Somewhere in the Night Page #5

It's too easy, too pat.

- Practically an invitation.

- It might be smarter not to go alone.

- Probably would be.

- But you're going anyway.

What would you

want me to do?

Will you call me? Will you promise

to call me by 6:
00 at the latest?

- I'll be at the Cellar.

- Are you going to worry, Chris?

This is my car you're driving,

with four new tires.

- They don't grow on trees, you know.

- Tough guy.

Sure. I'll call ya.

So, what's on your mind?

I got a message that Larry Cravat

was at this address.

Oh, you sure

that's the name?

- You sure it ain't John Smith

or Joe Blow or No-Hit Hennessey?

- I said Larry Cravat.

Yeah. That's what you said. You remembered it.

You got a head on your shoulders.

Now take it out of here

before I bust it.

You're getting a little too excited, mister.

Maybe you're Larry Cravat.

How do you

like this guy?

Here, look.

It didn't work. Now beat it.

You thought that she was home

and I wasn't. So I am home.

So I answer the door.

So you quickly ask...

"Does Oscar Fink live here?"

or, "Do you want to buy a canary?"

- I don't know what you're talkin' about.

- That's all, brother.

What's going on out here?

What's he selling?

What's he selling?

You wouldn't know, of course.

You never seen him before,

of course.

If it's insurance, I'll take a little on him.

Double indemnity.

- What's that mean?

- It means if I beat your brains in, I get paid double.

Whatever it is, mister, we don't want any,

and we haven't got any.

- I'm looking for Cravat.

- Whoever he is.

- Well, look somewhere else.

- Yeah. Look someplace else.

Maybe she could

suggest where.

Gotta have

a special place, huh?

He wants to know,

can you suggest someplace he can look?

Doesn't he know I'm a lady?

Tell him I busted my crystal ball,

and he'll have to find one for himself.

She busted her crystal ball.

You'll have to find one for yourself.

- Crystal ball?

- A fortune-teller.

Ask her which one

she goes to.

Which one do you go to?

Crystal ball is a fortune-teller?

Tell him I never use 'em,

and he can go look on Terminal Dock...

and ifhe doesn't find one,

he can jump off it.

She says go look

on Terminal Dock...

and then jump off it!

There seems to be a feeling

of mistrust in the air.

- I wonder why.

- Have you come for revenge, Mr. Taylor?

Do you perhaps have a revolver

or some other lethal weapon with you?

I turned all those in

when I got this button, Anzelmo.

I'm as surprised as you are,

if you are.

I am. Believe me.

As for you, what would you do

if I were to call Hubert?

I'm not a hero, Anzelmo.

I'd run like a deer.

Then you have my word.

He will not molest you.

A mere figure of speech.

My word is worthless.

What are you doing here?

- I was told to come.

- By whom?

Phyllis.

Phyllis.

We were closely

associated at one time.

Professionally, of course.

Dear, loyal, sentimental

little Phyllis.

Come sit here,

Mr. Taylor.

There is a vast difference in comfort

between these chairs...

and those upon which

our clients wait for a consultation.

Besides, the lighting effect

will set the proper mood...

of mystery and intrigue

as we talk.

What about the lighting effect in my eyes

last night? What about the beating I took?

I wish with all my heart

that I could take it back.

- Another figure of speech. You haven't got a heart.

- True.

But I've got a brain.

And it was stupid of me. I apologize.

Please, sit down.

What do I get?

My palm read or my horoscope?

Let us use cards, Mr. Taylor.

Let us place them face up on the table.

In this case,

an imitation crystal ball.

I'll listen

for a while.

At the present time, young man,

I am nothing more than a small-time chiseler.

I say this frankly and bitterly

because I do not wish to be a small-time chiseler.

It's a humiliating position.

Still, it's better than being an honest man,

which I would find intolerable.

I was once a great thief

and a magnificent scoundrel.

I had my reverses.

Who has not?

And I will omit the story of my descent

to my present squalid condition.

It would only bore you

and incriminate me.

I waited and worked day and night

for a chance to come back.

Three years ago

I had that chance in my hands.

I had-

Name a fantastic sum of money,

Mr. Taylor.

Two million dollars.

You've put one of your cards

alongside mine.

Thank you.

As my hands closed on it,

the money disappeared like that.

And with it,

a Mr. Larry Cravat.

So, understand my position.

For three years

I have lived in this stink...

waiting for some hope,

some word.

And yesterday it came.

From a Turkish bath,

from a nightclub.

I approached you.

You were reluctant.

You wouldn't say

why you were looking for him.

You didn't know

why he wrote to you...

why the $5,000 deposit-

not even where he was.

Mr. Taylor, I had to make you understand

that there was nothing I would not do...

to find Larry Cravat!

I got the idea.

I understood it the second time I passed out.

But I can't help you, Anzelmo. I don't know

any other answers than the ones I gave.

That I do not believe.

Is this where we send for Hubert

and his rubber shillelagh?

Mr. Taylor, I do not even

have to know where Cravat is.

- I want you just to communicate with him for me.

- I can't. I wouldn't know how.

That I do not believe either.

Since your arrival there has been

considerable activity connected with him.

You cannot be

unconcerned with it.

You cannot be without some contact,

some connection.

Supposing I could reach Cravat.

What would the message be?

Phyllis, darling.

You look like a couple of witches.

What cooks?

How thoughtful of you, little one,

to send dear Mr. Taylor to me.

Stop talking

like Bela Lugosi.

How did you know

where to find me?

I didn't know

I was going to find you.

I got a note that said Larry Cravat was

at 42111/2 Summit.

- I don't get it.

- From whom was the note?

I don't know.

And don't try to beat it out of me. I don't know.

Why would anybody want to

tie me in with Larry Cravat?

Anybody. I can think of somebody

who would have every reason in the world.

Mr. Cravat himself.

- Did you know him?

- I... We just met.

I was going to know him

a lot better. Anzelmo-

The professional relationship

which I mentioned earlier.

We are still partners,

Phyllis. Are we not?

Don't start that now.

Don't try to mix me up.

Till you called me yesterday,

Cravat was a name in an old phone book.

You sent me after Taylor.

All right. I went.

After all, I'm smart, Anzelmo. You think I'd

bring him down to that dump if I were on my own?

- You think I'd send him to you?

- Sit down and listen.

I was about to give Mr. Taylor

a message for Larry Cravat.

- Then you do know-

- I said listen!

This is what

I want you to tell him.

That even two million dollars is of no use

to a man in the electric chair.

Suppose he doesn't

understand the message.

- He will.

- Suppose he says he doesn't.

Suppose he wants to know

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