Ten Cents a Dance

Gangway, mugs!

Just move on...

Who are you? One of the hostesses?

You got nice looking gals in there?

We got fifteen hostesses.

Gimme two dollars here.

And don't spit in here.

Who's spittin'?

Say, I thought you were going

to take the night off.

Didn't you have a date?

A date? Who with?

That Miller kid you're always blabbering about.

Is it any of your business?

What are you so touchy about?

I don't want him. I'd a lot rather have

that hundred-dollar guy that's rushing you.

What's a guy gotta do

to dance with you gals?

All you need is a ticket and some courage.

We got both.

How about it sister?

Shove off.

What?

What were you saying before?

Just wanted to tell you we get

paid tomorrow. Thirty bucks.

What are you going to do with it?

Buy a row boat?

I'm gonna get thirty bucks worth of dimes

and I'm coming right back here.

Come on, sister. Loosen up.

For a big guy I'm pretty

light on my feet, ain't I?

Hm... ouch!

Yeah.

Wait a minute, sister.

Nix, I'm wanted on the phone.

I'll see you later.

Barbara, aren't you feeling well tonight?

I'm great.

Only as long as you're passing rules every

five minutes I've got a new one for you.

What is it?

Keep people out of here

that weigh over 200lb.

It gets to be quite annoying.

I'm sorry Miss O'Neill if

you don't like our patrons.

Possibly they don't compare

with the gentlemen you know.

What do you mean?

I mean that you mustn't let your private

life interfere with your work here.

Private life? I've got no more private life

than a goldfish.

What are you talking about? About the

young man you're always talking about.

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him.

And you're not going to.

Oh, that's too bad. If he's half as wonderful

as you say he is he must be perfect.

But you mustn't let him

interfere with your work.

He doesn't even know where I work.

Nevertheless, he has interfered.

Your work used to be the best on the floor.

You took an interest in

it but you don't anymore.

What's wrong with it?

No animation.

No... rhythm.

If I get any more rhythm

I'll dislocate a hip.

The gentlemen like rhythm.

I don't want to speak to

you about this again.

Rhythm.

What's the matter, May?

Aw, gee, I got a run in my stocking.

I paid 2 bucks a pair and all they last

is a split second.

Take them off. Nobody

will know the difference.

Gee, that's an idea.

Gee, there goes my dress.

What'll I do about that?

Use your own judgment.

Don't wait, Joe. It won't be necessary.

Yes, Mr. Carlton.

Say, for the love of Mike,

don't you get enough whooping out there?

I haven't danced out there yet.

You're new, aren't you?

Yeah.

I'm awful nervous.

What about?

Oh, Mrs. Blanchard. She talks so funny.

I couldn't quite make her out.

Hm...

She talked to you about how to dance

out there, didn't she?

Yeah, she told me to be very careful.

And yet she sorta gave me the idea

she wanted me to be not so careful.

She told me er...

well, to be intimate... but ladylike.

Now what do you make out of that?

She told me I could just feel my way along

until I got the hang of things...

but to watch my step.

Gee, I mean, what's a girl to do?

Search me.

Say, how old are you?

Uh, eighteen.

You mean you told Blanche

you were eighteen.

She's in her right. Yeah, she beat the

cops, grabbed a taxi and got away.

Great. I'm glad of it.

I could have sworn that

fellow was just a drop in.

Turned out to be a regular.

He only bought one ticket.

One of those nickel nurses.

Oh, I don't think so.

Say, you're crazy. That's the guy that

gave Barbara O'Neill that hundred dollars.

It's a jungle full of apes out there.

Gee, what do I do now?

Go over there and stand by the rail,

and while you wait...

you advertise.

Oh, yeah.

Come on.

Excuse me, please.

Oh, mercy, yes indeed.

Good evening, Miss O'Neill.

Hello, Mr. Carlton.

I've been in the dressing

room changing my shoes.

I've worn out one pair already tonight.

Do you want to help me wear out another?

Thanks. I'd much rather sit and

talk with you, if you don't mind.

That sounds great. Come on.

I'm afraid the old dowager doesn't like me.

Who is she?

Oh, she's got the toughest job of all.

She's the matron.

She's got to keep the price hot enough to avoid

bankruptcy and cold enough to avoid raids.

We're not allowed to sit out dances

unless drinks are served.

Oh, I wouldn't break a rule

for anything in the world.

Waiter!

Milk.

Milk? Do we have to drink milk?

No!

Two milks and drink them yourself.

You're sober tonight, aren't you?

Wasn't I the other night?

Oh, you were swell.

You're sober tonight, aren't you?

Wasn't I the other night?

Oh, you were swell.

You gave me a hundred dollars

just for sitting here and talking to you.

You want it back?

No!

It was well worth it.

And I'm gonna keep on coming here

until I find out how you happen to be here.

There you go!

What are you doing, writing a book?

Listen, I'm here because

my brains are in my feet

and you're here b...

Well... I'm glad you're here.

Then you missed me, eh?

Well, yes... that is...

Yes, I did.

And there's one thing I

want you to do for me.

Oh, yeah?

You're in business, aren't you?

Sure. I'm a night watchman.

This must be your night off.

No, no kidding.

You've got an office of

some kind, haven't you?

Yes, I've got an office of some kind.

Well, I was wondering if you

had an opening of some sort.

You want a job?

Oh, no, it's not for me.

It's for an acquaintance of mine.

He's an awfully bright guy

and very well-educated.

Really?

Hm-hmm. I'll vouch for him.

Of course, he hasn't been around long

and traffic signals kind of puzzle him...

Are you sure that he's

just an acquaintance?

Positively. Oh, he's only a kid.

All right. Send him around.

Gee, thanks a lot.

And now what can I do for you?

I want you to have dinner with me

some night, will you?

Sure, where?

Any place you say.

Any place where there isn't any music,

I'm sick of the sound of that stuff.

Gee, it follows me home and pounds

into my head like a hammer.

Do you know what I'd do

if I had a lot of money?

Yes, buy a radio.

No. I'd get that cornet

player and tie him up.

And I'd hire a million saxophone players to

play blue notes in his ears till he died.

Shall I call you up at your home?

No, you'd better call me here.

Well?

I was just trying to figure you out.

Can't you? You're so wise.

You've been here three times

and you haven't propositioned me once.

Is that unusual?

It's impossible.

Gee, I'd better be getting back or that

old dame will be right on top of me.

Will you call me here?

Yes, certainly.

Goodbye.

Bye.

By the way, what's the number here?

Orchard 4027. It's in the book.

Goodbye.

Bye.

Hello, bookworm.

Oh, hello, Miss O'Neill.

Oh, don't get up.

That must be a good book

to keep you up so late.

It is. It's a swell book.

I must have fallen asleep or something.

You're not used to keeping

such late hours, are you?

I wanted to see you before I left.

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