Original subtitles

The business of making laws by which the citizen

is bound is an almost impossible task at best.

At worst, it can be a criminal activity of shocking proportions

when controlled by lobbyists to exceed their legal limitations.

The legitimate lobbyists can be a necessary part of the law-making process.

Labor unions, teachers, Veterans groups or just plain citizens who actually

help shape laws by expressing themselves against harmful legislation.

Fortunately, most state legislatures are comprised of members of high caliber

who devote up to 18 hours a day keeping up with their lawmaking duties.

Underpaid and dedicated, they work late into the midnight hours.

Honest men the corruptors haven't been able to buy.

But where money proves useless,

those forces for evil which can't afford to have honest obstacles

stand in their paths have other means of clearing those paths.

Kind of hot to be working so late, isn't it, Senator?

This shocking incident of State Senator Findlay's untimely death

was what first directed my attention to the evil of lobbying.

It also gave me the idea I was looking for in writing a series

of articles for my expose column entitled The Corrupters.

Holly Crown, top dog of the invisible government of lobbyists.

About as subtle as a tank in a flower garden, and about as noisy and tough.

Up from the gutter and still swinging, an angle on anyone and anything.

I don't think we ever met, but my name's Ollie Crown.

I knew your husband pretty well, and even though we always didn't see eye to eye,

well, I had a lot of respect for him.

I thought he was a fine young man with a great future.

Believe me, if...

If there's ever anything I can do, anything you need at all, I... You murderer!

Killer!

Oh, wait a minute, lady! You killed my husband! What? You murderer!

You hear what she called me?

Murder her? Me? Why me? She's sick.

She didn't know what she was saying.

What? No.

Yeah.

Yeah, sick, sick. Yeah, she's off her rocker, huh? Yeah,

I guess in a state of shock, huh, honey? Yeah.

All right, come on, honey. Excuse me, folks. Excuse me.

The other day, Mrs. Finley, at the church,

when all those people heard you call Ollie Crown a murderer.

You mean, do I have proof?

Or was I just letting go?

Well, the police report did say.

Death by accident.

Falling out an open window. No, not Bob.

Mr. Marino, my husband's death was no accident.

You told this to the police.

They said maybe I'd feel better if they called it suicide.

And you feel there's no possibility of that?

Mr. Marino.

You ask anybody that ever had anything to do with Bob Finley, anything at all,

you ask them whether he was the kind of a man that would ever kill himself.

No.

I begged him not to buck Crown.

I begged him.

Mr. Marino, Ollie Crown had my husband killed, I swear it.

Because of your husband, Stan, and the liquor deal.

The new one that's up before the legislature now.

You have no idea the pressure they were putting

on him to get him to switch vote their way.

What kind of pressure, Mrs. Finley?

Phone calls starting after midnight, Crown always pushing him,

or even threats to the children and to myself.

Mr. Marino, my husband, was an honest man, a good one.

He was a kind of a legislator that the Crowns couldn't touch for love nor money.

He fought Crown.

Tooth and broken nail, every rotten step of the way, and Mr. Marino,

you find out who Ollie Crown really is.

Then you'll know why I say Ollie Crown killed my husband.

I don't know about this one.

I don't think Chuck Truist goes with my hair.

So change it, baby.

The dress or my hair?

Either, both, anything you want.

What did that newspaper man want?

Oh, Marino?

Oh, he's a hotshot reporter. He wants to do a big story on me. Call it,

who is Ollie Crown, really?

And naturally, you said it was out of the question.

Uh-uh.

Told him I'd think it over, let him know tomorrow.

Oh?

I mean, I got nothing to hide, Ronnie.

After all, a little publicity here and there in the right places, well,

it might be of some help.

I've got nothing to hide. Not I got. I've got.

Oliver, dear, it's not a question of having anything to hide,

but you know those reporters. Give them an inch, and they take a square yard.

Honey, I noticed you're running out of this black brandy I like.

I got a couple extra cases down in my suite. Remind me, I'll have one sent up.

Honey, I guess I'll keep this one,

but I will have to get a new one for the governor's ball next week.

Go ahead, baby. Buy anything you want.

What I was saying about reporters, well, they twist things.

You say Oliver Crown likes orange juice for breakfast in the morning.

Yeah, yeah, I know. All of a sudden, next week,

I'm on the payroll of the United Citrus Growers of Lower Mesopotamia or something.

Yeah, but they say this Marino fella's different.

Yeah, they're all different. Make me a drink.

Yeah, but they say he plays it straight. You know,

the fax man and nothing but the fax type stuff.

Anyway, like I said, I...

I've got nothing to hide. I'm a lobbyist.

Not just a lobbyist, the biggest in influence.

That's what I mean. I'm a big man, all registered, nice and legal.

So why should I let some stupid jerk throw mud

at me just because I am big on the scene, huh?

Oliver, you'll only make it worse. Sticks and stones.

And names like murderer and killer can bust my bones

in this business, baby. No, sir, I can't afford it.

Tomorrow, I'm going to tell this merino everything.

Everything, sweetheart.

Anything. You want to know, you ask. You mean open book style?

Anything?

On the nose, Kitty.

Like who killed Bob Finley?

All right, wise guy, forget what I just said.

Pick up that ballpoint pen of yours and scram.

You come to this park every day?

You got something against that, too, maybe?

Well, no, why should I?

If Bernie Baru can feed the pigeons, why can't Ollie Crown?

Marino, you sorry for what you just said? I mean, about Finley?

You mean you want me to stay in your backyard and play it your way?

Oh, Marino, I like you. I swear by my poor, dead, deceased mother,

God rest her soul in peace, I like you. Well, that's because I'm people, Crown.

You know, I'm probably gonna end up planting

one right in that sarcastic kisser of yours.

But for right now, I'm going to do something you've got to love me for.

I'm going to give you the story anyway.

With the understanding that any way I see the facts, that's how I use them, huh?

Well, just as long as you play it straight.

With objectivity, you think.

Well, I'm not asking any favors,

just as long as you don't start from that position that just because I'm a lobbyist,

I'm a crook, okay? That's fair enough, but suppose I end up with that position?

Well, if you're as smart and as, uh... Objective?

Objective as I think you are, you won't. Deal? Deal.

My first question, why are you doing all this?

Giving me your story, I mean.

Marino, you know Detroit, Michigan?

Yeah, I've been there. Well, I grew up there.

We got blocks out there make the roughest neighbors in New York, Chicago, LA,

Vassar College for girls.

When I was six, my old lady died. Two years later, my old man kicked it.

When I was 10, I was out hustling in this big, wide world all by my lonesome.

You know what that means, huh?

Pretty fair idea. Yeah. It means shining shoes in Kansas City,

bussing dishes in Albuquerque, stacking steel in Pittsburgh,

selling ladies ready to wear door to door in Texas, Oklahoma, and points west.

Yeah, man, I've been a pants presser, taxi driver, semi-pro ball player,

Las Vegas dealer, Connie Barker.

Hey, there was the one I liked best. Yeah, man,

standing up there in front of them yokels,

knowing I had them right here in the palm of my hand.

And you know something? I'm not bitter about all this. You know why?

Because it taught me a lot of things.

Like? Like the guy who blows his horn the loudest

is the fellow whose tune the citizen stands to.

And let me ask you something, Buster. What do you know about lobbying, huh?

Just what is a lobbyist?

Well, a lobbyist is a man.

Well, he's employed by special interests to try

to influence legislation on their behalf.

You change that special interest to clients, and you won't get no argument from me.

And don't forget to tell them it's all legal.

OK, clients, and it's all legal.

Clients pay money to have their interests looked out for, right?

No contest.

And the more, let's say, influence a fella has with the legislature,

the more money he's worth to the clients, huh? Yeah, that makes sense.

Not the kind of sense I like, but sense. Now, you know what I'm gonna do?

You know what I'm gonna do for you? For the next couple of weeks,

I'm gonna let you hang around with me. See, I'm gonna let you eat with me,

work with me, wash your hands with me, talk with me.

I'm gonna show you how the biggest lobbyists in

this state does things and gets things done.

And when you write that article of yours, do you know what you'll be doing for me?

The picture's getting clearer all the time. An honest,

unbiable reporter is gonna spread the word that

Ollie Crown is the King 10 of this state.

And that's gonna help you get more clients. Who'll pay more money,

which will get me even more influence.

And that scribbler is why I'm letting you write

this. Come on, Buster, we gotta get to work.

Crown, just one more thing.

Suppose my article does all this, makes you the biggest, most influential,

everything you say. It will. Suppose it does one more thing.

Suppose it says that, in my opinion,

lobbying is an evil thing and should be legislated out of existence. Then what?

You think any legislator I control would ever pass a bill like that, huh?

Sweetheart, what I'm going to do for you, the story I'm going to give you,

let me tell you something. You just got to love me for it. Yeah, I know.

The question is, are you going to love me for it?

Sure you don't want to come tonight, Ron?

One more chicken a la king this week? No, thanks.

Here, give me a hand, will you?

I'll just read a good book in my lonely abode upstairs.

All you got to do is say the right word, honey, and you won't be lonely anymore.

How did your reporter friend do up on the hill today?

Oh, fine. He kept his mouth shut and his pencil going.

You know something, Ron?

I think you're wrong about that guy. He's all

right. Matter of fact, I kind of like him.

There we are. Prettiest man ever was.

Well, thank you, baby.

Did he ask about Finley?

Yeah, he asked, and I told him exactly what I know, which is exactly nothing.

Muscle-headed bunch of ex-cons sitting there

in Phoenix trying to outsmart a real pro.

Easy, darling. Well, it's true.

Just because every now and then I need them,

they think they got the right to foul up my operation.

Two cents, I'd tell Marino the real scoop.

Now, Oliver, nothing's to be gained by losing your temper.

Oh, lady, you smell good.

One Confederate penny, I'd forget that silly meeting

tonight and stick right here with my baby, eh?

That's enough, Oliver.

Call me when the meeting's over.

You wait here for me, will you, Ron? Wait here.

If it's not too late.

What are you doing here? Oh, I just stopped by to see you.

Special.

All right, you see me, and I look great, and I'll get out of my way.

No need to get excited for that.

I just come to give you a message.

The word's out that you've been talking to Marina.

So what?

So we'd just like you to stop.

Your sponsor seems to feel it's a little risky.

You got it wrong, friend. The guy you're talking about is your sponsor, not mine.

Ali, Crown don't have no bosses.

So you go back and tell your sponsor to keep his nose out of my business.

OK, Crown, if that's the way you want it.

It may not be that easy. He feels he's got quite a sizable

investment in that project you're working on.

And I'll deliver what he's paying for,

enough votes to keep certain counties in this state dry. But as for how, why,

or who I talk to, that's none of his stinkin' business.

OK, Fran.

Another thing, you tell those crumbs in Phoenix rough stuff don't go with me.

I could have handled Finley my own way.

Finley? Yeah, Finley.

I don't know what you're talking about. All right,

then maybe here's something you will understand.

If I ever see you sitting in my car again,

I'll shove that face of yours so far you'll

be breathing through the back of your neck.

Now get out of my way before I run you over.

Try Mr. Crown's room.

Ronnie, Joe Wells.

Joe, where are you?

Downstairs in your garage.

I just saw your boy.

And?

He's getting too big and too stupid to be real.

You know what I think we're going to have to do?

Exactly what I'm going to do as soon as you hang up.

Call Phoenix.

The caucus room of one of the legislature's chambers.

Marketplace for the high pressure lobbyists like Oliver Crown,

who could wheel and deal here.

He's a great guy, that Lou Brady. He's got a great sense of humor, too.

He's got a great voting record, too. Straight Ollie Crown ticket.

One and the same, kiddy. One and the same. Well, good morning, Oliver.

You're looking fit as usual this fine day. Couldn't be better.

Tom, I had a little talk with your opposition

about that tax bill you were so worried about.

Well, what does scowling Brady have to say?

He went away smiling.

Thank you, Oliver. You are indeed a man of your word.

I, uh...

I do hope the greedy little fella didn't put the bite on you for too much.

Senator, there's somebody here I'd like you to meet. This is Mr. Marino,

Senator Larkin. How are you?

How do you do? Mr. Marino is doing a little story on our state legislature.

Well, you couldn't be getting your information from a more knowledgeable source,

Mr. Marino. Well, that's high praise indeed from the majority floor leader.

Marino's a great fellow with a needle, but, you know,

he's wise to the ways of life.

He knows that there's a lot more to running a state legislature than

filing bills in the Speaker's hopper and hoping for the best,

sir. Yes, I should think so.

Oh, keep an open mind, son.

You know, it's very easy to condemn when you don't know all the problems.

I will, sir.

Tell me, Crown, how much does it cost you each year to own the Majority Leader?

Or does the price fluctuate with the man?

Brother, I promised you a story,

but you don't really expect me to admit I got legislators on my payroll, do you?

I mean, even if I did have.

Why not?

You've already told me you got the whole legislature

eating out of the palm of your hand.

Bragged about it, in fact. So? But I never said I bought them.

Now, buying a legislator would be against the law.

You don't expect me to admit that, do you?

Money is not the only way of getting what you want. What other way is there?

Favors, knowing where all the bodies are buried.

Like Bob Finley?

Still on Finley, huh?

Marino, just to show you what kind of a fella I am,

just so it will stop getting in the way of what could be a beautiful friendship,

come on, sit down. Pull up a chair. All right, come on.

Let's talk about Philly.

I know you opposed your wanting to keep parts of this state dry.

You aren't gonna make a villain out of me just because I

tried to stop the kids from being drunk and disordered.

Oh, come on, Crown. Save that for the after-dinner

speeches. All right, all right, I will.

Now, what you're interested in is how Finley died, huh? Not why.

You tell me how. The why or follow? Well,

I say like the police said it was an accident or suicide. But all right,

let's say for the sake of argument that it wasn't.

Let's say he was killed, huh?

Let's.

Well, then you got to look somewhere else for your killer.

Because when some stupid jerk gets in my way up here on the hill,

I got better ways of handling him than muscle.

I'm listening. I kill him politically.

I bury him.

Brother, stay right where you are.

You might just get yourself a demonstration.

Well, hello there, Bertie boy. Oh, excuse me, fellas. Hey, Bertie, you look fine.

Tell me, have you had a chance to think over

that little matter we discussed yesterday?

It hasn't been out of my mind for a single minute, Crown,

and the answer is still no.

Well, it's going to be a shame to see that new superhighway bypass Elwood,

Carstairs, and Hobbs Ferries. If it does, we'll manage to get by.

Hope your constituents feel the same way next election. See you, kid.

Hey, uh, Bertie, I was on a potty whip before about

that job you wanted on the Appropriations Committee.

Well, I'm sorry. It's filled. Of course, there's always the chance,

like I told them, that it could be unfilled.

Now, you see what I mean, Marino? That fella's

just about dead in this state. He's killed.

Here.

He didn't have to fall out any window to get that way.

He didn't even try to be subtle.

Right out in the open, and for my benefit. Oh, it was a field day for Mr. Crown.

Of course he is.

A man elected by nobody.

With more power than the governor elected by millions.

You gotta add a tone for being frank.

Oh, that's his front, his lay it on the line routine.

Marino, I'll show you what kind of a guy I am. What would you like to know?

How he gets away with it, for one thing. With money,

supplied by his clients to get the right boys elected.

Once he's got a man in his pocket, he pipes the tune and makes them dance. Yeah,

but plenty of them want to dance. Well, sure, they're set-ups for the crowns.

Do you have any idea what the take-home pay is for a legislator?

Where's the S on this thing?

Right there.

Only $700 a session and $7.50 a day expenses.

That's not enough to keep them in caviar.

That's why the lobbyists fight to keep the system the way it is.

They don't want their lawmakers self-supporting.

Have you got a knee on this thing?

The left side of the keyboard.

Hey, Jack.

How would you like to be a lobbyist?

What have you got against me?

You're about to represent the Matex company, friends of mine.

That's nice.

They make fabrics. Pay them a visit.

They'll brief you and give you enough background

so you'll know what you're talking about.

After that, I'll tell you what to do.

You know what I think this S has been trying to hide from me?

There, that does it.

What are you doing there anyway?

The shocking story of invisible government and

what the honest citizen can do about it.

What are you trying to do, break into my racket? Well, it's a cinch.

All you got to do is push the right keys. Yeah, you get the right dope.

I'll push the right keys.

So I told them. I said the people are lucky to have

me around to tell those meatballs what to vote for.

Otherwise, there's no predicting what'll happen in this state.

Sweetheart, if you keep throwing those state senators' meatballs,

somebody's gonna get angry.

Who, the meatballs?

Darling, I know that no one can tell you what to do or whom to talk to.

Oh, honey, you ain't just whistling.

All right, then. If not for yourself, do it for me.

Keep away from Marino, at least until the liquor bill is killed.

Wait a minute.

What's Marino got to do with the liquor bill?

Well, that's close, isn't it?

Oh, yeah, honey, it's close, but it's still in my pocket.

That's what I mean.

All right, ladies, ready for your next exercise. Now, hands on hips.

It's in your pocket now, but you keep talking about those so-called

legislators being wrapped around your little finger.

They are, honey. Yes, sir, I'm afraid the whole world knows that.

That's what might be described as an open secret.

Suppose John Q. Publitt becomes angry at the idea

of Oliver Crown calling his laws for him,

and a couple of hundred thousand letters start pouring into these

legislators that you have wrapped around your little finger.

Oh, the vote will still go my way.

But the man in Phoenix. You think he'd let you take the chance?

Honey, I don't care about the man in Phoenix. All I want from him is his money,

not his advice on how to run my state.

Some of your clients play rough, and they're worried about that liquor bill passing.

Baby, it's not going to pass. They want to worry, let them worry.

It isn't that simple, Ollie, and you know it.

Those men in Phoenix have millions of dollars riding on that bill.

And if it passes and parts of the state go wet...

How come all of a sudden you're so worried about what they're worried about?

Because you're a fool. Lay off, will you? You're not in their league, Ollie,

and that's all I was trying to tell you. You heard me.

I said lay off. I can't spend my life worrying about

you and those awful people you get involved with.

Time to cool off.

You said it.

Oliver! Oliver, put me down, Oliver! Oliver, I want you, Oliver!

Oliver, put me down! Please, pleasure, honey!

Why do I think Mrs. Finley's right when she says there's

a good chance Ollie Crown killed her husband?

Marino, if there was one man in this whole legislature who just might have

pulled enough votes out of the hat to get that

liquor bill passed, it was Bob Finley.

Well, that still doesn't answer my question.

Well, if you knew what keeping parts of this state

dry means to some of Ollie Crown's clients,

you wouldn't have to ask that.

Reno.

Do you happen to be of the quaint opinion that a statute of the law

books is going to keep a man from taking a drink if he wants one?

Of course not.

Prohibition proved the fallacy of that.

The only difference between a wet state and a dry one is that in a wet one,

the state exerts some control over the liquor industry

and also collects some revenue from the taxes.

And in a dry one, the liquor's worse and all the money goes to the bootleggers.

Yes, the liquor's worse, and the supplier's profits are higher. Yeah,

a conservative estimate is that by keeping parts of this state dry,

the gangster element in this country collects over $250 million they'd never see.

And the state loses some $65 million in revenue that it might otherwise collect.

Which is why your father built.

And why Bob Finley's dead today.

Reno?

If you're serious about doing an honest,

no-holes-barred exposé on the American state legislatures,

you can count on me for whatever help I can give. Now, wait a minute.

I'm not doing a blanket condemnation of all state legislatures. Just this one.

I've got news for you, friend. This one is the rule, rather than the exception.

You sound as if you believe they're all run by...

Lobbyists like Ali Crown who work for Rocketeers. No, not all, some.

What I'm saying is that Ali Crown and local prohibition

happen to be our own particular problem.

But others have problems just as serious, even when there

are no Ali Crowns around. Take a look at these.

These are some of the 1,250 bills this legislature

has to vote on during this 60-day session.

How can you even read them, much less vote on them intelligently?

This is almost 100 pages long.

Now you're beginning to get the idea.

And we're a small state.

California averages 1,400 bills in the Senate,

some 3,000 in the Assembly alone. Texas, 1,500.

New York, over 9,000. Wow.

So even if he wanted to, The average state legislator couldn't

give an honest appraisal of one-tenth of these bills.

That's why at best, our state senators,

and I'm not talking about the crooks and the self-seekers who are fair

game to the Ollie Crowns and the other lobbyists with money to spend.

I mean the honest ones, the ones who really try.

Well, at best, even they can't be more than inefficient rubber stamps.

And at worst?

At worst?

At worst, we learn to stay away from open windows.

And so I'm leaving it up to you, you, the same sober, God-fearing, sweet, good,

clean-living people like I come from. I ask you,

when that old devil alcohol bill comes up before

the sovereign legislature of our sovereign state,

have I got your permission to do anything I can? No!

Do you want me to do everything I can to keep our kids from becoming stumbling,

befuddled, muddle-brained drunks?

I can't hear you, folks! I can't hear you!

Do you want I should use all the influence I got,

influence that the good Lord saw fit to bestow on me?

Do you want me to use that influence,

even though there will be those enemies who say that I'm a no-good,

lying skunk of an influence peddler for their vested interests?

Use your influence, Ollie, use it!

Do you mean I've got your blessing to hit those fancy

Dan lick-a-lappin' rumpots right where they live? Yes, you do it!

All right, all right, I'm going to do it.

And then I promise you, you good people... No, no, I swear to you,

you sweet people, I'm going to meet that devil alcohol bill...

Head on! And then do you know what I'm gonna do, huh? Know what you're gonna do?

I'm gonna drive them demon disciples of booze right down to their very knees!

And then do you know what I'm gonna do, huh?

Know what you're gonna do?

I'm gonna fill up every lovin' one of them right up to their hella lovin' necks!

It's Zooty Pop!

Thank you!

All the best to you!

Thank you, my good man, and congratulations to you. You were simply inspiring.

And you, my dear, what a voice. It's a wonder you're not with the opera.

And what cooperation from you. Weren't you wonderful? Thank you so much.

Goodbye, all. Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, all.

Goodbye, goodbye. Goodbye.

Well, Scribbler, you got your human interest story?

Forget I take money from clients. Sure, that's what keeps me in business,

so I can watch out for what the people really want.

Yeah, the little people, the real people, the

you and me type, true blue homie people.

Cynical joke, aren't you, huh? Now, let me tell you something.

Let me give two hoots in Hades for what you think,

and that's why I am in this business.

Oh, you 200% old American boy, you.

It's the feeling you get here,

not your stuffed wallet that keeps you dictating the people's legislature, huh?

Scribbler, you do use words. Well, let me ask you something.

You've been following me around for a couple of days now, watching me operate, huh?

Pretty good, huh?

No argument. You're an expert.

You think maybe I couldn't operate in some other fields, make maybe twice,

even three, four, five times while I make here, doing something else?

Well, in Phoenix, perhaps, Crown. Phoenix?

I never even been there.

El Dorado, 0662.

Scribbler, riddles pain me. You got something to say, why don't you say it?

I say you're on the racket payroll.

But you're not the big man you palm yourself off to be.

You're a tool, an errand boy. Molly Crown, don't take orders from nobody.

Not from the rackets, the big bosses, or big business, or nobody.

Are you denying you called Phoenix this week

at exactly 7.33 PM on Wednesday the 27th?

You put in a call to Phoenix? I'm denying I ever called.

Wait a minute.

Scribbler, I'm going to teach you a lesson.

At 7.33 PM on Wednesday, when you say I was putting in a

phone call to some joker in Phoenix, I was with you, bud.

Yes, sir. We were driving in my car down Lake Street

to one of them big veal cutlet dinner affairs. You remember?

That's all right, son. We all make mistakes.

And just to show you I got no hard feelings, kid,

I'm going to let you stick around and still

get the real story of the real Ollie Crown, huh?

Now, is that decent or is that decent? I ask you, huh? That's decent, Crown.

Yeah, I know. I know.

And I gotta love you for it, don't I?

You betcha, boy, you betcha.

Don't get any wrong ideas about Crown being a setup.

He's wild. He talks a lot. He can back it all up with brass knuckles.

What about this lady friend of his?

You know, if you're right about her being a watchdog for the mob, Paul,

then this day must be quite a cobra.

Well, it had to be her on the phone with Hot Springs.

You really believe that Crown isn't in with the rackets,

that he's on this anti-alcohol bill just for kicks? No, no, he's not that clean.

Then why? Well, the way I figure it is, he thinks he's using them.

He's the guy calling the shots. Thought you'd tell me he was smarter. Well, he is,

but he's got such an ego that I figure They're scared he's going

to do or say the wrong thing and ruin their little bonanza.

That's why they got a watchdog on her.

So what I figure we need is a watchdog for the watchdog.

Oh, and I'm it, huh?

Well, it's right down your alley.

It's years now I've watched you operate with that fatal boyish charm of yours.

All right, OK. Now I'm going to give you a chance to work at the big leagues.

Here's how we're going to work the introduction.

One of the state senators is a fellow named Bale, Bert Bale.

He's a friend of Crown's?

About as close as Khrushchev and little Bo Peep.

Anyway, he's got it all set up for you to go

out to the track with him day after tomorrow.

Once you're there.

The elevator boy said to bet on number six.

Oh, really? You always take expert advice like that?

And there they go! Come on, you slowpoke son.

Well, Bertie Davis, hey! I didn't know you were a friend of the little old pony's boy. There

ain't something new every day, don't you? Well, someone here would like to meet you.

Gary Starr, Oliver Crown. Nice to see you, Mr. Starr.

Starr's with the public relations section of Maytex Fabric.

Maytex, huh? Well, you're a long way from home, aren't you, Mr. Starr?

And one of the reasons I came this far was to meet Oliver Crown.

Maytex just might be building a plant in this fair state of yours, Mr. Crown.

Well, I'm out here doing a little bird dogging, and, uh...

And my old friend Bertie Vale figured that his

old friend Ollie Crown might be of some help, is that it?

Not exactly, Crown.

The Chamber of Commerce in Elwood figured that... Elwood, huh?

Well, is that where Matex is planning to build? That depends on a few things. Yes,

of course, like the new highway and a couple of minor details like that, huh? Yes,

a couple of minor details like that.

Natex, huh? Now, wouldn't that be a shot in the kneecap

for the members of your little old constituency, huh?

So I've been informed. Well, why don't you fellas fill up these empty chairs?

Sit right down here, huh? Enjoy yourselves.

Here we go. Let's see what happens.

© BF-WATCH TV 2021

Oh, I'm sorry, Oliver.

I didn't know you... Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

You know Bertie Bell, of course. A friend of his, Mr. Starr.

This is my, uh... This is Miss Dale.

How do you do?

Well, now, say, uh, tell me, you have anything

in the next race? Well, I like number two.

Hmm, you do, huh?

I suppose you get your information from somebody reliable, like, uh,

like the elevator boy in your hotel?

Hmm.

How about two, three times? Hi.

Oh, hi.

Now, here's your winner.

Mr. Stark, either you're in on a sure thing betting a long shot,

or else I just met the prime fool.

Oh, anyone can play the favorites.

The real kick is in taking a long shot and winning.

That can be mighty expensive.

Well, let's say that my company doesn't keep

too close a check on my petty cash expenses, Miss Dale.

That's the kind of company to work for, Mr. Starr.

I could use a hamburger before we went back. How about you?

Thank you, no.

Hot dogs?

Uh-uh. Here's one for you.

Root beer?

Or anything that will give me a chance to build up to asking you for a date.

Without rushing things, that is.

You'll be wasting your time and your petty cash, Mr. Stauff.

You mean because you belong to Ollie Crown?

Because I go with Oliver Crown? Yes.

You can't blame an eager beaver for trying, now can you?

Mr. Starr, I'm really flattered.

But do you realize what would happen if Oliver found out you were trying to date me?

Yes, I think so.

I think that he'd chalk it up to your new arrivals not knowing

any better and congratulate me on my good taste.

Look, as long as you only go with him, I'm going to give it a second try.

How about it?

The odds are against you.

I told you, I play long shots.

There's a difference between playing long shots

and committing Harry Carey, Mr. Starr.

Miss Dale, in my book, I'd call it a calculated risk.

And considering the prize I'm shooting for, well, I figure it's worth that risk.

Well, let's see how this long shot turns out.

This Jerry Starr's a smart cookie, Ronnie. He's been around.

What makes you say that, Oliver? Two in the corner pocket.

I like the way he handles himself. He doesn't push.

Three in the side.

Hey, you been practicing?

Just let you know what he has to offer, and let you make up your own mind.

And just what has he got to offer?

Four ball banked into the side.

Half a buck says you won't make it. What's he got to offer?

A client worth maybe 25, 50 Gs a year?

That much, Oliver.

$1.50 you owe me now.

Hey, what are you, some kind of pool shark or something? Yeah,

this mate takes his big stuff, baby. Hey, I taught you this game.

Now you're knocking my brains out.

What a star won for his money.

Oh, the usual, the tax rate break.

Some sort of guarantee the state minimum wage

won't go up for two, maybe three years.

Can you give it to him?

Now, what do you think, baby, huh?

I think maybe you're right.

Your Mr. Starr does have a lot to offer.

Mm, that looks good.

It is good.

I know you called this morning saying you'd like company at the pool.

Well, it came as kind of a surprise.

Oliver said to be nice to you while you're in town. Made Texas big business.

He say how nice?

The degree? It's up to my own discretion.

You know the old saying.

About discretion being the better part of valor?

Jerry, for the sake of mutual understanding, want to call a spade a spade?

The only way.

All right.

You need Oliver Crowe.

You wouldn't take a chance on anything going

wrong with your highway or assessment bill, would you?

The color of the money Maytex pays me appeals to me very much, yes.

If the reason is too obvious to mention,

it wouldn't be to my particular advantage to have Oliver

learn that I was playing footsie with a new boy, would it?

In other words?

In other words, I like the way you part your hair.

And as long as we understand each other,

there's no reason why we can't have a lot of fun together.

Lady, I think we understand each other perfectly. I can at least this much right,

Paul. If she ever cared for him, it's over now.

How much longer do you think it'll take to get the dope I want?

A few more dates and I'll have the combination of a grandmother's jam locker.

Don't overplay it, dream boy.

If we're right and she is the mob's tie,

our Cobra girl is plenty smart and plenty dangerous.

As long as Maytex will back up my credentials, Paul,

even if I strike out the jam locker, I can still come away with a whole skin.

They will back them up, won't they? They got their worries there.

And with the exception of Birdvale, nobody else besides you knows who I am?

Not yet.

But every day that goes by.

Opens up that many more chances of somebody finding out.

So enjoy yourself, Jack, but take care.

No, I don't think the bill will be passed this time, but...

That's right.

The way the overblown windbag has been puffing himself up sooner or later.

I know it'll take time, but you better start thinking of someone.

By the way, there's a new boy here. It's coming out a little too strong.

I wish you'd check him out for me.

A public relations man from Maytex Limited.

Named Star. Jerry Star.

Oh, yes.

Real nice.

Come on, Tom, will you?

Relax. I'm telling you, Vail's coming over to our side of the road.

He's seen the light. Ollie, it's too quick a change.

Violently against one day, completely cooperating the next. No, no.

One day he figures he doesn't need us. The next day he figures he does.

Well, hello, Scribbler. Hi. How you doing? Sounds good to me, Ollie.

Very sound.

Mr. Marino, now if you gentlemen will excuse

me, I have some work to do. See you, Tom.

Man, you almost get the idea that he's afraid I might stumble across something.

Sit down, Scribbler. What's on your mind? Phoenix.

Oh, Phoenix. We around to that again? I thought

we'd have something. I know what you thought.

You were right.

You didn't put in that phone call.

But someone who was in your suite at the time did.

All right, Scribbler, what's the twist this time?

Ronnie Dale is fingering you for the Phoenix Boys.

Oh, yeah, you'll say anything to get a rise out of little old Ollie, won't you?

Well, you asked, I told you. You don't have to believe me.

And if that ego of yours can take another little laugh,

I've got a second gem about the ever popular Miss Dale. Easy, Scribbler.

Business is business, but where Miss Dale is concerned, I can get very mean.

How's that new friend of yours, uh, Maytex's Mr. Starr,

enjoying his little stay here crime?

Is that what you're getting around to, Jerry, Sarah, and Ronnie?

Say, now, you are the broad-minded one.

If my girl was running around. Ronnie's not doing anything I didn't tell her to.

I told her while I was tied up, she could show

Jerry Starr around. You got it, big mouth?

Around what, Kropp?

Yes, sir, like they say in the zoo.

The happiest animal in captivity is the ostrich.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret, scribbler.

Right after I prove that you're a liar, I'm going to hand you your head on a plate.

And if I'm not a liar?

You are. How is the sand down there, Oliver?

What's the matter, Gerald?

You keep looking at your watch like you're expecting someone.

Someone I'd rather not have find me in your

apartment until the highway bill is passed.

It's a working day for Oliver.

Morning up on the hill, lunch at the commerce club,

and social visits with clients all afternoon. We've got the whole day to ourselves.

Besides, if I'm not worried, why should you be?

Because I don't have the people in Phoenix behind me.

What's that supposed to mean?

OK, you want to play it cozy, go ahead.

But you don't think an outfit the size of Maytex would pay someone the kind

of money they're figuring to pay Crown until they knew everything about him.

And that includes everything about the people around him.

Now, go ahead, Mr. Starr.

Your logic eludes me.

Look, I'm no dummy who goes into a relationship Any kind of relationship,

economic or emotional, with his eyes half closed.

Don't you think it's common knowledge that a lot of the money that Crown

spreads around isn't the kind you talk about on your income tax?

And don't you think I also know that the men who

pass out this kind of money set watchdogs?

Sometimes girl watchdogs.

On the men, they let spread it around.

Crown is an egocentric jerk who shoots off his

mouth at the wrong people, and you know it.

Sooner or later, he'll have to go.

Fact?

Fact.

But we don't have to wait until then.

I'm quick. I don't know what I'll do.

Phoenix. I want Phoenix.

Clear the decks, Tom. You and me got a lot of work to do.

We're changing our stand on that liquor bill.

Well, what's the matter with you? What are you staring at?

Did you hear what I said? I heard what you said, Oliver.

There's quite a distance between hearing and doing things.

What kind of an act are you putting on? I thought I was making it clear.

I'm not taking orders from you anymore, Oliver.

Oh, so they got to you too, huh? Now, you stupid little crumb,

you think Ollie Crown's going to sit still for that Phoenix bunch?

I'm the one you're doing business with. Me, Ollie Crown.

Was doing business with. And you're still going

to do business with. Not through you, Ollie.

Get this straight, Larkin.

You're taking your orders from me. And you know about what?

About you. Because come next election,

there's going to be a new majority leader up here on the Hill.

Now you remember that, huh? And remember who said it.

Think you made the right move, Senator.

You and I are going to do a lot of business together.

He's through.

Finished.

And he didn't have to fall out of the window either.

Listen, why are you walking away from me?

I'm the guy that's done you a lot of favors.

You too, I've done you a lot of favors.

What's happening?

Why did he walk away from me? I've done you a lot of favors.

I want you to remember that. Will you?

What's the matter? Why did he leave me?

Hey, what's happening around here? Listen, I put you guys where you are!

You remember that, all of you!

With the appearance of the first article in the series dealing with

Ali Crown and other lobbyists who exceeded their legal limitations,

the great ego was prevailed upon to talk.

With Flood's corroborating testimony,

the more exposed members of the Phoenix Group were held

as accessories in the murder of Congressman Findlay.

The disinterested voter bears the real corrupter

for letting the lobbyists ride herd on him.

Because whenever an elected representative is underpaid, overworked,

and can't do a decent job, you're bound to have the Ollie Crowns in business.

Hello, Louse.

Hello, Crown.

I read your article.

Now, I got to admit, for a louse, you write pretty good. Thanks.

You know something else, Crone? What's that?

That article.

Every single word.

I got to love you for it.

Yeah?

I guess you're the only guy in town who does. Well, I'll see you around, Kitty.

Well, you know, my lawyer tells me I'll only get

a year, maybe two at the most. Yeah, I heard.

Anyway, I'll be back, and bigger than ever.

Anything you ever need, just look me up, will you, Scribbler?

Corruption, it reaches into every level of life,

from the garbage dumps all the way up to those august bodies

of men who make and pass the laws by which we live.

And the men who do the corrupting, well, like

Oliver Crown, that's all they are, men.