Speaker 1: And now the case of a larcenous luck.
Speaker 2: It's late Wednesday night in New York, and in Arnie
Kessler's very private gambling club on E sixty ninth Street. Tall, handsome,
gray haired George Watkins stands at the end of the
dice table, shaking the dice cup in his manicured hand
and makes his roll.
Speaker 1: Live's your number right?
Speaker 3: All? Once again?
Speaker 2: Watkins shakes the cup, Come on, little five and.
Speaker 3: Makes his roll seven.
Speaker 2: Watkins smiles, Riley shrugs lightly, puts down the cup and
pushes through the crowd. He finds the door to Kessler's
private office open and walks in.
Speaker 1: Kessler is seated at the desk. Oh Watkins shout on, thanks,
how to go tonight for you? Fine? I'm clean, tough luck.
I'll bound a change.
Speaker 4: How's my credit strained the limit? I'm afraid I'll have
to close the book on you.
Speaker 3: That's all I wanted to know.
Speaker 1: Good evening, Kessley, you're down for thirty five grand Watkins.
That's a lot of groceries. I understand. I'm a realist, Kesley.
Don't fool myself, no false pride. So I have to
face the fact. The moment I'm no big shot. I'm
flat bum investment. I'm surprised you carried me this far.
Oh you'll pay you off.
Speaker 3: I'm glad you're so sure.
Speaker 1: It's my business to be sure.
Speaker 3: In that case, a little more credit.
Speaker 1: Now, let's not overdo a good thing.
Speaker 3: Chum.
Speaker 1: Gotta draw the line somewhere. You know.
Speaker 4: You just pay that thirty five and you can have
all the credit you like.
Speaker 3: All right, I'll get it.
Speaker 1: You bet you were Watkins, You bet.
Speaker 3: All right? Rex?
Speaker 1: Here you are? Just sign these papers now I'll run along.
Speaker 2: Just a minute, Watkins, way to get this? How do
you like this phrase? You're right, it's corny. Maybe it's
better like this now it was better before? Rex.
Speaker 1: Please, I mean i've gotta be going.
Speaker 2: Okay, Watkins, give me the papers.
Speaker 3: Here you are, here's an okay.
Speaker 2: You know it's funny. I had it the right way
in my head, but it's gone.
Speaker 1: No.
Speaker 2: I'll tell you if I could remember, it's terrific.
Speaker 5: All right, Rex, But look what you're doing.
Speaker 3: Sign my name. I gotta look for that.
Speaker 5: Don't you even read what you're signed?
Speaker 3: Can't be bothered.
Speaker 2: That's what I pay Watkins for my business manager.
Speaker 3: Watkins that's right now. Now these checks, right.
Speaker 2: I think you'd be interested interested? And where as is
and double entries and capital gains. I say it's spinach
into Watkins with it?
Speaker 3: Okay? What can say? I don't even get.
Speaker 1: Back to your work and a long rex goodbye.
Speaker 2: I'll be saying, yes, I I gotta catch it.
Speaker 1: It's a natural belief.
Speaker 2: What do you know about him?
Speaker 5: Watkins?
Speaker 1: Oh? Great?
Speaker 2: Save me nearly ten grand income taxes last.
Speaker 5: Year if you don't even check on him.
Speaker 2: I read, reader, I know what I'm doing. I make
the mullah. What can see that? I don't spend it
faster than I make it. He doesn't spend Oh, for
the love of paid read mean it?
Speaker 5: You expect me to marry you. You've got to have
some sense of responsibility?
Speaker 1: Yeah?
Speaker 2: Sure, sure, baby, Maybe there it is. I know I
get it. You like not bad? Not bad? It's great.
Speaker 5: What are you doing?
Speaker 1: Call him my no good of an agent?
Speaker 5: I'm trying to.
Speaker 2: Check not now, honey, no hell and hellar and listen.
I've got another even you will be able to sell it.
Speaker 1: Who is at the cold porter of the fifties. I'm
telling you I've got something that'll make you Rex, who else? Look, Rex,
before you.
Speaker 2: Get all will you shut up? You haven't even heard
it yet? Goes with those lyrics I show you yesterday
and now listen, do you hear?
Speaker 1: Yes? Well it's a nice tune.
Speaker 3: Rex, But no, buts.
Speaker 2: Hollo, and this is it? How soon can you get
it to Sinatra?
Speaker 3: He reasonable?
Speaker 2: We can now? Look, I don't want any argument all
the time.
Speaker 1: I'd bang out songs that sell themselves, you try to
sit on them. If it wasn't for that contract, believe me, brother,
you'd be out. But fasten to the corn ball. Where
were you before I took you over it? Strictly minor leagues?
How's the big leagues? And you're beating them? Huh? You
got a nice tune?
Speaker 2: I'll go and I can I look, shut up. I
want you over here this afternoon, and understand that creep
always got to give me conversation.
Speaker 1: You think a guy get some encouragement once in a while,
But no nice tone, he says, And you won't even listen?
Speaker 3: Got it?
Speaker 1: Yep? About what?
Speaker 3: Why listen?
Speaker 2: Rex?
Speaker 5: Is just that I'm worried you have to turn everything.
Speaker 2: Over to watch you all right, Look, I'll take it
once more, slow now try to dig at this time? Baby,
will you when you're getting the chips, you hire yourself
a business manager. Everybody does it. I'm not the only Thanks.
Speaker 5: So much for telling me that everybody doesn't just sign
papers and checks without even knowing what they are.
Speaker 2: All right, let's not get in a hassle about it.
Speaker 1: Huh.
Speaker 5: Well, if we're going to get married, he.
Speaker 2: Says, we're gonna get married. Well, if it's going to
be nagnagnago serious, maybe I am. I don't know why.
We're only trying to be helpful.
Speaker 1: I don't why you have.
Speaker 2: Oh, for Pete's sake, Look, baby, I got a great
idea banging a lot in my head. I want to
get it on paper. You have to pitch your hissy now.
I want you cut it out, honey, honey, look gone
it listen?
Speaker 1: Will you all right?
Speaker 2: I'll call what, I'll get an appointment. See, he'll explain
just how I stand financially, black and white. Get it
all figured out?
Speaker 1: Now? Will you please turn off the Niagara and let
me get to work.
Speaker 4: Oh, oh, Kessley, hello, Watkins?
Speaker 1: Might have I come in? No, of course not. Thanks.
As a matter of fact, I have something for you glad.
Speaker 3: I heard.
Speaker 1: You are.
Speaker 4: Five grand Oh god, at leastn't even thirty.
Speaker 3: It may take little time.
Speaker 4: Oh that's all right, just so long as you settle
up before you leave town.
Speaker 3: Leave town?
Speaker 4: What makes you you bought a ticket for Chicago this morning?
Speaker 3: How do you know? Have you been having me followed?
Speaker 1: Let's just say I have a very sensitive weed you
bought you, see Watkins. When I have money outstanding, I
like to keep in touch. That's why I don't want
you going away until the account is closed. I should
have expected this very well, Kesley, You've got no use denying.
Speaker 3: There's the ticket I was leaving.
Speaker 1: As a matter of fact, I'm on a bit of
a spot.
Speaker 3: Let's face it. I I'm trapped.
Speaker 1: How so, I'll tell you always was one for cards
on the table.
Speaker 3: It's like this.
Speaker 1: That five thousand I just paid you came from rex
Elber Only Albert doesn't know it. I had counted on
him for considerably more from time to time. You understand
I can't rush these things or they show up.
Speaker 3: Well, he'll Elbert.
Speaker 1: Call a few minutes ago, wants to go over the account.
I don't know what's gotten into him. All of a
sudden but there it is. Have to face it. He
wants an accounting and I can't possibly explain the check
I cashed it if it hadn't happened so fast. So
you were going to run out? Well, what can I do?
Perhaps if you give me back that five thousand and
I return it to Rex, he may not press the charges.
Sure I blow five grand.
Speaker 4: If Albert decides not to play ball, you're in the
thronhou It was a thought.
Speaker 1: I don't call that thinking. Well, what can I do?
Albert is your only client? You have others. That's why
I give you credit.
Speaker 3: How they watch closer. Still, I suppose over a period
of time I could raise the rest.
Speaker 1: I take it time.
Speaker 4: I won't rush things so long as I get payments
on account like.
Speaker 1: This every so often.
Speaker 3: But I don't have time.
Speaker 1: That's just it. Elbert wants a showdown today. Can't you
stall him?
Speaker 3: Not for long?
Speaker 1: Only I could keep him from asking about that check.
Speaker 3: That there must be something I can.
Speaker 1: Do, not only there must be watkins that better be
and then does.
Speaker 2: Okay, now what can I do? Hey? Wait a minute,
so what's the idea?
Speaker 1: Yeah, that's where Mike Waring lives. The Falkin Yeah, you him,
I'm he Howard?
Speaker 3: Is my name?
Speaker 1: Vic Hallaran Rex Elvia's agent. Congratulations on what being Elba's agents.
He must be a gold mine, gold and goose. More
like somebody kill him? Oh yeah, that's why I'm here.
I need a detective. Heard a lot about you. Always
figure anybody has a reputation. He must have something on
the board. Oh, concede the point. So we go inside
and talk business. No need, I'll want to be a minute.
I discovered the body. See so I'm on a spot.
Cops just put me through the ringer.
Speaker 6: Any reason you should be suspected other than discovering the body,
and they suspect everybody. Oh and you've got nothing to
worry about, no more than anybody else.
Speaker 1: All right, it's like this. See who likes his agent
all the time?
Speaker 3: Gripes?
Speaker 1: How come you? I do? There's more for me? Rerex
and me head words often loud words. But he's my
meal ticket. I'm going to knock off my own meal ticket. Ah, yes,
the golden goose. Get out of what are you wearing? Okay?
Hollerin try read of Vaughan war of at the Zigzag Club.
You think she did it? She makes up in it.
How do you know she's a dame?
Speaker 3: Rex's current.
Speaker 1: I believe me in a thing like this, always include
the dame in. I'll make a note of it, James said, Troup.
But you can count of nothing but trouble.
Speaker 6: Alerin, you're speaking of the women I love.
Speaker 1: Take it for me Wearing nothing but trouble, spoken like
a confirmed bachelor. Bachelor.
Speaker 2: I'm paying alimony three ways, Now get on it, Wearing,
we're in. Mike Wearing has been in Vic Hallarin's employee
for twenty minutes, just long enough to get from his
own place to the Zigzag Club where Rita Vaughan has
just admitted him to her dressing room.
Speaker 1: All right, just Wearing, Now, what is it? Question about it?
You're a dame?
Speaker 3: What a detective?
Speaker 1: And dame's a trouble? Oh m hmm. I have it
on your authority of a three time.
Speaker 5: Loser and you're looking for trouble.
Speaker 1: Rex Elber's trouble? Were you it?
Speaker 2: I was his dame, but I had nothing to do
with his death.
Speaker 5: So if that's what you want, you might as well
run along.
Speaker 1: Who said, it's all I want? I can tell you
who killed Rex? If that's what you want, Well, I'd like.
Speaker 6: To get around with that angel, but I'm in no hurry.
Speaker 5: He's a business manager, George Watkins.
Speaker 1: Why do you say that Rex had.
Speaker 5: An important with Watkins today? To check on watkins handling
of Rex's affairs. The murder was a little too opportune
to be a coincidence.
Speaker 1: All right, Rida, I'll check on it. Well, you can't
check on it here. Hey, you seem in a hurry
to get rid of me.
Speaker 5: I'm on in a few minutes.
Speaker 1: I'd like to get ready, and the show must go on.
Speaker 5: You said it.
Speaker 3: Mister Warring.
Speaker 5: Maybe you think I'm taking Rex's death to Maybe you
think it doesn't mean anything.
Speaker 1: Out of you with Hello, George Watkins? Run who wants
to know? Mike Wearing? Well? Well, the fucon this is
an unexpected pleasure. You must be on a kissing. I
must be. Can I have your drink? Oh?
Speaker 3: Thanks?
Speaker 1: You get around a lot thirty three? I'll come. You
got around here? Could be I like.
Speaker 4: Lette, you know better than the buck the house percentage, Well.
Speaker 6: That's no way to encourage business.
Speaker 4: Some kinds of business I can do without. So you're
looking for George Watkins?
Speaker 1: H Yeah, I understand he's the regular patron here. I
wanted to confirm it. You expect an answer from me? No,
I guess not. Is that all you wanted? Well, i'd
like to know how Watkins was doing. No, I mean, yeah,
well I didn't think you tell me I'm not crazy.
Speaker 4: I started talking about my client's affairs, i'd be out
of business fast.
Speaker 1: So that case, I guess I'm just wasting my time
around here. I'm glad you realize it might as well
be running.
Speaker 4: Oh no, need to run, Wearing, You can walk as
long as it's to the nearest exit.
Speaker 1: Hello, ask Kessler, what is it? Oh? No, that rex
Elbo wanted to county with you today? Well, I didn't
know anyone did accept you. Why Mike Wearing was just
here the falcon He guessed you'd been losing at the tables.
Speaker 3: Oh dear, he's still guessing.
Speaker 1: I didn't give him anything, But if he's checking, I
don't thinking. But I thought you want to know? Yes, yes,
thanks Cassley. But who could have put him on too?
Of course that girl what girl read of von never
did care for her style of singing. Maybe I can
figure a way to make her change her tune. Hello,
readA back again. I thought i'd catch the last show.
Speaker 6: But as long as you're table hopping, how about coaching
at mine for a while.
Speaker 5: Well, I only have a minute.
Speaker 6: I'll set over that, all right. I've been checking on Watkins.
Speaker 1: Find out anything. Uh huh he likes to gamble.
Speaker 5: Oh well I could explain, uh uh, what's wrong?
Speaker 1: Speak of the devil?
Speaker 5: Ah, mister Watkins?
Speaker 2: Hello, Rida, Am I interrupting anything?
Speaker 1: As you certainly are? But sit down, you will devil.
Speaker 5: I beg your pardon, mister Watkins. This is Michael Wearing Wearing.
Speaker 6: Oh yes, yes, I've heard of you from Annie Caslin.
Speaker 1: Why do you ask that? Why don't you answer it?
Speaker 3: I want to talk to Reata.
Speaker 1: Get in the line. I was here first.
Speaker 5: I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint both of your time
for my number.
Speaker 1: See you later. It's readA been talking about me wearing
ask Rita.
Speaker 3: I intend to all.
Speaker 1: Right, ladies and gentlemen, now here she is a little
lady of all. Been waiting for her to play and
sing for you? Read of all.
Speaker 5: Well, I have something that I hope will be a
treat for you. It's a brand new number that I
wrote myself and here it is for the first time anywhere,
hope you I.
Speaker 1: I wonder why she didn't come back to the table
wearing she said something scared. Didn't you see her face
when she left the floor? Walk?
Speaker 3: And how I didn't know? That's why I wanted to get.
Speaker 1: Back here to the dressing room. Somebody's in there.
Speaker 2: Yeah, look out, Watkins.
Speaker 1: Let's see if the stors on line. Yeah it is, yes, Reda,
come to take you in my arms.
Speaker 6: Not while they're waving shooting irons wearing She missed and
so I see Hollerin, but.
Speaker 1: Let's not give her another shot at you. What are
you doing here anyway? Telling her off? She's a cracky
hit me.
Speaker 5: That's why I wrapped the gun.
Speaker 1: It was self defense.
Speaker 3: She's a cruck a great robber. Did you hit her?
Speaker 1: And we were arguing did you hit her? What difference?
Did you hit her? Hallarin? Well maybe I did, and
the gunplayer really was self defense, don't But I want
Holleran to tell me, well, yes, it was all right.
Speaker 6: Then I can let her go, which as I enjoy
holding you in my arms, Da, and I like it
under different circumstances.
Speaker 1: Now, what went on? But when I heard her singing
that song, did you hear? I didn't see you in
the club. I was over the side near the door.
All right, you heard the song? Yeah? She said it
was her song. She made it up? I did. Rex
called here this morning, all hopped up. Here's a new number.
Plays it for me over the phone. It's this very song,
wearing this very song. Played it for Rex. That's where
he got He said it was his.
Speaker 5: We were going to publish it under his name.
Speaker 1: We thought it would be more popular. Look, I know
Rex's style. You can't. I know his style too. I
was influenced by it. I admit that. But I wrote
that song. That's a lie, even if it is halerin.
Is that any call to slug the girl? Or did
you just toss that in because you don't like Dane.
I couldn't help blowing my lid wearing I'm I'm sorry,
but this crooked doll?
Speaker 3: Right?
Speaker 1: All right, hold it freedom? You say you made up
the song?
Speaker 5: When this morning Rex was working on a tune.
Speaker 2: It was something like this one, but.
Speaker 1: Not the same. What cans You were there?
Speaker 2: You remember?
Speaker 1: Well?
Speaker 2: Then Watkins left and Rex and I were talking.
Speaker 5: And all of a sudden it came to it and.
Speaker 1: You played it for Rex, Yes, And he played it
for Hallerin Yes, And he told me I know what
he told you.
Speaker 6: Did you play it for anyone else? Read them until
the night?
Speaker 1: No? And it's just your word against Holarin's. Yes, But
I too hope to prove Wearing. Each one will stick
to his own story. Oh, I think I approved plenty?
What can what? Who killed rex Elbert? You what I proved?
Who killed rex Elbert?
Speaker 6: Maybe that isn't as important as who wrote the music,
but it should determine who's going to have to face it?
Speaker 3: Who Wearing?
Speaker 1: While considering that Watkins is in deep to.
Speaker 6: Kessler, where'd you get that idea? Maybe from Kesler himself?
Speaker 1: You couldn't? Why not because I because I don't owe him.
That's not what Kesler told me. Watkins, he didn't tell
you anything. What makes you so sure? He told me
he didn't and there must be something he could make Wearing.
I've got the gun from her, And what good do
you think it's going to do you? Now? This one
sure thing won't do you any good if you make
a move. So stay where you are, all of you.
I'm getting out of here.
Speaker 2: Fifteen minutes have passed since George Watkins grabbed Rita's gun
and beat a hasty retreat from the Zigzag Club. Mike
has used that time to hurry to Arnie Kessler's apartment,
where Kessler's thug Rocky has just ushered him in.
Speaker 4: Here is mister, Yeah, aren't wearing?
Speaker 1: What is it this time? Well? I put you on
kind of a spot, Kesser. I figured I ought to
tell you what kind of a spot? I told George
Watkins you tipped me about his oweing you. He grabbed
a gun and cleared out. I thought he might come here.
Thanks for the warning. I can take care of myself. Sure, still,
I thought you ought to know, all right? But how
come he fel for you bluff? Oh? I guess he's
out of his elements.
Speaker 6: I imagine it until the day except for a weakness
for gambling, Watkins stuck.
Speaker 1: Pretty close to the straight and the arrow.
Speaker 6: Yeah, and since he really is, And howk to you?
Speaker 1: He's running out or to clinch it? How do I
know he ran out just because you say so? And
I see you're not as green as what cains? Disappointed? No,
I expected it. Well that could be the answer to
if I'm bluffing. Yeah, Iraqi Okay, And just in case
Wearing isn't bluffing you, that's Watkins. Check him for artillery, right,
I want to see Kessler. Sure, turn around? Why so
find you're ride wearing. It's Watkins.
Speaker 6: When you get to know me better, Kesler, you'll never
doubt me.
Speaker 1: I'm glad, all right, missus Kesler.
Speaker 3: Here he is, and here's his either wearing.
Speaker 1: Hello, Watkins. I've been expecting you. I should have known
you are on his side. That's what he wants you
to think. But if he shut up and let me
do the talk, he certainly certainly.
Speaker 3: Might as well face it.
Speaker 1: I've bungled again, played right into his hand. Maybe, But
now we have him on our home ground.
Speaker 3: Please Castling.
Speaker 4: No violence, not what I had in mind, at least
for now. As long as we're both here together. He
can't play one off against the other like he's been doing.
Speaker 1: No, that's not necessary. I've proved my point. I wouldn't
say so you rattled Watkins. He lost his head and
came running to you. Why to check on what you
told him? He thought I might have lied about him.
Do you mean he wanted to see if you told
the truth about him, it's now use Kesler, and I
know he's in hock to you. Now that I know
who the murderer is, it's the only thing that makes sense.
Oh you know that too, sure, Wearing, I know how
it will out of the talking, Watkins, Are you suggesting
that Watkins.
Speaker 3: Killed Elbow when?
Speaker 1: Oh I haven't said that. But you shouldn't jump the conclusions, Watkins. Well,
but then I don't understand unless you think I'm the murderer,
what difference does it make if I owe Kessler money?
My relation to him doesn't affect anyone else. It affects Kessler.
And but surely you can't think he killed Rex. Why
they didn't even know each other. I know they didn't.
Well then, oh wait, Elba demanded an accounting with you today,
didn'ey Watkins? Never mind, don't answer. But you know he did.
And you've been juggling your count to pay off Kessler,
so you get panicked? Well, shut up, Watkins. Yes, all right,
you told Kesler about the spot you were in. You
paid off part of what you owed him, but there
was still a heavy balance. Elba sent you to jail.
Speaker 6: Kessler would never get his balance so he killed Elbert
to protect his investment new So that's.
Speaker 1: How many times do I have to tell you to
shut up? Watkins? I'm the one you have to shut up, Kesler.
Speaker 6: But before you decide on the rough play you so
thoughtfully postponed, before you ought to know the police know
I came up here. Yeah, I think I'd have stuck
my neck out like this. Otherwise, let's face it, Kessler,
the jig is up. One thing I don't understand wearing
what's that hollerin you set?
Speaker 1: My argument with Rita about the song is what tipped
you to the murderer, as it did. But if Kessler's
the murderer, he had nothing to do with the song.
That's just the point. What he didn't know Elbert had
nothing to do with him, then how could love calrain?
Regardless of who really wrote the song?
Speaker 6: Either way, we know that until last night, only you
and Rita and.
Speaker 1: Elbert had ever heard the song. Right, Yes, but when
I was at Kessler's before Rita played it at the club,
Kessler was humming the song. He was he was, so
I knew he must have been at Albert.
Speaker 6: Remember, Elbow was at the piano when he was murdered.
Speaker 1: He must have been playing the tomb and Kessler killed him.
And I see, so that takes care of the murder.
How everything is subtled except who really wrote the song?
Oh that that's settled too, Yeah, yes, I was wrong,
Rita wrote it all right. We had a long talk
and she convinced me. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, quite a
dame wearing, Quite a dame. But who didn't like dames?
Who me? All I said was anybody who falls for
a day must be nuts, well wearing shake hands with
Napoleon Bonaparte,