Roustabout Page #4

You mean instead of leading

some secure life like in a carnival?

- But you're alone.

- So is everybody else.

- Everybody has some kind of folks.

- Like Joe?

- Joe's had a rough time.

- Pardon me while I cry.

Have you ever?

It might do you some good.

We're gonna start the first show

of the evening!

Right down here! It's all free!

It's free down here! Come over!

There's gonna be nothing else

going on until we finish the show.

We're gonna have first a little music

for you. Musicians, come out here!

How about that for a fine

bunch of boys? And girls!

Bring out those beautiful girls!

They're four of the finest dancers

in the world, direct from Paris.

Not Paris, Texas. Paris, France.

Look at that beautiful figure. Look

at the... All right, that's enough!

They've not paid anything yet.

All right, come right up.

And now I take pleasure in presenting

the one and only Charlie Rogers!

You wanna see the rest, buy a ticket.

Show starts in five minutes.

Line up here fast

and get your tickets!

Come on in! You're gonna see

something you've never seen before.

Come on.

As I promised you!

Bring out those beautiful girls!

- I want to talk to you.

- It's your phone booth.

I was out there.

I heard them. You were great.

I want you to stay on

with a contract.

I'll pay you union scale.

And no muscling rides. Just singing.

- No, thanks. Friday is go day.

- I don't get it. Why not?

- I don't buy the whole scene.

- I'd pay you more if I could.

- It's not just the money.

- Then what is it?

I don't want to get involved.

- Just take care of number one?!

- That's right. Doesn't everybody?

No. No. You learn that, you may

start coming alive from the waist up.

You collect strays, Maggie.

You got one in Joe.

Stop recruiting.

They don't make a family.

- What would you know about a family?

- Nothing. Nothing.

Come on, 25 cents!

- Marlene Dietrich did it better.

- She's not here, but I am.

Come on in. Glad you stopped by.

There's not much action

around here tonight.

- You're good lookin', you know?

- No one ever told me.

- Don't be such a...

- Fleegie?

That's the word for hotshot

around this stockade, isn't it?

You don't like

the carny much, do you?

You push it like it was

the marine corps

and mom's home cooking

all rolled into one.

Most of us have to feel that way.

It's all we've got.

You like what you see?

There's only 24 hours in the day.

I gotta stop liking sometime.

Afterwards.

Well, excuse me!

- Wait a minute!

- I know. You'll call me.

- Cathy.

- Go away.

- What are you, a sex maniac?

- That was nothing.

Did she tell your fortune? Did she

say you should spread your charms,

and they will return many fold?

- Spread somewhere else!

- Let me explain!

Leave me alone!

What have you got to say? Weekend

receipts were great. Charlie did it.

He'll fall on his face tonight.

Nobody comes out on a Monday.

Monday night, huh?

- Thank you. Thank you.

- More!

- Wanna hear more?

- Yeah!

Come up and buy a ticket.

The show starts in five minutes.

In the meanwhile, spend your money.

Well, well. Harry Carver.

What are you doing here?

Just a routine check on competition.

Who are you kidding?

We're no competition for your show.

You might be if you can

hang on to a kid like that.

He sure packs in the teenagers.

- Thanks. We'll hold on to him.

- You better.

He's the only sign of life

I've seen around here.

I've often wondered, why do they

call you "Harry the Undertaker"?

I don't know. I suppose cos I wait

for small outfits like yours to die,

then I buy 'em.

- You buy after you bury.

- Not always.

Carver's Combined Shows

always has room for one more.

Would you like an offer

before you go under?

Harry,

that's awfully generous of you.

- Thank you. Is it a deal?

- No.

- I didn't think so.

- You can't fool me.

Under that rough, tough shell of

yours beats a heart of pure rock.

Thank you,

but sooner or later I get 'em all.

I'll see you at the morgue.

By the way, you're giving 'em

too much butter.

- Pretty hot.

- Yeah, pretty hot.

- You really get through to 'em.

- Thanks.

- I'm Harry Carver.

- Congratulations.

- That don't mean anything to you?

- Can't say that it does, no.

Carver's Combined Shows.

- I'm a civilian.

- You can keep it. I've got others.

- No, thanks.

- We're the biggest in the business.

You mind tellin' me something?

Just how much does Maggie pay you?

No, I don't mind telling you.

She pays me scale

plus more if I want it.

- lf?

- I don't want it.

- Why not?

- Because I'm after the hot clubs.

Miami, Las Vegas, LA. You know.

We're pretty hot, too.

I tell you what, son.

I'll just make you an offer.

I'll give you $300.

No. I've already told her

that I don't like carnies.

If I go that route, I'll stay here.

If you get any second thoughts,

you'll know where to find me.

The job will be waiting for you.

- You going for a swim?

- What difference does it make?

- Madame Mijanou busy?

- I wanna talk to you.

You already did.

Are you cold,

or do I make you nervous?

Both.

You could get a little closer.

I give off a lot of body heat.

You don't have to keep trying to

prove it. Now, if you'll excuse me.

And another near miss, folks!

Look at that!

Almost. And he struck out!

Sam, Joe will replace you

in a minute.

Thank you, Cathy. Anybody else?

Three for a quarter, folks!

Knock the girl right into the water!

How about dunking the girl? Anybody

else? How about you down there?

How come you're doing this?

I'm taking Betty's place.

She's not well.

If you're cold now, get dunked

a couple times and you'll freeze.

That's show business. Besides, they

couldn't hit the side of a barn.

Please leave.

Joe'll be here in a minute.

Joe arranged this? So

he can protect you from sex maniacs.

But he'd let you freeze to death.

- Why don't you give up?

- I never give up!

Dunk the lovely lady in the water,

folks! Three balls a quarter!

- Relieve you in a minute, Sam.

- OK, Joe.

- Today is Tuesday.

- Yesterday was Monday.

- It's only two days till Friday.

- That's the rumour.

Charlie Rogers. Charlie Rogers

to the skin show, please.

- Who you protecting, him or me?

- Me. It's shill time.

I might as well be

peddling door-to-door.

I suppose it would gripe you

if I told you you were doing good.

- Still wanna sign me?

- That's right.

- OK.

- That's a sudden change. Why?

I'm stage-struck. The roar

of the crowd goes to my head.

Come to my trailer and put it in

writing before you change your mind.

Sit down. Sign there.

Shouldn't you fill in

the blank spaces?

I already have.

Read it if you'd like.

You knew I'd stay. How?

Let's just say

I borrowed Estelle's crystal ball.

Maggie, you're too much.

There you are.

Now go on out there

and give 'em hell.

OK, boss.

- Dad, what's the matter?

- You stay where you are.

How you doing, Joe?

Isn't there a law about contributing

to the delinquency of a minor?

- What?

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