The Glass Key Page #2

Oh, well, it was sort of like

in the circulation department, you know.

You see, I used to go around the different

newsstands and I'd ask for a paper,

if the guy'd hand me The Observer,

that was okay.

If he'd hand me The Post, I'd slug him.

That was to teach him a lesson, you know?

Oh, you were sort of

an Observer missionary?

No, because a little while later,

I made the same deal with The Post.

Well, how could you serve

both newspapers, Paul?

You see, if the guy handed me The Observer,

I'd slug him for The Post.

If he hands me The Post, I'd slug him

for The Observer. It was very simple.

You certainly were

a two-fisted newspaper man, Mr Madvig.

Wasn't he, Mr Beaumont?

PAUL:
Yeah, but there was just one hitch.

I used to have to be very careful

about repeating.

But once I missed.

I remember it was on Third and Broadway,

I slugged a guy

for handing me The Observer.

About a week later, I got balled-up

and I found myself in the same spot.

Well, the guy hands me The Post

so I have to slug him again.

You should have seen the expression

on that fellow's face.

There was enough there for an expression?

PAUL:
Oh, sure, I just used to slug him

easy with the left.

But you haven't heard the topper.

Quite a while later when I'd gotten out

of the racket,

I found myself back in the same spot.

Well, the guy saw me coming

and what do you think he handed me?

The Christian Science Monitor.

And you slugged him again?

No, I didn't have no deal with The Monitor.

Oh, what a pity.

- I must be going.

- RALPH:
Oh.

- Good night, Mr Henry.

- Good night.

- Good night, Paul.

- See you in the morning, Ed.

I'll see you to the door, Mr Beaumont.

I'm sorry you're leaving so soon,

Mr Beaumont.

I'm sure you've have some

interesting stories, too.

I think you've had enough laughs from

the wrong side of the tracks for one evening.

You're hardly the type people laugh at.

There are people who don't laugh at Paul.

Oh, he is amusing for a limited time.

To be with him everyday,

how can you stand it?

I get along very well with Paul

because he's on the dead up-and-up.

Why don't you try it sometime?

OPAL:
Ed!

Oh, hello, Opal.

I've been looking all over for you.

I've been slumming with your brother

up at the Henry house.

Ed, I need your help,

I gotta have some money.

Yeah. How much?

All you've got.

Don't ask any questions, Ed.

Please, don't even tell Paul.

All right, Snip.

You're sweet, Ed.

Mr Varna, please. Taylor Henry.

Hello, Nick. I've got $500 for you.

But, Nick, I'll have the rest

in a couple of days, I promise.

Oh, he's sore. But he'll take the $500.

How can I ever thank you, baby?

OPAL:
Ed!

- Let's go, Snip.

- Now wait a minute.

- Put 'em on.

- Who do you think you are, Beaumont?

- Hurry up.

- I'm not going, you get out of here!

- Sure, with you.

- Taylor, stop him!

(GROANING)

Let go of me. Let go!

Here's your key, Snip.

- I hate you.

- You'll outlive it, baby.

- No, I won't ever. Good night!

- I'm coming in.

- To lock me in my room, I suppose.

- Not a bad idea.

You can't stop me from seeing Taylor.

Neither you nor Paul.

I've got a right to happiness

just like anybody else.

- I'm free, white...

- And 18.

What's wrong with being 18?

Lots of girls get married when they're 18.

Why, Taylor's own mother even.

Hey, what are you two barking about

this time?

What's the matter,

didn't they feed you at the party?

Did I hear something about Taylor Henry?

Have you been seeing him again?

No, I just happened to mention his name.

You don't have to lie for me.

Yes, I saw him tonight!

After all I've said?

- Where were they?

- In a nightclub.

We weren't. I was at his apartment.

- You were...

- And I don't see what business it is of yours!

You're supposed to be my brother

not a watchdog.

No sister of mine is gonna be taken in by

any cheap, chiselling, tinhorn, playboy like...

OPAL:
He's not a playboy. You know it.

This the first time

you've been to his apartment?

No, it isn't, I've been there dozens of times!

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.

Ed! Ed,

Paul's gone up to Mr Henry's house

after Taylor. He's gonna kill him.

Take it easy, Snip. Paul's not that crazy.

I'd be a chump to go up there

at this time of night.

Now you go to sleep.

(DOOR CLOSING)

I thought you went home.

Did you find Taylor Henry?

- Opal phoned you, huh?

- Yeah.

Did you find him?

I found the old man.

Had a long talk with him.

- Wasn't Taylor there?

- No.

Why?

He's lying outside the house in the gutter.

He's dead.

Yeah, so?

Didn't you understand what I said?

- Sure.

- Well?

Well what?

He was killed.

What do you want me to do about it?

Bust out crying?

Should I call the police?

Don't they know about it?

There was nobody around when I found him.

Thought I'd better see you

before I did anything.

- Is it all right to say I found him?

- Why not?

Ed, you're a fool.

One of us is.

Hey, think I'll ask Janet

if she'd like a lift home.

- I wouldn't.

- Why not?

- She'll want to ride with her father.

- Oh, yeah.

- Hey, Nick.

- Yeah.

- I got an idea.

- What?

- Why don't we knock off Madvig right here?

- What?

Sure, then they don't even have to move him

to bury him.

When I want your advice I'll ask for it.

I was sorry to hear about Taylor, Mr Henry.

- He was a friend of mine, and a nice boy.

- Thank you.

- Could I have a word with you, please?

- What is it?

I suppose you realise that politically

it don't look so good for you.

- Why not?

- Because of Madvig.

The Observer is already hinting

he killed your son.

And it won't be long

before half the state will believe it.

Get a load of that.

How do you like that?

Varna butting in that way.

He's got a nerve.

I think I'll go over and try this out.

Hey, keep your shirt on.

But with me

and The Observer you're a cinch.

- Think it over.

- No, thank you.

Just as you say.

Good afternoon, Miss Henry.

- Where you going?

- I'll meet you at the car.

Miss Madvig?

May I speak to you for a moment?

You loved Taylor, didn't you?

I just heard something

I think you ought to know.

- What about?

- About Taylor's murder.

ED:
Hey, Opal!

Ready to go, Snip?

Miss Madvig and I

were having a private conversation.

A funeral's hardly the place

to talk about a murder. Even privately.

It is if you've just heard Nick Varna say

he had enough evidence

to convict someone of Taylor's murder.

He said that?

Who?

Your brother.

Why don't you peddle your scandal

to someone who wants to hear it?

Don't pay any attention to that stuff, Opal.

It's only Nick Varna's way of...

What's all the gab about?

Hello, Snip.

I know. It's tough.

Come on, move over and I'll drive you home.

(SOBBING) No!

I'm sorry, Mr Beaumont, Mr Farr isn't in.

- When'll he be back?

- Oh, I don't know, he didn't leave word.

Think I'll take a chance and wait in his office.

- You can't do that! Mr Farr'll be angry.

- Don't you like this job, sonny?

Oh, it's you, Ed!

(CHUCKLING)

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