Original subtitles

MAN: Hello, Mac. Got a new crop for you.

Business is getting good. We're crowded out.

Come on, Peter, open up.

PETER: Well, well, if some of the boys ain't come back home.

- Hello, Peter, how are you? - Hello, Pauly.

- Hello, Smitty. - Hello, Peter.

Well, well, you did hurry back, didn't you? What you got?

- Come on. Get going. - Oh, well, don't worry.

The longer the term, the more good time they gotta give you.

My, quite a mess of new fish too.

Hey, l heard you made it.

They had me scared just like you said. Those guys on the board are tough.

- lf they smile, they'd fall off their seats. - What do you want?

Kiss you for serving your time?

lt's the waiting that gets you. You answer the questions...

...they look over the papers, while you wait and wonder if it'll be no.

They must have a record of every time you blow your nose.

Yeah, they got more than that.

What a day. One year l waited for this.

You got another year on parole.

Ah, that don't mean anything.

Say, it's great you and me going out together.

Hey, pipe down. Here's some new guys just come in.

- Hi, Alec. ALEC: Hello, Chuck.

What'd they slap on you?

The judge threw the book at me. Twenty-eight years.

CHUCK: That's tough. - What's the difference?

l get my three squares a day.

That's more than l was getting on the outside.

- You going out? - Yeah, l just finished five.

Well, l'll still be here when you come back.

- Well, Taylor, are you ready to go out? - Yes, sir.

We're putting half the responsibility back on your shoulders again.

Because you've earned it.

And if you show as good a record in the next year, we'll put the whole load back on.

l hope you'll be able to carry it.

Now, l'm not going to burden you with a lot of advice.

lf l'm any judge of men, you don't need it. You're going to your family and to a job.

- And there's a girl there too isn't there? - Yes, sir.

Fine. l think we've been able to help you lose your bitterness...

...and to find another way of looking at organized society.

Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail.

A lot of it is up to the man himself.

l should be greatly disappointed if we failed in your case.

Listen, warden, you don't have to worry about me.

l learned my lesson some time ago. l won't be back.

No, l don't think you will.

And just remember this, l'd like to be your friend.

l'd like you to promise me that if the time comes...

...when you're ready to, well, kick it over again...

...you come and tell me about it first.

- lt's a deal. - Goodbye, Taylor.

- And good luck. - Thanks, warden.

Send in Chuck Martin.

Well, Martin?

- You wanna see me? - Thought we'd have a little talk.

What about? l done my full time. The way l look at it, me and the State is quits.

That's too bad.

lf there was any way l could do it, l'd hold you here, you know that.

Yeah, l know that. But there ain't no way.

- Martin, haven't you had enough? - What, enough of this? Yeah.

The way l look at it, it ought to take two to make a deal.

Ought to be a question of give and take. That ain't the way it's been.

Nobody give me nothing. All l've been doing is taking it.

What gripes you is l know my side of the fence and l'll stay on it.

l wouldn't relish the idea of one day escorting you to the electric chair, Chuck.

There ain't nothing you and l can do about it.

All right, Martin. Goodbye.

- Sorry l can't wish you luck. - lt's okay with me.

Just as long as we understand each other.

So long, warden, see you in church.

All right, Peter, open up.

Have a good time, boys.

But don't stay away too long.

- So long, Peter. - You'll be back.

You'll be back.

Yes, sir.

She's gotta have gold hair. Real gold.

The kind that ain't hard and coarse when you touch it.

Long legs and smooth white arms.

Take it easy.

l was just thinking.

Think about something else.

Why?

You know, l feel sorry for you.

You'll have parole agents on your tail thicker than flies.

They can camp in my pockets if they want.

That stuff you give the warden, you mean that?

- Going straight? - Yeah.

- Sure. - Gonna roll up your sleeves, start pitching.

Pick up where you left off. Start off clean again, is that it?

You think l'm nuts.

Well, that's all right if you go for it.

You can swallow that guff the doc and the warden hand out. But not me.

l've been out before.

You think changing your uniform means anything?

You'll still be wearing stripes.

You may not be able to see them but they'd be there all right.

A guy l knew once made a crack.

He said, "There's theorists and there's realists."

Me, l'm one of them there realists.

Hello, old man Peter.

Open up those golden gates.

Maybe.

lt all depends on how smart you are and what breaks you get.

l'm gonna make them pay for every day l spent in that crummy stir.

Yeah.

You know, she ought to wear one of them strapless evening gowns.

Yes, sir, that would be fun.

Mom?

Hello, Mom.

Cliff.

Cliff.

Oh, Cliff...

...you're home again.

Yeah.

Home.

That's funny. l used to think this was just a dump.

l didn't think it was big enough for me.

And now it's...

What have you done to it?

Why, it's just the same as it always was, Cliff.

Yeah, maybe it is.

l never noticed it.

l won't forget again.

l know, Cliff.

You're the same old Mom.

Everything's the same, son. Nothing's changed.

Nothing?

lt's been a long time.

Cliff...

...do you remember when you were a little fellow...

...your uncle took you into the country for a vacation?

Yeah, l remember.

Well, l cried that day.

Then l said to myself:

"He's gone away just for a little while and he'll be home in a couple of days."

lt made the time pass that much quicker.

Ever since then, whenever you've gone away l've said:

"He'll be home in a couple of days."

And l never cried anymore.

Now here you are, home again.

And you've only been gone a couple of days.

Do you understand, Cliff?

Yeah, l understand.

Just a couple of days.

[BANGlNG]

Hello, Cliff.

CLlFF: Hello, Tim.

Gee, you look swell.

Yeah, so do you.

Why, look at them, standing there like a couple of strangers.

You wouldn't believe it. Tim's been waiting the whole week for you to get back.

Go on, say something. He's only your brother.

He won't bite you.

Cliff knows how l feel.

Sure, kid. And it goes double for me.

- Hello, Cliff. - Hello, Peggy.

l'm awfully glad you're back home.

Gee, you look swell. Didn't she blossom out?

Oh, aren't you gonna kiss him, Peggy? What's the matter with all of you?

Oh, l'm gonna get the dinner on the table.

- Well, l'll help. - No, no, you stay here.

When are you two kids gonna get married?

Yeah, when?

Oh, there's lots of time to get married.

After all, you've got to realize a girl likes long engagements.

Sure, very fashionable.

We like being very fashionable.

Well, l think l'll go and help with the dinner.

Oh, how it feels to be here.

Tim?

l can't start to tell you.

Maybe Mom was right about my not knowing what to say.

l felt kind of foolish.

Gee, Cliff, this joint's been lonesome without you.

No man around the house to talk things over with.

l even missed your taking a crack at me when l'd get out of line.

Sure, l know. l felt the same way.

How is your job?

All right, it's a job.

You don't like it?

Oh, l do it. l get paid for it.

l don't have to like it.

How is mine?

lt doesn't pay much either.

l'll still like it. l only had one year in the shop but...

lt's buttons, l tell you.

[KNOCKlNG ON DOOR]

That must be Sue. She said she was coming down right after work.

Hello, honey.

Cliff, take it easy.

You look fine, Cliff.

- Hello, Mrs. Taylor. MRS. TAYLOR: Hello, you're just in time.

- Hello, Tim. - Hi.

Now we can all sit down.

lsn't it good to have Cliff back? Aren't you glad?

Yes. Yes, of course l am.

PEGG Y: Hello, Sue. - Hello, Peggy.

Here, here. There'll be plenty of time for that later.

Cliff and Sue, would you sit there? And Peggy, you over here next to Tim.

There we all are.

TlM: Did you put the beer on ice, Peggy? PEGG Y: Mom did.

Mm. This smells good.

You don't mind if l stare at you, do you, honey?

Our Father...

...we thank thee for thy bounty...

...and we thank thee for bringing our boy back home.

Amen.

l never saw your mother as happy as she was tonight.

How about you?

Well, of course. l was happy too.

Were you, Sue?

No.

No, l wasn't. l was happy to see you but...

That's what l thought.

- You knew, didn't you? - Sure. Anybody would.

Anybody who waited like l have and thought about seeing you again.

There isn't anyone else. Honest, Cliff, it isn't that.

No, l knew that too when l kissed you.

l would have told you before.

l wanted to, but it seemed so cruel while you were up there.

While l was up there, thinking what we'd do when l got out.

- Please, Cliff. - Thinking maybe you'd understand.

Maybe you'd stick by me.

l let you think that because you were having trouble.

l didn't wanna hurt you, can't you see that?

Yeah.

l'm sorry, Cliff, but l've got to be honest.

l've thought it all over and over and over. lt's nearly driven me crazy.

- l know. - l just can't see it, Cliff.

l can't marry an ex-convict.

No, you couldn't.

You shouldn't have expected me to.

l remember now. You liked everything neat and orderly.

Everything tied up with a ribbon. Everything as it should be.

And you never liked bad smells either. The day l took you for a hike...

...and we crossed close to the slaughterhouse, it made you sick.

- l guess even a prison stink is worse. - Please.

Sure. l hope you get it. l really mean it. l hope you get what you want...

...all tied up with a ribbon and handed to you on a platter.

So long, honey.

What's the use?

That's what l keep asking myself.

Trying to get enough money to get married.

- Peggy, if l wasn't so crazy about you... - We'll be married, Tim.

We will.

Two years ago, we said that.

But Cliff is home now.

We'll be married soon.

Good night, darling.

Hey.

You weren't long.

No, just long enough.

What do you mean?

Sue and me are all washed up.

- How come? - lt just isn't there anymore.

You explain it to me.

l'm nuts about a girl.

A year later, we come together with the wallop of empty paper bags.

You had enough wallop when she came in.

You're not kidding me? Why, the dirty little...

Cut it.

l get to thinking maybe something like that will happen to Peggy and me.

Maybe she'd meet one of those guys down at the place she works.

Maybe the boss, even.

Why, she could go places, dancing, take a ride out in the country on Sundays.

- Get her nose out of the subway for once. - That's not Peggy.

No? Why not? What's she getting out of this?

Don't you think people get fed up?

You did once.

Yeah, l did and l blew my topper.

You know, l've been doing a lot of figuring lately.

Figuring on getting a garage of my own.

l wouldn't care if it was a hole in a wall, so long as l'd get a start...

...get a break and see where l'm going.

lt's been all my fault, kid.

No, that isn't it, Cliff.

You did your share. You took care of Ma and me.

Look, l make 20 a week now. lf everything goes all right...

...and l keep my health, l'll be making 30 a week in 20 years.

lf l live that long.

Maybe you had the right idea.

Maybe it's better to blow your topper and take what you want.

l hope you're kidding.

Yeah, l'm kidding.

There isn't anything in knocking over cash registers.

l learned that.

And another thing. You can't get anywhere feeling sorry for yourself.

- That's what you think it is with me? - No, that's what l think it was with me.

Oh, you got nothing to worry about, kid.

l'm back and l'll go to work and help out.

Well, maybe l'm lucky.

Maybe l got a head start.

Oh, the number game?

- This is a racket. - Suppose it is?

They pay off, don't they?

Let's go to Kelly's, see if any of the boys are around.

Not allowed in poolrooms.

l think l'll go down anyway.

l'll see you.

MRS. TAYLOR: ls that you, Cliff?

Yes, Mom.

Did you enjoy yourself?

Yeah.

Cliff?

- Did Sue...? - Oh, never mind.

l was afraid.

l'm sorry.

An awful lot of things can happen in a couple of days...

...can't it?

Oh, you're hurt. You're bitter.

And l can't help.

That's what you think.

Now, you quit worrying about me.

l'll get up tomorrow and l won't be hurt and l won't be bitter.

But l will be hungry, so you'd better get some sleep, huh?

- Good night. - Good night, son.

How do you keep your hair like that, honey?

l'm a rare animal, Chuck.

l'm a natural blond.

That's why you went for me quick, wasn't it?

Oh, that and other things.

- Hey, let him alone. Let a guy talk to him. - Go away.

l've been talking to mugs like you for five years.

- Have a drink. - Think this is a temperance meeting?

- Oh, thanks, get the babe a drink, will you? - Okay.

- Hello, pal. - Shorty.

lt's good to see you. l'd begun to think they'd buried you. How are you?

l'm feeling fine. Never better.

- Hey, you got bald. - Huh?

Oh, yeah. lt's coming back, though, now.

l got a new massage machine.

Gee, it wallops the biscuits out of the old dome.

- Hey, did you see Ace Dugan up there? - He's doing all right. Sent you his best.

- Does he need anything? - Nothing you could do.

Gee, it's good to see you.

You said that before.

Yeah, and l'll say it again. l mean it.

- Me and Chuck is old pals, ain't we? - Sure.

Oh, l could kiss you.

You leave that to me.

Hey, Chuck?

Kruger just came in.

Oh, pardon me, babe. Stay right here, will you?

- And look out for Shorty. - Huh?

What's the matter with you? l don't fool with no other guy's dame.

l can believe that.

Oh, yeah.

- Hello, Chuck. - Hi.

- Hello, Ed. - Glad to see you back.

Just thought l'd run up and see what's new.

- What are you gonna do? - Well, maybe you can tell me.

Five years is a long time to be away from things.

Yeah, things have changed.

Yeah, so the citizens tell me.

How'd you like to tie in with me?

You mean, just a job or really in?

Sure. You're in.

There's just one thing.

Lefty's working with us.

Hey, Lefty. Come here.

Now, listen, boys. Why don't you two forget it and get along?

lt's okay with me.

All l wanna do is to be friends.

All right, Eddie. Anything you say. You better hope l don't find out...

...you was the fink that ratted on me. - Fine.

Now, come on. Let's have some fun.

Yes, Mr. Hastings, right away.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Yes, sir. We'll have it over right away.

ls that you, Taylor?

- Yes, sir. - Come here a minute, will you?

Take that Buick over to Hastings, 9307th, and snap into it.

- He's as sore as an owl with the itch. - l can't drive it.

- Why not? - No license.

l told you parolees were not allowed a driver's license.

- l'll take it myself. You watch the office. - Yes, sir.

Never mind. We'll wait till one of the other men get back.

Taylor, come in the office a minute, will you?

l'm sorry, darned sorry, but l'll have to give you your time.

- What's the matter? lsn't my work okay? - Nothing wrong.

l'd like to help you if l could but... You can see for yourself, you can't drive.

- That is, you're not allowed to. - And you won't trust me.

Sorry, buddy.

Four days and a half. That's 15 bucks.

Listen, Mr. Chasen.

l need this job. There's generally a lot of fellas around that can drive.

Sorry.

What a day.

Seems like everybody in town had a flat.

Where'd you get the money?

The old man figured he could run the joint without me.

- Fired? - Yup, seems that l can't drive a car.

He won't trust me alone with that million dollars he's got in that old cash register.

Why, that dirty stupid little runt. l'll tell him what he can do for himself.

Take it easy. Do you wanna blow your job too?

- l'll tell him what he can do with my job. - Sure.

Then we'll both go out and sell apples. Listen, l can take care of myself.

l've done it before so don't you go sticking your nose in it.

What you need is a little cooling off. You're hot, Mr. Taylor.

Hey, Cliff. Hey, what are you doing?

- This is my fight, isn't it? - Come on.

- lsn't it? - Hey, nuts.

- Well, isn't it? - Yeah.

So you want work, huh?

Can you stand hard work? This is no place for softies.

l can handle it.

Okay. The pay's $4 a day.

- Entrance J. Give that to the foreman. - Thanks.

Hey, Shrank? Here's a helper for you.

Oh, say, who's notified in case of accident?

Mrs. Thomas Taylor, 112 E Street.

But wait a minute. l gotta tell you something first.

- What is it? - l'm on parole.

l don't care what you're on, long as you do your work.

Thanks.

On parole, huh?

An ex-con?

Oh, you don't talk. Used to the silent system.

You can talk around here. There's no guards.

What do you know about that? l got an ex-con for a partner.

What did you do, stick some guy in the back?

Let's just do the work, huh?

Oh, a snooty con, huh?

"Let's just do the work," he says.

lt slipped. Do you wanna make something of it?

Oh!

- l've taken about enough. - You're gonna make something out of it.

l don't mind the cracks but l don't like being shoved around.

Well, l don't like working with an ex-con, get me?

[MEN LAUGHlNG]

- What's happened? - They was fighting.

lt was that mug.

- What about it? - He tried to take a punch. l ducked, he fell.

lt's a lie. A dirty lie.

Get your pay. Get out. We don't want no troublemakers.

- Wait. l tell you, it wasn't my fault. - Get out. We don't want no troublemakers.

We don't want no ex-cons.

All right, boys, break it up. Get back to work.

Go to the first aid, if you need it.

- So you're on parole. Sing Sing, huh? - Yes, sir.

Well, that shouldn't be nothing against you.

We ought to be able to use you.

Sure. l got just the spot for you. Just the job.

Thanks, mister. l need it.

You'll be kind of an assistant to me.

Keep me informed as to how things is going at the plant.

We've been having a little trouble.

The men are grumbling about the speedup.

We'll put you at a bench first, see how things are...

...talk to the men, see what they're saying, and then you can let me know.

Job ought to pay about 30 a week.

- Sort of a stool pigeon, eh? - Well, l wouldn't exactly call it that.

No? What would you call it, you...?

You realize that your action in socking McGovern...

...is cause enough to send you back? - Yes, sir.

We thought you'd learned to keep your temper in hand.

Yes, sir.

lf he makes a squawk, l'll have to send you back.

l guess you will.

l realize his proposition is an insult, as you say.

According to law, you've gotta tell them you're a parolee.

And parolees are supposed to be impervious to insults.

- Yes. - l wish l'd have been there.

l'd have taken a poke at him myself.

Thanks, Mr. Masters.

But there's another side to it, Taylor.

You've been out of work for months. You've gotta get a job.

Yes, sir.

- But where? - l don't know. lf l did, l'd help you.

That's just it. Nobody knows anything. But l gotta get a job.

That's part of the rules.

Seems to me that the rules only work one way.

The businessmen or judges, whoever makes them.

They make the rules. They're cut-and-dry. l can't go to work at this, at that.

- Thumbs down on this, on that. - Now, take it easy. Take it easy.

l don't make the rules and l'll help you all l can, of course...

...but you've gotta find work, Taylor.

- Yes, sir. - Report daily until you do.

Thanks, Mr. Masters.

Cliff?

- Hello, Chuck. - Glad to see you.

Meet the babe, Molly Daniels. This is Cliff Taylor, an old pal of mine.

- How do you do? - Pleased to meet you.

- She's got gold hair. - Natural. Feel it.

- Chuck, cut it out. - Oh, go on, feel it.

- Chuck's just crazy about my hair. - l don't blame him.

- What's new? What are you doing? - Oh, just taking it easy.

Right now l'm between jobs.

- Need anything? - Thanks, Chuck, but l'm all right.

- Come to the apartment. Have a drink. - Yeah, please do, Mr. Taylor.

Some other time.

Say, you look like you're doing all right.

Never better. You won't come, huh?

- Okay. Good to see you, kid. - Nice to see you, Chuck.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

And this picture was in the window by itself.

Nothing else in the whole window but this picture by some famous artist.

l stood looking at it for a long time.

And at first it didn't seem like so much...

...and then l began to see how beautiful it was.

Tim, it was so beautiful l cried.

l've never cried in my life, not even when my dad was killed.

l know what you mean, though.

lt's kind of like a hurt inside.

That's the way l feel when l look at you.

You're so beautiful l...

l'm afraid l'm gonna cry.

Me cry.

That's funny, isn't it?

No, Tim, it isn't funny.

WOMAN: Violets?

Buy your sweetheart some flowers?

No, Tim, don't. l don't need them.

Oh, they're only a dime a bunch, mister.

l'll take two.

l wish they were great big yellow roses.

No, these are much nicer.

[WHlSTLES]

Look at that car.

What kind is it, Tim?

l don't know. A foreign make or something.

Some jalopy.

Not bad.

- What'll she do when you step on her? - l've had her up to 110.

- Yeah? Do you mind if l look inside? - Well...

Why don't you give the kid a look? You'd break your arm to show her off.

All right.

All right, miss.

l'll take them.

No, please. Those are my flowers. l'm not selling them.

- What's the matter? - He took my violets.

- What's the idea? - l thought she was selling them.

- lt's quite all right. - lt's not all right. Who do you think you are?

- Who do you think we are? - Tim.

l'm really sorry. lt was stupid of me.

- l apologize. - What makes you think she's selling flowers?

Here, none of that. On your way, you hear me? On your way.

What do you mean, on my way?

- Tim. - Come on, take it easy, kid.

l ought to sock you right in the puss.

Come on, lay off, will you?

Tim, please.

- l'm sorry. - That's all right.

Don't think about it, Tim.

lt really was my fault, standing there like a schoolgirl.

l'd like to take that white neck of his in my hands.

l'd like to rip off that stiff shirt and cram dirt down his mouth.

Tim, please.

He didn't mean anything.

No. He didn't mean anything.

Just that you were someone to throw a quarter to, like a dirty street beggar.

What kind of a car was it, Tim?

l don't know.

Look, there's a boat. A yacht all lighted up.

Where would we go if we had a yacht, Tim?

- l don't know. - Rio. That's where l'd like to go.

Rio de Janeiro.

ln the travel offices they say that's the most beautiful bay in the world.

Travel office? What travel office?

Well, there's one where l work.

l drop in sometimes during lunch just to look at the folders.

lt's even better than Naples.

What?

The bay.

- Did you see the dress that girl had on? - Yeah.

lt was silver.

Silver lame.

They're very expensive.

lmagine having a dress like that.

lmagine having a whole closet full of dresses like that.

Yeah. And a yacht, a car and a guy like that one to go with it.

- Tim. - Go on, say it.

- That's what you're thinking. - That's not fair.

None of it's fair. lt makes no difference.

- That's what you're thinking. - Tim, no.

Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth.

Tell me about the travel offices and all the other places you'd like to go to.

Tell me what you'd do if you had a guy with guts enough to give you the world.

Tell me what you'd do if you were free and could really breathe.

Darling.

Oh, the whole world to go to...

...and we stand on this rotting plank smelling 10-cent violets.

Tim, we won't wait.

We'll get married tomorrow.

Go on home, Peggy...

...before l say yes and hate myself more than l do now.

Tim.

You marry me and you'd be crying the rest of your life.

Go on, Peggy, go on.

For heaven's sakes, how much do you think l can stand?

Here, what's the matter?

- Nothing. - Oh, you're just crying...

...to make sure you haven't forgotten how, huh? Where's Tim?

Down by the river.

- You two quarreled? - Mm-hm.

- Nothing serious? - l don't know.

Forget it. l'll walk you up to the house.

Please, Cliff...

...l'd rather be alone.

Anything you say.

Cigarette?

l saw Peggy.

She was crying.

A little.

Why, if you're crazy about someone, do you have to hurt them?

Lots of people have gone daffy trying to figure that one out.

She was standing there on the sidewalk holding the flowers l bought her...

...and a guy gives her a quarter like she's a dirty street beggar.

And you socked him.

No. Then she started talking about a silver dress and a yacht.

l'd give her the world if l could get my hands on it.

l know.

l was looking at a car up there.

There was a gold cigarette case in the back seat.

lt must be real gold to be in a car like that.

lt'd bring 200 bucks easy.

The drivers are down getting coffee.

Listen, Tim. Get another idea like that and l'll break your head.

- All right. Forget it. - No, we won't forget it.

l've been ahead of you since the time you couldn't wipe your nose.

l made all the mistakes for both of us.

l quit school, but that didn't stop me from whanging you...

...when you wanted to quit, because l found out what l missed.

Well, l found out a lot of other things too.

l want you to remember, l'd rather see you with a hole through your head...

...than serving time in the pen.

l'm sorry, Cliff. l guess l didn't know what l was saying.

Okay. Come on, let's go home.

Okay, fellas, line up.

Where do you think you're going?

- Quit shoving or l'll slug you. - l was here first.

What are you doing here? This is a kid's job.

l'm a kid at heart, son.

Stinky, your mother wants you.

What's the idea of this guy inching in here?

Here they are, Jimmy. Put them to work.

You first five guys, over at that desk there.

Right over there.

- How old are you? - Twenty-seven.

Twenty-seven?

You got a nerve.

Follow me.

Take care of these two, will you, Tommy?

- What do l do? - What do you wanna do?

Run the joint in a couple of days? Or are you just here to watch us?

No, l just wanna work.

There's a lot of kids that'd like to have this work.

- Why don't you get yourself a man's job? - l can't, buddy.

l need this job as bad as any kid.

Come here.

[BO YS WHlSTLlNG]

Taylor? Cliff Taylor?

Yes, sir.

Taylor, l'm Butler, in charge of the personnel.

Yes, sir.

On your card you wrote that you're on parole from Sing Sing.

- Yes, sir. - Well, you understand that's most irregular.

l have a right to a job, don't l?

l can stand any kind of an investigation you want.

Look. Why don't you call my parole officer?

l have.

You called Mr. Masters?

Yes, l did, and he recommends you highly.

Still, l wouldn't wanna make a mistake. They wouldn't like it at the office.

You see, some of us might not understand why you took a boy's job.

You won't make any mistake.

Well, l hope not.

- lt'll be all right, Taylor. - Thank you, sir.

You're on parole, huh?

Sing Sing, huh?

So that's why you had to take this job.

That's right.

Say, me and the fellas are sorry about the way we acted to you.

We didn't understand.

That's all right.

My name's Tommy McNeil.

Hi, Tommy. Mine's Cliff Taylor.

Listen. lf there's anything l can do to help you, you let me know, will you?

Thanks, Tommy.

- Look what music does to them, Mom. - The darlings.

Hello, beautiful.

Pay no attention to him. He's just a flirt.

l get the next dance, Mom.

No, you don't, wise guy. l got the next five reserved.

Go on, both of you. Quarreling over me when there's all these young girls around.

You're just as young as any of them, sweetheart.

All right, boys, let's swing out a bit. One, two.

- What are they up to? - They're swinging it, Mom.

Oh, is that what they call the clatterbugs?

Jitterbugs.

Can we do it, Cliff?

lf they can, we can. Come on.

l think l'll wait for a waltz.

Oh, no wonder they keep thin, these young ones.

Why stop now, Mom? You're doing fine.

Oh, l better stop now before l wreck the place and myself included.

All right.

Here's a seat.

Then l gotta go. lt's past 9.

Oh, tonight too Cliff?

The parole board don't make any exception for dances. ln the house by 9:30.

But don't worry. After Friday l'll be able to stay out as late as l like.

- Would you like me to come? - No.

You stay with Tim and Peggy and enjoy yourself.

Good night.

- Good night, son. - l'll wait up for you.

All right.

- Have you ever tried to jitterbug? - No. l can't say that l ever have.

l do it fine.

My son said so himself.

lt's open, Mom. Come on in.

Are you Cliff Taylor?

Yes. Why?

- Wait a minute. What is this? - We're police.

- Well, l haven't done anything. - No?

- Where'd you go after you left the dance? - Here. l came home.

Why, sure you did, but not right away.

- Don't seem to be anything around. - Come on. Get moving.

What's it about? lf it's a pinch, what is it for?

- Cliff, what is it? - Well, who are they?

- l'm his mother. What do they want here? MAN 1: We're the police.

lt's all right, Mom. lt's just a mistake of some kind.

- Oh, son. You didn't do anything. - You know l didn't.

What are these guys trying to pull?

You stay out of it, Tim.

- What's the charge? - Robbery.

But it's not true. He was at the dance with me. He just left me.

Sure. But there's $40,000 worth of furs missing from the 5th Ave. Department Store.

- But you can't take him. l won't let you. - Don't, Mom.

- Sorry, lady. MAN 2: Come on, Taylor.

l won't let them take you, Cliff.

- Don't worry, Mom. MRS. TAYLOR: l won't.

lt's just because l got a record.

- lt'll all wash out. MRS. TAYLOR: Cliff.

- What can l do to help you, Cliff? - Nothing, kid. Just sit tight.

Let's get going.

He didn't do it, Mom. l know he didn't. You know it.

l know. l asked him and he told me.

l'm so sorry, Mrs. Taylor.

Thank you, Peggy.

Put the coffee on, will you?

Because he's got a record they pick on him.

Tim.

- l gotta do something. l gotta help him. - Tim, be quiet.

l can't stand around while they kick Cliff around.

l gotta do something.

There's nothing you can do. Do you hear me?

- Darling, please. - l'll get him out on bail.

- Tim. - Let me alone.

When they were little l could always help them.

l could pick them up when they fell down...

...and wash them clean and bandage their hurts.

l'd better see about the coffee.

l left the dance about a quarter past 9.

l walked up Eighth and cut across to the house.

- Anybody see you? - l don't know. l don't remember.

- Why did you leave so early? - You know why. l'm on parole.

Why don't you come clean? The job was planned for three months.

That's why you got a job as a stock boy or anything you could get.

l took it because it was the only job l could get.

So a guy like you takes a job as a stock boy.

Pick out a night when there's a dance, plenty of noise going on.

You're in the store. You know how to get upstairs.

- Let the gang in and make a getaway. - l don't know anything.

You better talk. lt'll go easier with you.

Oh, hello, Masters.

Mr. Masters, tell them why l took a job as a stock boy. l didn't have any part of it.

Taylor, l'll help you all l can. Just sit down.

Yes, sir.

Tim.

Yes, Ma.

l couldn't do anything.

Not anything.

Couldn't even pay the bail bond.

They wanted a hundred bucks. We've got 40.

l tried to get the rest.

l went up to my boss' and asked for an advance.

Oh, Tim, you shouldn't. Not at this time of night.

He said things about Cliff. Things l couldn't take. l socked him.

And now you lost your job.

Yeah.

l never felt the way l did tonight.

Walking the streets, wanting to do something...

...and nobody paying any attention.

l didn't feel like a man at all.

l felt like a stray dog, wandering around begging for a handout.

You're upset, Tim.

Go to bed now.

- Good night, Mom. - Good night, son.

l guess you've heard.

- You're in the clear. - Yeah.

But at first it looked like you were in it pretty deep.

But you can't blame us. We couldn't take chances.

So l spend two nights in a cell.

That's the way it goes. Give that to the desk sergeant.

- l've already called your folks. - Thanks.

l've got your papers all made out.

Drop down to the office and get them.

l guess you'll be glad to be off parole.

l certainly will.

He never did it before.

He's been different since the other night when they took you and he lost his job...

...but he never stayed out all night before.

We'd have heard if anything happened to him.

Sure. He's all right. He'll turn up.

Eat your lunch, Peggy. You hardly touched a thing.

l'm not hungry.

Don't worry. Tim can take care of himself. He's old enough.

[DOOR OPENS]

- Hello, Peggy. What are you doing here? - What do you think she's doing here?

She came up to see if you were home.

l heard the coppers let you out.

Where have you been all night, Tim?

l've been sitting up on top of a building, talking to the stars.

- Did they tell you l got out? - Yeah.

Don't you realize how you worried us?

Yeah. Sure. That's one of the things that keeps you like a rubber stamp.

People worrying about you.

l told you, stick to me and you'll cry the rest of your life.

l won't have any more talk like this.

Go to your room and wash your face. You're dirty.

Okay.

Oh, Cliff, you're not going to...

You won't quarrel.

lt'll be all right, Mom.

l'll tell you where l was.

l was with the guys at the poolroom until 3:00...

...and then another guy and l took a walk up the 50s.

We rolled a dude drunk. l got 6 bucks.

Well, you can say what you like or try to take it out of my hide.

l ain't gonna take this, Cliff.

That's okay by me.

Cliff!

Cliff! Tim!

Cliff!

Cliff! Tim!

This ain't gonna change anything.

Then we'll have a round a day until you get the idea. Come on.

That ain't the way it's gonna be.

l thought things would be different.

l thought you and me would work together, get ahead.

Get some place so we'd both feel like men again.

That's the way it can be.

lt can't. Look at what they're doing to you now...

...even after you served your time. About being on the square with you.

They kicked you around, you can't even get a job.

What's that to do with lifting 6 bucks from a drunk?

That ain't it. lt's letting them walk over you.

Ripping everything out. Making you quit fighting back.

Till you end up like the rest of them, licking their boots.

You're kind of mixed-up, kid.

Anyway, l told you before this was my fight.

Yeah, but l don't have to stand around and watch it.

l'm gonna fight back. l want a decent life for Peggy and me.

You think l want her scrubbing pots she doesn't have enough to put in?

Raising a family we bring up in the streets?

Do you think l want Ma's life for her?

That's up to you to change by being a little smarter.

- By working harder. - Don't give me that stuff they fed you.

l don't believe it, and l see what it's done to you.

Talk about fighting back. Why don't you do it in the scrap you're in...

...instead of yelling just because the going's a little tough?

Sure...

...maybe they got me tagged wrong, but you got a clean start...

...if things ain't the way you want you're not gonna change by lifting 6 bucks.

And nothing's gonna be changed your way, either.

Why don't you give it a chance?

No, Cliff, you show me that rag-to-riches stuff work...

...then maybe l'll believe you.

Come here, let me look at that.

There.

Go on, now. You better get some sleep.

- Chuck Martin here? - Yeah. Over there.

MAN [O VER RADlO]: They're coming into the stretch.

It's Rainbow in front by two lengths. SAureoff is second, Image of War, third.

It's Rainbow. It's SAureoff.

It's a driving finish.

It's Rainbow, the winner.

- Hi, Cliff. - Hello, Chuck. Do you have it?

No. My horse must have been in a party last night.

- l've seen your picture in the paper. - Yeah. lt was a bum rap.

Yeah, l know. Funny thing, ain't it?

They put your picture when they grab you but they never do when they spring you.

- You still got the same ideas. - Sure.

Something in this one, Mr. Martin?

Yeah. Give me 150 to win on Flying Spray.

Hundred and fifty to win. Okay.

Anything l can do to help? Anything you want?

l'm not after a handout.

Just come up to say hello, huh?

You know why l came.

You found out l was right.

You're gonna make me say it, huh?

l still think the warden's idea was right.

But the big shots haven't figured it out yet.

They forget one thing.

Some of the guys they send up are gonna come out again.

They ought to give them a chance or kill them off.

They ain't got brains enough to think of that.

They can do one or the other for me.

Also, there's a reason.

l gotta get from rags to riches quick.

You got any suggestions?

Yeah.

Come on up and meet the boys.

Keep your mouth shut and walk on in.

Here's the manager. He'll open the vault.

Good morning.

Leave your motor running.

All right, get in there.

[HORN HONKlNG]

- Morning. - Good morning.

- lt's gonna be a warm day. - l'm afraid so.

We're mixed-up here.

The fellow at the gas station gave us the wrong steer.

- Just what's the best way over to Tedford? - Oh, you're way off.

Here. You go back down this road until you come to 41.

Then you turn left and keep going over to here. That's the Junction 63.

Then you turn right and straight ahead.

- About 40 miles, l'd say. - Fella in the gas station...

...must have been crazy. Well, thanks a lot. - You're welcome.

What's the matter, kid? You're not weakening?

"l'll be able to open the garage in a few days.

Thanks to the money you're sending home."

The kid brother thinks l'm selling tractors.

Listen to this:

"You've gotta be here for the wedding. lt's on the 30th.

You've gotta make it. No excuses.

Mom and Peggy send their love. Your brother, Tim."

Well, that's easy. You can make it. l'll drive you there.

Thanks, Chuck.

This is a kind of a crummy joint. Why didn't you get him something big and classy?

On a salesman's commission? He's not that dumb.

- Hi, Cliff. - Hi, kid.

Gee, you made it. You had us worried.

- Say, it's quite a place you got here. - Yeah.

Oh, meet the bridegroom. Mr. Martin.

- Hello. - Hi.

- You one of the salesmen too? - Yeah.

Come in, l'll show you around.

No, thanks. l gotta run along. Some other time.

- See you later, Chuck. - Okay.

How do you like it?

There's no way you could get Taylor on there for the third time, is there?

Well, it really pays to advertise.

lt looks great.

- Tell me, Tim, how are you doing? - Swell, Cliff.

l made a deal with old man Sullivan for his repair work.

He's got seven trucks and l think l got Shorty Matthews' six cabs.

l got two guys for storage. That's 4 bucks a month apiece.

See this bench? Pinky and l built it ourselves.

Pretty complete stock of tools.

We've had 12 jobs so far, which is pretty good, considering.

Most of them have been small but we had one wreck.

We made 34 bucks on it.

Oh, this is Pinky. My brother, Cliff.

- Glad to know you. - Hi, Pinky.

Pinky and l made this out of parts, 60 bucks altogether.

Say, you two kids are doing all right.

- Say, it's getting late. We gotta get going. - And you gotta get ready.

Gee, l'm beginning to get nervous already.

MAN: Here they come.

- Oh, Peggy, it's a wonderful day. - Oh, Mother.

Thanks, Cliff. Thanks for everything.

Good luck. How about me? Don't l get a kiss?

- l'm so happy, Cliff. - l know. You better get moving.

l just saw a kid with another shoe.

- Bye, Mom. - Goodbye, Tim.

PEGG Y: Bye. CLlFF: Hurry up.

- Away you go. - Goodbye.

[PEOPLE CHEERlNG]

Good luck.

lf you'd only find a girl and get married...

...l'd be the happiest woman in the whole world.

What do l want another girl for? l've got you, haven't l?

You trying to get rid of us? lt's just as well that tractor job's all finished.

l'll get myself a job in town so l can watch over you that you don't get out of hand.

Come on, honey, let's go home.

- Chuck here? - They're all here.

- Where's the body? - l hear you're thinking of quitting.

l told them.

- Saves me the trouble. - You think you'll just walk out, huh?

ls that the way it is?

- That's the way it is. - l didn't like it when Chuck brought you in.

- l've been waiting for something like this. - Like what?

Like pulling out just before a job you know all about.

You got the wrinkles out now so you turn yellow.

You know, from where l stand, you smell like a guy that will squeal himself hoarse...

...the first time a copper flashes his badge.

Don't pull a rod, Lefty. l'm heeled too.

How do you feel about it?

lt's okay with me.

Then that's it.

- You say he's okay? - Yeah, l do.

All right. But you better keep buttoned up.

CLlFF: Thanks.

Go on. Powder.

l still say we shouldn't have let that guy go, the dirty fink.

You do too much yapping. You always did.

- Who's talking to you? - Cut it out, both of you.

Come here and sit down. Johnny, show them this setup.

You got it marked wrong.

Lend me your pencil.

The loading platform's here and the bank car rolls in here.

Pueblo's the last pickup.

She's made seven before, usually carrying more than a hundred grand...

...according to Lefty. - She'll be carrying all of that.

Now, here's the platform and here's where they park the trucks.

[HORN HONKlNG]

Let's go.

- Open up. MAN: Okay.

Holdup at Rudell's lce Plant!

Come on, let's go.

Beat it.

[SlREN WAlLlNG]

One went that way and the other's gone that way.

That's the car. Pick them up.

[SlREN WAlLlNG]

The patrol car picked us up. Give it all you got.

- You get hit? - Yeah. ln the leg.

Head uptown, we'll get in traffic.

- Why don't you circle back? - No.

The alarm's out. The place will be crummy with cops.

Turn right two blocks ahead, there's a joint in the middle of the block...

...if it's open. lf it ain't, we'll open it.

There it is, that garage. Get in there.

- Backtrack and comb the neighborhood. - Yes, sir.

- Hey, what's the idea? - This is.

What's in back? ls there a way out? Talk fast or l'll let you have it.

Put away that gun, you dummy. Hey, kid, come here.

- Remember me? - Yeah. You're Mr. Martin.

Chuck Martin. Listen, you gotta help us. You gotta get us out of here.

- Who is he? CHUCK: Taylor's brother.

No, you don't. You don't get me mixed up in this.

- Come on, we're wasting time. - Shut up.

Listen, we ain't got no time, so get this quick.

Cliff ain't selling tractors. He's been knocking over joints.

He was out with us tonight. We get nabbed, and they'll get him too.

You help us and you're helping Cliff, see?

All right. We can get out the back.

l'm hit. l can't walk.

l've got a motorcycle.

Well, give me a hand, will you?

Take it easy now.

Take a look outside. You guys make it on foot.

l'll have him drop me off at my place and Molly will pick me up there.

All right.

There she is.

- What's the idea? - What's your name?

Tim Taylor. l own this garage.

- Nice and handy for the boys. - l don't know what you're talking about.

- Where did you take them? - Take who?

- Come on, where did you take them? - There's blood in the sidecar.

- How did it get there? - l don't know what you're talking about.

- Take him along. - Come on.

Clark and Madigan, you park here.

- Phone. - Thanks.

- Hello. - Cliff, Chuck's hurt bad.

You gotta come over quick. At my apartment.

All right. l'll be there in 10 minutes.

[KNOCKlNG ON DOOR]

See who that is. Don't open it until you find out.

And stay out of the way.

- Who is it? CLlFF: Open up, it's Cliff.

- lt's Cliff. - Okay. Open it up.

- How is it? - Pretty bad.

- Did you call a doc? - Ain't been able to find one we can trust.

Run down to Peterson's and see if he's come back.

- l left word. - Do as l tell you.

- Anything l can do? - Yeah.

- Heard anything from anybody? - No. What happened?

One of the patrol cars picked us up when we was making our getaway.

They kept right on our tail. They give me this thing.

We was in a spot and l think of the kid's garage.

- Go on. - We made it, but the kid started to holler...

...and Lefty got too handy with his gun, so l had to spill it about you.

The kid was game, though, and he got us out of there.

- Where's the kid now? - Lefty just phoned. They picked him up.

He's down at the station house. They're sweating him.

- Will he talk? - Why shouldn't he?

Yeah.

He would if he knew you wasn't in. We've been telling him something different.

That's what he's gotta keep on thinking.

l know how you feel about this but there's angles to it that you don't know.

A couple of guys got killed.

He talks and we go to the chair.

Just do a little thinking.

The kid was at the garage all afternoon. He's got witnesses to that.

The worst rap they can hang on him is for aiding an escape.

And what's that? We get him a good mouthpiece and he gets him off...

...with maybe two years at the most. - He can't.

- Wanna see me go to the chair? - No.

That's what's gonna happen. Me and Kruger and the boys.

l don't care about the rest.

- l know l owe you something but... - Now, it'll be easy on the kid.

He'll do it in a walk. When he gets out, we'll take care of him.

Sure you would. And how would he get out?

Just like you and me. And what happens to him?

You think he can start over again? Oh, no, you don't.

You're the one that told me they put the tag on you. And it'll be on the kid.

He'll be a con, a dirty con.

They'll prove he's a rat that don't deserve better.

And what happens then? You know better than anyone.

He'll end up like me, you and Lefty...

...and he'll be lucky if he stays out of the chair.

No, Chuck, l can't do that to him.

Not for you or anyone.

He's gonna talk.

Now, wait a minute. You ain't going no place.

You know what you're asking for. lf it ain't me, it'll be Kruger or Lefty.

That's my worry.

Sorry, Chuck, you shouldn't have got the kid into it.

Here, you may need this.

Hello. Hello, warden?

Captain Johnson. How are you? Glad to hear it.

We've got one of your boys here. He wants to talk to you.

Hello, warden? This is Cliff Taylor.

Yeah. l'm all right.

What can l do for you, Taylor?

Oh, l see.

- Your brother? - So the captain's agreed to make a deal.

You're the only guy l can trust, warden, so l want you to witness it.

Here's the captain again.

l promised Taylor if his brother identifies the men who drove into the garage...

...and agrees to stand as witness for us, we'll drop all charges against him.

This is my word on it.

- Hello. - lt's all right, Taylor.

You can take Johnson's word.

Yes, and let me hear from you later.

Okay.

- You wanna see him alone? - Yes.

Take him in.

Thanks, captain.

Cliff.

Sing out when you're ready.

CLlFF: Okay.

- What happened? - l came in to yank you out...

...though l'd let you rot for being such a sucker.

- What are you dummying up for? - You ought to know.

Yeah. You fell for Chuck's line that l was mixed up in that job.

So you got so noble you hang a rap on yourself.

What's the matter with you? What if l was mixed up?

What has that got to do with you?

l don't believe you. l put it all together, Cliff...

...all the quick money you made and seeing you with Chuck.

- No. You were working with them. - l was, but not today.

l was with Mom and l can prove it.

- Can you prove it? - Sure. Come on, now...

...let's get out of here and you come clean.

Hey, open up.

Cliff. What will they do to you if l squeal?

They've blown. Stop talking like a mug.

You're not squealing. Get me? You're telling the truth.

Hudson.

Yeah. He was driving.

Lefty Sloan.

Yeah.

Chuck Martin.

Okay, Taylor. We'll hold him for his own protection until we round them up.

- Thanks, captain. - Take him back.

CLlFF: So long, kid.

Cliff, where have you been? What's happened to Tim?

- Nothing, Mom. - Yes, something has.

We called the garage and a policeman answered.

Where is he? What's a policeman doing at the garage?

A couple of gunmen used the place as a getaway...

...and Tim turned them over. He's at the station until they round up the gang.

He's not arrested.

Of course not.

You're not lying to me, Cliff?

lf you don't believe me, you call the station.

Oh, l'm sorry, Cliff. Of course l believe you.

lt was only because l was so worried about Tim.

l know. lt's because you love Tim. Tim is a lucky guy and he isn't any trouble.

And if he was, he wouldn't want you to worry.

He'd thank you for being his mother and apologize for the trouble he has been.

That's the way l'd feel.

Cliff, what are you trying to tell me?

Nothing, except that Tim is okay. He'll be out as soon as it's safe.

Excuse me now, huh?

Oh, Mom?

You going out again?

Yeah. Business. l heard a couple of customers were looking for me...

...while l was fussing around with Tim. - You're not going out of town.

Maybe.

l'm going up to the sales manager's house. lt's up to him.

Anyway, it'll only be a little while.

l'll be back in a couple of days.

Wait here.

[KNOCKlNG ON DOOR]

- Who is it? - Open up, it's Cliff.

Come in.

You must be nuts coming back here.

No. l gotta square with you what l owe you. l saw the kid. He talked.

ldentified the pictures of you, Lefty and Johnny.

You can blast away if you want.

Oh, what's the use?

lt won't take them long to run down this place.

l got a cab. You think you can make it?

Yeah. Give me the hat and coat.

Give me a hand.

[GUNSHOTS]

l'm sorry you got it. lt's me they want, Chuck.

- l'll go out and take it. - No.

No. lt's no use. l ain't got a chance.

Anyway, l ain't got no love for that hot seat.

lf l gotta go, l'd just... Just as soon take Lefty with me.

See what's outside that window.

l can climb around.

Give me another round. lt's over in that thing.

This is it, l guess.

That's okay with me. That kid deserved a break.

[CHUCKLES]

What do l care?

You can't live forever.

They got Johnny.

Come on, let's get out of here.

This is one time we'll fool Old Peter.

We won't be back.

- What do you think of it? - Oh, Tim, it's beautiful.

- You like it, huh? - Oh, yes.

TlM: l've saved every nickel l could.

- Look at them. - Oh, they're wonderful.

You might as well know, Peggy...

...these new gadgets are your anniversary present.

Darling, it couldn't be better.

lt's funny. Once l was gonna give you a yacht...

...emeralds and the world with a fence around it.

l've got the world and it's got a fence around it.

We better go. Your mother will be waiting.

Just a minute. l've got a real surprise.

- Yes? - Come here.

Now, go outside and keep your eyes closed.

Keep your eyes closed.

Now, turn around.

- Shut? - Uh-huh.

Now look up.

- What do you think of it? - Oh, Tim, it's wonderful.

Why, it's simply wonderful.

- Hello, you two. - Hello.

Hello. What do you think of it?

Oh, that's fine. Say, what about the other Taylor of Taylor Brothers Garage?

When am l gonna meet him?

He's gone away for a little while.

Well, l've never even seen him around. Must be a sort of silent partner, huh?

Yeah.

Sort of a silent partner.