The Strange Love of Martha Ivers Page #4

You all right?

- I'm a little cold, maybe.

- Better get out of those wet clothes.

I've started your bath for you.

Hurry up, now. I'm next.

Thanks.

Okay?

I'll loan you a book

for a couple of cigarettes.

If you don't mind what kind of a book it is.

That pine soap makes you tingle all over.

There's something very personal about soap.

- It's almost as personal as a toothbrush.

- I won't use your toothbrush.

- Where's your book now?

- You don't care what kind of a book it is?

- The suspense is killing me.

- It isn't my book.

Somebody here before forgot and left it.

I warned you.

There's one in every room of the hotel.

One in practically every room

of every hotel in the world.

It tells all about it there

in the first page or so.

- Well, what do you know?

- No, no, no, don't get up.

I want to look at you a minute.

That's really a picture.

Throw me a match.

- So you're leaving tomorrow?

- Yeah, we're leaving tomorrow.

- That is, if the car is fixed.

- Sure you won't mind me being a passenger?

No.

- Glad of the company.

- Are you gonna stay in the West?

Maybe, maybe not.

You might get lonesome again.

I've been lonesome before. I was

so lonesome tonight, I like to have died.

I know. You mentioned that.

I tried to tell you why.

- Look, I'm going to take a shower.

- I just got out of jail.

I just got out tonight.

Like I said, we leave tomorrow.

I think you'll like that one.

Open up, sonny.

Try that door.

Good morning, Mr. Masterson.

You don't have to show me who you are,

I can tell by the smell.

My nose isn't that big. I want to see.

The chief sent us up here

to ask you a couple of questions.

Sergeant Masterson.

The suspense is killing me.

What do you want to know?

You've been around. Look at that.

Africa, Anzio and Normandy.

Why don't you wear that button

in your coat?

For the same reason you don't wear

your badge. I like it incognito.

- Now what else do you want to know?

- What we wanted to know...

this layout told us.

There ain't nothing you can add to it.

- She didn't get in an accident, did she?

- She's in the can for a nice long stretch.

- What's the charge?

- Violation of probation.

- Probation? For what?

- Theft.

Terms of her probation when she was

released yesterday was that she return...

to her home in Ridgeville.

An hour ago we picked her up at the

depot when she tried to cash the ticket.

Well, maybe she wanted to go by train.

Maybe she wanted to walk.

There's no law that says she...

That's not the reason she gave, wise guy.

- No?

- No.

The reason she gave

was that she'd got a job.

Said you were her employer.

Well, what's wrong with that?

Nothing, if you can prove it.

But take a tip from me, bud, don't try it.

Jake and me don't like to waste our time

testifying in court.

But we will.

So long.

Exhibit "A", bud, in case you get stubborn.

Hey, now wait a minute, copper.

- All right, leave her things alone.

- You want to come along, soldier?

The little, scared boy.

You're just about to do your old pal

a great big favor.

How do you like the way the election

is going this beautiful morning?

The election's going good every morning.

Look, honey...

- Miss...

- St. John.

- St. John.

- Bobbie.

- Better still.

- What can I do for you?

- In?

- In, but not yet ready to face the world.

- Won't you sit down?

- Look, honey, I'm in kind of a hurry.

- Would you take a note in for me?

- When he buzzes.

Here.

I'll take calls now.

Come in.

There's a gentleman to see you,

he says it's very important.

Tell him I don't want to... Wait a minute.

Never mind. I'll tell him myself.

Sammy!

- Sammy Masterson.

- Little Walter O'Neil.

We were kids together, Miss St. John.

- I wouldn't have known you, Sam.

- I wouldn't have known you, either, Walter.

- Only I saw your picture.

- My picture? Yes, of course.

I don't want to be disturbed

unless it's very important.

Yes, Mr. O'Neil.

How long has it been?

Seventeen, eighteen years,

something like that.

- That long?

- We were just kids, you remember?

The three of us?

The three of us.

Thanks. What's she like, Walter?

- Beautiful. I married her.

- I know.

- You've done all right.

- I guess so.

- And you, what have you done?

- Knocked around. Seen a lot, I guess.

- You know, had some fun, maybe.

- What have you done mostly?

- Lately or mostly?

- Mostly.

Gambled.

- You mean, gambled?

- Sure, that's my business.

Perhaps this is where I should remark

that all life is a gamble.

You don't need to bother. I know it.

Some win, some don't.

You needn't have made that point.

I'm sorry, Sam.

This has been a stuffy conversation. I...

Would you like a drink?

Isn't it a little early in the morning?

I haven't even stopped for breakfast yet.

- The occasion.

- You talked me into it.

Fine. Fine.

Nice of you to look me up, Sam.

Well, I wouldn't have bothered you,

Walter, only...

I met a girl and you can help.

You don't look like you need help

with any girl.

This trip out, I do. This kid's in jail.

- What's the charge?

- Violation of probation.

- Name is Toni Marachek.

- That's not easy to square, Sam.

You can do it. And you will.

For old time's sake.

- For old time's sake.

- Thanks.

Excuse me.

- Mrs. O'Neil is here to see you.

- Please have her wait.

She usually drops in on her way downtown.

I'd like to see her.

- Have Mrs. O'Neil come in.

- Yes, sir.

I'm sorry. I didn't know you were busy.

I'll wait.

- Hello.

- Hello.

The name is Masterson, Sam Masterson.

I'm sorry, I...

Sammy Masterson.

Hello!

Well, I'll do that again. Hello!

- You should have called me.

- He just came in.

Well, you've grown to be a big boy, Sam.

I always was big for my age,

you remember?

- Yes, I remember.

- Anything else you remember?

Well, there are lots of things.

I never figured that a skinny little mutt

would grow up so beautiful.

- I thank you, for my wife.

- Sounds funny.

- What does?

- Your saying, "my wife."

Does it?

Now, don't get sore, Walter. I mean...

Well, I've always thought of Martha as...

You know how it is.

You keep something in your mind, since...

the time you were a kid.

- How long are you staying, Sam?

- That all depends on our district attorney.

- I may have to pull out in a couple of hours.

- Why, that's too bad.

That's the way things are, you know.

- I don't want to be disturbed.

- That's all right, Walter.

You're a busy man, so I'll blow.

And thanks. Thanks for everything.

So long, Martha.

Aren't you glad now

you missed that circus train?

- I don't know.

- Where can I reach you, Sam?

The Gable Hotel. And, you will do that

for me, won't you, Walter?

- I'll try my best.

- You do that.

- And here's hoping you win that election.

- Thanks.

- I will.

- What? Sure thing?

- Ask Martha.

- Sure. Sure thing.

What odds are you giving him?

- A sure thing is never a gamble.

- No?

What odds will you give that that's a fact?

- Breezy character, Sam.

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