The System Page #6

All like that!

How many different names did you use?

- I don't know.

Any place I go, I mention any

name that comes to my mind.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

Way back.. way back in 30..

31 something.

I'm interested.

Was that as Bruno?

De Bart or that Caroll?

La Forge.

What business are you engaged in now?

No business.

After 12 years.. nothing.

I wind up with the shells.

- Well, what business were you in?

A book. Bookmaker.

Till I got on Johnny

Merrick's drop dead list, eh?

On Johnny Merrick's what?

- Please explain what you mean by that.

Here's what. This town you want to make

book, you go to Johnny Merrick for the OK.

Without securing Mr. Merrick's approval,

you couldn't operate as

a bookmaker in Clarkton?

Practically.

Here's what:

I say to myself I'm going to make book.

But I need a couple of g to start, no?

Also a lay off connection.

You can't handle all the bets.

If I take a bath, I might have

business in a couple of races.

So Mr. Merrick provided you with the

capital to start your business? - Sure.

No bank will borrow me

money on my reputation.

So, I scratch my head and I get an idea.

I go to Johnny Merrick, he borrows

me the money and gives me lay off.

Also racing information.

Results, prices, scratches.

All like that.

From the LMG Wire Service from Chicago.

And does Mr. Merrick hold a

monopoly in Clarkton on that service?

All I know Merrick send down word:

No more lay off!

No more wire service for Bruno!

I'm scratched.

Tell us all you know about

Mr. Merrick's own lay off operations

with the syndicate in Chicago and St. Louis.

I don't know about that.

You know that you had

to lay off with Merrick.

You know that every other bookmaker

in Clarkton has to lay off with Merrick.

You've already told us that Merrick's

handle for all tracks, seven, eight races.

Your lay offs, two other

books in Clarkton,

amounts to thousands and thousands of dollars a day.

Does he hold all these bets himself?

I don't know nothing about his business.

You know a man called Mr. Marty?

I hear.. never meet.

Big Ruben?

- Never.. I don't meet him.

Alright, Mr. Bruno, you can go now.

But you'll remain under subpoena.

If we need you, we'll call you back.

Mr. Frank Tasker!

Do you solemnly swear that the testimony

you're about to give this committee,

will be the whole truth and nothing but

the truth, so help you god? - Yes, Sir.

Please sit down, Mr. Tasker.

Will you state your full name, please.

- Frank Tasker.

Your address?

- 7112 Fortunata Street.

Do you own your home?

- Yes, Sir. With a mortgage.

And what is your occupation?

- I'm a bookkeeper, Sir.

Your employer?

- Merrick Enterprises, Sir.

How long have you been so employed?

- Nineteen years, Sir.

And what is the nature of

your employer's business?

I don't know, Sir.

Mr. Tasker, I find it hard to

take that answer very seriously.

You have by your own admission,

worked for this firm for nineteen years.

Now I'll put the question to you again.

What line of business

is your firm engaged in?

I don't know, Sir.

But surely, you must

know what your firm does?

I.. I handle figures, Sir. That's all.

Mr. Tasker, are you aware

of the penalties for perjury?

Yes, Sir.

Do you expect this committee to believe

that after 19 years with one firm,

you don't know what that firm does?

- I handle figures, income, out go.

They give me the figures, I add, subtract,

strike, total it. That's all, Sir.

To me they're just..

numbers on papers.

Well, who gives you these numbers?

I find them on my desk.

Mr. Tasker, I have no wish

to get you into trouble.

But I have no recourse other than

the perjury warrant unless

you answer my question.

Now will you please tell me,

what line of business is

Merrick Enterprises engaged in?

I don't know.

- I'm sorry, I cannot accept that.

Mr. Tasker, perhaps it would

be better for you to refuse to answer.

On the ground that an answer might

incriminate you. - I'm not a criminal!

No, I can't say that about

not incriminating myself!

Then you persist in the answer

that you do not know what business

Merrick Enterprise is engaged in.

It might be better for

you to refuse to answer.

And thereby incur a contempt.

That's a less serious

charge than perjury.

The witness is excused. A warrant for his

arrest will be applied for immediately.

Thank you, Sir.

The next witness will

be Miss Felice Stuart.

Good morning, Miss Stuart.

The committee wishes to thank you for

appearing here. - I had no alternative.

Miss Stuart, do you solemnly swear

that the testimony you're about to give

is the truth, the whole truth and nothing

but the truth, so help you god. - I do.

Please be seated.

I'll try to be very brief.

So will I.

Will you state your full name, please.

- Felice Stuart.

Your address?

- 521 North Rockingham Road.

Please, tell the committee all that

you know about Mr. John Merrick.

I regard that question as impertinent.

Ms. Stuart, permit me to remind you

that you're here under subpoena.

You have the option of not answering my

questions, thereby incurring contempt.

But you do not have

the privilege of characterizing them.

If you cannot answer, Ms. Stuart,

you may merely say, "I know nothing".

I would also like to remind Ms. Stuart

that she's testifying under oath.

Yes.

Repeat the question, please.

"Please, tell the committee all that

you know about Mr. John Merrick."

John Merrick is a fine man.

I have never known him to injure anyone

or engage in a single dishonorable act.

He's lived. He's had experiences.

He's..

somebody.

Perhaps when you are a little older..

Ms. Stuart, were not

concerned with your opinion.

Which may be debatable.

We are only interested in facts!

Now, it has been brought to

the attention of this committee,

You are a close

associate of John Merrick.

Your snide implications, Mr. Wiley,

add to the little respect

you demand from this committee

or for your own stature.

I am sorry, Ms. Stuart,

I meant no offense.

Did Mr. Merrick ever mention in your

presence, a man called Mr. Marty?

Never.

Perhaps you heard the name Big Ruben?

No.

Did Mr. Merrick ever tell you why he would

make brief visits to Chicago and St. Louis?

I never discussed

Mr. Merrick's business with him.

But surely when he did leave town,

you knew where he was going?

He never volunteered the information.

I never asked.

Wouldn't it be natural for you to say uh..

"Where are you going, Johnny?

When will you be back?"

It's obvious that you

know only inquisitive women.

You haven't answered my question.

I've answered three times.

- Not to my satisfaction!

Did you ever say..

- Leave her alone!

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Mr. Merrick wishes to apologize

to the Committee for his outburst.

He has nothing but the highest respect

and esteem for the honorable members.

He begs their indulgence.

Please identify yourself.

Barry X. Brady, attorney

representing Mr. Merrick.

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