The Big Clock Page #8

dealer in the lobby.

Get me the Van Barth bar.

We have 50 men stationed,

Mr. Stroud.

If the man gets out,

it'll be a miracle.

It certainly will.

Yeah? I'll find out

about that. Mr. Hagen?

Yes?

The people are raising

Cain in the lobby.

They don't like being delayed.

Kislav, go down

and use a little diplomacy.

Make sure no one leaves

without being passed

by the antique dealer.

Morgan, Talbot,

you go with him.

We're taking care

of that.

Yeah, Orlin?

Burt's Place.

Nothing at all?

I find all this

very distasteful.

An extremely sordid place.

Disreputable clientele.

Did you ask any questions?

Well, ask some.

Very well.

If I must, I must.

Thank you very much for

letting me use the telephone.

Here's your nickel.

Do you mind if I ask

a civil question, bud?

Not at all.

What's the matter with

the public library today?

Did they raise the dues?

See here, my friend.

Now, don't get sore about it.

You just arouse my curiosity.

Sitting here all afternoon

with one limeade and two books,

and you don't even

play the game.

Child's play.

And I don't like your limeade.

I'm just waiting for someone.

And who might that be?

I don't know.

You don't know?

It's quite simple.

He's a friend of a friend of mine.

I've never seen him,

but I understand he's a habitu.

He was in here recently

with a stunning blonde,

that is, if you think

blondes are stunning.

You wouldn't be

his brother-in-law

by any chance?

You might be a bill collector.

What do you want with this guy?

It's quite personal.

I'm told he talks about clocks...

green clocks.

Green clocks, you say?

You know him?

Can you describe him for me?

Oh, that'll be easy.

Yeah, sure we could.

'Cause he's

a very remarkable fellow.

Yes, a very remarkable fellow.

Why should this man

be in the building...

unless he is employed here,

or at least known?

You correlate your information.

We can identify him.

Out of 3,000 employees

and 2,000 sightseers a day?

Nothing is impossible.

Hello? Yeah, Edwin.

You have?

Orlin at Burt's Place.

Says he's got

a complete description.

Shoot, Edwin.

Last night with a blonde.

Two witnesses.

Okay, let's have

the description.

Built-up heels,

cauliflower ear,

brown toupee.

That's right,

a brown toupee.

And don't forget

the glass eye.

It's the left eye.

Glass eye,

the left one.

Glass eye?

Hold it.

Edwin says...

I heard.

Anybody know a man

with a glass eye?

What's that idiot's name?

Edwin Orlin.

Fire him.

Mr. Hagen, I can't do it.

Orlin, this is Mr. Hagen.

Yes, Orlin, we heard

your description.

Superior Cab Company?

This is George Stroud

at Crimeways magazine.

I'm trying to get hold

of one of your drivers,

Casimir Kowalski.

He has no phone?

How about his address?

Thank you.

Louise Patterson to see you.

I'm pleased to see that

somebody likes my work.

I've been an admirer

of yours for years,

Mrs. Patterson.

Are you Mr. Stroud?

I'm afraid so.

Well, I should like

to earn my money.

That codfish,

Mr. Klaus...

Klausmeyer.

Yes, he said

that you'd pay $100...

for a sketch of the man

who bought my painting.

Then somebody else called

and said that you'd

give me another 50...

if I'd come down here

and identify him,

plus the cab fare.

That's $151.55

and a 10-cent tip.

I'll give you a cash voucher.

Yes, the cashier will pay you.

I'll get a messenger.

Shall I start

the sketch now?

That won't be necessary.

Never mind, Mr. Stroud.

I've few enough collectors

without sending one to jail.

What did you do?

Oh, never mind.

With all that hue and cry

downstairs, it must be

something terribly lurid.

But I don't mind.

My agent says that I

shall make a fortune...

on the strength of that

lost masterpiece story.

Oh, my goodness.

This says $500.

I said I was an admirer.

You didn't sound that way

last night, bidding against me.

By the way, what did you do

with my picture?

I took it home.

Under the circumstances,

don't you think it would

be safer with me?

Let's discuss that later.

Right now, I have to go

find a taxicab driver.

Thank you. Cordette!

Here's the man

who'll cash your voucher.

Thank you.

You understand

we can't pay you the money

until you finish the picture.

Oh.

Finish the picture.

Naturally.

I'll start

the sketch now.

Just a minute.

Oh, it's you, Mr. Stroud.

Just out for a sandwich, boys.

Nobody's to leave unless

identified in the lobby.

Ah, good work.

Keep on the beam.

Mr. Stroud isn't here.

Will Pittsburgh speak

to someone else?

I was disconnected

from the Van Barth.

May I look

at the sketch now?

Not yet. It isn't finished.

A slippery character,

Mr. Randolph.

Glib talker,

ladies' man, playboy.

I could almost believe that

he was my fourth husband, Mike.

He was a playboy too.

Coffee, Mrs. Stroud?

No, thank you.

I'm sorry, Operator.

Please ask Mr. Klausmeyer

to speak to someone else.

Mr. Klausmeyer won't

speak to anyone else?

You tell Mr. Klausmeyer...

George,

a collect call from Pittsburgh.

Hello, darling.

I knew you wouldn't stay away.

Not after what I found

in our bedroom.

Found in our bedroom?

Yes, in our bedroom.

I can explain

everything, dear.

All I want to know is...

In my office, dear.

Family quarrels should

be held in private.

Family quarrels?

George,

the call from Pittsburgh.

Refuse the charges.

And a fine pickle, Hagen.

Vacation busted up,

marriage on the rocks.

How am I going to explain?

If he can explain,

Mrs. Stroud,

you have a good man.

Oh, darling,

if you only knew what

I've been through today.

Take your hands off me,

Jefferson Randolph.

You see, I've been reading

that blackboard too.

But, darling,

it's a long, long story.

Yes, I know.

All about wrecking

an innocent man's life.

Please listen to me.

Don't start making accusations

until you know the true facts.

I was talking with

the Van Barth, the bar.

I was disconnect...

Oh, hello, Lily?

The bartender just came in.

He says that Randolph spilled

a drink on the blonde.

It was a stinger

with green mint.

She mopped it up

with his handkerchief and put

the handkerchief in her purse.

The most horrible drink

I ever had in my life.

That's right. Kept it.

I was shaking,

but I just couldn't take it...

Please!

Just a moment. I'm talking.

As I was drinking it...

Will you shut up?

Shh. The lady is talking.

No, no, not you.

Bring the bartender with you.

We're waiting.

Lily says the blonde

took a handkerchief

from the gentleman.

Might have

a laundry mark on it.

That's interesting.

Now, if we could only

get that handkerchief.

I'd better put that

on the blackboard.

Yes?

Mr. Cordette to see you.

Send him in.

Mr. Hagen,

Mr. Janoth wants you downstairs.

It's very important.

Thank you.

And so help me,

the first I knew she was dead

was this afternoon.

Why didn't you call the police?

And spend the next

Janoth'll have lots of alibis.

Bill, Hagen and a dozen

other people, if necessary.

Me... All I got is myself.

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