Pittsburgh Page #6

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and give him a chance?

Or shall I run to her and show him that

the great Pittsburgh is still the head man?"

You think you can take her away

from me any time you want to.

If you snap your fingers, she'll run

right into your arms. Turn around.

From now on, keep that charm

under lock and key.

You'll do that, won't you, Pitt?

What are you laughing about?

Read the morning paper.

Coal marries steel. You were

climbing up in the world, Pittsburgh.

But if you'd hit Josie between the eyes with

your fist, you couldn't have hurt her worse.

Naturally, it was too much to expect

that she would be at your wedding.

It was the biggest wedding we'd

seen around here in a long time.

Then do you remember at your

wedding reception afterward, Pittsburgh?

- Charles, I want you to meet Mr. Symonds and Mr. Channing.

- It's a great pleasure.

- How do you do?

- They're on the board of Prentiss Steel.

Prentiss was just

talking about you.

That's a father-in-law's privilege.

As your wedding present, I just suggested that

the board appoint you to a vice-presidency...

of the Prentiss Steel Company.

Well, that'll suit me fine,

temporarily.

- Are you a devotee of the opera, Mr. Markham?

- I beg your pardon?

Are you a devotee

of the opera, Mr. Markham?

Oh, uh, yes, indeed.

Oh, I think I see Mr. Evans leaving.

Excuse us, please.

- Well, goodnight, Mr. Prentiss.

- Goodnight.

- Cash, you're not leaving?

- I'm afraid so. Sorry I have to go.

I had a wonderful time. I want to

wish you both a great deal of happiness.

- Thank you, Cash.

- Goodnight. Goodnight, Pitt.

Cash! Excuse me.

You don't have to go yet.

I've been trying

to get you alone.

- I'm sorry I blew my topper the night I barged in on ya.

- Oh, that's all right.

Why didn't you tell me you were

gonna marry Shannon Prentiss?

- You know me. Never tip my mitt

'til the deal's closed. - Mm-hmm.

Stick around, will ya? Don't leave

me alone with all these strangers.

- I don't speak their language.

- Sorry, Pitt, but this is what you wanted.

- And it looks like you got it.

- I know where there's a nice quiet corner...

in this museum where we

can cut a few touches.

- You mean sit on the red plush and talk about old times?

- Yeah!

No, thanks, brother.

Goodnight.

Hey, buddy.

- Hiya, Hunky.

- What are you doing here, Pittsburgh?

Got a little chilly uptown. I thought

I'd come down here where it's warm.

- Aren't you gonna invite me in?

- Are you out of your senses?

When I look at you I am. You really are

a countess in that outfit. New?

What are you thinking of,

coming here tonight?

Oh, that gang'll never miss me.

Why didn't you come to my wedding?

- You didn't even send a telegram.

- Congratulations.

I hope you'll both

be very happy.

Aw, you got it

all wrong, Hunky.

Marriage with that crowd is a business,

like everything else.

I played my angles right

and made a solid deal.

But that's got nothin'

to do with you and me.

- You and me?

- Sure!

Pittsburgh, remember?

A big name for a big guy.

And I'm gonna be as

big as this town, like I said.

- And all because you got me started.

- You've done all right.

Oh, I'm not talkin' about money.

I'm talkin' about us, you and me.

We're still gonna see a lot

of each other, same as always.

- Take your hands down, Pitt.

- Oh, come on, Hunky. You got the wrong slant.

You gotta see this thing

the right way.

For the first time,

I do see it the right way.

Why did you come here?

I'm not sure.

Guess I had the wrong slant.

You don't know me at all, do you?

Now I realize

you've never known me.

A few minutes ago I thought

I couldn't stand what you'd done.

Oh, I get all mixed up when you're

not around. I don't wanna lose you.

I need you.

You should've thought

of that before.

- Listen, Hunky-

- I've been around a long time, Pitt...

and in my stupid mind

there was never anybody else but you.

And you could've had me forever.

But now I'm glad

it has worked out the way it has.

You picked the kind of life you want.

So go back to it and to her...

and at least let me keep

a little respect for you.

Please go, Pitt.

Okay, Hunky.

Maybe you were thinking

of those long days when you sweated...

for old Wilson in

Shaft Number 7, Pittsburgh.

Now you own that very mine.

It gave you a feeling of triumph.

The name "Markham and Evans" began spreading

out over the city like a circus tent.

It became a household word.

Coal, coal tar

and its by-products:

dyes, paints, asphalts,

varnishes, roof coverings.

You made coal pay, Pittsburgh.

You were in the driver's seat.

And coal to you meant dollars

and dollars meant power.

Enough power to take the leadership of

Prentiss Steel away from Morgan Prentiss.

How you chuckled at the stockholders' meeting

when they announced you were elected.

You made another enemy

that day, Pittsburgh.

While to Cash Evans, it meant

something else than money:

how could it best serve

the people who depended upon it?

And somewhere in the parade

of years, Pittsburgh...

you'd forgotten a promise you made

to Cash and Joe Malneck and his friends.

- Come on out!

- We wanna talk to ya!

- Take it easy, boys, take it easy.

- Take it easy?

- Be yourself. This is me, remember?

- I remember.

- I'm not so sure you and Pittsburgh do.

- I oughta bust you in the nose for that crack.

Listen, men. I know what Pittsburgh

promised you, and he meant every word.

More gab. What about

the new safety shafts?

What about the higher wages

we're supposed to get?

All's we get is gab, gab, gab!

Now wait a minute! Our companies have

grown fast. It takes money to expand.

It takes money for these men to live too.

Wait. I'll give you my word.

At the end of the quarter...

Joe and anybody else you guys name

can examine the books.

If Pittsburgh is making money,

you'll get your share.

- Is that fair enough?

- What do we know about books?

All right, men.

We'll let it ride this time.

Go back to work.

Keep your eyes open, Joe.

Those boys are tired

of stalling, Cash.

You stuck your neck out this time.

I hope you don't get it chopped off.

- Thanks, Joe. Have a cigarette.

- Sure.

I don't care what ya promised.

I don't show my books to anybody.

I gave the men my word,

and you're gonna back me up.

- Am I?

- What about the hospitalization you promised?

- The schools you were going to build?

- Schools?

- And make 'em as smart as me?

- Sometimes I wonder if you're smart or just plain lucky.

You're heading for trouble

if you don't change your thinking.

My thinking's all right.

My partnership in this outfit

gives me some right to say what's done...

so I'm gonna keep my promise

to Joe Malneck.

Hold on, ya hothead!

We're pals, Cash, remember?

- Do you?

- All right, you win.

If it means that much to ya, I'll put the

books on display at the public library.

How's that?

I'm a rat, Cash.

That's why I gotta have you around,

sorta keep me in line.

Get a sharper knife.

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