The Racket Page #3

Captain.

Captain, am I dumb or is someone trying | to cover up something?

When I think you're dumb, Johnson, | I'll let you know.

Johnson, how would you like | a special assignment on this?

Very much, sir.

- All right, you're relieved of beat duty. | - Thank you, sir.

Captain, who's big enough | to buy Durko out for a job like this?

You just stick to detail. | Let me worry about the rest.

Yes, sir.

Officer, I'd like to file a complaint.

- Well, madam? | - I haven't been kissed all day.

How would you feel if I had the night shift?

Indignant.

Well, I've heard the days can be | very beautiful this time of year.

- Was today beautiful for you? | - I dug up some more stuff on Durko.

- He must have quite a record. | - Yeah.

Manslaughter. Larceny. Extortion.

He killed a policeman in Cincinnati, | they think.

But they couldn't indict him.

How can men like that ever be paroled?

Well, suppose you needed a killer, | where would you go to get him?

- Bob, is it worth it? | - What do you mean?

Risking your neck to arrest men like that

so the higher-ups | can turn them loose again.

Well, this policeman they think he shot | had three kids.

Well, what if we had three kids?

You'd be half done. I want six.

- But, Bob, I'm serious. | - Hurry up with dinner, will you, Lucy?

- Well, what's your rush? | - I've got to get back to the station.

Oh, no. Not tonight.

- We're celebrating. | - I've got to keep moving on this case.

Celebrating what?

Well, what do you think | I've been trying to tell you?

I'll bite. What?

I hope they never make you a detective!

Lucy, darling!

- Is Nick here? | - I'll see, sir.

- Who shall I say is calling? | - McQuigg.

Oh, yes, Mr. McQuigg. Step in, please.

But, Mr. McQuigg, I...

- Hello, Tom. | - Hello, Nick.

Come right in. Don't stand on ceremony.

Butler? Don't stand on ceremony?

- Nick, I hardly know you. | - Been a long time.

Not much like the old 10th Ward, eh, Tom?

Not much, no.

I hear you're living in the same old dump.

- House is the word. | - I like dump better.

I don't think I'd feel comfortable here.

Too much like the lobby | of the Palace Theatre.

Honesty don't pay off, eh, Tom?

- Or maybe it's just dumbness. | - You ought to know all about dumbness.

You think it was smart killing Higgins?

Who's Higgins?

He was just walking down the street | minding his own business. In my district.

- I never set foot in your district. | - Don't.

Of course, as a free citizen | and a taxpayer...

- A what? | - I pay taxes.

I keep books.

For instance, my taxes would pay | the salaries of 10 guys like you, McQuigg.

Public servants.

McQuigg, the public servant.

You and I should've had a little talk | a long time ago, Nick.

I'm all for it.

I never forget a pal.

I've been intending to thank you | for all you've done for me,

like getting me buried in a no-action spot

after I knocked over | those horse parlors of yours.

Why, Tommy? Me?

Then you and the boys decided | you wanted to make an action spot

out of a no-action spot, | but there was McQuigg, eh?

I pinched one of your boys | for criminal assault and got a conviction.

Of course, he never did time.

There was an appeal, this and that, | the old merry-go-round.

But it was inconvenient, wasn't it, Nick?

So I was transferred again.

I should be an inspector by now, Nick,

if you hadn't known me in the old | 10th Ward days and been my pal.

You flatter me.

Let's quit kidding, Nick. | Stay out of my district.

I'm tired of playing horse.

I'm making this a personal thing. | Understand, Nick?

- A personal thing. | - Okay, Tom.

Personal.

But if I can get you transferred, | I can get you promoted, right?

So?

Just a thought.

- Lady, don't be difficult. | - Get your big paws off me, you...

- Who are you? | - I'm Irene Hayes. What about it?

You're in the wrong apartment.

You may be right, | but I didn't find out till just now.

I've been teaching my fianc | some manners.

- Your what? | - Well, anyway, he was.

I'm not so sure now.

What do you do for a living?

I sing at the Paradise Club. | What do you do?

That's an interesting question, Nick.

Joe, come here.

So, you got engaged, huh?

- I love her, Nick. | - This cheap canary.

Speak up, Junior.

Nothing personal, sister.

- How about a deal? | - Deal?

Let my brother off the hook.

You keep the rock, I'll keep him.

Are you going to take this, Joe?

- Now, listen... | - Shut up!

Irene!

- Now, listen, Nick... | - "Now, listen, Nick."

You want to marry her, | throwing yourself away on that.

Give me your money.

And your car keys.

I sold my car.

You sold my birthday present | to buy that rock?

Yes, I did. And I'm going to marry her, too.

Now, listen, Joe.

"Now, listen, Joe."

Listen to yourself.

You'll never know what I've done | for that crazy kid.

Give him everything. Money, clothes, cars.

Made a gentleman out of him. | Sent him to four colleges.

Four!

The last one I had to buy a chair. | No, not like that.

Endowment, they call it. | Professors graft, and stiff, too!

I had to endow a chair in Civics | to get him his...

- What do you call it? | - Diploma.

Diploma. I got it, okay.

And I kept him out of the racket.

Why, he could marry anybody in town, | society people maybe, even.

Funny, eh?

- Personal you want to make it, right? | - I said my piece on that.

Well, listen.

Somebody better wise you up, McQuigg. | You're two administrations behind.

That district of yours, it's hot now!

The boys need it | with the election coming up.

What're you trying to do, | stand in the way of progress?

I tried to be nice about it | and give you a good steer.

You better get smart, Tom, | or start to duck.

Just stay out.

You're not going back | to the station tonight?

Yeah.

- I look for shenanigans. | - What kind?

Who knows?

The election's close.

Every two years an election.

Never seems to make much difference.

Now don't you be worrying, Mary. | It's just politics.

All right.

But you will be careful, Tom?

Careful?

Let the hoodlums be careful.

Are you all right, Mary?

- Was that just politics? | - Who knows?

- Are you sure you're all right? | - Positive.

- I'll take you to your sister's. | - You will not.

But, Mary...

Nobody's going to drive me out | of my own home in your district.

You're right, Mary.

Get on with your cleaning | and I'll get on with mine.

Well, boys?

Car 127 is following the car | that didn't look kosher.

Car came out of an alley | back of your house

right after the explosion.

- Drive me down to the station. | - Right.

Mosley, car 133. Okay, go ahead.

Okay.

They chased the car into a dead end. | The car hit a curb and broke a wheel.

The boys didn't make | any mistakes, Captain.

The guys in the car are hoods. | There's been some shooting.

- Go there. | - Carlin Street, off 32nd.

- Where's your partner? | - He's inside, Captain.

I got a half-look at one of those men. | I think I know him.

He's one of the Scanlon hoods.

Keep these people back.

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