Original subtitles

- Sorry. - Hello, Mom? It's Nickie, your son Nickie.

So much noise?

There's no noise here, Mom.

Hey, look, Mom, I have an exam tomorrow in Roman jurisprudence.

Roman law. R-O-M-A...

Look, Mom...

...I'll explain it to you tomorrow. No, Mom, I can't be home for dinner.

What, Mom? I said Roman law, Mom.

You see, the Italians...

Look, Mom, I'll explain it to you tomorrow. Goodbye.

Take it away, sister. It's all yours now.

What do you mean, they sent the food back?

Didn't you tell them it was the best joint in St. Louis? They'll eat it and like it.

Hi, Jigger! Hi!

Beat it out for me, kid. Mean and low.

Hey, you're with me.

Stu, it's bad enough I have to dance with you.

I don't have to look at you too.

I don't like that guy and I don't like his music.

I don't like you and I don't like your music.

Oh, don't be like that.

That's wonderful. That's terrific.

Come on, now my favorite. Boogie, boogie for me, boy.

Crackpot, you're not supposed to be here.

Please, Jigger. Come on, just once, for me.

I could listen to him beat out those blues for hours.

Boss catches you, he'll beat them out on your head.

You're wasting your time. You could have a band.

You on the piano, Peppi on the drums, me on the clarinet.

Maybe a few guys that feel the same way about music.

I'm good. You know I'm good, don't you?

Light me a cigarette, will you, kid?

Okay. Here's your butt.

- He don't like me. - He likes you.

You're breaking Nickie's heart. He's worried you don't like him.

Sure, I like you, kid.

- Then why don't you listen? - I'm listening.

I don't wanna be a lawyer. I got three brothers who are lawyers.

That's enough. My mom ought to be satisfied with that.

All I wanna to do is to play the clarinet.

Hey, you, can that music.

Can it, I said. I got a request.

Do you know "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"?

Look, you jukebug, if you don't play "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles"...

...I'll stuff your head into that piano. And I mean it.

Hey, Nickie, get Joe, get the boss. There's gonna be trouble.

I know Jigger. Pretty soon his left hand's gonna play a tremolo.

There's gonna be a big fight. Somebody's gonna get hurt.

- Joe, you better come quick. - You again, the jazz-crazy law student.

- The guy that never buys. Out! - Not now.

- The tremolo. - What tremolo?

- Don't try to give me no double talk. - There's gonna be trouble.

This is the last time I'll ask you.

Well, Jigger, here we go again.

Jigger, he's minding his own business. This drunk insults his music.

So he insults his music. What is this, Carnegie H...?

Hey, what's going on here?

I asked this guy to play a number for me...

...and the first thing I know, he up and socks me.

- It's not true. He started... - Keep out of this.

Piano player, listen to me.

How many times have I told you the customer's always right?

Even if he spits in your face.

You hear that? I'm the customer, I'm always right.

Play it, monkey.

I'm forever blowing bubbles

You...!

Let's see what kind of a tone I can get out of you.

Come on, come on. Let's have it.

Operator. Operator, get me the police station.

Calling Car 19. Riot call.

St. Louis Cafe. That is all.

Hello, Mom? This is Nickie, your son Nickie.

Guess where I am, Mom.

- Your name? - Jigger Pine.

No, Mom, you're wrong. I'm in... I'm in jail.

- Occupation? - Musician.

Hey, Mom! Mom!

- She hang up on you? - No, I think she fainted. Hello, Mom?

- Age? - Twenty-eight.

I'm not kidding. I'm really in jail. I got into a fight.

- Last known residence. - Evanston Hotel.

Look, Mom, I know I said I was studying.

I'll explain it all to you when you get down here.

The Clark Avenue police station.

And, Mom, bring plenty of money down with you.

Well, you see, I'm here with some friends. Okay.

Hey, boys, we'll be out of here in an hour. I know my mom.

- This way. - I'm coming, sweetheart.

That's all. Take them away.

What did I tell you? Did I get you out of here?

St. Louis from a jail window.

This is the first time I've had a good look at this joint.

We see a lot of towns from jail windows.

From now on, you guys are gonna have an awfully tough time getting rid of me.

Hey, you. Am I seeing double or is that Jigger Pine?

- Pete. Pete! - Jigger.

I was asleep. I thought I was having a pleasant dream.

You old son of a gun. Am I glad to see you.

Hey, Peppi, Nickie, this is Pete. My friend Pete.

We played 16 weeks together once in Dubuque.

He slaps the greatest doghouse you ever heard.

- Ahh. - Quiet. Pipe down.

What are you doing here?

We were kicked out of some two-by-four caf�.

- How about you? - It's like home.

No sooner do I get out than that ex-wife sics the hounds on me, and in I am.

Things have been breaking great. I lost another job. My bass fiddle's in hock.

I need 25 bucks to spring me from this stinking jug.

Sure, everything's rosy posy. You got a butt?

You say your friend here plays a great bass?

- Maybe this is how we start. - Start what?

This whacker's pounding on one thing.

Comes into the caf�, I haven't been able to get rid of him.

He keeps hyping me about collecting a band.

We don't have to be a big band. We can start out with four or five pieces.

But maybe we can connect. Hit the jackpot.

Say, that don't sound so worse.

I could rattle off a hundred name bands started off like this. A couple of guys...

Maybe Nickie's right. With you, we could.

- No, we couldn't. - Why? Why not?

It's gotta be our kind of music, our kind of band.

You know what I mean.

- What you got on your mind takes time. - It'll have to wait.

You think I never thought about starting a band before? Lots of times.

It's gotta be our kind of music, our kind of band.

The songs we've heard around this country. Blues, the kind that come out of people.

Real people, their hopes and their dreams, what they've got and what they want.

- The whole USA in one chorus. - The whole USA.

That ain't guys just blowing and pounding and scraping.

That's five guys, no more, who feel, play, live, even think the same way.

That ain't a band, it's a unit. It's one guy multiplied five times.

It's a unit that even breathes on the same beat.

It's got a kick and a style that's theirs and nobody else's.

It's like a hand in a glove, five fingers, each that fits slick and quick.

Why can't we have that?

- It'd take years getting what I want. - We've got years to burn.

Just say the word. Just say:

"I think they're just what I've been looking for. "

If you don't think so, say that too.

- Don't get all steamed up. - I didn't believe we can do it.

Now I got a hunch.

- Your chest. - Forget the chest.

Maybe right here the dream you've got is born.

You're not wrong about us.

We'll do anything you say. All you gotta do is tell us.

Peppi. We're gonna have that band, and you're gonna be the drummer boy.

Hey, quiet. Let a guy sleep.

- Yell for a doctor. - Yeah.

A doctor! A doctor!

- Somebody get a doctor. - Shut up.

A doctor. We gotta have a doctor.

What's the matter with that white boy? Has he got the miseries?

- What's going on here? - My friend Peppi fainted. Get a doctor.

- Okay, keep your shirt on. - And hurry.

We're gonna have that unit. Anything you say.

Only open your eyes. Please open your eyes.

Are you all right?

I'm all right.

Don't worry. I'm much better now.

We all got the miseries in here. All of us.

Don't make no difference what you're in for.

Don't make no difference where the jail is.

Comes night, you start to thinking. Then the miseries get you.

They sure does. That's why we're all here.

Hush your mouth, man.

My mama done told me

When I was in knee pants

My mama done told me "Son"

Oh, she said "Son

A woman'll sweet talk

And give you the big eye

But when that sweet talkin's done

A woman's a two-face

A worrisome thing

Who'll leave you to sing The blues in the night"

- You hear that? It's great. - It sure is, Jigger.

- That's the real misery. - You could beat that out, couldn't you?

- We all could. - We all will.

Boy, that's the blues, the real, low-down New Orleans blues.

Now the rain's a-fallin'

Yeah, the train a-callin'

Whooee

My mama done told me

Hear that lonesome whistle

Blowin' 'cross the trestle

Whooee

My mama done told me

Whooee-da-whooee

Old clickety clack Said I ain't comin' back

The blues in the night

All right, that's enough. Give me the horn.

Just a second. After all, Barney, it's my horn.

The least you can do is let me practice on it.

I loaned you 8 bucks on that twisted cuspidor, didn't I?

When you give me the 8 bucks, you can even use it to gargle out of.

Give me the horn before I twist it around your neck.

All right, all right. I yield to brute force.

Come on, Leo. How about finishing the game?

Okay. The world, my friends, as it is now constituted, stinks.

To prove my point, I offer you the case of Barney and myself.

On the one hand, a fine, sensitive musician, an artist.

On the other hand, a dubious individual named Barney.

A throwback to the Stone Ages. Stone in his head and stone in his heart.

A cross between a gorilla and a snake.

Listen, you loudmouth.

Now, now, Barney. There's nothing to get sore about.

My remarks are strictly imper...

- Well, I'll... - Hello, chiseler.

Glad to see you too.

Three years ago when we played in Des Moines...

...you put the B on me for 5 bucks.

I haven't seen him for three years, first thing he thinks about is 5 bucks.

Why don't you ask me how I am, how I feel, what I been doing?

How are you? How do you feel?

- Have you got the 5 bucks? - No.

- Have you got a job? - No.

- Wanna go to work? - Don't wanna, but I have to.

- We're starting a unit. - You and 10,000 others.

This unit's gonna be different.

- Yeah, why? - Because we're great.

- You ain't modest. - Why should we lie?

I'm here to say this boy plays the music box in the most terrific fashion.

- And I mean terrific. - You're here to say?

You match his style and our unique methods of presentation...

...and we got the makings of a great little band, and I know.

- You know, eh? - Yes, I know.

You see, I'm a student of jazz.

- A what? - A student of jazz.

I know swing, not only musically but theoretically.

I've heard everything from Le Jazz Hot to Downbeat.

You'll find out for yourself. As the Latin say, res ipsa loquitur.

- What's that? - On the side I'm a student of the law.

- Mostly I play the clarinet. - Yeah? How do you do on a harp?

Well, as a matter of fact...

...the possibilities of a harp for swing music have never been fully exploited.

Oh, Leo. Leo.

That's the wife. Hold this for me, will you?

Stick around, Pete.

Don't go too far off. We have very important decisions to make.

What are you doing down here?

I don't want you coming down to the pool room.

All right, I forgive you this time. Make with the lips.

Come on, baby, go into your song. Ahem.

- Now? - Yeah, now. Make it loud. Heh.

I got great news for you, baby.

- We got a job. - A job?

Character, baby, you're wonderful.

Oh, I always knew I could depend on you. Continue, cluck.

It's a five-piece radio recording for 50 bucks with me on the vocal.

Do you hear that? Let me have my horn.

Eight bucks on the line.

We get the moola for the job as soon as we finish playing.

I'll trust you for half. Give me 4 bucks, you can have the horn.

I got us a job, and without his horn we don't collect.

Hold it, baby. I got an idea.

- Hey, piano. - The name's Jigger.

- You got any moola on you? - About 5 bucks between us. Why?

The answer's no.

You get it back as soon as I play this job. I'm a different guy. I'm reformed.

I turned honest, didn't I, Character? Didn't I, Character?

Yeah, he turned honest.

- If you was wearing a halo and wings... - Give him the 4 bucks.

Three and a half of this 5 bucks is for bus fare.

We gotta get to that barn dance by 10:00. It's over 50 miles.

I know this guy. He's a snake. Don't trust him.

I'm the business manager of this outfit and it is my judgment to say no.

Give him 4 bucks. The guy's a musician, he needs his horn.

Yeah, yeah.

Okay, sweetheart, but this 4 bucks had better come back.

Come on, come on. As the Latin say, shell out.

- Frankly, this hurts. - Thank you.

Here's your dough. Give me my horn.

Okay, wise guy. Blow your brains out.

That leaves us a buck to eat on instead of a buck and a half.

Food.

What a town this New Orleans is. Just listen to those boys.

- Shut up. - Trumpet, what do you say?

Can't you see I'm busy?

For my dough, I'd have better food and less music.

Trade them all for a good T-bone.

Boy, they're wonderful.

That's what I mean. Gosh, to be able to play like that.

They're not so hot.

- You've been shooting your mouth off. - I repeat, they're not so hot.

I can step in the middle and blow them right out of the joint.

- Then why don't you do it? - Huh?

I don't play for dares. I get paid for blowing my horn. I'm professional.

I'm beginning to think you're a phony. Let's see you do it.

Yeah?

Okay.

Not too much applause when I finish.

Anybody got a cigarette?

You're the first guy that made him play for nothing.

Hey, you're okay.

I tell you I can do something, take my word for it.

Yeah, maybe I will.

Come on, Character, let's get going. So long, boys.

Next time you come to New Orleans, don't bother to look me up.

Hey, what about that recording? What about our 4 bucks?

Well, it's a funny thing, you see.

If you're gonna say what I think you're gonna say.

- You're a mind reader, Pete. - There's no job?

- We're not gonna go to work? - He took our last dough?

- Let me at him, boys. - Me first.

You guys are taking this thing too seriously.

If you got a crack in the nose coming to you, take it.

- Sister, he's gonna get it. - Leave him alone.

Any guy who can play the horn the way he does can owe me 400 bucks.

Okay.

Jigger! Ha-ha-ha.

Wait a minute, baby. Take it easy.

After all, how far can gratitude go?

Not just to hold me

Hey, Character.

Hi diddle-dee dum dum dum

So what if we're busted, chum?

Hang on to your lids, kids

Here we go again Yeah, ma'am

So what if we're on the cuff

And fresh out of things and stuff?

Hang on to your lids, kids

Here we go again

Why say that we're on the ropes

I say

What do you say, girl?

Hang on to your hopes, dopes

So what if we're in a spin? That's really where we came in

We're livin' and that ain't tin

Hang on to your lids, kids

Here we go again

Hi diddle-dee dum dum dum Move over there, here we come

Hang on to your cappies, chappies

Here we go again

Oh, solid.

So maybe we got no moo

Some cows are the same way too

Hang on to your tops, pops

Here we go again

My turn.

Why cry when we hit the curb

We cried

Give it, boy.

- Hang on to your derb herb, baby - Ben Franklin once said it all

What?

Divided we've gotta fall

United we'll have a ball

Hang on to your lids, kids

Here we go again

Here we go again

All right, let's try it again from the second chorus.

Take it easy. It takes energy to blow this horn. I'm hungry.

Okay, forget all about it. Timeout for lunch.

What's on the menu?

The menu is in accordance with the state of our purse.

How did we make out in that last town?

We played to the tune of exactly $ 7.43.

That's just rosy posy, very rosy posy.

We're improving. I remember some towns we didn't get paid at all.

Divide. Make with the moola.

- How about that coffee? - It'll be ready in a minute.

In the meantime, somebody open this milk.

- What's the matter, baby? - Nothing.

The rock of this train makes me dizzy.

Yeah, well, don't think about it. My stomach's doing nip-ups too.

What's the matter?

- Why don't you lie down, Character? - I'll be all right in a minute.

- Are you gonna break it to Leo? - I can't, Jigger.

I think you got Leo all wrong.

He's wacky in a lot of ways, but he's a decent guy.

Well, I never heard you say anything different about anyone, Jigger.

You know how Leo's always talking about how he doesn't want any responsibilities.

He wants to feel free, and if I told him I was gonna have...

Oh, I couldn't tell him.

- If that's all, if you want me to, I'll tell him. - No, don't.

You don't know Leo the way I do. He's liable to take a powder.

I don't want this unit to break up. It means too much to you.

- Doesn't it mean a lot to all of us? - Yeah, you got no idea how much.

Up to eight months ago, before we started this...

...me and Leo were walking around in circles.

Going nowhere and getting there fast.

Now, for the first time, we belong to something.

Got somewhere to go and someone to go with.

I got a feeling if I ever lost that, I'd be sunk.

Why should you lose it?

Oh, I don't know, Jigger, but somehow I got a feeling that maybe...

...things might not work out the way they should.

They'll work out. We'll make them work.

- Will you, Jigger? - Sure.

Remember what you said about not being alone?

Well, that's it. You're not.

Whenever the going gets tough, sing out and I'll be there.

I know you will.

No matter what happens, stay in the groove.

I'm back in it now.

We're coming into a town. I better close the door.

Hey, buddy. Grab a hold of my arm.

Close that door.

I said, close the door!

Hey.

Where's this rattler headed for?

- Pittsburgh, I guess. - Oh.

Hey, Jigger, how about a cheese sandwich?

Have some beer, fellow, will you?

Okay, I guess we're out of town. You can open the door now.

There's no air in this crate.

Hey, buddy, why don't you go over and grab a bite?

Here.

- Where you headed for, buddy? - Ahh.

None of your business.

No, I guess it ain't.

Give me another one, will you?

Nickie, you were just gonna divvy the moola.

That's a dollar 40 apiece for each of you, except me.

Why except you?

Well, I telephoned my mom long distance.

Hey, you. Hand over that dough.

Come on, come on. Hand it over.

Oh, it's you. Still riding the boxcars, eh, boys?

- Well, how are you? - Fine. How are you?

Last time I saw you was three months ago.

- You gonna kick us off? - You can ride through anytime.

Only don't toot those horns so loud.

Last time you nearly lost me my job.

- Well, so long. - So long.

Well, he's a nice guy.

Hey, you.

Hey, you. I'm talking to you.

Yeah, what do you want?

- You guys could've turned me in. - Why should we?

I stuck you up for $5.60.

- It's only money. - Sure.

If you tried to take our instruments, we'd have beaten your brains out.

Forget it. We've been broke and hungry too.

You probably need it more than we do. Good night. Oh.

Hey, you guys.

- Mister, we wanna sleep. - For crying out loud.

- What is it? - What do you want now?

- You know what? - What?

I like you.

"Hudson Blvd. About a mile from George Washington Bridge, Jersey side. "

Don't say anything about the name, but this is where he wanted to meet us.

The Jungle.

- Wonder what kind of animals they got? - From the looks, I'd say termites.

- It ain't far from New York. - Suppose we'll get there?

- It don't look like much of a swim. - If worse comes to worst...

...we can use your bass for a raft and paddle with the bow.

We don't have to get to New York.

If we land the job, New York's gonna come here to hear us play.

The whole world's gonna hear us play.

You better button your coats. It's kind of chilly.

Well, boys, here we go again.

Yeah, here we go again.

Here we go again

What kind of a roadhouse is this? Not even a customer.

Not even a waiter.

Not even a termite.

I told you, you never should've trusted that guy.

You meet a lug in a boxcar and he gives you a song and dance about a roadhouse.

- I still trust him. - Yeah? You once trusted me too.

- Shut up, Leo. - Hey, look, boys.

I think we got competition.

"Songs Unique. " I wonder what kind of a canary that is.

Out of tune. Way out of tune.

Hi diddle-dee dum dum dum

So what if we're on the thumb?

Hang on to your lids, kids

Here we go again

Hey, you.

What's going on here? What do you want?

We had an appointment to meet a guy here.

A fella named Del Davis told us to ask for Sam Paryas.

Who? Who did you say told you to come here?

A fellow named Del Davis.

We met him beating our way east in a boxcar.

I think you made a mistake, buddy.

I don't know no Del Davis. You've got the wrong place.

Now, Sam. Now, Sam, you know they got the right place.

- Hello, kids. - Hi, Del.

Glad you got my message straight. Sorry to keep you waiting.

You mustn't mind Sam, you know. He's a great kidder.

Always with the double talk. You never get a straight answer.

Well, Sam, that's a nice place you got here.

A little crummy-looking, but it's homey, secluded, yet not too far from things.

Yeah, you always had an eye for good spots.

- Now, look, Del... - Later, later, Sam.

I'm kind of hungry now.

I'm sure my friends are too. Aren't you, kids?

- That the kitchen? - Yeah.

Come on. Let's go, huh?

Ain't it wonderful to have friends like that all over the country?

Well, they got quite a kitchen.

Come on, kids, dig in, help yourselves.

Come on, Sam, don't stand around. We're thirsty too.

All right. Well, look who's here.

So they still got you hanging around, Brad.

Well, well, well. You shouldn't surprise us like this, Del.

Could've at least sent us a penny postcard.

- Shut that big trap of yours. - I want you to meet another friend.

Last time I knew him, his name was Ames, Brad Ames.

- You haven't changed that, have you? - Brad!

Where do you...?

Hello, Kay. I had a tough time finding you.

There's still some crates outside. You don't expect me to bring them in.

- All right, Kay. - Still sharp as a whip.

She's a good-looking dame when she's dressed up.

She's got class, style, versatile.

She does anything, even sings.

- Can I help you? - Thanks. I'll do it myself.

My intuition tells me that's the "Songs Unique" dame.

My intuition tells me we never should've come here.

I'm not so sure. What do you say?

She's got a lot of talent. Wait till you get to know her.

And especially wait till you hear her. And him.

He accompanies her on the piano. He plays just as bad as she sings.

What's the matter? Ain't you got nothing to say?

Aren't you glad we're back together again? One big, happy family.

Living under the same roof, eating the same food.

How long are you gonna stay?

I don't know. Maybe a day, month, year.

- These people, what do they want here? - They're my friends.

- You mean they're gonna stay here too? - Mm-hm.

- How long? - As long as they want.

Wait a minute. Don't you think it will be crowded...?

I don't want them here.

- This is my place. - You mean it was your place.

- Just like that? - Mm-hm. Just like that.

So you come in here, just like that, fresh as a daisy.

What do you think my life has been like?

How easy do you think it's been? Taking care of that cripple.

Traveling with that lame-brained stooge you left behind.

You think it's been tough for you? So you sat in jail.

- Shut your mouth. - Does that make a hero out of you?

- Leave me alone! - She'll be all right.

- You won't say any more, will you, Kay? - Now, listen.

What you want around here doesn't matter anymore.

- Now get out of here. - I'll go out by myself.

Brad, you stay here. Sam, you better have a talk with her.

Let me talk to her. I can handle her. You know the way Sam is.

What are you waiting around for?

Sorry, folks. Just a little misunderstanding.

Happens in the best of families.

- Look, kids, I think we'd better scram. - No, sit down, sit down.

It's nothing to be worried about. Don't forget Del Davis is taking care of you.

Hey, Brad. You hang around a while.

As soon as we finish this grub, you can show my friends to their room.

Well, here you are. Don't expect too much.

I don't think you're gonna like it. At least I hope not.

This place gives me the creeps. Maybe we better get out of here...

Take it easy. A job's a job.

The Jungle. Never have I seen a place more appropriately named.

What are you waiting for? You don't expect me to carry you in.

Let's go. Your rooms are upstairs.

Hey, if you want that piano Del promised, you can drag it in here yourself.

Hey, buddy.

- What? - That dame.

- What about her? - I was gonna ask you.

- She kind of flares up. - Yeah.

Any dame that looks like her ought to flare up once in a while.

- It gives her style, class. - Leo, are you coming?

Yeah, I'll be right up, honey.

Take that compliment from me to her.

Seven.

You haven't lost the touch, you haven't changed a bit.

Sure, we can fix up this rat hole. That band will fit in perfect.

This is a good spot. I give you credit for that.

We'll draw money guys instead of nickel nursers.

- I'll put this joint in a paying basis. - That will take money.

- Take it out of the dough you owe me. - That's all gone.

I ought to kick your teeth out, double-crossing jerk.

- I'll get the money. Don't worry. - Seven again. Still got my touch.

- Where do I sleep? - Kay said you can have my room.

Down the hall, the first door on the right.

- And, Del... - Yeah?

- What do you want? - No hard feelings, Del.

No, Sam.

No hard feelings.

- Del. - You ought to have a lot to say.

- Listen. - I ain't in the mood.

I lost my head downstairs. I didn't know what I was saying.

I'm tired. It's a long time since I had a good night's sleep.

We waited for you, but it got too hot. Every day the cops come round.

Write it out and mail it to me.

They kept asking questions. We couldn't stay there any longer.

I couldn't stay in that cell any longer either.

- You broke out? - No, I saddled a pigeon and flew out.

- We were scared to get in touch. - Two months I been looking for you.

Two months of hitching freights, stealing cars...

...sleeping under bridges, ducking cops.

Only one thing was on my mind that whole time.

To pay you and Sam off personally. And it's still on my mind too.

Del. You can trust me, Del.

I said to Sam when we found this place:

"Del will like this. It's like the place we had in California. "

- If Sam told you different, he's lying. - Who do you think you're kidding?

I take the rap for that job in Frisco.

I get 10 years so you and Sam get my share.

Poor Del, a 10-year rap.

He got no use for money there.

Ho-ho. I know you, you... Sure, in a little while you'll free Sam out.

Then you'll be riding high like you always wanted to.

You and that crippled stooge of yours.

Why he never knocked you up before this, I could never figure out.

Say, maybe I can talk him into it, huh?

Now, don't get sore, baby. That won't get you anyplace with me.

Go on, get out of here. Beat it.

Del...

Couple of years ago, if you'd said "Del" that way to me...

...you could've wrote your own ticket. Not now.

I ain't like Brad. I get things out of my system.

Now, I'm tired. I wanna get some sleep.

- Kay. - Are you spying on me again?

- I was worried about you. - Worry about yourself.

He didn't hurt you, did he, Kay?

If I thought he or Sam put a hand on you, I'd...

- Get me a drink. - Yeah, Kay, right away.

I put them in the rooms over the garage.

You put who in the garage?

- That jazz band. - Who?

- Those people Del brought. - I said, get me a drink.

- Just a short one, Kay. - No.

What goes on?

Oh, it's that band. Guess they must be practicing.

Who are they, anyway? What's what between them and Del?

- What do they got on him? - I don't know.

Del just keeps on talking about how much he likes them.

They say anything about me?

- One of them talked about you. - Which one?

The tall one, the trumpet player. They call him Leo.

- He seemed kind of interested in you. - Yeah?

I don't think Del's gonna like it. Or maybe Del don't care anymore, huh?

What goes on between me and Del is none of your business.

I told you that a long time ago.

Okay, don't get sore.

Small-time gambler.

That's all he ever was, that's all he ever will be.

I never cared for him anyway.

Now you do, don't you, Kay?

- How many times do I...? - But you can't have him, huh?

You're sure?

Del's like you, Kay, only harder.

What did you say his name was?

- Whose name? - That trumpet player.

Oh, uh... Leo, I think they call him.

Hmm. Is that so? And what did he say about me?

Nothing in particular.

It's the way he said it, not that I blame him.

- Give me a cigarette. - Yeah, here, Kay.

You said before, Del wouldn't like it.

Maybe you're right. Maybe he won't.

Somewhere, someday

We'll be close together, wait and see

Oh, by the way

This time the dream's on me

You'll take my hand

Who's that singing?

That's his wife, the trumpet player.

They're married.

- Oh, they're married. - Well, they talk like they was.

And you'll look at me

Good night, Brad. I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

Or as things stand

This time the dream's on me

It would be fun

To be certain that I'm the one

To know that I at least

Supply the shoulder you cry upon

To see you through

Till you're everything you want to be

It can't come true

But this time the dream's on me

Hey, Character.

Come here.

Yes, Jigger.

I just wanna say, like I told you once before, that you're not alone.

Remember that. You're one of us.

No matter what happens, just keep saying, "I'll never be alone if I stay in the groove. "

I know what you mean, Jigger.

Two Scotch, three bourbons and a bottle of fizz water for upstairs.

- Tex, how's it going up there? - Both the crap tables are in action.

- Big game? - Too big for you.

- Is Del in the back room? - Yeah.

- How about the Scotch? - Coming up, coming up.

- Sam. - What do you want?

- How about a sawbuck till Monday? - No dice.

You wanna get into that game, not with my dough.

Come on. You'll get it back.

If I wanna gamble, I'll do it myself.

- Now will you do me another favor? - Sure.

Take the next number for me. I gotta see Del, it's important.

All right.

Remember, kid, stay in the groove.

Jigger, just a minute.

- If you're going upstairs to gamble... - No, I'm not gonna gamble.

That's too bad. I had a little proposition for you.

I thought we'd go halves. I'm lucky.

- Sorry. - Jigger.

Lend me some money. I got a lucky streak coming.

One of these days I'm gonna have enough dough to...

Forget it. I know how you guys feel about me.

- Why should you lend me any money? - How much do you want?

Oh, I don't know. Ten bucks.

All I got is 6, but you can have that. I hope you win.

Thanks, Jigger. I think he really means that.

Brad! Brad, why aren't you around here when I need you?

I'm coming, Sam. I'm coming.

Place your bets, folks.

Come on, Leo. Yeah.

And he threw a seven. That's lucky.

- Let it ride. - Here are the dice.

- Who will ride with the winner? - Three in a row.

- Come on, seven or 11. Watch me, baby. - Look who's here.

Huh? Well, hello, genius.

Here we go. Time to go to school, teacher?

Acey, acey, snake eyes. That's too bad. You lose.

I should've known you'd bring me bad luck. Put this on the line for me.

- Lay it down gently, that's all there is. - Leo.

I know, the boys are waiting, my wife is suffering.

- Come on now, come on. And he rolled a five.

- You coming down? - When I get through with this.

- Five's the point. - Five's easy, isn't it?

Come on, dice, come on for Leo. That's it.

- And he sevened out. Next man. - Well, that's it.

Sixteen bucks down the drainpipe. You happy now?

All right, all right. My public's clamoring for me.

You know how it is with us artists. I'll see you later.

- Don't you play in the same band? - I'd like a few words with you.

- Now, teacher? - What I have to say won't take long.

We got some fresh dice, nice and hot. Throw them in.

Always give the folks a run for their money.

- Here you are, gentlemen. Take your choice. - Let's get away from here.

Six is the point. They do or they don't.

- I'll take the game. What's the point? - Six.

Six is the point.

You know, this is the first time you've spoken to me.

- Leo's married. - You run Leo's life?

- I run this band. - Is that the same?

- We all came up together. - I wouldn't know that.

It's important we stick together. Character's Leo's wife.

She's been kicked around, cultivated her voice on one meal a day.

There have been times I got along on less.

You seem to think it's a special privilege to get kicked around.

You're lucky. You got friends, you got talent.

Don't you think I'd like to be able to sing like what's-her-name?

- I'm sorry. - Well, what do you want me to do?

- Keep away from Leo. - He runs after me. I don't run after him.

One way or the other, you're busting up the unit.

- Is that all you care about? - That's about all.

- What kind of dame pushed you around? - What's that got to do with this?

Why haven't you spoken to me before? What stopped you, your piano?

Hey, Jigger. They want you downstairs.

- All right. I'm coming. - Jigger.

Next time you see me, will you do me a favor?

Will you at least smile?

Six and a six, boxcars. It's coming out on a fresh number.

Get your bets down. Everybody ready?

Six and a four, a 10.

You can tell me love's a phony

A lot of baloney

But wait till it happens to you

You can tell me I'm a dilly Who's just being silly

But wait till it happens to you

You can give me good advice About payin' the price

And I'd better forget if you say

You're talkin' to your hat

How do you get that way?

You could laugh at me for saying

That's what I like, conversation with my meals.

What's the matter? You got lockjaw?

- You know what I'd like to do to you? - I know.

Pete the strongman. Always with the muscles.

I ain't telling you anything with muscles. You're just plain no good.

And what he says, I say, only twice as loud.

Why don't you leave him alone? It's none of your business.

You're gonna go to bat for that jerk after he's been horsing you?

Lay off. She's still my wife, not yours.

Why don't you say something? You tell him.

Oh, gee, Leo, why couldn't you have been a legitimate guy?

- Where are you going? - Let me go. I don't wanna break this up.

- I can get another job. I'll get along. - You're staying. I want you to stay.

What do you mean you want her to stay?

We're tired of doing what you want us to do, ordering us around.

You got chords in your heart instead of feelings.

Arrange my music, but don't try to arrange my life for me.

So I had a few drinks and laughs. Anybody get hurt?

- You through? - What are you trying to argue for?

Let him go. We never should have taken him in the first place.

I won't let him go. He's shooting off his mouth.

You think I wanna see this unit busted up after dragging ourselves through a wringer?

You walk out and I'll break every bone in your body.

- So help me, I will. - Yeah?

- Maybe I better... - Leo, don't! Please!

- Aah! - Character! What's the matter?

Pete, quick, a glass of water. Somebody open that window.

I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have done it. I don't know what I'm saying.

- She's a sick girl. - What's the matter?

- She's gonna have a kid. - You feel better, baby? I'm glad.

Here, have another drink of water.

What'd you say? Who's gonna...?

Is this on the level, Character? You don't mean you're gonna...?

- It ain't true. It ain't. - Yes, Leo. I wish it wasn't, but it is.

What do you mean, you wish it wasn't? Ain't I entitled to a kid too?

What are you worried about? This is great.

- We're gonna have a kid. - Shut up. What do you mean, we?

Wait till I call up my mama. She'll tell you just what to do.

This kid's gonna be special. She's gonna play all instruments.

Does this call for a celebration. I'm buying the drinks.

Yeah? You know, the world as it is now constituted stinks.

While you have a bunch of swell guys like you...

...you have a guy like me, the last of a long line of heels.

- Leo the Rat, a cross between a jerk... - All right, it's over now.

No, no, wait a minute, baby. Not yet.

Pete, you said you've been saving one up for me for a long time.

I think you better let me have it. Do me some good.

Yeah. I think so too.

Oh, Leo. Are you hurt?

No, baby, I feel better already. Much better.

What's the matter with you guys? Don't you work here anymore?

Our policy is continuous entertainment. Kay's been finished for five minutes.

- We're coming, Master Sam. - Come on, kids, let's get going.

You happy, Jigger? We're in the groove again.

Sure, Character. We're in the groove again.

It's a scream. It's a scream.

We're closing now. That will be 2.75.

Okay, here. Here's 5.

Keep the change, Joe.

Keep the change, she says. She kills me. She kills me.

Come on now, Warren, the man says he's closing up.

Good night, handsome.

- Good night, handsome. She means me. - Yeah, that's right.

Good night, beautiful.

You can tell me love's a phony

And a lot of baloney

The game still going upstairs, Sam?

It's just about breaking up.

- Is Del up there yet? - Yeah.

Did he say anything to you about me?

No. Why?

Just asked. We're doing all right tonight, ain't we, Sam?

You mean, Del did all right. Too bad.

What's too bad?

We could run this place without Del.

What are you talking about?

You count this kind of money out and say to yourself it could be mine and yours.

It's so easy too. A telephone call.

You're crazy.

You just say, "This Del Davis, he's wanted in Frisco. "

They come up in a car in five minutes. They take him away.

It could happen like this. A telephone call.

Shut up.

Rehearsal tomorrow at 11, boys.

Can't we have tomorrow off? I'm tired.

Gee, I thought the bar was closed.

The name is Kay, remember?

It looks like everything's all straightened out, hmm?

- Good night, Kay. - Jigger.

- Yeah? - Where's that smile you promised me?

- We're still friends, ain't we? - The boys are waiting for me.

A couple of hours makes a difference? I ain't changed, am I?

I still look the same.

Come on, Jigger. Let's have a drink, just a little one.

Leave me alone.

- Wait, come back here! - No, no, I won't come back.

- I won't. - Sam, Joe, hold him here.

- Don't let him get away! - Sam, Sam, let me out.

Kay, Kay, don't let him hit me again. I didn't think I'd lose, Kay.

Don't let him hit me.

- Please, tell him I won't do it again. - Tell him yourself.

Kay, please. Del, Del. Don't, please. Oh, no.

I told you time and time again to keep away from that crap table.

- I didn't think I'd lose. - I had to pay off your 60 smackers.

- You dirty... - It won't happen again.

Don't take it out on the guy. He don't know what he's doing.

- Get out of the way. - Leave him alone.

Listen.

Lucky thing for you, Jigger, I like you.

- Don't let him hit me. - He won't.

All right, this once. Now, go on, get out of here.

Get out of here, you...!

Hey, you.

That jerk belongs to you. Keep him out of my way.

Now, you're my friend. That's why I tell you this.

Don't make such mistakes again. Keep out of my business.

- Good night. - What's the matter, going already?

- It was rough up there tonight. - Getting late, Del.

- Can't be lucky all the time. - I know.

It's the way I make my living. So long.

Here's to you, Jigger. You did all right.

Hey, Jigger.

Jigger, where are you going?

How about that drink? Jigger.

Jigger, you weren't scared of him, what are you scared of me for?

Jigger.

Jigger.

What are you guys so nervous about?

My mom had five and she told me that every one was a cinch.

Except me.

You can come in now.

- Well, where is she? - Oh, she'll be right out.

Here she comes.

Baby, how do you feel? I've been so worried about you.

Sit down, stay off your feet.

You gotta watch your diet. Get plenty of rest, baby.

Stairs. How about going up and down stairs?

- Which one of you is the husband? - Oh, doctor, how is she?

- I've heard of quintuplets but... - Oh, yes.

- This is the husband right here. - That's me. I'm it.

You gotta tell me, no matter if it's the worst.

- She's gonna have a baby. - Yeah, that I know.

She must take care of herself.

The nurse will give you a list of things to do...

...and when the time comes, the baby will be born.

That's about all. Oh, one more thing.

- I want her to stop working. - Stop working?

Oh, not right now. In about a month or so.

But, doctor, singing isn't working.

I'm afraid it is. There's a great deal of strain.

- You have to keep late hours. - That's like asking me to stop breathing.

Well, you don't know, doc. Jigger, you explain it to him.

Tell him what it means for me to sing.

Tell him the way we work together, that you can't do without me.

Well, the fact is we can't, Character, but I guess we've got to.

Train a girl in four weeks. That's a job for our kind of music.

- You can't step in and sing. - There's a girl in Harlem.

- Got the same beat that Character's got. - Nobody's got what Character's got.

- Yeah, she's not as good as Character. - I'll go to another doctor.

- You'll do what he says. - Say, maybe we can do without a singer.

We can't do without a singer. They'll miss it, you dope.

We won't have to do without a singer.

- The doctor's wrong and I'm gonna work... - No, positively no.

Wait until we find out what Jigger's gotta say.

You haven't said anything so far.

- What do you think? - Huh?

We're talking about Character. What do you say?

- Well, look, fellas, I got an idea. - Idea, huh?

- Maybe it will work. - But what is it?

Don't jump down my throat when I pop this.

- I want you to listen to me. - Come on, give out, what is it?

- Yeah, what? - Well, it's like this.

I've been thinking about this. You think about it too.

- Come on, Buddha, speak. - Well, how about?

How about putting Kay in the band?

- Are you kidding? - I know she ain't perfect.

But I can work with her. After all, we got four weeks, Character will help.

Well, that doesn't seem like such a crazy idea.

Oh, why not? I'll go over the arrangements.

- I'm willing to help. - She's got talent, what do you say?

I say she stinks.

- You can't mean this. - Yeah, Jigger.

- What happened? - Did you lose your feeling for music...

...to believe she's got one drop of talent. - I'll make her have talent.

She's gonna spoil everything we've worked for.

She won't spoil anything.

Give me time to work it out, I know she'll come through.

Okay, this is your idea.

Yes, this is my idea. I'll show you.

She'll sing good enough for you guys or anybody else.

I'll show you how wrong you are and how right I am.

Somewhere, someday

No, no, no. Can't you hear that note?

We'll be close together Wait and see

Come on, take it again. You started late.

Somewhere, someday We'll be close together, wait and see

And by the way

Come on, Kay. You ain't too tired.

This time the dream's on me

No, no, no. Hit it.

You take my hand And you look at me adoringly

Come on, ride it. Ride it.

But as things stand This time the dream's on me

You can get it. Listen.

- I won't. - You will.

- I can't. - Sing it.

I can't, I can't, I can't.

- Stop it, stop it, stop it! - Are you crazy?

Yes, for having started this. I'm through!

- Once and for all, I'm through! - Now, you're tired.

- We'll start again in the morning. - You'll start without me.

- A few more weeks... - A few more weeks.

A few more hours, a few more days! I don't care if I never sing another note.

- I know what I want and this ain't it. - You know why I did this?

Yeah, to show off. A magician that can make something out of nothing.

I did it because I love you.

You love me. There's other ways you can show how you love me.

Kay, if you'd only have a little patience, they'll change their minds.

- They will. - What do you mean?

- Who are they? - The boys, the band.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about the band.

- Can't you do something for yourself? - I told you how it is.

You told me how it is with you and me. I don't believe anything you say.

If you meant it, you wouldn't be here in this joint.

You get out and be somebody. You do something for me instead of for them.

Here. Have a drink.

Thanks.

- Wonder if you'd do me a favor. - Sure.

Would you mind playing for me?

Funny, a guy like me, how I go for music, yet I can't play well.

But then I never could do anything very well except hang around and wait.

When I see you play that piano, I say to myself:

"Gosh, I wish that was me. "

You've got great talent. She'll ruin that talent.

- Why don't you mind your own business? - Well, I usually do.

Matter of fact, that's one of the things I'm good at.

- Look, don't you think... - That night with Del, you helped me.

- I'd have done as much for anybody. - Oh, it was more than that.

You sort of made me feel like I was somebody.

That's kind of a new feeling for me.

Would you keep playing?

Funny, a guy like me that's not very important.

I never started out with anything in life. So, what did I have to lose?

I used to have a ranch.

Yeah, my father left it to me in Nevada.

Oh, it was nice there. Free and easy life.

You'd have liked it there, Jigger. Especially at night.

Cowboys used to make up songs about themselves, their work.

Real songs. The kind of songs you would have liked to have played.

That was the beginning of my musical career.

Strumming a guitar and howling at the moon.

Oh, gosh, it was nice.

I lost the place a short time after I met her.

She was part of a troupe playing in a one-night stand company.

I took her out. I guess at first I sort of felt sorry for her.

That's the way you felt too.

And after that it got to be like a disease.

- Brad, it's getting late. - This foot.

I got thrown off a horse in a rodeo. I was kind of drunk.

She's the kind that sort of makes you wanna show off in front of her.

Well, I didn't have very much chance, I was so full of liquor.

I fell. Got kicked twice, once in the spine.

I wasn't much good for anything after that except hanging around her.

Have another?

I guess if it wasn't for this here foot, she wouldn't even let me do that.

Maybe she would at that.

No, I haven't got anything anymore she wants.

I tell you, it gives her sort of a feeling of power.

It gives her a chance to have someone around that she can kick.

If she was in love with you, I wouldn't have said a thing.

But she's not. I know she's not.

What happens to you is really important now, Jigger.

Now, before it is too late. Get her out of your system.

I don't think I can, Brad.

I just don't think I can.

Eight is the point. I'm riding with you, come on.

She comes to five.

- Roll the dice, honey. - And it rides again, here we go.

Well, well, well, what did you do, Kay? Give up your music lessons?

Come on. Roll the dice, come on.

I got a rule, anybody works for the house don't play.

- I'm playing on my own money. - The rule still goes.

- Give her a break, Del. - I don't want any break. Here's your dice.

- Take care of my chips, Charlie. - You know the rules.

The next time this happens, you can find yourself another job.

- Kay. - What do you want?

Get wise to yourself, I told you before. It's easy, a telephone call.

You talk to him. I'll go across the street.

- It sounds so easy. - I gotta go now.

You better make up your mind quick.

And it's your card. Two points coming.

Better go down and tell Sam it's time to close up.

Okay, Del.

- Del. - Hmm?

Why should we keep fighting each other?

We ain't fighting, baby. There's no contest.

Del, you know how I feel about you. You know there ain't nobody else.

- What about your singing? - He don't mean nothing.

- I'd throw him in a minute. - Want me to tell him?

- I don't care nothing for him, it's you. - Oh, it's me, huh?

Why do you think I stayed here? Why do you think I went through all I did?

Why do you think I started with that trumpet player?

I'm telling you. You gotta believe me.

- For the first time... - Why don't you get wise to yourself, Kay?

It ain't me. I knew that three years ago.

You would've walked on me if there had been anybody that looked better to you.

I beat you to the punch.

You're just like me. You want what you can't have.

It ain't gonna be like that no more. It's gonna be different, you'll see.

If I thought so, you wouldn't have to be talking this way to me.

You mean, you'd take me back?

- I might, if I thought I could trust you. - You can, you can.

- I can prove it. - You're wasting your time.

- A couple of minutes ago, Sam comes up... - Say, Del, how's this check?

It's okay.

- What were you saying about Sam? - Nothing, nothing.

Come on, you started. Finish.

Right. Maybe this will prove it to you.

Sam comes up to me. He wanted me to turn you in, to call the cops.

"Just a telephone call," he says.

- Sam wanted you to do that? - Ain't the first time.

He's asked me lots of times. I always talked him out of it.

I could've done it, but I didn't. You see, you can trust me.

You know what you just did for Sam, don't you?

You just put his number on the board.

- Look, I didn't mean it like that. - I'm gonna give you advice.

Get out of here and don't ever come back.

Do it fast, Kay. Don't hang around too long.

What's the matter, Del? Is something wrong?

- Here. - What's the nickel for?

For the telephone call.

You know, Sam, you don't look so good.

You ought to take a trip, for your health.

Hey, fellas.

Hey, fellas. What do you know?

Sam's gone. Gone, just like that.

Mike, the bartender, just told me. He got sick, bad attack or something.

Those two guys had to take him away. Can you imagine, a healthy guy like Sam?

- We may never see him again. - So we'll never see him again.

What do you mean, "Okay"?

A guy disappears and all he says is, "Okay. "

Hey, Pete. What's going on up here?

Nothing. Everything's just rosy posy.

- Jigger's leaving, Peppi. - Leaving?

What do you mean, leaving?

What's she talking about, Jigger? Open up, will you?

- The world as it is now constituted... - We know, it stinks.

From rags to riches.

Our hero goes to the city to make his fortune to lay at the feet of his lady.

She rewards him by kicking him in the teeth.

Shut up, Leo.

Oh, I get it. When I wanna walk out, I can be told off, but him... Hah!

- The maestro. - What about us?

What do you mean, "What about us?" "This ain't no band, this is a unit. "

"Five boys that play, live, even think the same way. "

Yeah, that's what you said.

All right, he said it. When he said it, he meant it.

Go ahead, tell him.

- Tell him about the wonderful job you got. - Monkey on a stick, monkey on a stick.

Thirty-piece orchestra, white coat with gold braids.

Moonlight in Bermuda, moonlight in Kansas City.

Moonlight in Weehawken.

When I get my summer vacation

You can bet I'm going to be

Far away from civilization

In Waikiki, whoo!

- The leader goes tap. - Jigger gets up.

Then Jigger sits right down again. Come on, smile, Jigger, play, Jigger.

Louder, Jigger. Softer, Jigger.

- Oh, you'll love it there. Hey, Jigger.

She's waiting downstairs in the car for you.

Are you coming, Jigger?

Well, goodbye, fellas. I guess I'll be seeing you.

- Jigger. - Yeah, Peppi.

Nothing.

You lugs, you thick-headed lugs. Do you think he wanted to walk out on us?

Don't you think he was ripped up enough inside without you turning the knife?

Can you understand that you can be in love, know that it's wrong...

...and not be able to do anything about it?

Or have you blown out your brains completely by now?

- Character. - Oh, leave me alone.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Guy Heiser.

Greeting you from the bandstand of the Palimine Ballroom.

For our first number, we present that tune that's been sweeping the country:

"Says You, Says I," starring the Musical Knights...

...the five Heiser Highlights, the four turbulent trombones.

Vocals by Baby Beth Barton, and of course, Jigger Pine...

...discovery of the year, at the piano.

- How's about a little dance, beautiful? - Later, I'm thirsty now.

What's the matter, baby?

You worried about your boyfriend, the piano player? Is he jealous?

I'm not worried. I'll do what I like and dance when I like.

All right, all right. Don't get excited, just say the word.

That's all you gotta do is say the word.

Where do we go from here? You're not having any fun here.

Come on, let's go.

You go ahead, Leo. I can't, I'll wait here for you.

- But, Character... - Okay, baby.

Come on, guys.

I thought you'd show up.

Why are you standing over here by yourself for?

Why don't you sit at a table?

I got a couple of guys who'd be tickled to buy a girl like you a drink.

Maybe this place ain't good enough for you. You'd rather be back in The Jungle.

Or did Del throw you out?

Oh, I get it. You've come to ask Jigger for a job.

We came here for only one reason, to get him back where he belongs.

Well, why don't you talk to him?

Say, "Jigger, come back.

She ain't good enough for you. You got too much talent. She's bad for you. "

Look, what's between you and Jigger's none of my business.

Never has been, as long as it stays put that way.

But when it starts taking a guy that's got what he's got and twisting him...

...till his life is messed up... - What are you worried about for?

- We're all worried about it. - Wait a minute, I ain't so sure.

You're worrying about something else.

I think you're jealous. You're saying, "Why ain't it me instead of her?"

I'd slap you if I thought it would do you any good.

You're saying, "Why ain't she begging to me like I come to beg to her?"

You'll beg. There's no other way for you to wind up than to beg.

And crawl and cry and beat your brains out against a wall.

When you do get to it, when you get turned down, you'll be alone.

- I'm not. - I'll always have Jigger.

- At least so long as I wanna have him. - No, you won't.

He'll get over you.

What's between Jigger and myself and the boys...

...is something you could never give him.

- That will stay with Jigger, you won't. Say, baby.

- The night's getting shorter. - I'll be with you in a second.

- Go get my coat. - Okay.

If it'll make you happy, I'll tell you something else.

Maybe pretty soon you can have him back.

That is, if he wants to go.

There must be brownies

And there must be pixies

And there must be goblins Beyond the beyond

Aha-ha-ha.

I never thought they'd respond to you

But someone certainly waved a wand

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

Doo-doo-doo-whip

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo Di-di-di-dit

'Tis spring today And love is on the way, says who?

- Says you - Says I

'Tis spring and skies are full of butterflies

- Says who? - Says you

- Says I - Says you

The daisy crew is breaking through

They're makin' quite a try

They're hopin' to get a gander at you Says I

- Says you - Says I

'Twas gray, 'twas cold But now as I behold

The trees all wear bouquets

And way up high the moon's an apple pie

The clouds are red frapp�s

And within this dream of cake and cream Just who is the Lorelei?

- Why it's me - Says you

'Tis gonna come true Says I

La-dee-bla-bla-bla ha-ha-ha-ha

La-dee-bla-bla-bla ha-ha-ha-ha

'Tis spring today

And love is on the way, says who?

- Says you - Says I

'Tis spring and skies are full of butterflies Says who?

Says you Says I

The daisy crew is breaking through

They're making quite a try

They're hopin' to get a gander at you

Says I

'Twas gray and 'twas cold But now as I behold

The trees all wear bouquets

And way up high the moon's an apple pie

The clouds are red frapp�s

Within this dream Of cake and all the cream

Who is the lucky guy?

Aha-ha-ha Aha-ha-ha-ha

- 'Tis me - Says you

'Tis gonna come true Says I

- Says who? - Says me

- Says you - Says I

Oh, um...

- Yes, Miss Grant. - What time did Mr. Pine come in?

The usual time. I should say about 2:30.

- Did he ask for me? - Just asked if you had come in yet.

- Thanks, good night. - Good night.

Kay.

What do you want?

- I've got to talk to you. - What about?

Who I was out with? What I was doing, why I got in so late?

You think I'm gonna sit around...

...listening to you play night after night, you're out of your mind.

- Kay, I quit Guy Heiser's band. - What?

Yeah. Tonight, after the show.

- I'd have done it anyway. - What about it?

Kay, I can't go on like this.

When I left the boys, I did it because I was in love with you.

Because I thought we could have a life together.

I'm still in love with you and I still wanna make a go of it but this ain't it, Kay.

- I know it ain't. - Well, what do you want me to do about it?

Kay, why can't we go back?

I promise you the boys'll see it my way. I know they will.

- Are you crazy? - It doesn't have to be The Jungle.

- It could be somewhere else. - Where? Riding the boxcars?

So you quit Guy Heiser?

- Well, maybe it's just as well. - Why?

You did the right thing. Go back to your band.

- That's where you belong, not with me. - Kay.

You helped me out. I was worried about telling you.

- Telling me what? - That I'm leaving you, Jigger.

Kay.

You can't mean that. You're just sore because I quit.

You can't leave like that.

- Don't you remember, just before we left...? - The only thing I remember is Del Davis.

- That's all I wanna remember. - Del Davis?

You didn't think I was in love with you? If he'd take me back, I'd crawl.

- Del Davis. - Every time you took me in your arms...

...I'd look to see if Del was around. - Shut up.

To see if Del was jealous, if Del cared enough take me back.

I used to laugh at you.

- Ha-ha-ha. - Kay, stop it.

You were gonna make a singer out of me, put the world at my feet.

- Stop it, I said. - I was playing you for a chump.

Like I played Leo. I'd play anybody to get him.

- You... - You hear me? Nothing's gonna stop me.

When I want something, nothing's gonna stop me.

It will all be mine again. Del Davis, The Jungle, all of it.

Mine! Yeah, mine!

Hello, Sy. Oh, there you are, Jack.

Take them over to the corner table.

- Hey, Bill. - Yeah?

- I'm into you for a couple of bucks... - Well, what do you want?

A short one. Just a short one, please.

How many times have I told you your credit's no good here?

I got a few leads. I promise you I'll have some dough soon.

In a week or two, I'll be able to connect with a band...

All right, Jigger.

All right, just to show you my heart's in the right place.

Gee, thanks, Bill.

- Jigger. - Peppi.

- It's been a long time. - Is it good to see you.

- How do you feel? - Just to see you makes me feel better.

- Yeah, that's right. - How about getting a bite to eat?

- Yeah, I'm hungry. - The food is good here.

- Sit down, we eat here all the time. - Hey, how about some service?

I got a new horn, wait till you hear it. The old one couldn't stand the pressure.

Same old Leo, isn't it, Jigger? Full of braggadocio.

Gee, that was swell.

- You see, I've been away. - You didn't miss anything much.

- When I left The Jungle... - We went up to Harlem.

- Had a jam session right out of this world. - We ran them clear out of the hall.

Leo's hot licks had them turning on fire alarms.

Great going. How's your mother, Nickie?

Still shopping around for doctors. She's got a new one, a nerve specialist.

- Thanks, and how's Character? - She's okay.

I almost forgot the baby. She had the baby, didn't she?

- She had the baby. - What is it, a boy or a girl?

- Boy. - What's his name?

- We call him Jigger. - Oh.

It'd be nice if you showed up at The Jungle. Run through a couple of numbers.

- See if we're still in the groove. - Well, I ain't been playing very much lately.

I've been composing.

Yeah, writing tunes. I've been working on our blues.

- Try to build it up, make something bigger. - I'll bet it's good.

- Look, why don't you play it for us? - Well, it ain't ready yet.

- Come on, just a part of it. - We haven't heard you play in a long time.

- Right over here. - Everything's solid.

Everything's gonna be rosy posy when you start hitting those ivories.

Well, you see, it begins with our old blues theme.

- What comes after that? - You didn't forget, did you?

No, I didn't forget. Whistle it for me, will you, Peppi?

Yeah, I got it.

- What comes next? - Jigger.

What comes next?

- Don't you think maybe you'd better...? - No, don't tell me, I'll get it.

It goes:

I can hear it up here, but it won't come out in my fingers.

It's always like that, I keep reaching out to grab it...

...and it won't stand still.

Something keeps getting in front of it.

You know what I mean.

I reach out to grab it, and it just won't stand still.

Hmm...

Well, maybe I ought to try it again.

I don't remember.

I gotta remember.

Jigger.

Don't touch me.

What are you waiting for? It's five fingers left.

They make real music.

He's got the miseries!

Monkey on a stick, monkey on a stick.

Play it. Play it, Jigger.

Play it. Play it. Play it, Jigger.

Don't listen to it, Jigger.

It's The Jungle, Jigger. Remember The Jungle.

Remember the places we've been.

- Oh, it was wonderful. - Did you like it, Character?

Did I like it? That's everything we've been talking about.

- So you living? - Yeah!

- You want more? - Yeah.

- Come back tomorrow. - Oh, let's play for them.

- That's enough. - You better take it easy.

You only been out of bed four days.

It's medicine to me, my own prescription. Let's hit it.

Hey, Character.

I guess you were right. I am a little tired.

Will you take this number for me? I'll be back in a while.

Sure.

- Say, did anybody see...? - Who?

- Who are you looking for? - No.

Nothing. Nobody.

Hello, Jigger.

I heard you were sick. But you look all right.

You must be happy now, right, Jigger? Back with your band.

- Kay, what do you want? - Nothing.

What makes you think I want something?

Got a cigarette, Jigger?

Still back in the same room, huh?

You'd think Del would move you to the other house.

- Kay, why did you come back? - Just to look around, get a few laughs.

- See if the place still looks the same. - Listen, Kay.

For three months I was in the hospital. The doctor said I was out of my mind.

One thing kept coming clear to me all that time.

Something inside me kept saying, "Don't let her do it again. "

Over here.

- You scram. - Don't you think I ought to go with you?

No, I'll handle this myself.

Hello, Del.

Hello, kid. Brad said you walked out in the middle of a number.

- There anything wrong? - There's nothing wrong.

- Just a little tired, that's all. - Oh, I see.

Say...

- Anybody up here with you? - No, there's nobody up here. Why?

I just thought I heard somebody talking to you, that's all.

I was wrong, sorry.

- Hey, Del. - Yeah.

Would you mind telling the fellas in the band I'll be back in a minute?

Sure, sure. Take care of yourself.

This weather ain't good for you after what you've been through.

Thanks, Del.

Del.

- Oh, I kind of figured it was you. - I gotta talk to you, Del.

Didn't I tell you to keep away from those kids.

- Listen, I gotta see you. - You have to see me?

Why do you go sneaking around? Why didn't you come straight to me?

- I don't know, I was scared. - Skip it.

- How much? - I don't need no money.

Come on, don't put on an act with me.

It's written all over you, the clothes, the look in your eyes.

- Give me a break. - I'm giving you a break.

- How much do you need? - I told you, I don't want no money.

Look, take this dough and get out of here.

Come on, Kay. You're a smart dame.

You know what the score is.

A little rest, a little dough, you'll feel better.

Sure, you'll find some guy that don't know you too well...

...that you can still sell a bill of goods to.

Here, I'm always glad to help out an old friend.

Del, Del, you can't go. You can't.

Oh, shut up.

I hate you. I hate the sight of you.

That's more like you. That's more like the old Kay.

You ain't gonna get rid of me so easy.

You ain't gonna kick me around.

You think you're a smart guy, huh? I'll show you.

You're nothing but a small-time gambler. A nobody.

You'll be begging to me. Begging to me.

Begging from behind jail bars. I'll show you.

I should've done it long ago. You thought I was crazy about you.

That you could do what you like with me. I'll show you what you can do.

Del.

Del.

I don't mean it. I didn't mean it, Del.

I didn't know what I was saying, Del.

Don't, don't, don't.

Oh!

Don't, don't. Don't, please.

- Aah! - Get back here.

Del, please. I'll do anything, anything you want.

Are you crazy? Stop it.

- What do you want? - Jigger.

- Jigger, he won't let me out of here. - All right, Jigger, get out of here.

He'll kill me, don't let him kill me.

I told you once before. Don't butt into my business.

- Please, Jigger. - He won't hurt you.

- I'm warning you. - Are you crazy?

- Drop that gun. - Go on, get out of here.

Let go.

Jigger, let go of me.

Come on, now. Come on, hand over the...

Kay, you better go.

Go around to the back so nobody will see you.

Del's car's out front. I'll be there in a minute.

- What? - Don't stand there, I know what I'm doing.

- Jigger... - Do as I say.

Call a service station. I saw one about a mile back.

- Somebody can help us. - You would get stuck like this.

- It isn't my fault this happened. - Don't argue, let's go in.

All right, all right.

- What happened? - We were worried about you.

- Nothing. - It's something. I see it in your face.

- Nothing. - Where are you going?

- I'll be back. - When?

- Will you let me out? - She came back?

- Will you let me? - Didn't she?

- I'll be back in a few days. - This time it's for good.

- Will you let me? - We sat around your bed, you almost died.

- Let me go. - Don't make me hit you.

- We've had enough trouble. - Well, go ahead, tell him.

- No, Leo. - Then I'll tell him. My kid died.

- The kid? - The kid was born dead.

We didn't wanna make it tougher for you.

- Stop. - Let him have it.

Drive some sense into his head. The chances of having the kid were 100-to-1.

She kept thinking about what was happening to you.

What's the use of talking to him? He's become like Brad.

Like Brad, that's how you'll end up. A nobody, a nothing.

Playing in joints, living off what people will give you.

The kind of music you played tonight, you're throwing all that away.

You'll never get it back because you'll be a cripple like Brad.

Only worse. You'll be crippled inside of you.

It's all right for Brad. He's gotta live that way.

That's the way he's gotta end up. But not you, Jigger, not you.

- What do you want? - Jigger will see you later.

- He told me to drive you to Nyack. - Where is Jigger?

Why doesn't he come? I don't believe you.

- I'm gonna wait here till Jigger comes. - Shut up.

You're sure you got it straight? To meet him at Nyack?

Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing.

You almost went over the cliffs.

You don't have to worry, Kay. What if we did?

I'd be saving you from the police.

The police got you, you're liable to spend your life in prison.

- What are you talking about? - This way, we'll be together.

- Brad, slow down. - It's really an act of love, Kay.

- Jigger'll get along without you. - What are you gonna do?

That's the only way he'll ever be able to get along.

- But me, I won't. - Stop the car.

- There's nothing left for me to do. - Let me out of here.

- There's someone on the road. - I don't see anyone.

- I do, Sam and Del. - Sam and Del?

- You're crazy. - No, I'm not.

Don't you see them? At the edge of the cliff.

- Waiting for us, trying to thumb a ride. - Brad!

What do you say? Let's give them a lift.

Oh, I had an idea it was you.

Still riding the boxcars, eh, boys?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We haven't seen you since the last time we went through here.

- You gonna throw us off? - No, not you.

I got you on my preferred list of passengers.

You can ride through anytime. How you been doing?

Oh, we've been doing okay.

Sure, we're right in the groove.