Et voilà. Moi, je tourne au prochain carrefour.

T'irais vers le Nord, j'aurais pu t'aider.

Je vais à Salt Lake et la nuit, j'aime pas rouler seul.

Moi, si je peux pas causer, je m'endors.

Mon collègue, il a de la compagnie, mais moi, j'ai personne.

- Pas possible ! - Si, même qu'il est...

- Pas bavard, hein ? - Je cause pas aux étrangers !

Prends pas la mouche. C'est juste histoire de causer.

Choisis une musique douce. J'ai mal à la tête.

- Éteins-moi ce machin ! - Qu'est-ce qui te prend ?

- La musique est nulle. - Ça vous gêne ?

C'est un pays libre et j'écoute ce que je veux.

Personne t'oblige à écouter. Tu peux dégager si tu veux.

Il me trottait dans la tête sans jamais me lâcher.

Oublier un souvenir ? L'effacer de votre mémoire ?

Tôt ou tard, on capte un parfum, une phrase ou un air fredonné.

Comme les clients du "Point du Jour", à New York.

Tous les soirs, on me le réclamait 3 fois.

Sue ne se faisait pas prier pour le chanter.

Tes yeux sont bleus, tes baisers langoureux

Jamais j'aurais cru que de moi, tu serais amoureux

Partout où tu vas, tu ne penses qu'à moi

Eux, ils comprennent pas que tu sois amoureux de moi

Moi qui t'ai toujours mis très au-dessus de tout

J'ai vraiment du mal à imaginer que ce soit moi que tu dises aimer

Vrai, j'en reviens pas que tu m'aimes tant que ça !

Ça n'avait rien d'un club chic. Vous voyez le genre.

Ça grignotait, ça sirotait, des filles dansaient sur la piste.

Moi, je tapais sur le piano de 8 h à la fermeture,

Nos sentiments réciproques ? Rien de très original.

J'étais normalement constitué. Elle aussi.

C'est de l'histoire ancienne. Je l'admets.

Mais c'était quand même le plus bel amour du monde.

Je comprends ton amertume. Mais ne désespère pas. Plus tard...

d'ici là. En attendant, sortons de ce trou.

- Tu veux manger ? - Non, j'ai pas envie.

Je supporte plus ce trou. Tu as vu cet ivrogne qui voulait me peloter ?

Tu ne vas pas jusqu'au bout de tes phrases.

- Je ne comprends pas. - On s'est mis hors-jeu.

Écoute, tu sais que je t'aime et que je veux t'épouser.

Mais je pars en Californie, tenter ma chance à Hollywood.

Faire comme des millions de gens ! Je te croyais plus sensée.

Tu bousilles nos projets. Et pour des années.

- Je croyais que tu m'aimais. - Tu sais que je t'aime.

On a le temps devant nous pour s'installer.

Je t'assure, chéri, ce que je fais est tout à fait sensé.

Cette séparation me désole, mais on se retrouvera un jour.

Tu te décideras peut-être à venir, plus tard.

C'était pas 10 dollars qui allaient me faire grimper au plafond.

Je suis content de t'entendre, moi aussi. Pardon ? C'est vrai ?

Je devenais fou sans toi. J'ai pas pu...

Ces gens d'Hollywood ne savent pas reconnaître le talent.

Continue à faire les agences de casting.

En avion, en car, en tapis volant... En rampant, s'il le faut !

C'est ce que je voulais t'entendre dire.

Je n'avais qu'une solution : Faire du stop.

Même en mettant tout au clou, j'avais juste de quoi manger.

de ces billets verts qui vous transforment en esclaves,

Le truc le plus catastrophique qu'on ait jamais inventé.

Paraît que c'est l'école de la vie, qu'on rencontre des gens...

Mais moi, question école, désormais, je préfère l'université,

ou celle par correspondance. 1,98 dollars, en 10 leçons faciles.

Le stop, c'est économique, mais c'est risqué.

On sait jamais ce qui vous attend quand les freins crissent.

Si seulement je l'avais su, ce jour-là, dans l'Arizona...

Vérifiez que la portière est bien fermée.

Faudrait écrire un traité des bonnes manières du stoppeur.

On sait jamais ce qu'il faut faire ou pas.

On a roulé un petit moment sans rien dire.

Ça m'arrangeait... Je sais jamais quoi dire, quand on me prend.

À trop l'ouvrir, on se fait souvent jeter.

Alors, j'ai fermé ma gueule en attendant qu'il l'ouvre.

Il me faudra bien deux ans au rythme où c'est parti.

Ils s'arrêtent pas. De peur de se faire braquer.

Je leur jette pas la pierre. Tu viens d'où ?

J'ai fini par remarquer les entailles sur sa main droite.

3 entailles boursouflés à 1/2 cm d'intervalle.

La femelle de Tarzan ? Vous avez eu le dessus ?

Tu ramasses une gonzesse, elle dit merci, non ?

Les auto-stoppeuses, c'est pas des enfants de chœur !

Je fréquente les champs de course depuis l'âge de 20 ans.

et je lui ai dit : "T'as qu'à continuer à pinces."

Si tu veux voir une vraie cicatrice, mate un peu.

Mon père avait une paire de sabres qu'il avait accrochés au mur.

Un jour, avec un copain, on les a décrochés. On s'est battus.

Les gosses... savez ce que c'est. J'ai paniqué, j'ai voulu fuir.

Mon vieux a failli me choper en train de faire mon barda.

Et s'il avait pas flashé sur mon chiffon sanglant,

J'ai filé pendant qu'il appelait le toubib.

C'était il y a 15 ou 16 ans. Je ne suis pas revenu depuis.

Je mourais de faim ! J'avais l'estomac dans les talons !

J'avais beau avoir les crocs, fallait pas me jeter sur la bouffe.

Je devais l'affranchir sur ma situation.

Pas question de me faire mal voir, sinon, adieu Hollywood.

T'en fais pas. Ce coup-ci, c'est moi qui régale.

Quand t'auras gagné ton million, tu me revaudras ça.

Faut que je sois là-bas mercredi pour miser sur le bon bourrin.

Il a parlé tout seul durant la demi-heure d'arrêt.

Il m'a raconté son vieux dont il était sans nouvelles.

Et puis, comment devenu bookmaker, il s'était fait plumer à Miami.

Une course : 3 800 dollars. Ils m'ont lessivé.

- La poisse. - Moi qui me croyais malin !

Je retournerai en Floride la saison prochaine.

- Revenez quand vous voulez. - Je t'attends dehors après le boulot.

J'ai conduit toute la nuit. Haskell, il écrasait.

Au bout d'un moment, j'ai eu sommeil, moi aussi.

que j'imaginais illuminé par les projecteurs.

Je voyais Sue tout en haut de l'affiche.

L'estomac plein, ça vous libère l'imagination.

Je filais vers un but que je n'avais pas choisi.

M. Haskell ! Qu'y a-t-il ? Vous êtes blessé ?

Et vous me reluquerez, l'air de dire "Faut pas charrier !"

Ressuscité, lui-même dirait que je l'avais tué pour son fric.

On m'identifierait. Le pompiste, la serveuse...

Je pouvais aussi attendre les flics. Tout aussi fou.

Ils se ficheraient de moi et je serais foutu.

Restait à cacher le corps. Je pouvais pas le laisser là.

Je voulais le dissimuler, pas le dévaliser.

Mais pour continuer, il me fallait de l'argent pour l'essence.

Et puis, c'était bête de laisser tout ce blé sur un mort.

il me fallait son permis, en cas de contrôle.

N'avais-je pas déjà accompli ce dont on m'accuserait,

Conduire une voiture de luxe, habillé comme j'étais !

Pourquoi stoppez-vous au milieu de la route ?

Excusez-moi, je remettais la capote. Je n'y ai pas pensé.

Ce n'est pas une route passante, mais il y a déjà eu des accidents.

Rien dans la voiture n'indiquait mon identité.

Le mort qu'on trouverait dans le fossé, ce serait moi...

Les gouttes striaient le pare-brise comme des larmes.

J'avais l'impression d'être suivi. Je croyais entendre des sirènes.

Combien de temps ai-je mis pour arriver en Californie ? Je l'ignore.

Mais le soleil brillait quand je parvins à la frontière.

- Des choses dans le coffre ? - Des bagages, c'est tout.

Charles Haskell Jr. 30 ans, cheveux bruns...

Signes particuliers : Néant. C'est vous, Haskell ?

Si vous restez plus de 30 jours, changez d'immatriculation.

Je ne pouvais continuer sans dormir. Avec ou sans flics.

Vous ne pouvez pas mourir... On va croire...

Le temps pressait. Être Haskell était trop dangereux.

Il fallait entrer dans une ville, laisser la voiture et déguerpir.

Rouler jusqu'à San Bernardino, peut-être jusqu'à Los Angeles.

Dans un bourg, on vous remarque. Une grande ville, c'est plus sûr.

Débarrassé de la voiture, Je rejoindrais Sue.

me permettraient d'en savoir davantage sur M. Haskell.

Si on m'interrogeait, je saurais quoi répondre.

Première information : Je disposais de 768 dollars.

Mais croyez-moi, je m'en serais volontiers passé.

Je découvris dans une lettre que Haskell transportait

À le lire, il m'apparaissait plus comme un filou.

La lettre était pour son père en Californie.

Ce père qu'il avait pas revu depuis une éternité.

Haskell se faisait passer, entre autres, pour un vendeur de cantiques.

Facile de comprendre que Haskell comptait se renflouer

C'est tout ce que je découvris dans ses effets.

Le père avait peut-être de la chance d'avoir perdu son fils.

mais cela lui épargnait l'achat de prospectus religieux.

Près de l'aéroport, je m'arrêtais pour faire le plein d'eau.

Pris de court, je tournais la tête pour la dévisager.

L'air d'émerger d'un train de marchandises crasseux.

Pourtant, une certaine beauté émanait d'elle.

Rien de ces stars de cinéma dont on rêve, une fois qu'on est marié.

Une beauté presque familière, à force d'être réelle.

- Où vous allez, au fait ? - À Los Angeles.

- Vous vous appelez ? - Vera, si ça vous fait plaisir.

De Phoenix ? Vous avez la tête des filles de là-bas.

La fille devait être crevée. Elle s'est endormie 20 min après.

La tête posée sur le rebord de la portière.

Ça me plaisait pas trop. Mais je ne l'ai pas réveillée.

Mon antipathie pour elle se transformait en pitié.

Quelle importance ? Bientôt, on serait à Hollywood.

Où avez-vous mis son corps ? Celui du propriétaire de cette voiture ?

C'est la bagnole de Haskell. Et vous, c'est pas lui.

Je m'appelle Haskell ! Je peux le prouver.

Haskell m'a prise en stop depuis la Louisiane.

C'était Vera dont il parlait. Elle m'avait dépassé quand je dormais.

Ni étendu, raide, dans un fossé de l'Arizona.

Assis dans la voiture, il ricanait de mes tourments.

Que dire ? La balle était dans son camp.

Vera machin-chose... C'était bien ma veine de l'avoir ramassée !

Pourquoi pas Helen ou Mary, Evelyn ou Ruth ?

Fallait que ce soit la dernière que j'aurais dû croiser.

Quoi qu'on fasse, le destin s'ingénie à vous écraser.

Je lui ai tout dit, elle ne m'a pas cru. J'aurais dû me taire.

En voilà des craques ! Lui, tomber de sa voiture !

J'ai suffisamment navigué. Les tordus, je les renifle.

Je t'ai dit la vérité. Fallait que je te la dise.

Tu crois que je l'ai tué. Comme les flics.

- Et pourquoi je dirais rien ? - Je suis innocent !

Te dénoncer me rapportera rien. Les flics, c'est pas mes copains.

Y aurait une récompense... mais y en a pas.

- Fouille-moi si tu ne me crois pas. - Je vais me gêner !

Il allait parier 3 000 dollars sur un canasson.

Ou même 3 dollars... C'était un baratineur.

Me raconte pas d'histoires. Je le connais mieux que toi !

Donc, tu sais qu'il bluffait, avec ses 3 000.

Je ne suis pas sûre qu'il ne les avait pas.

Pourquoi je te croirais, moi, face d'escroc ?

Tu l'as tué. Et si tu continues, je te balance. Je ne t'aime pas.

Boucle-la, et t'auras pas de soucis à te faire.

Fais le mariole et tu plongeras si vite que tu remonteras jamais !

Ce serait dommage d'aller respirer si jeune, le parfum que l'Arizona

- Je l'ai pas tué. - Allons ! Haskell s'est matraqué.

- Il est tombé, je te dis. - Et il t'a fait un gros cadeau.

Quelle différence ? Je vais pas pleurer.

Haskell, je l'aimais encore moins que toi.

- J'ai vu ce que tu lui as fait. - Quoi ?

- Les griffes au poignet. - C'est ça, je l'ai griffé !

Tu comptais abandonner la voiture à San Bernardino, sans la vendre ?

La vendre ? Tu me crois fou ? La voiture d'un autre ?

- Ni scrupules ni rien dans le citron ! - Je ne comprends pas.

T'as eu du pot de me rencontrer. Tu te serais fait choper.

Pauvre mec ! Une voiture abandonnée, ça déclenche une enquête.

Les flics la trouvent. Tiens, tiens. Où est le proprio ?

Ils cherchent pas Haskell. Ils te cherchent, toi.

Arrête-toi au prochain magasin. J'ai des achats à faire.

Toi et moi, on est comme des frères siamois.

- D'accord, mais pourquoi ? - Je ne veux pas que tu te perdes.

Je veux que tu vendes la bagnole sans te faire pincer.

Tu serais pas intéressée, des fois ? Tu veux un petit pourcentage ?

- J'ai cru que tu voudrais tout. - Je suis pas goulue à ce point.

La distance entre Sue et moi s'était encore accrue.

Vera plaisantait pas avec ses frères siamois.

Elle a loué un appartement au nom de Mme Haskell.

J'ai gueulé. C'est pour la voiture, qu'elle m'a dit.

L'acheteur aurait pu s'étonner qu'on ait deux noms différents.

D'après la loueuse, y a un lit pliant derrière cette porte.

- Quel gourbi ! - On peut pas tout avoir.

Je ne sais pas pourquoi, mais je m'en doutais.

Ça fait du bien de se sentir à nouveau propre !

Rien de pire que le stop pour le teint de jeune fille.

Tu fais la gueule ? T'es dans de sales draps.

Tu serais en taule, imagine : Photo, empreintes et tout le cirque !

Détends-toi. Arrête de tirer la tronche.

On va pas s'apitoyer. Quand c'est fini, c'est fini.

Haskell était malade. Il a pu mourir avant de tomber.

Très bien. Si ça peut te rendre aimable.

Dommage, j'avais envie de prendre une cuite.

- À mon avis, tu es à point. - Je suis noire ?

- Je voulais en prendre une sacrée. - Pourquoi tu veux te soûler ?

Je resterais sobre... C'est moi qui ai la clé !

- T'as peut-être raison. - J'ai toujours raison.

Il faut marquer coûte que coûte avant le coup de sifflet final.

T'as tort, Roberts. Toujours à récriminer,

au lieu de prendre la vie comme elle vient du bon côté.

Toi, par exemple. T'as du pot d'être en vie.

tu jouerais de la harpe, à présent. Réfléchis !

Ils changeraient bien de place avec toi.

C'est pas si sûr. Ils savent qu'ils sont fichus.

Ils suent pas sang et eau pour savoir où ils en sont.

On sait qu'on y passera un jour. Reste à savoir quand.

Pourquoi on parle de ça ? On va finir par parler politique !

On s'est fait suer à bavasser deux heures de plus.

Il aurait mieux valu une bouteille, une radio ou quelque chose à lire.

Je veux me lever tôt pour faire le tour des garages.

Toi, peut-être. Si tu crois que je vais moisir ici, t'es cinglée.

Y a pire. À New York, ça te coûterait un max.

- Ça passera. - Disait Marguerite Gautier.

Tu serais libre, t'aurais le blé et la tire.

Si tu mourais... manquerait plus que ça !

Mon jeu favori, c'est celui du prisonnier.

Une fois la tire vendue, t'iras te faire voir, pas avant.

Essaie pas de filer. Les portes sont fermées.

D'ailleurs, si t'es pas la demain, la police te chopera.

J'espère que le lit pliant sera pas trop inconfortable.

Que ça t'empêche pas de dormir, surtout.

Dans un roman, j'épouserais Vera, j'en ferais une femme respectable.

Ou bien, elle consentirait à se sacrifier pour moi...

Avec Sue, on danserait sur sa tombe en plaisantant sur ses qualités.

Hélas, Vera était aussi atroce le matin, que la veille au soir.

85 dollars et 2 h à bichonner l'appât et toi, tu dis "allons-y".

- On en tirera quoi, de ce tas ? - Je ne sais pas. Un paquet.

T'inquiète, je lui ferai cracher le maximum, à ce gogo.

Si je la bradais il croirait qu'on l'a volée.

Attention, ne m'appelle pas Roberts. Sinon on sera cuits.

- Pas besoin de me le dire. - Reste dans ton coin sans rien dire.

- Sinon, on plonge tous les deux. - Conduis et tais-toi.

Dis, l'affaire faite, on retourne voir la fourrure que j'ai repérée ?

- Je veux l'acheter. - "L'affaire faite", je te dirai adieu.

C'est vrai, j'oubliais. À croire que je m'habitue à toi.

C'est une habitude à prendre. Si on essayait celui-là ?

Si la mécanique est bonne, elle doit coter dans les 1 600.

À ce prix-là, je la bousille et l'assurance me rembourse !

Le mécanicien inspectait... on marchandait...

Regarde dans la boîte à gants. Il reste peut-être des choses.

L'assurance peut être transférée ou résiliée.

Mais vous connaissez sûrement le nom de la compagnie ?

Dites-moi quelle compagnie, je réglerai les détails.

- Viens, chéri. - Vous avez changé d'avis ?

Tu m'as sorti du guêpier. Mais je ne comprends pas...

1 850 dollars, je crache pas dessus. Elle cote moins que prévu.

Tu l'as dit : Pour avoir la paix, faut la vendre.

Arrête-toi au drive-in. On mangera, je t'expliquerai.

- Vous désirez ? - Un sandwich et un café.

- Et Monsieur ? - Peu importe, la même chose.

Écoute-moi bien, j'ai fait tout ce que tu voulais.

Va pour la voiture. Mais je ne serai pas ton prisonnier.

Charles J. Haskell Sr. est à l'agonie. Un avis de recherche a été lancé

pour retrouver son fils, Charles J. Haskell, Jr.

Trouillard ! Tu lui ressembles. Même teint, même corpulence.

Son costume te va. Moi-même, tu m'as bluffée.

Un père ne reconnaîtrait pas son fils ? Et la famille ?

Le père, on attendra qu'il se transforme en fantôme.

Quant à la famille, elle t'a pas vu depuis 15 ou 20 ans.

Tu as sa voiture, ses lettres, son permis...

Le vieux est riche. Une fortune estimée à 15 millions de dollars.

Il a peut-être déshérité son fils ? Comment savoir ? Je marche pas.

J'accepte ce qui est raisonnable. Mais pas ça.

- Trouve-toi un autre guignol. - Abruti !

Tu deviens Charles Haskell à vie. Tu hérites et tu disparais.

Fini de te demander où tu vas pieuter et becter. Réfléchis !

Vera... Je t'en prie, arrête de brailler.

On fait fifty-fifty. Normal. On est du même bord, toi et moi.

On attend la mort du vieux Haskell. Et tu te pointes.

- Et s'il ne meurt pas ? - Il mourra. Crois-moi.

Plus je lui disais non, plus Vera était persuadée que je le ferai...

On a joué aux cartes sans y croire, ce soir-là.

Histoire de tuer le temps, en attendant les journaux.

Si ça foire, on trouvera la voiture, on m'accusera d'assassinat.

Si t'es malin, ça marchera. 8 points de plus.

Si je me fais prendre, est-ce que tu réalises ?

Ce serait débile de les paumer pour un coup si foireux.

Je vends la caisse. Avec le blé, tu feras vite ton chemin.

- On sera saufs. - Je le serai de toute façon.

Si tu dis aux flics que j'étais dans le coup,

D'accord, mais pense aux 1 850 dollars que tu risques de perdre.

T'es folle. Là, on va droit dans le mur.

Un général romain victime de sa voracité. Il a fini par y passer.

T'as 700 dollars et 1 850 à la clé. Un bon conseil : Arrête-toi là.

- Joue au solitaire. - Nous devons le faire.

À quoi ça t'avance, Roberts ? Je te fais une fleur.

Je te sors du pétrin. Je te rencarde et voilà comment tu me dis merci ?

J'ai tué personne. Tu sais bien que non.

Que tu m'as aidé. Si j'y passe, tu écopes.

La soirée commençait et les échanges, quoique violents,

Je soulevais des tas d'objections. L'ambiance devint électrique.

J'avais beau être Haskell, j'ignorais le nom de ma mère,

où j'étais allé à l'école, le nom de mon meilleur ami,

quelle était ma religion, si j'avais un chien,

Je lui ai fait remarquer que Haskell avait une cicatrice.

Sa famille l'a pas vue. Il est parti après avoir éborgné l'autre.

- Son père sait qu'il a été blessé. - Et alors ?

Il est mort, son vieux. On le lira, demain dans le journal.

D'ailleurs, y a des entailles qui sont bénignes, pas vrai ?

Pour palper, je te laisserais me couper la jambe.

T'es folle à lier ! Balance-moi, je ne marche plus.

Haskell baratinait tellement. Il était peut-être pas son fils.

Baratin ou pas, toi, ce sera pas du flan quand on viendra t'arrêter.

Y a une mignonne chambre à gaz qui t'attend, Roberts.

On t'extradera en Arizona, c'est couru d'avance.

Je te hais ! Tu me dégoûtes ! Laisse-moi !

Je te lâche si tu me promets de pas téléphoner.

Braille pas ! Si tu te dégonfles, je le fais.

Je t'aime pas, Roberts. T'as aucune éducation.

N'appelle pas les flics. Écoute, je ferai ce que tu veux.

Qui croirait que Haskell était tombé de voiture ?

Et la mort de Vera, qui croirait que je ne l'ai pas préméditée ?

sachant qu'elle me tenait, seraient persuadés que je l'avais assassinée.

Au point que j'ai cru que j'étais devenu sourd.

C'était l'effet de la peur. J'étais devenu hystérique,

Faire disparaître les preuves. Elles ne manquaient pas.

Ces objets achetés ensemble : Autant de gens qui se souvenaient de moi.

Non, brûler ces habits, cacher ces bouteilles.

Resteraient les témoins. La logeuse, entre autres.

Le garagiste, la serveuse du drive-in, la vendeuse.

J'avais déjà songé près d'un mort au moyen d'échapper aux poursuites.

J'étais en état de choc. Ça tourbillonnait dans ma tête.

J'étais obnubilé par le saxophoniste et par ce qu'il jouait.

Plus de retour possible à New York et pour longtemps.

Al Roberts était considéré comme mort et devait le rester.

Impossible de la rejoindre, menacé comme j'étais.

Que faire, sinon prier qu'elle trouve le bonheur ?

J'étais déjà là quand j'ai appris qu'on avait trouvé Vera.

La police recherchait Haskell pour le meurtre de sa femme.

Haskell m'avait mis dans le pétrin. C'est lui qui m'en sortait.

Je me demande ce que serait ma vie si Haskell s'était pas arrêté.

Y a qu'une chose qui fasse pas de doute.

Un jour, une voiture me ramassera sans que je lui aie fait signe.

ça peut s'abattre sur vous comme sur moi

/tt0037638/english/Detour (1945)-Edgar G Ulmer -English (rev 0).srt

Well, here we are. I turn down here at the next block.

Too bad. I thought if you was heading north I might be able to help you out.

I’m pushing myself late tonight. I don’t like to ride alone at night.

I am one of those guys who gotta talk or I fall asleep.

My partner, he’s got Lou to keep him company, but ...

- Maybe. - I’ve got a cousin out in LA ...

- You don’t say. - Yeah. He’s been out ...

My mother taught me never to speak to strangers.

Let’s have something quieter this time, Joe. My head’s splitting.

Hey, turn that off. Will you turn that thing off?

- What’s eating you now? - Yeah, what’s eating you?

- That music, it stinks. - Oh, you don’t like it, huh?

- No. Turn it off! - Now wait a minute, pal.

This is a free country, and I play whatever I want to.

Sure, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to listen to it.

And you can leave here any time, you want to.

First good piece played tonight, and you don’t like it.

Some people just ain’t got any good taste.

Following me around, beating in my head, never letting up.

Did you ever want cut away a piece of your memory or blot it out?

... but sooner or later, you’ll get a whiff of perfume or...

... somebody will say a certain phrase, or maybe hum something ...

"I can’t believe that you’re in love with me”

So did the customers back in the old Break O’ Dawn Club in New York.

I can’t remember a night when I didn’t get at least 3 requests for it.

I can't believe that you're in love with me

They can't believe that you're in love with me.

I can't believe that you're in love with me.

It wasn’t much of a club, really. You know the kind.

A joint where you could have a sandwich and a few drinks ...

... and run interference for your girl on the dance floor.

I fronted the piano in there every night from 8:00 until the place closed up ...

... which usually meant 4:00 in the morning.

... who made working there a little like working in heaven.

But how we felt about each other. Well, there was nothing very unusual in that.

I was an ordinary healthy guy, and she was an ordinary healthy girl.

And when you add those two together, you get an ordinary healthy romance.

... the most wonderful thing in the world.

You’re going to make Carnegie Hall your door.

I don’t blame you for being bitter, darling but ...

- Why, some day ... - Yeah, some day ...

- Like to get something to eat, hon’? - I don’t think so, Al.

I lose my appetite working in this fleabag.

Did you see that drunk tonight trying to paw me.

Say, what’s the matter with you tonight, darling?

That’s the third time you started to tell me something and then stopped.

We shouldn’t have any secrets from each other, Sue.

Next week, we’re going to make with the ring and the license. You and me. We’ll be a team.

- I don’t get you. - We’ve been struck out.

- Don’t you want to marry me? - Al, look, I love you, you know I do.

That’s why I hesitated to tell you. But I’m going to California ...

That’s the most stupid thing, I ever heard of.

Don’t you know millions of people go out there every year and wind up polishing cuspidors?

You sound as if you don’t think I have any talent.

- I'll make out alright. - Maybe. But what about me?

Doesn’t it mean anything to you that you’re busting up all our plans.

- We may not see each other for years. - It won’t be that long.

- I thought you loved me. - I do, you know I do.

And we’ve got all the time in the world to settle down.

... what I’m doing is the only sane thing to do.

I ... I hate the thought of being so far away from you, but ...

Maybe you’ll decide to come out too, later on.

Say Roberts, you hit the jackpot this time ...

But when a drunk handed me a ten spot, after a request ...

What was it? I asked myself. A piece of paper crawling with germs.

It couldn’t buy anything I wanted. It couldn’t ...

Long distance. I’d like to put a call through to Los Angeles.

Oh baby, it’s great to hear from you too.

I thought I’d go batty without you. I just had to ...

Huh? ... You’re working as a hash slinger?

Those guys out in Hollywood don’t know the real thing when it’s right in front of them.

Keep going around to those casting offices. I’m sure you’ll click.

Look, I’ll tell you what. You stay put out there. I'll come to you.

No, do not try to stop me. Just expect me.

Train? Who knows. Train, plane, bus, magic carpet. I'll be there if I have to crawl.

If I have to travel by pogo stick. And then ...

That’s the stuff. That's what I’ve been wanting to hear you say.

The only way I could cross country was to thumb rides.

For even after hawking everything, I only had enough money to eat.

The stuff you never have enough of. Little green things with ...

... George Washington’s picture that men slave for ...

It’s the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world ...

... than anything else we ever invented.

Simply because, there’s too little of it.

Oh yeah, I know all about how it’s an education ...

... how to get to meet a lot of people and all that. But me ...

... from now on, I’ll take my education in college, or in PS-62, or I’ll...

... send $ 1.98 in stamps for “Ten Easy Lessons”.

Thumbing rides may save your busfare, but it’s dangerous.

You never know what’s in store for you, when you hear the...

If only I had known what I was getting into, that day in Arizona.

Okay, let’s go. Make sure that door’s closed.

You know, Emily Post ought to write a ...

... book of rules for guys thumbing rides.

Because, as it is now, you never know what’s right and what’s wrong.

We rode along for a little while, neither one of us saying anything.

I never know what to say to strange people driving cars.

Then too, you can never tell if a guy wants to talk.

A lot of rides have been cut short because of a big mouth.

So I kept my mouth shut until he started opening up.

Hand me that little box in the compartment, will ya pal.

Well, you’re really travelling, aren’t you?

Yeah, but I don’t expect to make it for a couple of years ...

... at the rate I’ve been sporting rides.

Not many people stop for a guy these days. Afraid of a stick up, maybe.

- Where are you coming from? - New York.

Well, you’re in luck this time. I’m going all the way.

- You drive a car? - Sure, if you’re tired, let me know.

I guess at least an hour passed before I noticed ...

... those deep scratches in his right hand.

Three puffy red lines, about a quarter of an inch apart.

He must have seen me looking at them, because he said ...

Whatever it was, it must have been pretty big and vicious to have done that.

I was tussling with the most dangerous animal In the world...

You know, there should be a law against dangerous claws.

Give a lift to a tomato, you expect her to be nice, don’t you?

- Yeah. - After all, what kind of a dame, thumbs rides?

Must have thought, she was riding with some fall guy.

Not me who’s been booking horses around race tracks, since I was twenty.

Ahh, I've known a million dames like her.

"Take another hour and stop here, sister", I told her.

If you want to see a real scar, brother, get a load of this.

Yeah, just kidding of course. My dad owned a couple of Franco-Prussian sabres.

Well one day, another kid and I took them down, and the old man wasn’t around... Had a duel.

Pretty mean cut. Infection set in later.

- Oh, give me that box again, will ya. - Yeah.

Pain made me lose my head, I guess... Began slashing ...

Before I knew it, I’d put the other kid’s eye out.

Oh, it was just an accident, of course. You know how kids are.

I got scared and decided I was going to run away from home.

Old man almost caught me, when I was packing my duds.

The bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist hadn't caught his attention ...

So I beat it, when he was phoning for a doctor.

Pull in there for a bite of something, huh? I’ll buy you ...

Brother, was I hungry. I hadn’t had anything in my stomach for hours.

But even with that gnawing in the pit of my belly.

I didn’t want to be in too big a rush to put on the feed bag.

First, I had to make sure this guy knew the score.

If I got him down on me, goodbye ticket to Hollywood.

- I’ll wait out here for you, mister. - If it’s the money, don’t worry about paying for it.

- Well, that’s quite ... - Haskell. Think nothing of it.

You make your first million, maybe you can do the same for me. Come on, New York.

I gotta make the West Coast by Wednesday.

There’s a horse running at Santa Anita, named "Paradisical" ...

- Means dough to for me, if I’m on it. - You’ll make it, alright

He did most of the talking, during the half hour we were in the place.

He rambled on about his old man, whom he hadn’t heard from since he ran away as a kid,...

... and how he happened to become a bookie.

And then all about how he got rooked in Miami.

One race, 38 grand. They cleaned out my book.

- How do you like that? - It was tough luck.

Yeah, and I'm supposed to be the smart guy. You just wait ...

I’m going back to Florida, next season, with all kinds of jack.

And you watch those stinkers run for cover.

- Want anything else? - No thanks, I've had plenty.

- Keep it, sister. - Oh, thank you, sir. Call again.

I’ll be waiting outside for you, when you’ve finished work.

I drove all that night, while Haskell slept like a log.

After a while, I began to get sleepy myself.

The long trip was practically over, and there’d be no more hoofing it down the concrete.

... which couldn’t have been brighter if I’d embroidered it with neon lights.

It was nice to think of Sue, shooting to the top.

Hmpf ... It’s amazing what a full belly can do to your imagination.

I can't believe that you're in love with me

Don’t you think we ought to stop and put up the top?

Mister Haskell, I’m going to put up the top.

... but from then on something else stepped in and shunted me off ...

... to a different destination than the one I picked for myself ...

... for when I pulled open that door ...

Mr Haskell, what’s the matter? Are you hurt?

... but I know what you’re going to hand me even before you open your mouth.

You’re going to tell me you don’t believe my story about Haskell died ...

... and give me that "don’t make me laugh" expression on your smug faces.

I saw at once he was dead ... and I was in for it.

Who would believe that he fell out of the car?

Why if Haskell came to, which of course he couldn’t, even he would swear ...

... I conked him over the head for his dough.

Instinct told me to run, but then I realised it was hopeless.

There were lots of people back down the road who could identify me.

I would be in a worse spot then, trying to explain why I beat it.

The next possibility was to sit tight and tell the truth when the cops came.

But that would be crazy. They’d laugh at the truth, and I’d have my head in a noose.

So what else was there to do, but hide the body and get away in the car?

I couldn’t leave the car there with him in the gully.

That would be like erecting a tombstone.

My idea was to cover him with brush, not to rob him.

But then I remembered that even if I only drove the car for a hundred miles or so ...

Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.

Not only that. I’d have to take his drivers license in case I was stopped or something.

I didn’t like to think about it, but by that time I’d done just what the police would say I did ...

My clothes. The owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.

Some cop might pull me in under suspicion.

Don’t you know better than to leave a car with the wheels half way in the middle of the road?

I ... I’m sorry officer. I was just putting up my top.

- I didn’t think. - Well, the next time think.

I’ll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.

I know that's a lonely stretch, but cars come by here once and a while, and ...

I left nothing in the car that would give me away as Roberts.

If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

As I drove off, it was still raining ...

... and the drops streaked down the windshield like tears.

I kept imagining I was being followed and that I could hear sirens back in the distance.

Just how long it took me to cover the 60 odd miles to the California state line ...

But the rain had stopped and the sun was up when I pulled up to the inspection station.

- Hello. Carrying any fruits or vegetables? - No.

I’d like to see your registration and and driver's license, please.

- Anything in the baggage compartment? - Just baggage.

Charles Haskell Jr, age 30, brown eyes, dark hair ...

Well, remember that if you’re employed and stay over than 30 days ...

Alright officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.

I couldn’t drive any further without any sleep. Cops or no cops ...

... I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard.

- Who’s there? - It’s the maid. Can I can come in and clean?

There was no time to lose. Every minute I had to be Charles Haskell was dangerous.

And I’d have to be Charles Haskell, until I got to some city ...

... where I could leave the car and be swallowed up.

That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino ...

In a little town, I might be noticed ...

... but in a city, I should be safe enough.

Then after I ditched the car, I could go on to Sue.

But those five minutes at the state line ...

... made me realise, it might be a good idea to find out a little bit about Mr Haskell.

Then if anyone asked me questions I could give the right answers.

The first thing I found out was that I had $768.

This was a lot of jack. But believe me ...

... it was the kind of money I’d rather not have.

And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag ...

... that he wasn’t the open-handed easy going big shot ...

... who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.

Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseller.

It was written to his old man in California ...

... the one he hadn’t seen in so many years.

It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise the new stake ...

That was about all I found out from his effects ...

I told myself maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.

He would never know it, but it saved him from taking a flyer on sacred literature preferred.

Near the airport of Desert Centre, I pulled up for water.

- How far are you going? - How far are you going?

That took me by surprise, and I turned turned my head to look her over.

She was facing straight ahead, so I couldn’t see her eyes.

Man, she looked as if she’d just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.

Yet in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.

Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you ...

... or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife.

A beauty that’s almost homely, because it’s so real.

- How far did you say we’re going? - Los Angeles.

L.A.? ... L.A’s good enough for me, mister

- That’s what I was afraid of. - What did you say?

- What’s your name? - You can call me Vera, if you like.

- Where are you coming from? - Oh, back there.

Oh sure, Phoenix. You look just like a Phoenix girl.

The girl must have been pretty tired, because she fell asleep ...

... not twenty minutes after she stepped into the car.

She lay sprawled out with her head resting against the far door like Haskell.

I didn’t like that part of it much but I didn’t wake her up.

It wasn’t that this girl still worried me.

I’d gotten over that funny feeling I had, when she looked at me ...

... which I put down as just my jangled nerves.

With her eyes closed, and the tempest gone out of them

Instead of disliking her, I began to feel sorry for her.

The poor kid probably had had a rough time of it.

Who was she anyway? And why was she going to Los Angeles?

And where’d she come from in the first place.

The only thing I knew about her was her name.

Not that it made any difference. A few hours more, we’d be in Hollywood.

I’d forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.

This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.

Who this dame was, well it was no business of mine.

Where did you leave the owner of this car? You’re not fooling anyone.

This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell. That's not you, mister.

You're out of your mind, that's my name, Charles Haskell. I can prove it.

- My driver’s license. - Save yourself the trouble, mister.

Having Haskell’s wallet only makes it worse.

It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell all the way from Louisiana.

All the talk about duelling and scars and scratches.

Vera must be the woman Haskell had mentioned.

He wasn’t stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.

He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad while he haunted me.

There was nothing I could say. It was her move.

It was just my luck, picking her up on the road.

Couldn’t have been Helen or Mary or Evelyn or Ruth.

It had to be the very last person, I should ever have met.

Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.

I told her everything, but she didn’t believe my story.

That’s the greatest cock-and-bull story I ever heard.

So he fell out of his car? Say, who do you think you’re talking to? A hick?

Listen mister, I’ve been around, and I know a wrong guy when I see one.

What did you do? Kiss him with a wrench?

Now wait a minute, what I told you is true. You see that’s why I had to do it?

You think I killed him. Well, the cops would have thought so too.

What makes you so sure, I’ll shut up about this.

Vera, I’m innocent. Give me a break will you?

It won’t do me any good having you fenced. The cops are no friends of mine.

Now, if there was a reward ... But there isn’t.

Don’t thank me yet, I’m not through with you by a long shot.

- Isn’t it enough? - No. I thought he had more.

Not that I know of. You can search me if you think I’m holding out on you.

He told me he was going to bet $3,000 ...

... on a horse named "Paradisical" on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

- He was stringing you along. He meant $300. - Maybe.

Sure, three bucks, three hundred. He was a piece of cheese a big blowhard.

Listen mister, don’t try and tell me anything about Charlie Haskell.

Remember, I knew him better than you did.

OK, then you knew he was a four-flusher. That explains the three grand bet.

I'm not so sure, he didn’t have that three grand.

Why should I believe you? You’ve got all the earmarks of a cheap crook.

You're a cheap crook and you killed him.

For two cents, I’d change my mind and turn you in. I don’t like you.

- Alright alright, don’t get sore. - I’m not getting sore.

But just remember who’s boss around here.

If you shut up and don’t give me any arguments you’ll have nothing to worry about.

... I’ll make sure you pop into jail so fast, it'll give you the bends.

- I’m not arguing. - We see that you don’t.

... I hate to see a fella as young as you wind up sniffing that perfume that ...

... Arizona hands out free to murderers.

- I'm not a murderer. - Of course, you’re not ...

He fell, that's all, just like I told you.

Sure and then he made you a present of his belongings.

- I explained why I did that. - Oh, skip it.

It doesn’t make a difference one way or another. I'm not a mourner.

I liked Haskell even less than I like you.

- Yeah, I saw what you did to him. - What do you mean?

- The scratches on his wrist. - Sure, I scratched him.

So your idea was to drive the car a little way ...

... maybe into San Bernardino and then leave it. You weren’t going to sell it?

Sell it? Do you think I'm crazy? Somebody else’s car.

Yeah, all I want is to leave it somewhere and forget I ever saw it.

Not only don’t you have any scruples, you don’t have any brains.

Maybe, it’s a good thing you met me. You’d have got yourself caught, sure.

Don’t you know that a deserted automobile always rates an investigation?

Look, the cops find a car. Then they get curious.

So all right, they don’t trace Haskell. They trace you.

The only safe way to get rid of the car is to sell it to a dealer.

Hey, stop at the next store. I want to get a bottle and do some shopping ...

OK, if we find a place, I’ll drop you off and pick you up later.

From now on, you and I are like the Siamese twins.

Have it your way, but I don’t get the point.

The point is: I don’t want you to get lost.

- I’m not going to beat it, if that’s what you're afraid of. - I’ll say you’re not.

Why I’m going to see you sell this car, so you don’t caught.

Course your interest wouldn’t be financial, would it?

You wouldn’t want a small percentage of the profits.

Well, now that you insist, how can I refuse.

- A hundred percent will do. - Fine. I’m relieved.

I thought for a moment, you were going to take it all.

A few hours later, we were in Hollywood.

I was recognising places Sue had written about.

It struck me that far from being at the end of the trip ...

... there was a greater distance between Sue and me than when I started out.

Vera wasn’t kidding with that “Siamese twins" crack.

When I objected to this, she explained it was on account of the car.

The dealer might think something was funny, if he called ...

... and found we were using different names.

In case there is any doubt in your mind, I’ll take the bedroom.

The old crow downstairs said there’s a folding bed behind this door.

- Some joint. - One can’t have everything.

I don’t know why, but I figured you would be.

Boy oh boy! It sure feels good to be clean again.

Well that’s alright. This is exactly the way you keep your school book induction.

I wish that guy with the sax’ would give up.

Aren’t you afraid I might take you up on it?

I didn’t want to give you a drink, I wouldn’t have offered it.

I’m very sorry, Roberts. You got yourself into this thing.

You should be grateful, I’m not turning you in.

Why if I wasn’t regular, you’d be in the pen this minute being photographed ...

... finger-printed and being pushed around by the cops.

He's dead and no mooning around will bring him back.

Anyway, I never could understand this worrying about something all been done with.

Now look, Vera, for the last time, I didn’t kill him.

Haskell was sick man. Maybe he was dead before he fell out of the car. I don’t know.

Too bad, I felt like getting tight tonight.

- Well, I think you succeeded. - Am I tight?

- Maybe you're right. - I’m always right.

You know, I don’t like your attitude, Roberts.

Well, there’s a lot of things I don’t like.

Life’s like a ball game, you got to take a swing at whatever comes along ...

... before you wake up and find it’s the ninth innings.

- You read that somewhere. - That's the problem with you, Roberts.

I’m taking it easy, and trying to make the best of things.

Maybe that's what wrong with the whole world.

People knock themselves out trying to bust fate.

Now take you, for instance. You're lucky to be alive.

Why, supposing Haskell had opened your door.

You’d be playing a harp, now. Think of that.

There’s plenty of people dying this minute ...

... would give anything to trade places with you.

They don’t have to sweat blood wondering if they are.

We all know we’re going to kick off some day.

What got us on this subject anyway? We’ll be discussing politics, next.

We are bored each other with conversation for a couple of hours longer.

Every five minutes, one of us was wishing we had another bottle ...

Then finally, we ended ran out of chatter.

I know it’s only eleven o’clock, but I want to get up early ...

... and make the rounds of the used car lots.

Don’t worry about that we got all the time in the world.

Maybe you have, but if you think I want ...

... to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I have to, you're batty.

You pay plenty for digs like this in New York.

You got a mean cough. You want to do something about it.

- Wasn’t that the dame that died of consumption - Yes.

Wouldn’t it be a break for you, if I did kick off.

You’d be free with old Haskell’s stolen car.

Specially, not you. One person died on me.

My favourite sport is being kept prisoner.

After we sell the car, you can go to blazes for all I care.

Goodnight, Roberts. Don’t try and sneak away during the night.

Anyway, I find you gone in the morning ...

- They’ll pick you up. - Don’t worry, I know when I’m in a spot.

I hope that that portable rack isn't too uncomfortable for you.

Don’t lose any sleep over it, will you Vera?

If this were fiction, I would fall in love with Vera.

Marry her and make a respectable woman of her.

Or else, she would make some supreme, Class A sacrifice for me ...

Sue and I would bawl a little over her grave ...

... and make some crack about there’s good in all of us.

But Vera, unfortunately, was just as rotten in the morning ...

So what? The dealers will be there all day.

They’ll be there all year too, but we don’t have to wait that long.

- Well, do I rate a whistle? - You sure do, but let’s go.

Let’s go, let’s go. I spend $85 and two hours preparing bait ...

We passed a few used car lots last night down this way.

What do you think we can get for this heap?

I don’t know. Plenty. Just let me handle everything.

I’ll squeeze as much out of this guy, as I can.

If I let it go cheap without a fight, he might think we’ve stolen the car.

And listen, don’t make any slips and call me Roberts. That’ll cook us.

You better just sit by and keep your mouth closed.

Remember we’re both in the soup, if anything happens ...

- Forget it and drive. - You’re my wife, Vera Haskell.

... let’s go back to that place on Hollywood Boulevard ...

... where I saw the fur jacket. I want to buy it.

After the deal’s closed, I’m saying goodbye to you.

That’s right, I forgot. I guess I'm getting kind of used to you.

Well that’s a habit you can start breaking.

Let's try this place in the middle of the block.

- We’re interested in selling a car. - If the price is right.

Well, if it’s in good mechanical condition, it should bluebook for about $1600.

Before I let it go for $1850, I’ll wreck it and collect the insurance first.

Lady, this motor’s seen a lot of driving.

While the mechanic inspected the car we haggled.

At last, when we were all worn out we hit a compromise ...

- OK, it’s a deal. - Right, come in and we’ll sign the papers.

I have the ownership papers right here with me.

Look Vera, in the meantime, will you clean out the ash compartment.

- Maybe there’s some stuff in it. - Alright, darling.

- But you bought the car in Miami. - Yes.

Well, let’s see about the insurance, we can either have it transferred or cancelled.

Ah, what kind of insurance do you have, Mr. Haskell?

Surely you know what type of insurance you carry on the car.

Well, if you’ll just tell me the name of the company ...

- ... I'd be very glad to take care of all the details. - Well ...

- Did you sign the papers yet? - Not yet.

- Well, wait a minute, Mrs Haskell. - Come on darling.

- What’s the matter? Change your mind? - Yes, I’m sorry, I guess I have.

You got me out of a tight spot Vera, but I still don’t understand all this.

You will in a minute. I almost threw away a gold mine.

The car doesn’t book for as much as I thought.

- We’re not selling the car. - You want to keep it?

Now wait a minute, Vera, you said yourself I wouldn’t be safe ...

... until the car was in someone else’s name.

I’d like to be free of this mess, when I go.

That's just it, Robert, you’re not going.

There’s a drive in at the corner. Pull in there and we’ll get a bite to eat ...

What is this - another one of your brilliant ideas?

- Hello, may I take your order? - Make mine, a ham sandwich and coffee.

- And for you sir? - Oh, I don’t care ... the same.

Get this, Vera. I've been pretty patient, so far.

- I’ve done everything you asked me to do, but no more. - Shut up!

You can have the dough we get from selling the car ...

... but you’re not going to keep me a prisoner.

It’s a good thing I bought the paper. Take a look at that.

You think I'm crazy? It's impossible I tell you.

No one could possibly get away with an act like that. They’d be wise to me in a minute

Don’t be yellow. You look enough like him.

The same colouring and the same build. See how his clothes fit?

I’m not kidding. You almost had me fooled for a while.

Oh, grow up, Vera. Don’t you think a father knows his own son?

The father won’t have to know you. We’ll wait till he gives up the ghost.

He’s an old geezer and he won’t pull through.

And as far as the relatives are concerned ...

They haven’t seen you in fifteen or twenty years.

It's not as tough as it sounds. Remember, you’ve...

... got all kinds of identification: his car, letters, license ...

I could never get away with it. It's the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

The old boy has bags of dough. Look in the paper there ...

Personal fortune assessed over fifteen million.

Maybe he cut off his son. How do we know?

It's out, Vera. I won’t have anything to do with it.

Look Vera, I'll do anything within reason.

But not that. So forget it. Find yourself another stooge.

You’d be fixed for the rest of your life as Charlie Haskell.

You can take your inheritance and go away.

No more worrying about the rent, no sweating ...

... scheming, wondering where your next meal’s coming from. Think about that, Roberts.

Unless I’m splitting 50-50 with you? Sure. Why not?

- We’re both alike, both born the same guy. - Take it easy, Vera.

People around here are going to hear you talk.

We’ll wait until we read old man Haskell’s dead.

Like you read in New York that he was sick.

- Suppose he doesn’t die? - He will, I know he will. Something tells me.

But as much as I insisted, I would have no part of her scheme.

Vera was taking it for granted, I would.

Neither of us had our minds on the cards as we played that night.

I knew we were just trying to kill time between newspaper editions.

Don’t you realise, if I’m caught, they’ll want to know where I got the car and stuff.

- And they’ll have me on a murder charge. - If you’re smart, you won’t get caught.

If I’m caught, don’t you realise you'll be out too?

How will I be out? You’ll be out $1850, you would have gotten on the car.

Really Vera, you’ll be an awful chump. You threw away all that dough on a dizzy long shot.

Let me sell the bus tomorrow. With the money it’ll bring and...

... what you’ve already got a clever kid like you could run it up in no time.

- And we’d both be in the clear. - I’ll be in the clear anyway.

- I’d get good and sore too, you know. - You mean you’d squeal?

- Well no, not squeal exactly - Never mind what you meant.

Even if you did tell the cops, I was in on it with you ...

They might give me the same medicine they gave you.

All they’d be doing would be rushing it.

Alright, but think of the $1850 you’d lose

You’d kick yourself around the block, if you let it get away from you.

- Want another drink? - You being a goon.

That’s the way people wind up behind the eight ball ...

Once they get a few dollars, they become greedy and want more.

He wasn’t satisfied, so the final wind up was he took the count.

A couple of days ago, you didn’t have a dime.

Why you were so broke, you couldn’t pay cash for a postage stamp.

Now you’ve got almost $700, with $1850 in the offing.

- Take my advice, don’t try for more! - I’m tired of this game.

- Let's have some black jack. - Play solitaire!

OK I will, if that’s the way you feel about it.

Getting sore and throwing things won’t help much, Roberts.

I’m really doing you a favour. I help you out of a jam by keeping my mouth shut.

I show you how to make some soft money, and what thanks do I get.

- Thanks?! - Sure, or would you rather I called the cops ...

... and tell them you killed the man and stole his money.

- I didn’t kill anybody. - Yes, you did.

If you're innocent, what have you got to be scared of?

OK, call them, if you must. Go ahead, call them. See if I care.

- You want me to call them? - You heard me. But I’m warning you ...

If I’m pinched, I’ll swear you were in on it. I’ll say that you helped me.

- If I fry, I’ll get even with you. - You wouldn’t dare, you’re chicken!

Yeah? Then try it and see. Call them. Yeah.

I want the number of the Hollywood police station.

Wait a minute, Vera, you wouldn’t do that.

Oh, wouldn’t I? Let me do it, and I’ll show you if I would.

And the conversation while hectic was at least pitched low.

... and more obstacles to her plan popped into in my head ...

Each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip.

I reminded her that as Charles Haskell, I didn’t even know my mother’s name ...

... where I’d gone to school, the name of my best friend ...

... whether I had an Aunt Emma or not, my religion ...

I didn’t even know what my middle initial stood for.

I also pointed out that the real Haskell had a scar on his forearm.

You told me he ran away right after putting out the kid’s eye.

- There’d be some kind of a mark. - So what?

The old man’s dead or will be, I hope, by tomorrow morning’s papers.

Anyway, you could cut yourself a little, couldn’t you?

Boy, for that kind of dough, I’d let you cut my leg off.

You're drunk and you’re crazy mad, Vera.

Turn me in, if you want to, but I won’t get mixed up in this.

Besides, how do we know? Haskell was such a phony.

Maybe he wasn’t the man’s son after all. Maybe he just dreamed it up.

... you won’t be dreaming when the law taps you on the shoulder.

There’s a cute little gas chamber waiting for you, Roberts.

And I hear extradition to Arizona’s a cinch.

I hate you, you stinking ... You leave me alone!

I'll let you alone when you promise to leave the phone where it is.

You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing

- You're hurting me, - Will you promise?

- I'm sorry, but ... - It's hot in here, open up the window!

- It’s not hot. - Don’t tell me. Now do you do it or do I do it?

Vera, open the door. Please open the door.

Vera, open the door. Don’t use the phone. Listen to me.

You're no gentleman, see. You hurt my hand.

You don’t open the door, I’m going to kick it down, Vera.

Vera, don’t call the cops. Listen to me. I’ll do anything you say.

In the Haskell business, how many of you would believe he fell out of the car?

And now, after killing Vera without really meaning to do it.

How many of you would believe it wasn’t premeditated.

In a jury room, every last man of you would go down shouting that ...

... she had me over a barrel and my only out was force.

So quiet that for a while I wondered if I had suddenly gone deaf.

It was pure fear of course. And I was hysterical.

But I had become one. I’d better not get caught.

What evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed.

And from the looks of things, there was plenty.

Looking around the room, at the things we’d bought ...

... was like looking into the faces of a hundred people, who had seen us together and who remembered me.

This was the kind of testimony, I couldn’t rub out.

No. I could burn clothes and hide bottles ...

... for the next five years. There’d always be witnesses.

The landlady for one. She could identify me.

The car dealer, the waitress in the drive-in, the girl in the dress shop and ...

I was cooked. Done for. I had to get out of there.

While once I had remained beside a dead body ...

... planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing him ...

All I could think of was the guy with the saxophone and what he was playing.

I had to stay away from New York for all time.

Because Al Roberts was listed as dead, and had to stay dead.

And I could never to go back to Hollywood.

Someone might recognize me as Haskell ...

I could never go to her with a thing like this hanging over my head.

I was in Bakersfield, before I read that Vera’s body was discovered ...

... and that the police were looking for Haskell in connection with his wife’s murder.

Haskell got me into this mess, and Haskell was getting me out of it.

The police were searching for a dead man.

I keep trying to forget what happened ...

... and wonder what my life might have been, if that car of Haskell’s hadn’t stopped.

But one thing, I don’t have to wonder about.

... someday a car will stop to pick me up that I never thumbed.

Yes. Fate ... or some mysterious force ...