Love Me or Leave Me Page #9

I told him I was gonna let him have it.

I couldn't back down.

You know what I mean, Ruthie?

You've been up all night?

And you're all right.

No matter how you feel.

I feel tired.

Exactly as if I was shot.

But if you tell me you love me,

I'll go to sleep.

I love you.

I'll be telling you for the rest of my life.

You'll get awfully tired of hearing it.

You wanna bet?

How is he?

Ruth, there are still

some photographers downstairs.

- Can you take it?

- Yes.

Barney, what's going to happen

with Marty?

He'll probably get out on bail,

then he'll have to stand trial.

- But what about his club?

- It won't open, it can't.

It was touch-and-go

about the money, anyway.

After this, there's not a chance

he can get it.

Don't you start feeling sorry for him.

- Aren't you?

- Yes, I am.

I'd help him if I could, but I can't.

Nobody can.

And you're the one person in the world

who mustn't even try.

Why not?

- There are a thousand...

- He gave me a big chunk of his life.

It doesn't matter that I didn't want it.

But the point is he gave it, and I took it.

I can't walk away when he's in trouble

as if it weren't any of my business.

- Wait a minute.

- Too much of it is my fault.

- That's ridiculous.

- I mean it.

Barney, I didn't leave him with anything.

With any pride, self-respect, nothing.

I've got to see him.

Barney, you have to fix it for me. Please.

You're making a big mistake.

I've made so many,

one more won't make any difference.

- Sit down, please.

- Thank you.

Martin Snyder.

Something on your mind?

I don't know if they've told you or not,

but he's going to be all right.

That should make it easier for you.

I ain't worried.

Had to learn him a lesson, and I did.

I guess he thought I was bluffing.

A whole lot of people had me all wrong.

But I guess they're all wised up now.

I've never been the kind of guy

that lets nobody double-cross him.

No one double-crossed you, Marty.

I've never said one word to Johnny

that you couldn't have heard.

Just good pals?

No, not anymore.

I love him.

And I'm going to marry him.

Is that what you come to tell me?

Okay, you told me.

Please, Marty. There is something else.

That day in Barney's office,

we were both so upset...

that I couldn't really say what I wanted to.

You did just fine. You said plenty.

But I didn't get to say thank you

for all the nice things...

for all the good things

that you've done for me.

Who're you kidding, Ruthie?

Who're you trying to butter up?

What's the matter, kiddo? Scared?

You afraid I'll get out of here

and take another shot at your boyfriend?

- Please, listen to me.

- No, you listen to me.

I'll be sprung, I'll get out of here,

and I'll beat this rap.

You think I'm through?

You don't know me.

There's one thing I am through with: you.

You ain't got a thing to worry about.

I don't want no part of you.

What are you sitting there

like a wooden Indian? Go on, beat it.

Go on back to your piano player.

He can have you.

Tell him you seen me in the pokey

and I look great.

Tell him I like it.

Makes me feel like I'm a kid again.

You ain't told me yet who put up the bail?

What's the matter?

All of a sudden you're such a clam.

I didn't have a chance

with all those reporters.

Barney Loomis, he put it up for you.

If he's such a pal,

why didn't he come with you?

I don't know. Maybe he was busy.

Word goes out a guy's broke,

everybody gets busy.

- He put the dough up, didn't he?

- He'll get it back.

Yeah, but he put it up.

Yeah. He ain't such a bad guy.

This ain't the way home.

I thought maybe we'd drop by the club

for a minute.

Why do I want to

give myself the blues for?

Couple of things you ought to look at.

Forget it. I wanna get a shower.

They don't keep things so dainty

in that clink.

- Go on home.

- Yeah, Marty. Just a minute.

- I'll throw her out.

- Marty, stop. Please!

- Let go!

- Wait a minute.

There are reporters

and photographers in there.

I don't care who's in there.

I'll pull her off the bandstand.

- I don't need a bag of peanuts or handouts.

- Listen to me!

This is not a handout!

You did a lot for Ruth in the old days.

She knows it, she's grateful,

and she's got a right to pay it back.

And you've got to be big enough to take it.

That's the guy that shot the guy!

- Over here!

- Give me your autograph, will you?

Break it up. Go home, come on.

- Looks like you got a good thing going.

- Yeah, sure.

- You mean the club?

- Yeah.

Take a look. It's packed.

Never been more than four people

in here before.

I guess you're right.

Mr. Snyder,

can I get some backstage shots?

Mr. Loomis said that

you're the only one that can okay it.

Yeah. Sure, why not?

Only not during the floor show.

That's one of my rules.

- Thanks a lot.

- Think nothing of it.

- What'd you do to the place? Looks great.

- Pretty nifty.

Who'd you get in? A bunch of decorators?

- I got myself in, that's who.

- You think you've broken the jinx?

There was never no jinx on this spot.

- Just a lot of jerks running it, that's all.

- You got big plans for it?

When I get through, you'll need

a reservation a month in advance.

Then you're counting on

keeping it running?

Through thick and thin,

no matter what happens at my trial.

That's just in case

you're being too polite to ask.

Does Miss Etting's appearance

here tonight...

mean you two are getting back together?

No. Miss Etting is just fulfilling

a contractual obligation.

You got that? A contractual obligation.

She'll be paid just like any other artist.

Kind of surprising,

in view of what's happened.

What's surprising about it?

Business is business.

You can put it down...

that I got the greatest respect

for Miss Etting as an artist.

Boys, step up to the bar

and have a drink on the house.

Georgie, see to it

my pals get everything they want.

Check your hats, please.

Good evening, Mr. Snyder.

You gotta give her credit.

The girl can sing.

About that, I never was wrong.

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