

I tried, and I practised,

but I just ain't got it.

I'd mess up the whole country.

You sweet little bastard.

We'll get you off. Don't you worry.

You've done noble stuff.

Only you had the guts.

Just take it easy.

You got the ball

to the one-yard line.

Mack will carry it in for you!

- Does it hurt much?

- A little.

I wish I knew how I did it.

I feel like a damn jerk.

Excuse me, Doc.

I got to go do something.

I heard you were hurt.

Is there anything I can do?

No. It just has to stay in a cast

for a couple of months.

It shoots the hell

out of spring tides though.

I don't know what I'll do

for octopi now.

Doc...

..I'll go down to La Jolla with you.

How come?

I thought me and you

could have a nice time.

Turning over 100 pound rocks?

You just tell me what to do,

but don't make me keep asking,

or I'll get sour.

But I can't promise I can write the

paper, even after we get the octopi.

Don't make no difference to me.

As long as you ask me to go,

I won't feel cheated.

- Okay.

- I'll go tell Ella I'm leaving.

Come and get me when you're ready.

Suzy?

I love you.

Really?

Let me see your eyes.

Really.

Surprise!

Doc, before we get the party going,

we all got something to give you.

You couldn't do your paper because

you didn't have the right stuff.

On behalf of everyone

who chipped in,

it makes me happy to present you

with your new microscope.

Do you like it?

They're going to bill us.

It's beautiful, Mack.

It's really... beautiful.

It's the biggest in the catalogue.

We've already collected over $6.

I want to thank everybody.

You've all been wonderful friends.

Come on, everybody.

What are we waiting for? Let's party.

The party didn't finish till dawn.

The crew of a San Pedro tuna boat

arrived at 1am and was routed.

The police came at 2am

and stayed to join the party.

Mack used their squad car

to get more wine.

A woman called the police about

the noise and couldn't get anybody.

The tuna boat crew came back

at 3am and was warmly welcomed.

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