Original subtitles

Good evening.

It seems that on television of late, tales of mystery and crime are

without jazz music.

So much so that it is now almost impossible to tell whether you are

detective story or a jazz festival.

There is a difference of course.

A jazz festival has more violence.

The basic requirements for a television mystery program seem to be an alto

saxophone, a piano, bass drums, and, if the budget allows,

a detective.

Now we throw the spotlight on one member of our little combo while he takes a

solo, our sponsor on a one -minute chorus after which, if you watch

you may see our story.

I can't get over that fish of yours.

Gives me the creeps. I like him.

He's dependable.

They're dependable, all right.

You can depend on that piranha to snap your finger off the minute you put it in

the water.

That's what he's made for, apprentice.

If you could count on the market to react the way you can that piranha, we'd

make a million every day. Am I right, Art?

That's right, Mr. Barbaros.

Sure, I'm right.

Have it your way.

You raise your piranhas.

I'll stick to rabbits.

That's a partial list of some of your commons that bear a little watching.

What do you think about Underland?

I think it's going back up.

Good enough for me.

There's a hot tip for you, Art. Buy yourself some Underland. You'll make a

of money.

Thanks, Mr. Barbarossa. I'll remember that. I believe everybody who works for

should make a little money.

Prentiss will tell you that, won't you, Prentiss?

You've always been very generous.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my office.

That'll give you time to go over that list. Make up your mind what you want to

do. I'll call you.

Nice to have met you.

He's a good man.

Maybe he gets a little edgy sometimes, but good just the same.

Takes a long time to get the right men for a big organization.

I guess it would.

Don't make any mistake about it, it does.

I like to think of this outfit, well, like a baseball team.

Everybody's got a tryout for his position in the lineup.

I'm the coach.

I depend on teamwork.

Well, you expect it and you get it. Right on the button.

Maybe that's why we keep going strong while most of our competitors fold up

the going gets a little tough.

That's because I can depend on everybody on the team.

And they can depend on each other, too.

Well, it's real security, Mr. Barbarossa.

Nobody who ever works for me is going to be left.

Hung up, stranded, pins knocked out from under him.

I've had my eye on you out in the field.

Well, I hope I've done well.

You think maybe you're ready to try out for a new position on the team?

A better job?

Well, just give me a chance.

Chance?

That's a word I don't like very well.

I don't like to take chances.

Maybe that's why I've held my position longer than anyone else.

Well, you're a top man in your line, and you're getting bigger all the time.

I like that.

I'd like to keep on working for you.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

I handpick the people who work for me, and I look for one quality,

dependability.

Well, you can depend on me.

Prentice thought I was kidding when I said I liked this piranha here, but I

wasn't. I meant it.

I like him because he's dependable.

Anytime I toss him some food, I know exactly what he'll do.

See?

I see.

The reports on you have been good.

But I still have to know more about you before I give you a better job.

Not that I don't trust you, but I've got to be sure.

I understand.

You've got to have the right man for the job. And you know he'll deliver.

That's right, Art.

Now, I've been thinking.

I have a certain little piece of business in mind that you might do.

It'll give me an opportunity to see how well you handle it.

A tryout for the team.

Or a test.

Like a dry run? Dry run, a test, try out. But that's the idea exactly.

I've just completed a deal with a man named Moran.

He's got some money coming.

I want you to deliver it.

I'll take care of it.

Money's all there.

He'll be expecting you tonight.

The Old Valley Winery. Know where it is?

Upstate a little ways.

That's right.

You'll see an entrance next to the platform on your left as you drive into

loading area.

He'll be expecting you. Have you got your equipment?

I never get dressed without it.

Here's one that's been filed away for years.

Never been used.

Can't be traced.

Nice and safe, Art.

Give him the money first if you have to.

But make sure you get him.

You say Barbarossa sent you?

You don't look dry around the ears yet.

You're Moran, aren't you? Yeah, I'm Moran.

Boy, that Barbarossa sure is picking them young these days.

Why don't you complain to Barbarossa about it, huh?

Complain to Barbarossa?

That's a good one, kid.

Complain to Barbarossa.

Boy, that Barbarossa sure ain't heavy on the brains, but he got a sense of humor

sending a punk like you around here.

You got the dough, Art?

Yeah.

Let's have it.

Sure.

Money, I mean.

I know what you mean.

You're so jumpy about it.

Do you want your dough?

Yeah, yeah.

All right, just cool off then, will you?

I gotta get it. It's in my inside pocket.

Get it. Get it.

Take it easy, kid. Don't rip that Madison Ave in your studios.

Looks like the 10 grand is here, all right. I wouldn't have put it past

Barbarossa to hold out.

The 10 grand?

Yeah, the 10 grand.

Okay, kid, you can turn around.

I'm sorry about having to stand you in a corner like that, kid, but I got to be

careful about the guys Barbarossa sends around here, you know what I mean?

It's all right.

No hard feelings, huh, kid?

No.

It's all right, you can put it down.

How about a drink?

I'd like an offer you some of Barbarossa's own juice.

All right, that's okay with me.

Hey, that sounds pretty full. Probably just laid down.

Maybe there's some better stuff aging in the other end.

Working with something, kid?

Yeah, I was looking for a smoke here.

Yeah?

Well, sit down. Put your hands on the table.

All right.

I'll give you a smoke.

All right, kid.

Help yourself.

Thanks.

Here's to your boss, Barbarossa.

May his cheap heart burn.

That's pretty good, kid.

Cheap heart burn.

Cheap heart burn, don't you get it?

Rose is all right. Yeah?

You think so, kid?

Hey, why don't you come clean?

Didn't they offer you the ten grand to knock me off?

You know.

How about the money?

I didn't know there was ten grand in there.

You didn't?

Maybe you're a bigger sucker than I thought.

You mean you didn't even count it?

No, I didn't count it.

None of my business.

Oh, sure, sure.

But didn't Barbarossa even, you know, like insinuate that

after you gave me the money it was okay to take it back if you could?

All I was told to do was to come here and give you your share.

You handled yourself great, kid.

Makes a lot of guts to come here looking for me for Barbarossa.

I don't know anything about that. I don't think there's anything to worry

here.

I was just sort of the pony express, you might say.

Yeah, I suppose Barbarossa's got you snowed like all the rest of them.

I don't get you, Moran.

Maybe not.

He's snowed you, but good.

Figures he's just a stupid little... punk and you don't know any better.

What are you trying to do, con me?

Could have gunned me a long time ago if you thought I was triggering for

Barbarossa.

I won't be particular about this class.

You ask me what's no job, I'll tell you.

All that yak that Barbarossa hands out about teamwork, trying out for

bull.

That junk about dependability, nuts.

I think that maybe you're the one that's trying the snow job, Moran.

I?

You mean you never heard him?

Anybody works for me never gets hung up.

Everybody knows that Barbarossa's got a solid organization.

Who's everybody? Kid, you and Barbarossa?

Ever speak to any of the other guys in the outfit?

We don't talk much about Barbarossa. It ain't what you would call healthy.

Well, I'm talking about Barbarossa, ain't I? And I'm healthy.

I'll tell you something now, straight. I've been around a long time and I

to know.

Barbarossa makes a lot of promises that don't pay off.

And the boys don't like being stung.

You got paid off, didn't you? You bet your life I got paid off.

Cheap sizzling bag of hot air knows better than the whole lot of me. He

better than that, all right?

You talk pretty big, Moran.

Maybe you're not scared of Barbarossa.

You seem to think he's a little afraid of you, though.

Why should he be, huh?

You can't figure that out?

Well, maybe.

What I can't figure out is what you're feeding me this information for.

If I thought you was interested, really interested, I'd let you know.

But I got a hunch you're just stalling around here so you can run back to

Barbarossa and wear him out.

Barbarossa don't own me.

He can't worm me out.

If you got something to say, I'll listen to it.

Keep it to myself.

If I want to.

Maybe.

I got a hunch you're just the guy I've been looking for.

For what?

To gun Barbarossa.

What's the matter?

You scared of the idea, right?

Say I do it.

Money's right there. It's all yours.

You're pretty hopped up about Barbarossa, aren't you? What's so

he gets blasted, huh?

Okay, kid.

No reason I shouldn't let you in on the setup.

I want to take over.

It's all set with the boys, too.

Only Barbarossa don't go for the idea, naturally.

Why don't you knock him off yourself, then? What, are you scared or what?

No, kid, no, I'm not scared.

But you see, Barbarossa's always contacted me through one of the boys.

Look a little suspicious if I might try to pay him a sudden visit.

But it'd be easy for you, Art. I mean, he's expecting you back, ain't he?

As long as I work for him, I imagine I can arrange to see him.

Come on, kid, cut it out. Stop hedging with me. I know the way he operates.

I'll lay you five to one. He expects you to report back tonight, alone.

Huh?

Push over.

Why me? I mean...

Might not have one of the other guys. No, no, no.

I tell you, I'll level with you, kid. None of the other guys has got the guts

do it.

Or the ambition.

What do you mean, ambition?

What do you mean by ambition?

What's in it for me if I get Barbarossa?

What's in it for you?

You'll be my right hand, Art. Second from the top.

Now, you're not heavy enough, kid. You haven't been around long enough to...

time to handle a setup like this, I could, and next to me, you top dog.

You know, with Barbarossa, you're just another hired punk, you know that?

At least you're honest, Moran. I know this jazz about being partners.

All right, if I take Barbarossa, maybe you're not gonna keep your promise.

I mean, uh...

How do I know that you're not snowing me now?

Looks like we just have to trust each other, don't it, kid?

If I take Barbarossa, Moran, I wouldn't hesitate to take you if you double

-crossed me.

What do you say, kid? You with me?

I don't know. It's risky.

Plenty risky.

Fifty senos there should pay for the risk.

That's not enough.

It'd be the biggest blast in the business.

I want double that.

You learn fast.

Fast enough.

Ten grand and there's no deal.

in a new setup.

You don't miss a trick, do you?

Make sure you do the job good.

I will.

Nice green lettuce felt good, huh?

Cool.

After tonight, Art, that's gonna be just chicken feed.

You're making a big time fast. You learn quick. You got guts and ambition.

Someday you'll even be planning to take over for me.

Come on, kid, drink up.

No, no thanks. I got to cut out. Now Bob Rose is waiting for me. Yeah, you

better get going. Good luck, kid.

All right, thanks. I'll join you later.

You do that.

Test for sure, kid.

He's gonna be awful disappointed.

Why am I not test? What do you mean?

He said...

The results of this case in a moment.

Our decision to join the rush to jazz seems to have been a success with one

difference. We have decided to take the silences off the guns and use them in

the orchestra.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, a delightfully cacophonous commercial

shall swing back.

Perhaps our sponsor should use a mute.

As for tonight's case, Moran was found guilty and fined by the Jazz Musicians

Union for shooting a man a cappella.

The use of firearms without accompaniment is strictly forbidden.

He was, of course, also dealt with by the municipal authorities.

Next week, I shall return with another story. Until then, good night.

Oh.