All language subtitles for The Lady Gambles (1949).en

Hah, dice.

Kiss 'em, baby. Kiss 'em for me.

Coming up!

Ohl

A report came into the precinct.

A girl named Phillips.

Oh, how are you, boothe?

Joan Phillips.

They found her
slugged in an alley.

Here's everything
that come in tonight.

What you got there?

They pay me to push 'em.
I don't have to read about 'em.

What'll I do about
that lush in 731, doc?

Oh, I don't know. Tell
Jacobson to handle it.

- My coffee's getting cold.
- Yes, sir.

Roll her along to the room.
I'll be down later.

All right.

Hey, wait a minute.

Aren't you going to
do something for her?

Who are you?

Boothe. "Morning herald."

Yeah? Well, I got
news for you, boothe.

I'm gonna finish my lunch.

Now, just a minute, doc.

What gives?

You've gotta do
something for that girl.

She'll keep.

But you can't just
shove her into a room

and let it go at that!

You gonna get out of here or
you want to get thrown out?

- But, doc...
- Hey, murph!

Now, just a minute, doc...

What're you in
such a sweat about?

Anything wrong?

She's my wife.

Never mind, murph.

Who slugged her? You?

I haven't seen her
in over a year.

How soon can I take her home?

Hard to say.

There's a hold on her.

Soon as she's patched up,

we'll have to turn her
back to the police.

The police? What for?

"Vagrancy, disorderly conduct,

disturbing the peace,
suspicion of... ".

Look, boothe, this
isn't my department.

Why don't you go talk
to the lieutenant?

Let me see that.

Are they kidding?

Why, she'll be sent up
for a couple of years.

Oh, I don't think so. Few
months, maybe, that's all.

That's all? Why,
that'll kill her.

That girl's sick.

By tomorrow she
won't be so sick.

That isn't what I mean.

I mean...

I mean, sick.

She needs help, not...
not punishment.

Sure, I know.

Every tramp that's brought
in here is a psycho.

She's not a tramp.

She's a clean, warm,
intelligent human being.

At least, she was.

"Meat ax Mary" was
probably a blue-eyed,

rosy-cheeked
youngster too, once.

I mean, just two years ago.

Last year.

Have you ever been in Las Vegas?

Where?

Right in the middle
of the Nevada desert,

you bump into this
cockeyed oasis.

It's a wide-open,
24-hour-a-day carnival

that lives off three things...

Quick marriages, quick divorces,

quick money, won and lost.

$3 billion changed hands
across the gambling tables

in Nevada last year.

Three billion.

Those are the state's
official figures.

And why not? Everybody
likes to gamble.

It's fun... for most people.

But for some
people, it's a trap.

It grabs down deep
and won't let go.

But when you're there,
you don't notice that.

You see everybody
having a fine time.

That's the kind of place it is.

But it was just about the
worst place in the world

for Joan to be.

Only who could have known that

to look at her?

A package of cigarettes, please.

Well, what brand?

Oh, it doesn't matter. Any kind.

Thank you.

Madam, if you're not playing,

will you step back and
make room for someone else?

Oh, I'm sorry. May
I have some chips?

- Yes, ma'am.
- I'll take...

Can I have a dollar's worth?

Certainly.

22, black.

Single 0.

Wait, I had chips on...

Well, I thought it had to
be either red or black.

The number is zero, madam.
It's green.

Excuse me, lady.

There's a telephone
call for you.

For me? How could there be?

In the office.

It's probably a long-distance
call or something.

From Chicago?

Hmm. Great town, Chicago.

"Hog butcher of the world,"

like the poet says.

It's a snap lock. Why
don't you come up?

What's this all about?

Hmm, I'm not sure
I know myself...

Yet.

Sit down.

Yes?

Yes.

This is that flat-faced
number that showed you in.

His name is barky.

He rounds up undesirables
and deports aliens.

Yeah?

No.

Which of your friend's
categories do I fall into?

Well, you don't
sound like an alien,

and I'll have to admit you
don't look undesirable.

Well, in that case,
if you don't mind...

Barky's from Detroit,

and he just can't seem to
get it through his head

that gambling's legal in Nevada.

It seems you made him nervous.

I can't think how.

He said you were playing black
and red at the same time.

- Is that some system?
- Is that illegal in Nevada?

Oh, no. We love
people with systems.

But people with cameras...

We wonder about them.

Hey, that's a tricky
little number.

Don't!

Don't open it.
You'll ruin the film!

Well, exactly.

I've a funny
feeling about people

sneaking pictures of my patrons.

It might so easily
turn into blackmail.

What?

Or hadn't that occurred to you?

It so happens I'm a tourist.

I like to take pictures.

Hmm, now me, I like
to take tourists,

but strictly on the up and up.

Without any camouflage.

All right. I used to
work for a magazine.

I thought that while
I was out here,

I could work up some sort
of a feature they'd buy.

Candid shots of this,
uh, sink of iniquity.

Well, why didn't you say so?

I like the idea fine.

Just be sure you spell our
name right, miss, uh...

Mrs. boothe. Now, may
I have my camera back?

- My apologies, Mrs. boothe.
- Thank you.

Incidentally, just
for the record,

we don't force people
to gamble here.

You can use these.

Oh, no, thank you.
I couldn't possibly...

Go ahead, they're house chips.

They're not worth anything.

You don't win and
you don't lose.

But keep it under your hat.

It doesn't look nice in front
of the paying customers.

This makes me feel like
a real conspirator.

The professional word is "shill," Mrs.
boothe.

This is very kind
of you, mister...

- Mr. corrigan.
- Mr. corrigan.

If you're here for the cure,

maybe you and I could
get together for dinner.

If I'm here for the what?

The cure.

Six weeks in the Nevada sunshine

and you rid yourself
of whatever ails you.

You know, lumbago,
matrimony, the common cold.

Your kindness overwhelms me.

Oh, good.

How about this evening?

I'm afraid not, thank you.

My husband hates to eat alone.

Then he gave me
this stack of chips.

But for a moment there,

I expected him to
produce a length of hose

and go to work on me.

Well, compared to your day,

I'm afraid Boulder dam's
gonna make pretty dull copy.

No such thing. I'm
dying to hear about it.

Hey, now cut it out.

I'll give you a full
report at dinner.

Why don't you phone
down for a table?

David, it's 7:30 in Chicago.

Don't you think we
ought to call Ruth?

Now, look Joan, we went
all through that yesterday.

You're a big girl now
and so is your sister.

Yes, I know, but this
is the first time

we've left her home alone.

Well, it's not
gonna be the last.

She shouldn't be living
with us in the first place.

Oh, that's not fair, David.

After all, living
together wasn't her idea.

Wasn't it?

Anyhow, didn't you send her a
wire the minute we got here?

Yes, but I wouldn't want
her to think that we...

Oh, well, you know how she is.

Yeah, I have an idea

she'll manage to survive
without us for these few days.

And I'm sure I'll
survive without her.

Dining room, please.

Operator?

Operator, I want
to call Chicago.

Elmwood 0-6-3-2-1.

And operator, reverse
the charges, please.

Mrs. David boothe.

No, no, I'll hold on.

Hello? Hello, Ruth?

How are you, darling?

Oh, fine, thanks.

What?

But Ruth, we've only
been here two days.

What? I can't under...

What's wrong, darling?
Why are you crying?

Yes, you are. I can hear you.

Oh, no.

No, of course not. It had
nothing to do with you.

You know David has to do
that series on the dam.

Well, just a few more days.

Oh, Ruth, that's absurd.

But I just told you that...

Well, do you want to come
all the way out here?

Ruth, Ruth, I've got to hang up.

Somebody's at the door.
Goodbye, darling...

Yes.

Yes, yes, goodbye.

Line's busy.

Well, looks like you picked
up a little sunburn today.

Well, it's quite
a place, that dam.

Wait till you see it tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Sure, you're coming out
with me, aren't you?

I've lined up some camera angles
that'll take your breath away.

Dining room, please.

Does it make any
sense, actually?

They must have files
packed with shots.

Oh, thank you, I'll call again.

Still busy.

Wait till you see what I'm
getting down at the casino.

Candid shots you
won't find anywhere.

You do as you like.
Only I thought...

Well, we don't have to decide
right this minute, do we?

Why don't we see how
we feel in the morning?

Mrs. boothe?

Now?

That would seem to
be the general idea.

I'm sorry to spoil your fun, Mrs.
boothe,

but poker is out. Strictly out.

Really? Why?

Well, when you
lose at that table,

you're not losing to the house.

Those boys pick up the chips.

- But I'm not losing.
- Don't tell me you're ahead?

Uh-huh. About $200.

In stud poker? With those boys?

Oh, they were very
patient with me.

They said I caught on
to the game real quick.

So it seems.

And of course, I
had a big advantage.

They were playing for
real money and I wasn't.

Huh?

Especially when it
came to bluffing.

Sometimes I can't figure out
who's kidding who around here.

No, really, I...

Now, you just do
what papa tells you.

Pick up your chips and
stick to the house games

like you did yesterday.

Okay.

And people kept following me
from one table to the next.

I didn't count it,

but I'm sure I gave barky
over a thousand in chips.

You keep that up,

you're gonna get your
picture in the paper.

I'll tell you a secret, David.
It's pretty exciting.

What is? Your
picture in the paper?

No, silly. Gambling.

- Hey, jonnie.
- Mm?

- Stop leading.
- I'm not leading.

You are, too.

Anyway, it's a good thing
we're getting out of here

before you get spoiled.

Oh? When are we leaving?

Tomorrow afternoon sometime.

- Tomorrow?
- Yeah.

I'll write up all
my notes tonight,

and then clean up the
rest of the details

at the dam in the morning.

Why don't we drive into town
after dinner and look around?

We've never really
seen it at night.

Oh, it's just the same at
night as it is in the daytime.

Everything's wide open.

Gambling casinos,
wedding chapels,

pawn shops, lawyers' offices.

There's no difference,
Joan, no difference at all.

But you owe yourself
an evening off.

- You haven't had...
- I've gotta work.

But there are a hundred
things you can do.

The floor show, movie in town...

All by myself?

The casino.

Ha, you want me to really
get my picture in the paper,

don't you?

Hello.

Well, put your husband
to bed already?

Uh-huh.

I'd like to take a
few more pictures.

Could you arrange
for some chips?

I could. Come on, have a drink.

No, thanks. I'd appreciate it.

Why don't we go out
and sit on the patio

and talk it over?

Well, you've spent hours
at the tables already.

Yes, I suppose I have.

Still, you want
more pictures, huh?

Well, if you don't want to
give me the house chips,

it's perfectly simple to say so.

Let's see that camera
of yours a minute.

- Oh, that's funny.
- It certainly is.

Here you are panting
to take pictures

and you haven't got your camera.
Why?

Well, I must have...
When I changed...

Because the truth is you don't
want pictures of gambling.

You want gambling.
Be honest about it.

Well, that's ridiculous.

Did you ever meet
the kind of a woman

that likes to dance and
won't pay the Piper?

Meaning me?

I'd say either
use your own money

or stay away from the tables.

Well, of all the...
I'll do as I please.

I still say it would
be better on the patio.

After all, you can control me.

But that wheel's liable
to get out of hand.

- May I help you?
- I'm Mrs. boothe.

We left an envelope
with you in your safe.

Certainly, Mrs. boothe.

- Boothe, 4167?
- Yes, that's right.

Would you sign
right here, please?

Oh, I'm not taking
the whole envelope.

I just want $50 out of it.

I see, well, just sign one of
these vouchers for 50 then.

Thank you.

Oh, miss boothe!

Squeeze in here by me.
I've been waiting for you.

Thank you.

Well, how shall we play 'em
tonight, right or wrong?

Chips, please.

The table's been
pretty cold tonight.

I want to play
against the house.

It's all right with me.

Yes, sir. 7:00 A.M.

Good night, sir.

Yes, Mrs. boothe?

Can ll...

I'd like to have my
envelope again, please.

12. He crapped the line away.

Better double up after a crap.

Yes, of course.

Likes another crap
after that big 12.

Comin' up.

He threw a six.

Well, come in, come in.

Don't you ever go to sleep?
Do you know what time it is?

Say, a little rest
wouldn't do you any harm.

I've seen you looking better.

I need $100... till tomorrow.

It was nice and restful
out on the patio.

My husband will write you
out a check in the morning,

unless I could...

What? Win it back
in half an hour?

How much did you drop?

Hmm?

$600.

Not so good.

And it wasn't even
mine or David's.

It was expense money from
the paper for this trip.

Hmm, well, not so bad.

Think how much worse you'd
feel if it had been your own.

Please, Mr. corrigan, would
you let me have the money?

Why don't you wait till morning?

You'll be fresher
and you'll have a...

- No, I can't, I can't.
- Why?

Afraid of what David will say?

He'll understand, won't he?

I don't even understand myself.

I sat there watching it happen,

swearing I would stop when I
lost the chips in front of me.

Then... back to the
desk for more money

and back to the table,

back to the desk, over and over.

It was...

It was like seeing
myself on a...

On a screen or in a dream.

Like...

Like watching a different person
who couldn't see me or hear me.

How could David understand that?

I understand it. I've
seen it happen before.

Go to bed, Mrs. boothe.

If you have to have bad
dreams, have them there.

They do less damage.

You won't let me have the money?

What for? Why throw
away another 100?

50, then. Let me have 50.

I'll pay you back, I promise.

Oh, no, you won't. Take
the word of an expert.

I will, Mr. corrigan. Please!

Go to bed, Mrs. boothe!

25, then! You've got
to give me a chance!

Stop making me feel like a heel.

I won't lend you a dime!

It's bad policy and
it won't do any good.

If you want money that
bad, I'll give you 50.

But I won't lend you
a plugged nickel!

Wait a minute, I'll
get it for you.

- How much?
- I'd like to get $100.

Sorry.

But it's worth more than
three times that much.

A fine Swiss camera like
that, of course it is.

Well, how much will
you let me have?

Oh, what difference
does it make?

$300 or $307?

Six blue chips or
six yellow chips?

But when you want
the camera back,

then it's a big difference.

Maybe next week you
could pay back $30.

But 300, that's a
different story.

Do yourself a favor,
take the camera home.

I can't. I've got
to get some money.

In the morning, everything
will look different.

You'll see.

Why do you keep jabbering at me?

It's a perfectly simple thing.

I bring in the camera and I
want to borrow some money on it.

$100, $50, I don't care!

I didn't steal the camera.

I've got a right to
pawn it if I wanted

or sell it or throw it away!

Only I've got to get some
money before tomorrow morning!

All right, lady, all
right, take it easy.

If you're in that
much of a spot,

I guess you could do
worse than hock a camera.

Come over here. I'll
give you a ticket.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Don't thank me.

When you get the camera back,

it'll be time
enough to thank me.

And I hope I live
to see the day.

- Bet on the line.
- Get your bets down.

Here it comes now
for a new point.

Watch your hands. Five!

Five is the number.

- $30 the lady's got here.
- Yeah.

Get your come bets and
your field bets down

before the dice comes out.

Four!

Four left to field.
Field is the winner.

- Four the hard way.
- The man wants five.

- Five is the number.
- Five is the number.

Seven! Seven!

Pay the last come bet.
Well, we have a new shooter.

- Your dice, lady.
- Put your bets down.

I never...

Just pick 'em up
and heave 'em, lady.

Pick 'em up and heave 'em.

- Couldn't I play without...
- Why, of course, next shooter.

We got a new shooter. Place
your bets down, folks.

Be good to me, baby.

Be good to me.

Come on, number seven.

- Seven!
- Seven!

Let's double up this time, hoyt.

Double up.

One more time.
Just one more time.

Kiss 'em, lady. Kiss 'em first.

- Think natural.
- Be there, boy.

Be there!

- Seven, the winner!
- Seven!

Oh, good morning, Mrs. boothe.

Good morning.

I want to put that money back.

Five hundreds and two
fifties, just the way it was.

Okay.

Here's an envelope.

Just fill it out the
way you did last time.

Oh. Can't I use the old one?

I've got it right here.

- Well, I guess so.
- Oh, good.

And those things I sighed,

I can have them
back, too, can't I?

Sure thing, Mrs. boothe.

There.

There.

Now, never happened
at all, did it?

Did it?

What's your name?

Me? Jack Harrison.

Never happened at
all, did it, Jack?

No, Mrs. boothe, it never did.

Hey.

Hey.

Hmm?

Good morning, darling.

I'm glad you haven't gone.

I want to go out with you today.

When you hear the tone,

the time will be
exactly 1:00 P.M.

- I'm back.
- Oh, no.

Oh, David, you shouldn't
have let me sleep like that.

Well, you've gotta
sleep sometime.

Goodness knows you
didn't last night.

I did an awful thing, David.

I wanted to try
my luck just once.

With real money, I mean.

I just had to get
it out of my system,

and, well, before I
knew it, it was 3:00.

Everybody stays up
all night around here.

It's amazing.

- How did you make out?
- Uh, ahead a few dollars.

Was it fun?

Uh-huh.

Hello?

Mrs. booth, yeah,
just a moment, please.

It's for you, Joan.

For me? Who is it?

I don't know. It's the operator.

Hello? Yes?

Hello?

Ruth, how are you, darling?

Where are you? Are
you calling from work?

She's here.

No, no, I was just
surprised, that's all.

Oh, don't be silly.
Of course I'm glad.

Ruth, uh, I'm just
getting dressed.

You wait in the lobby...

Yes, yes, I know it's late.

I got to bed late.

We'll be down in a few minutes.

Okay.

Oh, David.

Why didn't you tell me
you asked her to come?

I didn't, David.
I swear I didn't.

Oh, yes, I did phone her.

After we agreed not to?

But only to say hello
and ask how she was.

I had to, David.

You don't know what it's like
being in the middle like this.

You on one side and
Ruth on the other.

I'm always doing something
wrong to one of you.

Okay, Joan.

You better get dressed.

We'll just have time to
say hello and goodbye.

You want to stay on
with her, don't you?

Couldn't you stay, too,
just for a day or so?

No, Joan, I can't.

Well, will it be awful, darling,

driving back by yourself?

What do you think?

When will you be home?

Probably before you, if we fly.

Well, see you.

You understand, don't you, Davy?

Sure.

Shall I come and help you pack?

No, it's okay. I'm
practically finished.

You better go tell
Ruth the good news.

Itisn't as if you
were staying on alone.

After all, I'm here with you.

Oh, it's just that I
hate to think of David

driving back all by himself.

Well, if I know David,
he's enjoying it.

Do you think I look funny
and overdressed in this?

Don't be silly, darling.

It looks better on you
than it does on me.

Good evening.

For a man who
hates to eat alone,

your husband certainly
seems to do a lot of it.

Ruth, this is Mr. corrigan.

My sister, miss Phillips.

How about that, miss Phillips?

Why does she keep
the guy under wraps?

- We'd like to meet him.
- I'm afraid you can't now.

David drove home this afternoon.

Oh.

And how are you enjoying
Las Vegas, miss Phillips?

Well, I just got here today.
It seems very interesting.

Yeah, well, I'll take that
as a personal compliment.

You seem pretty quiet.

Not holding a grudge, are you?

Should I be?

Well, I'm afraid I was a
little bad-mannered last night.

Your manners seem much
the same as usual.

I'd like to make it up to you.

That's hardly
necessary or possible.

More coffee, Ruth?

Well, let me get you some fresh.
Waiter.

Let me have more coffee and...

If you're free this evening,

there's going to be a
private game at my place.

No-limit stud.

What an idea. Joan
doesn't play cards.

This is peculiar,
your inviting me.

Three or four
gentlemen from Dallas.

Very middle-aged, very
refined, and very wealthy.

I thought you might
dress up the game.

- How?
- Oh, by playing, of course.

And what would I use for money?

Money. Mine.

Naturally, I'd stake you.

You get 20% of anything you won.

Think it over.

You don't have to
decide this minute.

Thank you, Mr. corrigan.

I find I don't
care for gambling.

It's noisy and confusing and...
just a little dirty.

Ah, here we are.

In honor of your
arrival today, Ruth.

May I call you Ruth, Ruth?

If you like.

To two very charming
ladies, Ruth and Joan.

It's hard to call Ruth, Ruth,
and not call Joan, Joan.

That's very kind of you, uh...

You'll have to forgive me, Ruth,

but I never allow anyone
to use my first name.

That's very strange, I must say.

Oh, no, it isn't.
The name is Horace.

Joan, please, don't be rude.

I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry.

After all, there's nothing
very funny about the name.

Thank you, Ruth.

I knew you were sweet
the minute I saw you.

Shall we have this dance?

I'd love it.

That is if...

Oh, I'm sure Joan won't mind.

Will you, Joan?

No. Of course not.

- Are you sure?
- Certainly.

Isn't this funny?

I stayed out here
to chaperone Joan,

and here she is chaperoning me.

Not funny at all. It's
exactly as it should be.

Oh, that's nonsense,
just plain nonsense.

Why?

What if I did only
meet him tonight?

I liked him very much.

And he liked me.

Oh, Ruth.

Don't "oh, Ruth" me.

Heaven knows you've got
no need to be jealous.

You've got David.

You're not making very
much sense, darling.

You drank too much Brandy.

I wanted to go,
and now look at us.

Instead of a wonderful
boat ride on lake mead,

we have to go to bed
at half past 9:00.

Oh, cut it out, Ruth.

You can't stand it, can you,

if a man shows the
slightest interest in me.

Can you?

Shall I tell you what he said
to me while we were dancing?

No, please.

He said I danced beautifully.

He refused to believe that I
was eight years older than you.

And that I raised you
from when you were a baby

because mother died
when you were born...

Stop it, Ruth. Stop it.

And I won't tell you the
other things he said,

'cause I don't think I should.

I don't remember when I've
had a lovelier evening.

Ruthie...

You're not getting a crush
on Mr. corrigan, are you?

What if I am? What
business is it of yours?

Oh, believe me, darling,
I'm not being jealous.

It's just that I...

Well, I don't want
you to get hurt again.

I knew it.

I knew that's what
you were thinking.

What makes you so
sure I'll be hurt?

Maybe he does find
me attractive.

Is that so impossible?
Is it? Is it?

I didn't say that.

Just because I
never got married,

do you think I didn't
have any chances?

What about Joe Matthews?

He was dying to marry
me, and I was only 18.

Yes, I know, I know.

But I had you on my hands,
a nasty, skinny little brat.

If I'd had any sense,

I would have put you
in a home somewhere.

Please, darling...

Then I wouldn't have to
stand here like a fool

and be laughed at
by my own sister.

Ruth, open the door,
I want to talk to you.

Ruth, please.

Answer me.

Deal me out.

Well. Slumming, Mrs. boothe?

- May I come in?
- How far in?

I'm accepting your invitation.

Can you afford it? It's
a pretty steep buy-in.

That's your problem, isn't it?

Think you can stand the
noise, confusion, and dirt?

I apologize.

Put these in your purse.

Hello?

Hello, Ruth. It's David.

Just outside salt lake,
spent the night here.

Say, wake up Joan, will you?
I want to talk to her.

All right.

She's not here, David.
I don't know where she is.

Now, look, Ruth, don't
start up that stuff again.

I want to talk to her.

No, it's true. Her bed
hasn't been slept in.

What time is it?

Hello? David?

Hello?

Your deal.

Daylight, I didn't realize.

- Your deal, Mrs. boothe.
- I'm sorry.

I'm too tired to
even see the cards.

- Now, wait a minute...
- Listen, fellas.

It's 5:30 and I'm a working man.

You gentlemen know
where to find me

if you want another session.

But I've dropped over 10,000.

And if you keep playing,
you'll drop another ten.

I'm sorry, I can't oblige you.

I hate to do this while you
still got some money left.

- 425.
- 425.

The lady's ready to fall.

- 640.
- 640.

Wait a minute, Mrs. boothe.

I'll settle up with you as
soon as I show the boys out.

You're a great little
poker player, Joan.

Anytime you want to work
it full-time, let me know.

The cards did seem to
come my way, didn't they?

Tired?

Mm-hm, a little. But nice tired.

Here's your cut.

You came out nearly
four grand ahead.

We'll make it an even 800.

Not a bad night's work.
Care for a drink?

At quarter to 6:00
in the morning?

What kind of a girl
do you think I am?

Why don't you stop
sparring with me, Joan?

I haven't been sparring.

You're nicer like this.

Look at you now.

Easy, relaxed.

Tired, but like you
say, nice tired.

This is a pleasant
room in the morning.

It's a lot more than that.

It's what's in the room.

The game, the fight, the fear.

And the peace that comes
after you've licked that fear.

When you win.

Nah, even when you lose.

It's different, but there's
a kind of peace in that, too.

Like when you were a kid and
you took your punishment,

you knew it was over.

I never thought of it that way.

You may be right.

I'm right, all right.

I'm right about a lot of things.

I know you, Joan.
I know what you need.

You'll get them with me.

I'm right for you and
you're right for me.

I think I'd better go.

Don't... don't fight me, Joan.

This is where you belong.

I'm not fighting you.

It's just that...

Well, it's my own fault.
I'm sorry.

I really am.

Okay, Joan. Skip it.

How about that drink later?

Like this afternoon?

If you like.

It's a date then?

It's a date.

Quitting, Mrs. boothe?

Yes.

Write it down, Joe.

Dames.

Oh, David, why
doesn't he look up?

That man's working down there.

He won't look up.

Hey! Well, he ought to.

He ought to know how 1 feel.

Why?

What's wrong, David?

They tell me there's never
been a single suicide off here.

Yet, back in Chicago,

they drop off those high
buildings like flies.

Something's been wrong
ever since you came back.

Where were you at
5:00 this morning?

- 5:00 this morning?
- Yeah, when I called.

I didn't know you called.

- Didn't Ruth tell you?
- She didn't say a word.

Well, I'm saying it now.

Where were you?

In the casino.

Now, put your arm around me.

Don't you believe me, David?

- I believe you.
- Then what...

What's the matter?

A fellow could spit
pretty near half a mile.

It's quite a feeling.

What's a roulette wheel
got can compare to that?

What do you mean?

What is all this with
the casino anyway?

All night last night
and the night before?

Most of the days, too.

Nothing. It's nothing.

Just lack of something
better to do.

Spitting half a mile's better.

Lying in the sun's better.

So is a... So is
a two-inch steak.

Last week, you would
have thought so, too.

I think so now.

Darling, are you
worried about me?

A little. Yes.

Well, don't be.

Oh, the casino was
exciting, of course,

but let's face it, I'm
just a hick from Chicago

who found a bright,
new shiny toy.

It's the deep end, Joan,

for people with no
talent for living.

They're not big enough
to take the plunge here,

so they do it back in
the gambling joints.

That's your bright,
new shiny toy.

Well, it's not new anymore
and it's not shiny.

I can take it or leave it alone.

I'll leave it alone.

And if I ever go near one
of those joints again,

you can take away my two-inch
steaks for one solid year.

Scout's honor.

Speaking of steaks, what
time is it getting to be?

There's no time
like the present,

to coin a phrase.

- Hey, Joan.
- Mm?

That man's looking up here.
Don't you want to wave?

Do you know what I
really want to do?

- What?
- Spit half a mile.

Ruth, look what I...

Ruth?

Ruth?

Well, what do you know?

What?

She's gone home.

Why does she do
things like this?

Don't ask a gift horse
too many questions.

I should have phoned her.

I've got a better idea.
I'll phone the boss

and tell him I'm
gonna take a week off.

We'll have ourselves
a real vacation.

How about that?

Hey, lady?

Come here, jonnie.

Look up at me.

You remember me? I'm
the fellow you married.

David, I think we should...

Now do you remember?

Uh-huh.

Oh, lake mead is
beautiful, but cold.

Like my wife.

A crack like that, sweetheart,
is grounds for divorce.

In Nevada. We are
on the Arizona side.

Lucky for you.

Hey, I thought you had
that hair curled yesterday.

Oh, Marie was out sick,
so I just skipped it.

Well, it wish you'd told me.

I wasted a whole afternoon
with the local press.

Aw.

Well, not that he
isn't a nice fella.

Let's get back to shore.
We'll have lunch at the inn.

They serve bass there five
minutes after they're caught.

Oh, didn't I tell you, darling?

That Mrs. henniger, the
one we met the other night,

she asked me to lunch today.

Okay, back to the pelican.

- I'll take you both to lunch.
- Oh, not today, darling.

She wants to have a real
heart-to-heart talk.

About her divorce.
You know, girl talk.

This is her third, isn't it?

I think so.

Well, don't let her
give you any ideas.

Fat chance.

Hi, darling. Are you starved?
I am.

Oh, what a day. I'm
all out of breath.

What's that you're drinking?
I think I'll have the same.

Pete. Have you
been waiting long?

How was lunch with Mrs.
henniger?

Oh, deadly, just deadly.
I couldn't get away.

She talked and
talked and talked.

She did? All through
the poker session?

What?

You were playing poker all
afternoon, weren't you?

I won a young
fortune today, David.

We can stay here another
month on what I won today.

What about the money
you won yesterday

when you were supposed to
be at the beauty parlor?

And the day before that,

when you wanted to go
shopping by yourself?

Don't be angry with me, David.

It's just that
when you came back,

I felt so lucky that...

"I'll never play
again,” you said.

"Scout's honor."

I'll think I'll
skip dinner, Joan.

I'm going back to the room.
I'll see you there later.

You looking for someone?

Yes.

My wife.

This is a terrible
time for husbands.

Thanks, I'll try to remember.

Do you know where she is?

Well, not exactly.
You know how they are.

She's gone table crawling
to change her luck.

What do you mean, how they are?

Well, gamblers. The
ones who've got it bad.

Like your wife.

When last seen, she was
headed for the blue chip.

What's it all about, Joan?

What are you doing here?

I don't know.

Joan...

I didn't want to come here.

Then why?

I don't know. I don't know why.

I was...

I was all keyed up, so
I went to the casino.

I thought I'd just
watch for a few minutes.

Then something made me
bet once and I lost.

And then again and I lost.

And before I knew
it, I had lost a lot.

So I went across the
street and kept on losing.

You don't know what
it's like, David.

It's like being
whipped and kicked

then being stepped on,
and all the time you...

Oh, no, it's all right, Joan.

It's over now.

I'm scared, David. Scared.

Something's happening to me
and I don't know what it is.

It...

It grabs hold of me and
I can't shake it off.

I see it happening,
but I can't stop it.

Oh, help me, David.
Take me away from here.

Okay, Joan.

It's all right, Joan.

A scared kid,
groping in the dark,

pleading for help.

She needed it then
and she needs it now.

Who doesn't?

Well, what's a stiff dose
of jail going to accomplish?

It'll keep her out of
trouble, out of back alleys.

So, what do you do?
Throw away the key?

A year from now, two
years, she gets out.

Then what?

Look, boothe.

I'm here to patch
up drunks and bums

with their bellies cut open,

or dames with loaded dice
and their ribs kicked in.

More than that, I can't do.

Why? Is a sick
mind less serious?

Less important?

If there's anything
wrong above the neck,

I can't afford to notice it.

All we do here is give
them the old one-two-three

and hope they hold
together with adhesive.

But I'm not asking
you to cure her.

I'll take her to
someone who can.

That's all I'm asking.

That when she can
get up and walk,

she gets up and walks to me.

How do I know she
should walk to you?

How do I know you're not the
cause of what's wrong with her?

Because it's her sister.
A blind man could see that.

That's your story.

The sister will have
a different story,

I can guarantee that.

- Oh, murph.
- What are you doing?

Send for her, doc.

Get her down here
and see for yourself.

In the middle of the night?

What difference does that make?

Tell her Joan's here

and she'll fly to get
her hooks into her again.

- What's up?
- How about it, doc?

Murph, get a hold of a
girl named Ruth Phillips.

Elmwood 0-6-3-2-1.

- Okay.
- Thanks.

If you're so sure Ruth was
the cause of the trouble,

why didn't you get the
girl away from her?

I did.

We didn't come back to Chicago.

I sent the paper my story and
my resignation at the same time,

ahd we hit for Mexico.

I was trying to write a book
about the Colorado river.

So we rented a place at
the edge of a village

called San crispin,
on the coast.

The next few months were
like a second honeymoon,

except for the fact that we
never really had a first one.

We practically
lived on the beach.

Fishing, swimming.

We even worked on
my book down there,

Joan typing while
I dictated to her.

But, for the most part, it
was a wonderful vacation.

And even though the money I'd
saved was kind of dwindling,

it was worth it to see
Joan really healthy

and relaxed again.

Ah, the poor little sardine.

Poor nothing. I'll bet
he weighs ten pounds.

Would you settle for five?

Mmm.

Just for that, I'll tell
everyone you caught him.

- Davy?
- Mm?

How much longer will it take?

- Will what take?
- Finishing the book.

I don't know.

Two or three months,
if our money holds out.

So soon?

Hey, a fine thing.

I slave all day over
a hot typewriter

and look at the thanks I get.

That will mean leaving
here, won't it?

Not a chance.

If the book goes over,
we'll buy this place.

And if it doesn't,
well, we'll stay here

and raise vegetables
and about ten kids.

Will you settle for five?

- Davy?
- Hmm?

Don't you think you
ought to get started?

- Now?
- You've got a long way to go.

San Diego.

I'd forgotten all about it.

Did you, darling? Oh, you
say the sweetest things.

Oh, now cut it out, Joan.
I've got to go.

You sure you don't
want to go along?

- I'm sure I do.
- Well, wonderful!

But I won't.

You're going to the
library to work,

and I'd only be in the way.

Well, bless your little heart.

I only know of one other
person with such nobility.

- Who?
- Your sister. Who else?

- Why, you stinker!
- Ah, ah, ah.

David! David, come back here!

I'll be back first
thing in the morning.

Do you have everything you need?

- Mm-hmm.
- Driver's license?

- Yep.
- Identification?

- Yep.
- Money?

Uh-oh.

It's a good thing one member
of this family has some brains.

I was running off without
a dime in my pocket.

Drive carefully,
won't you, darling?

- Yes, Joan.
- And don't forget to eat.

No, Joan.

I'll chew my food
well, brush my teeth,

and I'll shave in the morning.

Any other last-minute
instructions?

No.

- Goodbye, darling.
- Goodbye.

Oh, now stop looking
like that, jonnie.

You're breaking my heart.

Oh, Davy, it's been months
since you called me that.

Now get out of here before I...

- Will you please go?
- See you tomorrow!

David. David!

Let me ride into town with you.

Sure.

I, uh... I have
some shopping to do.

Who are you kidding?

- Hello.
- Hello.

Well, look who's here. Mrs.
boothe, I do declare.

- Hello.
- Ducky, you remember.

Mrs. boothe from Las Vegas.
The pelican?

The lucky lady? I certainly do.

How do you do?

Now, don't give
yourself a headache

trying to remember our names.
We're the sutherlands.

Oh, yes, of course. How are
you enjoying your visit?

Fine, fine.

For Dennis, Mexico is no
different from anywhere else,

just so long as he can smell
out some place to gamble.

- He's a regular bloodhound.
- Isn't she a scream?

Of course, here,
he managed to find

that little undercover
place behind the hotel.

So, naturally,
we're stopping over.

Not much of a place at that

with that one broken-down crap
table, is it, Mrs. boothe?

To tell you the truth, I
don't know anything about it.

You mean you haven't
even been there?

I'm afraid I can't
afford it these days.

Oh, well, we'll
take care of that.

You just come along.
You provide the luck

and I'll provide the money.

No, no, I... I don't
think I'd better.

Oh, you can't let me down.

The biggest streak I ever had
was riding with you in Vegas.

Well, I...

I'm not really dressed.

Dice don't care
how you're dressed.

The worst beating I ever took
was one time in Cleveland,

and I was wearing
white tie and tails.

So you come along.

We'll have cocktails,
dinner, and a fine evening.

Will it be all right
if I don't play?

If I... just watch?

Oh, certainly. Ducky
never plays either.

She doesn't bring me
the luck that you do.

Oh, come along, ducky.

You've got to give me
the magic word, Joan.

We've got to get warmed up.

Here, you roll it for me.

No. No, I don't want to.

Oh, go on. Just once.

No, please.

Okay. Here we go.

- How about it, Joan?
- No, no.

Why not? What are you afraid of?

Atta girl! Atta girl!
Okay, pay me.

Now let this ride,
let this ride.

Now do it again.

Ah, see what I mean?
See what I mean?

Okay, okay. Come on,
give me the dice.

Give me the dice. Come on.
Let's have them.

Joan?

Joan?

All of it, Joan?

All of it?

You didn't gamble it
away, did you, Joan?

Tell me I'm wrong.

Tell me you did
something else with it.

Anything.

No, what else could it be?

In one night. A few short hours.

What else could swallow up a
couple of lives so completely?

You and me.

The book.

This place.

Kids.

Where have I failed you, Joan?

Where?

What's lacking in me?

In us together, that we
can't fight off this...

This poison?

We've got...

$180 left.

Here's half.

It's not much.

It'll get me back to Chicago,

find a job.

This will have to
wait for a bit.

What you do with your
half is something

I can't decide for you.

It's up to you.

But if it brings you back home,

well...

I'll be there.

Well, what do you want?

You got a visitor outside.

- Oh.
- Name of boothe.

Boothe?

Big, heavyset guy
with a mustache?

No. Cute little number.

No mustache.

Oh. Anybody with her?

Not at the moment.

- May I come in?
- Ask a foolish question

and you're liable to
get a foolish answer.

What are you doing in Vegas?

Staying a while or
just passing through?

- That depends.
- On what?

On you, I'm afraid.

Oh, that's bad. I'm not
the dependable type.

You said once if I ever wanted
full-time work to come around.

- Well, I've come around.
- I see.

Uh, what's with you and, uh...

We separated.

It figured.

Didn't he leave
you with any cash?

The other way around.

I didn't leave him with any.

Oh.

You found a wheel, huh?

A table.

So you see, I could really
use a job right now.

Yeah.

The only trouble is it
looks as if I'm going to be

pulling out of Vegas
in a week or so.

There isn't much I could
really do for you around here.

Oh, you're... you're leaving?

I got a little project
of my own on the fire.

- Well...
- Wait a minute.

It's crazy, but it might just...

Get me Chuck Benson again,
the Los Angeles number.

I'll hold on.

It's a brainstorm,
Joan, but I...

I think maybe you
got yourself a job.

Doing what?

Well, a few of the
boys and myself

have got together a little
syndicate, and we...

Hello, Chuck?

Corrigan.

I think I got the answer for us.

You sitting down?

Well, sit down and
hold on to your chair.

A woman.

No, you mug, a lady.

She's right here with me now.

Mrs. David boothe of Chicago.

He wants to know if you got
a record, a police record.

No, she's in the clear.

Absolutely.

My personal guarantee. Isn't
that good enough for you?

Tell the boys.

Well, Joan, you're all set.

Here's the deal.

We've taken over
a racing stable,

but we couldn't move
without a front.

You're the front.

You're about to become the
owner of a string of horses.

But I don't know anything
about horse racing.

Well, I do. Just
about everything.

Then why do you need me?

Well, these state racing boys,

they're a little
on the stuffy side.

I could never get a license

because of my past
business connections.

So the stable will
be in your name.

Well, don't look so scared.

This is strictly a
legitimate enterprise.

No fixed races, no doping,
no dirty work at all.

The job will pay your expenses

and a small share
of the profits.

Interested?

Oh, yes.

It's a lifesaver, thank you.

But there's...

There's one thing you ought
to know before you decide.

That money I lost wasn't mine.

David had saved it
nickel by nickel,

$1,400.

As soon as I can scrape
together that much money,

I'm going to take
it back to him.

And just how do you figure
on scraping it together?

Saving it nickel by nickel

or gambling?

- Any way I can.
- Fine.

I don't think you'll be
walking out on us too soon.

Come on, let's go
buy you some clothes.

All right, let's.

Never a doubt.
Nobody even near him.

Corrigan.

- I need some more money.
- What for?

You just cashed a
winner, didn't you?

Let me see that ticket a minute.

Are you out of your head?

I told you hot food
was gonna win the race.

Yes, but I had a terrific hunch.

What goes with you, Joan?
Do you like to lose?

- No, of course not.
- You ought to know by this time

that when I give you
information, it's straight.

You can be wrong, you know.

Anyhow, what fun is it
betting on a sure thing

and giving the track odds?

If you're looking for bargains,

go to a department store.
Don't come to a track.

Unless you want to get hurt.

I wish you'd stop saying that.

That shouldn't bother
you unless it's true.

What are you trying to
do, punish yourself?

I asked you for some money.

For another long shot?
Nothing doing.

But I have a beauty
in the next race.

No, Joan, you've had
it for this week.

Payday's on Saturday.

- Where are you going?
- Back to the hotel.

What's the point
hanging around here?

Do you have cab fare?

No, I don't.

Here.

I'll see you.

It's up to you.

Up 20. I'm against waiting.

The odds will be good enough,

and Johnny's having
trouble holding her back.

One of these days
she's gonna bust loose

and win before we're ready.

- Then where are we?
- Okay, okay.

What do you think we're
running the time trial for?

If she does what we think...

Hold it, Chuck.

Hiya, Joan. How's
the weather out?

Clear. Will be a
fast track tomorrow.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Nobody's gonna ask you to play,

- so you might as well powder.
- Isn't my money any good?

Poker and women don't
mix, miss boothe, honey.

While we're on the
subject of mixing,

how about you freshening
up these drinks for us?

Deal me in and I will.

There's a dice game
over at the eversham.

- Why don't you give it a whirl?
- I just did.

"Isn't my money any
good,” she says.

I'll eat every cent over
a dime she's got on her.

Come on.

Take this and try to
make it last, will you?

If you come back here,
you'll start something.

That dame's beginning to
get on my nerves, corrigan.

She's worse than a lush.

I'd rather have a
lush around anytime.

At least a lush will
pass out once in a while.

Deal the cards.

Which reminds me.

I wouldn't like to see her at
that track tomorrow morning.

The trainer can handle
the trial without her.

We don't need any spectators.

Let me get this straight.

Are you giving me orders?

No.

No, I just figured she can use
the beauty sleep, that's all.

Brother!

Did she do it?

Let's see what
Johnny has to say.

You really had her
traveling, Johnny.

Just breezing, Mrs. boothe.

Think she can win Saturday?

She can run over
the whole field.

You just give me the word.

I'll let you know. Come
on, we better hurry.

Cool her off, Johnny.
I'll see you later.

What's the good word?

Say, that's good enough.

- Saturday, corrigan?
- Sure, why not?

You can let her all the
way out on Saturday.

Tell that to Johnny.

I'll Van her over
to the track today.

- Okay, this is it.
- What are we waiting for?

- Let's get started.
- We start nothing.

Everything's on
ice till Saturday.

Sure, Chuck. I only thought...

Don't think, it can
make you very sick.

- What's so funny?
- Shut up!

I told you what to do
once, I'll tell you again.

We make no bets till 20
minutes before post time,

Saturday, none.

And no bets with any
of the local books.

And nobody goes to the
track, nobody, is that clear?

The odds ought to
come in at 30 to one.

If we play it smart,
they'll stay there.

All right, let's play it smart.

Let's get out of here before
somebody sees us who shouldn't.

Yeah, today's the day.
It's in the bag.

Remember, Charlie,
place your bets

as close to post
time as you can.

Start slow and spread 'em thin.

See who that is.

Get me Hollywood,
7-6-7-0, Los Angeles.

Person-to-person to John Evans.

- Mrs. boothe?
- Yes.

Desk thought this
might be important.

Oh, just a minute.

It looks as if it followed
you halfway across country.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Hello, Jack? Corrigan.

That's right, today.

Seventh race, number
five, "happy girl."

Oh, probably about 30 to one.

Seattle, Washington.

Uh, George swan, Maine, 2-4-7-9,

Well, keep trying. Call me back.

Looks official.

It is.

- Well...
- Give it back to me, corrigan.

So he's decided he doesn't like

playing husband after all, huh?

That isn't the way I read it.

Hello, George?

Well, hurry it up, will you?
It's important.

How do you read it?

- Where are you going?
- Out.

- Out where?
- What difference does it make?

To the beauty parlor
to get a manicure.

Well, stick around.

I'll look over those
papers for you.

Hey, there goes
that boothe dame.

- Are you sure?
- Sure I'm sure.

What do you think I am?
Not sure?

Let's see what she's gonna do.

Two on number five.

She's down for two
cs on number five.

What number, please?

Five.

"Happy girl,"
that's her own nag.

Hey, that horse don't figure.
She ought to know that.

What number?

Take it easy, bud. You
ain't going noplace.

Yeah, but if it did figure,
she ought to know that, too.

What are the odds?

30 to one.

30 to one. You got any money?

Are you kidding?

But I know a couple
of guys who have.

Come to think of it, so do I.

Hey, look at number five.

A drop like that
couldn't be sucker money.

No, it's too fast.

You think it's worth buying in?

It can't hurt. Come on.

Number five. What horse is that?

"Happy girl." Hasn't
got a look in.

Well, somebody must
know something.

There was some talk
down at the paddock.

That's the kind of
a long shot I like.

Now crossing the finish line,

it's happy girl by a length.

Shelby second on the outside.

Extravagant, third,
by two lengths,

and pick 'em up
fourth by a head.

Happy girl, the winner,
closed at eight to five

after an unaccountable
stampede of money

pushed the odds from 30 to
one in the morning line...

Operator, I want
to call Chicago.

The city room of the
"morning herald,"

person-to-person
to David boothe.

Thank you.

Hello? Yes.

Hello, David? It's Joan.

Yes, just today.
That's why I called.

It's been following me around

and I couldn't let you
think I'd ignored it.

No, not yet, but I will
if that's what you want.

I'll sign them today.

Oh, no, David. No, it's
not what I want, but...

Oh, neither do I, darling.

What? No.

No, you mustn't.

Well, I can't come home, David.
Not yet.

No, it's not because I don't...

No. No, I'm still here.

David, I'll call...

Where do you get your manicures?

Very inferior work, honey.

Take it easy, Chuck.
I'll handle this.

Sure, you handled this great.

You were supposed to keep
her away from the track, too.

200 bucks on happy girl, to win.

All right, all right.
That's enough!

This could make a
very loud noise.

Go on, fella, walk it off.
We'll settle this later.

Throw some things
into a bag, Joan.

We better take a little trip.

You haven't said a word
since we left the hotel.

What's there to say?

I don't know what got into me.

I must have been out of my mind.

They might have killed you.

Skip it, it's finished.

Why are we stopping?

This is the end of the line.

So long, Joan.

What do you mean?
I thought we...

What did you think? I'd
really like to know.

Well, t'll tell
you what I think.

You're a lost cause, baby,

and that's one thing a guy
in my business can't afford.

It took a long time
and a couple of hoods

to beat that into my thick head.

But today was a
big day all around.

So this is the kiss-off.

But where are we?
Where can I go?

Anywhere you like.
It's a big country.

Goodbye, Mrs. boothe.

Mind your manners, honey.
The man said goodbye.

Goodbye, corrigan.

When I couldn't get
Joan back on the phone,

I grabbed the first train.

She was gone, of course, but
corrigan was still there.

He filled in the details for me.

So I spent the next few months
trying to catch up with her.

I came close a few times, but
my luck was as bad as hers.

She never stayed in
once place long enough.

When she took a job, it
only lasted till payday.

Just long enough to buy
her into a game somewhere

or a bookie joint.

She was like a drunk
on a big binge.

She wouldn't waste her
money on silly things

like food or getting
her shoes fixed.

So jobs became harder to get,

and she became less particular

about the kind of jobs she took.

The last place I traced her to
was a trap down in shreveport.

I was too late again.

But I got the rest of the story

from the fellow who
played the piano there.

Yes, indeed, sweetheart.

You're the kind of
girl I always fall for.

What time is it, George?

The name's Charlie, sweetheart.

What do we care about time?

You and me, we could
make time stand still.

What time is it?

11:30. Why?

You're sweet, but I'm afraid

I'm not very good
company tonight.

- You see, it's my mother.
- Your mother?

Yeah, she's been very ill.

Maybe if I phoned her, she...

No, it's long distance.

Probably would cost more
than I could scrape together.

How much do you
need, sweetheart?

Uh, ten, maybe.

Five might do it.

Here you are. Call her.
I'll wait.

Thanks, I won't be long.

Hey, you're short here.

You'll have to pay it down.
Now get it down there.

Coming out again. Here it comes.
Come on.

Watch your hand there.

And dice!

- Boxcars.
- Twelve.

- Make the front, pay the...
- Stick around, chick.

I had ten bucks riding
on that crap just now.

Maybe you brought some
luck in with you, huh?

I've got to get back to work.

In there?

Oh, Mike, have somebody bring
me another beer, will you?

And the usual tea in
a glass for the lady.

Now you're working.

Okay, let's go.

Here, kiss 'em for me, baby.

Come on, get 'em
hot for me, huh?

Coming out for a point, frenchy.
Let's go.

All right, keep your shirt on.
Come on, baby.

Kiss 'em for me. 10%.

Bring me luck and you get 10%.

Kiss 'em for me, huh?

Come on, dice!

- Seven the winner.
- We clicked, baby.

Pretty crowded in here for
a phone booth, isn't it?

You're not getting
away with it, honey.

Why, you...

Just when I was
getting hot, too.

What's the idea, frenchy?

Stand back. Stay where you are.

- Wait a minute...
- Stand back.

Stay there.

Come on. Come on, baby,
we're getting out of here.

Stay where you are.

She tied up with frenchy at 10%,

and that's the last I heard
of her till about a month ago,

when one of the boys told me

she'd turned up here
in Chicago again.

Ever since that night,
I've been looking for her,

going through a million saloons
and down a million alleys.

Checking with the police.

And tonight I found her.

So there you have it.

What do you mean, I have it?

Go down and talk to
the lieutenant, doc.

Tell him to release her over
to me for medical reasons.

Why? What for?

You got her away
from the sister once.

What good did it do?

All I can say is
I'm smarter now.

Okay. You're smart, I'm dumb.

But not dumb enough
to go signing releases

on this kind of evidence.

It's Dr. rojac.

I'm expecting a Ruth Phillips.
Has she come in yet?

When she does, send
her right up to 736.

How is she, nurse?

Here one minute
and gone the next.

Seems to be gone right now.

Well, come in.

Jonnie?

Jonnie?

Doc, is she...

You look a little
green around the gills.

Come over and take
a few deep breaths.

I'm scared, doc.

The way she looks...

Joan, darling.

Darling, Joan.

What did they do to you?

Poor little Joan.

Don't worry, baby.
Ruth's here now.

Everything's going
to be all right.

We'll be together
again, darling.

You'll see. You'll see.

Take it easy, Ruth.
She can't hear you.

Doctor.

She's going to be
all right, isn't she?

Sure, right now it's shock
more than anything else.

What are you doing here?

Why did they call you?

They must have thought
she was my wife.

Your wife!

Look at her lying
there half dead.

Aren't you satisfied yet?
Why don't you go away?

That would make you
really happy, wouldn't it?

What more do you want?

Wrecking my life wasn't
enough for you, was it?

You had to smash hers
then kick her out,

leave her without a cent

to starve for all
you knew or cared.

Haven't you done enough?

What are you here now
for, to finish the job?

To stick a knife in her and
push her out of a window?

You've done everything
short of that.

I've got her back now.

Back with me where she belongs.

- Finally.
- Yes, finally.

And you'll never get
your hands on her again.

I'll see to that.

This is what you've
always wanted, isn't it?

Yes, if you must know.

I always knew it
would end up this way,

from the first day I saw you.

And you worked for
it, didn't you?

Day and night,
you worked for it.

Not hard enough.
Not nearly enough.

Don't, David.

Don't make her talk like that.

Joan, darling. My sweet baby.

Don't listen to him.

Don't listen to
the things he said.

He's trying to come
between us again.

But you won't let him, will you, Joan.
Will you?

Stop it, Ruth. She's sick.
She's sick.

You know everything I ever did,

everything I ever thought
about was for you.

You know that, don't you, Joan?

Say it, darling.
Let him hear it.

Send him away once and for all.

For what he did to you.

Tell him, Joan.

Doc, will you get
her out of here?

- Not yet.
- Why don't you answer me?

Tell him, darling.

Tell him how much
I've done for you.

Everything I've given you.
It's true, isn't it?

My life, my whole
life, didn't I?

Say it, Joan. I want
to hear you say it.

Dave.

Okay, Ruth, that's
enough for now.

Take your hands off me!

Why do you call him back?

To start the whole
thing over again?

To let him kick you
into the gutter again?

I won't let you. Do you hear?

I won't let you.
You'll have to kill me.

Ruth, please...

Yes, kill me the way
you've always done

from the very day you were born.

The way you killed
your own mother.

Stop it, you idiot!

Let her alone, David!

It's true, it's true.

All right, Joan, all right.

I did kill her,
I did, I know it!

No, no, you didn't.
No, you didn't.

I've always known it.

Before I could even talk,

I remember hearing them say it.

Everything I ever
touched, I destroyed.

Everyone.

My mother, Ruth, David.

Here, drink this.

But no more.

- I won't destroy anymore.
- Of course you won't.

Okay, outside, both of you.

She's had about as much
as she can take for now.

You can come back
tomorrow, boothe,

after she's had some sleep.

- What about me?
- No, tell her no, doc.

Tell her to go
away and stay away.

That's not for me to say.
That's up to Joan.

Why don't you stop
stalling for once?

- You're the doctor.
- But she's the patient.

No doctor can make her well if
she doesn't want to get well.

She's got to make
that choice herself.

What do you mean? I
don't like that...

Joan!

Wait! You'll make
her jump for sure.

Go ahead, Joan. Jump.

Kill yourself.

That's what you've
always wanted, isn't it?

You and Ruth.

The big punishment.

Your mother died
giving life to you,

so how you die and
give that life back.

That's the only way to
even the score, isn't it?

Ask Ruth.

She'll tell you.

She's been telling
you that for years.

So go ahead, destroy yourself.

You made a good
start at the tables,

now finish the job.

Ruth's waiting.

Here, take my hand, jonnie.

Reach out to me.

Don't look down.

Look out at the lake.

Way out across the water.

Give me your hand, jonnie.

Joan...

Joan, it's not true.

It's not true what
he said, darling.

You know that, don't you?

Go away, Ruth.

Please, go away.

You'd better go, Ruth.

It looks like she's
made that choice.

Joan.

Joan.

Look, Joan, the sky's
turning lighter.

Night's almost over.

David, David...

Oh, in a little while
you'll be well again.

Come to the window, darling.

Let's watch the day come in.