Miller's Crossing Page #6

Mink is startled. In a high shrill voice, as Tom walks up

the stairs, clutching his drink:

Mink

Find out!? How would he find out?! Damnit Tom,

me and you ain't even been talking! Jesus Tom,

damnit, Jesus!

13. INT LEO'S OFFICE

Pulling Tom as he enters the office.

Leo (off)

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

REVERSE:

Leo faces us from behind his desk.

Seated in two chairs facing the desk, twisting around to

greet Tom, are two men. O'Gar is a large man wearing a

police uniform. Dale Levander wears a suit; a florid man

with a shock of white hair, in his mid-sixties.

Leo

. . . and the mayor.

Tom

I ought to. I voted for him six times last May.

Levander chuckles.

Levander

And that ain't the record, either.

Tom is crossing to the bar.

Leo

Verna turned up. She's downstairs.

Tom, his back to Leo as he pours a drink, stiffens.

Tom

. . . She say where she'd been?

Leo

No, I uh. . . didn't want to press her. Hear

about Rug?

Drink in hand, Tom turns and crosses to perch an a corner

of Leo's desk.

Tom

Yeah, R.I.P.

Leo

They took his hair, Tommy. Jesus that's strange.

Why would they do that?

Tom

Maybe it was Injuns.

Leo

Eye-ties, more like it. Giovanni Casparro.

Tom

So you figure it was Caspar bumped Rug?

Leo, with a puzzled smile, glances at O'Gar and the mayor,

and then back at Tom.

Leo

. . . Well it's pretty obvious ain't it?

Tom

Mm. . . So what's the plan?

Leo

Jump on the guinea hard. With both feet.

He looks at the mayor who shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

. . . Give him the low-down, Dale.

Mayor

Yes, well. . . Leo here has just reminded us that

Mr. Caspar operates several clubs in our city

wherein the patrons imbibe of rum and play at

games of chance.

Morosely:

O'Gar

And we're sunnosed to stop the party.

Tom

Uh-huh. . .

Looking at Leo, he jerks his head towards the two men.

. . . They don't seem too happy about it, Leo.

O'Gar

Naw, it ain't that, Tom.

Mayor

Jesus, Tom! We do as we're told!

Tom ignores them.

Tom

Maybe they're right not to like it. Stirring up

this hornets' nest won't be good for anyone. And

it'll mean killing.

Leo

Well I'm not thrilled about it either, but I

can't just lay down to Caspar.

Tom

You could do worse. You might not like it, but

giving up Bernie Bernheim is a pretty small price

to pay for peace. Business is business and a

war's going to hurt everybody. Bernie plays with

fire, he's got to deal with the consequences--

even if that means he gets bumped off.

Leo

Sweet Jesus, Tom, that ain't even the point

anymore. Caspar pooped Rug. The day I back down

from a fight, Caspar is welcome to the rackets,

this town, and my place at the table. I didn't

start this thing, but--

Tom's voice is sharp:

Tom

You did start it--you and Verna--

The mayor has risen to his feet. Uncomfortably:

Mayor

We can dangle, Leo, if you'd prefer.

Leo

Siddown Dale, we're all friends here.

Tom

--and Caspar hasn't broken the rules, Bernie has-

-and you too, by helping him. And if that isn't

enough, consider that if you make it a war, you

have more to lose than Caspar.

Leo is getting up from behind the desk and walking over to

stare out the window.

Leo

Okay, but more to beat him with. Jesus, Tom, the

two of us've faced worse odds.

Tom

But never without reason. It helps to have one.

Leo doesn't reply. Tom is irritated, but shrugs indif-

ference.

. . . Well, it's your call.

He gets to his feet and starts for the door.

. . . My opinion use to count for something

around here, but it's always yours to take or

leave.

Leo has turned from the window and is striding after Tom,

gesturing appologetically.

Leo

Aw, c'mon Tommy. Its not like that. . .

The door clicks shut.

. . . Goddamnit. Goddamn kid is just like a

twist.

14. CUT TO:

FAT TONY:

Tending the downstairs bar as Tom stalks over.

Tom

Gimme a stiff one.

Tony

No small talk, huh? They shoot vour nag?

Tony has finished pouring a shot of whiskey which Tom

immediately knocks back.

Tom

If there's any justice. Verna around?

Tony

She stepped into the ladies, room. You got

Lazarre's five hundred?

Tom

He'll have to carry me for a few days.

Tom is pouring himself another drink.

Tony

He ain't gonna like that. Couldn't, you get it

from Leo?

Tom is irritated:

Tom

It's not Leo's debt. I'll pay my own way.

Tony

I admire a man of principle. Does this go on the

tab?

Drink in hand, Tom is already walking away.

15. INT LADIES' LOUNGE

As Tom bangs through the door, still carelessly holding his

tumbler of whiskey. A rogue lock of hair hangs down over

his forehead.

Tom

Close your eyes, ladies, I'm coming through.

REVERSE:

The hubbub of female voices evaporates as all turn to look

at the male intruder.

The lounge's decor is done in various shades of pink. Some

of the women apply make-up facing the large bulb-encircled

mirrors on overstuffed seashell shaped pink chairs. Other

women sit, smoking, in the banquettes that line the other

wall.

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