Dark Passage Page #6

-I'll get you a taxi.

-I'll pack my bag.

It's the taxi.

Funny how quickly they come

when you don't want them to come at all.

Sounds pretty final, doesn't it?

You'll be all right now.

They can't get you now.

I'll need a new name.

Let me give you one.

Even if you change it later on...

let me give you one

to go with your new face.

Your eyes are quieter.

Allan's a quiet name.

Allan Linton.

No. I knew a guy

with a name like that once.

I didn't like him.

How about...

Linnell?

Allan Linnell.

Goodbye, Allan.

You'd better go.

-There isn't any possible way to say--

-No.

Goodbye, Irene.

-You're the party who wants a taxi?

-Yes.

Nearly pushed my thumb

through that buzzer.

Sorry.

Post and Fillmore.

-Morning.

-Good morning.

Ham and eggs, coffee.

-How'll you have the eggs?

-Easy.

Easy does it.

-Looking for the sports section?

-Yeah.

The guy that left the paper took it.

-What do you want to know?

-Race results.

What track?

-Bay Meadows.

-Where you been, mister?

Racing's been over

at Bay Meadows a month.

Lonesome down there.

Mind answering a few questions, sir?

No, I've got plenty of time.

-Where's your raincoat?

-I'm absent-minded.

-Let's try it again. Where is it?

-Okay, I haven't got any.

-That's better. Why not?

-I told you I was absent-minded.

Is that why you're up so early?

-Couldn't sleep.

-Why not?

-You're curious, aren't you?

-I'm paid to be.

I've been curious for years.

-What do you want with me?

-That depends. Who are you?

My name's Linnell. Allan Linnell.

I'm an investment counselor.

-What's AT&T selling for?

-$1 70.

I got 10 shares. Got any tips?

-You can't do any better than AT&T.

-Your office here in town?

-Portland.

-Rains a lot in Portland.

What're you doing here

without a raincoat?

-I'm hiding.

-From what?

My wife, my friends,

my family, everybody.

Come on now.

It can't be as bad as all that.

I'll tell you what you do.

Go live seven years with my wife...

and then if you're still in your right mind,

come back here and tell me about it.

Is that why you got the shakes?

I told you, I couldn't sleep.

Sorry, fellow. We got orders

to check everybody that looks suspicious.

-I always figured I looked normal.

-You do.

But you asked for the race results at Bay

Meadows, and the racing season's over.

Not normal.

That's why I moved down to say hello.

I'll have to see your cards.

I haven't got my identification here.

It's too bad. You got me trapped.

Now I'll have to take you in.

Look, it's in my wallet at the hotel.

Why can't we go over there?

I've got my identification there.

Finish your breakfast

and we'll go over to the hotel.

-What's your address in Portland?

-Look, let's go there now.

-Clear this up, then I can eat in peace.

-Okay, let's go.

-Keep the change. I'll be back later.

-This is $100.

Sorry, friend. I thought it was smaller.

I'm sorry I made that crack

about Bay Meadows.

Why couldn't I keep my big trap shut?

-Where is this hotel?

-Straight down the block.

You ran in front of me!

Are you hurt? You ought to be shot!

-Where's the man who was with me?

-He ought to be shot, too!

I could have dropped dead.

He ran right in front of the wheel.

My heart feels like a baseball bat

hitting my chest.

I was driving home from work.

I'm a night watchman.

I got a weak heart. All I do is sit

and watch. I can't take chances.

So I was driving home from work...

and this crazy galoot runs in front of me.

Did you see it? Were you a witness?

Won't somebody call a policeman?

This man ought to be arrested.

-You ran into a cop, mister.

-I ran into a....

Look, Officer. I'm a night watchman.

-I was driving home--

-Shut up.

Sergeant, this is Kennedy.

I just picked up a suspect

on Fillmore Street.

He broke away from me.

Height:
about 5' 10''.

Hair:
dark brown, eyes: brown.

Blue suit, stripes. No overcoat.

Just wanted to see if you had any luggage.

Room's on the fourth floor.

Turn right. You can't miss it.

Elevator's right there, Mr. Linnell.

Very unusual name.

Walk backwards. Keep your hands up.

Keep going until you hit the wall.

I could shoot you now

and pick myself up $5,000.

$5,000?

That's what the cops offer, alive or dead.

-They're stumped.

-You talked to them?

If I was a dope, I would've talked to them.

I'm no dope.

I probably looked dumb to you

when you slugged me, but I'm not dumb.

-What do you want?

-Money.

-How much?

-$60,000.

$60,000? I can't pay that.

I can't come anywhere near it.

She can.

-Who?

-Irene Jansen.

Who's she?

Look, Parry,

I told you before I wasn't a dope.

I happen to know that dame is worth

a couple of hundred grand.

She could spare $60,000.

You can't touch her.

She's out of this.

You can't do a thing to her.

Except turn you in.

And that's where she comes in.

She'd take the rap

for concealing a fugitive...

as well as for being an accessory

to the Fellsinger job.

-She'd get 20 years.

-They'd never give her that.

All right, let's give her a break.

She'd only get 10 years.

It's still worth $60,000 to her to stay out.

With the $140,000 she's got left...

why, she could get $60,000 back

in no time.

Then we'd all be happy.

-Hang it up.

-You'll play?

I got to think it over.

Think about it all you want to.

Look at it up and down and sideways.

You'll come to the same answer.

What do you want me to do?

We go to her apartment together.

She writes me out a check for $60,000.

What are you?

I was a small-time crook

until this very minute.

Now I'm a big-time crook. And I like it.

-Say, who did that job on your face?

-I'm not saying.

It's high-class work.

You won't keep bothering her, will you?

$60,000 is just the right amount.

-All right if I light a cigarette?

-No.

Keep your hands up.

I think maybe you better turn around.

I guess maybe you better.

I was wondering how long

it would take you to think of that.

Now, how's for sitting down?

I guess that's okay.

But keep your hands behind you.

You know, I didn't figure on you

slugging me in that jalopy.

-I should have slugged you harder.

-You should have.

I wouldn't have come to in time

to see you drive off...

with that classy dame

in that station wagon.

I got the license number.

I always had a good head for figures.

My only interest in your head

is how easy it'll crack open.

I'm annoying you?

-You're gonna be annoyed more.

-How'd you find out where she lives?

I called this little auto club I know.

Gave them her license number.

They gave me her name and address.

Said her financial rating was well over

a couple of hundred thousand bucks.

-You staying with me?

-I'm right alongside you.

That's dandy. You stay there.

Then I figure I got

a couple of thousand dollars shakedown.

This was big stuff.

I didn't know what the rich dame

had to do with you.

But I drive to her address to find out.

Sure enough,

there's the station wagon parked outside.

I park my car across the street and wait.

-Want a cigarette?

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