"Skeffington, Skeffington" "Cast your vote for Skeffington" "He's the man with the plan" "The one for you and me" "He's true blue He's for you" "He's our favorite son" "Hurry up, hurry up, Hurry up, vote" "For Skeffington" "Well, Winslow, is the lark on the wing this morning?" "Not for the readers of Mr. Amos Force's Morning News." "The paper seems to be in mourning." "What a pretty picture it makes." "Just think of all those... red and angry faces sputtering over their coffee cups." "The day ruined before it begins is a thought to warm the cockles... of an old man's heart." "No picture." " Good morning, Dan." " Good morning, sir." "Right." "I'll be seeing ya." " John!" " Good morning, Ellen." "How are you?" " Himself is in there." " Hello, Ellen." " Well, greetings, greetings." " Good morning, boss." "There's the coffee." "I could do with a cup myself, Ellen." "Ditto!" "Why, you're a changed man." "It's the hamburger." "Like your very own, mayor." "Brand-new." "Ditto, we certainly are look-alikes." "You ought to be careful." "Somebody will shoot you someday." "Oh, Your Honor." "I hope so." "All of these, we should be getting a kickback from Western Union." "I spoke to them about it last year." "Negative." "Your signature, sir." "Oh, I'm afraid my signature will never become as rare at Button Gwinnett." " What's that?" " Before your time, Ditto." "A colonial gentleman who apparently signed only one thing in his life... the Declaration of Independence." "And, as they say in show business, Ditto... what could he ever do to top it?" " Why don't you have a cup of coffee?" " Thanks." ""My dear Mrs. Lathrop." No, no, no." ""My Dear Lady." Always "My Dear Lady."" "Yes, sir." ""E. Myron Goldfarb." "Dear Manny." That's right." "You might add to this that I am looking forward to his boy's bar mitzvah." "Frank, you're not gonna see all those people out there today, are you?" "Now, John, you wouldn't have me break with tradition, would you?" "Remember the first day we took public office?" "Frank Skeffington is available to every man and woman in this state." "Well... let's have a look at those candidates." "Who have I got to beat?" "As I see it, there's only one:" "Frank Collins." "The rest are nebbishes." "Didn't I tell you about Collins?" "He's agreed to sit this one out... if we support him next term for the senate." "Who is Willard Chase?" "Oh, that's a laugh." "President of the Planned Parenthood Association." "And he wants to be mayor of this city?" "An Arab would have a better chance of being mayor of Tel Aviv." "Don't discount the possibility." "Remember the recent lord mayor of Dublin." "I see we still have Charles J. Hennessey with us, as usual." "Nutty as a fruitcake and getting worse." "Now that brings us to Kevin McCluskey." "Nothing?" "Nothing?" "Oh, come on now." "You must know something about him." " Boss?" " Yes, Ditto." "I know a little bit about him, not that there's much to know." "Married, he is... to one of the Russell girls:" "Agnes Mary." "Four lovely children." "Three of them is female girls." "And the lad is studying to be an altar boy." "Very bright at school, he is." "McCluskey?" "No!" "The son, Gregory." "He went to the college, you know." "Not that place across the river, but the regular college." "Later, to law school." "Now this is not the son you're talking about." " This is McCluskey." " Yeah." "He later became a lawyer." "Since the war, that is." "And a very fine war record." ""Distinguished," as they say." "Oh, that so?" "Oh, yes, indeed." "Never missed a day at the Navy yard." "Nine to five." "You could set your watch by him." "And neat." "He got a promotion for it... from ensign to second lieutenant." "I see him every Sunday at St. Malacky's." "He passes the plate on left center." "And always a smile on his face, whether it's a coin or a dollar bill." "Not like that sourpuss Duffy who passes on right center." "I was mentioning the same thing to him last Sunday... when the car came up and off he went." "Well, that seems to be the extent of our dossier on McCluskey... not that it's very much." " Shall I let them in now, sir?" " By all means." "Who's the first one?" "Mrs. Rocco Santagata, age 46, widow, owns small candy store on Atlas Road." " Her boy's in some school trouble." " She a registered voter?" " Yes, sir." " Let's not keep the lady waiting." "Yes, sir." "Mrs. Santagata." "Ah, good morning, Mrs. Santagata." "And we will continue these... editorial attacks on the front page until further notice." " Yes, Mr. Force." " Two:" "No pictures of Skeffington... will be permitted in the paper for any reason whatever." "Three:" "I want an immediate investigation... of his income tax returns for the last 20 years." "You remember, that was done twice before, sir." "Four!" "On Sunday... the Evening News will announce its support of Kevin McCluskey for mayor." "It will say we believe he's the best qualified of all the candidates... opposing Skeffington." " The reasons why we believe this are..." " Yes, sir?" " The reasons will have to be found." " Yes, sir." "Five:" "On Monday, we'll begin the life story of Kevin McCluskey." "It'll be warm, appealing, inspirational." "Appealing, inspirational." "The man you assign to write it will make it so." "Caulfield!" "You want to see me?" "Yes, I do." "Caulfield, I had occasion to return to the paper late last night." "The light in your office had been left on." "How do you explain that?" "Well, I'd say the explanation was simple enough." "I simply neglected to turn it off." "I don't think there's any clause in my contract about that, is there?" " Because if there is, you know..." " I didn't say that at all." "Mr. Force... let me ask you something." "Did you know Frank Skeffington was my uncle when I came to work here?" "No, Caulfield, I did not." "By the time I did find out, your column, unfortunately, had caught on." "Personally, I never could understand why." "Oh, thank you very much." "That's something that's always puzzled me." "It may interest you to know that... ever since we began syndicating your column... the paper's made a tidy little profit on your services." "I've known that for some time, sir." "That's why I always leave the light burning." " Is there anything else?" " Yes, Caulfield." "When next you see your uncle... will you tell him for me that I'm delighted that he decided... to run again for mayor of our city." "I was afraid he might retire undefeated... and deprive me of the immense personal satisfaction... of seeing him lose this election." "Do you mind telling me just why you hate him so much?" "I don't mind at all." "Your uncle's a common scoundrel." "It's a known fact he has over $2 million... secreted in a vault in Mexico City." "Listen, the last time I heard that story, it was $4 million... and the vault's in Toronto!" "Now you don't believe that, because if you did... you would have proved it and printed it a long time ago." " What's the real reason?" " Why don't you ask him?" " Good morning, Adam." " Morning, Mr. Winslow." "Go right in." "Your nephew, sir." "Hello, Adam." "Well, well, well." " Nice to see you." " Morning, Uncle Frank." "Here." "Let me take that stuff." "Sit down, sit down, sit down." " Will you have a cigar?" " Oh, no, thanks." "I smoke a pipe." "How's your wife?" "Oh, Maeve?" "She's fine." "Fine." "And how is your father-in-law these days... the eminent Roger Sugrue?" "Well, I don't know if you've heard his latest... but last week he was trying to get some little parish priest transferred... because the poor man actually dared to enter a golf tournament." "Well, that doesn't surprise me a bit." "Just think of the disgrace if he had been beaten... by a mere Baptist or Episcopalian." "Adam..." "I asked you over here today... because I've got a little proposition to put up to you." "You've never been very much interested in politics, have you?" "Well, if you mean politics generally, no, sir." "Of course, I've always had a certain rooting interest where you're concerned." "Did you?" "Well, naturally." "You seem surprised." "Well, perhaps I am... and very grateful." "Although, mind you, this little proposition I have... is not in any way contingent upon your political support." "Now Adam, you're a sportswriter." "You write up these bean bag games they have between Harvard and Vassar." "Go on, Uncle Frank, you're not hurting my feelings." "I'm from Northwestern." "Now tell me this." "What would you consider... the greatest spectator sport in the country today?" "Would you say it was what, baseball?" "Basketball?" "Football?" "Oh, I think basketball's the largest paid attendance." "It's politics." "That's right." "Politics." "Millions and millions of people following it every day... in the newspapers, over the TV, on the radio." "Now, mind you, they wouldn't get mixed up in this themselves... for all the tea in China... but they know the names and numbers of all the players." "And what they can't tell the coaches about strategy." "You should see some of the letters I get." " I can imagine." " I doubt that." "I doubt it." "But nevertheless, politics is an exciting game to watch." "And I thought it might be even more exciting... if you knew one of the players... or if he happened to be a relative." "Say, an uncle?" "You're inviting me to take a seat in the stands, is that it?" "Better than that." "Not in the stands and not on the sidelines... but on the inside." "And that's a view that very few people get." "Now, mind you, I am not suggesting... that you take any part in the campaign... other than from a spectator standpoint." "You can approach it in any way you like." "Entertainment, purely... or a study of people... or perhaps from its historical interest." "What do you mean by "historical," Uncle Frank?" "Well, Adam... it's my guess that the old-fashioned political campaign... in a few years, will be as extinct as the dodo." "It'll all be TV and radio." "It'll all be streamlined and nice and easy." "Mind you, I use the TV and the radio sometimes... but I also get out into the wards." "I speak in fight arenas... armories, street corners... anywhere I can gather a crowd." "I even kiss babies." "That's the way I've always done it... and, I must say, it's usually paid off." "But there's no use kidding myself about it." "It's on its way out." "Just as I am." "Aw, come on, Uncle Frank." "Yes." "Yes." "This is my last campaign." "The last hurrah." "So, I..." "I suppose what I'm saying to you is that... this is your last chance to catch the act." "Interested?" "Yes, I am, Uncle Frank." "Very much." "There's only one thing, though, and that's the paper." "I do have to work for a living." "Oh, of course, of course." "Why, there's nothing compulsory about this." "You'll drop in whenever you feel like... and I'll call you if something comes up that I think might interest you." " If you're clear, fine." " Fair enough." "Oh, yes." "I bear greetings from my publisher." "He asked me to convey his worst." "Mm-hmm, thank you." "Well, better than his best." "Somehow, I think I'd be embarrassed, being endorsed by a former Klansman." "Force?" "Oh, come on now." "Is that on the level?" "Did he really belong to the K.K.K.?" "Oh, yes, yes, yes." "Years ago." "And I've never been certain why he quit, exactly... although I've always suspected it was because he had to buy his own sheet." "Little things like that, you know, drive a man to tolerance." "Adam, it was nice of you to come in." "Uncle Frank... would it be imposing too much on the role of spectator... to ask just why Force dislikes you so much?" "Not at all." "It all dates back to a social circumstance." "The fact that at one time my mother... your grandmother... was employed as a maid in his father's house." " You didn't know that?" " No, sir, I didn't." "We're not all descended from kings, you know." "She didn't work there long, though." "Old Caleb Force fired her..." "for stealing." "Grandmother?" "Oh, why, that's ridiculous." "I mean, well, what did she do about it?" "Surely in those days, people must have had some protection." "Oh, yes, they did, they did... but you see, in your grandmother's case, there was a slight complication." "She was guilty." " Comes as a surprise, huh?" " Yes, sir." "Well, I wouldn't worry too much about it." "Your grandmother really was not a hardened criminal." "What she did was common practice in those days." "As a matter of fact, you might even say it was a necessity." "You see, you have to remember the existing conditions." "Our people were immigrants." "They were poor." "The men worked on the docks... and the women hired out as maids and cooks... for wages that were next to nothing." "So, sometimes in the evening, when they'd go home to their families... they'd take a bit of leftover food with them." "No one thought very much about it." "Everybody knew about it." "I don't imagine anybody thought it was one of those crimes... that called for... vengeance from heaven." "But Caleb Force was made of sterner stuff." "And so, when he apprehended your grandmother... leaving the house with two overripe bananas and a small apple... he decided to make an example of her." "He summoned the rest of the servants... and in their presence, he fired her... after first reducing her to tears... by telling her that she was not only a thief... but an ingrate... who had betrayed the trust... of a fine and generous employer." "Now, as for Amos..." "I guess he has never been able to forget my mother's crime... nor to accept the fact that in time... her son became the mayor of this great city... and governor of the state." "He has a long memory." "But so have I." "I wouldn't say exactly that I have made his life a bed of pain... but I think I can say with all modesty... that it has been considerably more painful... than if I hadn't been around." "Well, all I can say is I hope you keep up the good work." "You have my hand on that." "Now, give my best to your young lady." "Oh, thanks, Uncle Frank, I will." "Oh, we were just talking about you last night before you called." "I know that father of hers has raised her to think... that I was something that should have been banned in Boston... but maybe in time I can convince her... that I'm just a peace-Ioving, harmless man." "Yeah." "Except when you think of Amos Force." "Except when I think of Amos Force." "My goodness, who are all those people?" "Oh, gangsters, I imagine." "Racketeers, sex fiends, dope addicts." "All the other criminal elements for whom my uncle derives support." "Adam, you're being unfair." "I never said that." "It's no great matter to get out a crowd... when you give them free entertainment and bands... and girls in short skirts shaking their batons." "Who's that on the platform?" "It's Monsignor Flannery!" "I shall have a fine word to say to the cardinal about that." "And look at him." "Sitting between a minister and a rabbi." " Adam, where are you going?" " I'm going out for a little air." " It's very stuffy in here." " If you're not feeling well..." "I'm sure Daddy will excuse us and we can go home." " What's the matter?" "You ill?" " No, sir, I feel just fine." "I don't want to go home." "I'd like to go to that rally." "Maeve, if you'd like to come with me, you're most welcome." "Get into that mob and listen to a lot of hypocritical promises?" "No, thank you." " I'll pick you up on the way home." " I could take a taxi!" "That's Skeffington coming onto the platform now." "Go on." "Smile." "Take your bows." "You'll take none after this election, I warrant ya!" "And on my way down to my office this morning..." "I happened to notice on the front page of the Morning News... a newspaper... by the way, of understandably small circulation... that my young opponent had played to an overflow crowd... in the Jewel Room of the Colonial Hotel." "Now, that does sound impressive, doesn't it?" "Good night, doll." "Night, doll." " Night, doll." " Night, doll." " Tomorrow night, dolls?" " Right, doll." "Boy, oh, boy, what a combo." "Wow!" "Junior!" "Yeah, Dad?" "Hi!" "Well, what do you say?" "Say?" "Say about what?" "You didn't see me on TV tonight?" "Ooh, I knew there was something." "10:00, wasn't it?" "Dad, it just slipped." "I was listening to this new combo they got at the Blake." "Mad, real mad." "You can fill me in now." "What's the scoop?" "It's not important." "Good night, Junior." "Roger." "Night, Dad." "Here's the schedule." "Between now and election day, you're booked solid for luncheons and dinners." "I couldn't avoid a certain overlapping." "You're down for two luncheons on the third, the fifth... the twelfth, the seventeenth..." "Oh, spare me the grim details." "I don't eat at them anyway." "We estimate about six speaking stops a night, beside the dinners." " Clubs, block parties..." " Say, Frank... as a special favor to my wife's cousins... next Thursday night, Post 15 of the United Jewish War Veterans are..." "Well, they're gonna raffle an automobile." "Could you pick the winning ticket?" "Would you?" "You know, in the drawing?" "Not a chance, Sam." "Not a chance, not a chance." " Frank, you've gotta make that one." " Oh, no, I'll show up." "I'll even buy a book of tickets." "But do the drawing?" "Not I." "It'd be my luck to draw a name like Paddy Murphy and lose the Jewish vote." "They'II swear I palmed it." "Tell this fella no." "Yes, sir." "Thursday, Jewish War Veterans, 9:20 p.m., Mr. Weinberg." " Ten minutes, no more." " I'll take it." "Frank?" "Just happen to have a set of tickets here for you." "Your nephew, Adam, sir." "Hello, Adam." "I was just going to call you." "What are you doing this evening, say about 7:30?" "What are you doing this evening, say about 7:30?" "I want you to meet some of my staff." "Well, you see, the trouble is..." "Caulfield?" "I want you to meet our next mayor..." "Mr. Kevin McCluskey." "Very pleased to meet you, I'm sure." "How do you do?" "Can you hold it a second, Uncle Frank?" "Yeah, I've just met your rival candidate, Kevin McCluskey." "He's right here in the office." "What's that?" "Yeah." "My uncle, the mayor, wants to wish you luck." "That's very nice of him." "He says with Amos Force behind you, you'II need it." " Any reply, Mr. Force?" " No reply." "Mission accomplished, Uncle Frank." "Yeah, score another for Grandmother." "See ya later, Adam." "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it with my own three ears." "Don't tell me that you're going in for politics." "Not necessarily." "Well, your Maeve told my Nancy you were." "Well, look, buddy boy, I haven't decided a thing." "You slept on the couch last night, didn't you, sport?" "Why is it women can't keep their mouths shut?" "Look, we've been friends for a long time, sport... and as a high mucky-muck in the Good Government League..." "I know I should tell you that politics is the business of every good citizen." " I know it." " But..." " Thank you." " Don't louse up your marriage... to Maeve for Frank Skeffington." "It just so happens that I like my uncle very much." "I also think that he's a much more able man... than that dope McCluskey your outfit's backing." "Well, who's arguing with you?" "But ability is one thing and principle is another." "See, the trouble with your uncle is that politically... he's living in the age of the dinosaur." "Is that all you have against him?" "He's an old-fashioned politician." "Come on." "I thought you were gonna give me those stories of graft and corruption... and 10 million bucks in Mongolia." "No, I know better than that." "Your uncle's a relatively poor man." "He gets his salary, period." "And he probably gives half of that away every morning... to that lineup in front of his house." "But getting back to Maeve and your marriage..." "Look, Jack, I know you mean well... but if I have to take her father, she should take my uncle." "Nobody takes your uncle." "He takes them." "I was born here, Adam." "Your father-in-law, the eminent Sir Roger... was born down there." "Oh, that, of course, was before it became a Chinese laundry." " See those two windows?" " Uh-huh." "Martin Burke." " You mean, the cardinal?" " Mm-hmm." "Yes, this is it." "We were all born down here together... then drifted our different ways somehow." "Still there." "I guess I was about six years old when I met your Aunt Kate." "I've loved her ever since." "Run down to the firehouse." "Tell your old man... the mayor's at Knocko Minihan's wake." " Hurry up now." "Beat it." " Okay, Mom." "It's a little early yet." "He's in the parlor." "He looks fine." "Lovely." "They should use it for a window display." "Lovely and lavish." "And guaranteed, no doubt, against the hydrogen bomb." "Well, Knocko, you finally made it." "Wait here." "I have to see Gert a minute." "You mean, wait..." "Come here." "Come here." "I'm Delia Boylan." "I knew your pa, and I knew your ma... and I knew you when you was a baby." "You was homely as spit." "Oh, he looks grand with his cheeks... all puffed out like that, don't he?" "Well, of course, I never knew him when he was alive." "Oh, a runt, he was." "Thin as a snake and no color to him at all." "God be good to him." "He was mean as a panther, good luck to him." "He was a good man, Frank." "A good man." "Yes, Gert." "But the fact is he left you with nothing?" "Not even any insurance?" "There was some once, but I think it's gone." "They were charging him too much for the premiums, he said." "Yes, mm-hmm." "He was a good man, Frank." "He had such bad luck." "Yes, yes." "You know, Gert, just before Kate died... she left you a present." "She asked me to hang onto it until I was sure you would need it." "Well, I think now that time has come." "I won't take it, Frank." "Well, I can't force you to take it, of course, Gert... but if you didn't take it..." "I'd be breaking my word to Kate." "I don't think you'd want me to do that, would you?" "I saw Kate before she died." "She said nothing about leaving me any money." "It comes from you, Frank... and I thank you for the offer... but no." "Now wait a minute, wait a minute." "I am not an ungenerous man, but, I mean... after all, $1,000, you know... that's a little rich even for my blood." "And for a friend as good as you, no, no..." "This is from Kate... left to you on her deathbed." "It seems to me it would be a mortal sin to refuse it." "Was it Kate's, Frank?" "Do you swear it?" "Oh, I do." "God bless you, Frank." "Well, I hope He will, Gert... but certainly not for this." "I'm just the messenger boy." "The blessing belongs to Kate." "Now, I'll run along out front again." "I think maybe you ought to come out yourself after a little while." "I will." "The Carmichael girls!" "They always come early, that is, as a general rule." "Johnny!" "Johnny?" "Johnny Degnan!" "Johnny Degnan, the undertaker." "Frank Skeffington's nephew, Johnny." " How do you do?" " His sister's boy." "Mortician." "Pleased to meet you, sir." " I've always been a great admirer of..." " Skip the blarney!" "Knocko looks grand, Johnny." "Tell me, did he take a lot of doin'?" "Really, Mrs. Boylan." "You laid him out in the big coffin." "You finally got rid of it." "It's a good thing Knocko don't know what's it's costing him." "It'd kill him." "Mr. Minihan was a prominent figure in the community." "Very prominent." "Ah, he was the cheapest old skinflint that ever lived... and well, do you know it." "Well, the poor man's gone now." "You did an elegant job on him... no matter what you charged." "Yes." "Yes, well, it's been a pleasure to have met you, sir." "A pleasure indeed." "I sincerely hope to see you again." "Any friend of His Honor's is a friend of mine." "Mrs. Boylan." "Ah, there goes a great rogue, that one." "Give him the chance, and it would be the big coffin, ten limousines... and the Holy Name Choir to sing 'em to sleep." "Watch them cakes." "I tell ya, watch them cakes." " Is that all you've got?" " No, the rest is out in the ambulance." "We got three turkeys, a couple of hams... and the prime ribs is comin' over from the city jail." " Good." " And three cases of booze... compliments of the Customs House." " I'm tending bar myself, Your Honor." " Are you out of your mind?" "Gert Minihan's never served a drink in this house in her life." "Get it out of here." "Get it out." "Get rid of it." " Okay, boss, if you say so." " I'll get rid of it." "No, not you." "Not you." "You get rid of it." "You make the sandwiches." "Look, boss, where are they gonna eat?" "What do you think of the dining room as a place to eat?" "That's a swell idea." "You hear that?" "Go on." "Watch the cakes, will you please?" "You heard what His Honor said." "Get rid of it!" "Well, Delia." "I'm glad to see you're bearing up under the strain." "Oh, I'll live." "Me and your nephew have been having a lovely talk about Knocko... the old tightwad." "I knew that you would." "Delia's presence at these affairs is almost as invariable as the corpse's." "I never miss one, do I?" "Nice to have a hobby." "We'll leave you to your prayers." "It's a great loss." "Poor Knocko, a great loss." "Yes, yes, it certainly is, Captain..." "Shanahan, Michael J., 28th precinct." "We're with you to a man." "Thank you, Captain." "Thank you, boys." "Hello." "Hello." " How's it going?" " It's a sellout." "Hello, John." "Go right inside." "Hello, Harry." "Nice of you to come." "Go right in there, please." " Hello, nice to see you." " How are you?" "Bye-bye." "Hello, Tom." "How are you?" "Go right in there, please." " It was nice of you to come." " Go right in there." " Go right inside there, please." " There's one upstairs." "If you want the street roped off, Your Honor, just give me the word." "Michael, thank you." "Ah, Chiseler." " Oh, I don't smoke." " Smoke it!" "Hello, John." "Sam." "We just thought we'd drop in to pay our respects to poor Knocko." " Is the mayor here?" " He is." "B+ut you're late." "The cops beat you to it." "Well, if it isn't the distinguished journalist in the field of letters." "Well, hello, Ditto." "Hasn't this turned out to be a grand evening?" "With the possible exception of Knocko Minihan." "Ah, poor Knocko." "A lovable man." "His friends were legend." "That's funny." "I was under the impression he wasn't popular at all." "Might I ask who would be giving you an idea like that?" "My uncle." "Now, who would know better?" "I remember he said to me at a church raffle once..." ""Ditto," says he, "that Knocko Minihan has a bad eye."" "And he had." "But forgive and forget, as the motto is." "So here we are, the two of us, letting bygones go by the boards." "You're in charge of the precinct all the way through." "Jackson, you take care of your people, just as you've always done." "Dinello, you remember all these people that you've put in charge?" "Now, let me see." "Remember what I've told you right along?" "No matter what's happened tonight, still keep along the same lines, see?" "You gotta keep the ward right in line at all times." " Yes, sir." " Excuse me, please." "Excuse me." "Adam." "Thinkin' of gettin' a bit of fresh air?" "I'll join ya." "I know it's none of my business... but you'd be makin' a mistake to run off like that." "Why?" "Because it might be disrespectful to the deceased?" "What do you call this thing anyway?" "This isn't a wake." "It's a political meeting." "Now, now, it's only natural." "After all, there is an election comin' up." "Well, maybe so, but this is Knocko Minihan's wake... and you'd think he'd at least figure in the conversation." "Besides, people standin' around saying, "Oh, doesn't Knocko look grand?"" "Well, it would be the pious thing to do, no doubt." "But if you knew Knocko..." "Well, the less said, the better." "Well, if he's all that unpopular, then why the turnout?" "Well, they're here, the most of them, for the same reason as yourself." "I know." "I'm here because my uncle brought me here." "That's what I'm tryin' to tell ya." "You mean, it's Knocko's wake but it's really my uncle..." " who's the main attraction?" " It is." "Yeah, all right, I was right." "This is a political meeting." "It's just another way of getting votes and using that poor guy's casket... as a speaker's platform!" "You have things a bit twisty, if you don't mind my saying so." " And you're bein' hard on your uncle." " I don't think so." "Sure, he doesn't have to go to wakes to collect a crowd about him." "All he has to do is stop at any street corner... and light a cigar and 50 people'II come out of the cement and say," ""How are ya, Frank?" "What can you do for me today?"" "And as for votes, there's not a man or woman in that house... whose vote he hasn't had in his pocket these last 20 years." "All right, if that's true, then why all this?" "Well, I'll tell ya." "Your uncle came here tonight for only one reason." "He came to Knocko's wake so the widow would feel a little better... thinkin' about all the friends her husband had." "Oh, I'll admit that politics is..." "Well, it's not the most diplomatic thing to discuss." "But if it wasn't that, it'd be sports... or the high cost of livin' or somethin' else." "Now, you wouldn't want a room full of men to go on talkin' indefinitely... about what a terrible thing death is, now would ya?" "No, I suppose not." " Good evening, Monsignor." " Ah, good evening, John." "This is Adam Caulfield, the mayor's nephew." "Adam, this is Monsignor Killian." " Monsignor." " Happy to know you, Adam." "Say, I enjoy that column of yours." "It's very well written." " Thank you." " Except I can't say that I agree... with that all-American team you pick." "Well, I had a tackle and a guard from Notre Dame... and a back from Holy Cross." "Yeah, but I'm from Marquette." "See you after the rosary." "We'II be in shortly, Monsignor." "Well, now, as I was sayin'." "No, no." "Wait a minute." "I wanna apologize to ya." " No harm done, lad." " No, really pretty stupid of me." "No harm at all." "But there is one more thing I'd like to add." "In a little while now, they'll be offering' up the prayers for the dead... and a hundred times more people will be prayin' than would've been there... without your uncle and the politics." "Oh, I don't say they'd all be prayin' away as holy as St. Francis... but I have a suspicion that Knocko Minihan is in no position to reject... anything along that line that might come his way." "Shall we go in now?" "Well, Monsignor, what a nice surprise." " Nice to see you." " Thank you." " How's your boss these days?" " He's well." "I'll tell him you asked." "You do that." "You better be ready to duck, though." "Between the two of us, the Cardinal's bark is far worse than his bite." "Well, I wouldn't know about that." "I've never been bitten." "Although I guess he has directed a few snaps in my direction." "It's very nice to see you, and I appreciate your coming here tonight." "Oh, but I was here last night and the night before as well." "Mrs. Minihan is my friend too." " Cuke." " Yeah, boss." " Wipe the egg off my chin, will you?" " Sure." " Well, there ain't none on it." " There ain't, huh?" "Hello, hello, my dear man!" "You must be the literate member of the family." "I see the resemblance." " You have the Skeffington ear." " How do you do?" " I'm the Honorable Charles J. Hennessey." " How do you do, sir?" "Vote for me and atone for your uncle's sins." "Ditto, my good buffoon, one of those nickel cigars." "Well, hello, Charlie." "How are you?" "Nice to see you." "I understand you're using a sound truck this year." "Yes, yes, yes." "Tellin' the facts to the public day and night." "Telling the facts about you, my dear man, and that nut boy, McCluskey." "Oh, I thought his life was an open book... with all of the pages blank." "Yes, yes, nice boy." "Yeah, yeah, yeah." "Fine boy, fine boy." "But when he adds up two and two... he always gets five and a half for an answer." "Like when he sued the city for Danny Dacey two years ago... he lost poor Danny in the chase because he thought the banks were closed... closed on Groundhog Day." "He thought Groundhog Day was a legal holiday." " Good heavens, so did I. Isn't it?" " I don't know, Your Honor." "Well, we'll make it one." " Look out, Charlie." "Gert's comin' in." " Oh, the widow is comin' in." "May I suggest you extend your sympathies quickly." "But stay around for the rosary." "Marvelous!" "Wonderful!" "Ease and dispatch as he hands out the marching orders." "The man's to the manor born." "Just a few of Knocko's friends, Gert." " Good night, Gert." " Good night, and thank you, Frank." "Well, good night." "Well, I think we can say everything went well." "Very well, indeed." "Yes, yes, I think everything went very well, indeed." "Ah, there's one little thing about your work that troubles me a bit, Mr..." " Degnan." " Mr. Degnan." "Uh, and that's the cost." "Doesn't it seem to you that the arrangements are rather splendid... for anyone in such reduced circumstances?" "Well, Your Honor, I always like to feel... that the final homage should be such that... the deceased himself would have been proud of it." "You've discussed all of this, of course, with Mrs. Minihan." " Oh, well, no." "You see..." " Mr. Degnan, let me ask you something." "You have officiated..." " probably at many of these last homages." " Oh, yes, yes." " You have buried a lot of people." " Well, yes." "What would you say is the cheapest you ever buried anyone for?" " The cheapest?" " Yes, the cheapest." " Well, I don't think I..." " Would you say, for example, $35?" " Thirty-five dollars?" " Thirty-five." " You couldn't bury anyone for $35 today." " Oh, now, now." "I'll bet you could if you really tried." "And just to show my confidence in you... that's what I'm gonna ask you to do right now." "But the costs." "Everything has been arranged." "The limousines, the choir." "Now, look, I'm willing..." "I'm willing to cooperate." "But what you ask is utterly impossible." "Oh, impossible." "You mustn't say that word, Mr. Degnan." "That does not belong in the bright lexicon of youth." "And besides, it's a..." "it's a contagious thing." "You know, a thing like that could get out to the general public." "It might even get to your licensing board." "Oh, no, no, let's not say "impossible," Mr. Degnan." "Let's just say $35." "And I'm sure it'll be a last homage of which you'II be very proud." "Good night and thank you, Mr. Degnan." "Well, anyway... they can't say we didn't give old Knocko the grand send-off." "It must've been a proud moment for him... as he looked down on us this day." ""As he looked down?" Your sense of direction's a little off, isn't it?" " What's wrong?" " This came in right after you left." "The banks have refused the loan for the housing development." ""Further study."" "Why, they've had six months." "Get Norman Cass at Consolidated Trust." "Frank, you can't let him get away with this." "I couldn't face the people." "I've been promisin' and promising' any week now..." " any day they'll start to work." " All right." "Have I ever let you down?" " What are you waiting for?" " Cass is lunching at the Plymouth Club." " Well, call him there." " Quite out of the question." "Why?" "House rule 12, passed in the year 1797." "I quote..." ""Members whilst at sup, shall not suffer interruption for any reason... save it be for matters of grievous import... such as fire or flood or piracy or Indian attack."" "And that goes for telephone calls." "Are you kiddin'?" "Well, I was a member there once myself." "Of course, that was pre-Skeffington." "You might be interested in who else was having lunch with Mr. Cass today." "Mr. Fortman of First National, Blair of Citizens Savings..." "Arthur Palmer of Mechanics and others." "Now this might be just coincidence." "Coincidence?" "Fire, flood and Indian attacks, huh?" "Get your hat." " Come on, Ditto." " Ditto!" "Frank, he'II never get by the door." "They'II throw you out on your ear." "Don't bet on that, will you, John?" "What are you waitin' for?" "Coming, sir." "Come on, Sam." "Me?" " Mr. Skeffington!" " Don't worry." "It's not a holdup." " All right, come on, beat it!" " But..." "I beg your pardon!" "I'm a member here!" "Remarkable." "Still breathing the same air they brought over on the Mayflower." "Hello, Robert." "I believe Mr. Norman Cass... is having lunch here today with some of his friends." "Yes, sir, Mr. Winslow, in the Cotton Mather Room." "The Cotton..." "You're joking." "Honest to God." "What do they use for decorations up there?" "Burning witches?" "Dunking stools?" "I wouldn't be surprised." "Pick yourselves a nice comfortable pillory, gentlemen." "I'll be down presently." "Mr. Skeffington!" "Gentlemen, I bring alarming news." " The Redcoats are coming." " Oh, but, sir, you can't go up there." "No person who is not a member may go beyond the first floor." "And I don't wonder." "The place is obviously a firetrap." "Look at those banisters." "Just look." "Flimsy." "And that door?" "Is that a fire door?" "Don't you know that every fire door is required by law to be covered by metal?" " Inspector, make a note of that." " I will, sir." " Look at that." " Got a pencil on ya?" "Settle the matter." "Read my editorial this afternoon..." "Gentlemen!" "Please forgive this intrusion." "But I claim the privileges of House rule 12... and I come on a matter fully as important as... fire, floods and Indian attack." "Mr. Mayor." " You'll never cease to amaze me." " Bishop." "Well, gentlemen, do we invite His Honor to join us in a cup of coffee... or shall we just sit here in outraged dignity?" "I, for one, refuse to sit at the same table with him." "Sit down." "Since you admit it is an intrusion, Mr. Skeffington, what do you want?" "Well, not coffee at any rate." "Thank you very much, Bishop Gardiner." "What I want, very simply, is what your distinguished ancestors... the Pilgrim fathers, wanted... when they came to these shores 300 years ago... better living conditions, specifically in ward nine." " I call this confounded impudence!" " Amos, please." "You had your answer to that this morning." "I came in the hope that you might change your mind." "Sorry." "Are you speaking for Consolidated only, Mr. Cass?" "I believe I'm speaking for us all." " Indeed, you are." " I don't see no reason to change." "Oh, well, now that..." "that does pose a problem." "I hate going to the press... and reporting that the city's leading bankers are opposed to slum clearance." "You may report, sir... that the banks do not consider this city a good financial risk... under your administration." "We prefer to wait until the municipal situation has changed... at least to some extent." "Uh, to the extent of a new mayor?" "Is that it?" "Precisely!" "Now if you'll have..." "Oh, I can't say that I blame you entirely for wanting me out of office." "But please don't use this housing development as a political football." "There isn't a day goes by that some kid isn't run over down there... playing in the street, because he has no place else to play." "And do you know how many cases of pneumonia... we took out of those cold-water flats last year alone?" " Would you have it on your conscience..." " Mr. Skeffington." "Before appealing to our conscience..." "I suggest that you consult your own." "We have not jeopardized the city's credit." "There is nothing wrong with the city's credit, and you know it." "On that, we happen to differ." "On that, and one or two other points." "But it really all boils down to one, doesn't it?" "The fact that the city is no longer yours." "It's ours." "You have this musty shrine to your bluenosed ancestors... but my people have the City Hall." "And that's what sticks in your craw." "You can't swallow it, and you can't forget it." "Well, I'm gonna make you eat it." "That housing project is going up as planned... and it's going to open on schedule." "And you know what day that's going to be?" "St. Patrick's Day." "And I am going to lead the parade... right down here past those windows... to remind you of this promise I am making now." " Gentlemen, I'll bid you good day." " Mr. Mayor." "Aren't you being a bit too Irish?" "Certainly what you said may have been true once." "The jealousy, resentment we old-time Yankees had for your people... when you first began crowding in." "I'd say it was natural enough, but look at what's been happening." "Our boys and girls are going to same schools and colleges." "They're intermarrying, raising families." "No child of mine will ever marry one of them." "That's not surprising, Amos, considering you're a bachelor." "There's just one thing more, Mr. Mayor." "We Yankees have been termed hard and flinty." "Our Puritan heritage, no doubt." "But we love this city just as deeply as you Irish claim to love it." "Claim to?" "You don't think that I honestly do?" "Yes, I honestly think you do." "You know, you haven't won entirely by the Irish vote." "I've occasionally voted for you myself." "I may again." "Thank you, Bishop." "Mr. Skeffington, in spite of the fact that you're the mayor of this city..." " Oh, beat it." " You have no right..." " A derby, wasn't it, Your Honor?" " Yes, yes." "Whose is that, Sir Thomas Lipton?" " He's a member?" "How did he get in?" " Oh, no, Your Honor." "That's Mr. Norman Cass Junior's, the commodore." "Oh, of course, the commodore, yeah." "Yes, you remember the commodore." "Uh, classmates." " If you must rub it in, yes." " Yeah." " Take the commodore's hat and find him." " He'd be in the bar." " Have him in my office in an hour." " But..." "I wonder if I could leave a little message with you for Mr. Cass Senior." "Would you tell him that I shall expect him... at City Hall the first thing in the morning?" "The first thing, at City Hall." "Yes, Your Honor." "I will, sir." "And Your Honor, don't let on, but..." "Ah, you're a man after me own heart." "Ah." "Thanks." "Max says we gotta have 'em back by 5:00." "You know, the parade tomorrow." "He'll have 'em back by 5:00." "Don't worry." " Mr. Norman Cass Junior." " Beat it, beat it." "Well, well." "Well, well, at long last..." "I'm going to have the pleasure of meeting our foremost yachtsman." "So you heard about me winning the Sloop Race Sunday?" ""The Floop Rafe?" Oh, the Sloop Race!" "Well, indeed, I did." "Indeed, I..." "Do you know the thing that interested me most about that race, Mr. Cass?" "The fact that it was won by a banker." "A banker, Winslow." "Here we go along, blundering day after day... thinking of bankers only as staid, conservative indoor men." "And then along comes a man like Mr. Cass... to show us that they're also men of daring." "Quick to chart their course and bold enough to hold it." "And those are qualities we need in this city, Mr. Cass." "And we need them today." "Well, I must say, that's extremely generous of you, Mr. Mayor." "Sit down." "Do sit down." "Now, I realize that you're an extremely busy man... so I'm going to come directly to the point." "I have taken this up with the best minds in the city, Mr. Cass... and they're all agreed." "Norman..." "May I call you Norman?" " Oh, please do." " Norman." "We want to make you our fire commissioner." " Fire..." " Fire Commissioner?" "I?" "Fire Commissioner?" "But there must be some mistake, sir." "Fire Commissioner?" " You've heard of the fire department?" " Why, yes, but..." "And I'll wager you know what it does." "Well, I know it puts out fires." "Winslow, there you are." "Have you ever heard a more cogent description... of the functions of the fire department?" "It puts out fires." "Winslow, what did I tell you?" " But I'm a banker." " Now, Normy." "Remember what Clemenceau once said about war." " What?" " That it was much too important... to trust to generals." "And that is precisely the way I feel about our fire department." "Now, I am not going to pretend... that this position does not have its disadvantages... particularly to a man like yourself... who prefers to keep out of the public eye." "You would, of course, have to attend all of the major fires... and wearing this helmet... in the commissioner's white uniform... shouting your orders to the men... you would, I'm afraid, be the center of attention." "It is one of the penalties of command." "Then, too, on your daily rounds... you would, of course, have to use the commissioner's big red car... equipped with siren... and accompanied by two uniformed firemen." "Siren?" "Did you say siren?" "I was afraid Norman wouldn't go for the siren, Mayor." "Oh, I know, I know it's bothersome... but you must realize... that the fire commissioner could not be stopped by a thing like a traffic light." "Once that siren sounds, every car on the road must move over." "Those are regulations." "I feel you would get used to it in time." "Oh, I'm sure I could." "I'm sure I could." "Ah, I was hoping you'd say that." "Now, I don't wanna stampede you into any quick decision... but I have prepared a little letter of acceptance... if you'll just sign right there." "I suppose every citizen must make some sacrifices... in these circumstances." "I wish I could tell you how happy this makes me." "Now, I wonder if we could get a couple of pictures for the press release." " Winnie, tell Mr. Gillen..." " Mr. Gillen?" "Cuke." "Now, I know that I can trust you not to breathe a word of this... until I make the announcement, not even to your father." "Not a single syllable." "Gentlemen, His Honor would like to see you." " Gentlemen, our new fire commissioner." " Hold it." "Congratulations, Mr. Commissioner." "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Commish." "Come on inside." "I want to get another picture of you." "My, won't Father be surprised when he hears the news?" "Still on the city's payroll, Winslow?" "I find it infinitely preferable to being on yours, Cass." "And you might take off your hat." "Mr. Norman Cass Senior." "What's all this nonsense about my son and some appointment?" "Well, we may announce the appointment later today." "I'll let you know." "Call you later." "Did you say "nonsense"?" "Don't you consider it a laudable ambition?" "Your son wishes to serve the city." "What the well-dressed fire commissioner will wear." "You may have this if you'd like." "It might look well... on the walls of your bank or on the front pages." "Well, Cass, when do I announce the appointment?" "You can't bluff me." "You have no intention of appointing him." "On the contrary, I have every intention of appointing him." "Of appointing him and then leaving him strictly on his own." "How long do you think that boy will last?" "How long before I'II have to step in and save him, or what's left of him... and what's left of you and your family name?" "May I say this, sir?" "I consider this outright blackmail." "Cheap and vicious!" "And typical of you and everything you represent!" "Don't you try to pull that on me!" "What am I supposed to do?" "Redden with shame... at the prospect of playing dirty pool... with a fine and distinguished gentleman like you?" "It so happens, I know your record from A to Z, Cass!" "I wouldn't touch it with a garbageman's gloves!" "Now let's get down to cases!" "I've got you chest-high to a wringer, and you know it." "All right now, I'm waiting." "We'II reconsider the city's application for the housing loan." " Not good enough!" "Try again!" " We'II draw up the loan!" "Now you're talking." "This picture." "I want the negative and whatever he signed." "They'll be returned the day the loan comes through." "Very well." "May I use your phone?" "Why not?" "As a taxpayer, that's your privilege." "Uh, local call, naturally." "Get me Amos Force." "Norman Cass!" "You may consider this a victory, but I tell you it's one you'll live to regret." "One more regret at my age won't make much difference." "Amos, that candidate of yours..." "Kevin McCluskey." "Count me in." "I'll back him to whatever extent is necessary." "You have an open check." "One, two, three hundred thousand, four hundred thousand." "Cost is no object." "Right." "Good day, sir." "Or, more accurately, good-bye." "That's it." "Come on." "Get up here." "No, right here in the chair." "That's it." "Now, you just sit there quietly and don't give us any trouble." " What shall I call the dog?" " Fido." "Call him Fido." "How are you set over here?" "Cards..." "Get 'em over on that side." "Okay." "Gimme the mic." "Oh, yeah, we're about set." "Hit the lights, fellas." "Uh, Will, open on this camera." "I'll take it on the red light." "Okay?" "Turn the thing on." "Channel 5, he says." "The impudence." "The affrontory." "Why must I have to depend upon horrible Roger Sugrue for my information?" " I couldn't say, Your Eminence." " Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." "Once again, we welcome you into the home of Kevin McCluskey... the Coalition candidate for mayor." "And believe me, ladies and gentlemen... it's a pleasure to be associated with this fine American boy." "Naval hero." "Scholar." "And, in this quiet religious home... in the place of honor over the hearth..." " is a picture of the Cardinal." " It is." "It is my picture!" "How dare he hang my picture on his wall?" "But, Your Eminence, I don't believe there's any law forbidding the use..." "Law?" "Of course there's a law." "I refuse to sit here and be exploited." "Why doesn't he pin up a picture of the Holy Father, while he's about it?" " Shall I turn it off?" " No, no, no." "And now, ladies and gentlemen... the Coalition candidate for mayor..." "Kevin McCluskey." "Won't you sit down, Mr. McCluskey?" "Now, uh..." "Tell me, Mr. McCluskey... how do you feel the campaign has been going?" "I, uh, I feel fine." "I honestly do." "And it's my honest belief that it's been a wonderful campaign." "And, Jack, I honestly believe... speaking in all sincerity... that when people..." " realize the issues of..." " Honest government?" "Of honest government... that they will... they will flock to the polls... in great numbers." "And now, ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. McCluskey." "Uh, dear." " Mignon?" " Mrs. McCluskey." "Mrs. McCluskey!" "Well, Mrs. McCluskey, I see you're being the dutiful wife." "Ah, Charlie." "Isn't that a darlin' picture of American home life?" "We'll win in a walk." "A posterior for posterity." "I'II have one enlarged for your headquarters." "Get away with that thing." "Tell me, are you enjoying this campaign?" "Well, how does it feel to be the wife of the candidate for mayor?" ""Oh, it feels absolutely wonderful, Mr. Mangan." "It makes me very proud of my husband." "But then..." "I have always been proud of him."" "And..." "Uh..." " "And of the children."" " Yes." "I understand they just came downstairs with you." "Did you have any trouble with them, Mrs. McCluskey?" " Oh, no, except for Valerie." " Uh-huh." ""Valerie." "I was just putting Valerie to bed... but nothing would do but that she come too."" "Well, she's a wonderful little tyke." "Oh, there they are." "Come right in, children." "Come on, children." "Come right in now." "Valerie, come on." "Come on, Valerie." "That's a girl." " That's a cute little one there." " There you are." " All right, now, curtsy girls." " How are you?" "Oh, that's it." "Go to Daddy." "Ladies and gentlemen, the lovely family... of Kevin McCluskey, your next mayor!" " Good night, Ernest." "Good night." " Good night." " Good night, Ernest." "Good night." " Good night." " Good night, Bishop." " Thank you, Graves." "I was watching your man on television." "The answer is no." "Perhaps you didn't understand my call." "We're not asking for money." " Merely your endorsement." " That's right, Bishop." " Just a statement from you." " No." " You mind telling me why?" " I don't like him." "We don't expect you to adopt him." "I'd almost rather do that than vote for him." "I have nothing against him personally, but I wouldn't want him as mayor." "At least you'II concede he's the lesser of two evils." "Mm, I'm not so sure about that." "To be quite honest, I'd prefer an engaging rogue to a complete fool." "I shall not vote for Skeffington, of course... nor will I vote for what your Mr. McCluskey represents." " You sure you know what he represents?" " Yes, quite sure, Norman." "Both what and whom." "You know I know." "We're neither of us children." "So just let's say I don't choose to play." "Good night, Norman." "Good night, Amos." "You bungled it." "You should've applied pressure." "His endorsement would've meant everything." "What pressure do you suggest?" "Burning a fiery cross in his front lawn?" "Stop talking nonsense." "The hope of the future... a mealymouthed maneuverable piece of dough." " Is this the best we can do?" " Pardon, Your Eminence?" "This McCluskey." "Is he typical of what we're turning out of our colleges these days?" "Is he a specimen of this educated young laity I keep hearing so much about... but never seem to encounter?" "Typical of some, perhaps." "Certainly not the best." "Then where are the best?" "Well, not in politics, that's for sure." "Times have changed, Your Eminence." "Once, politics was the only way our young men could climb out of the slums." "Yes, indeed." "That was the way Frank Skeffington chose." "And I'll not be forgetting... so did I." "Good night, my boy." "Skeffington, Skeffington" "Cast your vote for Skeffington" "He's the man with the plan The one for you and me" "He's true blue, he's for you He's our favorite son" "Hurry up, hurry up Hurry up, vote" "For Skeffington" "Maeve, honey, we've got company." "Well, how do you do, Mr..." "Uncle Frank?" "So nice to see you again." " Thank you." " Won't you come in?" " Nice to see you again." " Honey, let's get something to eat." "Do you know... your mother was the prettiest girl who ever lived in the third ward?" "Except one." "And that was her mother, Ellen." "Your grandmother." "And do you know that you..." "you look exactly like her?" " Do I really?" " Indeed, you do." "But my father says you try to be all things to all people." "Oh, no, no." "I've tried to be only one thing:" "Their mayor." "Well, of course, sometimes that requires a little juggling, you know?" "You know, the trick, Maeve... is to, uh... know what the people want... and, uh, then what you can settle for." "You see, you can always promise the first." "But you really only have to deliver the second." "But what if people want entirely opposite things?" "How can you satisfy everybody?" "Then you depend upon man's greatest friend:" "The compromise." "I can give you a case in point." "Do you remember, Adam, the statue I promised for them... down in the park at Little Italy?" "Uh, yeah, that was Christopher Columbus, wasn't it?" "Well, uh, yes, his name was mentioned... but that happened to be at a communion breakfast of the Knights of Columbus." "You know?" "Now, the next day, the Sons of Italy got ahold of me... and, of course, they plugged for Garibaldi." "The following day, the Athletic Club called me... and they wanted Rocky Marciano." "And then a band of enthusiasts got together, believe it or not... and suggested the Cardinal." "Now, Maeve, what would you do in a situation like that... and still not make enemies?" "I don't know." "What did you do?" "Well, I'm going to make my announcement tomorrow." "Going to be the first act of the newly elected mayor." "The statue is going to be of Mother Cabrini." " Mother Cabrini." " For goodness sakes." "Italian-born." "First American saint." "Let's see somebody fool around with that one." "All right, now you tell me the truth." "Who did you vote for?" "Wouldn't you like to know?" "Mr. Degnan." "Why, Mr. Degnan, how nice to see you again." "And isn't it a fine day?" "Well, I suppose we're both here for the same reason." "You know, Frank Skeffington thinks the world in all of you." "He told me so himself." "It means a great deal to have a friend in a man like Frank Skeffington." "Do you want one up against the..." "Well, if it isn't the faithful knight, Sir Roger?" "Would you step aside while these men record this great moment in history?" "Speaking of history, do you suppose there's ever been a candidate... who voted for the other fella?" "Now they've blinded me." "I may not be able to find my own name." "Oh, yes, I can find it, all right." "Well, Footsie, I'm sorry to tell you that I have just nullified your vote." "Good day." "Come on." "Up." "Up." "There's the boy." "Well, at least we got rid of that mutt!" " Hiya, Dad." " Hello there." "You voted already?" "Huh." "This'II kill ya." "I forgot to register." "How dumb can ya get?" "But you don't need my vote, do ya?" "You'll win in a walk." "See ya." "For Mr. Caulfield, sir." "He said it was from his grandmother... and you'd know what to do with it." "Gentlemen, be quiet, please!" "Quiet, please!" "His Honor, the mayor, is entering the building." "Quiet, please!" "Pay attention!" "Pay attention!" "Now, the minute he hits the door, I want everybody... all of you... three rounds of cheers, and here he is!" " Oh, it's good to see you." " I thought I was looking into a mirror." "Oh, we can't lose with the gray hamburgers, can we, Your Honor?" " We never have." " Oh." "Please, please, gentlemen!" "Get one of these." "One, one, one, one." "One, two, one, two." "One..." "It works." "I wanna thank you all for your confidence... for your enthusiasm and for your support... especially your support at the polls this morning." "Now, I realize, of course, that some of you... couldn't give me all of the support that you wanted to... but we're working under rather restrictive measures this year... only one vote to a customer." "Now, when the results are all in, we'll have a real celebration." "Thank you, thank you very much." "That's great." "Well, Frank, tonight we don't need a crystal ball." "You're in." " Not by a landslide, but you're in." " John?" "That's the way I call it, Frank." "Eighty thousand, maybe ninety." "Oh, now, wait a minute." "You may be a little high there." "I don't like to disagree with your prognosis, but 50,000 will suit me fine." "That'll do it." "How about some coffee?" "Come in, Adam." "Let him in, boys." "Let him in." "Oh, hello, Ditto." "Well, what have you been doing all day?" "Who me?" "Oh, I and the boys have been rounding' up the shut-ins... the crippled-up ones with no cars." "The lame and the halted, as they say." "Oh, His Honor's very particular when it comes to that." "He wants everyone to be a first-class, A-number-one American citizen..." " when it comes to voting'." " Who are those fellas over there?" "That's the Marching Chowder and Total Abstinence Society." "From the third ward." "They're gonna lead the victory parade." "Oh, that's a nice boy." "Right!" "Here we go, boys." "Quiet." "Quiet, quiet, please!" "The first returns are in from the 31st ward." "The Honorable Charles J. Hennessey... seven." "McCluskey..." "Kevin, that is... 367." "Skeffington: 28." "I don't see what they're all laughing about." "I don't think..." "Don't pay any attention to that." "Those are the bluebloods, the swells." "You know, from across the tracks?" "Doesn't mean a thing." "Oh, hi, Uncle Frank." "Adam!" "Is Junior with you?" "Uh, well, no, sir." "I haven't seen him." "Oh." "Well, come in and have a cup of coffee." "Sir, the returns from ward six are coming in!" "Yeah." "Yeah." "All right." "Returns from ward six, complete." "My district." "Hennessey:" "Four." "McCluskey: 87." "Skeffington: 987!" "Evidently, every vote has a meaning of its own." "Is that right, Uncle Frank?" " Yes, that's right." "Winslow!" " Sir." "You don't suppose your people over in ward six are still mad at me... for putting up those public comfort stations on South Beach, do you?" " It was resented, sir." " Ah, they oughta be grateful." "Get Quiet Mike." "Why don't you call Farino?" "You want a cup of coffee?" "We always have coffee." "Sometimes it's cold, but..." "Quiet, quiet!" "Fourteenth ward, complete." "McCluskey: 684." "Skeffington: 987!" "Final returns from ward 17, complete." "Hennessey:" "Nine." "McCluskey: 519." "Skeffington: 168." "What?" " But Dan." " No, I checked." "It's right." "Well, check it again." " Let's check those figures." " Listen, Dan." "There must be a mistake here." "I don't care what anybody says." "Hello, hello, hello." "Still works." "Now, I don't think we should, uh... get too excited about these first returns." "After all, my opponent has spent most of the campaign sitting on his settee." "He should have at least one good sprint in him." "Well, go and find out." "Get off your butt and get out in that ward." "What?" "What?" "You sure?" "Okay." "We got stories, boss." "I know we got trouble." "How much trouble?" "He's pulling in about 60 precincts." "In two, he started to snowball." " Which ones?" " They're scattered: 16th and 107th." " And 40th and 207th." " Mike says we could turn any minute." "Paddy!" "Say..." "I don't care about any of that, Paddy." "Five thousand!" "You told me you could deliver 15,000." "Hope?" "You better hope, Paddy." "You and I are gonna be out of a job come January 1." "Yeah, yeah." "Johnny Montgomery, east end, he says we're safe enough there." "Thirty, sixty, a hundred precincts we can lose." "Well, 60, anyway." "Beyond that, we've got a battle." "What are we afraid of?" "Come on, come on." "Let's get busy." "Let's get going." "Sam, what are you talking about?" "The votes are in." "It's all over." "There's nothing for us to do but sit and wait." "But what went wrong?" "Where was the mistake made?" "As a campaign, this was a classic." "For the books." "Not one wrong move!" "Boss, I'll tell you." "It was a double cross." " Quiet, quiet, quiet." " This was not a double cross!" "Boss, boss, the fife and drum corps." "The marching club from the third ward is outside, ready to go." " Should we start the victory parade?" " Wait a minute." "Ditto, I think it's a little early to start the victory parade." "But I tell you what I'll do." "I'll let you know the minute we go." "Right, boss." " If I had your money to spend..." " Quiet, quiet!" "What are you talking about?" "If you had the money?" "What is this?" "Why, you're acting like a couple of..." "I'm sorry." "It's not always like that." "You know, responsibilities can always be fixed later." "Let's not..." "Better go out and talk to the faithful few, I guess." "Kinda quiet out there, isn't it?" "Nothing but the sound of their fallen hopes." "Come on, Adam." "Now knock it off!" "I mean it!" "Come on." "Drink some of that coffee." "It'll cool you off." "I still say it was a double cross." "Go ahead, read it." "I'll go ahead." "Final returns from ward 26, complete." "McCluskey: 1,192." "Skeffington: 675." "Yes, I got it." "Hiya, Dad." "Hello, Adam." "Great night, isn't it?" "I sure get a kick out of this." "Everybody working so hard and everything." "Telephones ringing, typewriters, microphones." "Hey, Dan!" "What a cool emcee." "It's been a long time since I saw a blackboard." " Hiya, Charlie." " Junior." "Well, how's the election going, Dad?" "Take a good look, Junior." " Figures." " Read it." "Read it." "120 wards out of 385." "Skeffington: 114,238." "McCluskey: 152,119." "Your old dad's taking quite a beating." "Aw, come on." "That's not even a third of the vote." "You'll win." "You always do." "Well, look, I voted for you, didn't I?" "Well, I..." "Hey, would you like to meet Helen?" "She's a swell girl, and, boy, can she cha-cha." "Well, not right now, Junior." "Some other time." "You run along and have a good time." " We'll cha-cha later." " Okay." "Oh, hey, Adam." "Why don't you give me a buzz sometime... and you and your wife can step out with me some night, huh?" "Yeah, we'll do that sometime." "Pictures." "Get away." "Will you please?" "Thank you." "Hey, hey, will you get out of there, please?" "Will you beat it?" " Thank you." " A little higher, please." " One more." " Thank you." "Look." "Dig that girl gettin' her picture taken." " Thank you!" " You know, she's kinda bashful." " One more." " Thank you." "Bashful." "Helen hasn't been bashful since she posed when she was three months old." "Frank, east end's gone." "Fifteen out of twenty precincts." " What are you gonna do?" " Well, I don't have many choices, do I?" "Ward six, ward six." "McCluskey: 861." " Skeffington: 307." " Hey, Dan, you must be kidding." "All right, go ahead." "Dan, you're doin' a first-class, A-number-one job." "His Honor'd be the first one to say so." "Well, thanks anyway." "Winslow." "Hey, boss." "There's a television outfit out there acting kinda fresh." "How's it for me to bounce a couple of 'em out on their ears?" " I would like to." " Now, whoa, whoa." "You're gettin' yourself all excited for no..." "Come on." "Let's go out and meet 'em." " Hello, Frank." " Hello, Clete." "Nice to see you." "Frank, do you mind if I make a statement?" "No, no, go right ahead." "After all, you have to work for a living." "Thanks." "Ladies and gentlemen..." "I'm reporting from the headquarters of Frank Skeffington." "The vote is still piling up against him." "McCluskey is leading by about... 60,000 votes at this point." "It looks like we're on the edge of the biggest political upset... in the history of our city." "What's he mean?" "You heard, didn't you?" "Now, His Honor, Mayor Frank Skeffington." "Thank you." "Uh, ladies and gentlemen... it appears that McCluskey's won and is going to be your next mayor." "I wish to offer Mr. McCluskey my heartiest congratulations and good luck." "Of course, he does not need the congratulations." "He may need the luck." "And now..." "I want to take this opportunity... of thanking each and every one of you... who went to the polls to vote for me this morning." " Thank you." " Just one question, Mayor Skeffington." "Have you made any plans for the future?" "Well, yes, yes." "As a matter of fact, I have." "I hadn't intended to say anything about it tonight... but, uh..." "I suppose I might just as well talk about it now." "Would you like to move in a little?" "Ladies and gentlemen..." "I am going to run for governor of the state." "And, I might add..." "I expect to win." "Thank you, and good night." "What did he say?" "That he's going to run for governor, and he expects to win." "Frank Skeffington is leaving his campaign headquarters right now." " Come on." "Let's go." " With him are all of his supporters... those who have fought alongside of him in this campaign." "There's an air of defeat here, but it was not shared by the candidate." "There's only one way to describe him:" "That he was victorious in defeat." "Of course, there's an air of victory at the McCluskey's headquarters... and for that picture, I take you to my colleague John Connor." "Come in, John." "Good night." "Boss!" "Boss!" " Ditto!" "Ditto!" " I'm going to McCluskey headquarters." "I'm gonna poke him in the mush." "I'm gonna tell him to his face... he's a a veritable siphon!" "Ditto, Ditto, Ditto." "Now, come on, Ditto." "Get ahold of yourself." "After all, remember... everything is fair in love and war." "Now, here." "You take your hamburger and you go home and get a good night's sleep." "Remember, I'II be needing you in the morning." "Good night, Ditto." " Good night, Charlie." " Good night." "Say, Uncle Frank..." "I think Maeve is still up." "How about coming in for a cup of coffee?" "Oh, no." "Not tonight." "I really feel a little tired." "I think I'll just take a little walk and turn in." "I'm sorry the show didn't have a happier ending." "Maybe I can do better next time, Adam." " Good night." " Good night, Uncle Frank." "Junior?" "I don't think we'll move him to the hospital." "In his present condition, he'll do just as well here." " Is it bad?" " Any coronary is bad." "And this isn't his first attack, or did you know that?" "No, I didn't." "Three years ago." "It wasn't too severe... but it was the warning, at least I tried to make him see it that way." "Tom, you're sure he'II pull through all right." "I mean..." "He has a chance." "How good a chance... depends largely on the next few days." "Absolute rest; no visitors." "None, John." "And I don't want that doorbell ringing every five minutes." "Don't worry." "There'll be a cop at the door." " Cuke, call Jack Fitzgerald." " Yeah?" " Tell him to keep the street clear." " Right." "And have that thing muffled." " Oh, and Adam." " Yes, sir?" "About Junior, when he wakes up, caution him about his father's need for quiet." " Yes, I'II talk to him." " I'll be back around noon." "Do you think it would be all right for me to see him just for a moment?" "Don't talk too much." " You have my number?" " Yes." "One thing in our favor:" "His will to live." "He'II never quit." "Ah, that he'll not." "I know you all want to see him." "The doctor knows best." "Well, I'll tell him that you're here." " Hi, Uncle Frank." " Hi." "Nice to see you." "It's nice to see you too... but I'm sorry it had to be this way." " How's the weather?" " Fine, but... you're not supposed to talk now, so..." "You just take it easy, all right?" "And I'll be back after you've had your nap." "Go away!" "Beat it!" "I don't know what to tell you!" "Adam, you decide this." "I can't." "This house is..." "Hey, it's against orders, but get a load of that." "They started lining up out there." "They got the news over the radio." "And I told 'em there was nobody allowed to come in here." "All they wanted to do was to bring their presents and be on their way." " Go out and talk to those people." " What?" "Go out and talk to those people." "Why can't they come in one at a time?" "They're our own." "Oh, All right." "Ditto!" "Come on!" "Bring my lid." "Rafferty!" "Gangway!" "Oh, Mrs. Minihan, how are you?" "Let me help you crash the gate." "No, no, no." "It's all right." "I'll stay here." "I brought him these." "They were Mrs. Skeffington's favorite flowers... so I know they'd be his too." "Gladiolas." "He'll love them." "Now he's resting." "His Honor's resting." "And if you'll all be quiet, please." "Now folks, if you'll please be very quiet and come in one at a time..." "I know His Honor will appreciate them lovely, lovely flowers." "Nice and easy, now." "That's pretty." "How are ya, Tom?" "Now, be very quiet when you're inside." "Oh, I know he'll love them." "Yes, he really will." "Take it easy, now." "One at a time... and be very quiet because he's resting." "And he's asleep now." "Tell me the truth." "How is he?" "He's about the same." "The doctor's with him now." "Adam, you're sure you don't want me to come over?" "No." "I'll uh..." "I'll talk to you later, all right?" "Bye-bye." "Hi, Adam!" "Do we have to keep all these flowers?" "It smells like a funeral parlor." "Mr. Gorman's made arrangements to distribute them to the hospital." "He's gonna send a truck around." "Junior, you're not going out, are you?" "I just thought I'd step out for a walk, a breath of fresh air." " You won't be gone too long?" " Roger." "Say, Adam, I've been thinking." "You know what Dad needs is a good rest." "You know, a cruise to the West Indies or someplace." "Sort of forget politics for a while." "I think I'll stop by the travel agency and pick up some of those folders." "Say, how about you and your wife?" "Would you like to go along?" " It's an idea." " Boy, oh, boy, I sure like to hear" "Some of that real calypso" "Tom, come on." "Let's cut out all this... medieval mumbo-jumbo." "I want to have a few words with you." "Well?" "You know this gets a little bit dull... for an active man like me, Tom." "Lying here all day, you know?" "So I was thinking that..." "I would like to invite a few of the boys in this evening." "No." "Not a chance." "Now, let's not talk about it anymore." "You run the city." "Leave your health to me." "Kind of short-term employment for both of us." "Let's quit kidding', Tom." "We both know the score." "Come on." "Stop wastin' time." "Frank, my job is to keep you alive." "Now, stop that." "I don't want to argue with you." "How long are you going to keep me alive... if I don't see these people?" "An hour?" "Two hours?" "Twenty-four hours?" "What's the matter with you?" "I want to see a few of my old friends... to say good-bye to them." "What's wrong with that?" "Now, be reasonable, Frank!" "Wait a while." "Tomorrow, we'Il..." "No, no, no, I won't wait a while." "You know, I just don't want them to see me." "I want to see them." "Now, you'd better get 'em in here, Tom... or I'm liable to start tearing this place apart." "I don't imagine that would be too good for a man in my condition, would it?" "So that's it!" "Moral blackmail, huh?" "Well..." "I don't exactly like that word "blackmail," but... you wouldn't have me change the habit of a lifetime, would you, Tom?" "All right." "You win." "But just this once, Frank." "Please." "I doubt very much if, uh... a repeat performance... will ever be an issue, don't you?" "Festus Garvey!" "You would come at a time like this to gloat." "John Gorman, if we're not welcome here, we'II go." "Your Uncle Frank Skeffington and I were in opposite camps for 40 years." " But I would like to wish him well." " Easy." "Easy." "I'm sure my Uncle Frank would like to see you, Mr. Garvey." " And you too, Mr..." " The Honorable Charles J. Hennessey." "Mr. Hennessey." "Five minutes, John." "Five minutes." "Ah, hail, hail, the gang's all here." "Ah, hail, hail, the gang's all here." "Well, gentlemen... nice of you to come." " You too, Festus." "I'm touched." " They told us you were sick." "You don't look any worse to me than Hennessey here does." "Ignorance, my dear man." "High color's no index of health." "Look at you." " Red as a beet, veins twitching away." " Stop it, now." "We're not here to discuss me but him." "How are ya, Frank?" "Well, the doctor says I'm progressing very nicely." "In a short time, I'll be as well as most Republicans." "Well, let's talk about my running for governor." "Let's talk about the next campaign." "Who do I have to beat?" "Come on." "You fellows are supposed to be the experts." "Tell me." "What about this crumb upstate?" "This Rutherford K. Allen?" "Allen?" "The one they call "Sonny" Allen?" "Fancy that, Frank." "The man wants to be the governor... and he still calls himself "Sonny."" "What we could do with that one." "It'll be a dark day for Sonny." "Frank, just say the word, and I'll throw in with you." "Radio, Frank!" "Radio!" " And TV!" " The visit's over." "Bear it in mind, Frank." "Sound trucks!" "That's the thing." "Will you stop it?" "Can't you see the man's tired?" "And no wonder." "You take care of yourself, Frank." "L'Chaim, Sam." "So long, boss." "So long, Cuke." "You've done grand things, Frank." "Grand, grand things." "Among other things." "But no regrets." "No regrets." "Thanks for everything." "This is not the last good-bye, Frank." "Well, if it's not... it's a pretty reasonable facsimile." "How do you thank a man for a million laughs?" "Who's that, Your Honor?" "No matter." " New?" " No, it's the same old hamburger." "Junior?" "He just went out for a little while, Uncle Frank." "He ought to be back any minute." "Is there anything I can do for you?" "He always had a great sense of timing." "His Eminence, the Cardinal." "No, no, no." "Stay there." "Well, now, Frank." "Perhaps I ought not to have come." "But I'm here on a matter of conscience." "Yours, Martin, or mine?" "Well, I'm gratified to hear you admit to one." "However, I feel I owe you an explanation... of why I have opposed you these many years." "Now, Your Eminence..." "I asked the priest to come here... to hear my confession, not yours." " Well, bless my soul." " I do indeed." "And if you don't mind, I'd like Monsignor Killian... to do the same for mine." "All right, Frank." "Just the same, you've eased my conscience tremendously." "Anytime, Martin." "Anytime." "Daddy didn't think I should come alone." "I didn't think you should come at all..." " but certainly not alone." " Why, you fake!" "Look, if you're afraid of being contaminated..." " Adam, please." "Not now." " Why don't you go home?" "How is he?" "Monsignor Killian's with him now." "Your Eminence." "You've come to the house of Frank Skeffington?" "A prince of the church, here?" "I can hardly believe the evidence of my own eyes." "Roger Sugrue..." "I wish I were free to give you evidence of a stronger kind... but a man is dying." "Your Eminence!" "I'm sorry, my son." "You have my deepest sympathy." "What's the matter?" "Dad?" "Dad!" "It's all right." "It's all right, son." "Well, at least he made his peace with God." "Daddy!" "There's one thing we can all be sure of..." "If he had it to do all over again, there's no doubt in the world... he would do it very, very differently." "Like hell I would."