White Heat Page #7

Something funny's going on there.

I've had my eye on this place

for several months.

Now, these checking gates,

that means a pass for the driver...

identity cards and stuff. We're all hot.

Your truck will be driven

past these checkers...

by an ex-convict of my acquaintance.

He's now leading

a scrupulously honest life...

as a truck driver for this very firm.

Smooth.

Sorry to bust in. We're finished out there.

Wanna check?

I'll be right out.

- You having much luck, mister?

- I haven't started yet...

I'm just on my way.

- Done much fishing up here?

- Every year.

- What are you trying for?

- Bass.

- This guy's a phony, Cody.

- I beg your pardon?

This is trout country.

There ain't bass for 100 miles.

What's so funny?

You're right on your toes, kid. Bass.

He got you, didn't he?

Trader, this is the kid I've been telling

you about. Meet Vic Pardo.

- Hello.

- Glad to know you, Mr...

Forgive me, I...

You can forget that.

Vic's my partner, 50-50.

Cody Jarrett going 50-50?

- I split even with Ma, didn't I?

- I see.

My name's Daniel Winston.

San Diego. Securities.

Glad to know you, Mr. Winston.

Sit down.

Hold it. Where you going, Pardo?

- What's doing, kid?

- I don't like being pushed around.

My orders was nobody was to leave.

That might go for hoods like him.

When I got a reason to leave, I leave.

Nobody has any reasons

I don't know about.

- He jumped me, Cody.

- Get back on the job.

That was pretty fancy wrestling, kid.

Where'd you learn it?

- In the army.

- You're a liar.

They don't take cons in the army.

When the war broke out,

I didn't have any record except kid stuff.

What were you doing just now, soldier?

Going over the hill?

No. I figured maybe I'd run in to L.A.

Be back before anyone knew.

- What's doing in L.A.?

- My wife. She don't know where I am.

When we crashed out,

I didn't leave no forwarding address.

- It's the truth, Cody.

- Why didn't you ask me?

I figured you might get sore.

So you took off on your own.

I haven't seen her in a long time.

I'm human, you know, like everyone else.

All right, kid.

You're just lonesome.

Lonesome like me.

You?

- What about...

- You mean Verna?

All I ever had was Ma. Now...

Your mother alive?

No, she died before I even knew her.

I was just walking around out there

talking to mine.

- That sounds funny to you?

- No.

Some might think so.

My old lady never had anything.

Always on the run, always on the move.

Some life.

First, it was my old man, died kicking

and screaming in a nut house...

then my brother,

and after that, it was taking care of me.

Always trying to put me on top.

"Top of the world," she used to say.

And then,

times when I'd be losing my grip...

there she'd be, right behind me...

pushing me back up again. And now...

Anyway, she quit running, Cody.

Yeah. Quit running.

That was a good feeling out there,

talking to her.

Just me and Ma.

A good feeling. I liked it.

Maybe I am nuts.

Let's go in and have a drink.

Tell you what, Vic. I've got an idea.

We'll pick up your wife

after the job tomorrow.

We'll all take a little trip.

Just the four of us.

No kidding, Cody. That sounds great.

You mean that, honey?

We could have fun. Live big.

Money's just paper if you don't spend it.

- That's an idea.

- It's a good idea.

Europe, maybe. Paris.

Rubbing shoulders with the best of them.

How do you do, Countess?

Sable coats,

jewels just dripping from my fingers.

I'd knock their eyes out, Cody.

You'd be real proud of me.

Don't go flipping your lid.

He ain't thought of a vacation

in years, Vic. Don't let him forget it.

Here's to us, top of the world.

How's the radio coming, Verna?

- A crystal set would play better.

- Yeah?

Maybe I could fix it for you.

I wish you would, Vic.

I'm dead without music.

We'll get a new one.

I don't mind fixing it, Cody.

Keep me busy. I can't sleep anyhow.

Anything you say, kid.

- I was just gonna throw it away.

- I'm not making any promises.

We better hit the hay, Duchess.

We got a heavy day tomorrow.

- See you in the morning.

- Right.

Grab the brass ring.

What are you doing? We're on our way.

You've got to have a chain on the ground,

get rid of electricity.

That's only when you got

gasoline or chemicals inside.

You want to have some traffic cop

think you got a load of something else?

That's using your head, kid.

All right, snap it up.

You all know what you're to do...

and you know where the rendezvous is.

We're to pick up our driver there at 5:00...

and we'll be at the plant

right after the day shift has checked off.

Now, Vic and Tommy, we go in the truck.

The rest of you go

with Verna in the sedan.

Baby, don't get picked up for speeding.

But get them there.

Don't worry, honey. I'll get them there.

$12,000 and she's getting ready

to blow up in your face.

Might be a cracked radiator.

We'd better stop somewhere.

There's a gas station down the hill, Cody.

Pull in and watch yourself.

Fill her up?

- With water, bub. Check that radiator.

- Okay.

- You got a washroom, mister?

- Yeah. Cleanest in the West.

Dry as a bone.

Go get Vic. Hurry up.

- Cody says to hurry up.

- All right.

I thought you said cleanest in the West.

You ever see a cleaner one, mister?

- The mirror's so dirty you can see double.

- What?

Wise guys. Didn't even buy gas.

Into the wooden horse, boys.

Where do we go, Trader?

You should be back in about three hours.

- I'll wait.

- We'll be here. Where's the driver?

He's having a cup of coffee.

He'll be right out.

Bo. I heard you wanted to straighten out.

Driving a truck for a living.

- Tonight, I hand in my resignation.

- You better get going, Cody. Good luck.

Got it?

When you get to the plant,

park across the street.

If there's any trouble,

give us the horn hard.

How is it in there?

Can't breathe good. Otherwise, fine.

Stop breathing.

There's a button up in the cab.

Press it once if trouble shows,

and three times for all clear.

Okay.

Somebody's ribbing you, Russ.

Take a slant

at the mirror in your washroom.

"Radio Signal Fallon. "

You know what that means, sir?

You bet I know what it means. It's Hank.

Call the FCC.

Get every direction-finder car they've got.

Ask them to clear the air. Now listen...

Got him.

This is Car A at La Canada Verdugo.

Receiving signal, 105 degrees. Will repeat.

105 degrees.

Check.

- Come in, Car B.

- Car B bearing 284 degrees.

Maine and Atlantic, Alhambra.

General direction, southwest.

Check.

Source of signal,

Maine and Atlantic in Alhambra.

- General direction, southwest.

- Head southwest.

Have Car B head southeast.

Car A at Western and Slauson,

bearing 158 degrees.

Car B, Atlantic and Telegraph Road...

bearing 235 degrees.

Imperial and Figueroa.

Source of signal, Imperial and Figueroa.

That looks like the Long Beach area.

Car A at Rosecrans and Western,

bearing 156 degrees.

Car B at Atlantic and Compton,

bearing 244 degrees.

Source of signal, 198th and Figueroa.

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