Original subtitles

Brayswater. Mr. Brayswater, is your wife an narcotics user?

What happened? Your baby's life may be in danger.

I have to know. Is your wife an addict?

I have to know this. Is your wife an addict? Yeah.

You should have told me. Why?

Is the baby born an addict?

Yeah. Yeah.

In the semi-tropical luxury of his home,

you wouldn't know this person from a legitimate businessman.

If you saw him in the finest room of the finest hotel,

you'd never suspect that 30 years ago he killed

men through stink bombs, sometimes dynamite.

Now...

Welcome, enterprises.

Soft drinks, real estate. Mortgages and trustees. Frozen foods.

Restaurants.

And dope.

Carl, Benji called me here late last night. You're kidding. Here? On this phone?

I told him never... It seems one of our boys is thinking

of tipping off the authorities about our next shipment.

Who?

That heroin is worth $250,000. I don't want to lose it, right? Right.

But I do want to lose our friend.

And please, Carl, even though it was an emergency,

don't ever be where Benji or any of our people can't find you.

Right?

Right.

I've been doing a series of articles on the corruption

caused by the illegal narcotics industry.

I went to a city out west with my assistant, Jack Flood,

where we could examine the results and effects of addiction in that area.

Oh, Dr. Cantor, this is Mr. Marino.

He's writing those articles on narcotics we were talking about.

I thought this might interest him. Oh, and this is his associate, Mr. Flood.

Well, it's time for some kind of action.

At least you're getting people interested in this thing. Well, I hope so.

Do you mind discussing the baby's case?

Not at all. The medical aspects, that is.

What would you like to know?

Why don't you just go ahead and talk?

All right.

12, Mr. Blood, please. The mother checked into

the hospital just in time for delivery.

Apparently, she had no obstetrician.

I'm sure that was because he would have tried to withdraw her.

Now, the husband tells me that she tried to withdraw suddenly.

What they call cold turkey.

But she, uh, she couldn't take it.

So we thought it would be unwise for her to try to kick it during pregnancy.

They thought it would be bad for the baby.

Well, either way, it was bad for the baby because he was born narcotized.

A secretion in the respiratory system, the lungs.

Well, how do you treat a baby in that condition? Well,

we drain the respiratory passages, try to give the baby a free airway.

If a baby is born narcotized,

doesn't that mean the presence of narcotics in the bloodstream?

Yes.

Well, I can withdraw the baby in a comparatively short time.

Oh, a few weeks at the outside. In this case, it should go very quickly. Dr. Cannon.

It's Marion. Three days now. I can't watch her anymore. You better do something.

Excuse me.

Doctor, I need a fix.

Is that the father?

Mm-hmm. Mr. Praisewater.

Johnny Praisewater? Do you know him? No, not personally.

I think he did time for armed robbery.

What's he do for a living?

He's a mechanic or something in a garage.

Maybe we'd better talk to Mr. Praisewater.

I won't make it.

I'll give you a tranquilizer, Mrs. Praisewater.

I don't want a tranquilizer. I need a fix.

I can't give you narcotics, Mrs. Praisewater. You know that.

Doctor, I'm an awful pain.

I know you are, and I'll try to ease the pain.

Don't you think I've tried tranquilizers?

I need a fix.

Let me try some sedation. I'm sure you'll feel better.

Oh, doctor, please.

You gave my baby what he needed. I need it, too. Doctor, why can't you see this?

Oh, Jenny, go to Benji, please.

Tranquilizers won't work, you know that.

Oh, go to Benji. Please, Johnny, please.

Okay. Okay.

Oh, Mr. Presswater, I'd like to talk to you for a minute.

There's another time there. I'm Paul Marino.

I'm interested in your case. I'm out of case. I'm walking straight.

But I still get sick when I see a couple of cops or

reporters. So cut out, man. I don't need your help.

Well, look who's here, the brand new dad.

Give me a deck.

You doing the shopping now, Johnny?

Don't get funny, Benji. Just get the junk.

How's Marion?

I haven't seen her in four days. She must be climbing the walls by now.

She's still in the hospital, isn't she?

I don't need the conversation. Just get the stuff.

Get it, Sammy.

What'd she have? A boy or a girl?

Salty, huh? Hey, what are you gonna do, Johnny?

You gonna shoot her right in the hospital, huh?

That's what I call being cool.

Don't talk to me, you creep.

If it was up to me, I'd tear your eyes out.

Boy, I'm glad you ain't the president.

You'll have to forgive him, girls. You see, he's

a little nervous. He just became a papa.

Hey.

Now look, Salty.

You better be more polite, or else next time, no sale.

Take it off.

Cheap stick-up punk.

Grocery stores, liquor stores, two-bit heists, and he's salty.

How's the baby?

He's fine.

The doctor says he can cure him in a few weeks.

It's pretty good, huh?

You feel better, honey?

I'm sorry, Johnny. It was just too much.

I'm so sorry.

Oh.

When you get home, huh?

After a few weeks.

When you get your strength back, then you'll try. Only this time,

you've got to make it, baby.

We've got a little kid now.

Oh, you're so beautiful, Johnny. Call me Johnny.

Don't worry, honey. Everything is gonna be all right.

It's our little guy now. And he's gonna be fine.

And you're gonna be fine.

When this lousy parole is up, we're gonna take off.

We're gonna go someplace, grow a new skin.

Put some water on, would you?

Sit down. Come on.

Come on in.

You must have just got here.

I called the hospital. They said you were checking out.

Mr. Wellcome, you shouldn't be here.

Why not?

Johnny's on parole. They might come around checking.

And they think I was bad company?

I'm bringing presents for the baby. Is that against the rules?

Besides, I'm not bad company.

Ask anybody who's ever been in my company.

Right, Johnny?

Mr. Welcome, the parole officers warned Johnny.

Either he keeps his nose clean or he packs his toothbrush.

I'm only staying a few minutes. I won't ruin his life. I come bearing gifts.

Wait till you see this, Johnny. I hear you have a boy. That's marvelous. Yeah,

he has to stay in the hospital for a little while.

He'll be coming home pretty soon, though. Everything's okay, isn't it?

Yeah, fine, fine. He'll be coming home pretty soon.

How are you feeling, Mrs. Prayswater?

I'm fine.

Hey, look at this, Johnny.

Do you ever see anything like that?

Look at the eyes.

Do you ever feel like that, Johnny?

Morning after, huh?

Thanks a lot, Mr. Welcome. The kid will like that.

Well, how's it going, Johnny?

Rough?

I don't mind it too much.

First week on a job, I thought it would kill me.

All I could think about was how it was working for you.

I wanted to bat that parole cat in the mouth.

It kept coming around, seeing if I was working.

After a while, it was okay.

I could even get to like it, I guess, if there was more loot in it.

I sure need a wad now. I got bills.

I'm working on it, Johnny. Trying to get you back with me.

But this new parole guy you got, he must be some kind of a fanatic.

What's he made of? He won't go on the pad.

Who turns down money?

Don't bother with him. He's an honest man. Oh, I'll keep trying.

Maybe I can get him transferred to another district or something.

This driver I got now, well, he's a numbskull.

I miss the nightcaps we used to have together, Johnny.

You know, if you can get back with me, I'll up the money, 200 a week.

After all, he's a father now.

Johnny just isn't interested in going back with you, Mr. Welcome.

Well...

That's all right with me, Mrs. Praisewater.

Johnny can do better elsewhere without me. But I'd like to say this.

When that guy from Chicago came at me with that knife, Johnny here,

he saved my life. I don't forget things like that.

Johnny's always got a friend in me.

Thanks, Mr. Welcome.

I'd like to come back and work for you. Let's face it, it was easy work.

But with this parole officer, I'll have to push my way up in the job.

Foreman someday, all that jazz. So long, Johnny.

You're a daddy now. Enjoy it, because you just turn around,

and they're grown up and gone. The doctor's hollering about cholesterol.

You look in the mirror, and you think of all the things you want to do in your life.

Your face is all wrinkled,

like death has been scratching at it with his fingernails.

Johnny, I miss our little talks.

Well, I gotta run.

Take it easy, boy.

Goodbye, Mrs. Praisewater.

I'll keep trying.

The baby thanks you.

If there weren't any guys like him, there wouldn't be any Benjis.

If there weren't any guys like Benji, there wouldn't be any Marians.

200 bucks a week, can we use that?

Forget it.

Yeah, I could forget it. We didn't have such big bills from medicine.

Johnny.

Johnny, mark this date.

Two weeks from today.

I'm gonna be ready.

I swear to you, John.

I swear to you on my baby's life, I want to kick it.

Once and for all, I want to kick it.

I hope to God I don't.

Mr. Wellcome had my inside man killed.

Well, what do you say?

Sid, even where you come from, am I known as an honest cop?

The narcotics squad needs a man on the inside. I want to bust the rackets.

But I need information. You can get it.

Look, you're going up for pushing. I can put you on the streets,

but not for nothing. Nothing for nothing!

Sid, I want those big guys.

I know who they are, but I can't prove it yet.

I want those bankroll boys who never go within 10 miles of a deck of junk.

I want the sleek weasels who make this whole thing go around. I want the big shots.

I want the names of the cop on the pad.

Now, one hand washes the other. What do you say?

You want to do two years?

Sid, these guys in the bullpen, sick men, victims going through the thing,

half of them rolling on the floor,

each one of them representing a minimum of $15 a day to the mob.

You know how many thousands upon thousands of dollars these

poor slobs mean in a year to the corruptors like Mr. Wellcome?

You, all by yourself, what do you spend in a day? That's close to $6,000 a year.

That's what you pay to Mr. Welcome.

Does that make you feel good?

Help us, Sid.

You know Captain Maxwell will protect you.

He'll get my throat cut.

Hi, Johnny.

You used to drive for Mr. Welcome, didn't you?

I said you used to drive for Mr. Welcome, didn't you, Johnny?

Johnny, it's a little rough trying to talk here.

I suppose we have lunch together someplace.

Hello?

Oh, Johnny.

She's banging on the door. I don't know how much more of this I can stand.

I don't think my nerves will take it. I did.

I turned it all the way, but I can still hear. Larry, I am here!

Oh, no.

Oh, no, I won't leave. I'll stick it out.

Oh, she's pitiful.

No, look, you hurry home straight from work, will you? Uh-huh.

Okay.

Wow, little mother.

Yeah, you got your figure back already, huh?

Hey, why don't you walk up and down for Benji, huh? So I can take a look. Come on.

All right, Mary.

It's very nice. Very, very, very nice.

How are the teeth, huh?

How's your baby?

Yeah, I heard about that.

I heard he'll be all right.

I'm glad about that.

Hey, Sammy, she looks pretty nice, huh? A very attractive chick.

I always said it. Benji.

Yes, dear?

I need a fix.

Oh, certainly, for the teeth. That beats calcium.

Hey, Sammy.

Get a ham on rye for the prettiest little attic this side of the Rockies.

Okay, baby. Let's have the bread, huh? And don't drop it on the floor.

Look, uh, Benji, I'll come by tomorrow with the money, okay?

Okay?

Okay, baby, you come by tomorrow.

Oh, thanks, Benji.

And then I'll give you the goodies tomorrow when you come here with the money.

Johnny didn't leave me any money, Benji. He won't give me any money.

Well, now, baby, that's a domestic problem. I can't mix in.

But, Benji, I need a fix.

Yeah, I can see that.

Look...

I'll get the money.

He didn't give you any money today. He will not give you any money tomorrow.

Benji, you can trust me.

That's the biggest yuck I've had in weeks.

Imagine trusting a user. All right, Sammy, put it back in the refrigerator.

No, Sammy, wait, please. Benji, you miserable louse, you turned me on.

You made me an addict. I've given you thousands of dollars.

It's been a lovely relationship, darling,

and I look forward to your continued patronage. Just go get the bread, that's all.

But he won't give me any money.

Marion, Mr. Betsy, what are you knocking yourself out for, huh?

Now, look at Ruthie here.

She don't knock herself out, does she?

I mean, she don't hang around with a lot of those weirdos. She don't worry.

She don't have to. Hey, look, kid, you may not know it,

but you're one of the physical elite.

Like we say on the campus, don't be a chump, huh?

Benji.

Now, let me explain about little Ruthie here.

You see, she hawked everything she owned.

And then she stole what other people owned and hawked that.

And then because she's an intelligent girl, why, she came to see me, you see.

There's money to be made, but...

In an organized fashion.

Now, look, baby.

With your little doll face and your little figure,

it'll be easy for you. All you gotta do is...

Sit and drink mint juleps until some cat saddles up alongside and says, Hey, baby,

ain't we met in Afghanistan or someplace like that?

Then you take him to where some of my friends can chicken-flick him,

and you're miles away by that time.

I know, baby, because I hate you, too. Don't you hear me attack?

Out.

Out.

But don't bruise the little lady. I have a feeling she'll be back pretty soon.

Oh, Mr. Praisewater, she tricked me. She got away.

The doctor's in there with her now.

She sold the crib.

She sold the crib?

A man came and bought it. She sold it.

You're just gonna start all over again!

Open that door!

You had to have it, huh?

You had to have it.

You sold a baby's crib.

What did you get for it?

I paid 60 bucks.

What did you get, 20, 30?

You just shot away 15. Where's the other stuff?

All right, where is it?

Where is it?

I know the way you think, baby.

See, there were times when I had a couple of thousand bucks to blow.

The chicks came easy. Good time cats. Lots of laughs.

Love you while you're spending the dough. You

know the kind? Yeah. Well, then I met Marion.

You married her knowing she was an addict?

She didn't try to hide it from me. She warned me off.

But you loved her? See, the trouble starts with money.

If you can get the stuff and you got the dough, then everything is fine.

I was working for Mr. Welcome, making 150 bucks a week. She had a job.

She's a very good secretary.

But then she got pregnant.

She couldn't work.

That parole officer made me quit Mr. Welcome.

I was making 85 bucks a week.

If you can't afford the stuff, that's when things go haywire.

The only way out of it that I could see was that she should kick it.

She was doing it until that Benji.

Johnny, it wouldn't be any great hassle to pick up Benji, but he's only small-time.

Yeah, you don't know the dough he makes.

I know, but only comparatively.

Next to the big boys, he's a small-time retailer.

Now, I hate this record. I want to see it stopped.

I want to see the wheelers and the dealers get what they deserve.

Mr. Welcome, the big boys.

The ones who order the shipments, who deal in the dollars, who buy the officials,

who pocket the thousands and move into other businesses. These are the guys I want.

You're just sort Benji. We're sort the top guys.

Listen, you want to take Marion and the kid someplace new. You want to start over.

Try and make a new life for yourself.

I'm on parole. I can't go anyplace. Suppose that could be arranged.

What do I have to do? It could be dangerous.

Can you get your old job back with Mr. Welcome?

I guess so.

But Marion wouldn't want me to go back to that. Why don't you talk to her?

Well, if we could go someplace where nobody knows

us and we don't know anybody. Talk to her, Johnny.

All right, I'll talk to her.

Johnny, he's so little.

What do you mean? The doctor says he's gaining weight, doing fine.

He'll be coming home in a couple of weeks.

Will he be cured then?

Yeah.

You know, Johnny, I've been thinking.

Maybe I could do the same thing. Taper off, I mean.

Well, we'll try it.

I think I could do it.

If I think I could.

Then you'll be all squared away in a couple of months.

And Marino thinks he can fix my parole up.

That would be great, huh?

Johnny, I'm going to do it. I can do it.

Mary, what do you think about this other thing? You know, Marino.

Well, Johnny, I don't know.

If the cops really mean it, I mean, if they'll really give you protection,

I think you should do it.

OK, boss.

I'll go see Marino.

You'll have your 10 kilos in a month. Now go home and relax.

I won't sleep until that stuff gets here.

All right, don't relax. Worry. But go home anyway.

Johnny?

So we lost our little parole joke, right?

That's right.

When do you want to start?

How about right now?

Fine.

Promise I'll raise you to 200, didn't I?

That's great.

Johnny, you look seedy.

You need a manicure and a haircut.

That outfit. Hey, what size suit do you wear? Any special color?

Oh, no, Mr. Whatcom. I go out and buy my own clothes. Well, you'll pay.

You'll pay. But not what they ask from the store.

Look at this place, Johnny.

Everything in it. The rugs, tables, lamps, everything.

Little Dink's boys picked it up.

This suit.

I picked it out. Two days later, they brought it to me.

Honest.

All right, what color do you like? Green, blue,

purple? Any color. It doesn't matter.

Oh, good.

On your salary, I'll have them get you 10 seats.

Oh, Johnny, mix us a drink, will you?

I feel like a talk.

Johnny, we have to take a little ride tomorrow morning. Out to Oakdale.

Yeah, that's him.

I'll put somebody on him.

He must have given Welcome a wad of dough.

Yeah, I drove him out to the Oakdale Security Bank.

He's probably got loose stashed away in a whole lot of out-of-town banks.

A little talk with the president of the Oakdale Security,

we can find out what name he's using.

Maybe there are some checks we can trace. Right.

If we don't pin a narcotics rep on Mr. Welcome,

we might be able to make a nice little case for the tax boys.

Now, we put stakeouts on the drops you told us about.

We're taking movies of everyone going in and coming out of that big apartment house.

They must have a lab in there. They cut down the stuff.

Watered down junk.

We'll find out.

Before the week is over, we'll know exactly what apartment it is.

I'll follow through on this Milliken.

I want to know every bank that Wellcome uses.

That'll take a little time.

I want to know the names of every cop on a tape.

Now, we have to meet in different places because

I'm afraid of a leak in my own department.

Keep your eyes open. I gotta leave.

How's the baby?

Fine. Bringing it home day after tomorrow. All cured. That's wonderful.

How's Marion?

She's all right. We're trying to gradual withdrawal,

decrease the dosage. It's rough, huh?

Sure it's rough. Like trying to kick food. I hope she makes it.

She's got to make it.

You're tapering off, huh? That's pretty funny.

This must be your day off.

Benji, I can't do it.

I can't do any of the things I have to do. I can't make the bed.

I can't hold my baby. I'm afraid I'm gonna drop.

You will drop him, darling, so you better get with it.

Benji, give me a fix.

I can't take chances with my baby like this.

I got the goodies. All you have to do is get the bread.

I told you Johnny won't give me any money.

Well, like my daddy used to say, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Wait a minute.

Maybe I can get some for Mrs. Clute.

You watch your baby, okay?

Okay.

Mrs. Clute?

Hi, little fella.

I hope you turn out just like your mommy.

Mrs. Clute, are you home?

Mrs. Clute?

Put it back.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Nothing, huh?

Benji, please.

Just this once.

For the baby's sake.

No.

Benji.

OK, you win.

I can't take anymore.

Let's go, babies.

I won't go anyplace you say.

After all, you know the town. I don't.

But I promise you, the evening will be just the way you want it.

I'll be happy just to have you next to me. You're so pretty.

Look, I got the money.

I don't mind spending. I know.

What do you say?

I have to go home and change.

All right, that's fine.

Want to come with me?

Then we can stop by your hotel while you change.

Yeah, that's all right with me.

Come on.

That's amazing answers to get to that question.

Now it's your turn, Johnny. I'll ask you, what's the most important thing in life?

The most important thing in life is life. Life?

No matter how it's lived, in poverty, wretchedness?

No.

A happy life, is that what you say?

Yeah. If you're not happy, your own body can be a burden to you. Oh,

that's a childish answer, Johnny. I'm surprised at you.

Money is the most important thing, Johnny, because everything...

Everything, including money, is a commodity.

Happiness is a commodity.

Friendship.

Loyalty, fame, talent.

Justice is a commodity, right, Counselor? Right.

Love is a commodity.

Love is a commodity, huh?

You lose me there.

Love has its price tag like anything else.

The price of love is love, not money.

Nonsense.

Ask any woman if she's honest.

You know, they're much more sophisticated about this than men.

They know love has a price tag on it.

Not mine. And not Marion's either. See,

we're the fly in your philosophical ointment.

He's just an intellectual pig, don't worry.

Any minute now, maybe tomorrow.

They'll pick me up in the raid, spend a few days in a can,

then I'm out in the street.

We stay in town a while, and then we blow. You, me, and the kid.

I love you, Johnny.

I love you.

I love you.

You just said that.

I love you.

Say it again.

You can't bore me.

Honey, I'm so proud of you.

Will you kick this thing?

I know what you went through, but it was worth it.

I wish I could have gone through the pain for you, like you did it all by yourself.

Hey, you know something? You probably made medical history.

Four days now without a shot.

Don't touch it.

I'm gonna get out of here.

Huh?

Baby, you gotta talk to me.

Tell me what's bugging you.

You think I'm so strong.

You know what I think about you?

Well, I'm scum, John.

I'm dirt.

I'm less than dirt.

I haven't kicked the habit.

And I tried, John.

I really tried.

You've been taking a step every day.

Where'd you get it?

From Benji.

Where'd you get the money?

Well, Benji wants the load on the line. Where'd you get the money?

Where'd you get the money?

Well, try. Try your rotten eyes out.

I'm leaving, Johnny.

You're right you're leaving.

I don't want you near my kid.

Go pack a suitcase, girlie.

I'm getting out right now.

Get out!

All right. Get your coat. Oh, you too, Sammy.

Nice and easy.

Johnny, we got that car, but we couldn't find that secret compartment.

You gotta turn on all the accessories.

Radio, the heater, windshield wiper, everything.

Then you push the button.

Okay. Now, Johnny, we're gonna have to keep you in, you understand.

Of course, if we let you out, somebody will catch wise.

Couldn't chase me out of here.

OK.

Now, go on back to the lockup and sit tight.

What do you think we've been doing, Benji? Playing?

We've got six witnesses who'll testify you sold them narcotics.

Users don't make good witnesses.

It's two to five for you, buster, unless you want to make a statement.

I'll take the two to five and stay alive. Hey, a poem!

Half a million, Mr. Welcome, in fact, taxes.

What do you think the Treasury boys will say about that?

I take the philosophical approach, Captain.

That's the way the ball bounces.

Well, what is it?

The inside man, Johnny Preciwine.

You're kidding.

Am I?

I was arranging bail for him, too.

Shall I cancel it?

No.

Now get him out.

Johnny?

Yes, sir? It's pretty serious, Johnny.

Some of our boys are going to end up in prison. Disrupts things a little.

I have to pay quite a lot of money to the government. Beggs will take care of it.

No, no, not the tax people. What do you suppose happened, Johnny?

I don't know. I'll tell you how I figure it. They

must have had somebody. You know, a squealer?

I wish I had his neck right here. Who do you think it was?

I think I know, Johnny.

Well, tell me. I'll take care of him for you.

Your loyalty is very touching, Johnny.

Johnny, you're fired.

I don't expect you to forgive this. I'll never stop loving you, Johnny.

I'll never stop loving you.

But now, baby, you gotta pack up and get away from me.

What's the matter?

Mr. Welcome knows.

Johnny, what are you gonna do?

I'm gonna make a run for it.

Let me call Mr. Marino.

Baby, I'm on parole, and I'm blowing town.

I can't tell anybody.

Let me call Mr. Marino.

Here's some money. And don't forget, when you get to Penfold, look up Mr. Schiller.

He'll direct you to the clinic.

They'll take good care of you there.

And don't worry about Johnny and the baby. It's a nice farm.

And remember, only Schiller knows you're coming

and who you really are, so don't worry.

Thank you for fixing the parole thing.

Oh, thank Maxwell. He took care of that and the clinic.

Goodbye, Mr. Marino.

Goodbye.

And good luck. Come on, baby. Let's go.

Someone in Maxwell's own department.

I'd like to personally tear his tongue out.

Will they be all right?

Nobody knows about this except you and me and Maxwell.

I think. I hope.

I'm afraid you're disappointed in the ending of this story.

You wanted our protagonist to emerge victorious. So do I.

You like your villains to get their comeuppance.

So do I. But the villains in this story do not pay for their crimes.

Instead, they are paid, handsomely.

Millions of dollars are collected every year by the black marketeers.

And no one has yet calculated what it cost us every year in goods and money,

stolen by addicts, seeking the money demanded by these black marketeers.

Now, while we think about this and debate it, seek answers, or ignore it, Mr.

Welcome enjoys great profits, which he reinvests in legitimate business.

Benji creates new customers,

who soon find themselves trapped between their need for

narcotics and the high cost exacted by the corruptors.

This girl may be stealing soon.

Perhaps from you.