The Sting Page #7

CUT TO:

Music begins and we are into a short:

MONTAGE SEQUENCE

Detailing the arrival of the others three members of

Gondorff's "mob." Throughout, Gondorff wears the fedora hat

which is his trademark. We begin with --

A tall, good-looking man, Kid Twist, making his way through

the railway station. Impeccably dressed and carrying a

small suitcase, he combs the terrain carefully with his eyes.

Finally he catches a glimpse of the thing he's been looking

for. It's Gondorff, standing by a newsstand. Gondorff

makes a quick snubbing motion on his nose as if flicking off

a gnat. This is known among con men as the "office." Twist

returns the sign with a barely discernible smile as he walks

on by. Con men rarely acknowledge each other openly in

public, but it's obvious that these two are glad to see each

other.

CUT TO:

INT. BARBER SHOP - DAY

Hooker in, having his hair cut and his nails manicured.

Gondorff gives instructions to the barber.

CUT TO:

INT. HABERDASHERY - DAY

Hooker is modeling a new suit in front of a mirror. He

doesn't look too pleased, but Gondorff peels out a bankroll

anyway.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOTEL - DAY

A pair of white spats stepping off a bus. We follow them

into a:

INT. HOTEL LOBBY

Where we tilt up to reveal J.J. Singleton, the most

flamboyant of the bunch. On his way to the check-in desk,

he silently exchanges the "office" with Gondorff, who is

sitting on a lounge reading the paper.

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

Hooker being shown into a small apartment room by an old

woman. It consists of a bed, a table and a sink. Hooker

nods his acceptance to the woman and gives her a bill. He

takes another look around the room and decides to go out

somewhere, but first he wedges a small piece of paper

between the door and the jamb, about an inch off the floor.

CUT TO:

INT. A BIG METROPOLITAN BANK - DAY

We hold on a slight, bespectacled teller, Eddie Niles, in

the process of counting a large deposit. Niles is all

business; if he's ever smiled, no one knows about it. He

glances up for a second and sees Gondorff "officing" him

from across the bank. Without a word he shoves the money

he's been counting back into the hands of a startled

customer, abruptly closes up his window, flips his

identification tag on the manager's desk and walks out of

the bank.

CUT TO:

INT. AN UPSTAIRS ROOM OF THE CAROUSEL BUILDING - NIGHT

This room has obviously been relegated to the status of the

storage room. It contains the water heater, mops and

brooms, old bed springs, etc. In the middle of the room a

space has been cleared for a table, around which are seated

Hooker, Gondorff, Niles, Singleton and Twist. Gondorff is

in his T-shirt, but still wears his hat. Kid Twist is in a

suit as usual. The room is illuminated by a single bare

bulb hanging from the ceiling.

TWIST:

(showing Hooker

photographs of three men)

These are Combs' favorite torpedoes.

Riley and Cole.

We recognize Riley and Cole as the two guys who got into

Mottola's cab.

TWIST:

They do most of the small jobs, but

Lonnegan might not wanna use 'em on

you 'cause they're kinda messy. No

class.

We go to Hooker. He's real grateful. Billie, wearing an

evening dress, enters the room and begins gathering up the

empty beer mugs on the table.

TWIST:

We got reason to believe Riley was

the guy who hit Luther. But if you

see either one of these two, find

yourself a crowd, or take 'em

someplace you know you can handle

'em.

GONDORFF:

But most of all let us know. If

they got a hit on you, we gotta

fold up the con. You're too

exposed. You got that?

Hooker nods, but we know he hasn't really got that.

HOOKER:

You sure it'll be one of these two?

TWIST:

No. They're just the only ones we

know of.

Billie has finished gathering the mugs, and leaves the room

with them. We follow her down the hall and into the:

RECEIVING ROOM OF HER BROTHEL

Carousel music filters up from the arcade below. The room

has a bar along one wall and the rest of the space is taken

up by tables and couches. It's a comfortable place, but not

opulent. Some of the girls sit patiently on the couches,

others play canasta at the tables. Most of the men are at

the bar, fortifying themselves for the task at hand. Billie

comes over to the bar.

BILLIE:

(to the bartender)

Set me up five more beers, will ya

Danny.

As Danny goes to fill the mugs, Billie's eyes fix on a man

at the end of the bar.

We move to reveal Snyder, intently scanning the room, as if

he'd lost a dancing partner in the crush. Not finding what

he wants, he comes down the bar to Billie.

SNYDER:

You the owner here?

BILLIE:

That's right.

SNYDER:

(flipping out his badge)

Lieutenant Snyder. Bunco.

BILLIE:

Joliet badge, Snyder. Don't cut

much up here.

SNYDER:

(trying to ignore her remark)

I'm lookin' for a guy on the lam

from a counterfeiting rap. Thought

he mighta come in here.

BILLIE:

Don't think so. I know everybody

in the place and I always bounce

the lamsters.

SNYDER:

All right if I look around your

lobby?

BILLIE:

No, but you're welcome to a free

beer before you go.

Billie grabs a bottle of beer, pours some in a shot glass

and pushes it over to Snyder. He ignores the gesture.

SNYDER:

(with controlled force)

I don't really need your permission.

We go to Billie. She knew that when he came in.

CUT TO:

THE STORAGE ROOM AGAIN

The discussion continues. Hooker, a bit out of his depth

here, listens and stays silent.

SINGLETON:

Lonnegan's a fast egg, Henry. He's

not gonna sit still for a standard

play.

GONDORFF:

Everybody'll sit still for somethin'.

What did ya find out about the

train, Eddie?

NILES:

He's been taking the 8:10 Century

Limited outa New York on Friday and

getting in here early Saturday

morning. He usually stays a day to

check on his policy operations, and

then flies back.

GONDORFF:

Wonder why he doesn't fly both ways.

NILES:

The porters say he runs a braced

card game in one of the cars. $100

minimum, straight poker. Last time

he pulled in here ten grand heavier

than he left New York.

GONDORFF:

Fancies himself a gambler, huh?

TWIST:

Lotta plungers ride that train just

to play him.

GONDORFF:

(breaking into a smile)

See J.J., he's slowly down already.

CUT TO:

THE RECEIVING ROOM AGAIN

Snyder has completed his inspection of the "lobby" and found

nothing. Danny, meanwhile, has set up the five beers on a

tray.

SNYDER:

Which way are the rooms?

BILLIE:

Who told ya this guy was in here?

SNYDER:

Nobody. I just know what kinda

women he likes. I'm gonna check

all the joyhouses till I find him.

BILLIE:

Maybe I could help ya if ya told me

his name.

SNYDER:

I think I'll keep that to myself.

Which way are the rooms?

BILLIE:

Right through there. But I wouldn't

go in there if I were you.

(picks up the tray)

SNYDER:

(snidely)

What are ya gonna do, call the cops?

BILLIE:

I don't have to. You'll be bustin'

in on the Chief of Police just up

the hall.

(she exits with the drinks)

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