Original subtitles

- How's it going, Joe? - Okay. Fill her up.

- What are you hauling? - Apples.

- How's your brother Paul? - Asleep.

Seems like every time you come in here

he's asleep and you're driving.

What is he, a growing boy?

He drives as much as I do. You run your station

we'll take care of our rig.

Okay. I was just wondering.

This is the nearest thing I had to a bath in two weeks.

Yeah, I noticed.

Seventy gallons of gas, three quarts

of oil in your crankcase..

I'll have to get you on the way back, Pete.

Five quarts in your spare can.. What'd you say?

I won't be able to pay you until I get rid of this load.

Why didn't you say that before?

If I did, you wouldn't have given me the gas.

I'll say I wouldn't. I've got a notion

to siphon it out of there.

You know I ain't selling gas on time.

Oh, relax. I wouldn't gyp you. I'm honest.

I know you are. All you truckers are honest

but you're always broke.

The first thing I know the finance company comes along

and grabs your truck and you're out of business

and I never see my dough.

Don't worry about me and the installment man.

- He's got to catch me first. - That won't be tough.

You ain't driving any speedway special. Sign it. $12.90.

Ah, don't overflow your tank.

On the cuff. On the cuff. How do you like that?

You'll get it on the trip back.

You didn't pay for this pop.

Put it on the bill.

- Where are we? - Not far from Lansdale.

- You should have woke me up. - It's okay.

We'll grab a cup of coffee at Barney's.

Then you can wheel it into Los Angeles.

How's about laying over at my house for a couple of days?

I'm knocked out.

Oh, boy, I'd like to stay in bed for a week

not even get up to eat.

So would I.

But that ain't the way we get ahead.

But I got to think of Pearl. I ain't been home for two weeks.

She might as well be married to an explorer.

Look out, Joe!

Hey, you dirty son of a road hog!

You should've smacked into him.

What is that gonna get us?

Oh, what do we do now?

You park here and watch the load. I'm gonna hop up

to Barney's cafe and telephone Williams

and see if he can send some of the dough he owes us.

Thanks.

- Hiya, Harry. - Hello, Joe.

Where's your rig?

Down the road. Busted wheel.

Oh, tough going. Can I help?

Thanks. I'm going to phone Williams

to send me some of the dough he owes me.

I hope you get it.

I quit hauling for that crook.

He ran me ragged, and I hardly ever got paid.

He'll pay me now, alright

or he won't get his apples in L.A. on time.

Oh, well, if you got him over a barrel, that's different.

- Maybe you'll get it. - Come on. We go.

Yeah, he's right. Can't make no dough drinking coffee.

- Good luck, guy. Thanks. - Same to you.

Oh, Harry! Write your wife.

I hear she's worried.

'Okay, I will. Thanks."

- Hello, Joe. Good. - Hello, Jake. How's it going?

Give me a Frisco phone book, will you?

Yeah. Be sure you bring back all the pages too.

So as I'm telling, you see

here I am with these two beautiful dames.

Boy, what equipment. Anyway, they're hanging around

my neck and they're begging me not to go, see.

I tell them, I says, "look, sisters I got a job to do."

So I push them away and leave. I mean, after all

a guy like me with hundreds of dames. Heh-ho.

I'm getting out of here. Come on, Shorty.

It's too deep for me.

I'm losing my touch.

Give me some nickels, Barney.

Joe! Where you been, guy? Been getting any good hauls?

Some. How they been rolling for you, Irish?

I still get my check every Saturday.

Yeah, but you get ordered around every other day.

- That ain't for me. - Hey, Red, this steak's tough.

Well, you can't send it back now. You've bent it.

'I'll be back this way tonight, Red.'

Thanks for the warning.

Ah, give me the phone, will you?

What do you do, keep it in a vault?

- Don't call New York. - Another cup of java.

- You must like our coffee. - It stinks.

I notice you're drinking your seventh cup.

I like your sugar. Say, why don't you

and your brother quit wildcat trucking?

With a legitimate company, this is a pretty swell job.

Why don't you get smart like me and go to work for Ed Carlsen?

- Give me long distance. - Hey!

Relax. I'm reversing the charges.

There's only one guy I'd sooner go to work for than Ed Carlsen.

- Who? - Me.

You ain't working for you.

You're working for the finance company.

As soon as your truck's paid for you'll have to get another one.

Hello. I want to talk to Mike Williams.

Standard 72961, San Francisco.

Reverse the charges.

Joe Fabrini calling.

Don't worry about me.

Someday you road skinners will all be saying

"Joe Fabrini's a good guy to work for," and I will be.

No doubt about that, kid, but me, I'll take the salary

and let someone else have the worry.

Oh, that's the easy way.

Give me a cup of coffee.

- Anything else? - Yeah.

What else you got that ain't poisonous?

I don't know. I never eat here.

How about taking my order, Red?

How about taking your time?

Nice new fixture, Barney.

Yeah. She'll do.

Not a bad thing to know.

Nice chassis, huh, Joe?

Classy chassis.

Yes, and it's all mine, too.

I don't owe any payments on it.

I'll be glad to finance it, baby.

Who do you think you're kidding?

You couldn't even pay for the headlights.

What?! He won't accept the call?

Wait a minute.

- Hey, Irish. - 'Huh?'

Lend me a buck, will you? I want to pay for this phone call.

Get a load of the big trucking operator.

I still vote for a salary.

Okay. I'll pay for it at this end.

Uh, this is, 2-2-1-2.

Anything else?

Yeah, but it ain't on the menu.

And it ain't gonna be. You better settle for a hamburger.

Okay. With onions.

Hello. Mike Williams?

What's the idea of ducking my phone call?

I never take collect calls.

Where are you?

Barney's Cafe..

North of Lansdale...on 99.

You got a busted wheel?

Now look, Fabrini, those apples have got to be delivered

to the market tonight. That ain't wood you're hauling.

Okay, I'll get the apples in

but send me some of that 300 bucks you owe me

so I can get a new wheel.

Yeah, wire it to me right here.

Well, I ain't got much cash right now, Joe.

Alright, alright. Don't get excited.

I'll see what I can do.

Who do those Fabrini guys think they are, anyhow?

I've thrown more business their way than any other

freight agent in town, and I ain't gonna send them any money.

But the apples won't get into L.A. tonight.

They will if somebody else hauls 'em.

Who's up there near Lansdale?

Hank Dawson. He's due in there with a load of beer

and we don't owe him much money.

Why, you get him on the phone and tell him

to pick up Fabrinis' load.

Those Fabrinis are tough babies. They're liable to

part your hair with a monkey wrench.

They only think they're tough.

Say, is Farnsworth still outside?

He was a minute ago.

Tell that loan shark I want to see him.

But you fellas don't understand.

Everything I do is absolutely within the law.

And all I can say is we need an awful lot of new laws.

Hey, Farnsworth. The boss wants to talk to you.

- Excuse me, gentlemen. - Bye-bye, buzzard.

What's the matter with the man?

Tell me, Farnsworth, do the Fabrini boys

owe you any dough on that truck?

I've been trying to catch up with them

for a couple of months, they're behind

three payments, plus my interest.

Yeah. I know all about your interest.

Would you like to nail them and repossess the truck?

- Yeah, certainly. - Why, here's your chance.

They're stuck with a busted wheel

near Barney's Cafe on 99.

Go get a tow car and haul in the rig.

Thanks. I'll do you a favor sometime.

Just don't lend me any money. That's all I ask of you.

"You know what happened? The guy had an iron in his hand.'

What are you doing here?

I got blisters waiting

so I grabbed a hitch into Lansdale

and promoted a secondhand wheel.

I told the guy I'd get the dough for him.

- What'd you do with the load? - Got a kid watching it.

How'd you make out with Williams?

I'm still waiting for the dough.

Coffee.

Hey, why do we stay in this racket?

We ain't gonna make enough out of it

to buy ourselves decent coffins.

Oh, stop crabbing. I got enough worries.

Get that into you. We got to start rolling.

Alright, that's enough of the X-ray treatment.

Oh, now, don't get me wrong, sister.

All you make me think about is

how much I'd like to be with my wife.

Ha! That's the first time I've ever heard that one.

I ain't got a wife.

That's not hard to understand.

Hey, if any of you guys owe on your trucks you better fade.

Farnsworth's coming.

- Where's Fabrini? - With Byrd at the South Pole.

Ah, he went fishing with the president.

I heard he was playing left end for Notre Dame.

Now look, fellas, there ain't nothing

personal between Fabrini and me.

He bought a truck, and he's got to pay for it.

- Why? - Because everything on that..

...hunk of junk makes noise except the horn.

I'm standing on my legal rights.

- I got to make a living, too. - Why?

Because it says in the law..

I ain't gonna argue with you fellas.

Miss, did you see Joe Fabrini around?

I know he's been here.

He pulled out more than an hour ago.

Yeah? Then whose wheel is that outside?

It's mine.

Want to make anything out of it?

Now-now-now, no offense, no offense.

Now, listen, runt. We don't like you around here.

- Yaah! - Throw him out, boys!

- There he goes! - There he goes!

Hooray! He's over for a touchdown!

Thanks, honey. I'll do you a favor sometime.

No, that's alright. I don't like the installment

guys either, they got a coat of mine once.

How much do we owe you for the chow?

- Thirty six. - Here you are. Keep the change.

- Thanks. - It's alright. He's on his way.

Thanks, fellas. I'll be seeing you.

- So long, Joe. - Take it easy.

- Take it easy, Joe. - Come on, kid.

Where's the wheel?

Right over there.

If we're lucky, maybe we can get a ride.

Who's this?

- Oh, hiya, Dawson. - Hello. How are ya, Joe?

Hello, Dawson. Will you give us a lift? We had some trouble.

- Yeah. Williams told me. - Williams?

Yeah. He sent me here to pick up your load.

Why, that dirty muzzler. After carrying the load all this way

we don't get a dime out of it.

Suppose we don't give it to you.

Well, you can suit yourself, fellas

but if you miss the market with those apples

you're gonna take a rap for the whole load, you know.

Yeah, well, just let him try to collect.

Shut up. Of course he'll collect

out of the dough he owes us.

You're a nice guy, Dawson.

Why do you pull stuff like this?

It ain't my fault, Joe. I got a wife and a kid

and another one on the way.

I got to do what Williams tells me

or I don't get no hauls.

Don't get sore at me, fellas.

I'd like to kick that chiseler's teeth out.

Oh, that ain't gonna get you nothing.

And besides, Hank ain't interested.

Come on. Let's hop in.

Give us a hand with this, will you?

Yeah, sure.

- Ready? Up. - Yeah.

"That's it.'

Our rig's about two miles down the road.

And where do we go from there?

We better go back to Frisco and see Williams.

By the time I get home to my wife

I'll be too tired to turn out the light.

Come on. Williams oughta be in his office by now.

Okay.

What if he don't see it?

What do you think?

- Hello, Joe. - Hello, Paul.

- Hi. - How they rolling, Joe?

How's that broken-down tub of yours?

No loads, no loads, yet, boys. Hang around.

What do you think we've been doing the last three days?

Tell Williams me and my brother wants to see him.

You guys in again? You just heard me

say there ain't any loads out.

Who said we wanted any? We don't get paid for them anyway.

Oh. Oh, hello, boys.

How'd you get back?

What's the difference? We're here.

We oughta wrap a crank around your neck.

We got a pretty good hunch it was you

who put Farnsworth on our tail.

Oh, what did I want to see you boys

lose your truck for?

Now, look. I got some beer hauls

in mind for you something that's coming up real soon.

Beer's out, you bring back the empties.

About three hauls a week. How would you like that?

We'd like it fine if we got paid for it.

You've been horsing us around long enough.

We ought to break your crummy neck for leaving us stuck out

on the road with a busted wheel and lifting our load.

What do you want me to do? Dig into my pocket

every time you guys fold up a wheel or blow a tire?

- I'm just as broke as you are. - What is this, tin?

Here, here, here. Where's your manners, anyhow?

Going into a man's private papers.

You owe us 300 bucks, chiseler, and you're gonna pay us now!

- If you don't-- - Alright, alright!

Don't get hot. I'll give you a check.

What will we do with it? Use it for a tire patch?

We'll take it out of here. Cash.

Let go of him, Paul, and write out a receipt.

I hope you guys know there's

a law against taking people's money.

If that were so, you'd have been in the clink years ago.

I knew you'd see it our way when we put it up to you right.

You mark my words. You guys are gonna regret this.

That's okay. We're tired of taking

all the chances and leaving all the dough to you.

Ah! That's the worst of you road slobs!

You're always getting too big for your britches.

But I don't mind telling you one thing.

This is the last load you'll ever get out of this office.

Then in that case, we haven't got anything to lose, have we?

There's your receipt.

There's a bad curve sitting out front.

It's got mud on it. Be careful.

Go to sleep, will you? I'm driving now.

I was just reminding you.

If we go over a cliff, wake me up.

Pour on the brakes.

'If we're gonna stop and pick up'

‘everybody we see along the road'

‘we ain't gonna get in till next week.'

It's a dame. It won't hurt us'

'to get her outta the rain.'

It's too bad one of them hotshot passenger cars

couldn't find time to give her a lift.

Come on. Hop in.

Thanks. I was beginning to wonder

if I'd ever get a ride.

Well, you got one now, so relax.

Hey, you're the dame that was slinging hash at Barney's.

- That's me. - Well, what happened?

Barney had about 12 hands, and I didn't like any of them.

- Aw, Barney's alright. - Yeah.

You didn't have to pass him a hundred times a day.

It was like tangling with an octopus.

- How far are you going? - How far are you going?

- We're going to Los Angeles. - That's okay by me.

I'd just as soon be out of a job one place as another.

Oh. Wait a minute. I better..

...wrap you up.

- What's your name, Red? - Cassie Hartley.

- Do you know anyone in L.A.? - Uh-uh.

- Well, what are you gonna do? - Get a room, look for work.

Jobs ain't growing on bushes these days.

- How much dough you got? - Enough to get by.

You're gonna knock your teeth out chattering

if we don't get something hot into you.

Pull into Mandel's, Paul. We've been rolling pretty good.

Oh, Pearl's waiting up for me.

I've been figuring on spending an hour with her.

So you'll spend a half-hour with her.

Look. It's clearing up. We'll be alright.

Oh, don't stop on my account.

Well, we got to stop somewhere.

It might as well be Mandel's.

That ain't home.

Oh, Pearl can't cook a steak like Billy Mandel.

I ain't interested in steaks.

Ohh!

How come you're here, Irish? Ain't you behind schedule?

Oh, hello, Joe. I've been having tough luck.

I won 48 free games. I tried to

shoot them back but I kept winning more.

Only three games left, and I can hit the road, and I'll have to

push my foot right through the floorboard

to make up my schedule.

Well, what'll it be, boys?

A T-bone, rare, and make it good this time.

The last one I had here could've been used for a manhole cover.

Honey, this one will be so tender

it'll throw its arms around you and kiss you.

- Same for you? - Yeah.

- I'll just have some coffee. - Bring her a steak.

Fattening her up, huh?

- Something else for you, honey? - Yes.

Cool off your imagination.

Hey, McNamara. Where are you going?

- What's it to you? - Come on. We go.

What's the matter? Don't you know me?

- Hello, Joe. - Come on. Sit down, Harry.

Ah.. What are you guys doing here?

What do you suppose we're doing here? Have a cup of coffee?

I had five. Didn't do any good. I'm still sleepy.

- Come on. We go. - Yeah, he's right.

I haven't seen my wife for so long.

As soon as I deliver this load

I'm hot-tailing it home empty.

Bet when I walk in the kids will say, "who's that man?"

You should have wrote, Harry.

I know how worried Pearl gets.

No use writing now.

I'll be home tomorrow night and surprise her.

I hear you've been doing pretty good.

Yeah. I got the truck all paid for. Don't owe a cent.

Well, come on. Let's go.

When you guys are hitting the road tomorrow night

think of me in that nice white bed.

So long, guys.

So long, Harry.

Well, you gotta have your brains knocked out

to be a truck driver.

You don't have to, but it helps.

Ah, here she goes, boys. The last game.

Then I can hit the road.

I don't know why I get tangled up with them machines.

They almost cost me my job three times.

- Irish, you remember Cassie. - Oh, sure. Hiya, Cassie.

- Quit working for Barney? - Yeah.

He was always trying to tie my apron strings.

Well, there's nothing wrong with that.

There is if you're not wearing any apron.

Fifty-eight free games!

I'll never get away from here.

- What's that for? - Gonna pass.

If it's clear ahead, he'll wink back at me.

That's funny. It looks clear to me.

- Hey, Paul. - Yeah? What is it?

Ain't that McNamara's truck up ahead of us?

What do I care whose truck it is?

Yeah, it looks like it.

tis.

What's the matter with him? He's all over the road.

- He must be asleep. - Blow your horn.

Not unless I have to.

He might come to and run his rig off the road.

We got to try to head him off.

Watch out he don't cut into us.

Get over close. I'll try to hit his hood

with this and wake him up.

Pull over closer, and I'll try to hop aboard!

Watch out!

Grab the extinguisher!

- How many in there? - There were two.

Oh, Paul, you're late.

How's about coming in for some coffee, Joe?

Oh, this is Cassie Hartley.

This is Pearl, Paul's wife.

- Hello. - Pleased to know you.

Come on, Joe. It's cold out here.

Can't stop this trip. I'll just about make the market now.

- What's the matter with Paul? - Oh, he'll be alright.

He just needs a good night's sleep.

Tell him I'll wire him from L.A.

what time I'll pick him up tomorrow.

- Bye. - Good-bye.

Bye.

I can't figure you out. If you took care of your truck the way

you take care of yourselves, it would fall apart in two weeks.

We're tougher than any truck to come off any assembly line.

I bet your friend Harry McNamara thought that, too.

Forget about Harry, will you?

He probably was so tired he thought

the whole thing was a dream.

Oh, how much money you got?

Come on. How much?

A dollar, twelve cents.

Just what I thought.

Not even enough to rent a room.

- I'll get b - How? g

When I get rid of this load, I'll get you a room.

Oh, you needn't do that. I'm grateful for the ride.

You've been nice.

If I let you go, I'll be worrying

and wondering what happened to you.

And I got enough worries the way it is.

Well, I guess I'd be pretty dumb not to say yes.

Maybe I'm dumb anyway.

You can figure that out later.

Well, I ain't used to taking in roomers

at 4:30 in the morning.

It's never too late to start.

Some of the best people check in at 4:30.

Well, I don't know about that.

I never see any of them.

Well, anyway, you got a bed for a week.

Yeah.

That'll give me time to find something to do.

I'll pay you back.

I'm real worried about that.

I got it all doped out with the cops if you don't.

What are you crying for?

I don't know. Just crying.

If you got a load of your face, you'd stop.

You look like you walked through a sprinkling system.

Oh, you dames are sure screwy.

Paul's wife's always pulling the same stuff, too.

What stuff?

Oh, one minute she's alright

the next minute, she's bawling.

She never knows why.

The trouble with her is she wants a kid.

Paul says no go. They can't afford it.

Don't get me wrong. That's not why I'm crying.

I get a kick out of you.

I've picked up lots of girls on the road

but none of them ever was like you.

Come here.

Come on. I ain't gonna bite you.

Oh, I wasn't afraid of that.

I always have liked redheads.

You shouldn't. Red means stop.

I'm color blind.

Well, uh, I think I'd better unpack.

Joe, don't you think you'd better get on your horse?

Oh, what's the rush? We got a lot of things to talk about.

We can talk about those some other time.

Now is a nice time. When I'm relaxed, my thoughts are clear.

Yes. I can even read 'em from here.

You know something, Red? I like you.

I like the way you fill out your clothes.

I like everything about you.

Are you glad you ran onto me?

Yes. You're a nice guy. But you've got to remember

that nice guys always leave when ladies ask them to.

That nice, I ain't.

Mister, you worry me.

- Oh, Cassie. - Hmm?

You're plenty beautiful.

Joe, you need sleep, and so do I.

Will you do me a favor and get going?

Joe?

Joe.

Oh, I'm, I'm sorry I woke you up

but I was trying to shut out the kid noise.

That's alright.

Ohh.

- I got to get going. - You sure slept.

That's the first time I've been in a bed in weeks.

It felt good.

- Where did you sleep? - Chair.

Oh, I'm sorry, kid. I, I didn't mean to gyp you out of your bed.

You didn't mean anything. You went out like you were slugged.

You oughta get yourself a regular job.

What do you see ahead in the trucking business?

I'm on my own, anyway.

You know, if a guy can get together two or three big rigs

there's a fortune in this business.

You really believe that, don't you, Joe?

Sure, I believe it. If I didn't, I'd be on Paul's side.

I'd quit right now and let that

chiseler Farnsworth take the truck

and go out and grab a job digging ditches.

After what I saw last night, digging ditches

looks pretty good to me.

No future in it.

Hmm. A shave wouldn't go bad, but I ain't got time now.

I got to get down to the market and hustle up a load.

- When'll you be back? - Oh, that depends.

- Maybe a couple of days. - Good.

- I'll have a job by then. - Oh, that's the talk.

In the meantime, you got to eat. Here.

This won't take you into the Coconut Grove

but you ought to get enough ham and eggs till I get back.

You must be out of your mind. You may never see me again.

Don't worry about that. I'll see you.

Joe.

- Don't go to sleep on the road. - I won't.

Not after a pep-up like that.

And don't practice that on anyone else.

Save it for me.

- Hiya, fatso. - How are ya, Joe?

Oh, I been eating. Where you going?

I'm gonna pick up some watermelons.

- Who gave you the load? - Me.

A guy would get blisters sitting around this town

waiting for a load, so I'm going down to Imperial

and buy some of them babies myself.

And when the market opens up tomorrow, I ought to clean up.

You know, they ain't hardly got a watermelon in town.

That's one way to do it. Well, good luck, guy.

Thanks. Same to you.

What do you think you're doing with that broken-down tub?

Parking it. Why?

Well, get it out of there, or I'll park one on your chin.

I was here first.

Don't look that way to me.

Smack him on the chin, boy. Shoot for his button. Go on!

- Go on! - What's going on?

What do you think, the guy's selling bananas? It's a fight!

Look! Get in there now!

'Go ahead. Go ahead!"

Ed, stop yelling out the window.

You're not a truck driver anymore.

Gee, sugar. Can I help it if I get a little excited?

When we got married you promised to act like a gentleman.

It's disgusting to see the head of a big company

making more noise than any of his drivers.

One of those guys looks like Joe Fabrini.

'It is Joe!"

- You remember Joe, don't you? - Yeah.

And Joe shouldn't be fighting in the street like that, too.

Ah, you'll need the other eye for the road.

And this ain't making either one of us any money.

Look out, Joe!

Now. Hey, Joe Fabrini! Champ.

'Hey, Joe! Joe Fabrini.'

Come on up here and see what you can do with a good man.

I used to could hit like that. And get hit, too.

Oh, boy.

Is he coming up?

Yeah. And a great guy he is, too.

Say, Lana, what are you doing with all the dough?

This is 200 bucks this week.

Would you like me to give you an itemized account?

- Penny by penny? - Oh, no, sug.

You use all of it you want. If you're gonna look like a million

you got to spend a million, eh?

Oh, Ed, please. I've just got my makeup on.

Do you have to get romantic around noontime?

Well, where you're concerned, I don't watch the clock.

Well, I wish you would.

Well, as long as you're having a visitor

you may as well put your coat on.

Even if you can't sound like an executive

you might try looking like one.

Oh, you're gonna make a gentleman out of me yet.

I doubt it.

Oh.

What is it? What is it?

"Yes? What..'

Oh, I wish they'd stop inventing things.

Joe Fabrini to see you.

Huh? What? Oh, well, shoot him right in.

Hello, Joe. What do you know?

Who do you think you are, Jack Dempsey? Ahem.

- What is that, a gag? - Oh, shh! No. It's Lana.

She thinks it makes me look dignified.

What was the beef out there?

Oh, nothing much. Hello, Mrs. Carlsen.

Hello.

Well, where have you been hiding? It's a wonder

you wouldn't come up and see a guy sometime.

Oh, I've been pretty busy.

Oh, the mice must have got into this.

That was no mice. That was a rat.

Very funny. Very funny, babe.

That's just like Lana. Right on the trigger every time.

Well, you and I will strike a blow for liberty.

You know I never touch it.

That's alright. I'll strike the blow for both of us.

Well, oh. Oh.

Your liver must look like a bomb hit it.

Well, you know what I say

"Live and let liver."

Or, or, liver, stay away from my door.

It's a cinch to think of fast ones like that

when you've been married to a smart girl for seven years.

Now, Joe, park it there.

Uh.. Oh, thanks.

Say, Joe..

...why don't you cut out trying to beat this wildcat

game and go to work for me?

- You beat it, didn't you? - Well, yes.

You're leading with your chin, boy. Now, when you're working

for me or any other real trucking outfit

you can only drive eight hours at a clip

and you're sure of both your sleep and your pay.

You know what I'm gonna do, Ed?

No.

Paul and me are starting to buy our own loads.

‘After this, we're gonna make the profits'

'instead of 16 other guys.'

I'm just getting five brand-new diesels.

I'd sure like to see you and Paul on one of them.

Thanks, Ed, but I still like to be my own boss.

You should listen to Ed. He's talking sense for once.

Oh, don't get me wrong, Mrs. Carlsen.

I probably sound like I don't appreciate Ed's offer.

I do.

But I'd still like to try it my way.

Just a few breaks and maybe I'll be hiring Ed.

Yeah. And Ed'll be hauling for you, too.

What do you think of that?

You know where you can buy any loads?

No. I ain't looked into it yet.

Ah-huh.

I know just the guy.

He knows all the angles, and since

I'm gonna be working for you someday, I might just as well

start getting on your good side right now.

And you better be nice to him, too.

I'm always nice to your friends.

You see that? She kills me. I'll be right back.

Where were you last Thursday?

- On the road, I guess. - You're lying.

You were here in town. One of the boys saw you.

So I was in town.

I waited so long in front of that restaurant

they thought I was a picket.

- Don't you ever keep a date? - I didn't make a date.

You did.

I told you then I wouldn't be there..

...and I'm telling you now, I'll never be there.

What's the matter with me?

Nothing..

Except you got a husband, Mrs. Carlsen.

And it happens that he's a good friend of mine.

‘Understand?'

Oh, you've been listening to some narrow-minded people.

There. What would they say about that?

You know what's gonna happen to you?

One of these days, Ed is gonna catch you

and when he does, he's gonna slap your ears off.

I wonder what I see in you, anyway.

You're crude, you're uneducated.

You've never had a pair of pants with a crease in them.

And yet I couldn't say no to you.

Don't worry about it.

I'm not asking you.

You better get two cases.

Bourbon!

- Joe. - 'Yes.'

Go here. That's the United Warehouse in Pomona.

Ask for Oscar Drake. He's got a floor load of culled

lemons he's dying to get rid of.

That ain't bad.

There's a flu epidemic up north and they're hot for lemons.

Yeah. Well, the guy's had the fruit lying around there

for quite some time now, so you got him over a barrel.

A couple more days, and he won't be able to give it away.

- Got any money? - Enough for a load.

- Thanks, Ed. - Ah.

- I won't forget this. - I know.

- Good-bye, Mrs. Carlsen. - Good-bye.

It was nice seeing you again, Joe.

Don't forget, keep your eye on that white line.

You betcha. And I'll watch all the curves, too.

Now there's a great fellow.

If there's anybody in the world could beat that

wildcat racket, it's him.

Funny how the dames used to fall for him, huh?

- Can't understand it. - Neither can I.

‘Course, by dames, I mean waitresses and such.

None of them were high-class broads..

I mean, gals like yourself.

Oh, please, Ed! Suppose someone should come in?

Well, suppose someone should come in? Then we'd have to

get married all over again, wouldn't we?

- Oh, Ed! - Oh, no, you ain't!

Yes, thank you.

- Who was it? - It was a wire from Joe.

He'll be by for you in about a half an hour.

Paul, I think you'd better let Joe go on again.

- You didn't sleep last night. - Ah, how could I?

Every time I closed my eyes I could

see those two guys burning.

Well, I'm thankful it wasn't you.

Every minute when I'm alone I expect someone to

knock on the door and tell me I'm a widow.

Please stay here tonight and get some sleep.

I can't. I was enough of a heel last night

walking out on Joe the way I did.

I guess I'd try anything to keep you home one more day.

I'm alone so much, it's, it's got me talking to myself.

Paul, why can't I have a baby?

Maybe then, I wouldn't be so...so lonely.

Ah, there you go.

Singing the same old song.

You know we can't afford a kid.

It's the same old song from you.

How long do you think I'm going to stay young enough?

All the girls I went to school with

have, have two or three kids now.

Yeah, the girls you went to school with

were smart enough to marry guys with real jobs.

Paul. Paul, I'm not blaming you.

I'm complaining for both of us.

We've got a right to a better life than this.

You could get a job and even though

there wasn't much money in it, you'd get it

every week, and you'd be home nights.

Yeah. Yeah.

Try and tell that to Joe.

Well, who are you married to, Joe or me?

I can't leave him out on a limb as long as he thinks

we got a chance in this business.

There he is now. He must have burned the rubber off that rig.

Well, I'll see you in a couple of days.

- Paul, be careful. - Oh, don't worry, honey.

Everything's going to be alright.

Listen, we'll have so many kids we'll run out of names.

Hiya, Fabrini.

Oh. Hiya.

- Your truck around? - Yeah.

I got it parked under the kitchen sink.

Now there's no use getting smart with me.

I'm acting within my legal rights.

You're three installments behind on your truck.

Either you pay, or I take the truck.

- You and who else? - Me.

And don't try to get tough about it, buddy.

Where's the truck?

- I don't know. - It'll be along.

He and his brother always ride together.

I ain't riding with him anymore.

He may not be by here for a couple of weeks.

That's alright. We'll wait.

If you get thirsty, come on in and I'll give you a mickey.

I'm going out the back and head Joe off at the highway.

Paul, if you didn't do anything

we'd be out of the trucking business.

You'd get that job with a regular pay envelope

and you'd be home nights. It's what we both want.

Yeah, that's what I want, alright.

But I don't want to get it by double-crossing Joe.

If I can save the rig, I got to save it.

Keep rolling. Farnsworth's at the house with the law.

Well, he ain't got us this time.

What's the difference? If he don't get us this time

he'll get us the next.

- What are we hauling? - Lemons.

- Who for? What do you mean? - Ourselves.

I bought the load with the money we got from Williams.

- All of it? - All of it.

Oh, except two bucks for rolling dough.

I bought the stuff for 80 cents a box.

- Joe, are you nuts? - Relax, will you?

When we sell the load, we'll have twice what we started with.

Ah. You mean, if we sell the load.

Hey, don't I rate in this outfit?

What am I, just a stooge? Half of that dough was mine.

Mine and Pearl's. Don't I even get asked about anything?

A guy's got to be around before you ask him.

Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

I shouldn't have walked out on you, Joe.

That's alright.

I almost threw in the towel myself.

Well, did you see any of your old girlfriends in L.A.?

- Nope. Didn't have time. - What do you mean?

Joe Fabrini didn't have time to see even one dame?

You heard me.

It's just like I've been saying

this business is really tearing us down.

Hiya, boys. What do you got?

A load of lemons. You want to see 'em?

I really don't want no lemons

but I guess it won't hurt if I take a look.

Oh, you can have a look.

- How's the market? - Oh, only fair.

Drop it right down there.

- I hear you got married. - Oh, forget that.

Nice stuff, eh?

This ain't no lemon, this is a lemonette.

Ah, don't try to kid us. We've been hauling fruit long enough

to know good stuff when we see it.

I hate lemons, even if they're good ones.

Come on. Quit stalling, George. How do you like 'em?

It all depends upon what you're asking, boys.

Well, we'll leave that up to you.

I tell you what I'll do, boys. Since you come to see me first..

...I'll give you $3.50 a box.

Oh, no. No deal. Come on. Give me a hand, Paul.

Wait a minute, boys.

I'll treat you right. You know that.

Name your own price.

Well, we hauled this stuff a long way

and we paid a good price for ‘em.

We figure they're worth five bucks a box.

Boys, you got me mixed up with Santa Claus.

Okay. No hard feelings.

Come on, Paul. We'll take 'em down to Riley's.

We might even get six from him.

I'll tell you what I'll do, guys.

I'll give you four dollars a box

but I want you to throw in some fill-ins.

We bought 145 boxes, and that's what we're selling.

Okay, robber. 145 boxes is..

Four dollars a box is 580 simoleons.

That's all you'll get.

I don't know, George. I..

Alright. It's a deal.

Hey, Union. Harvey.

Dump that load.

I'll get you your money.

Alright, George.

Here. You always liked apples.

I hope I never have another five minutes like that again.

We made $500 profit on the deal.

We should have a lot of five minutes like that.

Well, we're finally rolling, huh?

It looks that way. What next?

We'll buy another load. Then we'll buy some more loads.

Then we'll buy another truck.

Then we'll buy some more trucks.

Whoa, now. Wait a minute.

Maybe we'd better pay for this one first.

Don't worry. We'll send Farnsworth some dough tomorrow.

One, two, three, four, five.. 20, 40, 60, 80. $580.

Thanks.

If you guys got any more good loads

don't forget, I treated you right.

We'll come straight to you.

Come on. I wanna use the phone.

Give me a flock of change, Leo.

- Say, who you calling? - Cassie.

Cassie? Who's that?

That gal we picked up on the road.

I just want to find out how she's doing.

I thought nothing happened with that dame.

Nothing did.

But I ain't saying nothing won't.

Give me long distance.

Hello? Hello, Joe? Did something happen to you?

- You weren't in a.. - Nah. Nothing happened.

Nothing bad, anyway.

I was scared when she told me

San Francisco was calling.

I knew it was you or about you.

- How did you know? - Oh, I just knew.

- Is everything alright? - Everything is great.

We got more dough than we ever seen before.

Say, uh, this is a funny time to call up a girl, ain't it?

Oh, I don't mind. I'm glad you called.

- I was worried about you. - Look, Cassie..

Do you believe in...love at first sight?

Well, it saves a lot of time. When are you coming back, Joe?

I think I want to get back there and see you

as fast as we can buy another load.

Well, be careful. Don't drive too fast. I want to see you

quick, but I want to see you all in one piece.

"Your three minutes are up. Deposit 50 cents'

'for an additional minute, please.'

Oh, don't spend any more, Joe. When you get back to town

we can talk all you want to, and it won't cost a..

Hello?

Hello?

Give me a cup of coffee, Leo.

Oh, that was great talk.

Pearl and me used to have them same silly conversations

before we got married.

Who said anything about getting married?

Nobody, but you can't horse me.

I know that rash when I see it.

It all depends on how smart the dame is.

Oh, your brakes are dragging.

Our rig's moving!

Hey, where do you think you're going?

Out of that truck! Come on! Get outta there!

- You, out the other side! - What'd you mean by this?!

Now, fellows, I'm strictly within my legal rights.

- You know the law. - Yeah.

You'd look pretty silly going around with

a monkey wrench growing out of your head.

You touch me, and I'll call a policeman!

If I touch you, you'll call an ambulance.

- How much do we owe you? - $300 plus $50 interest.

You sure you ain't gypping yourself?

- Where's that loan paper? - I got it right there.

Well, mark on it "paid in full" in big letters

because that's what you're getting, cash.

One, two, three, 20, 40, 60.

Here. Give me a 10.

Of course, you understand there's

nothing personal about this.

Yeah, we understand. We love you, too.

Now get out of here.

Well, you don't have to be nasty about it.

We don't have to be but it's more fun that way.

Hey, Joe, what do you say we throw

this monkey over the truck?

That's not a bad idea.

Hey!

Well, baby, you're all ours.

I never thought I'd live to see this day.

And you're gonna live to see better days than this. Come on.

We just got enough dough left to buy another load.

Hiya, Fabrini. You got that dough you owe me?

Yeah. I'm gonna pay you in full.

I congratulate myself. What are you hauling?

Pears. Oh, fill it up with gas, huh?

Well, I see Paul's asleep again, as usual.

What is it about my brother sleeping

that annoys you so much?

You've always got your nose in everybody else's business.

- Come on. Fill her up. - Okay.

Only if it was me, I'd get a little sleep

once in a while myself and let him do some driving.

Paul?

- Paul. - Yeah. Yeah.

What.. What's the matter?

Nothing, but you'd better take the wheel for a while.

- I'm knocked out. - Where are we? Haig's?

Hey, what do you say you and I stop over here

and grab a couple hours of shuteye, huh?

What a guy. For the first time in our lives

we get ahead in this racket and he wants to stop and sleep.

Sure, I want to sleep.

Everyone sleeps once in a while, remember?

You'd think I wanted to do something peculiar.

- You alright? - Yeah. I'm alright.

But my brother's in the truck.

Shoot your lights down there.

Come on. Come on, there, hold it.

Paul.

- Paul! - I'll go and get help.

Paul!

Joe, how is he?

Busted up, but he's going to be okay.

At first they thought his skull was fractured, but it ain't.

- Where is he? - Down here.

It was all my fault, Pearl.

He wanted to stop and sleep, and I made him drive.

Don't blame yourself, Joe.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

I'm grateful he's alive. The truck's gone, I suppose.

Complete wreck, load's smashed, and not a cent of insurance.

And we were just starting to do pretty good, too.

It's always that way, isn't it?

You and Paul will get another truck

and be back on the road again.

Wait, Pearl.

- Before you go in.. - Yes?

Looks like Paul's going to be out of work for some time.

And I don't want you to worry, see. While..

...while he's getting well, I'll take care of everything.

What are you trying to do, Joe, soften the blow?

- How bad is he? - Oh, he's alright.

A couple of cuts here and there.

All except his right arm.

They thought..

Well, they had to do it.

I'm going to surprise you.

I'm going to surprise you a lot.

I'm almost glad it happened!

- You're what? - You heard me. I'm almost glad.

Now he can't drive a truck anymore.

Now he'll be home nights. Now I won't always be alone, worried.

Maybe it's worth a right arm, Joe.

Maybe it's worth it.

- Hello, sug. - Don't you ever knock?

Well, it's alright, we're married, don't you remember?

Yeah. How can I forget?

Well, what are you going to do, open up a shop?

Where's the pole that goes with this?

Oh, to show you how things

break in this business, you know what happened?

Mm-hmm.

Last night, the Fabrini brothers smacked up.

- "Truck and all.' - Was Joe hurt?

No, he got scratched up a little.

- His brother lost a wing. - Oh.

Well, what are they going to do?

Well, Joe's going to wheel a truck for me.

He's a good man, and I hate to get him that way.

Well, if he's such a good man

why are you wasting him out on the road?

Where else am I going to put him?

Anyone with a big back can drive a truck.

Why don't you put him in the garage?

In the garage? What would he do there?

I don't know, there must be a lot of things he can do.

You're always complaining how tired you are.

Maybe if you had someone to help you

you wouldn't always fall asleep after dinner.

You know, sug, that ain't a bad idea of yours.

Always thinking of the old man, huh?

Sure I am, Ed, but you never give me any credit for it.

- 'Brakes? Check. Check.' - 'Hand brake? Tires?'

- Check, check. - Spare tire? Okay.

- Everything set? - Fine.

- Okay, Sweeney, let her roll. - Alright, Joe.

Joe.

- Is Ed ready? - I don't know, Mrs. Carlsen.

- I'll go and see. - Oh, never mind. He'll be down.

Got a match?

No lighter in this car?

Doesn't work. Did Ed tell you about

our anniversary party tomorrow night?

Yeah. I'm sorry, I can't make it.

But Ed's counting on having you! Weren't you, Ed?

Sure, what is it, and how much does it cost?

Joe says he can't make our party tomorrow night.

Oh sure you can, it's our new house, I want you to see it.

I gave it to Lana as a surprise. After she picked it out.

Well I, I had something planned with Paul for tomorrow night.

Hey, look here, I'm boss. This is a royal command.

You show up at my new dump tomorrow night.

Paul don't pay your salary, I do.

Okay, I'll show up. But I got to leave early.

I knew Ed could bring you around.

He must have more appeal than I have.

She's terrific.

You open your mouth, she puts her foot in it.

Uh-oh! Here comes work. Goodnight, Mrs. Carlsen.

See you tomorrow, Ed.

Right on the nose, Irish. They must have

taken out all the pinball machines.

Oh, they're getting tougher.

They got a new one at Barney's that, if you hit a winner

it mixes you up a drink and tucks you into bed.

But nobody ever wins.

- Hi, Irish! - Hello, Ed.

Funny. She almost never used to call for Ed at nights

until you started working here.

Or am I talking out of turn?

Come on, check your bills of lading and get washed up.

We're going to Paul's for dinner.

Again? Say, he's sure nice since he moved into town.

Yeah, Pearl's cooking a steak.

Swell, ain't had a steak since breakfast.

Oh, boy, I'm hungry!

I wonder what they're going to have for dessert.

For you, probably stewed pin-balls.

Huh?

- Hello, baby. - Hello, Joe.

Aw, that's nice.

How'd you get here so early?

I got a lift from one of the girls

at the store, I needed it, too.

- How are you, Irish? - Hungry.

- 'Hiya, fellas." - Hello, Paul.

Hello, Paul.

- Any luck today? - Yeah, but all bad.

All the old men get the watchman's jobs

and that's about the only thing a one-armed guy can do.

Oh, there are a lot of jobs you can handle.

Hey, Pearl, don't forget, medium-rare on my steak

and not too much butter on my mashed potatoes.

Any special design you want on the plate?

Come on, everybody, sit down.

You don't have to call me twice.

You know, when I was riding that truck

I used to think I'd never get enough of staying home.

- I got enough, alright. - Relax.

- You'll find something to do. - Sure.

I can always learn to knit.

And Ripley will print my picture.

'Have some steak, Cassie, and pass it on.'

How's things going at the store, Cassie?

Oh, fine, except I get tired from being on my feet all day.

I got the same trouble. The only difference is, I drive all day.

- How's about some beer, Irish? - That's me, kid.

I'm the best two-fisted beer drinker in America.

Sometimes I get so thirsty, I wish I had three hands.

- Cut it. - That's alright, Joe.

Irish didn't mean no harm, he's right.

Three hands are better than two, aren't they?

Just like two hands are better than one.

- Take it easy, fellow. - Easy? Huh.

Yeah, that's a nice word. Maybe you think it's easy

being helpless, waiting for Pearl to dress me and feed me.

Maybe you think it's easy sitting around

the house all day wondering what a guy with no right arm

is ever going to be good for.

Why'd you ever cut me out of that wreck?

This way, she don't even get no life insurance.

It don't help to get excited.

Yeah, it's all very well for you to talk.

You're all in one piece. You don't have to take

nobody's charity, like I got to take yours.

I guess he's been moping around the house too much.

After we eat, we'll go out and have some night life.

Maybe that'll cheer him up a little, huh?

I ain't danced in a long time.

Me, neither, and I used to love it.

It's the most fun you can have without laughing.

Take a lot to get me laughing.

Say, what do you say we get married?

Well, I'd like that fine but you've got

enough responsibilities right now

with the hospital bills and Paul still out of work.

Yeah, wish I could find him something.

Well, why don't you change your mind and ask Ed Carlsen?

I'd like to, but I can't.

Paul ain't able to do a hard day's work at the garage yet.

Ed's been too swell as it is.

Guess we've got to just keep on hoping.

Joe, do me a favor, will you?

Take me dancing again tomorrow night when we both feel better.

Okay.

Oh, I can't.

I got to go to the boss' house to a party.

Oh.

Well, don't say "oh" like you think I'm walking out on you.

- I don't want to go. - I didn't say you did.

Let's sit down, if we stay here, we'll be fighting.

Oh, I'm sorry, kid. I, I guess I got the jitters tonight.

Where's Irish?

He's wandering around all over the place.

Yeah, he's doing a little hunting.

Looks like he bagged something special.

Hello, folks. This is, er, uh, uh..

- Say, what's your name? - I'm Ms. Sue Carter.

Sue Carter.

Any friend of his is a friend of mine.

Uh.. Uh, what's your name?

What's the difference? Sit down and have a drink.

It's drinking that makes you beautiful.

Oh! I haven't been drinking.

I know, but I have.

Leave it to Irish to find romance.

Don't she look like a million bucks?

And just as hard to get.

- Want to come up for a while? - I don't think so, not tonight.

I'll make you some coffee.

I don't want any, it keeps me awake.

- Still worried about Paul? - Yeah.

Are you too worried to kiss me?

Not that bad.

What's the matter, you stop loving me?

No, darling, but I still have to breathe.

Cassie..

...you're the only girl in this world

I've ever been crazy about.

Joe, you're the only fellow in the world

who could make me believe a lie like that.

Come on, come up and have some coffee.

No, no coffee.

'Yes, sir! That's what I always tell my drivers.'

No phone pole ever hit a truck unless it was in self-defense.

I think the guy that wired this must have baled hay.

There it goes.

Oh! Ohh!

Now get a load, wait a minute now.

Ed! We have servants to open the wine.

Oh, now what's the fun of having champagne

if you can't pop the cork yourself?

Here now, Irish. That ain't beer

so don't start guzzling it.

And you and your truck-driver friends stop drinking so much.

Oh now, sugar, this is the only eighth anniversary

we're ever gonna have.

Come on, we got to celebrate.

- Good evening, Mrs. Carlsen. - You're late.

I got stuck at the office.

I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you we were dressing.

Oh, that wouldn't have done any good.

I'm not up in that bracket yet.

Hello, Joe! Will you have a glass of champagne?

- No, thanks. - Oh, Ed.

You know Joe never takes a drink.

I know, he's like me. I don't either

unless I've got a glass in each hand.

Don't have any bad habits, do you, Joe?

None that I can't handle, Mrs. Carlsen.

Oh, Joe, how do you like the dump?

- I think it's swell. - You want to know something?

Lana decorated it all by her itty-bitty self.

Early American bargain-basement.

You ain't saw it.

Well, you ain't seen it, too, Irish.

- Come on. - Just a minute, Ed.

Don't you think Joe ought to meet the other guests?

Well, what's the use? He'll only forget their names.

Huh, Culpeper, I sure thirsty.

- Yes, sir. - Charles.

Bring Mr. Carlsen some water, will you?

- Yes, ma'am. - I said thirsty.

Didn't I? Not dirty.

Look, if you fall on your face

don't expect me to drag you to bed.

Oh, don't worry about me. If I fall, I'll fall upstairs.

Come on, Joe.

See, Joe.

We had all the screens removed because they were fixed

so the flies can't get out at all.

Hey, this leaves me speechless.

Good, stay that way.

Well, there you are. Swimming puddle and everything.

Hot and cold running water.

Guess we'll have to learn how to swim.

Well, right this way, ladies and gentlemen.

Sure got a nice layout here, Ed.

Ah, someday you'll have one just like it yourself, Joe.

And a swell little wife like Lana to go with it.

- Yeah, that would be nice. - Yes, sir.

Eh.. And here we have a badminton court.

Oh, great game, badminton.

Couple of guys chase a feather with fly swatters

and the one that don't drop dead wins the game!

Come here.

And, Joe, there's something else

I sure want you to get a gander at.

You know, around a place like this there's always

a lot of confusion about bushes and trees.

Avocados. Male and female.

- Oh, how can you tell? - Oh, that's easy.

The bashful one's the girl.

And now for the topper.

You know when you drive up, and you're tired, and you've got to

get out of your car and go and open the doors?

- Mm-hm. - That ain't for me.

Get a load of this.

Say, I'm speechless!

- That's where we came in. - Now, you see..

All you've got to do is drive or walk between the posts

break the ray, and the doors start swinging.

- Want to see me close them? - Mm-hmm.

Say, what will they think of inventing next?

I understand some guy's working on a sundial.

Oh, Irish, don't talk silly. Who'd want to dial the sun?

- Goodnight, Ed. - Huh?

- I had a swell time. - Oh. You're going so soon?

Yeah, I've got to be at the office at 6:30 in the morning.

- Goodnight, everybody. - Goodnight.

Goodnight, Irish. See you in the morning.

Goodnight, Joe. Buh-bye.

- Goodnight. - I certainly am.

Joe, you're not going.

Yes, uh, remember I told you I had to leave early?

I'll walk out with you. I need some air.

It's getting chilly out here. Don't you think

you'd better go back in?

No. It feels good.

I had a nice time, Mrs. Carlsen.

Do you have to call me Mrs. Carlsen?

You know, I have a first name.

When I call you Mrs. Carlsen, that keeps me in my place.

Wouldn't be trying to get over it

also keeps me in my place, would you?

Hm. That ain't what I said.

I'm good at reading between the lines.

Joe, what is it? What's wrong?

Nothing wrong that I know of.

Well, then why do you keep acting like this?

Why do you keep pretending you don't even notice me?

Now, look, who do you think you're fooling?

I'm not fooling anybody. And that includes you and me both.

Now, listen, Joe, please.

If I told you once, I told you 50 times.

I'm doing good at the office.

And I'm not playing around with the boss' wife.

Ed's been always alright with me.

And I'm never going to be wrong with him.

How touching. The faithful employee.

The devoted friend.

That's me.

Goodnight, Mrs. Carlsen.

Mrs. Carlsen!

Missus!

Missus!

Listen! Listen now! Listen!

I'm going to drink you all a little toast.

Just a little toast.

- A toast. - Ah-ha.

Early to rise and early to bed

makes a man healthy, but socially dead.

Now I'm gonna take you all to the tango club.

Tango!

Oh, sugar, listen, will you rush out

and leap into that ermine gunnysack of yours?

We're going to sneak up on a rumba.

What's the matter, not enough liquor here?

Maybe you'd like to put a still in the basement.

Never at a loss for a comeback.

We're married eight years, and she still tickles me pink.

Stop it.

Oh, you don't wanna dance, huh?

She don't care to dance, I always get a partner.

- Oh! O-oh! - Oh, well, then you'll do.

Huh?

- Ed, pay the check! - No.

That's one thing I'm not going to do.

The liquor in here is no good.

‘Cause you can't get drunk on it.

Then someone must have hit you over the head with a mallet.

- Keep the change. - Thank you, Madame.

Can someone help me get him out of here?

I'll drive him home once I get him in the car.

You're lucky I stayed sober.

- It certainly does. - Come on, Ed.

Come on, come on.

I don't want to dance now. I don't want to dance.

Very well.

Come on, Ed, the air will do you good.

Oh, I don't know.

What's the trouble?

Who's this.. What's going on here?

Oh, it's a shame.

A fine fellow like the boss disgracing himself in public.

Yeah.

Come on! Sit up, you drunken pig!

Oh, no, let's go in the office and take a little snooze.

Come on, get up and walk! Or do I have to carry you?

Needless to say, Mrs. Carlsen, I regret

having to go through this formality.

He was so drunk.

I always told him something awful would happen

if he kept drinking that way.

Naturally, I, I couldn't lift such a heavy man out of the car.

He'd stayed in the garage before.

But he always came in the house when he sobered up.

This time, he..

Now, don't distress yourself, Mrs. Carlsen.

Just take your time.

This time, he must have awakened still drunk

and started the car.

Oh, it's awful. He wanted so much to live.

He had everything to live for.

Thank you, Mrs. Carlsen.

I regret that I've been forced to question you.

I won't bother you any further.

You're very kind.

Please accept my sincerest sympathy.

Thank you.

) 'Cause of his death was accidental.'

‘Carbon monoxide poisoning. Close the case.'

Stop creeping around the house!

'I wasn't creeping, ma'am, honest, I wasn't.'

I don't want you snooping around.

I wasn't doing no snooping, ma'am.

I just come in to see if you wanted some more coffee.

I've had four cups, I don't want any more, do you hear?

- Well, do you hear? - Yessum.

Now get out of my sight and stop sneaking around!

I don't want you spying on me!

You were supposed to be here at 10 o'clock.

Sorry, but one of our drivers crashed into a load of pipe.

- And I had to-- - I don't care about that.

The driver don't, either. He's dead.

Oh, I'm sorry, Joe.

Being alone in this big house gives me the willies.

- Would you like a drink? - No, thanks.

That's right, I forgot.

Sit down, Joe.

What was this business you wanted to talk to me about?

Look, Joe.

I don't know anything about the company.

I've tried to understand.

And the lawyers have explained things to me.

Only the more they talk, the less I know.

Joe, I can't run a trucking business by myself.

I've got to have someone to help me.

- Does that mean me? - Yes.

Ed had such confidence in you. He said you had great ideas.

And I know he'd want you to be my partner.

- Partner? - Yes, partner. 50-50.

I've got the papers all drawn up, and all you have to do is..

What's wrong?

Don't you want to own half of a big trucking business?

With anyone else, I'd think it was a swell deal.

But you..

- I don't know. - Why not, Joe?

It's good for me because if I don't get someone to help me

I'll end up losing the business, and it's good for you

because you'll never get a chance like this again.

- No interference? - None, I promise you, Joe.

I don't know anything about trucks, how could I interfere?

I wasn't talking about trucks.

Oh, you've got to help me, Joe.

I haven't anyone else in the world to turn to.

Well, what's it going to be?

If it's going to be like you say, you can count me in.

Oh, I'm so glad, Joe. Neither of us will regret it.

Now, how about that drink to celebrate? Just this once.

Okay, I'll take a short one.

It's going to work out fine, Joe.

I know it will.

And it's what Ed would have wanted.

Maybe you're right.

Well..

Here's to our partnership.

May it be a long and happy one.

It could work out pretty good.

I'll tell you what we'll do.

We'll figure out new lines, buy new trucks.

‘Why, we'll be getting business we never even thought about.'

- 'We'll go a long way.' - Yes, we will.

Hey, Joe. Who sneaked those rigs in?

New refrigerator jobs.

Opens up a lot of dairy business for us.

I don't know where I'm going to

get 20 drivers quick to wheel them.

You know Bill McGowan? Is he a good driver?

Well, I don't want to say anything bad about the guy.

But when the road turns the same time he does

it's just a coincidence.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

What's the trouble?

Got to clean and adjust the points.

- How long will it take? - About 15 minutes.

- Hello, Joe. - Oh! How are you?

These the new trucks you were telling me about?

Yeah, mm, I see you got a new buggy yourself.

Blowing all the profits, huh?

Well, we're making a lot of profits to blow. Why not?

Say..

That's a snappy outfit.

- You like it? - Mm-hm.

I didn't think you'd notice.

It isn't too soon for me to stop wearing black, is it?

- No, I don't think so. - That's the way I felt.

Well, take a good look, Joe. You're not gonna see me

in the same outfit twice for months.

Pardon me.

Hello, Cassie.

Come on, I want you to meet Mrs. Carlsen.

This is Mrs. Carlsen. This is Cassie Hartley.

'I'm glad to know you.'

Uh, if you're talking business, I'll wait outside.

Oh, no. Cassie and I were going out and get a quick dinner.'

- Would you care to come along? - No.

- No, thank you. - Joe!

Oh, what's the matter? Uh..

Get some water.

Never mind, we'll take her to a doctor.

Take me home.

‘But don't you think it'd be better--'

- I said take me home! - Hop in, Cassie.

I'll run it in the garage for you.

No, stop! Let me out! Stop it, Joe, do you hear?

- 'What's the matter with you?' - 'Please let me out!"

Please let me out! Please let me out!

Is there anything I can do? Would you like me to come in?

Leave me alone!

Here are those federal gas papers, Joe.

They look alright to me.

Fine, George, I'll go over them right away.

Well, Joe, Mrs. Carlsen's been around here while you were

out to dinner, I don't know, she may be here yet.

Okay.

- Hello, Joe. - Oh, uh...hello.

We may knock over that, uh, federal gas contract.

- That's swell. - How do you feel tonight?

- Oh, much better. - Oh, that's good.

Sorry about yesterday, Joe. Guess my nerves just gave out.

You ought to go away for a while, get a change.

You've been hanging around that house too much.

Maybe I will.

Your friend, Ms. Hartley..

...she's very nice.

- Known her long? - Quite a while.

Did you have a nice time after you left me?

It was alright.

You must apologize to Ms. Hartley for me.

Oh, she didn't think anything of it.

- How about some dinner, Joe? - I've had mine.

Well, you could sit with me and have a drink and..

Maybe we could dance.

I'd like to, but I've got to get some estimates out.

- Figures on the new trucks. - I know, I know.

But you can do all that tomorrow morning.

Oh, I've got a lot of other things to do in the morning.

And this is very important.

It's the only time I have to do it.

I'm sorry, Joe. I guess I'm a fine partner

trying to pull you away from your work.

The Frank Conners are throwing a party Friday night.

They asked me to bring you along.

- Sorry, I can't make it. - Can't make it!

Can't make it! That's all I ever hear from you.

It used to be because my husband was your friend!

Well, he's dead! He's been dead for six months!

What's wrong with me now?

- Why can't you make it? - I'm getting married Friday.

Is that a good enough reason?

Married? To that redhead?

To that redhead.

What made you think you had to marry her?

I just thought it was a good idea.

- Any objections? - Yeah, I got objections.

What makes you think you can make a sucker out of me?

You better relax.

Don't tell me to relax, you road slob!

If it weren't for me, you'd still be

kicking trucks up and down the coast!

I get Ed to take you off the road.

I put that clean collar around your dirty neck.

I put those creases in your pants.

I'm the one that put that money in your pocket.

What makes you think you can walk out on me?

I came in here on a business deal.

And I've done alright for you as well as myself.

Don't talk like a fool. I walked you right into a company

that was set and established.

I gave you Ed's insurance money to buy new trucks.

I could have picked anyone off the street that could add

two and two, and they'd have done just as well.

Well, anytime you don't like the setup, I can always check out!

Well, you're not getting out.

You belong with me, and you're going to stay with me.

And if you don't like it now, you'll learn to like it.

Only you're not going off marrying that cheap redhead.

I'm marrying Cassie, and I'm not asking

anybody what they think about it.

That includes you.

She hasn't any right to you.

You're mine, and I'm hanging on to you!

I committed murder to get you.

Understand? Murder!

- You what? - Sure!

I killed Ed! I killed him to get you

because you were always throwing him in my face!

"Yes, Mrs. Carlsen! No, Mrs. Carlsen!"

"No, Mrs. Carlsen! Goodnight, Mrs. Carlsen!"

You made me do it! You, understand?

I didn't want to kill anyone.

But you made me murder Ed.

Your friend!

- Joe! Joe, where are you going? - I'm getting out of here.

- And stay away from me. - Oh, Joe, don't go.

Forget what I said. I didn't mean what I said.

I was jealous, I didn't know what I was talking about.

I didn't kill Ed, it was just an accident!

Save that record for someone else.

- You may need it! - Oh, listen, Joe!

I'll be a good sport!

Marry her, and I hope you're happy with her

only please don't leave me!

Please come back!

I didn't want to kill anyone.

I didn't.

I didn't want to kill anyone.

He made me do it.

Yes.

He made me kill him.

He made me kill him. He said he'd kill me if I didn't.

I didn't want to do it, but I was afraid of him.

I had to. Joe wanted the insurance money.

He wanted everything for himself.

- He made me do it. - 'Just a moment.'

Have Joe Fabrini of the Carlsen Trucking Company

picked up immediately, and you come in here.

In other words, Mrs. Carlsen, when you were in this office

the morning after your husband's death

your statement was a complete lie.

Yes, but I didn't want to lie.

I was afraid to tell the truth then.

- Now I'm not afraid anymore. - I see.

And the real truth is that you were coerced

into murdering your husband by Fabrini.

Yes, yes, that's it.

That's it.

He made me kill him.

Sit down.

Mrs. Carlsen, I'm going to dictate for your signature

the confession you've just made to me.

Uh, correct me if I'm wrong.

"I, Lana Carlsen.."

She never thought I'd see her.

I'll bet she was surprised when they told her I would.

I'll see her, alright. I've got a few things to tell her.

- Alright, tell her, not me. - Just wait till I see her.

Just wait.

What's the matter with you?

That door.

- It opened. - 'Of course it did."

'We broke the ray. It's an electric eye door.'

- 'Come on.' - No.

I won't go through it.

I won't go through it, I tell you!

I won't, I tell you!

- Now stop it. - No, I won't. No, please!

'Please don't make me!'

Thought you'd show up.

Now that you're here, what do you want?

I want you to tell the truth.

What do you think the truth is?

Joe had nothing to do with killing your husband.

And what's more, he had nothing to do with you.

Is that so?

What do you think he was doing all those nights

he was supposed to be working in the garage?

Do you think he was in the garage at all?

Why do you think I took him into the business?

Why did I give him my husband's insurance money to play with?

Because he had an honest face?

You could talk to me from now on.

But you'd never make me believe that Joe

ever laid a hand on anyone like you.

What makes you so sure of that?

I love him, I know.

You love him.

You don't know what it is to love a man.

But I do.

And I'll take him with me wherever I'm going.

You're worse than I ever thought anyone could be.

Why don't you tell ‘em what really happened?

That Joe wouldn't have anything to do with you.

That you killed your husband yourself

because you thought he was in the way.

That you kept throwing yourself at Joe, but he wouldn't

look at you because he had you pegged from the beginning.

Tell ‘em you found out he was going to marry me.

And you decided to do anything to stop it.

Even if it meant double-crossing yourself!

You've got it all worked out, haven't you?

But you've got it worked out wrong. All wrong.

Because I'm the one who..

‘Stop that door.'

Stop it, I tell you. Stop that door!

- Stop it! Stop it! - Come on, come on.

- Your time's up. - No!

I won't go through that door! I won't!

- You can't make me! I won't! - Come on, come on. Come on.

No, I won't! I won't, I tell you!

I won't! I won't! I won't!

What's the dame hitting high-C for?

Maybe she don't like the service here.

I don't know why these things always got to bust at lunchtime.

This one's alright. Close her up.

So, Your Honor, and ladies and gentlemen of the jury

the prosecution will prove that Joe Fabrini

by means of duress and threats

employed the wife of the murdered man

as ruthlessly as ever a man employed a dagger or a gun

'to commit for profit, a cold-blooded'

‘brutal, preconceived murder.'

And now, with Your Honor's permission

I will call the first witness.

Ms. Sue Carter.

Is it true, Ms. Carter, that you attended a party

at the Carlsen home the night of Mr. Carlsen's death?

Yes, Your Honor.

Ms. Carter, the judge is the only person

in this courtroom to be addressed as "Your Honor."

How do you do?

Now, at this party, during the course of the evening

did you see Mr. Fabrini and Mrs. Carlsen

in private conversation?

Yes, Your Honor.

Ms. Carter, I am asking the questions.

Now, uh, where did this conversation take place?

Well, I just happened to be in the powder room.

Powdering my nose, of course.

And I happened to look out the window

and I saw Mr. Fabrini and Mrs. Carlsen

standing by the side of his car arguing.

Did you hear what they were saying?

Well, I didn't exactly hear.

You understand, I didn't try.

But it seemed to me that one of them

wanted the other one to do something.

But I couldn't tell who wanted who to do what to which.

Mr. Fabrini, when your brother became

head of the Carlsen Trucking Service

did you get a job as traffic manager with the company?

- Yeah, but.. - 'Objection!"

'The question is a leading one."

- Objection sustained. - That's all.

Now, Ms. Hartley, you say that you and Mr. Fabrini

have been in love for some time.

- Plan to be married. - That's right.

Can you tell me why you didn't get married some time ago?

We couldn't afford it.

Did Mr. Fabrini work evenings quite a bit?

Yes.

Could you swear that Mr. Fabrini

was actually in his office working on those evenings?

No, but I..

Isn't it just possible that Mr. Fabrini didn't marry you

because he would have found such a marriage

inconvenient in his relations with Mrs. Carlsen?

- Objection! - Objection sustained.

The witness will not have to answer that question.

Isn't it true that Mr. Fabrini carefully kept

you two ladies apart until one evening

in the company garage, when he got his dates crossed

he suddenly found you both face to face?

- Well, Joe never did-- - I object, Your Honor!"

Objection overruled.

Isn't it true that Mrs. Carlsen was so unnerved

at finding out about you that she fainted?

- She was ill. - Certainly she was ill.

Ill of shock. Shock at finding the man she loved

and for whom and at whose behest she murdered

her own husband in the arms of another woman!'

No, no, that's not right. Joe didn't help in any murder.

He didn't have anything to do with it.

- If he'd even thought that-- - That's all.

Did you say anything to Mr. Fabrini about Mrs. Carlsen?

I don't remember.

Did you ever notice that after Mr. Fabrini came to work

at Carlsen's, that Mrs. Carlsen frequented

the company garage more than she had previously?

- I don't remember. - Don't you remember anything?

Why don't you remember?

Maybe it's because I got a bad memory.

Now, Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury

I call to the stand Mrs. Lana Carlsen.

Stand up, please.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I do.

Take the chair.

State your name.

Lana Carlsen.

You will speak up, please.

You were, at the time of his death

the legal wife of Edward Carlsen?

Yes.

How long before the death of Edward Carlsen

were you acquainted with Joe Fabrini?

- Two years. - Where did you first meet him?

Mrs. Carlsen, I asked you where you first met Fabrini.

You will answer the question, please.

He was laughing.

Yes, he..

...he was laughing.

He kissed me when he was drunk.

Yes, he kissed me when he was drunk.

So I got a new car.

Yes, I..

I got a new car.

‘And I bought some new clothes.'

Yes, they were...pretty.

And he..

...he used to tell terrible jokes.

‘And he'd laugh at them.'

He was always laughing.

And then..

...I saw him lying there.

Drunk.

I heard the motor running.

And I...saw the doors.

I heard the motor.

I saw the doors.

"The doors made me do it.'

Yes.

The doors made me do it.

The doors made me do it.

The doors made me do it!

Matron! Matron!

- Remove the witness. - 'They made me do it!"

They made me do it!

The doors! They made me do it!

"The doors! The doors made me do it!"

Your Honor! Your honor, I move that this case be dismissed

on the ground that the sole valid witness

to the alleged crime is obviously insane.

Court is adjourned while the state's alienists

examine Mrs. Carlsen.

Everybody rise.

- City desk and hurry! - Give me the desk!

- '...and snappy! - Hello, Ed, well, here it is.

The doctors all say she's daffy.

Yeah, completely nuts.

They had to take her away in a straitjacket.

Yeah, that's right, case thrown out of court, Fabrini goes free.

Sounds funny, I suppose.

But I can't help feeling sorry for that dame.

Me, too, in a way.

- What about the business, Joe? - What about it?

It's like I told you. I'm giving my share to the boys.

After what's happened, I need a change of scenery.

What about us?

We're getting married just like we figured.

I'll dig up a new truck and hit the road again.

Why, I'll be on top in no time, I can't miss with..

Say..

You're not going to tell me I'm not right, are you?

No, Joe. Of course, I hate to see you go back to the road

but if that's the way you really want it

I'm with you around every curve.

Well, my mind's made up.

Gee, I promised to phone the store.

Do you mind stopping while I call?

Alright.

- I'll only be a minute. - Alright.

Hello, Irish. This is Cassie.

Hello, Cassie, what's on your mind?

Joe's on his way over to tell

you boys he's giving up the business.

Have the guys shout him down, and I'll do the rest.

Okay, kid, leave it to me.

Hm. My mind's made up, too.

'So it's like I tell you, fellas..'

'...I don't feel I got the right to stay on here.'

So I'm giving you guys my share, and I'm bowing out.

No!

- Slow.. - Slow down, will you, fellas?

No. It looks like you're on a dead-end street, Joe.

That's right, Joe, these boys want no part

of an executive business.

Paul here he, he can handle things as good as anybody.

Oh, no, not me, I got too many other problems.

- We're going to have a baby. - Congratulations.

Say, does Pearl know?

Hey, that's good news, Paul.

Well, you can give us some good news, Joe

and say you're staying on as the head guy.

- That.. - That's right!

Fellas, I..

I'm sure glad you feel this way, but I..

‘Well, I.

‘What do you think, Cassie?"

Your mind's made up, Joe.

But there's a lot of angles here.

Somebody's got to take care of those new accounts.

And I may get that federal gas contract, and--

I wouldn't try to influence you any more

than I would the boys, Joe.

But the way you're talking, maybe you'd better stay.

Okay, fellas. I'm sticking with you.