Where the Sidewalk Ends Page #3

They are police detectives.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

Sit down, please, Miss Taylor.

We'd like to ask you a few questions.

What would you like to know?

You were with Kenneth Paine last night?

Yes.

You were at a s0-called floating crap game

in the apartment of a man named Scalise

at the 43rd Street Hotel. Correct?

Yes.

Have you been in touch

with Paine this morning?

No.

Have you any idea where he might be?

No, I haven't.

From what we hear, you're pretty

well acquainted with Paine.

- Yes.

- How well? Could you tell us?

- I'm his wife.

- Is that so?

But you're living with your father,

we understand.

Ken and I separated three months ago.

What happened at Scalise's

while you were there?

May I know why you're asking me

all these questions?

We'd rather tell you afterward,

if you don't mind.

Well, Kenneth was drinking and...

we had a quarrel.

I understand he hit you.

Yes.

- Did you see him hit Morrison?

- No, I didn't. I left.

- Where'd you go?

- Home.

Take a taxi?

No, I met my father at his stand

a block from the hotel.

He's a taxi driver.

He drove me to the subway.

Did you hear from Paine

after you got home?

Yes, he telephoned.

- What'd he say?

- I don't know, I hung up.

- What time was that?

- About 12:
30.

Did he call from his house?

- No.

- How do you know if you hung up?

Because my father went down

to Ken's place after he dropped me.

- What for?

- Really, is this necessary?

We think so, Miss Taylor.

I didn't want to tell him anything,

but I was crying,

and he noticed the bruise.

- What'd he say?

- He was very angry.

- He told me before that...

- What?

Well, that if Ken ever hit me again,

he'd beat his head off.

Morrison was killed last night.

No!

At Scalise's place,

shortly after you left.

He was killed with a knife.

And you're looking for Ken

because you think he did it?

When did your husband start

getting jealous of Mr Morrison?

Jealous? That's silly.

Mr Morrison was somebody I hardly knew.

- But you went out with him.

- No, Ken asked me out to dinner.

You just said you were separated

from your husband.

Yes, but he kept insisting,

and I felt sorry for him.

When I got to the restaurant,

he had Mr Morrison with him.

Then after dinner,

Ken took us to this gambling place.

Then I realised

all he wanted to see me for

was to use me as a sort of decoy

to help get Mr Morrison to go there.

I was sinking pretty low, I thought.

Poor Ken. He must be desperate for money.

Why did Paine hit you?

Because I wanted to go home.

He didn't want Mr Morrison to leave.

Because Morrison was winning.

- Yes.

- How much was he ahead?

A great deal.

I think they said about 19,000.

Thank you for the information.

We won't bother you any longer.

- Hi!

- Well, hi!

Hello, Jack.

- Hello, Morgan.

- Night, Mary. See you around.

Night.

Oh, Miss Taylor.

- Hello.

- Good evening.

- I'd like to talk to you.

- Have you found Ken?

No.

You think I know where he's hiding

and won't tell.

Where are you going now?

- Home.

- Would you mind if I came along?

A nice way to put it when you're

out to give me the third degree.

This is no third degree,

this is strictly off the record.

Have you come to nab me

as a gambling-house habitue?

I'm not really. I've never been

in one of those places before.

Are you... are you having dinner

with anyone?

- You inviting me?

- Yes.

I take that subway, there.

It'll take me a few minutes to change.

That's good enough.

- Hey, Dad, you home?

- I'm cookin'.

- There's company.

- Dames?

No.

This is my father. Mr Dixon.

- Mark Dixon!

- Glad to know you.

You don't remember me.

I'm Jiggs Taylor.

- I'm sorry, I don't recall.

- Excuse me, I'll get ready.

Well, sit down, I'll tell you about it.

It's 2:
00am.

I'm cruisin' through Central Park.

There's a blizzard goin' on.

A detective jumps in my cab and says,

"Follow that black sedan,

it's full of thieves."

So I give her the gas.

Here, here's the diploma

the mayor gave me.

"For aiding Detective Mark Dixon

in a time of danger."

Oh, yes. Six years ago.

Say, Dad, let's hear about

how they opened fire

and riddled your cab with bullets.

Mark can tell you himself.

Can't you, Mark?

Yes, there were a few shots fired.

A few shots? Dad always said it was

a bigger battle than the Argonne.

That's the trouble with

the new generation: no respect.

How about a drink, Mark?

- No, thanks.

- On duty, huh?

I suppose you're workin'

on that Morrison killing?

- That's right.

- Cigarette?

Thanks.

Any other suspects besides Ken?

That fella Scalise, huh?

I've heard about him.

The department thinks he's clean

on that job. He's been released on bail.

- He's on a gambling charge only.

- But you got your own ideas, huh?

He lied about Morrison being

the loser when the game broke up.

Your daughter says

he was about 19,000 ahead.

It looks like a cinch he's the guy.

I wouldn't tell a lot of people

about going up to Paine's place

last night to beat him up.

I don't care how many people hear it.

He's had it coming for some time.

Oh, Dad, please! Mr Dixon isn't

interested in my life story.

I ask you, what would you do

if you had a son-in-law like that?

You know, it is a lucky thing

I didn't find him in last night.

I'd have...

I forgot to ask you, I've been

so excited over meetin' you again:

how about some chow?

I got enough for three.

- No, Dad, we're going out.

- Well, we could talk over old times.

I'll be seeing you, Mr Taylor.

Nice meeting you again.

Well, least I'm glad

she's goin' out with somebody

who ain't gonna land her

up to her neck in crooks.

You're horrible, Dad!

- Good night.

- Good night, honey. Have fun, kids.

Good evening, Mr Detective.

Where've you been hangin' out?

- Hello, Martha.

- Good evening.

How do you do?

You know, I like places like this

that specialise in good food

instead of head waiters.

It's the worst food in town.

But don't worry, they usually serve

a stomach pump with the dessert.

Who invited you to come to

my restaurant, Mr Detective? Not me.

Martha's the head of a ring of burglars.

My presence makes her nervous.

Last night we got a whole basketful

of diamonds. You wanna see?

Bring us two of your

dangerous dinners, Martha.

D'you know how much I've been

offered to poison this man?

- 10 dollars.

- I'm holding out for 15.

- Two dinners. You want wine?

- Bring a small bottle.

Huh! Same old cheapskate!

She adores you, doesn't she?

- Ought to, I sent her husband up.

- Was he really a burglar?

- Wifebeater.

- Oh, she's wonderful.

She's under wraps on account of you.

I don't usually eat here with a dame.

Oh, I mean...

Dame's all right.

I imagine you bring your wife here.

- There's no such animal.

- Oh? My dad said you were married.

Your dad is not a reliable source

of information.

You're quite right. I never knew

anybody who tells so many lies.

He does it for fun, though.

He's always driving kings and queens,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes