City That Never Sleeps Page #2

-Oh. been complaining again?

No, she just loves you, that's all.

She loves her job,

that big position of hers.

Maybe instead of a friendly chat you'd

like an unfriendly punch in the nose?

Not tonight, Pop.

Then ease up.

OK.

Where's my partner?

He's sick tonight.

Same old earache, I suppose.

He ought to have his ears cleaned

out or chopped off.

Ready to roll?

Who are you?

I'm your partner for tonight, Kelly.

How do you know my name?

I've known it for a long time.

I wish I could return the compliment.

I don't think I know you.

Well, you can just call me, uh, Joe.

With a sergeant along,

I figure I'll do the driving.

You might be a sergeant

yourself someday.

-Not me.

-Sure about that?

Positive.

I wonder what kind of night

it's going to be.

This car usually has it pretty quiet.

Car 108, Car 108.

Eastside ninth district.

10316 Avenue J

Second floor in the rear.

Man beating a woman.

The city at night. A million homes,

three and a half million people

all different from one another.

People loving, people hating,

people stealing, people praying.

Same old shinola.

Car 284, Car 284.

The Starlight Ballroom - a knifing.

Probably some goon

jealous of the taxi dancer.

He spends ten cents

and thinks he's in love.

The grief of a city.

I'm sick of listening to it.

How did a man in your frame of mind

become a policeman in the first place?

My old man, Sergeant John Kelly.

Sergeant. He's been on the force

for twenty seven years.

He wants us to be a family of cops.

He pushed me into it.

I suppose you had different plans?

Anything but being a cop.

That reminds me.

I have a little errand. Do you mind

watching the car for a few minutes?

No, not at all.

Be right back.

-Oh, hello, Johnny, come in.

-Thank you.

I gave the cook the night off.

-Will you have a drink?

-I'm working.

For me or the police?

That depends.

You know, Johnny...

I could make a big man out of you.

I've helped a lot of people.

It's a hobby of mine

to take a human being...

and give them glamour,...

-confidence and polish.

-Darling?

Would you excuse me a moment?

I know you're busy, darling, so...

I'm going over to Helen's for a while.

Did you have to call me in here

to tell me that?

I wanted to say goodbye.

I couldn't very well have done that

in front of company, could I?

-Be home early?

-Of course.

Give my best to Helen.

You see, Johnny, this is the thing...

I can give a person dignity and pride..

...help them face the world.

I can face the world.

Oh, can you?

The world you're in now?

I see how you win your court cases.

Let me tell you the story

of a man I once helped.

His name is Hayes Stewart.

A rather handsome chap...

...considering the tawdry profession

he was in.

He was a pickpocket.

Did you ever hear of anything

lower than a pickpocket?

Yeah, I've heard of a few.

Well, I met him in a rather odd manner.

Well, he stole my wallet.

He emptied my briefcase.

Then came to my apartment and had

the gall to blackmail me

for its contents.

And he was really very good at it.

You should have turned him in.

No, no, he could be of use to me.

Before he left here I convinced him

That I could find better things

for him to do. For instance...

...certain documents in my possession...

...often prove very valuable

during a trial.

Now he's worked for me ever since.

He's prosperous, wears the finest

clothes, and has the manners

of a gentleman.

Yeah.

And the instincts of a killer.

I've heard of him.

He's the job I have for you.

Mr. Stewart is becoming very ambitious.

He wants to be independent.

He's going to try to break

into my office safe.

-What's he after?

-A document.

What?

The Declaration of Independence?

That's what he thinks.

He'll be at the Fister Building

on Dearborn St. at 1AM this morning.

I want you to grab him right in the act.

You don't need me to get him.

Call headquarters.

They'll be glad to get

an advance notice on a burglary.

If Mr. Stewart were simply arrested,

taken down and booked...

...it would be rather ticklish.

Unless I spring him within a few hours,

he might start singing.

What do you want me to do?

Kill him for resisting arrest?

Oh, no. Nothing so crude.

Rough him up a little bit

if you have to.

Slip the handcuffs on him and shove

him in the back of the police car.

Then take him over

the Indiana state line.

Why?

He'll only come right back.

No.

The Indiana police are looking for him.

A slight case of manslaughter.

A year or two in the penitentiary.

Seems like an awfully roundabout way to

get rid of somebody.

I don't exactly want to get rid of him.

What he needs is a lesson in ethics.

I'll let him cool for a few months

in the Indiana jail.

Then I'll step in

and obtain his release.

He will be grateful to me

and our relationship will be resumed.

There's just one hitch.

Oh yes, of course.

I forgot the most important thing.

There's five thousand dollars in this.

Let's call it a gift for whatever

is your favorite charity.

That's a lot of money.

But when I have an important errand

done for me I...

...I'm an extremely benevolent man

Obviously.

-That's not what I meant.

-No? What then?

Tonight I'm unavailable.

Not while I'm wearing this.

Tomorrow will be different.

Tomorrow will be too late.

The time is tonight.

It won't work.

I'm not going to try it.

Yes, you will.

And I'll tell you why.

Hayes has been palling around

with a young kid.

Sort of a sidekick.

The kid hasn't become involved

in anything yet.

But if Hayes continues to be

on the local scene...

...little Stubby is going to be in deep.

And you'll be looking up at him

in the police lineup.

Holding his cap in his hand.

And blinking at the lights in his face.

any particular corner

on the Indiana line

you want Hayes Stewart dumped on?

Third and E Street

He'll be there.

if I want to get in touch with you

for any particular reason tonight...

Car 749.

That would be rather awkward.

Then try the Silver Frolics on Wabash.

Ask for Angel Face.

Angel Face?

Yeah, she works there.

Get your errand squared away?

Yeah. Part of it.

Car 12, supermarket, 3546 Addison St.,

burglary in progress.

Everything quiet?

We haven't been asked

to do a thing so far.

Car 134, Car 134.

Corner of Elston and Montrose.

-Disturbance on street.

-It's like a jungle.

Ever think of how it would be

without the police?

Sure, every man for himself.

Violence, bloodshed, fear,

no protection.

Do you lecture on the side, sarge?

Car 44, Car 44.

4721 Hyde Park - meet robbery victim.

A soldier in tavern at that address.

probably some guy just back from Korea

been rolled for his train ticket

and whatever money he had.

Sure, happens every night.

In a way we're like soldiers.

-An army of policemen.

-Knock it off will you?

You're not very impressed

with your job, are you?

It's my last night on the force.

Why?

Because I'm not impressed.

Will you do me a favor?

Give this to the captain in the morning

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