Without Reservations Page #8

beetles here in Albuquerque...

...than any other place

in the United States.

Not that it would interest you.

I'm interested in anything

that interests you.

Yes, sir?

I guess it'll take 35 gallons or so.

Oh, a hotel.

Would you like to stop overnight?

Wouldn't it be wonderful

to sleep in a bed?

Well, let's see how much we've got.

Let's see.

Four dollars, 35 cents and 6 yen.

Oh, that's just enough to keep us going.

- Where is it?

- What are you looking for?

My bag.

Well, are you sure you didn't lose it?

- Oh, I left it at the ortega's.

- Oh, that's fine.

I know just where I left it.

That's all we'd have to do

is go back there.

But all my papers are in it.

Maybe you wanna go back

and face that shotgun. Not me.

Say, couldn't I cash a check

at the hotel?

Sure, if you're registered.

Boys, you're my guests for the night.

- Good evening.

- Yes?

Do you have three rooms with baths?

I have three rooms

with a bathroom on each floor.

That'll be all right, I guess.

- Three dollars a room, dollar for a bath.

- Fine.

Will you sign the register, please?

You have some baggage?

Yes, in the car, at the station.

My two friends are out there.

- What is it?

- Bring the bags from the car.

Oh, but first, see if we have three

rooms ready for Miss...

Ms. Christopher Madden.

Not the Christopher Madden?

Harry, Harry,

this is Christopher Madden.

Who's Christopher Madden?

Why, she's the girl who wrote

that book, Here Is Tomorrow.

Oh, that one.

I gather you didn't like it.

I don't read books.

She didn't use to either

until she joined that club.

Don't listen to him, Ms. Madden.

I'm so honored to have you with us.

The girls will be thrilled.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'll have to ask you

to keep my identity a secret.

I'm traveling under the name

of Kit Klotch.

Not even my companions know

who I am.

See? She's ashamed

because of that book.

Not exactly, but I have certain reasons.

You know, you're the first real

celebrity to stay in this hotel.

There is a legend that Buffalo Bill

once spent a night here...

...but he wasn't registered.

Oh, Ms. Madden,

I hope you'll be comfortable.

Is there anything I could do for you?

Oh, yes, would you cash

a $50 check for me?

Of course, I will.

- Have you a blank check? Thank you.

- Yes. Right here.

- Christopher Madden.

- Isn't that wonderful?

- I hope you'll never cash it.

- I hope not.

In 10 years, her signature alone

will be worth $50.

I'll get her autograph in my book.

Please, I told you I promised her

not to tell anybody.

But, of course, if you girls happen

to be in the lobby...

...and one of you recognize her.

- That's different.

- She might even make a speech.

Maybe, but don't all be standing around.

Act casual. Sit down, sit down.

Mr. Gibbs.

- Hello, Mrs. Randall.

- Hello, Gibbs.

I hear you're telling everybody that

Christopher Madden is staying with you.

I'm sure I don't know

what you're talking about, Gibbs.

It must be a rumor. I'll thank you

not to put it in your paper.

Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't.

Not even if you said she was here.

Well, I didn't say she was.

But why wouldn't you if I told you?

Don't you think our town

should be proud of Ms. Madden?

I certainly do.

But I wouldn't publish it...

...for the reason Ms. Madden

couldn't be in our town.

Well, I didn't say she was.

But why do you say she couldn't be?

Because I already put it in the paper

that she arrived in Hollywood.

But why did you do that?

Because there are news services that

send little wires around the country.

That's how I happen to know, here.

"Hollywood, California"

"Christopher Madden, the author

of the bestseller, Here is Tomorrow...

...arrived in Hollywood today.

Henry Baldwin

who bought the rights to the book...

...has given a reception

of the Hollywood tradition.

Among the celebrities present

was Lana Turner. "

It can't be. It can't.

Really, Bertha, you're something

of a fool.

I should say so.

And I cashed her check. I gave her $50.

- Who's check?

- Ms. Madden's. I mean...

- Well, she's obviously a fake.

- What should I do? What should I do?

I wouldn't do anything.

I'd leave it to the police.

Yes, leave it to the police.

I'll call them.

"Flash. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The police arrested

an unidentified woman tonight...

...who cashed a check under the name

of Christopher Madden...

...famous authoress.

The real Ms. Madden

happens to be in Hollywood... "

Charlie, Christopher Madden

has been arrested in Albuquerque.

Get me a plane, anything.

Well, charter one.

I'll be ready in 10 minutes.

Arrested, what...?

Beautiful morning, ain't it?

Will you listen to me?

Why can't I make a phone call

or send a wire?

Sorry, miss, not till you appear.

But it's all a ghastly mistake.

My, that sounds familiar.

Well, will someone believe me?

I am Christopher Madden.

- You are?

- Yes.

Well, in that case you ain't got nothing

to worry about at all.

Okay.

- Hi, Bob.

- Hi.

Here's the receipt signed by the judge.

Okay.

Open up.

Hi, Kit.

Oh, Rusty.

- Rusty.

- The Marines have landed.

Everything is fixed, we paid the bond.

- Sorry, we took so long.

- Oh, I've been so lonesome.

- Oh, I know how you feel.

- Come on, let's go.

Oh, wait a minute, my shoes.

Say, you shouldn't do things like this.

In Chicago, swell,

a smart trick to get a few quarts.

Signing somebody else's name

to a check is a crime.

We gotta get out of Albuquerque

and get out fast.

- We'll take the first bus west.

- Well, I've gotta have a bath.

I feel all crumpled up.

- Goodbye. Goodbye.

- You can get crumpled in a bus too.

- What difference does it make?

- Look, how can I leave, I'm out on bail?

That's adding felony to felony.

If we stick here longer, we'll be adding

a long stretch of anything you suggest.

But you're not involved in this.

Yes, we are. How do you think

we got the money for that bail?

- I forgot to ask.

- We sold the Isotta.

We sold it to a lady who thinks

we'll be around for sometime.

And is planning a fancy social

entertainment for us.

Unfortunately, we won't be around.

The reason is because the little

pink slip isn't showing.

The certificate of ownership was

in your purse...

...the one you left some place.

When the lady finds out,

I don't think she'll be so sociable.

Smile, please.

Forgive me, Ms. Madden,

it's all Charlie Gibbs' fault.

I shouldn't have listened to him.

The club will send you a memorandum

with our formal apology.

Is there anything you want to say?

I reserved the front page for you.

- Ms. Madden has nothing to say.

- Who are you?

He's my assistant.

And who's he?

He's my boss.

Oh, hello, Mr. Baldwin.

- Hello.

- Look what you've done.

How did this happen?

How could this happen?

I don't know, all I did was tell them

I was Christopher Madden.

Don't worry, she won't do it again.

Papers are giving us a million dollars

worth of publicity we don't want.

But I didn't do anything.

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