The Racket Page #5

You're telling me. Shut up.

Nick, we'll all go up for this. The old man...

When I say do something, I want it done.

When are you guys gonna learn?

After this, don't argue.

Throw him in the back.

Okay, let's get out of here.

I guess we're done for the evening.

This is where I leave you. Thanks.

Oh, I'm going in, too. | You forget, I'm a reporter.

The only thing is, why are you going in?

We brushed that off a while back.

Don't play Romeo. | It's just a waste of time, believe me.

Receipt for your toys, sonny.

My granddaughter could use that | for a paperweight in her kindergarten.

Grand larceny and concealed weapons. | That's a good pinch, Johnson.

I don't admit stealing that car.

No, we just stole one of the three | Rolls-Royces in the city

and planted it on you.

Maybe a jury will give you damages.

You'll see who gets damaged.

Now, sonny, | you mustn't terrorize the police.

Come see the birdie, pretty boy.

Face to the front. That's it.

What's the trouble, Captain?

- It doesn't involve you, I hope. | - Glad to hear it.

Except as a witness.

Irene, don't talk. | Nick'll have us out in an hour.

Quiet. Talking spoils my focus.

- Me witness against the Scanlons? | - You will, under oath.

I have memory lapses.

Miss Hayes, what have the Scanlons | ever done for you?

Nothing. But they will now.

Nick Scanlon never did anything | for anyone in his life,

except himself.

Or his brother.

You mean you want that punk?

You don't necessarily get | what you want in life,

I always say.

Irene, that depends on what you want.

City Press, sir.

He's a friend of mine, sir, | and another witness.

It's your duty as an honest citizen to try...

Who said I was an honest citizen? | And what would it get me if I was?

Well, it might keep you out of jail | for perjury.

This is great. | I walk in here of my own accord...

I'm only trying to help you.

Well, don't be so helpful.

I've been looking after Irene, that's me, | for a long time.

Lock her up.

- For what? | - Material witness.

I got a right to one phone call.

Captain, is our phone working?

For one call after they're mugged, yeah.

This is terrible, Captain.

Mr. Ames, I'm gonna have | to straighten you out.

All I'm after is Nick Scanlon.

Are you going to keep Miss Hayes in jail?

I wish I could, | but Nick'll have them both out

on a writ by midnight.

He was too smart to call Nick.

- Who did he call? | - Davis Bail Bonding Company.

See?

And, Captain, Davis stalled him.

Said he had no instructions | on Joseph Scanlon.

Where's Welsh?

I hope he's still out chasing votes.

Aren't they going to get Miss Hayes out?

It's an old trick, son. A writ's too public.

Welsh is working on the inside.

Just so somebody gets her out.

I'm holding Miss Hayes as a witness | against Scanlon.

- Is she in danger? | - Not while I'm holding her, she's not.

He's right, Dave.

- When's your next edition? | - About five hours.

Have Mike bring my car around, will you?

I'm going to see Judge Sherman.

Shoot the whole story, son.

Captain, can I leave her name out of it?

Sure, just be certain | my name is very prominent, understand?

I understand.

Hey, Tom, take it easy, will you? | They can bust you for this.

Let them bust. As long as I get Scanlon.

Who's he to talk about Nick Scanlon? | Does he care about anybody but himself?

He's an honest man, Dave.

He's a publicity hound. | You're the one who arrested Joe.

- You want to do me a favor? | - Sure.

Print my name and address, too, | as arresting officer.

- Would it help you? | - It might. It might help a lot.

Listen, maybe I better tell you | the facts of life.

The Captain's setting himself up | as a decoy, you understand?

- But, Bob... | - McQuigg plays rough. I like it.

As soon as that edition hits the street, | I'm expecting callers.

- But, look, Bob... | - Don't argue! Grab the phone.

Paper? Got your picture in it, Captain.

Thank you.

You should've been off hours ago.

How about yourself?

I got Judge Sherman.

They'll never fix him.

- The hearing's on Wednesday. | - Mac, how could you do this to me?

Convicting Joe Scanlon's gonna be | great publicity for you, Mr. Prosecutor.

Joe Scanlon is a boy, | an impetuous youngster.

Expressing his budding personality | by grand larceny?

Juvenile peccadillo.

The owner of that car will not file | a complaint.

Is the old man making him a judge, too?

He's a big contractor. He built city hall.

Yeah, I suppose he's the one | that gave Joe that pistol.

- Special permit can be issued. | - Dated last Christmas?

Look, the old man wants this settled.

Now, that's funny. | I heard there was no connection

between him and the Scanlons.

Mac, this could cost me my job.

Hello, Mac. | Mr. Welsh, Mr. Connolly wants you.

- Is he here? | - No, in his office waiting.

Well, did they make you city editor | or give you some stock?

They threatened to fire me.

Oh? So what?

I'm worried about that girl.

- Ames, how old are you? | - 23.

That's very proper. | That's the right age to worry about girls.

- The paper wants her name. | - Fine publicity for her.

If you stigmatize a girl's good name...

People just don't change good names | to Scanlon.

She's just young and mixed up.

Captain, can I see her?

Send Miss Hayes up here, please.

And while we're trying to find you,

McQuigg sets the hearing | with Judge Sherman.

I was working for the election.

You may not be in the election.

- I insist on seeing the old man. | - He's not in.

- But the Scanlon boy is guilty. | - I can't help that.

Connolly, do we need Nick Scanlon now?

Yeah.

Nick, I was just joking.

I can get Joe out on a writ.

Any fool can do that.

But unfortunately, he is guilty.

Why does the old man want to make | this dummy a judge?

Let's stick to business, Nick.

My brother is my business.

Listen, Judge.

According to your law books,

no man is guilty | until convicted in a fair trial, right?

My brother will never come to trial.

Nick, that cop caught him with a gun!

- What was that cop's name? | - Johnson. It's in all the papers.

Johnson will not appear.

The old man won't like that, Nick.

And there's this girl.

- Girl? | - Yeah.

She stole that car to frame my brother.

And you, Mr. Prosecutor,

you'll send her where she can't get him | in any more trouble.

Oh, wait, Nick, Connolly...

You want to be a judge | or an ex-prosecutor?

Well, if it's for the good of the party.

You get your case. | Get it ready against that dame.

Let me know how many witnesses | you'll need.

Davis.

The old man must like them weak.

The old man likes them pliable, Nick. | He likes men who do as he says.

The other kind don't last long.

Davis Bail Bonding Company, | a Delaware corporation.

What took you so long?

Well, there's only one judge | who will touch this.

Did you get the writ?

Yeah, signed by Judge Wicks. | All we do is fill in the date.

Bring it here.

Give me your pen.

But I promised to get her out.

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