I'm No Angel Page #3

All right, I'll catch the first train out.

Maybe for you, Tira, I can do something.

But as for Slick, I ain't so sure.

Say, have you got any money?

It will take a nice piece of change

to square up everything.

About myself, I ain't asking a nickel.

Don't worry, Benny. I'll have the money

when you get here. Only work fast.

Leave it to me. Goodbye. See you later.

Hey, operator, listen...

I don't accept reverse charges. Yeah.

Bill, you gotta let me have some dough.

You're asking favours of me now?

All right, you win. Give me a light.

If you'd been nicer to me

and worked the way I wanted you to...

why then...

It's either one thing or the other.

You fix me up with dough

or I gotta get out of town.

If Slick goes up,

he's gonna drag me with him.

I want the dough,

and I'll pay you back as soon as I can.

I wanna help around here.

I'm willing to do my share,

more than my share.

I'll work them cats

like they've never been worked.

If it'll make you happy,

I'll even stick my head in the big cat's mouth.

Think it over.

She'll stick her head in the big cat's mouth?

This is big. If she'll do that,

your fortune's as good as made.

The Big Show would grab that act

in a minute.

They've been all season

looking for an attraction like that.

They've been wanting something big.

This is it. Can't you see it?

The 24 sheets, "Dame Sticks

Her Beautiful Head in a Lion's Mouth."

The jaws of death! I mean, it's stupendous!

Don't you realise you'd be a chump

not to cash in on it? Give yourself a break.

If I can't sell that act to the Big Show

in 10 minutes, my name ain't Flea Madigan.

Tell them we can handle them cats

like nobody else.

She's safer in that cage than in bed.

I don't doubt it.

- Tira, I've changed my mind.

- Does it work any better?

I've got your money.

It's a drop in the bucket to what you'll get.

There is a Santa Claus,

but why the great joy?

We can sell the act to the Big Show.

That was a great idea you got.

- What idea was that?

- Sticking your head in the lion's mouth!

Who's sticking whose head in whose mouth?

You! It's marvellous, it's stupendous!

It's lousy.

You can't back out on me.

What do you think I am, screwy?

Sticking my head in a lion's mouth.

Don't make me laugh, I ain't in the mood.

He'll let you stick your hand in,

why not your head?

You're crazy if you don't grab this chance.

It means a fortune.

Think of it, all the dough you can use!

What is the proposition?

The Big Show, playing big cities.

Your name in 1,000-watt Mazdas.

No more worrying, no more doubling,

all the clothes you want.

What good will clothes do me

without a head?

It's a cinch for you, Tira.

Big Boy will never hurt you.

He's young, you'll never have to use

another cat.

The Big Show, playing in all the big cities.

The silk hats, the Rolls-Royce cars...

the clothes, the jewels, the smart money.

Meeting the swells, huh?

Boys, I think you got me sold.

The only trouble with a trick like that...

if it don't work the first time,

you don't get a second chance.

- How much dough you got?

- A couple of grand.

Let's have it.

I may need more later.

Here, sign.

What's the matter, don't you trust me?

I wouldn't trust my own mother,

you know that.

I'll hop that first plane

in the morning and I'll...

Joe, open up this cage. I'm going in.

All right.

Now listen, honey, there's a little something

I wanna talk over with you.

Now this is what you got to do.

- When does this lion tamer appear?

- Few minutes.

- 9:
45, to be exact.

- How do you know?

Why, it's here on the programme.

Ladies and gentlemen...

I take great pleasure in introducing to you...

Tira, the million-dollar beauty!

You see her?

She is something special, isn't she?

I'll say, she's fascinating.

Where were you last night?

Give me a peek.

Come on, talk to me.

Come on, get up.

Come on, speak up for yourself.

What's the matter with you?

You gotta be sitting? Get up.

Yeah, you'll end up as a rug.

Come on, you're holding up the works,

you mug.

Come on, get up there.

Give us a peek.

Romeo, what's the matter with you?

Come on, get up there, that's it.

And now, ladies and gentlemen...

for the first time

since Nero threw the Christians to the lions...

you will see feminine beauty,

triumphant and unafraid.

Miss Tira will defy death

by placing her head...

in the jaws of the king of beasts.

Miss Tira!

If them lions don't show some sense,

I'm going down and bite her myself.

Come on, handsome, say, "Ah."

Come on, big guy.

That's it.

Remember my contract, baby.

- That was great, wasn't it?

- I didn't see anything great about it.

Look here, I happen to know

her publicity man.

- How would you all like to go back...

- I'm for that.

Oh, no.

Let's do, Alicia. We don't care

about seeing the rest of the show, do we?

- No.

- And it'll be a lot of fun knowing her.

It's absurd to make such a fuss

over an ordinary circus performer.

- Are we going, or aren't we?

- We certainly are.

Well, let's go.

Very well.

I suppose I must bow

before the general enthusiasm.

Beulah, that's another performance

under my belt and I still got the face.

Bless you, child,

I hopes you always keeps it.

It's my fortune.

When I was born with this face,

it was the same as striking oil.

Yes, ma'am.

You sure do believe in that horoscope,

don't you, Miss Tira?

It tells me everything.

I wouldn't make a move without it.

Yes, indeed, Tira enjoys meeting people.

You'll find her a regular fellow.

She has to be in the mood.

That is, her work is very strenuous

and stars will be temperamental at times.

- Yes, so I've heard.

- Yes.

Excuse me just a moment.

See who that is.

Evening, Mr. Madigan.

May I see Miss Tira, please?

Yes, sir.

Come in, Flea.

- Are you in the mood?

- For what?

Silk hats.

I can get that way.

Okay, Beulah.

Step right in, please.

Thank you.

Just make yourself right at home.

Miss Tira'll be out directly.

That's nice. Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Mr. And Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. And Mrs. Bond.

How do you do?

Mr. Lawrence and Miss Hatton.

Pleased to meet you, won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Won't you sit down?

If you don't mind,

I'd rather wait in the lounge.

Pleased to have met you, anyway.

Now, let's see, where were we?

I was about to say, we really came back

to tell you what a thrill you gave us.

Thank you, I'm glad you liked my act.

It is kind of unusual.

I don't see how you get up enough courage

to thrust your head in that beast's mouth.

I often wonder myself.

It seems terribly dangerous.

It is, that's why I have to carry a rod,

I mean a gun.

I had to shoot a lion once.

Really, was he mad?

He wasn't exactly pleased about it.

Would you be so good

as to autograph my programme?

Love to.

I should think

you dread every new performance.

It is kind of wearing on the nerves.

Of course, I don't intend to do this

all my life.

- Thanks.

- And mine?

I don't believe after all this excitement,

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