Dark Passage Page #3

-A friend.

-Dependable?

The only close friend I've ever had.

Let's see, it's 2:00 a.m. now.

I'll go up and see the doc

and make a date for you for 3:00 a.m.

Nice safe hour.

You go up to his place.

It's up an alley, it's safe.

This isn't far from my friend's.

Don't let the doc's alley

give you the creeps.

He don't like drop-in trade.

So long. See you later.

Vince.

Where did you come from?

Get out of the doorway.

What you got on? How did you get here?

-You expecting anybody?

-Where, here? No.

-Anybody follow you?

-I don't think so.

Want a drink or something? Come on in.

Sit down.

You shouldn't be here.

The cops know you're my friend.

That still go?

Sure, you've always been my friend.

You're the only guy who ever liked me.

I want you to let me

stay here a week, George.

Now, do it for me.

Only a week, that's all I'm asking.

You shouldn't stay around this town.

You ought to be on your way someplace.

Sure, you can stay, but you shouldn't.

I need a week.

-The cops may be on their way right now!

-I can't travel with this face.

It's plastered all over the papers.

It needs to be changed.

I'm going there tonight.

Plastic surgery?

-That costs money.

-I've got plenty.

A girl named Irene Jansen gave it to me.

I didn't realize it then,

but she came to my trial every day.

I remember that girl. I wondered why she--

I want you to remember her name,

Irene Jansen.

She and you are all I've got to bank on.

You can depend on me.

I've got two keys to this place.

You can have one of them.

Lie down and make yourself at home.

What if the police are here

when you get back?

You don't know I've been here.

I'm a big surprise to you.

-You're telling me.

-I was almost a big surprise to Madge.

-Madge Rapf?

-Yeah.

-She knocked at Irene's apartment.

-Madge know this girl?

Madge knows everybody,

pesters everybody.

All my life

I've tried to keep from hating people.

But I can't help hating Madge,

the way she testified against you.

She was under oath. She had to.

I don't believe Gert's dying words were,

Vincent did it. Vincent killed me.

It doesn't make sense.

She fell and hit her head,

that's what happened.

You got a raw deal.

Gert hated me. That's why she said it.

Gert didn't hate you.

Gert just didn't care for you.

There's a difference.

She would have walked out on you

if she'd found somebody permanent.

She wouldn't frame you

when she was dying.

She was no prize package,

but she wouldn't frame you.

Madge framed you.

Madge wanted to hook you...

and when she couldn't have you,

she framed you. Sent you up for life.

We both know that.

My attorney couldn't shake her story.

Maybe someday

she'll get run over or something.

That's what I pray for every night.

What time you going to this doctor's?

Pretty soon. It's being arranged now.

You still practice on the trumpet?

Only when the neighbors are out.

The guy who sold me this said these keys

were inlaid with semiprecious stones.

Remember when

you spent your last cent...

on that fire opal ring for your wife?

$900, just because she said

she'd never be happy without one.

I remember when you gave it to her.

She was excited at first,

then she looked at it close and got sore.

Said the opal had flaws and the diamonds

were just chips, and she threw it at you.

$900.

Cut your face.

I remember.

That reminds me, my face

will never look the same after tonight.

-Time to go?

-I got to face it sometime.

-I'll leave my bag here.

-What about your hat?

I won't be able to wear a hat

over those bandages.

Be careful.

-Got a match, pal?

-Sure, here.

-Keep the box.

-Thanks.

Hey, don't we know each other?

-I don't think so.

-I guess you're right.

I haven't got any rich friends.

I thought one of my old pals

might have struck it rich, though.

-How's it going?

-Going all right.

Longest 12 blocks I ever walked.

Don't be nervous.

I know how bad these things can be.

Just a couple of weeks ago,

I picked up a dame in my cab...

she must've had her face lifted

by one of them quacks.

She got caught in the rain and

the whole thing dropped down to here.

She should've left it unlifted.

But this guy is great. And no quack.

Come back in the light.

Yes, I think that'll work out nicely.

What do you think, Walt?

Around the eyes mostly, and the mouth.

Add some to the cheeks...

from there and there.

I think I'll leave the nose alone.

It's a nice nose.

-It'd be a shame to break it.

-That's what I thought.

Mind a few scars,

as though you'd been in a wreck?

Just a little wreck.

-You're the doctor.

-Good.

How old would you like to look?

I don't know.

That's up to you, I guess.

I'll make you look older.

Not too old, not too young.

Will I need to come back again?

No. I'm taking enough chances as it is.

When you cut yourself, do you heal fast?

Yeah.

Don't make the scars too big, Walt.

I like this guy's face.

I study people's faces.

That's why he's here,

because he's got a good face.

I won't need you here, Sam.

Go in the other room and read a magazine.

And you, friend, sit back in the chair,

and we'll start things.

-Will it take long?

-90 minutes. No more, no less.

I thought it took longer than that.

You're not going to operate on me

with that, are you?

No.

Before I can start on you,

you have to be shaved clean and close.

I perfected my own special technique

before I was kicked out

of the Medical Association.

My method is based

partly on calling a spade a spade.

I don't monkey around.

-Have you got the money?

-Yeah, you want it now?

Sam said you could afford $200.

Put it on the table there.

Ever see any botched plastic jobs?

If a man like me didn't like a fellow...

he could surely fix him up for life.

Make him look like a bulldog or a monkey.

I'll make you look older, but good.

-I'll make you look as if you've lived.

-I have, Doc.

I hope I'm not a coward when you start in.

We're all cowards.

There's no such thing as courage.

There's only fear.

A fear of getting hurt and a fear of dying.

That's why human beings live so long.

You won't feel any pain with this.

I'll give you some shots

that'll freeze your face.

Now, just close your eyes.

I've got a fine anesthetic.

Used it in the last war.

It's in your bloodstream now.

You'll be all right, Vincent.

Hold your breath, cross your fingers.

Let me in.

Light?

Got the money?

Ever see a botched plastic job?

You'll be all right, Vincent.

Make you look like a bulldog or a monkey.

Don't try to talk. You're all taped up.

I left a space for you to take nourishment.

Use a glass straw.

You can have anything liquid.

You can smoke, but use a holder.

Don't try to move your mouth.

Don't try to talk.

The bandages can come off

at about this time...

on the morning of the 12th.

You'll be all healed by then,

and you can shave.

I did a fine job on you.

If you feel a little sore under your arm...

it's because I borrowed

some skin from there.

I'm going to ask you some questions.

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