The Cat's Meow Page #7

Where's the closest port?

Chief?

Where's the closest port?

It must be San Diego.

Come on, Pops,

let's stand up.

Here, let's go this way.

Willie...

- That was Tom.

- Willie.

That was Tom.

Look at me.

- Huh? What?

- You've got to be strong.

Why?

Why did you say...

there was never any love?

That wasn't about you.

Who then?

Charlie.

I was talking about Charlie.

Is that true?

Yes! That's who

I was talking about.

You see,

you are my...

my whole...

whole world!

Is he gonna die?

- Maybe.

- God help us.

- God is who we work for.

- Then God's in trouble.

Come on, who do you think

got Coolidge elected President?

It's just Tom Ince

lying here, right?

- Who knows Tom Ince?

- Just a guy, I guess.

Less than that.

lf...

if we move him,

what are his chances?

It's hard to say, WR,

there doesn't seem

to be an exit wound.

The bullet's in his brain

and he's still alive?

It's not uncommon.

Lincoln didn't die right away.

If they'd known more about bullets

and brains he might've survived.

- We know any surgeons in San Diego?

- Nobody we can trust.

I'd rather get a private ambulance

from Los Angeles and treat him up there.

Then get cars for the others

two hours later. No sooner, Joe.

Lincoln was overrated.

Let's move Tom now so we can

get him off the boat fast.

- Your cabin would be best.

- All right.

I think he's trying

to say something.

WR,

why don't you take Marion

to her cabin and...

you give her these.

It'll help her sleep.

You can handle that?

Of course I can.

I'm not a child!

Tom's gonna be all right.

Aren't you, Tom?

Is everything all right?

I thought I heard noises.

Everything's fine, George.

Go to sleep.

l... I'm sorry...

I just...

Poor Tom...

I feel so...

He's gonna live.

I know it.

Dr. Goodman told me.

He said that...

Abraham Lincoln was...

never mind that.

Here.

You have to take these.

- Grab him!

- I got him.

Yes?

Is someone there?

It's just Dr. Goodman...

...sorry to wake you.

That's all right.

All right.

Okay.

I'll get things started.

- WR?

- Hmm?

Joe, yes, yes.

Be careful,

just lift him very gently.

That's it.

Be careful.

Watch his head.

What the hell?!

I thought we said the cars

wouldn't be here for two hours.

I don't know

what he's doing here so soon.

He's not one of mine.

I called Chaplin's driver.

- God damn it, Joe!

- He always insists on his own man.

I didn't want to arouse

any more suspicion than necessary.

Oh no.

No suspicion at all!

Hello? Hello?

Nell? WR Hearst here.

Mr. Hearst, how are you?

- I'm fine, Nell.

- I'm glad to hear it.

Unfortunately, Tom's had

an accident. A bad one.

Oh dear God! What happened?

- Nell,

- Yes?

I don't know to tell you this,

except to start by saying that

Tom's been very depressed

about his business lately.

I know.

Well, I hate to be

the one to tell you,

- He's been unfaithful.

- What do you mean?!

Just let me get there,

will you?

He uh...

he's taken to her

very strongly,

and to the best of my knowledge...

she tried to end it.

Please, tell me

what's happened to Tom.

Now, Nell...

well, God-save-'im,

he shot himself.

Huh? Shot himself?

Nell, he's alive,

and he's getting

the best of care.

Our Dr. Goodman

is escorting him to your home

by private ambulance.

Nell?

I'm here.

Give me the name of his

private physician. Can you do that?

Yes. It's Dr. Glasgow...

Ira Glasgow in...

That's fine.

By God, Nell, I'll make sure

none of this gets in the papers.

Oh my God, you have to!

- I just said I would, Nell.

Now...

you've got to remain strong

and silent,

and wait for Dr. Glasgow.

We'll have him there

any time now.

I'll wait for the doctor...

bless you, Mr. Hearst.

No one will ever find out.

I value Tom's friendship

too much for that.

- Sorry, what did you say?

- His friendship, Nell!!

- Of course...

- We...

we're telling everyone

that it's his stomach.

- His ulcers.

- Ulcers, yes.

I know this is hard,

but I've got to hang up now

and call Dr. Glasgow.

- You just sit and wait.

- Just sit and wait...

- Goodbye, Nell.

- Tom. Poor Tom...

Goodbye.

Yes?

Good morning, Chief.

You seem well rested.

Yes, well...

whatever Dr. Goodman gave me

put me right to sleep,

thank goodness.

I'm so glad.

It was a tragic accident,

Mr. Hearst.

Yes, Lolly?

Still...

these things do happen,

as they say.

It's nobody's fault, really,

when you consider all sides.

You're very good at that,

considering all sides.

You meet so few people

capable of considering all sides.

It's a goddamn gift.

Mr. Hearst,

I must confess, and...

I know I've been

a bit obvious but l...

you have a second to talk?

I have two

and one half minutes.

Good.

Well, I was gonna break one of

your golden rules this weekend

by mixing

business with pleasure.

I was going to ask you

about expanding my syndication

with a more prominent by-line.

Why didn't you say something?

I'm sure we can arrange...

I was going to say something

but then I started thinking,

and the only way I can have

a real effect on the readers

and the community that

I'm covering,

is if I have time.

Lots of time,

WR.

I agree with you, 1 00%.

I'll have the office draw up...

an eight-year contract.

Eight years?

WR, now really.

Eight years won't do

either of us any good.

We're at the point

in our careers

where we need security.

Security?

Security from whom?

The wrong people.

There are wrong people,

you know.

I know.

I'm willing to devote my life

to Hearst newspapers.

But I need to know

here and now

that you're willing

to grant me the life I want.

You give me my security...

and I'll give you yours, WR.

For a lifetime.

Lifetime contract...

Is that a question

or an answer, WR?

I swear I heard a shot.

Some people

will say anything to get attention.

I did!

I heard noises all night.

But not a gunshot.

The only shot Didi was close to

had whiskey in it.

Be quiet,

I know what I heard.

I heard noises too.

Have you seen Tom?

No.

Why have we stopped?

Where are we?

We're in San Diego, sir.

But I don't know the plan.

We weren't scheduled to stop here.

I'm aware of that.

Perhaps he's

taken up shooting fish.

It's just me.

- I love you.

- Is he all right?

He's gonna be fine.

Everything is.

Now you go back to sleep.

Kono.

What brings you to San Diego?

They told me change in plans.

- Who told you?

- Mr. Hearst's office.

- Has anybody left yet?

- Just the doctor and the injured man.

- Injured?

- There were bandages on his head.

- There was blood.

- What man?

I don't know. For a minute

I thought he was you.

- Was he conscious?

- Not to my eyes.

Goddamn Jap!

...Or WR shot an albatross

for our breakfast!

You know it's bad luck

to shoot an albatross.

- Good morning, Charlie.

- Good morning.

Good morning.

- Unfortunately, I have bad news.

Tom Ince took ill last night

and decided to leave early.

- What was wrong with him?

- He said his ulcers were acting up.

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