Fourteen Hours Page #5

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What happened?

Don't you want to talk to me?

I don't care.

I just don't know you very well.

I tried to tell you, Chief.

She hit him with somebody named Virginia.

He turned white as a duck.

I said, "Who's Virginia?"

and he clammed up.

I figured there's a girl

mixed up in it someplace.

- He know anything about her?

- I didn't get a chance to ask him.

- See what you get out of her.

- Yeah.

- All right, back up, fellas.

- Let 'em through.

Come on. Beat it, you guys.

- Gerry. Mrs. Cosick.

- Oh.

- Mrs. Cosick, we understand- - Beat it, you

guys. Can't you see that she's nervous and upset?

Now, leave her alone.

- Are these men reporters?

- We'll get rid of them.

No, please, I'd like to talk to them.

- Just let me rest a bit.

- Of course, Mrs. Cosick.

Robert, I know I've made

a lot of mistakes...

but I loved Chris-

I loved your mother. You know that.

You knew she was a very beautiful girl,

Robert, before she had all that trouble.

I don't know, really, what happened.

You know what I'm trying

to tell you, Robert?

No.

Well...

everything was good for a while.

You were hardly 10 then.

I used to take you to the office

on Saturday sometimes.

You liked to play in the office.

We weren't very busy then.

Girls in the office used to

make a big fuss over you.

And I took you out of school once.

You remember?

No, I suppose not.

But, anyway,

I took you up to the Polo Grounds...

for the opening game of the season.

I wrote the excuse myself.

I said,

"Please excuse my son at 1:00 today.

He has to go to a ball game with me. "

Then she-

your mother hit the ceiling.

I thought first it was missing school...

but it was the money for the tickets.

I suppose she was right.

But I'm working

on my own time now- selling.

I can knock off any afternoon I want to.

I could get a pair of tickets

for the opening game this year...

if you'd like to go.

You're afraid to look down,

aren't you?

I- I haven't seen a ball game

in maybe six years.

I'd like to go.

Robert.

Are you trying to punish me?

Chief.

Commissioner's on his way over.

Would you like another mint?

Thank you.

Gee, I- I wish

I could do something.

That's a wonderful attitude.

I respect that.

You know,

most of these people don't care.

Look, my philosophy is...

no matter how horrible anything is...

there's always something-

something good in it.

W- Well, I mean, like...

you come to work at 8:00 every morning,

I go to work at 8:30.

I-

I could have gone on for a long time,

except for this...

and missed you by a half an hour

all the time.

Uh, have you ever been to Lewisohn Stadium

to the concerts on Sunday?

Oh, it's beautiful.

Stars out, people listening.

No, I-I've never been.

But it sounds beautiful.

I'll take you.

Uh, I'll take you this Sunday,

if you'd like to go.

Well, I- I would like to.

And I appreciate the sincerity

of your invitation.

But we've just met.

I don't even know your name.

Okay, let's keep it clear, now.

Let's go back, folks.

All the way back.

My name's Daniel! Daniel!

Two bells. I'm dead.

- Who's got three?

- I got three.

Hey! I don't like this.

Let's call it off.

What for? Listen, 12 bucks for somebody,

tax-free. That's a good deal.

- What do you wanna call it off for?

- Ah, it stinks.

- Hey, we get separated, we settle up at the garage.

- Yeah.

All right, take 'em up.

Did you get anything?

- Will you let me have a go at her?

- How is she?

She's fine. She's down the hall

in 1510 talking to the reporters.

- Chief, please let me-

- Okay, okay!

- What goes with her anyway?

- She's a case, just like the boy.

I've been a good mother.

I've done everything I could for him.

Do you know of any serious love affair

that could account for it?

Everyone thought it was too bad.

I know they did.

We didn't have much money.

Of course, I was only 18 when he was born.

- I did have to give up my music, any thought of a career.

- You were a singer?

My teacher said I would have been

a concert pianist if I'd kept on.

And it was obvious what people

thought after Bobby was born.

- I'm gonna go down and get some man-on-the-street

stuff. - It wasn't true. I wanted him.

It was a great blessing.

His father never understood.

Our lady protests too much.

Please let me talk to him. Let me go to him.

I'd never forgive myself-

Oh, I'd kill myself

if anything happened to him.

If he doesn't hurry up,

he's gonna miss the evening editions.

They always die

for the morning papers.

Look, it's his mother.

If she gets hysterical, get a shot of it.

I tried to make his father see

that Bobby was very sensitive...

but he couldn't face the responsibility.

His mother got hysterical.

He refused to talk to her.

She obviously blames herself

for something.

I don't know

what you can make out of it.

Must I put up with this?

- You'd think they'd let me alone.

- Boys, that's enough. Break it up.

Let's go, I said! You, come on.

Everybody. Attaboy. Come on. Out.

- You. Attaboy.

- I'd like to be with him! I have to go!

- Wait a minute!

- Well-

Who is this Virginia you've been

talking about? Who is she?

I'm under the care of these doctors.

I don't-

You've just been transferred, lady.

You're under my care now.

I want to know about this girl.

Who is she? Is she his girl or something?

Oh, please let me alone!

I'm his mother!

Don't you think I feel anything?

I don't think you feel anything

but sorry for yourself.

Look, I've been out there all day now

hanging on by the seat of my pants.

I don't know what's wrong with your kid.

I don't know why I care, but I do.

I'm gonna do everything I can

to get him back in.

I'm sorry, but if there's any chance he has

a girl that might help get him back in...

I'm gonna find out about her

even if I have to be a little rough on you.

Why did she leave him?

Why?

Give me another chance, Robert.

I'm your father.

I was wrong to leave.

Of course I was wrong.

I didn't want to hurt you, but I just

couldn't stand the bickering...

the constant carping and complaining.

It got so I couldn't go home.

I hated the sight of her,

the sound of her voice-

Oh, I-

I didn't mean to say that.

If you ever say that again...

i- if you ever so much as touch her...

I'll kill you.

I'm sorry, Robert.

Really. I'm sorry.

- Did you find out anything?

- The girl's name is Virginia Foster.

They were kids in school together,

they were engaged, but it's busted up.

- Where is she now?

- She lives with her family in Connecticut. Stamford.

Take us a couple of hours

to get her down here, even if we find her.

- What's the difference?

- Okay, okay. We might as well give it a try.

I'll put the pickup on her. You get out there

and keep your friend busy.

- We're gonna drop a man in a rig and try to grab him.

- If he sees that, he'll dive.

See the commissioner about it.

- How'd you do?

- I got a line on the girl they're sending for.

- How is he?

- He's getting pretty confused.

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