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  • Hey, lookie, lookie, lookie.!

  • This way for the monster.! Right through here.!

  • Step right this way, folks.! The show is about to begin.!

  • Right this way.! Here we are.!

  • Folks, I must ask you to remember that this exhibit is being presented...

  • solely in the interest of education and science.

  • Now, this creature... There he is! The geek!

  • He has puzzled the foremost scientists of Europe and America.

  • Is he the missing link? Is he man or beast?

  • Some have pronounced him man.

  • But beneath that shaggy mane of hair, lies the brain of a beast.

  • Look.!

  • lfhe should sink his teeth into my arm, nothing on this round, green earth could save me.

  • Now, folks, it's feeding time.

  • Horrible.!

  • He's on fire!

  • Now, folks, you haven't seen anything yet. Step in closer, please.

  • The greatest demonstration of fire manipulation the world has ever seen!

  • Hey. Come here.

  • - Kind of a surprise to see you hanging around that act, young man. - Why?

  • Hasn't got a skirt in it.

  • - Geek guy fascinates me. - You aren't the only one.

  • That's why we got him in the show.

  • How do you get to be a geek? Is that the only one?

  • - I mean, is a guy born that way? - Let me tell you something, kid.

  • When you've been around this carny longer, you'll learn to quit asking questions.

  • - Come on, Pete. - He gonna be able to work?

  • Pete's okay. I've got him sobered up.

  • - What's the matter, Stan? - Nothing.

  • What's the boss been razzing you about?

  • I was just asking him about that guy that does the geek business.

  • - That's always a sore point in a carnival. - Why?

  • The geek is one of our biggest draws...

  • but a lot of performers won't work a show that carries one.

  • I can't understand how anybody could get so low.

  • It can happen.

  • - I wanna thank you, Zeena. - Me?

  • - Uh-huh. - What for?

  • For being so nice to me, helping me with my spiel and everything.

  • - Well, I think you've got something, Stan. - Honest?

  • - You like this racket, don't you? - Oh, lady, I was made for it.

  • I had all kinds of jobs before this one came along...

  • but none of'em were anything but jobs.

  • But this gets me. I like it. All of it.

  • The crowds, the noise, the idea of keeping on the move.

  • You see those yokels out there, it gives you sort of a superior feeling...

  • as if you were in the know and they were on the outside looking in.

  • Kinda hard to explain, but I like it.

  • I like you too, Zeena.

  • Hey, look! Hey, look! Hey, look! Step right this way!

  • Move in closer, ladies and gentlemen, and let me introduce Zeena...

  • the miracle woman of the ages.

  • She sees, she knows, she tells you all the innermost secrets of your past...

  • your present and your future.

  • - Mademoiselle Zeena! - Step right up, folks, and don't be bashful.

  • If any of you wants to ask me a personal question...

  • Mr. Stanton will now pass among you with little cards and envelopes.

  • - Lend me your hand there. - Write your question on the card!

  • - I need a pencil. - Pass those out. There we are, ladies.

  • Don't crowd. There's plenty here for everyone.

  • Careful not to let anyone else see what you write, because that's your business.

  • - I don't want anybody asking me about anyone else's business. - One for you, young lady.

  • When you have written your questions, sign your initials or write your name...

  • as a token of good faith.

  • Write what's in your heart, and when you write about it, think about it.

  • Madam? Yes, madam. Your questions will be held in strictest confidence.

  • No one will know but yourself and Mademoiselle Zeena.

  • Ah, I see that Mr. Stanton has a good handful of questions.

  • So if he'll bring 'em right up on the stage, we'll have some readings.

  • Thank you, sir.

  • Wait a minute. Here's mine.

  • - Mister, here's my question! - I'd like to ask you about my mother.

  • Will that lady raise her hand, please?

  • - Come on, Pete. Here. - Madam, your mother's had a lot ofhard work in her life.

  • Come on. Take these. Here.

  • - Another drink, huh? - Hurry up. Show's on.

  • There's something in there I don't see quite clearly yet.

  • If you'll see me after this demonstration, maybe I can tell you more.

  • I'll ask Mr. Stanton to drop the questions into the bowl.

  • There they go. I don't touch them.

  • Now, people have asked me if I have spirit aid in doing what I do.

  • I always tell them the only spirits I control are the ones in this bottle.

  • Spirits of alcohol!

  • I'll pour a little on the questions...

  • and ask Mr. Stanton to light a match and drop it in the bowl.

  • Thank you, Mr. Stanton. Now you see them burning, and that's the last of them.

  • Anybody who's afraid that somebody else is going to read it...

  • or that I would handle this question...

  • can just forget that I ever touched them.

  • Your question is now recorded nowhere except in the ether.

  • Your answer is there too, and I will find it for you.

  • I get an impression.

  • It's a little cloudy, still, but it's getting clearer.

  • I get the initials "J.E.G."

  • I believe it's a gentleman. Is that right?

  • - Will the person who has those initials raise his hand! - Right here, missy!

  • Thank you, Mr., uh... Giles.

  • - The name is Giles, isn't it? - Yes, ma'am, that's his name. That's his name. Giles.

  • Giles, yes.

  • Molly.!

  • Wait. I see green trees and a rolling field.

  • It's plowed land, fenced in.

  • - That's your place.! - Yes, ma'am, that's my place.

  • Oh, is that for me?

  • - It's a wagon. - Goodness.! That's what you asked about.!

  • - Zeena's going good. - That's what I wrote.!

  • - She sure knows how to put on an act. - Sure does.

  • - Too bad she's tied up with that rum-dum. - Why?

  • She could grab herself a smart guy and make the big time in no time.

  • But she's already been in the big time.

  • She and Pete used to be one of the biggest headliners in vaudeville.

  • - Not with that act. - Pete stayed in the audience. He never came near the stage.

  • How could he tip her off to anything?

  • They used a code, silly.

  • A code? What kind of a code?

  • A word code between the two of them.

  • Zeena says that blindfold code is worth its weight in gold.

  • I'll bet.

  • - People still offer them big money for it. - Why don't they sell it?

  • Zeena says it's their nest egg.

  • - Molly. - Here comes your boyfriend.

  • Hi, Bruno.

  • - What's going on here? - What does it look like?

  • - He get fresh, Molly? - Sure I did.

  • What do you think I'm made of? She's the prettiest girl in the whole outfit, isn't she?

  • - Sure she is, but... - Just because you're a big mush is no sign everybody else is.

  • Come on, you lovely little freak.

  • - Thanks for the pop, Stan. - Next time I'll bring you a Kewpie doll.

  • How do you like that? He had the nerve to admit it right to my face.

  • Look, Bruno. I'm no baby.

  • I can take care of myself.

  • When I'm talking to somebody, I wish you wouldn't come butting in like that.

  • What are you thinking about, Stan?

  • Molly was telling me about that code you and Pete used to use in vaudeville.

  • What about it?

  • Well, I was thinking that if Pete got sick or something...

  • why, I could work from the audience just like he used to.

  • No stage trap, no gypsy switch.

  • - How do you mean? - You know, if you taught me the code.

  • Over my dead body she will.

  • You got a nerve, young fella.

  • - Do you know what a code like that is worth? - Okay, okay, forget it.

  • - I was just trying to help you folks. - I heard you the first time.

  • We gotta... We gotta watch ourselves on account of...

  • - Sure. - Hurt him enough already.

  • I thought it was the other way around.

  • No, Pete was all right till they picked me up.

  • - What happened? - Exactly what's happening now.

  • I'm about as reliable as a two-dollar cornet.

  • You're crazy. You've got a heart as big...

  • Sure. As big as an artichoke. A leaf for everyone.

  • That's what Pete said when he began hittin' the bottle.

  • Then one day he didn't show up.

  • I dug up another partner, a magician by the name of Benston.

  • I was no good without Pete.

  • In a couple of seasons I was glad to get a job with an outfit like this.

  • Pete showed up about a year ago.

  • Here we are.

  • I did everything I could to make it up to him, but you see how it is.

  • The more I try, the worse he gets.

  • And I'm not gonna give up on him.

  • It's the least I can do.

  • Zeena, you're a real woman.

  • Look at him.

  • He's like a dog waiting for somebody to throw him a bone.

  • Come on. Help me get some breakfast into him.

  • - Hi, Pete! - Hello, baby. How'd you make out?

  • We don't have to sleep in the truck tonight.

  • I got me the bridal suite at the hotel. Two rooms and bath.

  • - Where's Molly? - I left her at the hotel.

  • Come on, you two. Looks like you could use a good, hot bath yourselves.

  • I'll be all right. You and Pete go ahead.

  • Don't be silly. Huh, Pete?

  • It's all right. I've gotta see a fella anyhow.

  • What's your rush? You're dead on your feet.

  • Well, this fella's got something that'll take care of that.

  • Here's enough for a shot.

  • But remember, only one.

  • Swell. See ya later.

  • Stan.

  • Wait a minute, Pete.

  • Get some coffee in you first.

  • Promise Zeena you'll get something to eat.

  • I shall probably have a small orange juice, two three-minute eggs...

  • some melba toast and coffee.

  • Got to see my money's safe.

  • Pete just gave you a gander at himself, before and after.

  • - I've seen worse. - You think it's too late to put him in a cure?

  • I don't know much about those things, but I understand it takes dough.

  • - I can get it. - How?

  • Sell that code.

  • - The code? - Uh-huh.

  • - I got a better idea. - What's that?

  • Let's build up a new act with it.

  • What good'll that do? I'm gettin' top carny dough right now.

  • I wasn't talking about doing it in this mouse menagerie.

  • You and I? Where else would we do it?

  • If Pete could make a headliner out of you, I don't see why you couldn't do the same with me.

  • Oh, Stan.

  • You think I can make the big time again?

  • You'd know more about that than I would.

  • - How about it, baby? - Don't rush me. Let me think about it.

  • Hey, where you goin'?

  • Come on, Stan! Give Bruno a hand!

  • What are you doing?

  • Cut them three times.

  • - What kind of deck is this? - This is a tarot.

  • Oldest kind of cards in the world.

  • Pete says the Gypsies brought them out of Egypt.

  • They're a wonder for giving private readings.

  • Say, they look plenty weird.

  • Whenever I have something to decide or don't know which way to turn...

  • Look, Stan. That's the wheel of fortune.

  • - Yeah. - That means we're gonna knock 'em dead.

  • - Pete and I never had it this good. - What did I tell you?

  • - What's the matter? - Well, I don't know.

  • Everything looks wonderful for us...

  • money, happiness and great success.

  • But there's no sign of Pete in it.

  • How could he be if he's away taking the cure?

  • - But there's no sign of him anywhere, dead or alive. - Hang on.

  • Yeah, maybe this is Pete.

  • Did you knock this off the table?

  • - No. You must have dropped it yourself. - I don't see how I could.

  • - Was it face up or down? - Face down.

  • - Are you sure? - Yeah. Why?

  • - Couldn't be like that. It's too awful, it's too crazy.

  • - What's got into you? - Get your bath and get out ofhere.

  • - What's the matter? - It's all off, Stan.

  • - The act? - Everything.

  • - But what have I done? - Nothing. But I can't go against the cards.

  • - You don't believe in that junk? - I didn't used to.

  • But time after time it told me I was gonna ruin Pete's life, and I went right ahead.

  • - Here's Pete's card. - What are you worrying about?

  • - Is this the one that was on the floor? - No, this one.

  • You see what it means? Are you satisfied?

  • Zeena, it just doesn't make sense.

  • Maybe not. Maybe it's silly, maybe it isn't.

  • Listen, honey. We've all gotta die sometime.

  • But when a card falls on the floor...

  • whatever happens, good or bad, is gonna happen fast.

  • And when a card falls face down, it's bad.

  • - That's for the chumps. - Been true of Pete and me so far, hasn't it?

  • Honest, Zeena, to see a smart girl like you fall for one of your own boob-catchers...

  • I give up. Yes, sir, I give up.

  • - I don't believe it. - Huh?

  • You never give up.

  • Me? Why do you say that?

  • Well, I don't know. I just have the feeling.

  • That's why I'm gonna keep away from you.

  • - You know... - What?

  • - I wonder why I'm like that. - Like what?

  • I'm never thinking about anybody except myself.

  • Did your folks drop you on your head or something?

  • Yeah, they dropped me, all right.

  • Listen, honey. I don't want to make you unhappy. You know that.

  • If you want to forget about the whole thing, it's all right with me.

  • - You won't get sore, Stan? - What do you think I am?

  • Let me alone for a minute. I've got to think.

  • You're terrible.

  • - Is that Pete? - No, it's somebody else. Get in there, quick.

  • - Hello, Bruno. Come on in. - Hello, Zeena. How's everything?

  • - Where's Molly? - She's in there pounding her pretty little ear.

  • - In here? - Yeah.

  • Hey. Whose cap is that?

  • - That's Stan's. He's in there taking a bath. - Taking a what?

  • - Bet you could use one, huh? - Sure, but I wouldn't want to put you through all that...

  • What do you think I got the place for? Bunking in that truck gets you down. Stan!

  • - Yeah? - Hurry up. We got another customer.

  • - Hey. Charlie? - What?

  • Got a quart you can spare?

  • - Stan, when did you start nibblin'? - I get around.

  • - That'll be four bucks. - It'll have to wait until payday.

  • Moonshine.

  • - Don't forget. It's four bucks. - It's a debt of honor.

  • Charlie.

  • Pete. How you doin'?

  • Bad. Won't you trust me? Just a half pint.

  • I'm sorry, Pete. You know I promised Zeena. Now go away.

  • - Yeah, but l... Charlie! - Please go away.

  • Well, you're a fine one.

  • Running off in the middle of the show. Zeena was sore.

  • I couldn't help it. She's got me on a diet.

  • One shot a day.

  • - You seem to be doing all right. - No.

  • Just a sip here and there.

  • Zeena's tipped everybody off.

  • I seem to have the dropsies tonight.

  • Yeah, I heard you the first time.

  • Look. I'd like to help you, but I don't wanna get in Dutch with Zeena.

  • You won't. You know me, Stan.

  • l-I wouldn't tell anybody. Never.

  • I'll get him.

  • I'll take care ofhim.!

  • It's the geek. He's got the heebie-jeebies again.

  • Yeah. Hoatley didn't give him his bottle today.

  • - Why? - Says he's been laying down on the job.

  • Ah, that's silly. Guy's been ready for the straitjacket for a week.

  • It's not right to cut a man off so quick, right in midair.

  • Come on. Steady.

  • Boy, have I got 'em.

  • Here.

  • You need that worse than I do.

  • How is it?

  • Awful.

  • But I wish I had a barrel of it.

  • You're a good kid, Stan. You're going to go places.

  • Nothing can keep you out of the big time. You've got everything.

  • Just like I used to have.

  • Me and Zeena.

  • You should have seen us pack 'em in.

  • They'd wait through six acts just to see us.

  • Top billing everywhere we went.

  • I was born brought up in Boston

  • A city we all know well

  • Brought up by heartless parents

  • The truth to you I'll tell

  • Brought up by heartless parents

  • Poor guy.

  • "Poor guy." If it weren't for Zeena, they'd be saying that about me.

  • Poor Pete. Pete the geek.

  • Ah, you're crazy.

  • No. I remember that fella when he first showed up here.

  • Hoatley knew him in the old days. So did I.

  • Course, we pretended we didn't.

  • - Who was he? - Hmm? He used to be plenty big-time.

  • - Mental act? - What difference does it make?

  • It's all smoked meat now.

  • Just a bottle-a-day rum-dum, and he thinks this job is heaven...

  • long as he has his bottle a day and a dry place to sleep it off in.

  • There's only one thing this stuff'll make you forget.

  • - What's that? - How to forget.

  • - Have a drink. - No, thanks.

  • I, uh... wonder where Zeena is.

  • Waiting for me at the hotel, I suppose.

  • She's always waiting for me.

  • Boy, you should have seen us work once.

  • I heard you were pretty good by yourself.

  • Chord from the orchestra, amber spot, and I'm on.

  • Make my spiel. Good for one laugh. Plenty of mystery.

  • Just a minute there.

  • Go right into my reading.

  • Here's my crystal.

  • Throughout the ages man has sought to look behind the veil...

  • that hides him from tomorrow...

  • and through the ages certain men have looked into the polished crystal...

  • and seen.

  • Is it some quality of the crystal itself...

  • or does the gazer merely use it to turn his gaze inward?

  • Who knows? But visions come.

  • Slowly shifting their form, visions come.

  • Wait! The shifting shapes begin to clear.

  • I see fields of grass and rolling hills...

  • and a boy.

  • A boy is running barefoot through the hills.

  • A dog is with him.

  • A dog is with him.

  • Yes. His name was Gyp.

  • Go on.

  • See how easy it is to hook 'em?

  • Stock reading. Fits everybody.

  • What's youth? Happy one minute, heartbroken the next.

  • Every boy has a dog.

  • Now, now, now. Steady.

  • I'm just an old drunk. Just an old lush.

  • Zeena will be mad. Good old Zeena.

  • - Well, gotta go now. Zeena will be waiting. - Okay, give me the bottle.

  • - Why? - She'll only take it away from you.

  • Oh, I'll finish it first.

  • - Zeena will be worried. - Oh, Zeena's always worried about little Pete.

  • Hangs over me like I was an ice-cream soda.

  • Ah, let her worry.

  • - What are you gonna do now? - Take a little snooze.

  • Drink a little drink. Dream and drink.

  • Drink and dream.

  • - Charlie. - Hi, Molly.

  • - Where's Stan? - Stan? He's out there.

  • Stan! Stan. Where's Zeena?

  • I think she's over picking up her dough. What's up?

  • It's Pete. We can't wake him.

  • - What's wrong with him? - I don't know. Everybody's scared stiff.

  • Well, come on!

  • - Take it easy. - Let him alone. I'll take care of him.

  • Come on, Pete. Pete!

  • Come on, Pete. Pete, answer me.!

  • Pete, do you hear me? Pete.

  • Come on, Pete. Do you hear me? Pete.!

  • - Call a doctor! - I'm afraid it's too late, kid. Smell that.

  • Pete didn't drink this.

  • - This is the wood alcohol I use for burning my envelopes. - Where do you keep it?

  • In my prop trunk.

  • Oh, Pete. Pete, what happened? Pete! Oh, Pete!

  • - It's all right. - Oh, Pete!

  • Pete!

  • He's gone.

  • He was a good guy and a swell trouper.

  • Only last night I made up my mind to put him in a cure.

  • Only last night!

  • - What have I here? - A gold earring.

  • - Can you tell me what this is? - It's a key case.

  • - What color? - It is red.

  • Ah, here we are.!

  • Now, Madame Zeena, will you name this?

  • - It's a scarf. - Right again!

  • Here.! Quick now. What is this?

  • - Can't take your eyes off him? - I want to be sure he's getting it right.

  • - Getting what right? - The code.

  • How do you suppose Zeena's working without anybody in the cubbyhole?

  • Please concentrate and see if you know what this is.

  • A gold watch.

  • How does she do it?

  • She and Stan are using a two-person code.

  • - What's that? - Each word stands for a number.

  • Each number stands for some object.

  • But there's more to it than that.

  • It's the way you accent the syllables and the vowels. Listen.

  • Quick now. Will you name this?

  • He's telling Zeena it's a lady's hat.

  • A lady's hat. A beautiful hat.

  • How did you know that?

  • Zeena and I have been helping Stan memorize the code.

  • Zeena says he's already got it as good as she has.

  • - Here. Quick now. What is this? - A silver dollar.

  • As soon as Stan has more practice, they're going to quit the carnival.

  • - He and Zeena? - Zeena's already written to three or four booking agents.

  • This yours, miss?

  • Am-scray. The ulls-bay.

  • Police.

  • That concludes our performance for the time being.

  • You all must be pretty dry and could use a cold drink.

  • I want to call your attention to that stand across the midway...

  • where you can get all the ice-cold soda pop you can drink.

  • - Stay right where you are. You too. - That's all for now.

  • Come back tomorrow and you'll see a lot of things you didn't see tonight.

  • Hello, chief. My name is Hoatley. I own this attraction.

  • - You're the man I'm looking for. - You're welcome to inspect the place.

  • - We've no girl shows, no games of skill or chance. - That's right, chief.

  • - Quiet, both of you. - You're the boss.

  • - What do you got in that geek place? - Crocodile tamer. Wanna see?

  • That ain't what I heard.

  • You got an illegal performance going on with cruelty to human beings and live chickens.

  • That's an exaggeration, chief. Stay as my guest and view the entire...

  • Shut up, you. I've got orders from the mayor to close you down and arrest who I see fit.

  • Send somebody for that geek. I'm taking him and you and that girl there.

  • - What for? - Indecent exposure. That's what I'm arresting her for.

  • - She didn't do anything wrong. - We've decent women in this town, daughters and growing girls.

  • - Come on! - Just a moment, Sheriff.

  • - Molly. The chair. - Get out of that contraption.

  • Now you can see the reason for the costume this young lady is forced to wear.

  • The electricity would ignite any ordinary fabric.

  • Only by wearing the thinnest covering can she avoid bursting into flames.

  • That's right, chief. Thousands of volts of current cover her body like a sheet.

  • You can't pull the wool over my eyes with a lot of sparks.

  • I've done business with you carnival crooks before. Get that geek in here.

  • You can talk to the judge.

  • - Go get that geek. Put a shirt on him first. - Wait a minute.

  • Let me take a crack at that hick.

  • - You daffy? You want him to pinch the whole show? - Slip me a couple of bills.

  • - You can't bribe these guys. - Come on, come on. Give me the dough.

  • - It won't work. - I'm not gonna bribe him.

  • That's what they say.

  • No, no, no. We're not bothering any of the town folk.

  • - Excuse me, Marshal. - I don't want any more of your soft soap.

  • Pardon me, sir, but there seems to be several bills coming out of your pocket.

  • Another minute and you'd have lost your money.

  • And I see you've bought your wife a present of a lovely silk handkerchief.

  • That's very nice. I'm sure she's gonna like that very much.

  • - And a pure white one. For your daughter? - How'd you know I got a daughter?

  • I know many things, Marshal.

  • I don't know how I know them, but there's nothing supernatural about it, I'm sure.

  • You see, my family was Scotch...

  • and the Scotch are often gifted with powers that the old folks used to call "second sight."

  • You don't say.

  • For instance, I can see that you have carried a pocket piece...

  • or a curio of some kind for nearly 20 years.

  • Several times you lost that luck piece...

  • but you found it again every time.

  • It means a great deal to you, and you don't know exactly why.

  • - I would say that you should always carry that. - I always do.

  • Now, Marshal, this is none of my business.

  • I see that you're a man who is fully capable of handling his own affairs...

  • and almost anything else that's liable to come along.

  • But my Scotch blood is working right this minute...

  • and it tells me that there is one thing in your life that's worrying you...

  • something that you find very difficult to handle...

  • because all your strength and your courage...

  • and your authority in the town seems to be of no avail.

  • It seems to slip through your grasp like water.

  • Wait a minute, young fella. Who you been talkin' to?

  • As I say, it's none of my business.

  • You are a man in the prime of life, old enough to be my father.

  • By rights, you should be the one giving me good advice, not the other way around.

  • Where's everybody? Joe, come on.

  • Tim, put those lights out. Get that crowd out of here. Beat it.

  • - Think he can pull it off? - Look at him. I told you that kid had it.

  • I sense that there are antagonistic influences surrounding you.

  • Come here.

  • Someone near to you is jealous of you...

  • and your ability.

  • Son, that's the gospel truth.

  • And while part of it extends to your work as a peace officer...

  • there is another part that has to do with your spiritual life...

  • and the influence of a good woman.

  • Yes. Yes, there is someone you love very dearly.

  • But there is an obstacle in the way of that love.

  • I can't see what it is. It's rather dim right now.

  • You feel hemmed in and trapped by it.

  • But through it all I hear a woman's voice.

  • A sweet voice singing a beautiful old hymn.

  • "O Pilot Me."

  • Or is it "Over the River"?

  • She can sing both of them.

  • I see a Sunday morning in a beautiful, peaceful little church.

  • You have labored hard in this lovely vineyard, Marshal...

  • and your labor is rewarded by a fine woman's love.

  • But I hear malicious tongues out there.

  • I see jealous faces waiting to surround you again and to do you an injury...

  • and to harm that splendid woman too, if they can.

  • You must be strong, Marshal.

  • You have the strength within you, an everlasting supply.

  • But not to crush... to uplift.

  • Repay evil with good. Love your neighbor.

  • Do not hate your enemies.

  • Forgive them. They just don't know what they're doing.

  • Don't forget... to err is human...

  • to forgive... divine.

  • Good-bye now.

  • Where is everybody?

  • - Molly? - I'll be out in a minute, Stan.

  • - It's okay, honey. I stalled him off. - I heard you. You were great.

  • - Ah, it was a lead pipe. I could do it with anybody. - Oh, sure you could.

  • - You're wonderful, Stan. Just wonderful. - Honest?

  • - What are you shaking for? - I don't know. I'm not scared anymore.

  • - I don't know what it is, but I'll be all right. - Sure.

  • - Nothing's gonna hurt you as long as Stan's around. - I know it.

  • You're terrifi...

  • Oh, Stan, we shouldn't do this.

  • Why not?

  • No.

  • - You're worrying about Zeena. - Somebody ought to.

  • You're wrong, honey. Zeena and I are just friends, that's all.

  • - You don't have to lie. - I'm not lying.

  • I've only been kidding her along on account of the code.

  • - Didn't look like kidding to me. - You're all wrong.

  • I can hardly stand to be in the same room with her ever since Pete died.

  • - Why? - I don't know. It gives me the willies.

  • That's why I've always had you around when we've been rehearsing the code.

  • - You've noticed that, haven't you? - Yes, but...

  • I tell you, I haven't been alone with her for 10 seconds.

  • All I want is that code. I'm telling you true.

  • - But you're going away with her. - You're coming with us, aren't you?

  • You want me to?

  • - You don't think I'd go without you. - You mean that, Stan?

  • Absolutely. You satisfied?

  • Oh, Stan, I don't care about nothing now. Nothing in the world.

  • The old geezer's trap was hangin'open a mile...

  • lappin'up every word the kid handed him.

  • - Stan.! - You were great, Stan.!

  • - Where'd you go to? - I hid in my truck.

  • Stan, you sure done noble. I always knew you was a born mentalist.

  • Imagine giving a cop a cold reading and getting by with it!

  • - Look who I had for a teacher. - Nice work, kid. You're a real carny.

  • You ought to have heard Stan spout gospel to that hypocrite. It was like Sunday school.

  • - You must've been raised pretty religious. - Yeah, in a county orphanage.

  • - Didn't you have any folks? - If I did, they weren't much interested.

  • - Where'd you learn all this gospel? - In the orphanage.

  • That's what they used to give us on Sunday after beating us black-and-blue all week.

  • Then when I ran away, they threw me in the reform school.

  • But that's where I got wise. I let the chaplain save me and got a parole in no time.

  • Boy, how I went for salvation.

  • Comes in handy in a jam. Many's the judge I've good-talked right out of his shirt.

  • Son, you can have mine right now.

  • Let's give Stan a big hand. We'd be in a peck of trouble if it wasn't for him.

  • And I'd be in jail!

  • How about some beer, partner?

  • Oh, Bruno, cheer up. There'll be no more trouble tonight.

  • - We'll open tomorrow night and pack 'em in. Won't we, boss? - Best advertising in the world.

  • - Hello, Bruno. - Where did you go? I been lookin' all over.

  • - She was in her truck. - But I went in the tent and yelled my head off.

  • - Why didn't you answer me? - Where did you think I was?

  • What are you looking at me like that for?

  • - Uh-oh. - That's what I say.

  • Huh?

  • Oh, what's the diff? She's here now, isn't she?

  • And by the way, Bruno, where did you run off to when the trouble started?

  • You're not talking to that hayseed cop. You're talking to Bruno. Savvy?

  • When you get through with him, there's a couple questions I'd like to ask.

  • Molly, you and Stan gonna get married?

  • Stan, you gonna marry Molly?

  • - You people trying to kid somebody? - And you aren't either.

  • Oh, Stan, Stan, aren't you the foxy one...

  • making out like you never knew this child was on the face of the earth.

  • - You sure fooled me. - He didn't fool me.

  • What's going on here?

  • Let's drink to the bride and groom.! May all their children be acrobats.!

  • - You're drunk.! - I'll give the bride away.!

  • That's a good idea. Huh, Stan?

  • - Bruno! - Molly, you stay out of this!

  • Bruno!

  • - He can't stand much more. - I don't care. You gonna do as I say?

  • - You trying to kill him? - All he's gotta do is touch my hand.

  • There he is, Molly! Now we get a parson! Hey, boss?

  • - Sure. - Come on, folks. Let's drink to the bride and groom.

  • - I'm sorry, Stan. - What for?

  • I know how you feel.

  • You didn't want to marry me.

  • Sure, I did, honey. But I didn't want it to be...

  • Well, you know, everybody thinking...

  • - Cooks the carnival for me. - Why?

  • Well, there I was, on the top of the world, kingpin of the whole outfit...

  • Say!

  • Maybe it's the best thing that could have happened.

  • I've got the code, you know it as well as I do...

  • and I've got you!

  • Ah, Zeena and Mr. Bruno, they aren't so smart as they think.

  • We'll show 'em.

  • - You're not sorry? - I should say not.

  • - Not one bit? - Why should I be? I've never been so tickled in my life.

  • You're sure? You're not just saying this?

  • - Baby, there's only one thing I'm sorry about. - What's that?

  • That I didn't think of this sooner.

  • Oh, Stan, darling, you're wonderful.

  • I'll be a good wife to you. I'll love you to pieces.

  • I'll try to be everything you want...

  • and I'll not even look at another fella, never!

  • I have another question here. Are you ready?

  • Yes.

  • Can you tell me how this question is signed?

  • It is signed, "Mother."

  • - Is that correct? - Yes.

  • Now then, will you read the question for me, word by word...

  • exactly as written.

  • "Is the young man my daughter has written to me about worthy of her?"

  • - Was that your question? - Word for word.

  • Are you able to answer this specific question?

  • Yes.

  • I think that you and your husband are going to be very happy about this matter.

  • The young man your daughter has chosen is very rare in this day and age... a good man.

  • He not only attends church on Sunday, but he practices his religion seven days a week.

  • Your daughter is much the same type...

  • thanks to the splendid heritage of good health, both physical and spiritual...

  • for they go hand in hand...

  • which you and your husband have so generously passed on to her.

  • If I were an artist and wanted to paint a full-length portrait...

  • of the American family...

  • I could ask for no better models.

  • The gentleman has a question. What is it?

  • The question is, will I feel better tomorrow?

  • - Have you an answer? - Yes.

  • This boy's got something.

  • - You're not taking him seriously. - Why not?

  • I'll show you.

  • - Isn't it some sort of a code they use? - Of course.

  • Notice how deliberately she accents certain words.

  • Thank you.

  • This question... can you tell me how it is signed?

  • - It is signed with the initial "R." - That's right!

  • Can you describe the person who wrote this question?

  • - She's very beautiful. - I agree with you, Mr. Stanton.

  • She's quite beautiful.

  • Now read the lady's question.

  • The question is, "Do you think my mother will recover from her present illness?"

  • Is that correct?

  • What is your answer?

  • I'm afraid a truthful reply to that question will appear rather strange.

  • - I don't know whether I should answer it or not. - Why?

  • I get the impression that the lady's mother...

  • has been dead for some time.

  • If that is incorrect, will the lady please say so.

  • I must assume that the lady's silence means assent.

  • - Here's a hundred blank records from the Record-A-Phone company. - Just a minute.

  • - Is Miss Ritter in? - What is your name?

  • - I think she's expecting me. - Will you come this way, please.

  • - Thank you. - Miss Ritter will be free in a few minutes.

  • Fine.

  • Hello.

  • - I suppose you must think this rather odd. - Why?

  • - Me writing you that note. - I get a laundry basket full of'em every day.

  • Won't you sit down?

  • What did you want to see me about?

  • My friends and I were very much impressed with your performance.

  • But that isn't why you asked me to drop in.

  • No, it isn't.

  • - How did you happen to know so much about me? - I read your mind.

  • You mean to claim you can actually do that?

  • How else would I know that your mother was dead? I'd never seen you before.

  • You didn't make a reservation.

  • - Theitre d' didn't know who you were. - That's true.

  • That fella you were with... theitre d' says he's a big guy in this town.

  • - That, uh, Ezra Grindle. You gonna marry him? - I?

  • I got a feeling there was something between you.

  • He's a patient of mine.

  • Now, in regard to this feeling you have...

  • - psychologists admit the validity of mental telepathy under certain... - Uh-huh.

  • I thought this looked like one of those joints.

  • You ever been psychoanalyzed?

  • No. I saw one in a murder movie once.

  • But a good mentalist could have straightened the whole thing out in five minutes.

  • I'm sure you could have. How did you know my mother was dead?

  • I didn't. I just had a feeling that your question wasn't on the level.

  • I figured you were trying to make a chump out of me. Just common sense.

  • It's not so common.

  • - I don't know about that. - Why?

  • I've got that same feeling right now.

  • What's on your mind, lady? What are you up to?

  • Don't worry, Carlisle. I never make the same mistake twice.

  • Me neither.

  • Yes?

  • She is? But...

  • I'll be through in a minute. I'll buzz you.

  • We'll have to continue this in our next.

  • There's a patient I'll have to see. An emergency call.

  • You can go out this way.

  • Well, I'll be seeing you.

  • - When? - I don't know yet.

  • - You can call me at my apartment. It's in the book. - I may give you a ring.

  • Fine. I don't come to the office on Wednesdays or Saturdays.

  • I heard you the first time.

  • How do you do, Mrs. Peabody?

  • Sorry to rush in on you like this, my dear.

  • It's quite all right, Mrs. Peabody.

  • That's what I'm here for.

  • Really, I'm... I'm terribly upset.

  • Now, what seems to be the trouble?

  • I had another one of those dreams about my daughter Carol.

  • You know, I never dream of her as dead, but always alive.

  • - Very much alive. - I know.

  • Now, you just come over here and make yourself comfortable.

  • I'm not to be disturbed under any circumstances.

  • Now just lie back here.

  • There. Is that better?

  • - Mm, my dear. - Good.

  • I wouldn't have bothered you...

  • only you said dreams were important in cases like mine.

  • They're one of the clues we have to the subconscious mind.

  • It's a psychologist's way of looking at the patient's tongue.

  • - I'll telephone you tomorrow morning. - Fine. Good-bye, Mrs. Peabody.

  • You make a record of everything?

  • - It's a wonderful idea. - How did you get back in here?

  • I fixed the latch on the door when I went out.

  • I wanted to get a line on you.

  • Maybe we can do a little business after all.

  • You make one of these things every time you give a treatment?

  • How could you do such a horrible thing?

  • You don't realize what you've got here.

  • We could set this town on its ear.

  • Or is that what you wanted to talk to me about?

  • Are you insane?

  • That's not a bad hunch, lady.

  • If you got clients like that Grindle...

  • you must be up to your knees in that Lake Shore and Lake Forest mob.

  • And with that stuff you've recorded...

  • you have no idea what I could do with it.

  • - In a nightclub. - Are you crazy?

  • I'm getting out of there as soon as my contract's up.

  • You should see some of the letters I get.

  • Couple of big spook people are after me now.

  • But I've got an altogether different idea.

  • Look here, Mr. Carlisle. If you ever so much as mention to anybody...

  • Please. Who do you think I am?

  • I haven't sufficient flow of speech to go into that.

  • But I want you to know that I make these records only for my personal study.

  • Mm-hmm.

  • - You're not a regular M.D., are you? - Of course not.

  • But anything my patients reveal to me is as sacred...

  • as though it were given under the seal of the confessional, is that clear?

  • All right. All right. You don't have to get on your soapbox.

  • I'm going to be strictly on the level about this whole thing myself.

  • Get out of here. I should have known you were that kind of...

  • Uh-uh-uh. Takes one to catch one.

  • Get out.

  • Stan, you're not listening to me.

  • Oh, I'm sorry, baby. What were you saying?

  • - I've got a surprise for you. - What kind of surprise?

  • You'll see.

  • It's not locked.

  • Hello, Stan.

  • You very surprised?

  • Who wouldn't be?

  • The... The carnival was rained out in Kankakee...

  • so... so I thought that now would be a good time to... to...

  • A good time to what?

  • - Well, just get together again. - Sure.

  • What's the use of people being mad at each other?

  • It sure turned out for the best, huh, Stan? You can't say it didn't.

  • I'll say. Look at you. Look at Molly. You're the tops.

  • You're going like a million dollars.

  • When you come home at night, you're singing like a lark.

  • Now, what could be sweeter?

  • Come on, professor, give your old pal a kiss.

  • Well, you're right at that.

  • Bruno.

  • Excuse me while I get out of these clothes.

  • Same old Stan.

  • Molly, it doesn't look like you'll shop for baby clothes this year.

  • - I won't? - Mm-mmm.

  • Oh, Bruno? Here.

  • Oh, throw that away.

  • Well, thanks, Stan. You look nice and comfortable.

  • A man's coming to give him a massage. He's not sleeping so good.

  • - You still monkeying around with those things? - Yep.

  • What's wrong with them? Everything they say about me has come true.

  • Another wire from New York.

  • Is that where you're opening next?

  • Oh, they're offering us the moon.

  • But Stan hasn't made up his mind yet.

  • - You're making a mistake. - Who?

  • You. If you make the change in the work you're thinking of.

  • - You told her about it. - How could I?

  • - I haven't seen her since... - How else did she find out?

  • - I haven't said a thing. - I didn't want you to breathe it to a soul.

  • She didn't tell me about it. It's all here, plain as day.

  • It doesn't say what this new stunt is, but you're going to the top like a skyrocket.

  • Stan, turn that card over and we'll see how it'll end up.

  • - Who else did you tell? - Look, Stan...

  • - Turn that card over. - What do I care what the card says.

  • Leave it alone.

  • The hanged man.

  • - You better watch yourself. - Is that bad?

  • Not if he doesn't go against it.

  • But I thought... Wasn't that Pete's card?

  • Sure. Now it's yours.

  • You hear that? I told you that new stunt was all wrong. I told you...

  • Oh, don't be a sap. This is the stuff she feeds to chumps.

  • - It's nothing but a deck of gypsy cards. - I don't care.

  • - Zeena believes them. - Sure I do. So does Stan.

  • - You're crazy. Why should I? - They were right for Pete, weren't they?

  • Get out. I know what I'm doing.

  • I don't need any help from a couple of cheap carnival freaks.

  • Go peddle your stuff where it belongs. Get out!

  • - Stan! - Who are you calling a freak?

  • Bruno. We gotta get that 1:30 bus.

  • Come on.

  • - Zeena, I'm sorry. - Forget it.

  • What got into you, acting so crazy?

  • It's all your fault. I'll tell you something again.

  • - Stan, I never... - Don't lie to me.

  • You did write to her about it, didn't you?

  • - Excuse me. I forgot my cards. - Oh, yes.

  • Oh, there's one on the floor.

  • The hanged man.

  • - Feeling better? - Not a bit.

  • Yeah, you're still sweating. I'll have to close up those pores.

  • This always seems to freshen you up.

  • Stan!

  • What's the matter with him tonight?

  • - What's in that bottle? - Nothing.

  • Just pure alcohol. Same as I always use.

  • I felt pretty shaky about the whole thing, but I didn't let it ride me.

  • Until tonight, the smell of alcohol didn't bother me at all.

  • I hadn't thought about Pete in a long, long time.

  • But seeing Zeena again and all that stuff about the cards, it...

  • it sort of turned my stomach inside out.

  • That's quite natural. We call it total recall. Go on.

  • That's all.

  • There's nothing more to tell.

  • I walked around for an hour or so trying to cool off.

  • Nothing worked, so l-I came here.

  • Quarter after 7:00? I've gotta beat it.

  • Well, what do you make of it?

  • I think you're a perfectly normal human being.

  • Selfish and ruthless when you want something...

  • generous and kindly when you've got it.

  • Although Pete died as a result of an accident...

  • you naturally felt a sense of guilt because you profited by it.

  • Am I right?

  • Yeah, I guess so.

  • As I understand it, you never told Zeena or anybody else...

  • about giving Pete that bottle.

  • You think I'm crazy?

  • I think you showed good sense.

  • You might have had a hard time of it trying to explain to the police...

  • under the circumstances.

  • Maybe I didn't show such good sense in spilling it to you.

  • Then what did you come to me for?

  • I figured that if anyone was gonna help me, it'd have to be somebody like you.

  • Thank you very much, Mr. Carlisle.

  • What a chump I was to fall for Zeena and those cards.

  • Letting a little thing like a whiff of alcohol make me blow my top.

  • Then you're not going to let it influence you in the least?

  • Nope. I'm going right ahead the way I figured.

  • The spook racket. I was made for it.

  • I suppose you expect to be paid for this.

  • - What do you think? - How much?

  • - Nothing at all. - Hmm?

  • Professional courtesy.

  • Well, maybe I can return the favor someday.

  • - Maybe you can. - What do you mean?

  • Remember? Takes one to catch one.

  • If this is answered right, I'll pay you all 10%.

  • Have you an answer for this question?

  • - Oh, I'm afraid not. - Why?

  • Because that has to do with the stock market.

  • A labyrinth whose eccentricities no mentalist of my acquaintance has ever been able to solve.

  • As a matter of fact, I tried it two or three times myself...

  • - and find that I can do much better at the racetrack. - That's very funny.

  • - Took me 20 years to find that out. - Good evening.

  • - Have you written out a question? - Yes.

  • Thank you.

  • I have a question here.

  • Will you tell me how it is signed?

  • I get the impression "Mrs. S.P."

  • But I have a feeling that's incorrect.

  • Why do you feel that is incorrect?

  • I don't know. But would you ask the lady with the pearl necklace...

  • if it shouldn't be Mrs. A.P... "A"for Addie.

  • - Is that correct? - Yes.

  • The lady says yes.

  • Now will you please answer her question.

  • The lady wishes to know if she will ever see her daughter again.

  • The answer is yes...

  • if she believes in the hereafter, a life beyond the grave.

  • Is that true? Has your daughter passed on?

  • - Yes. - Wait.!

  • Don't anybody move.

  • I see someone standing between me and that lady.

  • The figure is very dim.

  • But I see it's a girl.

  • A lovely girl of 16.

  • I get the name "Caroline."

  • That...

  • That's my daughter's name.

  • That's... That's Carol.

  • Yes, she... she wants to speak to you.

  • She says...

  • Stan.!

  • - Stan! Stan! - Gentlemen, gentlemen, please, please.

  • "Chicago, Illinois. The city of Chicago...

  • "finds itself with a mixed personality on its hands.

  • "Stanton Carlisle, known as the Great Stanton, nightclub mentalist...

  • "fell into a deep trance during his act in a nightclub.

  • "Before doing so, he was able to talk to and see, so he claims...

  • "the departed daughter of a famous Chicago society woman.

  • "Many proclaim him to possess spiritual phenomena.

  • "Sir Oliver Green, famous spirit sleuth of England...

  • "says that Stanton's contact is undoubtedly genuine.

  • But in the meantime, Professor Samuel Kaufman Brown proclaims him a trickster."

  • Addie, this is absurd.

  • I say again, I am neither a child nor an imbecile.

  • And I won't be treated as one.

  • I didn't hear you knock. Take the tea things, please, Maude.

  • Ezra.

  • Ezra, please.

  • Ezra, I know you were deeply devoted to my late husband...

  • and I am grateful to you for your interest in my welfare.

  • But I won't have any further interference.

  • This young man has brought me the greatest spiritual comfort I've ever known.

  • And I am going to continue to do everything I can, regardless of cost...

  • to make it possible for him to bring that same spiritual comfort to other people.

  • If I had my way...

  • I'd build him the finest tabernacle in the world.

  • I can't figure it. Addie's usually so levelheaded about everything.

  • That's what disturbs me.

  • Maybe she might not be so wrong about this young chap after all.

  • Nonsense. He's nothing but an uncommonly shrewd young trickster.

  • I have seen him work, and I grant you, he has personality and flair.

  • But as far as Addie's concerned...

  • he seems to be a bit of a hypnotist.

  • You know, I'd like to get a crack at this fellow.

  • Do you think you could arrange for me to see him privately?

  • I don't see why not. It's obvious we can't get anywhere with Mrs. Peabody.

  • - Well, get him on the phone now. - Very well.

  • I'll talk to him.

  • Stan?

  • Shh. Quit yelling. Turn off that boat.

  • Well, how'd you come out with Grindle?

  • Ah. No wonder he's the head of one of the biggest outfits in the country.

  • You didn't let him scare you off.

  • Sit down. I wish you'd been there.

  • He came in like a lion and went out like a lamb.

  • What happened?

  • Well, he started off by throwing the district attorney at me.

  • He was going to have me investigated.

  • He said that the things I told Mrs. Peabody about her daughter...

  • anybody could have found out just by looking through the newspaper files.

  • I wish you could have seen his face when I started slipping him the stuff...

  • you gave me about his past.

  • Especially when I asked him if there was anything in the newspaper files...

  • about his still being in love with some dame that's been dead for 35 years.

  • And when I called her Dory,

  • that put the old boy right on the carpet.

  • Have you got a cigarette?

  • - And he really did go for it? - Go for it?

  • He stood there and shook like a leaf.

  • Came apart like a broken doll.

  • Crawled on his hands and knees to me and begged me to get some message from this Dory.

  • Mm. Thank you.

  • But I told him he wasn't ready yet for spiritual communion.

  • He should prepare himself a little more with prayer and good works.

  • Well, he came back in about two hours with a whole lot of good works.

  • He gave me enough to start building the finest tabernacle in the country.

  • - Well, what's wrong with that? - Nothing. Nothing at all.

  • And he's going to buy me a radio station of my own.

  • A radio station?

  • Yeah. But...

  • there's a big "if" to it.

  • He wants me to fix it so that he can see this Dory with his own eyes.

  • - See her? - Yeah, that's all.

  • That's all he wants, an absolute, blown-in-the-glass clincher.

  • Oh.

  • "Oh" is right.

  • I think somebody must have sold his mother a wooden nutmeg.

  • Yeah, that's the way he is.

  • We should have expected something like this.

  • You don't have a picture of this Dory dame in your files anyplace, do you?

  • No, but it shouldn't be too difficult to get one.

  • He has them in every room of his house.

  • Yeah.

  • Well, I've got the tabernacle anyway, no matter what happens.

  • - How much did he give you? - 150 grand.

  • Feels like it's in cash.

  • It is. He asked me to take it that way.

  • He said if I used his name, he'd deny it.

  • - Why? - Well, you don't think the old geezer...

  • wants Mrs. Peabody or any of the others to know that...

  • that's how he got me to turn down that old firetrap that she was gonna give me.

  • - You got anyplace to stash it? - I have a jewel safe.

  • What's the good of me putting it away if you're gonna start building?

  • I'm not going to start building anything until we've got Grindle really in the bag.

  • This is only peanuts.

  • But it'll come in handy in case anything goes wrong.

  • Stan, you're wonderful. You think of everything.

  • - There's one thing I didn't think of. - What's that?

  • If it was gonna be this chilly tonight, I should have brought an overcoat.

  • Well, I'm freezing myself, but I know a place where we can go.

  • - Where? - Funny I never thought of it before.

  • It's not very far from here either.

  • - You mean that place down the road? - Don't be silly.

  • I belong to the Rogers Park Beach Club.

  • - I have a cabana there. - Yeah, I know a better place.

  • - Where? - Marshall Field's window.

  • Nobody ever goes to the beach club this time of year.

  • Nix. We don't wanna take any chances. This thing's too big.

  • I'm surprised a smart cookie like you...

  • Supposing somebody saw us together and Grindle found out about it.

  • Then where would we be?

  • Well, at least you can't say I didn't try.

  • Good night, Lilith. I'll give you a buzz tomorrow.

  • Good night, Stan.

  • Mr. Carlisle? Special delivery, sir.

  • - Oh. - Can you sign for it?

  • - Here we are. - Thank you, sir.

  • - Here. - Thank you.

  • Hello, dear. Did you sleep well?

  • Why didn't you wake me when you got up?

  • I have quite a difficult problem to solve, and I don't seem to be able to make a dent in it.

  • - What's wrong? - It's that new convert of mine.

  • Mr. Grindle?

  • It seems his conversion isn't as complete as I thought it was.

  • Did he take back the money he gave you for the tabernacle?

  • No. No, no. But before he goes any further...

  • he wants me to materialize the spirit of his dead sweetheart.

  • But you can't do that.

  • I mean, you told Mrs. Peabody nobody could.

  • That's right.

  • But we've got to look at it this way, darling.

  • A man's faith is trembling in the balance.

  • A man who was a confirmed skeptic about anything relating to religion...

  • now stands upon the threshold.

  • The door is open. One more step will bring him inside the fold.

  • What should I do? Should I let the man's soul be lost forever?

  • Or should I stake my own to save it?

  • - Or yours? - Mine?

  • What have I got to do with it?

  • You?

  • You can help me.

  • I realize it's in the nature of a subterfuge, but our motives are so pure, so unselfish.

  • Wait a minute, Stan.

  • Oh, honey, there isn't the slightest bit of danger.

  • I won't let him get close enough to see anything except that you are a young dame about her age.

  • I knew it.

  • - I knew it! - You knew what?

  • You never were on the level. You lied to me. Zeena was right.

  • - Walking out on me, huh? - Look, Stan.

  • Anytime you wanna go back into show business...

  • Yeah, you and all that talk of yours about love.

  • You were going to be such a good wife to me.

  • I've tried to be. You know I'd do anything.

  • Sure, sure. Anything in the world for me. Or to me.

  • - What do you mean, "to you"? - What are you doing now?

  • What do you think the newspapers will say when they find out about this?

  • - "Wife quits miracle worker." - I won't say anything.

  • You can tell them I've gone to visit some friends.

  • No, they'll follow you. They'll get it out of Bruno or some of the others.

  • Honey, look. It's not me that I'm thinking about.

  • But what about this poor guy Grindle? What's gonna happen to him?

  • Mrs. Peabody, all those other people that I've helped.

  • Look. Look at these. Hundreds of them every day.

  • Simple, honest, little people who believe in me. They say I've given them hope.

  • I'm not worrying about them. They're gonna be all right.

  • But you won't.

  • You've got to stop it. Do you hear?

  • You've got to, Stan, or I'll make you.

  • I will walk out on you.

  • Are you crazy?

  • No, I'm not crazy. Just plain scared.

  • Scared? Of what?

  • I don't know. I can't explain it.

  • But I feel... Well, you're going against God.

  • How do you figure that?

  • Do you think I'd be getting all those letters?

  • That's what makes it so terrible.

  • Everything you say and do is so true and wonderful...

  • and you make it sound so sacred and holy...

  • when all the time it's just a gag with you.

  • You'rejust laughing your head off at those chumps.

  • You think God's gonna stand for that?

  • Do you want him to strike you dead?

  • You can't do it, Stan.

  • Nobody's ever done it. Never!

  • Now, honey, don't get yourself all worked up about nothing.

  • I've gone over this in my mind a hundred times.

  • If anybody comes back, they're not gonna get all steamed up because we fake a little.

  • Another thing. I've met a lot of these spook workers. They're all hustlers just like me.

  • I didn't see one of them wearing a lightning rod.

  • But they don't act like you do. They don't talk like ministers.

  • When did I ever talk like a minister?

  • Oh, you do it all the time.

  • I am talking exactly the same way I did when we were in the nightclub.

  • And I'll tell you another thing. I never mentioned God in the nightclub, did I?

  • No. l-I don't think so.

  • Have I ever mentioned him in this racket?

  • Have you ever heard me do it? Come on, come on. When did I do it?

  • - You haven't, but... - No, I'll say I haven't.

  • I know what I'm doing. I've read the Bible.

  • I can recite the Ten Commandments backwards.

  • And I'll tell you what the Third Commandment is too:

  • "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain."

  • A lot of people think that means swearing. But I'll tell you what it means.

  • It means exactly what you're talking about.

  • I'm not taking any chances, baby. There's nothing to worry about.

  • There's no difference between this and mentalism.

  • It's just another angle of show business.

  • Wait a minute, mister. You're not talking to one of your chumps.

  • You're talking to your wife. You're talking to somebody who knows you red, white and blue.

  • And you can't fool me anymore.

  • There's only one way I can stop you from doing this thing...

  • and that's to leave you.

  • You'd honestly do a thing like that to me?

  • No. I'm going to do it for you.

  • We're right back where we started, hmm? All right.

  • Listen to me. I'm no good.

  • I never pretended to be. But I love you.

  • I'm a hustler. I've always been one. But I love you.

  • I may be the thief of the world, but with you I've always been on the level.

  • You've done a lot of talking about love.

  • I never mentioned it before...

  • but I guess you get the general idea.

  • If you wanna walk out on that...

  • it's okay with me.

  • Here we are.

  • Mr. Grindle, this... this place of yours...

  • is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

  • - You should be very proud of it. - Yes, I am.

  • Those great trees in moonlight, they give the whole place a...

  • a cathedral-like atmosphere.

  • - You feel that? - Yes.

  • I'm glad to hear you say that.

  • I've been coming here to pray. It's so secluded.

  • I didn't want any of the servants to see me.

  • I see you've been reading the Bible.

  • How did you know?

  • Well, we... we know that it tells us...

  • that prayer, like good works, should be done in secret.

  • - There's one thing that troubles me. - What's that?

  • Well, on account of the life I've led...

  • I don't know very much about God.

  • And it's very hard to pray to someone...

  • I mean, when you know so little about him.

  • Well, that's true. But nobody knows very much along those lines.

  • That's where we must rely solely upon our faith.

  • Indeed, I think it's a mistake...

  • to try to define our thoughts about it in human terms.

  • That, in itself, is a form of irreverence.

  • It's like... like trying to put the ocean into bottles.

  • That's right. That's where I've been wrong.

  • Trying to put boundaries around this thing.

  • It's too big. It has no boundaries. No limits.

  • It can't have, can it? And be what it is.

  • Go on. Go on, my friend.

  • You don't know it, but you're praying right this moment.

  • No prophet of old could have said a finer thing than you have just said.

  • Keep it up.

  • Think like that in your heart. Don't worry about the words.

  • There are no words for it. Words are boundaries too.

  • But they're not any bigger than we are.

  • You've got to do things, just as you said the other day.

  • "Good things, good for their own sake...

  • without any hope of reward or..."

  • - What's the matter? - Look!

  • - Do you see it? - Yes.

  • Probably one of your servants.

  • No, no, it couldn't be. They have orders never to come down here.

  • Dory?

  • It is.

  • It is.

  • Dory! Dory!

  • - Wait! - Dory!

  • - But it's Dory. Don't you see? - Yes.

  • That means we're on hallowed ground. Kneel.

  • Kneel.

  • Dory! Dory!

  • Quiet. Don't move. Stay where you are.

  • Dory. Dory.

  • Oh, Dory, forgive me. Forgive me, Dory.

  • I believe now. I believe everything.

  • Oh, Dory, ask God to forgive me.

  • Ask him to give me one more chance. Please. Please!

  • I'll do anything.

  • What right have I to ask for mercy...

  • when I have never shown mercy to anyone?

  • No! No!

  • - I can't, Stan! I can't! - What happened to you?

  • - Not even for you. - Who are you?

  • - I'm Stan's wife. - Get out of here! Get out of here!

  • Fake! You crook! You dirty, sacrilegious thief!

  • Help! Help!

  • I couldn't help it, Stan.

  • I know I've ruined everything for you.

  • - I know you hate me. - All right, all right, quiet.

  • I don't know what happened.

  • When I saw that man down on his knees, praying to God...

  • I just couldn't go on.

  • I don't wanna hear any more about it.

  • As soon as I find a taxi stand, I'm getting out of here.

  • What for?

  • There's something I've gotta do.

  • Now listen, I want you to go back to that motel...

  • change your clothes and meet me at the Inglewood Station.

  • - You're going to take me with you? - If you hurry.

  • What about our things at the hotel?

  • We haven't got time to monkey with things like that.

  • Oh, Stan, I love you. I love you.

  • Yeah, I know. Here we are.

  • There he was on his knees, I had all that dough right in my hand...

  • - and she has to go and blow her top. - Then what happened?

  • Well, he called me a dirty, sacrilegious thief, and he grabbed me.

  • I hurt him, I think, accidentally.

  • - You think? - Well, anyway, he went down.

  • You better get going.

  • - Yeah, yeah, I know. - You'd better take your money with you.

  • - What are you going to do? - I'm going to leave most of this with you.

  • - What for? - In case I get caught, I'll have some fall money.

  • That wouldn't be any good. You'd just lead them straight back to me and pull us both in.

  • Yeah, you're right. You suppose there's a chance of handling Grindle?

  • Well, it depends. He's not going to be easy.

  • - He has his pride, you know. - Yes, but you can work on the publicity angle.

  • - His board of directors and so forth. - You leave that up to me.

  • The important thing for you is to leave town.

  • Don't try to get in touch with me under any circumstances.

  • Watch the papers. If nothing happens, you can call me.

  • Okay. What a mug I've been.

  • I had the whole world right in my vest pocket. Everything I wanted.

  • The kid said I couldn't get away with it, and I had to stick my chin out.

  • You'll stick it out even further if you hang around here much longer.

  • I guess you're right at that.

  • - Good-bye, Stan. - Good-bye, Lilith.

  • Say, buddy, how much longer is it gonna take us?

  • Inglewood Station? About a half hour.

  • - Can't you step on it a little bit? - Sure.

  • - Take me back where you picked me up. - What?

  • - I said take me back where you picked me up. - Okay.

  • Who is it?

  • You're good. You're awful good.

  • Just about the best I ever saw.

  • Instead of 150 grand, I get 150 brand-new one dollar bills.

  • - The gypsy switch. - I don't know what you're talking about.

  • - Where's the rest of it? - The rest of what?

  • - Open that safe. - Miss Ritter.! Miss Ritter.!

  • Come in, Jane.

  • I saw a man on the fire escape, and l...

  • It's quite all right, Jane. This gentleman's a patient of mine.

  • Will you make yourself comfortable in there, please? I'll be with you in a minute.

  • When you first came to me, you were in bad shape.

  • I had hoped by getting at the roots of your anxieties, I could avert a serious upset.

  • Well, I seemed to have failed.

  • Wait a minute. If you're thinking of throwing the cops at me...

  • don't forget that you've been in this with me.

  • Please, Mr. Carlisle, try to understand...

  • that these delusions of yours in regard to me are a part of your mental condition.

  • When I first examined you, you were being tortured by guilt reactions...

  • connected with the death of that drunken mentalist during your carnival days.

  • Wh-What are you trying to pull? You can't prove anything.

  • Besides, it was an accident. I told you that.

  • I'm a psychologist, not a judge.

  • What I want to explain to you is...

  • all these things that you think you have done lately, or that have been done to you...

  • are merely the fancied guilt of your past life projected on the present.

  • Do I make myself clear? You must regard it all as a nightmare.

  • The police records show that a carnival employee by the name of Peter Krumbein...

  • actually died of wood alcohol poisoning in Burly, Texas.

  • Self-administered. You told me you gave him that bottle of wood alcohol yourself.

  • But I suppose that was just another one of your homicidal hallucinations, wasn't it?

  • Or was the homicide a reality too?

  • Speaking of records, would you like to hear a playback...

  • of the recital you made to me that night?

  • It's on file in my office, but I'll be glad to let you hear it anytime you like.

  • Listen. I can prove that you've been in this with me from the start.

  • That's another thing, Mr. Carlisle...

  • which clearly indicates the serious nature of your malady.

  • Since I've been your counselor, you've made a strange transference to me.

  • You see me as a confederate who's cheated you.

  • That explains your entrance by way of the fire escape tonight.

  • Really, Mr. Carlisle, I hate to say this to you...

  • but you simply must have hospital care.

  • These hallucinations of yours.

  • We can't have you wandering about, getting into trouble, can we?

  • Listen, you can't bluff me with that doctor-patient baloney.

  • I want that dough. I want that...

  • That's why you were stalling, huh?

  • Waiting for the cops.

  • That's ridiculous. Why should I call the police?

  • Don't you think I got ears? What about that?

  • - What about what? - That police siren.

  • I don't hear anything.

  • - Huh? - Let me get you a sedative.

  • I'll drive you down to SaintJoseph's Hospital. It's not far from here.

  • They'll take good care of you, and you can have a nice, long rest.

  • Please, Mr. Carlisle, put yourself in my hands.

  • You can trust me, absolutely.

  • No.

  • Stan, where have you been? I've been waiting for hours...

  • walking up and down the platform, looking all over for you.

  • - Huh? - What's the matter, darling?

  • What's happened to you?

  • A lot of things, baby.

  • A lot of things.

  • Zeena wasn't so far off after all.

  • - Zeena and her boob-catchers. - Zeena?

  • Where's the carnival playing now? Do you know?

  • Galesburg, I think. But why?

  • - You could go there by bus. - But, Stan...

  • Yeah. Yeah, that's the best idea.

  • What about you? Where are you going?

  • I don't know.

  • Oh, but, Stan, I thought I was going with you.

  • So did I.

  • What's happened? You've got to tell me.

  • All aboard.!

  • Listen, baby. I want you to get on that train.

  • Go anywhere, then get back to Galesburg.

  • Keep out of sight as much as possible.

  • Here.

  • Here's the bankroll. Take good care of it.

  • But what about you? Won't you need some?

  • No, I'll be all right. So long, honey.

  • All aboard.!

  • Get aboard, honey. Don't miss the train.

  • Stan!

  • Take care of yourself.

  • Who is it?

  • Joe. Bellboy.

  • - Pick up the tray. - Come in.

  • - Something wrong? - What do you mean "something wrong"?

  • - The food... you haven't touched it. - Well, I'm not hungry.

  • Hey, uh, look, mister, it ain't none of my business...

  • but we got a pretty good doctor down the street there.

  • - You want me to call him? - What makes you think I want a doctor?

  • Nothing. Only, you haven't touched a mouthful in about three days. I just...

  • Well, I don't want a doctor and I'm all right.

  • Say, uh, you know where I can get a drink?

  • No, not at this hour in this state, unless you want gin.

  • Sure, sure. Anything. Anything.

  • Two bucks.

  • - If there's anything else you want... - No. Good night.

  • Since the dawn of history, man has sought to see behind the veil...

  • which hides him from tomorrow.

  • Through the ages, certain men have gazed into the polished crystal...

  • and seen.

  • Is it some quality of the crystal itself...

  • or does it merely serve to turn the gazer's vision inward?

  • Who can tell?

  • But visions come, slowly shifting their form.

  • Visions come. Wait.

  • The shifting shapes begin to clear.

  • I see fields of grass...

  • and rolling hills and a boy.

  • A barefoot boy is running through those hills.

  • A dog is with him. A dog is with him.

  • Yeah, his name is Don. Go on.

  • Your mother. Your mother is waiting at the gate for you.

  • A beautiful, gray-haired old lady.

  • That's right, buddy. You're pretty good.

  • She was always standing there waiting.

  • Even when I come home a couple of years ago.

  • Hey, you see how easy it is to hook 'em?

  • Stock reading, fits anybody. Never misses.

  • Ah, what's youth?

  • Happy one minute, hungry and heartbroken the next.

  • Every boy has a dog.

  • Every boy has a beautiful, old, gray-haired mother.

  • - Everybody except maybe me. - What happened to her?

  • - Oh, what do you care? - Hey, don't cry in that good liquor.

  • You know, I had a mother once.

  • She wasn't so good-looking, but she was mighty good to me.

  • Hey, hey, you fellas take it easy. There's not gonna be any left for me.

  • Buddy, you're sure a good mind reader.

  • Oh, excuse me, mister. Are you the boss?

  • That's right. What do you want?

  • l-I, uh... I wanted to talk to you about an attraction.

  • An added attraction, so to speak. It's, uh, an attraction that...

  • - An attraction. - Yeah? What kind of an attraction?

  • - Come on. Hurry up. I'm busy. - Well...

  • Of course, I understand, a man in your position.

  • Allow me to introduce myself. I'm... I'm Sheik Abracadabra.

  • A top-money mint reader.

  • Sorry, brother. I'm all full up.

  • - Anyway, I don't hire no boozers. - Me?

  • You smell like you just climbed out of a beer vat.

  • - Go on, beat it. - Um...

  • Please, j-just give me a chance, mister.

  • I'm an old carny hand and I'll tackle anything.

  • Come here.

  • Sit down.

  • Would you like a snort?

  • Oh, y...

  • Oh, that's very refreshing.

  • Thank you, sir.

  • All I need is a fly and a bridge table.

  • I can hang my banner on the edge of the fly.

  • If I could have a small advance to purchase the necessary...

  • That show is too high class for a mid-camp.

  • Besides, palmistry always gets you in trouble with the law.

  • Well, I'm pretty good at magic too, sir. l...

  • Magicians are a dime a dozen nowadays.

  • - Would you like another? - Yeah.

  • Go ahead.

  • Anyway, I never fool with an act, unless it's got something sensational.

  • Yeah. Yeah, sure.

  • - Wait. - Yeah.

  • I just happened to think of something.

  • I might have a job you can take a crack at.

  • Course, it isn't much, and I'm not begging you to take it, but it's a job.

  • Yeah, well, that's all I want.

  • And we'll keep you in coffee and cakes.

  • Bottle every day. Place to sleep it off in.

  • What do you say? Anyway, it's only temporary.

  • Just until we can get a real geek.

  • - Geek? - You know what a geek is, don't you?

  • Yeah.

  • Sure, l-I know what a geek is.

  • Do you think you can handle it?

  • Mister...

  • I was made for it.

  • Jimmy!

  • Hey, Jimmy!

  • - Jimmy! - What's wrong, Ed?

  • - Have you seen the handcuff key? - No.

  • Come on. Come on. Where's the straitjacket?

  • - Who wants it? - The boss.

  • - Is anything wrong? - The geek's gone nuts.

  • - The geek? - The one McGraw hired today.

  • Grab him, boys.!

  • You better get inside and stay there.

  • Let's get him!

  • Watch him now. Don't hurt him.

  • Where... Where did he go? Huh?

  • Stan. Stan.

  • Son, nobody's gonna hurt you.

  • Come on! Hey, George!

  • - Mark, you go around the back. - Okay, Charlie.

  • - Stan! - Hey, look out, kid.

  • - That guy's liable to kill somebody. - Stan!

  • It's me, Molly!

  • Stan.

  • It's me, Molly.

  • I've looked everywhere for you. Everywhere.

  • I've been waiting for you.

  • Don't you know me, honey? It's me, Molly.

  • Everything's gonna be all right now. I'll look after you.

  • Molly?

  • Well, he certainly fooled me. I never recognized him.

  • Stanton. Stanton the Great.

  • How can a guy get so low?

  • He reached too high.

  • - Good night, boys. Lock up. - Good night.

Hey, lookie, lookie, lookie.!

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