Once Upon a Time Page #3

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Wait a minute,Jerry, will you?

You got me dizzy...

what with fairy tales

and lamps and charms.

Look, so the bug walks.

So he wiggles.

So he crawls.

So he dances.

Even if he stood on his head, you think

that would save your theater for you?

No, no.

Miracle or no miracle,Jerry.

You don't think you could sell

that bug for $100,000, do you?

You're not gonna sell Curly,

are you, Mr. Flynn?

Why, of course not, Pinky.

Whoever heard of such a thing?

What are you talking about, Moke?

We'd never sell Curly, would we?

No. Hey, the waiter

will be here in a few minutes.

Start eating right away, will you?

Don't wait for me.

I've got a few things

I wanna talk over with the Moke.

- I'll be right back.

- Okay.

Hey, Pinky,

show these pictures to Curly.

- Okay, thanks.

- Here.

Look, don't ever mention

anything about selling.

He thinks Curly would die without him.

That boy's an idealist.

What's all the rush?

Where are we going?

You're going.

You're going to do something for me.

You bet I am.

I'm gonna get you a doctor.

I'm not crazy, Moke.

Caterpillars come and go,

but that one has talent.

And by the time I get through

telling the public what he means-

- What does he mean?

- Well, I don't know yet.

- Just what I thought.

- But I'll think of something.

I'll give it significance,

importance, greatness.

They'll believe anything

I want them to believe.

Moke, I'm a showman...

and I know that in that box I've got

the greatest show of all time.

I'll build Curly up

into a dancing gold mine.

I still say so,

the caterpillar dances.

So what?

I want you to go to the newspapers, get

a hold of their best feature writers.

Feature-

Oh,Jerry, not that.

Just that. Tell 'em

Jerry Flynn's got a great story...

something sensational, and try

and get 'em here this afternoon.

Look, I can't tout 'em on

no caterpillar that can dance.

- Now, if it was a horse that can run-

- Your job is to get them here.

I'll do the talking.

Now, come on.

And that, gentlemen,

is the story...

of how I found fantasy

on a sidewalk outside my theater.

I had to look into that box three times

before I could believe my eyes...

because I was just as skeptical

as you must be now.

Well, I'd -

I'd rather not say anymore...

but I'd just like you

to look for yourselves.

Oh, and I want you to meet

the little boy in that fantasy.

Pinky Thompson.

Stand up, Pinky.

And there in that box is Curly...

a caterpillar that responds to music.

And, believe it or not,

he dances!

Play, Pinky.

Here, Brandt.

Gaze upon the wonder of the ages.

Flynn, I've listened as patiently

as I could to that drivel.

Somehow, I've been able

to control my temper.

I can't speak for the others,

but I can tell you what I think of you.

You have the unmitigated gall...

to send your stooge

down to my newspaper office...

and drag me here

to peek into a shoe box!

There's a war going on!

Or haven't you heard? Where's my hat?

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way

about it, Brandt. Hey, Stacy...

take a look in here

and tell Brandt how wrong he is.

Play, Pinky.

You're not going to exploit that

caterpillar through my column.

That's only a cheap attempt to grab

publicity for the theater you're losing.

- I keep faith with my readers.

- Hey,Joe.

Joe, you've always had belief in me.

Look, fellow, will you? Go on, Pinky!

And have him tell all

the other caterpillars?

What I wanna see is

a plate of ham and eggs.

Imagine missing lunch

to interview a caterpillar.

But, Harry, I couldn't believe it

either until I saw it with my own eyes!

I'll give you a break,Jerry.

I won't print a word of it.

- Boys, don't pass up this story!

- What story?

He means the obituary of a showman.

Not me-

Pinky and the caterpillar!

Let me know when Curly

puts on a uniform and bombs Tokyo.

That's a story I can use.

Well,Jerry, I guess I'll blow.

I got a hot poker game on tonight.

I'd better go home and mark some cards.

One of us has gotta make a living.

So long.

Don't feel bad, Mr. Flynn.

I don't care

what they said about Curly.

Well, nothing personal, I assure you,

Pinky, but you saw what happened.

We just didn't make a go of it,

that's all.

You mean we're not gonna

be partners anymore?

Well, maybe Curly needs

a little more experience, huh?

You mean you don't believe

in Curly anymore?

Maybe we rushed him

before he was ready.

Sawyer? Brandt.

Just a waste of time.

Jerry Flynn, the former

big Broadway producer, has gone balmy.

He had us all up here to see

a dancing caterpillar.

How do I know how a caterpillar would

dance? I'll be back in five minutes.

I know, Mr. Flynn.

You're quittin'

It's okay with me, only-

only Curly-

Curly ain't gonna understand.

He's gonna feel bad when I tell him.

Oh, he'll get over it.

Well, so long.

So long, Pinky.

- Mr. Flynn?

- Yeah?

Did you ever do anything wrong?

Oh, I guess I have.

Well, this is the wrongest thing

you've ever done in your life.

Well, maybe it is, Pinky.

Hello?

I just overheard a newspaper man say

that you had a dancing caterpillar.

I had a dancing caterpillar, but

nobody seemed to think much about it.

- Who is it?

- This is Gabriel Heatter.

Gabriel Heatter?

Now, if it really dances,

I'm interested.

You are?

Well, hold on.

Don't go away!

You were right. I was doing

the wrongest thing I ever did.

Stay there, Pinky.

Mr. Heatter? Sorry to keep you waiting.

You can come up and see him now.

I can't see you now.

I have my evening broadcast to prepare.

I can see you later tonight

or, if you prefer...

come up to my office

this afternoon.

We'll be right over.

Pinky, come on.

Smile, boy, smile!

Curly's gonna get another chance.

Somebody wants to see him-

somebody who speaks to millions

of people on the radio every day.

Come along, partner.

So goes the news for today.

And now, my friends,

I would like to tell you a story...

which probably should begin with

"Once upon a time"...

because it's a fairy tale

and I witnessed it this afternoon.

Not long ago a little boy,

Pinky Thompson...

walked along the streets of this city

carrying a battered old mouth organ.

And as he ambled along,

he played on his harmonica...

a brash,jolly tune-

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby. "

That day, he chanced to see something

very strange to a city street.

There at his feet was a caterpillar-

a fuzzy, fat,

velvety-brown caterpillar...

crawling slowly across

the hard pavement.

For a moment,

he watched it in fascination.

Then, fearful lest it be trampled

by the feet of the hurrying crowd...

he stooped over

and carefully picked it up...

and held it tenderly

in his hand.

To assure the caterpillar

of his friendliness...

Pinky put his harmonica to his lips

and played a tune to it.

He played his favorite-

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby. "

Now, the caterpillar

must have heard this music...

because as the boy played on,

this tiny creature...

this refuge

out of time and space...

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