Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

Why is the FDA interested in a fatal truck crash in Nevada?

- Is that what you're wondering? - Hm-mm.

Well, the Interstate Commerce Commission

Proctor's outfit, brought us in

when they found these on Owens after the smash up.

'We ran a lab test.'

'Amphetamine sulphate.'

Fair short.

Okay, they are bennies, stay-awake pills.

The truck drivers call them co-pilots.

And Owens got these illegally?

The law says it on a doctor prescription only

but Owens hadn't been to see a doctor in years.

Look like bennies are for sale in gas stations

all-night cafes, hundred's of public places.

We've been told it's easy to buy as cigarettes for chewing gum.

So our department's supposed to find out where they get them?

More than that.

Owen isn't the first truck driver those babies have killed.

We are interested in knowing who's pushing the pills

but the main thing is to spot the source.

Have to be somebody with good connections in the drug field.

That's right.

The big pharmaceutical companies want to cooperate

but so far they haven't been able to turn up a thing.

You see, there are more than 150 processors in the business.

Our guess is that, last year

close to 900 million happy pills were turned out.

Nine hundred million?

'You begin to see our problem?'

There's no telling how many truck drivers

are addicted to these pills.

It doesn't take too long before they start seeing things

or going out of their minds completely.

Hmm. Well, what's their method of operation, chief?

I'm sending men to six locals to sign up

as student truck drivers.

The Motor Truck Association is giving us a 100% cooperation.

They have more than 4000 member companies throughout the country

so getting the job will be no problem.

You go to Los Angeles.

Lennie Owens's home town.

And if the ICC can help in anyway give me a call.

- Good luck. - Thanks, Sam.

We'll keep you posted.

So long, Frank.

Now take this slow and play it by ear.

Take your time getting established.

Have you have figured out your identity?

Hmm, now let's see.

Ought to be something simple.

I'm Tom Kaylor, a guy from let's say Indianapolis.

Uh, drifter, at loose ends.

Maybe since my wife died that should cover a lot of questions.

Hmm, sounds good.

Lennie Owens's widow, she run's a rooming house.

Mostly for truck drivers.

- Good luck. - Thanks, chief.

Be careful.

This is a million-dollar racket.

One human life doesn't mean much to these operators.

I'll contact you soon as I am settled.

Yes?

They told me down at the truck terminal

that I could get a room here.

Come in.

You a truck driver?

Well, I'm a student driver, I'm gonna be.

I have a nice single.

Mink.

Mink.

Well, oh, hello.

- Mink, that music. - Couldn't resist it, huh?

There are people trying to sleep.

Zombies. They spend their crummy lives in a sack.

I ask you, what's so great about sleep?

Some of the very best people do it.

You're hit? Who's your chaperone, Val?

The gentlemen was interested in a room.

Oh, a sucker, and I'm lousing' up the pitch.

See? Quiet, like a library.

You can even hear the termites.

This is the room.

Nice.

I ask $8 a week.

I'll take it.

Fine, mister uh..

Kaylor, Tom Kaylor.

- I'm Mrs. Owens, Valerie Owens. - How do you do?

Well, I-I guess you'd like some money.

A week in advance is usual.

- There. - Thanks.

The bath's around the corner, the first door on the left.

You share it with three other men.

I'll bring up some towels and wash rags later.

Alright.

You, uh, stranger in Los Angeles, Mr. Kaylor?

Just got in this morning.

Got a job already, huh?

Bodmer Freight Lines.

Well, I, uh, I hope you like it here.

Oh, I think I will.

I've had my fill of drifting, I'm ready to settle

into something a little more permanent.

You mean, pick the easiest life.

My husband was a truck driver.

I know.

Well, uh, if there's anything that I can do to help you

you just let me know, hmm?

Thanks.

Oh, and if Mink gets too loud

you have my permission to throttle him.

Hey, cat. Welcome to the fraternity.

Mink Reynolds.

- Tom Kaylor. - Yeah, Val told me.

Hear you wanna jockey the big ones.

- I'm going to try a hand. - Nothing to it.

I'm heading for the terminal, need a lift?

Yeah, that'll be swell.

Let's roll, man.

Classy piece of junk, ah?

Yeah, noticed it when I came in.

That is one thing about baby and me

you may not like us, but you can't ignore us.

- Excited to get started, Tom? - Ah, you bet.

How long we'll be out?

Oh, I think about 45 in this haul

20 up, 20 in and..

Hey, Shug, take it easy.

You okay, Shug?

I'm okay.

Big luck to have been my first haul 18 years ago.

Why did he quit?

Shug's got his problems.

So they teemed you up with old dad, huh?

If you're not back in a week, we'll send search party.

Are you taking out another haul?

Boise, dad, with time out in Reno, crazy.

You're pressing your luck, lad, you need sleep.

I'm in demand. Don't take him too seriously.

he was great with a horse and buggy..

What little you know about Helen the rig I thought you.

Okay, Wally, you save it for the refresher course, huh?

- Maybe see you at Six Points. - Alright.

Thinks he got the world by the tail.

But it's gonna get to him.

'Get away from me.'

'I'll kill you, so help me, I'll kill you.'

I'll kill ya.

You ain't gonna get old Shug. What happened?

He just swung into me, no reason at all.

Stay away from me, all of you, I'll kill you.

Give me those, Shug.

- No closer. No closer. - You don't wanna kill anybody.

I don't wanna hurt you, old man, no closer.

- Shug, you're sick. - You're all lying to me!

'Hey, what's happened to old Shug?'

'I don't know, he just keeled over.'

Man, he looks cold.

He's dead.

I'll take that stuff.

Has he been sick?

Yeah. Real sick.

That works. You drink, Tom?

- No, thanks. - I'll be stopping for a while.

Well if it ain't the Cucamonga Cannonball.

- Hiya.. - Hello, Wally.

Meet my new relief, Tom Kaylor, Dunc Clayton.

- Hi, Tom, glad to meet you. - Hi.

Another good man gone wrong.

Don't let him needle you, Tom.

- He used to be a driver. - Sure, till I got smart.

Soft you mean?

I'd probably still be driving if it weren't for Jane.

My wife, she's not partial to truck drivers.

- You guys on the Portland Push? - Yeah.

Running a little late, aren't you?

Trouble. Shug Grandon died.

- Old Shug? - Went loco.

Started throwing his freight hook around.

Stumbled back, let out a yell and dropped.

When I got to him, he was dead.

- Same old trouble I guess. - Yeah.

- Always said they'll kill him. - Everything's okay, Wally.

Shug and Wally and I started together when we were just kids.

Old Shug.

All set, Tom.

- Nice meeting you. - Yeah.

Say, Wally, I'll check with Shug's mistress

to see if there is anything we can do.

I know he didn't have insurance.

Whatever you decide, count me in.

Don't chase any Jack rabbits.

Why don't you crawl back to the bunk, get some shut eye?

No, I'm not tired.

Keep thinking about that poor guy today.

What really happened to Shug, Wally?

As long as you're gonna be pushing a rig

you might as well know about bennie.

- Bennie? - Yeah, bennie.

The truck driver's friend.

Those little pills in that envelope you picked up.

Things that killed Shug.

Stay awake pills, I've heard about 'em

I didn't think they could kill anybody.

Listen, Tom. Shug was one of the best driver

who'd has ever pushed a rig down the pike.

He got dependent more and more on bennie.

First, he had a couple of close calls.

'Then he wrecked a brand new rig, come to blackballing.'

'Was washed up as a driver.'

That's why he was working as a handler, huh?

Yeah.

Still couldn't shake bennie. He was taking maybe one an hour.

Doctor told him it'd sooner or later kill him.

You were there.

I thought you had to have a prescription

to get those things.

Can get a fist full of them easier than you get a beer

don't even need any dough, don't even have to show you're 21.

Lot of other guys use them, huh?

You're staying over at Val Owens?

'Yeah.'

Lennie, her husband, swell guy.

Had himself loaded up on co-pilots

ended up in a Reno morgue.

If the guys see these things happening

why do they keep on taking them?

You'd tell yourself, once in a while won't make any difference.

"I'm not like Shug or Lennie.

I could never really get to have it."

You too, Wally?

For emergencies.

Now go on, say it, say I'm nuts.

You ain't even be pushing one of these rigs as long as I am.

Wait till you've clocked up 18 years

wheeling one of these smelly jerries.

Eighteen years of trying to stay awake

when everyone and everything is asleep.

Maybe you'd be glad to have bennie for company too, kid.

Maybe.

Get some sleep. That's an order.

Alright, Wally.

- Hi, Molly. - Hi, hi.

- Hi. - Hi.

How did you guys get here so fast?

- Somebody give you a push? - Hi, Atlantic boy.

If you could teach me what that accelerator's for, Wally.

Hey, Amy, how about a quick shot, baby?

Later, Mink, I'm busy.

Let's not postpone, just dance.

What's the matter, kid, you're dragging your feet.

Put me down.

- Nice floor shoe, Amy. - Oh, that Mink.

I bring out the worst in everybody, secret of my success.

- What'll it be, Wally? - Cup of Joe and apple pie.

Hey, uh, Tom Kaylor, Amy Philips.

- Hi. - Hello.

The thought of seeing Amy again is all that keeps most of us going.

Mink.

Miss Diesel, 1958.

- Some coffee for me please. - Alright.

Amy, the kid looks a little tired.

Why don't you give him your side orders?

Just a little "who's your papa"

and you start wheeling and dealing, right, Amy?

Shut up, Mink, just shut up.

That girl is crazy about me.

They all are, Mink. Be right back, Tom.

Hey, kid, you do look a little bleary.

Long way to Portland.

You met bennie?

Bennie?

Oh, yes, you know, we're old friends.

Well, if you ever need a refill ask Amy for a side order.

Side order?

The guy who runs this place pushes pills?

Oh, no, not all over..

It's strictly Amy's idea. How dandy, huh?

Well, kid, this ain't getting me to Boise.

- Take it easy, Mink. - Don't know the word, cat.

Hey, Howard, give me a clearance, man.

I'm fired up!

One man riot decided to give us a rest

Yeah.

This your first run?

Just signed on today.

Congratulations.

Oh, I don't think you mean that.

Mister, anytime I getting the feeling sorry

for myself working nights in this place

I think it could be worse, I could be driving a truck.

Yeah, I guess fighting sleep is the worst part of it.

Amy, if I wanted a side order, your specialty

how much would it cost me?

What's on the menu's all you get here.

It's alright, Mink told me.

I don't care what Mink told you.

You're a fool if you listening to him.

Sorry, I just thought that maybe I could..

If it's not on the menu, I don't serve it.

Hey, hey, what's the trouble here?

Its Mink's fault, Mink started it.

Mink's so good at starting things.

Now, listen, Amy, I'm sure that Tom didn't mean anything..

Oh, forget it, Wally.

Hey, what did you say to Amy?

Got a wrong impression from Mink, that's all.

This, I can believe.

Next time, check with me first.

Sorry about that little flair up with Amy.

You're not sour at me, are you?

Nah, why should I be sour?

You just listen to that Mink and got the wrong impression.

Amy's a sweet kid, friendly gal, that's all.

Mink was just talking to hear his head roar, I guess.

Well, you take my advice, don't let Mink Reynolds

talk to you into anything, anything.

I learned the hard way.

In fact, Tom, I was been thinking about your little ruckus.

Been thinking about poor old Shug today, and what you said.

Hit me right where I live.

Set me thinking about all those other guys

their kids at home, them all the time riding with bennie.

Risking everything in hopes that

crummy little pill will see them through.

It's a rotten setup.

Yeah, sure seems like something could be done.

We were a nice little kid like Amy. She takes bennies.

I've seen her when she didn't think anyone was watching her.

Somebody must be getting fat off of people

like Shug and Amy and Mink.

And me.

They've got more than one buck of my hard earned dough.

Smart, huh? Paying for something that'll kill you

and put you in a loony bin.

Yeah.

Got any idea who's pushing these things?

Who's making the fast buck?

I ran into something once, but I didn't follow through.

No, I figured, live and let live, you know.

But what happened to Shug shouldn't happen to anyone else.

You're going to the police with what you know?

No, what little evidence I've got's not enough.

I'll just poke around, see what I can turn up on my own.

It's the least I can do for Shug.

Well, you need any help, let me know.

Thank, Tom, I'll let you know.

Better be pretty careful while you're poking around.

If you get too close, this guys might just get rough.

Don't worry, I'll leave the rough stuff to the police.

I had a grandfather who's lived to be the ripe old age of 91.

I'm after the family record.

Get plenty of sleep, I'll see you Thursday at 3:00.

Right. Remember.

If you need somebody to play Dr. Watson let me know.

I'll remember. So long, Tom.

- Be careful, Wally. - Yeah.

Mr. Kaylor.

Well, hi, Mrs. Owens.

Steve Hummel, Tom Kaylor.

- How are you? - Nice to meet you.

How was your first run?

Feel like I'm still in a cab.

Have some coffee.

Well, fine, I hope I'm not interrupting.

Oh, no, I should have left over an hour ago.

Val, you're sure you won't change your mind

and come back with me?

Tell March thanks

but I'm getting along fine here, Steve.

She's gonna be real disappointed.

Try to make her understand it.

It's not that I don't appreciate the invitation, it's just..

Next trip, I'll bring March along and you two can have a real visit.

I'd like that.

Well, see you in couple of weeks.

- Glad to meet you. - Same here.

- Goodbye. - Bye, Steve.

Steve's been so wonderful.

He's married to my oldest friend

and they've been trying to get me to come to Sacramento

and stay with them ever since Lennie..

Since my husband was killed.

You know, it seems at the times like this

everybody knows what's best for you.

That's it, exactly.

And they're all so nice about it.

No, thanks.

Well, most people don't have any idea what it's really like.

You speak from experience?

My wife died over a year ago.

Hart.

She had rheumatic fever when she was a kid.

You married long?

'Almost five years.'

Would have been eight for Lennie and me.

Isn't it strange what you miss?

Lennie, he..

...never turned out a light in his life.

I used to get so sore at him.

That's what I miss.

I never walk into an empty room anymore and..

...find a light burning.

How did it happen?

They said he must have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Pushing himself too hard.

Nothing ever broke right for Lennie.

It wasn't that he was lazy or dumb nobody ever worked any harder.

But there was never any pay off for him..

...till his insurance check.

You're just mocking time with this truck driving, aren't you?

I needed a job, it's a job.

Something you can do without putting

too much of yourself into, like

running in one place while you catch your breath

for the next sprint.

You're very observant.

Well, I'll leave for a hot shower and 12 hours sleep.

- Thanks for the coffee. - Hope it won't keep you awake.

Oh, nothing could.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- How's the boy truck driver? - Hi, Mink.

Into your play clothes, kid, we got a large evening ahead.

Oh, not me.

What do you mean? Listen, I got us a couple of live ones.

- Mink, I'm dead. - I'll take care of that.

Couple of bennies and you feel nothing.

You got any on you?

No, I'll get them, that's no problem.

I don't know.

Well, alright, I won't goof like this again.

You're a dead man, and you don't know it.

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.

It sounds great I just didn't wanna slow you down.

Relax, man. When you get a load

of the dish I'm serving you, you may not need a bennie.

- Yeah, but if I do? - Be my guest. Ten minutes?

- Right. - Sleep.

Who wants to waste time dreaming when you can date the real McCoy?

- Hi, Val. - Hi.

- Change of plans? - Uh, helping Mink out.

- Well.. - Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Honestly, Hazel's just crazy about me.

Can't blame him. He's such a dreamy dancer, and funny.

Did you ever do anything like me in your whole life?

Yeah, he's an original alright.

One last night after another.

Of course I don't mind a man if he's quiet

but just that he's not too quiet.

I'm sorry, Nancy, I'm afraid I'm not much good tonight.

Hey, what's this, a seance?

I'm afraid I'm keeping Tom up.

I warned you, I was beat, Mink.

I forgot.

What old dad needs is a quick recharge.

Couple of these, and watch out, Nancy honey.

- Where did you get them? - Connections.

'Let's keep Uncle Tom company, cats.'

Happy days and happy nights.

That will rev up the old engine, huh?

I'm gonna give you a break now, Nancy honey.

Hold Tom's hands till he gets that glow, babe?

Hi, boss.

Well, I figured one trip had finished you off.

- You said 3 o'clock. - Okay, I said 3 o'clock.

Why don't you get up in the cab

see if you remember anything I told you last trip?

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

Are we gonna ride this way for the next 48 hours?

Can't a guy have a headache without your permission?

Sure, sure.

I just wondered if you're sour about something I said.

It's got nothing to do with you.

Last trip, all that junk I talked about bennies

about finding who the big pusher was, forget it.

- Forget it? - You heard me.

Must have been punching want to play private eye.

Had the right idea before.

Live and let live, you understand?

Yeah.

I think you can handle it, Tom, I'll just get some sleep.

Sure, I'll manage.

- Tom? - Hmm?

I'm sorry, I had no right taking that on you.

It's just that when I got started poking around

I ran into something that shook me.

It's alright, Wally.

- You don't have to explain. - Maybe not.

But I should give you a bad time because I got myself in a bind.

Let's just make out like we never had that talk, huh?

Sure, if that's the way you want it.

It's not the way I want, it's the way it has to be.

Never thought that I'd find myself caught in the middle.

You look tired, Tom. Pull over, I'll take her into Six Points.

Alright.

Tom! Tom, help!

Tom! Tom! Tom!

Somebody call a doctor.

It's too late for that.

Call the police.

- Goodnight, Val. - Don't go upstairs, please.

I'd rather not be alone right now.

You shouldn't have gone to Wally's funeral.

I'll be alright.

Just have dinner with me or

maybe you had other plans.

No, no plans.

More coffee?

No, no more stimulants please.

It's been a wonderful evening, Tom.

Hmm-mmm.

But like all good things.

You have to work tomorrow?

Yeah, Mink and I are taking a rig off to Portland.

First run for me since Wally died.

You can't blame yourself, Tom.

If only I hadn't been asleep when we stopped at Six Points.

- You'd have been killed too. - Maybe.

Maybe I could have done something.

You can always find a if or a maybe to whip yourself with afterwards.

But who does it help?

Wally's dead.

That can't be changed.

Regrets are foolish, I know that, Val.

But still, you wonder.

With Lennie, I..

...I went over and over it.

Why, why, why?

Did you realize he was depending on those pills?

I know he took them sometimes, but..

...all the drivers seem to.

Blaming the pills is no answer.

Not for me.

Way it seems to me

everything that happens to us in life

is part of a bargain and

to get certain things, we lose others.

'There is no use crying over our losses.'

'We just play along and try to come out ahead.'

Sort of win heavy, lose heavy?

Something like that.

I know

nothing good ever came to me that didn't cost me a lot.

You think sometimes you can come out ahead?

It's possible.

I think I better go up.

Dinning room light, I must have forgotten.

That's alright, Tom.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Tom.

Hope the company's got a lot of insurance

trusting you two cowboys with this rig.

I'm the one who needs the insurance, dad

party with the jinx, look what happened

to Wally after two runs with the kid.

Good thing I'm not superstitious.

Oh, Mink don't mean anything.

Yeah, well, I wish he'd stopped kidding about Wally.

Sacramento cops still giving you trouble?

No, I think they have given up.

Went up to see Wally's wife and kids yesterday.

Real rough.

- Dunc. - Yeah.

Look, I-I had kind of a rough night last night

and I need some co-pilots, can you help me out?

We don't handle that kind of merchandise here.

Are you kiddin'?

If you need help with that, talk to Mink. Not me.

- You understand? - You don't have to get sore.

You take my advice, you bypass bennie.

He's trouble. Nothing but trouble.

- End of sermon? - Break it up, cat, let's roll.

See you, Dunc.

Hello, cats. Your favorite customer has returned.

And he's ready.

- Tom. - Hi.

Where is Amy?

She hasn't been feeling good lately.

I told her to stay in and get some rest.

She, uh, she lives here, doesn't she?

- Yeah, in one of our cabins. - Which one?

Look, I don't want you bothering Amy.

I've got a message for her.

She doesn't have to let me in if she don't want to. Which cabin?

Number four in rear.

Thanks.

Mink.

Mink.

What did he want?

To see Amy. Says he's got a message.

She's gotta go.

We can't afford the kind of trouble she's gonna make.

You hear? she's gotta clear out.

Alright, alright. We don't have to settle it now.

- 'Yeah?' - Tom Kaylor.

'Please go away.'

Either I talk to you, or I talk the police.

What did you mean about talking to the police?

You must have a guilty conscience.

I just don't want any trouble.

You've already got trouble.

If this is about Wally, you're wasting your time.

He was nice to me. And I'm sorry he's dead.

That's all.

No, that's not all.

I think Wally was killed trying to cover for you.

Cover what?

He started out to expose this outfit

that was dumping all the black market bennies.

Why would Walter get mixed up in that?

Because those pills had just killed one of his best friends.

Because he hated what he saw 'em doing to people he worked with.

Because he hated what he saw 'em doing to you, Amy.

He must have been crazy to think he could do anything.

He got close. Too close.

Did he tell you all this?

- He named names? - No. No, he quit.

He was covering for someone, but he'd gone too far.

How do you figure in this What's your percentage?

No percentage, Amy. I liked Wally.

I don't like being accused of killing him.

Then why didn't you tell the police all this?

Because they wouldn't have believed me.

And because I thought enough of you to give you a break.

I didn't have anything to do with this.

No, you told the others he was snooping around.

No, I never guessed he was.

Even if I had, I wouldn't have told them.

- Told who? - Nobody.

Don't lie to me, Amy. You're as guilty of Wally's murder

as the guys who killed him.

Look, get outta here. Leave me alone.

Not till I get some answers.

I wish I was dead.

Oh, I wish I were dead.

Oh, why don't you stop feeling sorry for yourself?

You should start thinking about somebody else for a change.

Like Wally maybe, or his wife or his kids.

Or those guys you sell pills to every night.

'Guys who end up on their 15 tonnes of wrecked semi'

'are frothing at the mouth in some violent ward.'

Why don't you try thinking about them?

Oh, don't you think I do?

I haven't been able to sleep since Wally got killed.

Every time I hear about a wreck

I wonder if it happened because of me, those pills.'

Well, then why do you go on?

I tried to stop. It's..

It's like standing on the edge of the cliff all the time.

Scared, dizzy.

Only the pills will make me feel steady and sure of myself.

How, in the name of heaven, did you get started on them?

'So easy.'

Me and my mom, we had nobody else.

So long as it was the two of us, it was okay.

And when I was about 15

mom got real sick.

I quit school and went to work.

'But what kind of a job can a kid at 15 get?'

Hmm.

With doctor bills and mom needed medicine.

I just wasn't bringing home enough money.

Well, there are places to get help, you know?

Sure but, maybe I was crazy. I don't know.

I wanted to be the one to help her. All by myself.

So, I got a second job.

That's when you started on the pills?

Just to keep going.

It's just like taking an aspirin when you have a headache.

When mom died, I could've quit one of the jobs, but I didn't.

I could've quit the pills, but I didn't.

I never will.

Sure you will, Amy.

With help.

Look, you think Wally got killed trying to help me.

You wanna get killed too?

Just tell me what you know. I'll take care of myself.

No..

Who supplies you with the pills?

- Amy. - I'd like to help you, but--

Then tell me, please.

- Let me think it over. - Time's important, Amy.

Look, there will be protection for you, I promise.

You'll be coming tomorrow. I'll talk to you then.

Why wait? I just want names. 30 seconds will do it.

Tomorrow.

Alright, tomorrow.

You really letting this baby out, dad.

- Look who's talkin'. - Me, I was born in a hurry.

But I had you figured for the slow and cautious type.

I never believe in a rushing

unless there's a good reason, Mink.

Yeah, this trip you got a good reason, huh.

Your reason couldn't be a certain cute little waitress

at Six Points now, could it?

You'll make a great detective.

Yeah, so we're burning up the pavement

just so you can have a little extra time with Amy Phillips.

Dad, you're human after all.

Got a yen for Amy, huh?

Yeah, I gotta admit it.

I've been thinking nothing but seeing Amy again

this whole trip.

Don't you have any idea where she might have gone?

Just went off without a word.

Had her week's salary coming too.

We figured you'd know where she'd gone and why.

- No. What about her friends? - She didn't have any.

Look, Mr. Overton, there must be somebody who knows--

Look, mister, Amy Phillips is gone.

Far as I'm concerned, she's forgotten.

That sounds pretty convenient.

If she hadn't run off, I meant to fire her.

- Why? - That's my business.

And remember this... I've broken no laws.

Unless they've passed one against feeling sorry

for someone who's sick.

It can be illegal to spread sickness, you know?

Yeah, I know.

And that's just why Amy Phillips couldn't have stayed on.

Now I've said all I mean to.

If you want food, we'll serve you.

Otherwise, there is the door.

- Mabel. - 'Yeah?'

- Will you make me a hamburger? - 'Coming up.'

You better put onions on it.

Self-defense.

Val.

- Tom. - Hi.

I got a great idea.

Let's go out to dinner. Just us.

Somewhere really good. Then maybe afterward, we--

- Hello, Tom. - Oh, hi, Steve.

Thought I saw your car out in front.

Tom, I love your idea, but..

Well, could we make it another night?

Sure.

Steve's come down to help me

with my legal tangles and we're dining with my lawyer.

It's gonna be a long session.

Next time I'll put in my bid earlier.

Nice seeing you, Steve.

Tom, I'm sorry to spoil it for you.

That's alright.

Goodnight, pal.

Tom.

Don't wait too long to ask me again, huh?

Don't worry.

Oh, man. All you need is a lily in your hand.

Hey, why so sad, dad? You and the merry widow have a fight?

- Oh, save it, Mink. - Oh, touchy, touchy.

We've missed you since you and Val

started working crossword puzzles every night.

Don't let me keep you from anything important.

Nancy's always asking when she's gonna see you again.

You really registered with that chick.

What's your secret, man?

Well, I don't talk much. It confuses them.

Are you free tonight? Nancy will give you a big welcome back.

No, thanks.

I got just the thing

for that tired all over feeling. Come on.

You eat those things like they were candy.

Oh, much better than candy, dad.

Now, you gonna give Nancy a break?

Not tonight.

Okay, back into your coma.

Now, listen, don't forget

we make the Portland run in the morning.

Oh, at ease, dad.

With Mink and bennie on the stick

the sky is the limit. Sweet dreams.

- Mink. - Yeah?

Did you ever meet Mrs. Hummel?

Hummel?

Oh, Val's friend from Sacramento? Yeah.

She was around after Lenny was killed.

Sharp looker.

Why the interest in her?

I don't know. Hummel seems to be here a lot--

You're jealous. You're jealous of Val.

Man, oh, man. What a dark shade of green.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Steve.

Hi.

Tom.

You scared me.

I'm sorry.

It's awfully late.

Yeah, well, I, uh, I couldn't sleep.

My room was kinda stuffy so..

Oh, who am I kidding? I had to see you.

Val, I'm like a schoolboy. I can't eat. I can't sleep.

I can't think about anything except you.

How you look. How you feel in my eyes.

Don't talk, Tom. Don't talk.

- We're all set. Where is Mink? - I don't know.

If he don't show up soon, you better report to the dispatcher.

Yeah.

- Hi, Tom! - There it is. My ship.

Hi, Tom! How are you?

Avast, mate. Ready to sail?

Are you crazy bringing these people here?

My friends come to wish me aloha, right?

- Right. - Right.

- Alright, come on, get in. - Hey, who you shovin'?

- Mink-- - I'm taking the wheel.

- Look-- - I'm the captain. No mutinies.

Let me get her started anyway, will you?

You better get in, mate. I'm takin' off.

Aloha!

- Aloha! - Aloha!

That's the ol' bite, mate.

You're so full of bennies, you couldn't ride a tricycle.

You can't drive this truck.

Anchors aweigh, daddy-o.

Ha ha.

Aloha!

Aloha!

Water. I want some water.

You know where the fountain is.

Hold on, I'm on to your sneaky tricks. Service.

Can a regular customer get a drink at this crummy place?

Alright, Larry, get him a drink of water.

Tom. You better humor him.

Guess I should've turned him in to the dispatcher.

He'll be alright as long as he doesn't run out of bennies.

Contact!

What are you trying to prove anyway?

It's a secret between bennie and me.

Look out!

- Pull over. - I gotta make time.

You almost hit that car head-on.

Plenty of room. Me and bennie saw it. That much room. Ha ha.

Leave it on bennie and me.

Water.

Give me some water, Mable.

- Got something for you, Tom. - Huh?

Mink, lay off, will you?

Can't get along without my co-pilots.

Oh, there's my favorite music box.

We heard from her too.

'Oh, I'm in a dancing mood.'

Hey, I'm in a dancing mood, I say. Look.

Come on, Mable.

- Now you behave! - Come on. Ha ha.

Don't fight it, honey. It's bigger than both of us.

- Mink! Stop it! - Mink, stop..

Stop, Mink..

- Come on.. - No, Mink. Stop.

Mink!

You alright, Mink?

Yeah, leave me alone. I'm okay.

- Get up. Out of my place. - Alright, I'll get up.

Come on! On your feet!

Yeah.

On my feet.

- You alright, Mable? - Oh, sure, I'm alright.

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

'But I-I can't understand it.'

'What's got into Mink? I know he's always been loud and..'

'But this is some kind of crazy.'

Mable don't wanna dance, it's alright with me.

The doll in Portland will dance 24 hours a day with me.

Twenty four hours.

Tom, make him stay here. I'll get a cabin ready.

Oh, thanks, he'd never do it, Mable.

I'm sorry.

- You took my truck. - Take it easy, Mink.

You took my truck.

Lie down. You're sick.

I wanna drive my truck!

Take it easy. Alright, alright, after you get some rest.

'The car. Lookout for the car!'

- 'Look out for the car!' - There isn't any car.

- There's no car. - We're gonna crash!

I can't breathe.

I-I, I can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

It's alright, Reynolds. Relax.

At a hospital?

My arms.

I can't move my a..

What's the idea?

You were violent when Mr. Kaylor brought you in.

We had no choice.

Don't you remember anything, Mink?

We have a wreck?

How many amphetamine pills had you taken

before you blacked out?

I don't know what you're talkin' about.

'Bennies, stay awakes. How many had you had?'

I, uh, I did have, uh, two of those, I guess.

Two dozens near the mark.

You were full of amphetamine.

Enough to kill some men.

Now, what's this all about?

So I got tired, blacked out.

You oughta be in jail instead of this hospital.

Jail? Why?

Because I took a few bennies?

No, because you tried to kill me.

I tried to kill you?

'That's right.'

I don't remember that.

You're a lucky man.

You could be facing a murder charge.

Yeah, or you could be in the morgue yourself.

'Killed by your old pal bennie.'

'You better face it, Reynolds.'

'You're an addict.'

I don't wanna worry out you, but unless you get medical help

these pills are gonna kill you.

Kill me?

I never thought no more

of takin' a bennie than takin' an aspirin.

Doc, what should I do?

If you really want help, you can stay here for a week or so.

We'll see how you get along.

Tom.

I'm sorry.

How about the truck? The load?

I delivered them on my way

back to LA now. I'll try to covered for ya.

Thanks.

Mink.

Mink.

Who did you buy the stuff from?

Look, what's it matter? I'm-I'm through with it. Honest.

If it can make a guy kill..

You're through with it because you had

a bad scare and came out lucky.

How about all the guys who won't come out lucky?

I don't like to sing at anyone.

'That's a sick kind of loyalty'

'protecting the guy who sold you poison.'

Look, I don't wanna get rough with you, but if I have to..

'Okay.'

Dunc Clayton.

Dunc?

We tried and tried to make her buy it from Dunc.

Never got any place.

He don't risk sellin' a buck's worth.

He keeps the place clean.

For bigger marks.

Sure, Dunc and Wally Morse were good friends.

Dunc's a nice guy. He's plain goofy about his wife.

She's a real fancy spender.

That's why he got hooked in this racket.

Jails are full of nice guys like Dunc.

The excuses they've got, it'd break your heart.

So long, Mink. Thanks.

I'd like to help Mink out of his jam. I don't know.

I'm not asking you to lend us the money that Mink needs.

This is a business proposition.

We buy the merchandise from you, I sell it

Mink's got the dough he needs to get outta his jam.

This trouble that Mink's in..

It's nothing that some quick cash won't settle.

- How many pills can you handle? - A hundred thousand.

You got a cash buyer for that many?

Mm-hmm.

How much will it cost me?

Well, I, I'd have to check.

Uh, maybe a nickel a piece.

A piece.

It would be $5,000.

My party will pay 7500. I make two and a half grand.

When can I have an answer?

Oh, I don't know.

- Buyer this big-- - Mink can't wait.

But, Dunc, he wants to work with you.

But if you won't play ball, he figures there are people

who'd like to know about this sideline of yours.

Okay, okay, I didn't say I wouldn't play ball.

- You free tomorrow afternoon? - Mm-hmm.

I'm through at four. Meet me here.

Four tomorrow.

I'd figure a guy like Mink for this, but..

...somehow I had you pegged different.

Well, you just never know, Dunc.

See you tomorrow.

Steve!

Steve!

Val.

Hi.

Well, now, what kind of a welcome is that?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I just got the brush off from Steve.

Now I get the same thing from you.

Steve's so upset, he probably didn't even recognize you.

What's his trouble?

Business setback.

- Are you involved? - Mm-mm.

He just wanted a shoulder to cry on.

I admire his taste.

I was worried. Weren't you due back earlier?

Yeah, Mink got sick.

- Mink? - Mm-hmm.

I had to leave him in a hospital up North.

Exhaustion the doctor called it.

So our playboy finally pays the piper, huh?

He just needs rest.

- So do you. - Mm-mm, not me.

I've got plans for us.

- Tonight? - Mm-hmm.

We're gonna do the town.

Sounds like a celebration.

Remember you accused me of just marking time as a truck driver?

- Mm-hmm. - I'm through marking time.

You mean you've got another job?

Mm-hmm.

Don't tease, Tom. Tell me.

I'll tell you.

I got a lotta things to tell you.

I want the setting to be just right.

- Not even a hint? - Nope, not even a hint.

- Give me half an hour. - Hmm.

Val.

I'm ready.

Change of plans?

Amy's letter.

It was so obvious, I almost missed it.

I did miss it.

Of course.

You're Mr. Brown, the big wheel with Sandborn Pharmaceutical

who dealt with Amy Phillips.

'No wonder you were upset because questions'

'were being asked today.'

I told you it was that waitress who talked.

You were the one with the answers all along, weren't you?

The ambitious woman married to the poor hard-working slob

who couldn't make anything pay off.

Sweet.

Dunc.

Good old Dunc, peddled poison to his friends

and set up Wally's murder.

I didn't mean for Wally to get hurt.

Just like I'm against what they're talking for you.

- Be quiet. - Killing a federal cop.

What's your answer?

You got us into this trusting that crazy Mink.

You're smart enough to know I'm not working alone.

If anything happens to me--

I've thought of that.

And a way to cover it.

Get started.

I guess I'll go on home.

No, Dunc.

You're going with the others.

With Hummel and Payson here, you don't need me.

You're going too.

Ensure there's nothing left in his room.

Oh, you're not going with us?

What's the matter, Val?

You got the trembles like after Wally's funeral?

Will you get him out of here?

Oh, just repeat the magic formula, Val.

Win heavy, lose heavy.

Dunc, you drive.

Come on, get in.

Dunc, turn right here.

Take him right up there.

Dunc, give him a hand.

I thought I'd sit here in the car and wait.

You heard me.

Alright, start digging.

Digging what?

A grave.

- Dunc. - Yeah.

You better make that two graves.

- Two? - 'They've gotta kill you.'

'You're as dangerous to 'em as I am.'

Should've guessed.

Payson, shut him up.

Thanks, Dunc.

Steve?

Your turn to be surprised.

Where's Steve?

Men who know you, Val, all end up as bad insurance risks.

Tom.

I'm-I'm so glad you're alright.

I-I never wanted you to be hurt.

You know how I feel about you.

I thought I did.

Tom.

It can still be you and me.

Listen, how much do you make a year? 7500?

I've got over ten times that much in cash.

'Well, I'm glad for you, Val.'

Good lawyers come high.

You mean..

...you're going to turn me in?

Oh.

I-I don't wanna go to jail.

I-I never meant it to go this far.

S-Steve got me into it.

It-it was all his idea.

I was so sick of never having any money

I thought this would be a chance to make some money. That's all.

'Alright. It was weak of me.'

And it was foolish.

But I never meant any real harm.

I-I was just... lead into it.

- Tricked. - Save it for the jury, Val.

Thanks, Val. Our cure is complete.

Take her in.