The Big Sleep Page #4

Who killed Geiger?

Who else knows about it?

What, that he's dead?

I don't know.

Not the cops, or they'd

be camping here.

Was it Joe Brody?

Joe Brody.

Who's he?

I don't know how much trouble

you're used to...

...but I hope you've had plenty

of practice dodging it.

Did Brody kill him?

I kill who?

Yes, Joe did it.

He did?

Why?

I don't know.

But you're ready to tell

the police he did it?

That is, if we can get

the photograph.

You mean...?

It's gone. I looked for it.

Brody took it with him.

I've got to go home now.

I wouldn't say anything

to the police about Brody just yet.

I wouldn't say anything

about anything.

That you were ever here.

Not even to your sister.

Just leave it to Reilly.

Your name isn't Reilly...

Excuse the casual entrance.

The bell didn't answer.

Mr. Geiger around?

We don't know where he is.

We found the door open

and just stepped in.

- Friends of his?

- Business.

We dropped in for a book.

Any message if he comes back?

No, I don't think so.

We won't bother you.

Just a minute.

The girl can go.

- I'd like to talk to you.

- Suppose I don't want to talk to you?

I've got two boys out in the car.

It's like that, eh?

Run along, angel.

Your story sounds wrong.

That's too bad.

Got a better one?

Maybe I can find one.

Blood.

Quite a lot of blood.

Is that so?

Do you mind?

No, I'm used to it.

I think we'll let

the police in on this.

- We'll have some law...

- Yeah. Why not?

Who are you, soldier?

Marlowe.

I'm a private detective.

- Who's the girl?

- A client.

Geiger tried to throw a loop on her.

We came to talk.

Convenient, the door being open.

Wasn't it?

How'd you have a key?

- That your business?

- Could be.

I could make yours mine.

You wouldn't like it.

The pay's too small.

All right, I own this house.

Geiger's my tenant.

- Now what do you think of it?

- You know some nice people.

I take them as they come.

Got any good ideas?

One or two.

Somebody gunned Geiger.

Or somebody got gunned

by Geiger who ran away.

Or he had meat for dinner

and likes to butcher in the parlor.

No, I don't like it either.

Maybe you'd better call downtown.

I don't get it.

I don't get your game.

Don't you, Mr. Mars?

Wondered why you didn't

ask me who I was.

You're telling me Geiger was

in a racket of some kind.

What racket?

I wouldn't know.

But I'll tell you

something you missed.

Somebody cleaned out

Geiger's store today.

You talk too much.

You really got those boys outside?

Open the door.

Open it yourself.

I already got a client.

It's all right.

Just proving something.

While you're here, look him over.

- Pardon me.

- Who is he?

Philip Marlowe, Hobart Arms,

Franklin Street.

Special license,

deputy badge and all.

All right, outside.

A shamus.

The man said, outside.

He said that.

That's what the man said.

He kills me.

Is he any good?

Who? Sidney?

He's company for Pete.

All right, talk.

Not to you.

I already got a client.

Who cleaned out Geiger's store?

Lots of weather we're having.

Did it rain at Las Olindas?

I might make it worth your while.

I might make it worth yours.

What do you care

who cleaned out Geiger's store?

- I could make you talk.

- It's been tried.

And?

Why don't you call the cops?

I think you'd better

get out of here.

By the way,

how's Mrs. Mars these days?

You take chances, Marlowe.

I get paid to.

Mrs. Rutledge. I've been

waiting to hear from you.

I'm sorry.

I have nothing to tell you.

- She didn't call?

- No, she didn't.

Did you get the money,

in case she does?

I have the money. I'll get in touch

with you as soon as she calls.

All right, I'll stay

right here until you call.

Geiger?

You said what?

Arthur Geiger.

The guy with the blackmail racket.

- I don't know anybody by that name.

- You're Joe Brody?

- So what?

- So you're Joe Brody.

And you don't know Geiger.

That's very funny.

You've got a funny sense of humor.

Take it somewhere else.

Joe, you got Geiger's stuff.

I got his sucker list.

Don't you think we ought to talk?

Now!

All right. If you think

you got something.

You alone, Joe?

Except for this.

My, my, such a lot of guns

around town and so few brains.

You're the second guy

today that thinks...

...a gat in the hand

means the world by the tail.

Put it down, Joe.

The other guy was Eddie Mars.

You ever hear of him?

If he gets wise to where you were

last night, you'll hear of him.

What would I be to Eddie Mars?

I don't know if you don't.

Look, don't get me wrong.

I'm not a tough guy.

Just careful.

You're not careful enough.

That play with Geiger's stuff

was terrible.

Don't kid yourself I won't

use this if I have to.

What's your story?

Why don't you ask

your friend to come out?

She must get tired

of holding her breath.

Come on out, Agnes.

Hello, sugar.

I knew you were trouble.

I told Joe...

Ask Mrs. Rutledge to come out too.

What did you come for?

- Why'd you lie to me?

- I don't need you.

I keep out of it!

I don't want you here.

Will you get out?

But he won't let me.

He's curious, bothered

and wondering.

You bet I'm wondering

and I'll find out.

- Sit down.

- Stop waving that gun.

I didn't do anything.

Can't you talk without that?

Don't argue with the man.

- You're ruining things.

- I'm not. If you'd...

Say, look!

What are you up here for?

To keep her from paying you off,

and to take the cops off your neck.

What cops?

The cops that want to know

where the lead in Geiger came from.

Look, Joe, you shot Geiger.

- I didn't know...

- The cops don't yet.

But he wasn't alone

when you shot him.

Either you didn't notice that

or you got scared and ran away.

But you had nerve enough

to take the film.

And you had nerve enough

to come back and hide the body.

- You're crazy!

- Shut up!

So you could clean out the store...

...before the law knew

there was a murder.

You take chances. It's lucky

for you I didn't shoot Geiger.

But you can step off for it anyway.

You're made-to-order for the rap.

You think you've got me?

- Positive.

- How come?

I told you, there was a witness.

Now don't go simple on me.

You mean Carmen.

She'd say anything.

So you have got that picture.

I guess you think I'm dumb.

Just average, for a grafter.

You see, either you were

there last night...

...or you got the picture

from somebody who was.

You knew Carmen was there...

...because you had your girlfriend

threaten Mrs. Rutledge.

The only way you could have known

was by being there...

...and seeing what happened.

Or having the picture.

Make sense?

Who are you?

A guy who gets paid to do

people's laundry.

And all I'll get out

of it is that picture.

How about some dough?

I'm down to nickels.

Not from my client.

Get the picture, Joe.

Stay right there.

Here. Watch him.

- Take it easy.

- I want my picture.

- Now...

- I want my picture.

You shot Geiger.

Hold it!

Get up. You look like a Pekinese.

And since I'm collecting guns...

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes