Roustabout Page #7

I've seen 'em do the same

for performing seals.

Why don't you send one out next show?

I'd like to.

You can pay them off in fish.

You got the kids going,

give them an encore.

No. Always leave 'em wanting more.

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up!

Try your luck!

It's easy, it's fun, and everybody

wins! Three balls for a quarter!

Mister, let your little boy

try his luck.

- How you doing, Sam?

- Pretty grim.

- Three balls for a quarter!

- Get your balloons!

- Selling anything?

- It's a blank.

- Don't say a word.

- Wish I didn't have to.

- Then don't.

- The bank has a deadline.

You were supposed to make payments

on that judgement against you.

- I'm doing the best I can.

- Not many young people around.

I can't drag them in

if they don't want to come in.

You got them for a while

with that singer.

- Your books show profitable days.

- He isn't with us any more.

That's too bad. I guess it's going

to have to be a court order.

You can't convince them

we're worth more alive than dead?

I'm sorry, Mrs Morgan.

I wish I could help.

All right. Go on back to that nice,

clean bank of yours

where it looks like nothing bad

or sad or personal ever happens.

I'm sorry.

- Any luck?

- Nothing.

Young lady, come in! Come in!

Let me show you

what the gods have in store for you.

Knock it off, Estelle.

You know I don't believe that stuff.

Who does?

But you got anything better to do?

Come into the occult chamber.

Make yourself comfortable.

Madame Mijanou tells all

about the past, present...

All right, Estelle.

What do you want to tell me?

Wait.

For you I see a journey.

Soon. Very soon.

At the end will be

someone very dear to you.

- I'm not going anywhere.

- To the Carver Show.

Get your crystal ball fixed.

You're wrong on both counts.

Listen, Cathy, there was nothing

between Charlie and me.

I was willing,

but he just couldn't see my charms.

So?

Don't act like I'm talking

about Einstein's theory.

I know how you felt about him.

- Please, Estelle...

- And I know how he felt about you.

- That's why I couldn't get anywhere.

- Honestly, I don't care.

- Then go get him back!

- I just told you I don't...

Not for you, for the show.

He could wail, and the kids loved it.

There hasn't been a spending teenager

around this place since he left.

- I couldn't.

- Cathy, he's a louse.

- He uses people. Why not use him?

- No.

You've got a family to support, kid,

your dad and Maggie.

And I don't want to go back to

some tea room reading coffee grounds.

Think it over, but think it over

fast. We're drowning.

They're in trouble, and she's here

to try and get you back there.

Everybody's not

as big a crook as you.

Everybody tries.

Go out there and take a bow. Go on.

- Hi, Cathy.

- Hello, Charlie.

- You were awfully good.

- Thanks.

I meant better than...

You have a real style now.

- How are things?

- Everything's fine.

- How about a cup of coffee?

- Sure.

- Charlie, next show in 15 minutes.

- I'll be there.

- Hello, Mr Carver.

- Hello, Cathy.

How are your folks?

Joe and Maggie, that is.

- They're fine.

- We'll be in the coffee shop, Harry.

- Table, Charlie?

- Not right now, thank you.

I want to show you something.

Come over here.

This certainly is

a far cry from our show.

It's a long drive over here, Cathy.

- I know.

- Well?

The reason I came over was to tell

you I'm sorry about what happened.

I know Joe made it tough on you,

and I don't blame you

for letting him stew in jail.

You didn't have to drive here

to tell me that.

- I wanted you to know.

- How are things with the show?

Maggie says the only suckers left

are the ones still in the business.

- She's right.

- They want new things, new people,

and that's why you were...

I mean, that's the only way...

Yeah. I'll tell you what, Cathy.

Wait until my last show and we'll

go somewhere and talk it over.

Wait a minute, Charlie.

The real reason I came over here was

to get you to come back to the show

no matter what I had to do.

But I just don't have the guts.

I wish I did.

I know exactly what's going through

your mind, and the answer is no.

It'll kill Maggie to have to give up.

You're not worried about Maggie.

It's Cathy. What's your problem?

You want the girl, just say, "Cathy,

I love you," like the grown-ups do.

You don't have to prove

you're a knight in shining armour.

You're a carny, Harry. A rich one,

but a carny. You should understand.

I do, and I kind of feel

guilty about it.

- But not enough to help, right?

- I feel guilty in comfort.

That's how I got to be a rich carny.

- I'm going back, Harry.

- No. You got a show to do.

- The show must go on?!

- No, just the money.

I have to leave tonight

to be there first thing.

You forget one small detail. I'll

sue you and take half your salary.

- Remember our deal?

- Yeah.

- You paid me $1,050, right?

- Right.

Here's 50. I owe you the rest.

- I see a lot more in there.

- It's gonna stay in there.

But...

Are you Maggie Morgan? Here you are.

I'm sorry, Mrs Morgan. I'll need

a copy of the current inventory.

- What the hell do you want?

- To help out if I can.

- You should have thought about that.

- I didn't come here to save you.

- Get out of here.

- I can't let Maggie go under.

I told you to get out of here!

- Get out of here!

- He had a little accident.

- I'm sorry, but he jumped me again.

- You're damn right I did.

- Go, or I'll do it again.

- Can I help you?

- Leave me alone.

- Why did you come back?

What's the matter? Why can't you

for once say what you really feel?

- You can send this vulture home now.

- It's too late for you to be a hero.

We can make this place go, Maggie.

As one of the creditors, I'm entitled

to ask what did you have in mind?

I'm buying back my contract.

Here's $1,000.

Will that hold 'em until I can prove

I can make this place pay off?

- You mean you're gonna stay here?

- That's right.

Then I think it might work.

At least it's worth a try.

I'll talk to my people about it.

Good luck.

You'll be hearing from me.

Is this the only reason

you came back?

- Practically. You see, I knew...

- Say it straight, just once.

OK. I came back because I wanted to,

and because you were stuck

- and I thought I could help.

- And?

- And because I love Cathy!

- You don't have to holler at her!

- We've got work to do.

- Wait a minute. Joe?

Let's get this show moving.

If you used the energy you spent

trying to be a louse...

Stop picking on him.

The big show is about to begin!

He's back, he's ready,

and here he is now, Charlie Rogers!

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