Miller's Crossing Page #15

Tom

Mm.

Verna

The two of us, we're about bad enough to deserve

each other.

Tom

Are we?

Verna

We're a couple of heels, Tom. Yes we are.

37. PULLING TOM

Into a dark office. Behind him, Frankie, his nose swathed

with bandages, is closing the door from the outside.

Caspar (off)

'Lo, Kid. You know O'Gar. . .

TOM'S POV

Caspar sits behind his desk. Bluenoint sits slouched on a

couch to one side, wearing his hat, his hands jammed into

the pockets of his overcoat.

In two chairs facing the desk, away from us, sit two men

who are twisting around to smile at Tom.

Caspar

. . . and the mayor.

Tom

'Lo, boys.

Mayor

Tom's a big booster. Always has been.

Caspar

S'fine, s'fine. Well, Tom and me's got the

proverbial fat to chew--

The mayor and O'Gar are already rising to their feet.

Mayor

Well, let us know if you need anything. . .

Caspar

Yeah, happy days. Have a seat, kid. . .

Tom sits into one of the vacated chairs facing Caspar.

. . . So you had enough time to think about it?

Tom

Yeah, well, circumstances have changed.

Caspar

Don't I know it. Last night, I know Bluepoint

was disappointed the bulls showed up before

Frankie and Tic-Tac could really pin your ears

back, but I said, Relax, Bluepoint, I got a

feeling about this kid. Take the long view. The

kid and Leo are gonna go bust-o. If the kid ain't

ready yet, well, he soon will be. Matter of

time. I said, the kid's too smart for Leo.

That's what I said. Like a psychic. Ask

Bluepoint if I didn't. Like a goddamn psychic.

G'ahead. Ask him.

Tom turns to look at Bluepoint.

Tom

You vouch for this psychic business?

From the couch, Bluepoint sneers:

Bluepoint

That's right, smart guy.

Caspar cheerfully continues, oblivious to any hostility in

the room:

Caspar

I know you knew protecting the Motzah was a dumb

idea. I know you been wise to all of Leo's dumb

ideas lately. Only a matter of time. Bust-o.

He chuckles.

. . . That's why last night we didn't put the arm

on you. Only Leo.

Tom

Seeing how you squiffed your play on Leo, I can

be only so grateful.

Bluepoint

That's brave, coming from Little Miss Punching

Bag.

Caspar

C'mon Bluepoint. Friends now, huh?

Bluepoint

Nuts.

Caspar smiles at Tom.

Caspar

So we get a little jingle. And I figure you know

Leo's on his way out. It's only a matter of time

before we get him. Am I right, kid?

Tom

Maybe.

Caspar laughs.

Caspar

What maybe. You know or you wouldn't be bust-o.

So I guess you're looking for a job?

Tom

I might be.

Caspar laughs.

Caspar

You got references? You been to college, kid?

We only take yeggs what's been to college. Ain't

that right, Bluepoint?

Bluepoint says nothing. His scowl is set in cement.

. . . I'm jokin', of course. We all know you can

be useful to us, a smart kid such as yaself, the

man who walks behind the man and whispers in his

ear. I guess you could be useful, in spades.

Tom

Yeah. I can do plenty for you. But the fact is

that right now Leo's still got all his vital

signs and once he hears about this he'll be more

anxious to get to me than to either of you.

Caspar

I'm tellin' ya not to worry about Leo. We got

plans for him.

Tom

Yeah? What?

Bluepoint

Not so fast there, Kaputnik.

There is a beat through which Caspar continues to smile at

Tom.

Caspar

. . . I think what the Bluepoint is trying to say

is, there'll be time to talk about that. That

can be tabled for a later date. See, the last

time we jawed you gave-me the high hat. So I

guess I'm sayin', maybe we want your confidence

before we give you ours. You gotta put somethin'

on the table. Ante up.

Tom

Fair enough. Where shall we start.

Caspar

Hear that, Bluepoint? All business! I told you

he was a good kid! Where shall we start! All

business!. . .

He rocks back in his chair and dries his eyes. Tom smiles

pleasantly. Finally Caspar sighs.

. . . Well, we could start for instance with the

Motzah. . . Like where's the Motzah? You could

maybe tell us that. . .

Tom

The Royale. Room three-oh-two. You might find

Mink with him.

Bluepoint

The hell you say.

Tom

Sure, Bernie and Mink are as cozy as lice.

He turns to look at Bluepoint.

. . . And it ain't just business.

Caspar looks at Bluepoint. Bluepoint's eyes bare into Tom.

Bluepoint

This guy's lying.

Tom shrugs.

Tom

Why would I?

Bluepoint

This guy's wrong. This guy's all wrong. Mink is

clean and this clown is a smart guy.

Caspar is still staring at Bluepoint, no longer smiling.

Caspar

Easy enough to find out, ain't it? You find

Mink, bring him back here.

He nods at Tom.

. . . You go down to the car. I'll send Frankie

and Tic-Tac with you to the Royale. If Bernie's

there, Frankie and Tic-Tac'll take care of him.

Bluepoint

And if he's not there?

Tom shrugs.

Tom

I'll sit facing the corner in a funny hat.

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