"Bring the car round, Reagan." "─ Right." "At dawn this morning, after an all-night session with the District Attorney." "Howard Meyers, known in underworld circles as "The Turk", was killed." "And District Attorney Ralph Munsey was wounded outside the Hall Of Justice." "By unidentified assassins who used shotguns." "And fled in a high-powered car." "The District Attorney's office has just issued a bulletin." "The late "Turk Meyers", aide to alleged gambling syndicate chief Carl Durham." "Was to testify against Durham at a closed session of the Grand Jury this morning." "District Attorney Munsey." "Accuses The Times Gazette which printed a report divulging this information." "As being responsible." "You've put The Times Gazette under a terrible spotlight." "Everybody is attacking us." "They say we gave Durham his chance to get Meyers." "You should have thought of that before you okay'd my story." "Yesterday you patted me on the back for it." "And the D.A. wounded." "The D. A. !" "─ Don't give him a purple heart." "Look, don't try to slip from under." "All because you broke your promise." "Your word." "But I told you, Ed!" "I told you Munsey wanted the story held." "And don't say that I didn't." "You couldn't have." "I'd never be a party to it." "Oh." "You ought to take up juggling." "If you think that I'm going to .." "[ Telephone ]" "Gordon speaking." "The D.A's office." "Munsey." "Put him on." "Gordon." "I've seen some irresponsible acts by newspapers before, but this tops them." "I know I told you last night, and I'm telling you again." "I can still draw up a complaint against your paper you know." "When a reporter of yours breaks a pledge to me, that's obstructing justice." ""I want you to run a public apology, placing the blame where it belongs."" "In tonight's edition and tomorrow's." "Oh, and one more thing, Gordon." "I want you to fire that Mike Reese." "As a matter of fact, I'm taking care of that right now." "I have a severance pay here on my desk." "Yes, Mr Munsey." "Yes, Mr Munsey." "You see?" "So I'm going to be the patsy?" "Well, get this." "I've seen you knife every guy who's had the stuff to threaten your job." "But my back is too tough." "I'm going up to the old man and take you out on the same limb that I'm on." "Who do you think I've been with for the past hour?" "He wants no part of you." "No Mike." "Mike, don't!" "Don't worry .." "I just wanted to see if the yellow went all the way though." "It does." "Did I just get the wrong end?" "─ The boy seems hurt." "Only because I'm the sensitive type." "Tell me, Mike." "How much was that story worth to Durham?" "What makes you so wrong so many times?" "Knowing you, darling." "And knowing you, I know you don't do anything for free." "I never asked you for a nickel baby, did I?" "You wouldn't have gotten it." "You were never worth that much." "I can't tell you how awkward this is for me, Mike." "But how long do you think a man with Stanton's ethical sense would keep me .." "If I were to give you a job on this or any of his other papers?" "Not long." "Not very long." "So, I'm a leper." "Believe me Mike, there is no-one I'd rather help than you." "After all, we did room together at school." "I was going to remind you of that." "─ And they were wonderful times." "We should see more of each other." "Mike, I don't like to proffer advice." "But the situation being what it is, it might be easier for you in another city." "That's the nicest goodbye I ever heard." "Okay." "Hey Ernie, if my wife calls again, you haven't seen me." "Hiya, Mike." "You drowning it?" "One shot." "You ought to start collecting your unemployment insurance." "Just for appearance's sake." "Just think .." "Now you got time to write the Great American Novel." "Maybe about Carl Durham." "A guy like you on the inside should .." "─ Blow." "That's what money does to a guy." "Maybe you ought to buy your own newspaper?" "Here." "The Charleston Gazette." "$250,000 in cash." "Will handle balance and easy terms." "No." "Timed payments would tie down a man like you." "Get something closer." "You can commute." "Cheap, too." "One half interest in The Lakeville Sentinel. $7,500." "Lakeville." "Yeah, that's a good spot for you." "A cemetery surrounded by blue-bloods." "One of those ivy-covered towns." "Shiny on top." "You know what's underneath ivy, Mike?" "Little crawling things." "You should feel right at home there." "Do you want me to call your wife?" "You would." "Thinking it over, though." "Lakeville is not a good spot for you." "You'd still be in Munsey's territory." "I'm worried stiff." "─ You know something?" "You look it." "Ernie .. remember." "If she calls again, you haven't seen me." "Ernie .." "let's have that Publisher's Almanac." "I want to see Carl Durham." "You do?" "Show him this." "Tell him I'm the guy who wrote it." "Hey, Shaeffer." "Wait over there." "Okay, let's go." "What's your hurry?" "Wait here." "Got that guy out here." "Was he alone?" "─ Yeah." "Okay." "What can I do for you?" "Well, I thought you'd like to say .. thanks." "Any time .. thanks." "Now, for what?" "For that." "I wrote it." "On account of it, I lost my job." "And I'm blacklisted." "And I'm broke." "Oh, that's too bad." "Down on your luck, huh?" "I suppose you heard I've got a soft spot for a guy that's up against it." "Yeah." "Since I did you a favor." "─ Hmm." "Let me set you straight." "Reese .. is that the name?" "I'll tell you what I told Munsey's boys when they broke in on me that night." "All I know about Turk Meyers is what I read in the paper." "There is a different school of thought." "─ I don't go to it." "I'm a funny kind of guy." "I don't like people to do me favors." "I .." "I like to do favors for other people but I can't stand having them done for me." "So." "What can I do for you?" "I guess I came to ask you a favor." "How big?" "7,500." "I like round figures." "Will 5,000 help you out?" "I need 7,500." "I got my eye on a small business deal." "If a guy with five G's can't run it up to 7,500 .." "He deserves to be broke." "─ Yeah." "Don't let it be a habit, huh?" "─ Thanks." "This will set me up fine." "Glad to help you out." "Nothing like a small business." "You know what they say." "The backbone of the country." "Isn't this Church Lane?" "─ No." "This is Church Street." "Church Lane is just around the corner by the graveyard." "Oh, this is no use." "─ What?" "I said it's no use." "It's no use." "The bushings are all worn out." "What we need are new parts." "Hand me that other wrench." "I'm far more worried about where your last week's salary is coming from." "Be careful!" "Oh .." "Parky, what we need is a new press." "You're telling me." "Ahem." "Is there a Miss Katharine Harris here?" "Yes .. what can I do for you?" "You advertised for a partner with capital and newspaper experience." "I've a little bit of the first and a whole lot of the second." "Well, won't you step in." "Excuse me, I was .." "Step right in here, please." "─ Thank you." "It's quite a nice business, really." "We have a net paid circulation of 2,200." "Guaranteed, that is." "Last year, our job printing rose to .." "─ $11,000." "It's here in the ad." "Oh." "Yes it is, isn't it." "There is one thing I have to make clear." "─ Yes." "I don't have the $7,500 you ask for in the ad." "Oh .. oh you don't?" "─ No." "But I do have $5,000." "Would you go for that?" "Well .." "I didn't just pick that figure out of the air." "Between debts, repairs, and .." "Well, $7,500 is almost the minimum." "You see." "When my father died eight weeks ago." "Oh, I'm sorry." "Thank you." "There were debts and expenses I didn't know about." "I'm afraid we have to have $7,500." "Your father." "Harris?" "Ah wait, "Winston Harris"." "Was that his name?" "Yes." "─ The Fallsberg Eagle." "He gave me my first job." "I was no bigger than this." "Really?" "─ Well .. this." "Parky, isn't this wonderful?" "Oh, super Stradivarius." "Like the old man used to say." "─ Oh .. yeah." "So you worked with him on The Eagle?" "─ That's right." "A terrific guy." "I also put in fifteen years on Metropolitan papers." "And you've got $5,000 cash?" "─ Yep." "Parky, do you think we can manage it?" "─ Well .." "Is it a deal?" "Yes, it's a deal." "I think." "I'm terribly sorry." "Well, that's alright." "It proves we shook hands." "I know it sounds silly, but I don't even know your name." "It might help if we're going to work together." "Michael Reese." "Mike." "─ Glad to know you." "You know .. you're the kind of a partner I've always wanted." "Tell me, Mr Reese." "How is it you happen to be interested in buying into a suburban newspaper?" "You want to know what really moves me, deep down inside?" "You want me to bear the basic, irresistible motivation of my life?" "It should be interesting." "─ To make money." "I can't think of any argument against that." "Well, we start off in agreement, anyhow." "We're going to be a great team, baby." "There's some things about a small newspaper that are different to .." "Yes, I know." "Come here." "Now you take the last three issues of The Sentinel." "I'll bet they're flat." "Weddings." "Birthday parties." "Strawberry festival." "That's why the paper sells." "Everybody likes to see his name in print." "Yeah, that's the theory." "But look at the phone book." "They have to give that away." "We're too close to the city to compete on news." "The big papers sell out here." "─ I'm talking about local news." "But with a slant." "Now, if Mr Wolfus was seen buying a drink for Mrs Toofus," "That's something that Mrs Goofus would eat up." "Not to mention Mrs Wolfus and Mr Toofus." "But .. if Mr Wolfus happens to be an advertiser." "Maybe we forget all about it." "Oh, Kathy." "Excuse me Mr Reese." "Can I talk to you for a moment?" "Excuse us, please." "Mr Reese." "Mr Reese, we .. that is .." "I went into our agreement a little too quickly." "I didn't know exactly what your experience was." "Don't apologise." "Your friend here remembered my grim past." "Yes." "He who attacks me, attacks my $5,000." "And that goes for a "she" too." "─ One thing more." "There is no-one in this town named Loofus, Moofus or Goofus." "Whoa .. take it easy." "Kathy, did you hear what happened?" "Diane Stanton's been murdered." "Johnny, what are you saying?" "─ Cross my heart." "Piggy and Jock found her in the woods a half hour ago." "They were looking for hibernating frogs." "I can't believe it." "Diane?" "I got to go." "─ No .. wait." "I'll go with you." "I can't." "The whole troop is waiting." "It's an emergency." "What did you say her name was?" "─ Diane Stanton." "Let go, you're hurting me." "─ Stanton?" "E. J. Stanton's daughter-in-law." "How far away are the woods?" "─ About four miles." "Let go!" "No, wait." "Look kid, do you want to make a buck, two bucks?" "Come back and tell us what you hear." "Now go on, beat it." "Let me out, she's my friend." "─ She's a story." "Don't you see?" "You're in a terrific spot." "The only paper in town." "This was made to order." "What's your name?" "─ George Ira Parker." "Okay, Parky." "Get Apex Wire Service on the phone." "Ask for Mr Kitteridge." "Mannix 3889." "In the city." "Mannix 3889." "That's right." "Ask for Mr Kitteridge" "Mannix 3889." "Okay, publisher?" "We're in business." "Is this the Apex Wire Service?" "I'd like to speak to Mr Kitteridge." "Kitteridge." "Northville 3333." "What?" "He wants to know who wants him." "─ The Lakeville Sentinel, that's who." "The Lakeville Sentinel, that's who." "Hello Atlas News Service." "Give me Joe Adams." "The Lakeville Sentinel." "─ The Lakeville Sentinel." "Mr Kitteridge?" "─ Tell them to hold the wire." "How the wire please." "Here." "When Joe Adams comes on, tell him to hold it." "Hello, Kitteridge?" "We want to sell you an exclusive on a murder, with pictures." "Yeah, I know, but wait until you hear who the victim is." "Mr Adams?" "Will you hold the wire, please?" "Diane Stanton." "Daughter-in-law of E. J." "Yeah, head of the Stanton newspaper chain." "That's him." "Oh, details we got." "We got the whole story." "What's your offer?" "Is that tops?" "Hold on." "I have to consult." "Five hundred." "Adams .." "Diane Stanton, daughter-in-law of E.J. has been murdered." "We're in a position to sell you an exclusive on-the-spot report." "Stanton, yeah." "First, how much?" "Well, you got to do better than that." "Hold on, I'll speak to my partner." "Six hundred." "─ I'm not your partner." "Seven-fifty and it's yours, Kitteridge." "Oh .. hold on." "He met it." "Who says I'm not your partner?" "A thousand and you've got it, Adams." "Sold!" "Put on a rewrite man." "I'll wait." "Tell Kitteridge sorry, and hang up." "You can't do that." "─ No?" "Hang up." "I'm sorry, Mr Kitteridge." "No." "No, this is not a practical joke." "Honest." "Why don't you sit down?" "I don't want to sit down." "─ You're going to get awfully tired." "Your paper made up yet?" "Everything but the front page editorial .." "I know." "No make up." "Rewrite?" "Okay .." "Dateline:" "Lakeville." "Exclusive Atlas News Service." "By-line:" "Mike Reese." "Yeah, I'm here now." "The new editor." "Okay." "Keep those people behind the lines." "─ Yes, sir." "Alright folks, back of the rope." "What do you think we put them up for?" "Get back." "Alright boy, you stand there and you right there." "Now, point to where your found the body." "Look scared." "Boo!" "Great." "Hey, you." "You're supposed to be behind the ropes." "Now, take it easy." "Lieutenant." "Check with the Lieutenant." "He's okay, Paul." "─ Oh, Lieutenant." "Would you like to pose with the kids?" "─ Later." "Alright boys, one more." "─ Pardon me, sir." "Mr Stanton is here." "─ Right." "Here's your quarters, boys." "─ Gee." "Hey, this is a nickel!" "Mr Stanton." "I'm Lieutenant Tilton." "Have they moved her yet?" "─ No sir." "We're waiting for homicide." "I can't believe it." "I can't make myself believe it." "Anything for the press, Mr Stanton?" "The press?" "No comment." "─ I'd like to .." "I'm from The Lakeville Sentinel." "You might say .." "Diane meant a great deal to me." "I'd like to question everyone at the house, sir. ─ Certainly." "Press invited?" "It is news, isn't it." "Yes, come along." "Lieutenant Tilton would like to see the servants, Johnson." "Yes, sir." "I'll get my son." "─ Thank you, Mr Stanton." "Clark." "Clark." "How do you feel, son?" "Lieutenant Tilton would like to see you." "I know it's painful, but we have to help." "I loved Diane too." "Such a brilliant mind .. brilliant." "I had hopes that someday you or she might take over for me." "Would you rather have him come up here?" "It might be easier." "Don't." "I did it .." "I killed her!" "You are insane." "What are you saying?" "She was going to leave me." "I killed her." "Clark!" "─ I hated her." "I hated her so much I didn't want her to be free." "I told her I'd kill her if she tried to leave me." "I .." "I don't believe you." "It can't be true." "It can't be." "You didn't know what was going on." "The Stantons are polite." "We keep our grief to ourselves." "To our bedrooms." "She was so perfect." "So perfect for you." "For you, you mean." "She had a brilliant mind, so much smarter than I." "You told me that a hundred times." ""Why aren't you like Diane?" "Listen to her, Clark." "She knows what she's says."" "And what was she saying?" "Always the same thing." ""Why can't you be like your father?" "Why can't you make something of yourself?"" "Day and night." "Day and night!" ""Why can't I learn the business?" "Who will take over the papers?"" "Why can't I be like you?" "Always you from her." "Always her from you." "I meant nothing to her." "I mean nothing to you." "You are mad." "She was in love with you." "In love with every word you spoke." "Stop it!" "Clark, stop .." "─ And you were in love with her." "The gifts you always bought for her." "The way she'd kiss you in the morning and when you came home." "That's why I hated her." "That's why I killed her." "You were the reason!" "Stop .. stop!" "I won't .." "I won't!" "I'll shout until I tell everybody why I did it." "Because of you." "You'll die for this, do you hear?" "You'll die." "There is nothing to save you." "Except you." "You will save me." "Not for me, but for you." "Because, either we're both saved or both destroyed." "So I am to be your accomplice?" "Do you think, even if there were a way to help you, I would?" "Will it be a general release, or will the Stanton papers get it first?" "What are you waiting for?" "I'll tell you." "Because everything I've said is true." "Isn't it, father?" "[ Door knocks ]" "Excuse me, sir." "Lieutenant Tilton is waiting." "One moment." "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting Lieutenant." "The boy is quite shocked." "If it were possible to postpone?" "Don't worry about it." "Tomorrow will be just as good." "Oh, thank you." "The servants were very coöperative." "Just one question, Mr Stanton." "I'm afraid I don't feel up to it, if you don't mind." "Goodnight, sir." "You didn't tell them?" "No." "I need time." "Time to weigh values." "Yes, Thomas?" "I thought perhaps some coffee and a bite, sir?" "Oh yes, please." "Bring it up." "Rather shocking about Molly, isn't it." "─ Molly?" "Didn't Lieutenant Tilton tell you?" "What about Molly?" "─ She disappeared." "No-one can find her." "The last time anyone saw her, she was leaving the house with Miss Diane." "And they think something may have happened to her?" "No, sir." "From the questions, it seems Lieutenant Tilton thinks she may .." "That is, she might have .." "─ Killed Diane?" "This is fantastic." "─ Father." "Why does he think so?" "Well, go on." "When Mrs Stanton was found, her jewellery was gone." "You mean .." "Molly might have killed her for the jewellery?" "Oh, why didn't I make Diane get rid of her a long time ago." "Clark, be sensible." "Thank you, Thomas." "We'll ring for you." "─ Yes, sir." "What do you mean, "be sensible"?" "Don't you see it?" "It's perfect." "Why did you take Diane's jewels?" "Was it to pay off gambling debts?" "Is that why you really killed her?" "Her jewels?" "I didn't touch them." "That's it." "Molly must have found her first and taken them." "Who will believe her story?" "It will be the word of a nigger against ours." "The corrupt things you've learned." "Everything you've ever wanted, you've gotten." "And now you want another's life to be given for yours." "You .. the end product of five honorable generations." "And yet to destroy you, would be to destroy everything that's gone before." "Even then, would that bring Diane back?" "Maybe Molly would have killed her, given the chance?" "She robber her, didn't she?" "Yes .. yes, she did." "How about it, Lieutenant?" "Hold the report ten minutes, please." "Sergeant, go to the woods and take over." "─ Yes, sir." "The Stanton boy phoned you two times, Lieutenant." "He wants you to call him." "Thanks." "Jim, I've got to teletype homicide." "The Stanton residence, please." "─ How long is ten minutes?" "Stanton residence?" "This is Lieutenant Tilton, returning Clark Stanton's call." "Thank you." "A little cooperation, that's all." "Mr Stanton." "I'm sorry I couldn't see you when you were here, Lieutenant." "Oh .. a bit better, thank you." "I just heard about Molly." "I thought you may be interested in learning that .." "Ever since we employed the girl, there have been petty thefts around the house." "On one occasion, Mrs Stanton caught her taking clothes out in a grocery bag." "There was quite a scene." "No." "No, unfortunately, I didn't report it." "My wife was too soft-hearted." "Yes .." "I blame myself." "My father offers a reward of $25,000 to whoever apprehends the murderer." "Anytime, Lieutenant." "Any way I can be of help." "Thank you." "Husband of victim reports incidence of petty-theft." "Resulting in violent action on the part of the suspect." "In an hour the press will be all over the place." "A reward of $25,000 is offered." "They won't build you up." "I will." "─ You're holding up the wheels." "Ten minutes." "That's all." "Then teletype." "When do I start counting?" "─ Right now." "Send it out." "Full report." "No." "No word yet, Mrs Jackson." "Yes, we'll have an issue out tomorrow." "You got the lead yet, Kathy?" "I'm ready to set." "One minute." "Oh, again." "Lakeville Sentinel." "The Lieutenant just gave me a break." "Nice guy." "Yes?" "Northville 3333." "What's the biggest type you carry?" "Three inch wood." "─ Right across the front page." ""Molly Rankin suspected of murder."" "Molly?" "She worked for the Stanton dame." "Killed her, stole jewellery and took a powder." "Atlas?" "Hello .." "Reese, Sentinel." "Got something hot." "─ No, don't." "Will you cut it out." "Hello, Atlas." "Hello." "Molly Rankin didn't kill anyone." "─ Tell it to the Police." "Hello, hello?" "Oh, you've cut me off." "Will you butt out?" "Yeah, Atlas." "Reese, Sentinel." "We got cut off." "Get a bonus ready." "First break on the Stanton case." "Evidence points to Molly .." "Yeah, "Molly Rankin"." "How did you know?" "A flash just come in from Homicide." "The Sheriff's office." "A pick up for Molly Rankin." "Description follows." "Want to hear it?" "No." "That double-crossing flatfoot." "I thought he was a nice guy." "─ Who asked you?" "Go set that head." "I'll give you the copy later." "What's this about Molly?" "─ You heard." "Well, it's not true." "I know." "I went to school with her." "Why, I'd swear my life she .." "─ No, never do that." "Does she have any family around here?" "─ No." "Her mother died while she was going to school and she had to quit." "She worked for us for a while." "I'd trust her with anything." "Any boyfriends?" "─ I wouldn't know." "How about you?" "Any boyfriends?" "Did you ever rob graves, Mr Reese?" "─ No future in it." "And from now on, the name is "Mike"." "─ Alright." "Did you ever rob graves, "Mike"?" "The run is over." "Beginning tomorrow, we're going to run a 2-page daily bulletin." "Between issues." "As long as this story lasts." "You know, you're pretty spry for a man your age." "What's wrong with my age?" "Well, you must be pushing seventy if you worked for Harris on the Fallsberg Eagle." "Why?" "I was with him the year it closed. 1935." "No .. it shut down in 1905." "That lying Almanac." "It said 35." "Goodnight, Kathy." "─ Goodnight, Parky." "Goodnight, Boss." "Boss?" "Boss." "Boss." "How you doing?" "Oh .." "I can't." "As long as the readers do, you're okay," "[ Telephone ]" "Lakeville Sentinel." "Reese .." "Go on." "Okay." "Thanks." "Do you still think she's innocent?" "─ Yes." "Yes, I do." "Do you know what that call was?" "Atlas Wire Service." "The D.A's office just announced that a girl answering the description of Molly." "Pawned Diane Stanton's jewellery this afternoon." "In this city." "I'll let you drive me to the hotel." "Then you can go home and get some sleep." "[ Door banging noise ]" "What's in there?" "What do you want?" "─ Miss Harris." "I must see her." "Is she here?" "In there." "Come on." "Nobody is going to hurt you." "Molly." "Kathy." "Kathy." "I .." "I .." "What happened, Molly?" "Can I see you alone?" "We're partners, Miss Rankin." "Tell her, Kathy." "You know the Police are looking for you, don't you?" "I know." "Did you pawn Diane Stanton's jewellery?" "─ Yes." "She said she didn't want anybody else to know." "And that's why she asked me to do it." "Doesn't look good." "He's right." "They won't believe me." "Not in this town." "I'm a negro." "Nothing but a maid." "They'll say I killed Diane." "Just change the tense." "They are saying." "Well, she didn't." "You've got to trust her." "Okay, if it works both ways." "But I have to know some facts." "First of all, when did you last see Mrs Stanton?" "About .." "Just before lunch." "I walked with her to the laurel grove." "That's where she gave me her jewellery." "Why did she get you to pawn the jewellery?" "What did she need money for?" "Oh, she .." "I don't know." "She didn't tell me." "After you left her, where did she go?" "I .." "I picked some flowers to take to my aunt." "She lives in the city." "And then I caught the one o'clock bus." "How much time passed between the time you saw Diane and when you took the bus?" "About .." "A half .. three quarters of an hour, I guess." "[ Door banging noise ]" "It's nothing." "Maybe the best thing for Molly would be to get her out of town." "At least for a while, until they find the real murderer." "They won't try it." "The longer she stays in hiding, the surer everybody will be that she did it." "What other way is there?" "To give herself up to the D.A. right here." "Under the auspices of The Sentinel." "With reporters from every newspaper in the city present to hear her story." "Without a friendly press, you're cooked." "We'll announce it through Atlas for ten o'clock tomorrow morning." "And we'll make it perfectly clear to the D.A." "The reputation of The Lakeville Sentinel is behind you." "And will stand for nothing less than justice." "I don't know." "I don't know." "Look." "I know what I'm talking about." "This is the way to do it." "Take my word for it." "Munsey is a pal of mine." "Whatever you think is right, Kathy." "I'll do it." "Well, it sounds right." "Now you're both being smart." "Get her out of here." "Somebody may come in." "Where can she go?" "─ Your house." "Better keep her low in the back seat of the car." "Don't want to take chances." "I'll see you in the morning." "Don't worry." "I'll fix everything." "Northville 6200." "Give me the District Attorney's office." "Munsey speaking." "Look, you're wasting your time, Reese." "Not that that matters, but you're wasting mine too." "Now, hold it, Munsey." "I'm the guy who can make you a big man." "Yeah." "I got just what you need." "Hey, watch your language." "Don't you think the phone's being tapped just like everybody else's around here?" "I can deliver Molly Rankin." "That's right." "I'll tell you where and when as soon as we clear up one all-important detail." "Stanton is offering a $25,000 reward." "Is that confirmed?" "And do I get it .." "If she's in your hands tomorrow morning?" "Well, as much as it pains me to say it, you do." "Unfortunately, there is no character test attached." "You get the reward if Molly Rankin is delivered and if she is proven guilty." "Don't worry." "She's guilty." "So guilty that even you can prove it." "Now, here's the program." "How can you concentrate with what's going on in there?" "I ain't getting paid to concentrate." "I'm getting paid to put up this sign." "Please folks, stay back off the sidewalk." "Please .." "─ Young man." "My grandfather's taxes paid for this sign." "And now, Mr Munsey." "Here's the money that Molly got for pawning Diane Stanton's jewellery." "$2,700." "Every cent of it intact." "Count it." "It beats the song of Bernadette." "He's actually separating himself from dough." "Well, don't get carried away." "If you have any questions, Miss Rankin will be happy to answer them." "I got one, Mike." "Do you expect us to believe that story?" "I understand you went to school with Mrs Stanton." "How come you were her maid?" "She needed the money." "Didn't you, Molly?" "Yes." "I was grateful for it." "─ Sure." "Molly .. those flowers you picked for your aunt." "Did she ever get them?" "Well no .." "She has an explanation." "She forgot them on the bus." "Could we hear her answers directly, Mr Reese." "It's more fun that way." "When was the first time that Mrs Stanton accused you of steeling things from her?" "She .." "She never made such an accusation to me, or anyone else." "Are you aware she did tell her husband?" "Please .." "─ Stop this!" "I've kept quiet so far." "Now, do I get a chance in this interview?" "You don't have to answer Molly, but I'd like to know." "Are you surrendering voluntarily?" "Why yes." "I am." "Mr Reese didn't use any force or persuasion in bringing you here?" "You are giving yourself up?" "Well, of course she's giving herself up." "She wanted .." "No." "The Sentinel did it." "Your paper didn't locate her or capture her." "Or turn up any information leading to her arrest?" "No." "She came here herself." "Molly, you wouldn't say that anyone delivered you or turned you in?" "That's a matter of wording." "─ No." "That's a matter of law." "You can't be eligible for the reward unless you earn it." "Reward?" "Alright, Lieutenant." "Unless there is something you'd care to say, Molly?" "Nothing." "─ Molly." "Just a second .." "─ Take it easy, Reese." "These things are tough all over." "Pretty soon a man won't be able to sell his own mother." "What are you doing?" "Can I use this for old time's sake?" "─ No." "I'll give you a quarter." "You'll make a dime profit." "Come on, get out of here." "─ Don't shove me!" "Buck up kid, that's life." "With Sunny Jim." "Did you hear what he pulled?" "He must have had it figured all the time." "When will I learn never to trust a Cop." "I should have .." "Where are you going?" "Why you want to know, Mr Reese?" "Is there someone you can sell the information to?" "We're going to miss you." "You can remove that Mr Mullins." "It's no longer necessary." "It'll cost you for an extra job, ma'am." "─ It's worth it." "Alright." "Oh .. you're the new editor I presume?" "Is it true that this Molly committed murder?" "Personally, I doubt it." "I don't, Mr Lister." "I'm Major Redford, retired." "I'm not the least surprised." "You extend a helping hand to people like this Molly, and they always expect more." "When they don't get it, they resent you." "I've seen it happen in other instances." "You must stop having pie for breakfast, Major." "It's not good for your digestion." "As for Molly, I disagree with you." "I've seen her around here since she was a little girl." "All murderers were children once." "Good day, sir" "If your ancestors weren't at the original witch-burnings in this town .." "The Major thinks you're an interloper." "You don't think she's guilty?" "I don't really know, but .." "I hate these wild accusations." "Well, what decent person doesn't Mrs Eldridge?" "Good luck to you." "And if you take advice, all the Sentinel needs is a few comic strips." "You know." "I'm happy that the paper is going to continue." "Kathy is such a fine girl." "Yeah." "What are you doing?" "─ Taking it off." "Put it back." "─ It will cost you for another job." "Put it back!" "Mr Mullins." "I thought I ordered you to take down that sign." "He ordered me to put it back up." "I ain't got no authority myself." "Just take orders as long as I get paid." "Set this in Gothic Bold." "You'll do nothing of the sort, Parky." "Here is your $5,000, Mr Reese." "When the check comes in from Atlas, I'll send it to you." "The entire amount." "You earned it." "─ Look, honey." "You got the wrong slant on things." "─ I don't want to discuss it further." "I'll give you some copy soon." "A public apology to the people of Lakeville." "Stop it." "Get your head on straight." "Now think this out." "They would have picked her up anyway." "We could have bought a new press." "Did you think I was going to hog it all for myself?" "Well, I wasn't." "We're partners in everything." "Were partners, Mr Reese." "The situation presented itself and I acted." "Who could get hurt?" "Mr Reese, I just don't speak your language." "Here's my language." "Lakeville community doubts girl's guilt." "Understand it?" "Your copy?" "Yes." "You're not the only one who thinks she's innocent." "Mrs Eldridge, the Bank President's wife is on our side." "And he said Mr Lister, too." "Our side?" "─ Yes, they're important." "They are the town." "They're public opinion." "They're juries." "Please." "I don't know your mind, but if this is your idea, I want no part of it." "It is my idea." "Exclusive!" "Why, in four editions we can get them to swear that Molly couldn't have done it." "What's Munsey really got on her?" "Circumstantial evidence, that's all." "Like a weather-vane, aren't you." "─ So, there's been a wind change." "We can turn this into a case of persecution." "That's what it is." "Persecution" "The poor girl." "A negro." "Friendless." "Hounded." "She's not friendless." "─ Even better." "But without money, that's true." "It should work, Kathy." "When I was on The Dispatch over at Williamston .." "Listen to him." "We can send Munsey back to ambulance-chasing." "The dough we got from Atlas will be nothing compared to what we can make." "It will put us on the map." "Every newspaper and magazine in the country will want human interest." "And we'll give it to them." "And they'll pay." "Money means an awful lot to you, doesn't it." "When you got it, nobody pushes you around." "And that's why you tried to save Molly." "To make money .. to get back at Munsey." "Why question my motives?" "Look, we're busy." "Ain't aiming to stay." "Just to get paid." "Three and half hours at a dollar-fifty an hour." "One half-pint of paint." "Be a good boy and forget the items." "How much does it total?" "Always like to itemize." "Alright." "Eight-forty with the tax." "Mr Mullins, you think Molly's innocent, don't you?" "Ain't had much time to think about it." "Maybe so." "Want to help her?" "─ Maybe." "Others feel like you." "They're forming a committee." "The Defense Committee For Molly Rankin." "Will you join it?" "I might." "Now Molly's poor." "She needs money for a good lawyer." "The committee's going to raise it." "Mrs Eldridge is going to be treasurer." "Good lawyers cost a heap." "Well." "I guess I'll receipt this here bill for you." "You keep the 8.40." "I guess you can go on with your business now." "Will it work?" "The theme of the operation:" ""Community rallies in defense of Molly Rankin"." "We'll circulate a petition." "We'll really play up the idea that a person is innocent until proved guilty." "Does it go?" "I've been convinced." "By Mr Mullins, not by you." "I'm sure these are all fine." "Let each editor handle it his own way." "Don't you want to read them, sir?" "─ I rely on your judgment, Charles." "I find the subject matter very painful." "─ I understand sir." "I just want you to know that Molly Rankin will pay for her crime." "By the way, have you seen late editions of the other papers?" "─ Yes." "I've received calls from every publisher." "No matter what differences have been in the past." "They promise me their fullest cooperation on this." "Tomorrow's lead will be "An eye for an eye"." "Whatever you think best." "Thank you for coming out." "Goodnight, sir." "And again, my deepest sympathy." "Mike .. do me a favor will you." "Give your business to someone else." "There are plenty of lawyers in this town who'd jump at a case like this." "Doesn't our friendship mean anything?" "Ah .." "Gus." "Yes, Mr Becker?" "Will you get me the afternoon editions, please?" "And look, next time." "Tell Charlie, rarer will you?" "Stan." "Look, can't a man eat his lunch in peace?" "Believe me Stan, I can make it worth more than a lunch hour." "I've been between Lakeville and the city half dozen times these last three days." "You're harder to see than the President." "Meantime, I'm talking myself blue keeping this Harris dame in line." "She just doesn't trust me." "Smart girl." "She's changing her attitude a little." "Now, if I can deliver you, I'll be a hero." "Oh please." "Let me enjoy my lunch will you?" "And take "no" for an answer." "Gus." "─ Yes, sir?" "What do you think about this Rankin case?" "He thinks she's innocent." "Mister." "Don't you ever read the papers?" "That's the trouble with people." "They never know what's going on." "There it is, Mike." "The verdict is in." "If she was white, she wouldn't stand a chance against these." "There isn't a potential juror in the state who isn't convinced that she's guilty." "I've set up a Defense Committee." "─ Fine." "So have a parade." "Oh Mike, you know me." "You know that I don't take these cases for the exercise." "Forget it." "All the defense committees in the world won't help her." "She'll hang." "─ So, she'll hang." "Come again." "This committee is raising money to pay her lawyer." "Lawyers don't have to guarantee to free their clients, do they?" "How much?" "I figure the campaign is good for thirty to forty thousand." "We'll split fifty-fifty." "You should have been a lawyer." "Hi Mike." "─ Hello Cal." "Hello." "─ Oh, hello." "Lister." "─ Yeah." "Just signed up." "─ Good." "You know, you're doing a fine job scraping the mold off of this town." "It's needed it for a long time." "A couple of centuries." "Those city papers." "They're printed for underdeveloped city minds." "You rat." "What?" "Thank you very much, doctor." "Doctor Park." "Fifty dollars." "─ People are wonderful." "Hello Mrs Eldridge." "Ellen." "─ Hello, Mike." "Looks great .. great." "Take your pledge to the counter, please." "Sign here, please." "Here it is." "The thousand dollars from Atlas." "Oh, and Look Magazine wants a picture layout of our committee in action." "The Sunday Graphic phoned for a special story on Molly's schooldays." "What did I tell you?" "They'll pour in." "It certainly helps the defense fund." "What?" "─ The fund." "Oh, yeah." "Sure." "We've already collected $1,500 and we haven't even started yet." "At least the lawyer will get paid." "─ Oh, you've got one?" "The best." "Stanley Becker of Ballimers" "Oh." "Another pal." "─ No .." "I just met him today." "─ That's better." "Tomorrow's editorial." "You want to check it?" "Is that so?" "Well I suggest that you stop bragging about that ancestor of yours and .." "If he's anything like mine, he'd get right up and send in his check." "And it wouldn't be a small one." "Mike, it's wonderful." "─ You liked it?" "I do, Mike." "Really." "In this era of violent crimes." "One especially has caught the imagination of the public." "The Molly Rankin case." "The four days since her arrest have seen a battle between David and Goliath." "With the freedom of Molly Rankin resting on the outcome." "The David being the small-town Lakeville paper, The Sentinel." "The Goliath being the combined might of the city press." ""However, it is becoming increasingly clear .."" ""That a slingshot, when backed by a community .. is a powerful weapon."" ""Tonight, on the eve of the funeral services for Diane Stanton."" "Which will take place in the centuries-old cemetery at Lakeville."" ""Major newspapers throughout the country."" ""Have picked up this war of headlines."" "Why are you letting Reese get away with this?" "I thought it was some way to save the girl." "That's easy." "Let them hang me." "If that were the solution." "You've got to get rid of Reese." "That's a solution." "I've heard about your power all my life." "Use it." "Use it now." "The moment I make a move, Clark." "The moment I take her hand." "I become the executioner." "And in his name we consign to the earth from which she sprang." "The earthly remains of Diane Stanton." "And to her father and mother." "Our hearts are bonded in deep sympathy." "At their great loss." "And their loss is shared by others." "Who knew Diane." "Who saw this flower grown beautiful among us." "And then destroyed by one without a soul." "But that which she left with us .. her kindness." "And her love for her fellow man." "Shall be our heritage." "Forever and ever." "Amen." "Mike .." "Mike .." "Why don't you and Kathy drop by tonight?" "─ We'll try on that." "Thanks." "Hello, Mike." "Chuck .. how are you?" "─ Fine." "Have you met everyone?" "─ Yes, we met in the chapel." "How do you do?" "Do come." "We'll break up early." "─ Thank you." "Listen, Mike." "I want to tell you that you've surprised .." "Kathy, I .." "I'll catch up with you, Mike." "I want to say that you've surprised me, Mike." "Pleasantly." "You know our editorial policy is different." "I think you've done a fine job on the paper here." "I'm glad to hear you're so broadminded." "I know the old man is impressed, too." "Oh, Mike." "There's a spot open on the Cincinnati paper." "I might be able to talk E. J. into giving it to you." "You?" "─ For old time's sake." "You'd practically be your own boss." "I'll let you in on something." "I am my own boss." "Thanks, just the same." "You are making a mistake." "That's why I like being a boss." "When you're a boss, you can make a mistake." "Well, if you change your mind, let me know." "Alright, come on, get back." "Come on." "Agitations, committees." "That's the result." "Now, Major." "Just because you don't agree with us." "You should talk to this wife of yours." "─ After twenty-one years?" "Ha." "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me." "I'll be at The Sentinel office, Harvey." "A strong-willed woman." "It's at moments like these, I'm glad I'm a bachelor." "Ah, Mr Stanton." "That was a fine eulogy the reverend gave us, wasn't it." "Yes Major, it was." "Who are these people?" "The Sentinel has made a circus of it." "─ It's a shame." "They are coming in on every bus, with picnic baskets." "You can't entirely blame The Sentinel." "If you take the city papers .." "Well, everyone is, uh .." "I was wondering gentlemen, if you would care to stop by tomorrow evening." "I've a problem on which I'd value your opinion." "It concerns us all I think." "Our town." "─ I'll be glad to." "So that's fine." "Goodbye." "─ Goodbye, sir." "Goodbye." "One point more, gentlemen." "He was employed by the Magnolia Press, a typical scandal sheet." "Which deliberately misconstrues any number of normal business operations." "And then uses them as a whip to embarrass you." "Unless of course, you can pay them off." "Quite a technique." "Before Mr Reese came to your town, no reputable newspaper would employ him." "I can't understand why your papers haven't shouted it out." "Exposed this man." "Isn't it possible that he really believes that Molly is innocent?" "Oh, bosh." "You heard Mr Lee." "He's tied up with this gangster Carl Durham." "I remember the Turk Meyers incident very well." "Dividing our community." "That's what this man Reese is doing." "There is the problem." "I agree with you." "There is no room in Lakeville for such a man." "I even went so far to have Mr Lee offer him a very good post away from here." "But he turned it down." "I presume his campaign is far too lucrative." "But for me to attack him publicly." "It would seem I was doing it because of The Sentinel's position on Molly." "That I wanted vengeance rather than justice." "A man of Reese's calibre might make capital of it." "I see your point, sir." "Mr Stanton is right, Major." "Oh, agreed." "I think we should insist that this Reese be driven out of town." "Literally." "Are you with us, Harvey?" "Or do you have to consult with your wife first?" "I imagine there are several approaches Major, to accomplish your purpose." "Mr Eldridge." "Yes, of course." "There must be several ways." "Hey, I got two bucks for the defense fund." "Where'd you get two bucks?" "─ Church bingo last night." "I was lucky." "It only cost me three to win it." "What's your system?" "Oh, Fran .." "Have the Doc okay this after next week, will you?" "Sure." "I got a letter from my sister up in California." "Says all about Molly in the papers out there." "Wishes her luck." "California?" "What do you know?" "Doc don't want to advertize no more." "Why not?" "He's been running in The Sentinel for fifteen years." "And he says you shouldn't bother him." "He's busy." "If he stops advertizing he won't be busy very long." "That's his business." "Oh .. the two bucks." "What's the matter, Fran?" "I .." "I forget." "I left it at home." "I don't have it with me." "Oh, Reese." "You'd better take my name off the defense committee." "I'm really pretty busy you know." "You're late." "Did you see this?" "That's the mild one." "What did you want to see me down here for?" "From now on in, you're not going to be able to raise the price of a 2-cent stamp." "The pressure is on." "I've been getting some of it." "─ Yeah." "You know, when times change." "The smart men change with them." "─ Uhuh." "Which way?" "─ There is only one." "Molly pleads guilty." "Come again?" "It's the only way we can wind up this deal in a reasonable length of time." "We split what the committee has taken in to date." "I .. sounded out the boys in the D. A.'s office." "There is the possibility of a deal." "And what happens to Molly?" "─ Manslaughter." "Tops. 3 to 10 years." "If you're wrong?" "─ Well .." "That's the chance we take." "She's on her way in now." "I want you to give her the facts." "About the committee folding up." "The campaign against her." "But it's not just phony newspaper talk." "And that you don't cases just for exercise." "Hello, Molly." "Are they treating you alright?" "Molly." "A major difficulty has arisen." "Your one chance Molly, was your home town support." "Now, nobody's going to believe you're innocent." "Did anyone, ever?" "─ Look, that doesn't matter." "I can still save you." "If you want to live, Molly." "You have to plead guilty." "Guilty?" "No." "No, I'm not." "In that way, I'll be able to have the charge reduced to manslaughter." "A light sentence and you'll be free." "I can show how you were provoked into it." "They'd believe that?" "I can show how Diane Stanton taunted you." "How she called you lazy, shiftless." "She accused you of stealing and kept back your pay." "When you asked her for it, she slapped you." "You picked up a rock to defend yourself." "You lost your head .. and killed her." "Then you took the jewellery to make up for what she owed you." "You didn't know the value of it." "Then you threw the rock in the lake." "Does Kathy know about this?" "She didn't mention it yesterday." "The District Attorney's office will go for it." "Does Kathy want me to do this?" "─ Is it "yes" or "no"?" "Diane never said I did any of those things." "That's irrelevant." "You've got to listen to him, Molly." "Think of yourself." "─ Like you did?" "When you were ready to sell me for $25,000." "Please Molly, I .." "That's a high price for a human being." "I had a great grandfather who was sold for much less." "I'd like to go now." "Even if you die?" "All I have left is that I am innocent." "I won't give it up." "What are you going to do?" "Well .." "I wish I could afford to be nice about it." "What if I kicked back my half?" "Yeah." "It still would be just enough to cover the court costs." "How fat can you get?" "That's a thought." "Let's go out and grab a sandwich." "What happened?" "Who broke the window?" "─ Oh Mike, I don't know." "I'm so glad you're here." "After supper, someone broke in and smashed the press." "The press?" "Helen, why don't you go home?" "You know Kathy, I'd rather stay here and work." "Looks like they're burning witches again." "They did a good job." "What else?" "Thirty more subscriptions cancelled and these ads." "Oh, and Mrs Eldridge resigned." "Too much work." "What about the fund money?" "She sent it to the lawyer." "And the bank doesn't want the account any longer." "Too much bookkeeping." "Dad." "─ Go home." "I told you last night not to come here." "─ But Dad, what about Molly?" "I work in this town." "Do you hear?" "Please Dad, I forgot something." "A "Mrs Ewing" telephoned." "She said it was important." "Her number is there on the card under the telephone." "Okay, Kathy." "We'll figure something." "Highbridge 4780." ""Ewing"?" "Who is Ewing?" "Hello, Highbridge 4780?" "This is Mr Reese of the Lakeville Sentinel." "Yes, Mrs Ewing." "Yes." "Yes." "Oh." "Yes. 122 Southwest Street?" "Yes, thank you." "I'll be there." "You are wonderful, Mrs Ewing." "Don't tell me Molly's getting a break." "─ Why, Mike?" "Those flowers she picked the other day." "This Mrs Ewing found them on the bus." "She was afraid to get involved up to now." "I don't care if this rotten town said I tied Durham's shoelaces." "The truth's the truth, and we're going to shove it down their ivy-covered throats." "We got to get this out somewhere." "We got to make it big." "Bigger than it really is." "We got to make it sound important." "Right?" "─ Right." "You get over to this Mrs Ewing." "Here's her address." "Get her story." "Take the camera." "Baby, we're going to get this thing printed." "And do you know by whom?" "Stanton." "Wish me luck." "Good luck." "[ Doorbell ]" "[ Doorbell ]" "Yes, sir?" "Is Mr Stanton in?" "Michael Reese calling." "I don't expect Mr Stanton until late tonight." "Oh .. any idea about what time?" "Can I help you Mr Reese?" "My father is in town." "One of his regular late nights at the office." "Thanks." "I'll try to catch him there." "If it's anything about the case, I'd be glad to be of assistance." "I'm glad you feel that way about it." "That will be all, Thomas." "Mr Reese, do you really believe Molly Rankin is innocent?" "I'm going to prove that she is." "I'm afraid you're not going to convince people unless you produce evidence." "I've got evidence that will convince plenty of people when I get it printed." "That's why I want to see your father." "If you like, I'll call his office and let him now you're coming." "I'll make an appointment, in fact." "Say, two hours?" "About 9 o'clock?" "Why, that's great .. thanks." "I'll be there." "It's up to you to decide what you want." "But I could throw you an idea." "─ Whatever you think will work." "I'm perfectly willing to leave it up to you." "We just haven't much time." "That's what I like .. trust and confidence on both sides." "I guess that brings us to the question of .. how much?" "Oh, didn't I mention it?" "No charge." "Why not?" "I guess because I'm a sucker for a romantic motive." "Romantic?" "You loved your wife, didn't you?" "And you want to see the girl who killed her hang." "And this guy stands in the way." "That's a triangle." "A triangle to me is always romantic." "You're full of surprises, Carl." "Yeah, that's the rumour." "There's only one thing I demand." "A total guarantee for the rest of my life that no story about me or my activities." "Will appear in your father's papers without my approval in advance." "You are not serious?" "You couldn't possibly get that kind of guarantee." "That's where you're wrong, son." "I got it." "The moment you walked through that door and asked me to kill Mr Reese, I got it." "But as you say, we haven't got much time." "Mr Stanton, I've never pleaded with anyone in my life." "I'm pleading with you now." "Publish the story." "This Mrs Ewing." "How do I know that she isn't a figment of your imagination?" "And this story of yours?" "Hers too, for that matter." "Apocryphal." "Something you just created." "But Miss Harris, Kathy, is with her now." "Send a reporter over." "Chuck!" "Mr Lee." "Put in a word for me." "I believe in this instance, Mr Lee will concur with me." "You see, Mr Reese." "I have an obligation to Lakeville." "Certain of the people of Lakeville." "Must have ample justification for the reversal of their opinion of you." "But you still wouldn't want Molly to suffer is she's innocent, would you?" "That question is hardly necessary, Mike." "Then forget me." "Help her!" "I'll make a deal with you." "Publish the story and all the facts that come up on Molly's side and I pull out." "Mr Reese, I never make deals with those I cannot trust." "I'm afraid you've already taken up far too much of my time." "I'm not asking you to trust me." "I'm only asking you to be fair." "Every newspaper, including yours, is practically lynching Molly." "Here's your chance to make those words on the Stanton's mastheads .." "About ethics and truth really mean something." "All I want you to do is to give Molly's side of the case." "As much space as you're giving Munsey's side." "Mr Lee may answer if he cares to." "Now, if you will excuse me, please." "Nothing, Mike .." "I have nothing to say." "Durham." "─ Well, he remembers me." "That's fine." "Come on boy, sit up here." "Nobody's going to bite you." "Sit up!" "Here .." "light up." "You're nervous." "Say, that's better." "Not a friendly boy, Reese." "And I set you up in business." "You never let a fellow know how you doing, what you doing." "What's the score, Durham?" "Who am I crossing?" "─ Relax." "Do you know ulcers come from nerves?" "I think I'd better take you for a little ride." "Somewhere where it's quiet, like country." "I promise you one thing, you won't have to walk back." "Oh, you don't like the idea of a ride, huh?" "Okay." "You know, you're a lucky fellah." "Somebody doesn't like you." "Thinks you breathe too hard." "On whose neck?" "Well, for the record they don't like you breathing at all." "They'd like to break you from the habit." "I've always been a softy for a guy in a corner .." "Especially if they're trying to make an easy buck." "But for some guys, this would be a warning." "About what?" "What am I doing?" "You'll figure it out." "You'd better get the idea to quit it." "Whatever you're doing." "Quit it." "Who ..?" "Who told you I was going to see Stanton?" "Look .. your nose is too long." "Make sense?" "Yeah." "Plenty." "You see, I'm kinda putting you on ice." "I figure if the play don't go as I like." "Then .. having you where I can put the finger on you is kind of an insurance." "Meanwhile, you'll be a .." "A good boy, Reese?" "A choirboy." "You ought to take a little vacation." "This is a wonderful country." "There are great show places in it." "Las Vegas, Santa Nita, Bel Monte." "Which is the furthest?" "You got the right idea." "Can I drop you anywhere?" "I mean standing up." "Do you mind if I walk?" "I want to cool off." "Why, sure." "I make everybody nervous." "I don't know why." "I'm really a friendly guy." "Come on, come on." "Aren't you afraid Durham might make good his threat?" "Baby, I'm probably the most frightened guy in New England tonight." "I wish I could understand you, Mike." "You got company." "I wish I could understand me." "You fool!" "Do you realize what you've done?" "I was desperate." "Reese said he had new evidence." "Why did you go to this man?" "This Durham?" "He got rid of Reese." "You didn't." "[ Telephone ]" "And don't worry about Durham." "I'll work something out." "[ Telephone ]" "Who?" "Remember me, Mr Stanton?" "I've got a little item here." "Just knocked it out." "About a newspaper publisher and his son." "And his son's murdered wife." "And a man named Durham." ""Carl Durham."" ""Who was hired to keep certain information from the public."" "Are you listening?" "I thought you might want first refusal on the story." "$25,000." "The twenty-five you're saving on the reward will buy you exclusive rights." "And you can do anything you want with the story." "Well .." "Don't you want to discuss it anyhow?" "Uh .." "let's say here." "The Sentinel office." "How is two hours from now?" "You'd better use the back door." "Nothing like a bit of privacy." "Good." "What did I tell you?" "A direct hit." "Come with me, Clark." "This is great stuff." "I should have asked $50,000." "How sure are you, Mike?" "Clark was the only one who knew where I was going" "He set up the appointment with his father." "It must have been one of them who set up that little tête-à-tête with Durham." "Northville 6200." "You're taking an awful chance, aren't you?" "That's why I'm getting insurance." "Munsey speaking." "Who?" "Mike Reese." "What are you peddling now, Reese?" "Oh, sure I'll listen." "But this is on taxpayers time, you know." "So make it short." "It's sweet, too." "I'm going to give you your chance to get Durham." "Yeah, Carl Durham." "He threatened my life for trying to free Molly." "So, don't believe it." "But if you want to prove I'm wrong, get here to The Sentinel office and quick." "Because the guy who hired Durham will pay me $25,000 to kill the story." "What do you say?" "Okay Reese, I'll be there." "Yeah, and keep punching, my boy." "Right." "I wish this guy would lose my telephone number." "He's dreaming up bigger stories every day." "Are you really going out to Lakeville?" "─ Of course not." "Oh, thanks." "What's taking Munsey so long?" "He must be walking." "Cigarette?" "Oh, I forgot." "You don't smoke." "I've got to get to know your habits better." "What if Munsey doesn't show up, but Stanton does, with the $25,000?" "Munsey would never give me a break like that." "He'll show up alright." "─ Yes, but what if he doesn't?" "Why discuss it?" "He just did." "Get Lieutenant Tilton on the phone." "Mike." "The phone." "It's dead." "Here, baby." "Quick." "Don't make a sound." "Well .. if it isn't Mr Shaeffer." "The boss would like to see you." "Don't tell me The Transport Trucking Company is open all night." "For special customers it is." "Come on." "─ I'll get my coat." "You won't need it." "You know what?" "I think Mike Reese arranged this little stunt just to embarrass me." "Have him take up fiction writing." "Ralph, what about this "Mrs Ewing" lead?" "Possibly Molly did leave the flowers." "─ Well, she did." "Another one of Reese's gags." "How much did he pay her?" "It's true." "Sure, sure." "Just between us, flowers are flowers." "Anybody could have left them there." "As for Durham?" "I've been trying to get him for a long time." "Oh, he'd love a midnight raid that would blow up in thin air." "And have me question him about the Stantons" "It's fantastic." "I'd be a laughing stock." "But he can be killed because you broke a promise." "That makes us even." "If it makes you feel better I'll get him picked up in the morning for questioning." "Overloaded truck charge." "Number 841." "─ In the morning?" "I'm going to make copies of this." "And send them to the Governor, the Mayor and every newspaper." "I'm going to tell them that you refused to do anything about it." "Ralph, maybe we ought to listen." "Look, I don't like being made a fool of." "I'm tired and I've got a case to prepare for tomorrow." "Every time I get bear this Mike Reese, it's trouble." "Alright Miss Harris, please." "Alright." "But if this blows up." "Get me Captain Jenkins of the Police Department." "A real gentleman's rod." "You know, I sometimes wonder how you guys get where you do." "No system." "Hey, junior." "You ever stop to think of what you'd be if your old man was like mine?" "He never held a job any longer than twenty minutes." "Hey, Mr Stanton." "You would make a fine conman." "You know you .." "You've got the clothes and the looks .." "─ Durham." "Why be formal, huh?" "You call me "Carl"." "I'll call you "E.J."." "Carl." "Are you sure everything will work out?" "Sure." "You see, he calls me "Carl"." "You know .." "I'd like to meet some of your friends." "It would be a good idea of if you invited me over for a weekend." "Some of that .." "Some of that tennis stuff." "That would give the boys a laugh." "Stop it." "Did you say something?" "I'm sorry." "You are as welcome to my house as anyone." "Well, that's what I like about the gentry .. hospitable." "Are you all set, fellahs?" "─ Yes, sir." "You're on your own." "Get going and good luck." "I feel like a man about to resign from public office." "It's late." "Durham must be having a real ball for himself upstairs." "[ Singing ] "John Brown's body lies a moldering in the grave."" "Hi, fellahs." "Want a drink?" "─ Come on." "Blow." "Beat it!" "─ Boy .." "Have a birthday drink." "─ I told you to blow." "Get out of here." "Pour yourself a drink." "You look kind of pale." "Please, where's Reese?" "I must know." "What are you worried about?" "Don't you trust me?" "Come in, Mr Reese." "Sit down." "Do you know everybody?" "The guy is dumb." "He won't talk." "─ Wake him up." "What have you been doing to him?" "We've got a little persuading room in there." "Looks as if it didn't work." "You've got to find out if he's told anyone." "You've go to." "This boy is bad for my ego." "I don't like figuring characters wrong." "You give a guy a chance to make a buck." "He never knows when to stop." "Does he, Mr Reese?" "Who else knows about this, huh?" "Who'd you tell?" "Pay me off." "Let me go." "Perhaps we'd better." "Who else knows, huh?" "No-one." "No-one." "Let's make a deal." "It's about time." "Forget the money." "Just let me go." "That's no deal." "Stop!" "We've got to stop this." "This is cold-blooded." "Let him go." "We can't now." "Don't you see?" "Your kid is smarter than you." "You got your car here?" "My car?" "Yes." "Why do you want my car?" "You're going to take the boy for the ride he's been asking for." "Mr Reese." "Listen to me." "You're a sensible man." "Wrong approach." "─ Take your hand off me." "I'll pay you as much as you want." "Do you understand?" "As much as you want." "Talking money at a time like this." "This has got to be washed up." "What are you?" "The same as you only smarter." "One of you is going to pull the plug on him." "Which one is it going to be?" "That will make us full partners." "The kind I like in this type of operation." "Now, please." "I'll pay you anything." "Anything." "Don't involve me further." "─ You haven't got enough." "Make up your mind, quick." "─ I'll do it." "Alright, I'll do it." "Amateurs usually count to three first time out." "It comes easier." "No, Clark." "Grab him." "Let's get out of here." "─ Don't go." "You want to hide?" "No, Clark .. don't go." "[ Gunshot!" "]" "We'll wait." "Keep back, lady." "─ It's alright, Sergeant." "Hello, Kathy." "Don't worry about me." "This is one time a thick skin came in handy." "How you doing, Reese?" "Well, look who's here." "I'm sorry I didn't show up on time." "And don't worry about Molly." "She'll be home in the morning." "Mike, there's just one thing that bothers me." "What would you have done if Stanton had showed up and paid you off?" "That's no way to talk to a hero." "Listen to the lady, Munsey." "She's talking about me." "Did you ever ride in an ambulance, Miss Harris?" "You'll never get a better chance." "T-G"