The Big Sleep Page #6

Was it Eddie Mars?

All right, don't answer me.

But your father didn't tell you

to pay me off, did he?

No. He's not well.

I used my own judgment.

Are you sure?

I know it hasn't worked so

well up till now.

What's Eddie Mars got to do

with this case?

Nothing. He runs a gambling house.

I play horses. I play the wheel.

You're playing something else too.

Never mind talking. Let me do it.

Did you know Shawn Regan was

supposed to run off with Mars' wife?

Who doesn't?

Did you know he owned the house

and was mixed up in that racket too?

- I don't believe...

- Then why does it bother you so much?

What's Eddie Mars got on you?

Come now, angel. Stop shaking.

I don't want to hurt you,

I'm trying to help you.

You better run along.

But you made a deal and you're going to

stick to it, right or wrong.

We'll take up the question of

you and I when the race is over.

- The only trouble is, we could've...

- Pardon me?

The only trouble is, we could

have had a lot of fun...

...if you weren't a detective.

We still can.

So long, Marlowe.

- Waiter?

- Sir?

- Have you got a phone?

- Over there.

Deposit 55 cents, sir.

- How much is that?

- 55 cents.

Here's your party, sir.

Hello? Hello!

May I speak with Mr. Mars,

please?

This is Mars.

I didn't recognize your voice.

This is Marlowe.

I want to see you.

Sure. When?

I'd like to drive up this evening.

Come ahead.

Mr. Mars around? I'm Marlowe.

He's expecting me.

Wait here and I'll find out.

He would spend it on the ponies

He would spend it on the girls

Buy his mother lovely roses

For her dear old hennaed curls

But when his wife said "Sweetie...

... what did you get for me?"

He socked her in the choppers

Such a sweet, sweet guy was he

And her tears flowed like wine

She's a real sad tomato

She's a busted valentine

Knows her mama done told her

That a man is darned unkind

I'm a telling you, mister

She was a sob, sob sister

Lying on a pillow

Weeping like a willow

My, oh my,

how that baby could cry

And her tears flowed like wine

Yes, her tears flowed like wine

Hello, boys.

Stop it!

He's waiting to see you.

Thanks.

- Hello, Eddie.

- Hello, Marlowe. Glad you came.

You never been here before?

My first time.

I wouldn't be here now...

...if you hadn't told me I could

come up here if I needed help.

Drink?

I like the way you've

handled this whole thing.

It made me sore at first, but I see now

you knew what you were doing.

You and I could get along.

I like to pay my bills as I go.

- How much do I owe you?

- For what?

Still careful, huh?

All right, then.

I want some information...

...about Shawn Regan.

You got that already from

the Bureau of Missing Persons.

- You get around.

- My boys do.

- Where is he?

- I haven't any idea.

You didn't bump him off, did you?

No. You think I did?

- That's what I came here to ask you.

- You're kidding?

All right, I'm kidding.

You didn't do it and your boys

aren't good enough to.

I used to know Regan.

I thought you told me you weren't

looking for Regan.

I wasn't then.

Maybe I just got curious.

I finally got it through my skull

that the general was worried...

...Regan might be mixed up

in this blackmail business.

Sternwood can turn over now

and go back to sleep.

It was Geiger's own racket.

I did some inquiring myself today.

When Geiger and Brody got gunned,

that washed the whole thing up.

- That, I'm sure of.

- It's finished then.

The general thinks like you do.

He paid me off today.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I wish he'd hire you to keep

that daughter of his home.

- She's out there now.

- I know, I heard her.

She's not very popular here.

When she loses, she doubles and

I wind up with a fistful of paper.

- Lf she wins, she takes my money home.

- Don't you get it back next time?

- She spends it somewhere else.

- Oh, she goes on the cuff.

I'd keep her out of here then.

- I took the trip for nothing.

- Sorry I can't help you.

You mind if I look the place over

before I go back?

Go ahead. Take that door,

it comes out behind the tables.

No, thanks. I'll go out

with the other suckers.

Maybe someday I can do you

a real favor.

Maybe.

There's one thing that puzzles me.

You don't seem in a hurry

to find that wife of yours.

I hear she's not the kind of wife

a guy wants to lose.

Could it be you know where she is,

and maybe Regan too?

Stop being curious. What's between

me and my wife is between us.

Sorry.

Oh, Eddie, you don't have

anybody watching me, do you?

Tailing me in a gray Plymouth coupe?

No. Why should I?

I can't imagine, unless you're

worried about where I am all the time.

I don't like you that well.

So long, Eddie.

- Mr. Marlowe?

- Mr. Marlowe?

- Mrs. Rut...

- Mrs. Rut...

You better take it.

Mrs. Rutledge asked if you'd

look her up before you went.

She's at the center table.

Thank you both.

Mr. Marlowe? Mrs. Rutle...

Mrs. Rutledge wants to see me.

- How did you know?

- He told me.

She sure is picking them tonight.

She won eight bets in a row.

- I didn't hear him tell you anything.

- He didn't.

What kind of game is this?

Spin the wheel.

I want another play.

I'm sorry. You have

more than $ 14,000 there...

...and the table cannot cover your bet!

It's your money.

Don't you want it back?

I sent for Mr. Mars.

- Look, lady, you know...

- Do you want to cover it?

- Hello, Marlowe.

- Hello.

The lady.

Something the matter,

Mrs. Rutledge?

I'd like one more play.

All this on the red.

Cover her bet in even thousands.

If no one objects to this turn of

the wheel being for the lady alone.

Wish me luck, Marlowe.

You wanted to see me.

The people I came with want to stay...

...so I thought maybe you'd

like to drive me home.

- Sure.

- Are you ready, lady?

- Yeah, I'm ready.

- So am I.

Number five, red!

You did all right.

I'll get my car while you collect...

...and meet you outside.

Good night.

This is a gun, lady.

I want that money.

Yell, and I'll cut you in half!

Give me that bag!

Hello, pal! Easy!

Somebody's always giving me guns.

You can turn around now.

I don't like people who play games.

Tell your boss...

...when you wake up.

I'm glad I asked you to take me home.

So am I.

Shall we go now?

Why are you trembling? Don't tell me

you were scared. I won't believe it.

I'm not used to being hijacked.

Give me a little time.

Hijacked? Is that what it was?

What else?

You're still shaking.

What's the matter?

You weren't worried about me?

Afraid I'd get hurt?

When did you begin to

feel that way about me?

Why are we stopping?

To settle something.

All right...

...let's begin with what

Eddie Mars has on you.

If he had anything, would it be

any of your business?

You've already been paid, haven't you?

Yeah, by you.

- Are you after more money?

- I guess you've got a right to ask.

No, I've already been well-paid.

I've got another reason.

You like my father, don't you?

Why don't you stop?

Remember I said I was beginning

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