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Chief, I guess you wonder why I invited you down here.
I figured you'd tell me when you got good and ready.
That's true.
Game.
I'm ready.
Okay, Tim, why did you invite me down here?
To ask you for a favor.
The favor is to ask you for a letter of recommendation.
To the National Pool Hustlers Association?
No chance.
I've written considered opinion of my excellent mental process
and my untiring efforts to improve myself,
and also the fact that the state has forgiven me
for stealing that car two years ago.
Not forgiven. You were put on probation.
Same thing. Only tell us at the Lemmy and Carnegie Tech.
I'm not crazy about writing letters, but this one will be a pleasure.
Come on, you can buy me a hamburger.
Your brother has funny friends.
Nah, he's a good cop. Gave the kid a break once.
It's true? Tim's gonna quit?
Yeah, Carnegie Tech. Gonna be an engineer.
You just saw his last stakes game.
That's too bad, Bobby.
I had big plans for him.
Looks like Tim made his own plans, Mr. Vance.
Without the kid to hustle, who's gonna pay your debts?
If I were you, Bobby, I'd think twice before I let that kid quit the table.
In fact, I'd think three or four times.
I owe that money to Vance, don't you understand?
Vance? I thought you were finished with him the last time.
He's the only guy who'd take my bets without cash.
Listen, Bobby.
Hmm?
Find me a mark.
It can't be that hard to find.
Tim Patterson.
No, T as in Tom.
July 17th, 1966.
I need the complete report on his probation for chief ironside.
Yes, thank you.
Well, as quickly as you can.
Must be one around here someplace.
Might at least say hello.
Hello.
What are you doing in town?
Using a pool table. What's it look like?
Mister, I don't know who you are, but you're good.
I'm the best.
I'd like you to meet Money Howard.
Hey, you're kidding.
Play me and find out.
I'm very glad to meet you, mister.
Do I call you Mr. Money or Mr. Howard?
I'm Eve Whitfield.
Hello, Eve. Just playing Money to you.
I don't play for less than 500.
I guess I'll read.
The gentleman heading back to his book is Mark Sanger.
I take it you'd like to talk.
Maybe.
Well, when you're finished fooling around, I'll be right here.
He ain't changed a bit.
And he won't. Ever.
Hey, are you really Money Howard?
The greatest pool player in the world?
Direction. The greatest pool hustler in the world.
Get around that thing all right?
Better than a bed.
What's on your mind?
I've been imported.
I figured that. Who paid the freight?
A guy.
Big stakes?
Oh, two grand.
Not overly large for you?
A lot of side money available.
Against you?
How about that?
Seems that some local wonder boy get everybody real impressed.
Anybody I know?
Kid by the name of Tim Patterson.
Any good?
He'll give you a run for your money.
You mean for his money?
Buy some ribs at Charlie's to get a little time off.
That's a date.
Hello?
Tim, this is Chief Ironside.
Hi Chief, what's up?
Did somebody arrange a big match for you?
Mm-hmm.
Bobby, you know you're playing Money Howard?
Yeah.
What makes you think you can beat him?
Because I have to beat him.
Yeah, a thousand cash was easy, but betting the rest interest, you'll know it was tough.
You did get it down.
Yeah, yeah. Don't get excited.
How much?
Fifteen grand worth.
Good.
Bobby.
How come you bet against your brother?
I don't know.
It could be the end.
I don't know.
I think you blew it, money man.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
One more ball and that's the game.
I beat him.
I really beat you.
How about that kid, taking Money Howard?
Yeah.
Yeah, how about that?
That's great publicity.
You know the kid's worth a fortune now.
Yeah.
You want to pay?
I took all your paper, Bobby.
You owe me 15 grand.
It isn't raining rain, you know.
It's raining dollar bills.
Look at the rain, Bobby.
Come on, make it rain with what you want.
Come on, Bobby.
What's wrong?
Where's the money?
There is no money.
What?
Look, the smart money was on Howard, right?
So I bet like the smart people bet.
I even wrote paper like the smart people write.
The only trouble is, I'm just not a very smart guy.
You bet against me?
We were doing it for the money, weren't we?
The odds?
The odds said you couldn't win.
Well, I guess we're not worth something what we were before.
I beat Howard and I made my money, so I'm even.
But you're still in the hole.
It's worse than that.
I floated paper.
How much?
15,000.
Who covered the paper?
Vance.
Vance?
You sold me to Vance?
Any calls?
Commissioner's office, police academy.
St. Luke's hospital wants to know if you'll attend their dinner.
And a reporter wants to know if there was any news.
If he asks that, he's no reporter.
Did Tim Patterson come by to pick up his letter of recommendation?
No, and he hasn't called about it either.
Call him.
Hello?
Tim, Chief Ironside for you.
Tim, how are you?
Hanging loose, Chief. How about you?
Puzzled.
You never picked up that letter of recommendation.
Oh, I was going to call you about that. I don't need it after all.
What happened?
They decide to admit you without it?
No, I just decided not to go.
Why?
I just got to thinking, that's all.
Look, do you mind if I don't talk about it?
I don't mind if we don't talk about it on the phone.
Why don't you drop by this afternoon?
Chief, uh...
About three.
Chief.
I can't stay long.
No need to get uptight, Tim.
Why don't you sit down, take it easy.
Eve, any coffee left in the pot?
I don't want any.
Mark.
You don't seem to want anything from this office.
No coffee, no chair, no talk with an old friend.
I'm here to talk.
All right.
What happened to change your mind about college?
Nothing, I just decided not to go.
Just like that?
Just like that.
I don't believe you.
That's your privilege.
That's not you talking, that's somebody else.
Why, because I'm not that little kid anymore?
That was a long time ago when you found me hanging on the wheel of that stolen car.
Okay, so you gave me a break.
You spoke on my side for probation.
Am I supposed to owe you something for the rest of my life?
You don't owe me a thing.
Then quit bugging me.
All I'm asking is that you be honest.
All right.
I beat Money Howard.
And I made two grand in one night.
Two grand.
Six nights like that and I make what a starting engineer makes in a year.
And that's what you want?
To be a pool hustler?
I was one before.
But you decided there was something better.
And what made you change your mind?
Things are different now.
Different?
Why?
Because now I am big time.
Too big to level with me?
Yeah, if that's the way you want to read it.
Look, just leave me alone.
Eve showed Mr. Patterson to the door.
He wants to be left alone.
I'll see if I can find my own way.
Well, what do you think?
He is lying through his teeth.
Where's that letter from the governor?
You keep hiding things.
You answered the letter from the governor last Wednesday.
Well, I still want it.
I also want the McKenzie file, the Wilson file and the David file.
And there is no need for furtive glances.
No, sir.
Or the pseudo-subservient tone.
Yes, sir.
If there's something you want to say, say it.
I think we should stop pretending we're busy with other things and clean up this Tim Patterson business.
That what you think too?
That's what I think too.
Yes, sir.
You're sure he was lying?
I am sure that he wants to go to that college so bad he can taste it.
Only something's standing in his way.
Then why don't we find out what it is?
Because there is nothing to indicate that it falls within the purview of a police investigation.
It is also none of our personal business.
But since my staff feels so strongly about it, I don't think I can overlook their wishes.
All right. What do we know?
One, Tim planned to go to college.
Two, he changed his mind.
Three, right in the middle with a match with Money Howard.
You want to shoot some pool?
Sure.
I'll take the coat.
When I give an exhibition, I usually charge admission.
Pay him, Ed.
In your case, I'll make an exception.
You're still hanging around?
Yeah.
You have another match coming up?
Not that I know of.
Then how come you're still hanging around?
You threw the game against Tim Patterson.
No, the kid beat me square.
Buddy beats Money Howard.
A lot of people do.
Especially when I'm playing for trophies or coffee money.
Lose now and get the odds up.
You know better than that.
Of course, when the odds go up, the money goes up.
And the pressure goes up.
Yeah.
The money lump, the clutch.
We turn up the heat, and the guy who beat me for nickels is now playing for everything he owns.
Everything in the world.
He's playing where the air is thin.
And all of a sudden, the stick gets a little shaky.
What's the word on a rematch with Tim?
Nothing.
The guy surprises me.
Never had a guy beat me before who didn't want a rematch.
But I hear the kid's got himself a manager now.
Who?
Vance.
You know him?
Yeah, we know him.
I don't usually entertain cops.
I don't expect you to do a dance.
So go away.
Official business, Mr. Vance.
Okay, come on in.
Well, what's it all about?
We're investigating a possible violation of law.
What kind of violation?
Why don't we call it involuntary servitude?
Tim Patterson?
Involuntary?
He begged me, begged me to promote for him.
And you will.
Of course, he's a hot property now.
He beat money Howard.
Are you planning a rematch?
Not on your life.
Why not?
I got the kid who beat money.
I got exhibitions booked across the country.
I got tie-ins with pool table companies, billiard ball companies, cue stick companies.
I'm not going to risk losing it all in a rematch.
You have a contract with Tim?
Yeah, it's being drawn up.
He gets 40% of the gate, 20% of the merchandising.
40% of the gate.
After the cost of the room, living expenses and transportation.
20% of merchandising.
After licensing fees, legal fees and advertising costs.
And maybe a little juggling of the books thrown in.
You'll never see a nickel of that money.
Anything else, Chief?
Yeah.
When does he start?
Los Angeles on the 5th.
Five dollars a ticket.
It'll be a sell-out.
But I'll make sure you're taken care of.
I hope to be able to do the same for you.
What did you find?
I can't get to Tim.
I can't even get to his brother.
They're both dodging me.
Well, there are days like that.
I did find out that Vance has been after Tim for a long time.
Tim never went for it, knows he's a crook.
He's signing with a man he doesn't trust.
Means Vance has some kind of hold on him.
Mm-hmm.
I'd like to know just what that hold is.
Why don't I go out in the jungle and find out?
That jungle doesn't believe in equal rights for women.
There are some parts of that jungle that don't believe in equal rights for men.
Well, I think it's just perfect for you.
I think it's just a little too large.
What do you think?
Oh, I think it's nice.
I'll take the coat, too.
Charge it.
I'll add that to your other purchases.
And will you be taking the dress?
See what else you have.
All right.
You're Phil Vance's friend, aren't you?
Do I know you?
I've seen you around a few times.
Phil and my guy are in sort of the same business, only on different levels.
Anyone I know.
Not unless he's in trouble with the corporation.
What does that mean?
Forget it.
Sometimes I talk too much.
It's not very healthy.
Dig.
Now, wait a minute.
Is Phil in some kind of trouble?
Now, these are really beautiful.
Don't you think so?
They're more like it.
I'll try them on.
Can we talk a minute?
Sure.
Put them in the dressing room.
I'll be right there.
Bye.
What's on your mind?
Well, you kind of gave me a jolt.
You can't just cool it now and leave me hanging.
Look, I don't even know what it's all about.
You know how they talk in riddles when you walk into the room?
Do I?
But if there's something happening, we girls have to look out for ourselves, you know?
Okay.
It has to do with some kid named Patterson.
He's a friend of some cop's.
Ironside.
He doesn't want the kid to work for Phil.
Then why doesn't Phil dump him and get rid of the heat?
Same reason as always, Brad.
Besides, the kid's brother's into Phil for a bundle.
Why?
Because he bet against his kid brother in a pool match.
Tough scene.
Okay, so you know.
So what?
It doesn't change anything.
Doesn't that depend on how you look at it?
What's that supposed to mean, that I throw Bobby to the sharks?
Of course not.
If what you're doing was the only alternative, of course you'd save his life.
There is no alternative.
Seals.
Wonder what they're doing this far from the rocks.
They go where they want.
No heat directing traffic.
Where they want.
South when it's cold, north when it warms up again.
They do their thing, I guess.
But they're seals.
When the herd gets ready to swim south,
not one of those seals ever decides he'd rather save himself the trip
and spend the winter right where he is.
That'd be a gas.
He'd have the whole world to himself.
But he wouldn't do that.
He'd swim south with the others.
Because he's a seal.
And not a man who can make up his mind for himself.
You're telling me to forget what anybody else would do and swim against the herd.
I'm not telling you a thing.
What about my brother?
You can only do so much for your brother, Tim.
This might be one time too many.
It might be a favor you'll regret.
How long will it be before he turns on you?
Blaming you. Hating you.
For the guilt he'll have to carry.
I can't let him get killed. That's all there is to it.
Why don't you let me take care of that?
Could you?
I'd say we have better than an even chance.
Here's the letter you asked me for.
What do you want me to do?
Sign the application.
And you prove to me that you can take care of Bobby.
That's a deal.
What is this, a bust? What did I do?
How much are you in DeVance for?
It's your brother's whole life we're talking about.
Look, we're all right on our own.
We don't need anybody else. We take care of ourselves.
I don't care how well you take care of yourselves.
It's been a couple of years. You haven't grown an inch.
He's going to make plenty of money.
And live in hotels, sleep all day,
stale cigar smoke and sweat all night,
hop from town to town looking for suckers.
Is that what you want for him?
It's his choice.
Is it?
Well, now.
Come on, don't you think I feel bad about it?
Don't you think I want him to be an engineer?
Well?
Why don't you do something about it? Carry your own weight.
Because I'm scared.
I owe Vance $15,000.
Where am I going to get $15,000?
So Tim works it off instead of going to Carnegie Tech.
Till his eyes go bad and his hands start to shake.
Chief, if Tim doesn't sign, I might as well measure myself for a coffin.
Don't you understand that?
I'm not talking about $15,000. I'm talking about my life.
The worst part about a man like Vance is
that he forces you to think only in his terms.
That's the way it is there.
I don't know anybody in Los Angeles.
You will if you make that plane.
LAPD will meet you and keep their eyes on you till I get in touch with them.
How long will that be?
Till I make sure there's no profit for Vance in Tim's shooting pool.
You sure go through a lot of trouble.
Somebody has to, Bobby.
I guess somebody does.
All right, Mark, this is it.
I'm not going to let you do it, Vance, you hear?
The kid goes to college where he belongs.
I don't care what you do to me.
Shoot me, drop me in the bay, I don't care.
I'll be where they can find me.
Only you don't get the kid.
Pittsburgh, 555-3802.
Operator, I want the number of the Bright Dawn Pool Hall.
Yes, it's downtown Chicago someplace.
Hello, yeah, I'd like to speak to Harry Fox, please.
Thank you.
78 out of 100 calls complete. Not bad.
I want them all complete.
Chief Ironside's office. Just one moment.
Ironside.
Now, Sharky, how are you?
How are things in Detroit?
What kind of rumor?
Come on, Sharky, you know money wouldn't throw a game just to build somebody's reputation.
No matter how much he was paid.
Old country's buzzing about it? Well.
No, I personally find that very hard to believe.
But of course, if you underwrite an exhibition, you'll be using your money, not mine.
Anytime, Sharky. Anytime.
It's really working. Yeah, it better.
You sure know some characters.
I mean other characters.
Call you back.
Well, good afternoon, Money.
Yeah?
Something bothering you?
No.
Everything's fine.
The sun is shining, people on the street are smiling, I got my health.
But?
I've been getting phone calls from all over the country.
Well, it's nice of them to call and say hello.
That's not what they're saying.
They're not?
No, they're saying some very peculiar things.
Like I get paid by Vance to dump the game to the Patterson kid?
No.
Yeah.
Well, we know that's not true.
You know it and I know it.
But the rest of the country don't.
You any idea who could have cooked this up?
I just can't imagine.
Chief, Bobby didn't show last night. I don't know where he is.
I do.
Where?
In a sweat somewhere.
Didn't you know?
He went to see Vance last night.
Said you were going back to school.
The deal was off.
He said you'd protect him.
He seems to have had his own ideas about that.
You better bust Vance right away.
I don't have enough on him.
He'll kill, isn't that enough?
Tim, according to the law...
What's the law going to do? Come to my brother's funeral and tell me how sorry it is?
Where are you going?
I'm going to go see Vance.
I'm going to tell him that he was drunk, crazy, or both.
I'm going to get him on my hands and knees and beg him to leave me alone.
I'm going to beg like I never begged in my life before.
Robert Patterson was a no-show at the airline.
LAPD is pretty mad at us.
They've still got two men at the international airport.
Apparently Bobby Lenders won better than we asked for.
Pick him up.
He isn't in danger now.
Not after Tim tells Vance he'll play.
That's right.
Since...
Since some anonymous fool has been spreading rumors about Tim's win over Mr. Howard,
Vance has had to have a little trouble promoting a match.
Look, I heard about Bobby coming here last night.
He didn't mean what he said.
Sounded like he meant every word of it.
No, he was just all uptight.
Anyway, I want you to know that our deal's still on.
What deal?
The contract you wanted me to sign to shoot pool for you.
That contract isn't worth a dime now.
Why not?
Because I can't get you a match anyplace.
What happened to Los Angeles?
Canceled.
But why?
Because they think I paid money to dump the game, that's why.
They think I'm rigging something they can't handle.
Well, you did, did you?
No, but I can't convince anybody of that.
They think it's a phony setup for you.
You better find your brother and tell him to pay up what he owes me.
Look, Bobby doesn't have a dime.
Sure.
But I know a way you can get back all your money,
plus put down all the bad-mouthing.
How?
Set me up to play money again.
Oh, come on, you won on a long shot.
Long shots don't come in very often.
Look, I won fair and square.
I know I did, and I can beat him again.
Look, please, you have to let me try.
All right, you play money.
But you better understand you're playing for a lot more than cash this time.
You're playing for Bobby.
Can you borrow some in from the 37th District?
See how many are available.
It's an emergency.
They've got everybody on the street they can spare.
So far, nobody's seen him.
A man spends a lifetime not taking anybody's advice.
Then when it's most important, he overdoes it.
Meaning it's all blown up in our faces.
No, it hasn't blown up yet, but the fuse is good and lit.
Ironside.
All right. Thanks.
Our friend Money Howard.
They just made the match.
And Vance doesn't stand to lose a thing.
Doesn't he?
Money knows a good thing when he sees it.
And knows he's the only match Vance can get.
They made him put up 25,000.
Give me that phone again. We've got to find Bobby.
And we're running out of time.
I hear there's a lot of money down in this game.
Yeah.
You going to win?
This game is not for trophies or coffee money.
This is for real.
Maybe you don't understand how real.
Not altogether stupid.
You got Bobby under lock and key?
No.
You want me not to play, is that it?
I didn't say that.
I got my own bread down.
If I pack this game in, I'm up 25.
Look, I don't even know the guy.
Nobody throws away 25 grand on a stranger.
All right, you're the man. What do you suggest?
I don't know.
Contrary to the anonymous rumors we've all been hearing,
Monty Howard does not dump.
He couldn't if he wanted to.
The hand, the stick, the eye, it's like they got a life of their own.
They do what they want.
Me, I'm not even there.
Just the hand, the stick and the eye.
I can't help Bobby.
Are you going to let this game go on?
No way to stop it, Mark. No way.
Better check with Ed again, see if he's got any news about Bobby.
I'm getting sleepy.
Yeah, me too.
This guy Vance must be in one big hurry.
I told him if we didn't have enough time to kill him,
he'd be in a lot of trouble.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I don't know.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
I'm sure he's got a plan.
If we didn't have enough time to case him, Mark, we could get in trouble.
But I don't like to do a job the same day I get off a plane.
My ears are still clogged.
Suppose he doesn't come out?
Vance says he will.
I just wish he'd show up so we can do the job and get out of here.
It's my kid's birthday tomorrow. I said I'd be back in time.
Well, if your finger man doesn't make any slips,
we should be back in time.
I'm sorry.
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Get me the watch, Sergeant.
Car 452, blank.
PHONE RINGS
Sergeant Brown.
Where?
Not that I know of.
Right.
What was that?
Watch Sergeant wanted to know if we had a stakeout anyplace.
Oh.
Why would he want to know that?
Meter patrol said there was a car parked in the same place with two men in it
for three hours.
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I hope he isn't going to go for the wind, Paul.
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That's it, kid. You don't get any more.
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PHONE RINGS
Sidney?
The kid can't win. You better do what you're supposed to do.
Leaving, Mr. Vance?
Yeah. I've got things to take care of.
What things?
Get off my back.
Don't worry about me.
I'm a plainclothesman outside with orders to stay on your back every second.
I guess I might as well make myself comfortable here, right?
You're getting the message.
CLICK
Damn it.
Sorry, kid.
I'm telling you, Tim is playing with money right now.
He didn't have to play.
Friendly-looking guy.
I wonder what he did to Vance.
Let's go.
What do I have to do to convince you?
Look, I'll pull a pull-off, huh?
And then you can hear for yourself.
Come on, over here.
All right? You talk to him yourself.
Here. It's ringing. You talk.
Talk.
Hold it, police.
No place to run, Sidney.
When do you know it's over, Vance?
Do you get a phone call?
Do they tell you you don't have to worry anymore?
When do you pay them?
Do you use credit cards to pay for a hit these days?
Or does someone else do that for you?
And how do you keep his mouth shut?
You could use some lessons in keeping your mouth shut.
I have a feeling I'm not the only one.
I didn't know it was all about Chief, I swear.
I was just supposed to tell him a story and then take him down the street and run into the alley.
Shut up, Sidney.
Don't shut up, Sidney, unless you want to take the fall alone.
Nobody told me murder.
We've got the gunman outside, Chief. They're out-of-town talent.
Has he been advised of his rights?
Yes, sir.
Now, exactly who told you to walk Bobby out of that hotel, Sidney?
You can't do me no good no more.
He can't.
Any questions, Mr. Vance?
All right, Ed.
This way, Mr. Vance.
I did a real fool thing last night.
Yes, you did, Bobby.
But it was a lot better than nothing.
I, uh, guess I owe you an apology.
Send it to me from Carnegie Tech.
It's all yours, money man.
Thanks, Aspen.
Mark has a shot he wants to show you.
What is it?
Five-four. Corner.
Nobody makes that shot.
I have two fives here.
They're both covered.
You hassled me.
You hassled me.