Thieves' Highway Page #6

You're not the dame

who was handing me that stuff at Shorty's.

- You're just a scared kid.

- Oh, no

You hang around crummy joints, you stay up

all night, you know a slug named Figlia

Who do you think you're fighting?

You're only taking it out on yourself.

What's breaking you up?

What's so funny?

Oh, isn't that sweet?

He wants to save me.

Go ahead, lover.

Tell me what a bad girl I am.

I'm lost unless

you save me.

- I don't care. I'll never see you again after tonight.

- That's right. Never again.

Kiss me good-bye.

Good-bye, lover.

Nick!

Frenchy, you're a beaut.

- It was in this pocket. I know it.

- The girl.

She got it.

Rica.

Rica!

Oh, Nick.

I looked everywhere for you.

Oh, what they did to you

- Give me my money.

- Nick!

Before you lie,

I saw you pick up my wallet.

Yes, I did! I did so Mitch

and Frenchy wouldn't get it.

Give me my money

or I'll kill you.

It's true.

I took the money.

But they caught me

and took it away.

Figlia.

They did it for him.

They work for him.

- Figlia.

- Oh, no, no, amore.

The way you are, you can do nothing.

Wait till your friend comes.

- Ed. He'll help you.

- Ed.

Oh.

Well, that's it.

Listen to him now.

Sounds like he's

dragging cans up that hill.

What keeps that

crate together?

Get up. Get up.

I think he can.

I think he can!

- I knew he would.

- Well, I'll be

He's sure steppin' on it now.

He's goin' 55.

He's climbin' right up.

Hey!

His drive shaft's busted.

That guy's got no brakes!

He'll get killed!

Pete, watch it!

- You are Polly Faber?

- Yes?

I am Rica. Nick asked me to meet you.

- How nice.

- How do you do?

We go through the market.

It's only a minute out of the way.

Nick and I are looking for a friend.

Come, please.

- If you don't mind my asking,

what's Nick doing in your room?

- He's resting.

- I hope he's comfortable.

- Hmm?

- I hope he's

- Oh, yes. He's comfortable.

I hope I'm not intruding.

I'm beginning to wonder what I came here for.

I thought it was to get married.

I ain't got no time.

Make up your mind, will ya?

- You paid Nick three bucks.

What's the matter with us?

- I like his personality.

Besides, he got here first.

Hey, Joe.

Leave 'em on the truck.

Hey, what do you want? The market's

practically closed. You want two bucks?

- Okay. Take 'em off.

- Three hundred bucks.

- By the way, where's Nick?

- I don't know. He picked up with some dame.

He don't know what happened.

He'll die when he finds out.

Yeah, it's too bad.

A fella tries to make a buck, and that's all.

Poor guy breaks his heart

to bring us some apples.

I'll never forget him.

There's the guy

- Nothin'.

- Yeah, that's a shame.

- You say his apples weren't burned, huh?

- Not a scratch.

Crime they're going to waste.

- Well, that's how it is

- Hey.

- Yeah?

- Skip it.

What's on your mind?

What'll you pay

if I bring in those apples?

- Oh, I wouldn't want you

- You said yourself they're wastin'.

They can't do him

any good laying out there.

Maybe you're right.

Give you a half a buck a box.

What are you

two guys talking about?

- 300 bucks more, that's what.

- What are ya, a couple of grave robbers?

Ah, quit your crying. Let's get 'em.

They'll only lay out there and rot.

- Pete, you seen that guy burn.

- Yeah, maybe he's right.

Nah, you ain't

foolin' me either, Figlia.

You want those apples.

That's what you're tellin' him.

- Standin' there like HonestJohn.

- Listen, you, Slob

And you know what?

There's the guy to go get 'em for ya.

Gimme my share.

If you ever see me again, you better be

on the other side of the street, because I'll

- Look, you want 'em?

- Why not?

Okay, I'll get 'em.

How do you know

he won't run out on ya with the apples?

Hey, lock up! Unload fast.

We're going with him.

I told you Nick was fine,

but he isn't.

- He was robbed last night. They beat him up.

- What?

They hurt him badly.

But he's much better today.

Hey

What do you mean,

"robbed"?

Yes, it's good you came.

He needs you. They stole all his money.

- Nick. Nick.

- Hmm?

Hello, baby.

Hello, Nicky.

You two want to be alone.

Help yourself.

I take a shower.

- Why did you pick her?

- She picked me.

It's a pleasant surprise

finding you in her room.

Where did you want me to be,

in the gutter with my head busted open?

- She took care of me.

- Why

You are hurt.

What on earth happened?

I had a little trouble.

But I'm all right.

Poor darling.

I'll take care of you.

Oh, Nick, aren't you excited?

I can feel my heart pound.

Where are we going to stay?

I'd like to stay at the Mark.

We'll have to wait

three days though.

It takes that long

to get a license.

I quit my job. Walked in and told old Bentley,

"Bent, you old stick in the mud "

Well, you should

have seen his face.

Darling

We'll, uh, have to be

careful with our money.

Didn't Rica tell you anything?

Why, no.

Is there anything to tell?

Oh, Nick. I'm so proud of you.

You did it. I thought you couldn't,

but you did it.

- Polly, there's something I ought to tell you.

- Yes? Anything wrong?

Well, I, uh

Polly, I

It's hard for you,

is that it?

For one thing, your partner, Ed,

walked out on you.

For another, you made $4000 like you said,

but somebody beat you up and took it.

And, of course,

we can't get married.

I don't suppose you have enough money

to send me home.

Or to feed me even.

You see, I'm hungry...

but I'd rather go hungry one morning

than for the rest of my life.

Aren't women wonderful?

The only difference between you and Polly,

she's strictly an amateur.

She uses a club,

you use a knife.

- How well you know me.

- You said it, sister.

You picked me up

so Figlia could swipe my load.

- And you were so hard to get.

- He gave you 100 bucks.

- He did?

- Did he or didn't he?

No, he didn't.

He only gave me... 50.

And that walk.

Where you like the noises.

- That was to set me up for Mitch and Frenchy.

- Of course. Sure.

- Well, was it or wasn't it?

- Whatever you say, lover.

Any way you want it.

Mitch and Frenchy.

Where do they live?

Where do they live?

New Bay Hotel.

But don't go there.

To them, life is very cheap. Go to the police.

Aren't you afraid

if I go to the police?

Go to the police.

I can't figure you out.

One minute, you're

What do you want from me?

I want for you

not to be hurt.

Nick, go to the police.

Frenchy and Mitch, they have ways.

They can kill so it can look

like an accident.

They will follow you all the way

when you drive home.

And if you get tired

and want to sleep a little...

they will push your brake and make your truck

roll back and to crash.

What did you say?

Yes, believe me.

They have done this before for Figlia.

When he doesn't want

to pay money he owes. I know.

Nick! They will kill you!

They will kill you in your truck!

Nick!

Figlia! Figlia!

- Hey, Figlia!

- Hey, hey.

Open up!

Hey.

Even if you kick that door down,

he still won't be in.

How do you know?

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