Side Street Page #3

And it all came true.

Now we won't have to watch him | grow up in the streets.

He's gonna have the chance | we always promised each other.

- Well, it isn't that big a job, you know, I... | - It's a job, Joe, a paycheck once a week.

I don't care how much.

It's just so wonderful...

...to know that you can plan ahead | a little ways.

That your home is your own.

Mom and Dad are fine...

...but it's their home, not ours.

Honey.

Honey, about the job...

Visiting is over, folks.

Nurse Carter, this is my husband.

All right. | Just one quick peek, Mr. Norson.

Now, this is his first visit.

You do your looking tomorrow | through the nursery windows.

Can't you recognize | your own flesh and blood?

It's this one here.

That's all. | Kiss your wife goodbye and get out.

- Isn't he wonderful, darling? | - Uh-huh.

- He has your eyes and smile, hasn't he? | Don't they all?

Did you find a decent place to live | in Schenectady?

Yeah.

- I'll see you tomorrow. | - You get back to your job.

Ben may think you're | taking advantage of his friendship.

Go on, now. Fathers breathe germs.

We don't want little Mr. Norson | to get off at a bad start here, do we?

Don't forget, Joe. Get back to your job.

- Where's Nick? | - Retired.

Sold out to me and my brother-in-law.

I left a package here with Nick, | about this big.

A present for my wife.

No packages here. | There was nothing left but the fixtures.

Well, Nick must've left it here.

- Maybe it's in one of those lockers. | - I didn't see anything.

Will you take a look?

Sure.

Hey, Gus, | I saw a package in the back there.

Oh?

That's it.

- Thanks. | Okay.

- Drop in and see us some time. | - I will.

Yes?

A friend of mine sent me.

Asked me to come and see you.

I used to deliver your mail, Mr. Backett.

- Maybe you remember. | - Yes?

Well, it was only for a couple of weeks.

The delivering, I mean.

- A part-time job at the post office. | - I'm sorry, I haven't any jobs open.

Oh, no. No, it isn't that.

I'm acting as a kind of go-between | for a friend.

He thought if I explained, | maybe you'd agree not to prosecute.

- Who sent you here? | - Well, he wanted me to explain, we...

He thought maybe | if you knew how it happened...

...you could see your way clear | to giving him another chance.

He never got off base before. | You can check his record.

- I'm not trying to excuse what he did... | - Skip this friend routine.

Who are you | and what are you doing here?

My name's Norson.

Joe Norson, Mr. Backett.

I live over on Third Avenue, 850.

I'm the one who stole your money.

Now, I wanna return it.

I have it all except $236.

And I can return that 10 or $ 12 a week.

You, uh... You say you have money | belonging to me?

- Yeah. | - You have this money with you?

Well, no, but I can get it right away. | That is, if you promise not to...

As much as it hurts to say it, | that money isn't mine.

I wasn't robbed.

I broke open your filing cabinet. | Last Friday, after you went to court.

Filing cabinet? Mine?

It's right over...

I don't know what your racket is | or who sent you here...

...but I want no part of this.

And I don't like crackpots | spoiling my morning.

Maybe the police can accommodate you.

But I don't get it, I...

What was all that, Joe?

He says he's got our 30,000. | Sit down, George.

You nuts? You said he's got our money.

I said he said so.

You didn't take it? | That's my dough, I'm after it.

Right into the electric chair.

That's where you're going.

How do we know who sent him here? | The police? Emil Lorrison?

There's a murder conviction goes | with possession of that money.

If he's a legitimate case | of a conscience-stricken thief...

...I know where to get him.

After we check.

He says he waited on her the other night.

She was with a man.

A great big fellow. | They had dinner together.

Would he recognize the man again?

He thinks so. | He's pretty sure he remembers him...

...because the man didn't leave a tip.

Tell him I want him to come down | to the station with me.

- He hasn't showed yet. | - Maybe he ain't coming.

Then we'll pick him up at his house.

They've only got about | a half hour more for visitors.

- What did he get, a boy or a girl? | - What's the difference?

A big difference.

I'm glad Mabel and me had a girl first. | They're easier to bring up.

A mailman taking 30 grand.

Watch it. Here comes Poppa.

Hiya, Joe. How's the baby?

Climb in, Poppa.

This is all nice and friendly.

You can give me the dough now.

What's this all about?

Don't you want to be friendly?

Or you want us to drop by the hospital | and see your wife and kid?

Here.

Here it is.

Don't make it messy, Georgie.

- Where is it? Where's the dough? | - I don't know, I don't know.

Get back to the hospital. | We'll talk to his wife.

No, please, let me tell you.

I left the money in this package | at Nick's Place on 3rd Avenue.

- Nick was holding it for me. | - You give a guy 30 grand and say:

"Hold it for me, will you, pal?" Is that it?

That's what happened.

My wife doesn't know anything about it, | I swear.

Look, I'm telling you the truth.

I left it with Nick Drumman. | He took the money out of the package.

Sounds dopey enough to be on the level. | This guy don't know the right time.

Take it easy till the light changes. | I got legitimate plates on the cab.

Don't touch him. You're not supposed to, | in case something's broken.

- I'll call you an ambulance. | - Take it easy. We'll get you to a hospital.

I'm okay.

- What street is this? | - Thirty-second and First Avenue.

Hello, young fellow.

Say, you been in an accident?

Yeah, I'll have a beer.

What you need's a pick-me-up.

Hundred-proof on the house.

You can pay for the chaser.

Thanks.

I meant to ask you this morning. | Do you know where I can reach Nick?

I don't know exactly. | He's around, I guess.

- You live in the neighborhood? | - Yeah.

Might as well get acquainted. | Gus Heldon's my name.

Norson's mine. Joe Norson.

- I owe Nick 10 bucks. | - You can mail it to him.

But don't be in any hurry. | Nick's real healthy.

He's still got the first beer money | he made.

I'd like to get square. Where do I mail it?

I got the address | around here somewhere.

It's where I'm supposed to send | the mortgage payments.

- How'd your missus like the present? | - Present?

Oh, fine. Fine.

Here it is. 76 Cherry Street.

Care of Thomas Drumman. | That's his brother.

Yeah, thanks.

I'll send him the 10.

Fine. Don't be a stranger.

Bring the missus in some night. | We're putting television in next week.

What'd he want?

He owed Nick a sawbuck. | Wanted to know where to send it.

Nick must have had | a side racket lending dough.

There was a big guy came in an hour ago | and asked me where to reach him.

Hmm.

Hello?

Anybody here?

Can I show you something, mister?

My old man's down at the cemetery | or someplace.

This is a nice job, mister. Only 90 bucks.

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