Death in Small Doses (1957)

[bunniefuu]

Why is the FDA interested in
a fatal truck crash in Nevada?

Is that what you're wondering?

Mhmm.

Well the Interstate Commerce
Commission, Proctor's outfit,

brought us in when they found
these on Owens after the smash up.

We ran a lab test...
amphetamine sulphate.

For short?

OK, they're Bennys,
stay awake pills.

The truck drivers
call them co-pilots.

And Owens got these illegally?

The law says that on a
doctor's prescription only.

But Owens hadn't been to
see a doctor in years.

Bootleg Bennys are for
sale in gas stations, all

night cafes, hundreds
of public places.

Why, we've been told they're as easy
to buy as cigarettes or chewing gum.

So our department's supposed to
find out where he got them, huh?

More than that.

Owens isn't the first truck
driver those babies have k*lled.

Of course we're interested in
knowing who's pushing the pills.

But the main thing is
to spot the source.

Mm.

Have to be somebody with good
connections in the drug field.

That's right.

The big pharmaceutical
companies want to cooperate.

But so far they haven't been
able to turn up a thing.

You see, there are more than
150 processors in the business.

Our guess is that last year, close to
900 million happy pills were turned out.

900 million?

You begin to see our problem?

There's no telling
how many truck drivers

are addicted to the
use of these pills.

And it doesn't take too
long before they start

seeing things, or going out
of their minds completely.

Well, what's our method
of operation, chief?

I'm sending men to six locales to
sign up as a student truck drivers.

The Motor Truck Association
is giving us 100% cooperation.

They have more than 4,000 member
companies throughout the country.

So getting the job
will be no problem.

You go to Los Angeles.

Lennie Owens's hometown.

And if the ICC can help
in any way, give me a call.

Good luck.

Thank you, sir.

We'll keep you posted.

So long, Frank.

Now take this slowly.

Play it by ear.

Take your time getting established.

Have you, uh, figured
out your identity?

Well, let' see.

Ought to be something simple.

I'm Tom Kaylor, a guy from,
let's say, Indianapolis.

A drifter with loose ends
ever since my wife d*ed.

That ought to cover a lot of
questions that might come up.

Sounds good.

Lennie Owens's widow, she runs a
rooming house mostly for truck drivers.

Good luck.

Thanks chief.

And be careful.

This is a million-dollar racket.

One human life doesn't mean
much to these operators.

I'll contact you as
soon as I'm settled.

Yes?

They told me down at the truck
terminal that I could get a room here.

Come in.

You a truck driver?

Well, I'm a student driver.

I'm gonna be.

I have a nice single.

Mink?

Mink!

Well, hello.

Hello.

Mink, that music.

Couldn't resist it, huh?

There are people trying to sleep.

Zombies.

They spend their crummy
lives in the sack.

I ask you, what's so
great about sleep?

Some of the very best people do it.

Who's your sharp friend, Val?

The gentleman was
interested in a room.

Oh, a sucker, and I'm
lousing up the pitch.

See, quiet, like a library.

You can even hear the termites.

This is the room.

Nice.

I ask $8 a week.

I'll take it.

Fine, Mr... uh?

Kaylor.

Tom Kaylor.

I'm Mrs. Owens, Valerie Owens.

How do you do?

Well, I, I guess
you'd like some money.

A week in advance is usual.

There.

Thanks.

The bath's around the corner,
the first door on the left.

You share it with other men.

I'll bring up some towels
and some wash rags later.

All right.

You, uh, stranger in
Los Angeles, Mr. Kaylor?

Just got in this morning.

Got a job already, huh?

Boomer Freight Lines.

Well, I, I hope you like it here.

Oh, I think I will.

I've had my fill of drifting.

I'm ready to settle into
something a little more permanent.

You didn't pick the easiest life.

My husband was a truck driver.

I know.

Well, uh, if there's anything
that I can do to help you,

you just let me know, hmm?

Thanks.

Oh, and if Mink gets to loud,
you have my permission to throttle him.

Hey, cat, welcome
to the fraternity.

Mink Reynolds.

Tom Kaylor.

Yeah, Val told me.

Hear you want to
jockey the big ones.

Well, I'm going to try.

Hey, nothing to it.

I'm heading for the terminal now.

Give you a lift?

Yeah, that'll be swell.

Let's roll, man.

Classy piece of junk, huh?

Yeah, I noticed it when I came in.

That is one thing
about Baby and Mink.

You may not like us,
but you can't ignore us.

Anxious to get started, Tom?

Aw, you bet.

How long will we be out?

Oh, I figured about
45 in this haul.

20 out, 20 in, and
a five hour layover.

Oh!

Hey Shug, take it easy.

You OK Shug?

I'm OK.

Big lug took me my
first haul, 18 years ago.

Why'd he quit?

Shug's got his problems.

So, they teamed you
up with old dad, huh?

Well, if you're not back in a week
or so, we'll send out a search party.

Are you taking out another hold?

Boise, dad, with time out in Reno.

Crazy.

You're pressing your luck, lad.

You need sleep.

I'm in demand.

Don't take him too serious.

He was great with
a horse and buggy.

But now...
You listen.

What little you know about
[INAUDIBLE] a rig, I taught you.

OK, [INAUDIBLE].

You save it for my
refresher course, huh?

Maybe see you at [INAUDIBLE].

Right.

Thinks he's got the
world at the tail.

One way or the other,
he's got... Hey, Shug, look out.

Get away from me!

I'll k*ll you.

So help me!

I'll k*ll you!

What happened?

He just swung at me,
Wally, no reason at all.

Stay away from me, all of you.

Stay away from me.

I'll k*ll you.

[INAUDIBLE], Shug.

No closer.

I don't want to hurt you, Wally.

No closer.

Shug, you're sick.

You're lying to me.

Everybody lies to me!

Hey, what's happened to old Shug?

I don't know.

He just keeled over.

Man, he looks cold.

He's dead.

I'll take that, son.

Has he been sick?

Yeah, real sick.

That works.

Need a drink, Tom?

No, thanks.

Won't be stopping
again for a while.

Well, if it ain't the
Kookamunga Cannonball.

Hi.

Hello, Wally.

Meet my new relief, Tom
Kaylor, Dunc Clayton.

Hi, Tom.
Glad to meet you.

Hi.

Another good man gone wrong.

Don't let him needle you, Tom.

He used to be a driver.

Sure, until I got smart.

Eh, soft, you mean.

Well, I'd probably still be driving
if it weren't for Jane, my wife.

She's not partial to truck drivers.

Aren't you guys on a Portland push?

Yeah.

Running a little late, aren't you?

Trouble.

Shug Grandon d*ed.

Old Shug?

Went loco.

Started throwing his
freight hook around.

Tom and I got it away from him.

Stumbled back.

Let out a yell, and dropped.

When I got to him, he was dead.

Same old trouble, I guess.

Yeah.

Always said it would k*ll him.

Everything's OK, Wally.

Shug and Wally and I started together
when we were just kids, old Shug.

All set, Tom.

Nice meeting you.

Yeah.

Say, Wally, I'll check
with Shug's misses

to see if there's
anything we can do.

I know he didn't
have much insurance.

Whatever you decide, count me in.

Don't chase any jackrabbits.

Why don't you crawl back in
the bunk, and get some shut eye.

No, I'm not tired.

I keep thinking about
that poor guy today.

What really happened
to Shug, Wally?

Well, I guess as long as you're
going to be pushing a rig,

you might as well know about Benny.

Benny?

Yeah, Benny, the
truck driver's friend.

Those little pills
in that envelope you

picked up, the things
that k*lled Shug.

Stay awake pills?

Well, I've heard about them.

But I didn't think they
could k*ll anybody.

Listen, Tom.

Shug is one of the best drivers
that ever pushed a rig down the pike.

He got dependent more
and more on Benny.

First he had a couple
of close calls.

Then he wrecked a brand new rig.

The company blackballed him.

He was washed up as a driver.

That's why he was
working as a handler, huh?

Yeah.

Still couldn't shake Benny.

He was taking maybe one an hour.

Doctor told him that sooner
or later it would k*ll him.

You were there.

I thought you had to have a
prescription to get those things.

Heh.

You can get a fistfull of happy
pills easier than you can get a beer.

Don't even need any dough.

Don't even have to show you're 21.

And a lot the guys use them, huh?

You staying over at Val Owens's?

Yeah.

Lennie, her husband, swell guy.

Got himself loaded up on co-pilots.

Ended up in a Reno morgue.

If the guys see these things happening,
why do they keep on taking them?

You tell yourself, once in a
while won't make any difference.

I'm not like Shug or Lennie.

I could never really get the habit.

You too, Wally?

For emergencies.

Well go on, say it.

Say I'm nuts!

Wait until you've been pushing one
of these rigs as long as I have.

Wait until you've clocked up 18 years
moving one of these smelly hearses.

18 years of trying to stay awake
when everyone, everything's asleep.

Maybe you'd be glad to have
Benny for company, too, kid.

Maybe.

Get some sleep.

That's an order.

All right, Wally.

Hi, Wally.

Hi.

Hi, you no-good road jockeys.

Meet our new fraternity
brother, Tom Kaylor.

Hey, how'd you guys
get here so fast?

Somebody give you a push?

Hiya, lively boy.

Did [INAUDIBLE] teach you what
that accelerator's for, Wally?

Hey, Amy, how about...

Later, Mink.

I'm busy.

Let's not postpone destiny.

Hey, what's the matter, kid.

You're dragging your feet.

Put me down.

Nice [INAUDIBLE], Amy.

Ooh, that Mink.

I bring out the worst in everybody,
secret of my success.

What'll it be, Wally?

Cup of joe, and a
piece of apple pie.

Hey, uh, Tom Kaylor, Amy Phillips.

Hi.

Hello.

The thought of seeing Amy against
is all that keeps most of us going.

Mink.

Ms. Diesel, 1958.

Some coffee for me, please.

Hey, Amy, the kid
looks a little tired.

Why don't you give him
one of your side orders?

Just a little [INAUDIBLE] on the side,
and you start wheeling and dealing.

Shut up, Mink.

Just shut up.

That girl is crazy about me.

They all are, Mink.

They all are.

Be right back.

Hey kid, you do
look a little bleary.

Long way to Portland.

You met Benny?

Benny?

Oh yes, sure.

We're old friends.

Well, you ever need a refill,
ask Amy for a side order.

Side order?

You mean the guy who runs
this place pushes pills?

No, no.

Not [INAUDIBLE].

This is strictly Amy's idea.

A dandy, huh?

Well, kid, this ain't
getting me to Boise.

Take it easy, Mink.

Don't know the word, cat.

Hey, [INAUDIBLE], give me
a clearance [INAUDIBLE].

I'm [INAUDIBLE].

One man riot decided
to [INAUDIBLE] huh?

Yeah.

This your first run?

I just signed on today.

Congratulations.

Oh, I don't think you mean that.

Mister, any time I get to
feeling sorry for myself

working nights in this place,
I think it could be worse.

I could be driving a truck.

Yeah, I guess fighting sleep
is the worst part of it.

Amy, if I wanted a side order, your
specialty, how much would it cost me?

What's on the menu,
that's all you get here.

No, no.
It's all right.

Mink told me.

I don't care what Mink told you.

You're a fool if you listen to
him about me, about anything.

I'm sorry.

I just thought maybe I could...

If its not on the menu,
I don't serve it.

Hey, hey, what's the trouble here?

It's Mink's fault.

Mink started it.

Mink's so good at starting things.

Oh, listen, Amy, I'm sure
that Tom didn't mean anything.

Oh, forget it, Wally.

Hey, what did you say to Amy?

I got the wrong impression
from Mink, that's all.

This I can believe.

Next time check with me first.

Sorry about that little
flare up with Amy.

You're not sore at
me, are you, Wally?

Nah.

Why should I be sore?

You just listened to
that loudmouth Mink.

He gave you the wrong impression.

Amy's a sweet kid, friendly gal.

But that's all.

Yeah, Mink was just talking
to hear his head roar, I guess.

You take my advice.

Don't let Mink Reynolds talk
you into anything, anything.

Learned the hard way.

As a matter of fact, Tom, I wasn't
even thinking about your little ruckus.

I've been think about poor old
Shug today, and what you said.

It hit me right where I live.

It set me thinking about
all those other guys I know

with their kids at home,
and them all the time

riding with Benny, risking
everything on the hope

that crummy little pill
will see them through.

Rotten [INAUDIBLE].

Yeah, sure seems like
something could be done.

Even a nice kid like Amy,
she takes Bennys.

I've seen her when she didn't
think anyone was watching.

Somebody must be getting fat off of
people like Shug, and Amy, and Mink.

And me.

They've got more than one
buck of my hard-earned dough.

That's smart, huh, paying
them for something that

will k*ll you or put
you in the loony bin.

Yeah.

Got any idea who's pushing these things,
who's making a fast buck?

I run into something once.

But I didn't follow through.

I figured live and let live, you know.

What happened to Shug shouldn't
happen to anybody else.

Are you going to the
police with what you know?

No.

What little evidence
I've got is not enough.

I'll just poke around, see
what I can turn up on my own.

It's the least I can do for Shug.

Well, you need any help,
let me know.

Thanks, Tom.

I'll let you know.

Better be pretty careful while
you're poking around, Wally.

If you get too close,
these characters might get rough.

Don't worry.

I'll leave the rough
stuff to the police.

I had a grandfather that lived
to be the ripe old age of 91.

I'm after the family record.

Now get plenty of sleep.

I'll see you Thursday at 3:00.

Right.

Remember, if you
need somebody to play

Dr. Watson to your Sherlock Holmes,
let me know.

I'll remember.

Go on, now.

Be careful, Wally.

Mr. Kaylor.

Oh hi, Mrs. Owens.

Steve Hummel, Tom Kaylor.

How are you?

Nice to meet you.

How was your first run?

Oh, I feel like I'm
still in the cab.

Have some coffee.

Well, fine.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

Oh, no.

I should have left
over an hour ago.

Val, you sure you won't change
your mind, and come back with me?

Tell Marge thanks.

But I'm getting along
fine here, Steve.

She's going to be real disappointed.

Try to make her understand it.

It's not that I don't
appreciate the invitation.

It's just... Well, next trip
maybe I can bring Margie along,

and you two can have a real visit.

I'd like that.

Well, see you in a couple weeks.

Glad to meet you.

Same here.

Goodbye.

Bye, Steve.

Steve's been so wonderful.

He's married to my oldest friend.

And they've been trying to
get me to come to Sacramento

and stay with them ever since
Lennie... since my husband

was k*lled.

Well, you know it seems at a time

like this everybody knows
what's best for you.

That's it exactly.

And they're all so nice about it.

No, thanks.

No, most people don't have any
idea what it's really like.

You speak from experience?

My wife d*ed a little
over a year ago, heart.

She had rheumatic fever
when she was a kid.

Married long?

Almost five years.

Would have been eight
for Lennie and me.

Isn't it strange what you miss?

Lennie never turned out
a light in his life.

I used to get so sore at him.

That's what I miss.

I never walk into an empty room
anymore and find a light burning.

How did it happen?

They said he must have fallen asleep
at the wheel, pushing himself too hard.

Nothing ever broke
right for Leonard.

It wasn't that he was lazy or dumb.

Nobody ever worked any harder.

But there was never any payoff
for him until his insurance check.

Oh, you're just marking time
with this truck driving, aren't you?

I needed a job.

It's a job.

Hmm.

Something you can do without
putting too much of yourself into it.

Running in one place while you
catch your breath for the next sprint.

You're very observant.

Well, leave for a hot
shower and 12 hours' sleep.

Thanks for the coffee.

Well, I hope it
doesn't keep you awake.

Oh, nothing could.

Good night.

Night.

How's the boy truck driver?

Hi, Mink.

Into your play clothes, kid.

We've got a large evening ahead.

Oh, not me.

What do you mean?

Listen, I've got us a
couple of live ones.

Man,

Mink, I'm dead.

I'll take care of that.

A couple of Bennys, and
you'll feel no pain.

You got any on you?

I'll get them.

That's no problem.

I don't know.

Well, all right.

I won't group like this again.

You're dead man, and
you don't know it.

Now wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

Yeah, it sounds great.

I just didn't want
to slow you down.

Oh, at ease, man.

When you get a load of the dish I'm
serving you, you may not need a Benny.

Yeah, but if I do?

Be my guest.

10 minutes?

Right.

Sleep.

Who wants to waste time dreaming,
when you can date the real McCoy?

Hiya, Val.

Hi.

Change of plans?

I'm uh, helping Mink out.

Oh.

Good night.

Honestly, Hazel's
just crazy about Mink.

Who's to blame her?

He's such a dreamy
dancer, and funny.

Did you ever hear anything
like him in your whole life?

Yeah, he's an original, all right.

One laugh right after another.

Of course, I don't mind a man if he's
quiet, but just so he's not too quiet.

I'm sorry Nancy.

I'm afraid I'm not
much good tonight.

Hey, what's this, a seance?

I'm afraid we're keeping Tom, up.

Well, I warned you
I was b*at, Mink.

I forgot.

What old dad needs
is a quick recharge.

A couple of these, and
watch out Nancy, honey.

Where'd you get 'em?

Connections.

Let's keep uncle Tom company, cats.

Happy days and happy nights.

Ah!

That'll rev up the old engine, huh?

I'm going to give you a
break, now, Nancy honey.

OK.

Hold Tom's hand until
he gets that glow, babe.

Hi, boss.

Well, I figured one trip
had finished you off.

Well, you said three o'clock.

OK, I said three o'clock.

Why don't you get
up in the cab, see

if you remember anything
I told you last trip.

What's the matter, Wally?

Aw, nothing.

Are we going to ride this
way for the next 48 hours?

Can a guy have a headache without
you making a federal case out of it?

Sure, sure.

I just wondered if you were sore
about something I said or did.

It's got nothing to do with you.

Last trip, all that junk I talked about
Bennys, about pusher was, forget it.

Forget it?

You heard me.

Must have been punchy
wanting to play private eye.

Had the right idea before.

Live and let live, you understand?

Yeah.

If you think you can handle
it, Tom, I'll get some sleep.

Sure, I'll manage.

Tom?

Hmm?

I'm sorry.
I had no right taking it out on you.

It's just that when I got
started poking around,

I ran into something that shook me.

It's all right, Wally.

You don't owe me any explanations.

Maybe not.

But I shouldn't give you a bad time
just because I got myself in a bind.

Let's just make out like we
never had that talk, huh?

Sure, if that's
the way you want it.

It's not the way I want it.

It's the way it has to be.

I sure never thought I'd find
myself caught in the middle.

You look tired, Tom.

Pull over.

I'll take her into Six Points.

All right.

Oh!

God!

Help!

Tom!

Somebody call a doctor.

It's too late for that.

Call the police.

Good night, Val.

Don't go upstairs, please.

I'd rather not be alone right now.

You shouldn't have
gone to Wally's funeral.

I'll be alright.

Just have dinner with me.

Or... may-maybe you
have other plans?

No, no plans.

More coffee?

No.

No more stimulants, please.

It's been a wonderful evening, Tom.

Mhmm.

But, like all good things...

You have to work tomorrow?

Yeah.

Mink and I are taking
a rig out to Portland.

First run for me since Wally d*ed.

You can't blame yourself, Tom.

If only I hadn't been asleep
when we stopped at Six Points.

You'd have been k*lled too.

Maybe.

Maybe I could have done some.

You can always find an if or a
maybe to whip yourself with afterwards.

But who does it help?

Wally's dead.

That can't be changed.

Regrets are foolish.

I know that, Val.

But still you wonder.

With Lennie I... I
went over and over it.

Why, why, why, why?

Did you realize he was
depending on those pills?

I knew he took them sometimes.

But all the drivers seem to.

Blaming the pills is
no answer, not for me.

The way it seems to me, everything

that happens to us in
life is part of a bargain.

And to get certain
things, we lose others.

There's no use crying
over our losses.

We just play along, and
try and come out ahead.

Sort of win heavy, lose heavy?

Something like that.

I know nothing good ever came
to me that didn't cost me a lot.

You think sometimes
you can come out ahead?

It's possible.

I think I better go up.

The dining room light.

I must have forgotten.

That's all right, Tom.

Good night.

Good night, Tom.

Hope the company's
got a lot of insurance,

trusting you two
cowboys with this rig.

I'm the one who needs the insurance,
dad, partnered with the jinx.

Look what happened to Wally
after two runs with the kid.

Good thing I'm not superstitious.

Aw, Mink don't mean anything.

Yeah, well I wish he'd
stop kidding about Wally.

Sacramento cops still
giving you trouble?

No, I think they've given up.

I went up to see Wally's
wife and kids yesterday.

Real rough.

Dunc?

Yeah?

Look, I, uh, I had kind of
a rough night last night.

I'm going to need some co-pilots.

Can you help me out?

We don't handle that
kind of merchandise here.

Are you kidding?

You need help in that department,
talk to Mink, not me, you understand?

All right.

You don't have to get sore.

If you take my advice,
you'll bypass Benny.

He's trouble, nothing but trouble.

End of sermon?

Break it up, cat.

Let's roll.

See you, Dunc.

Hello, cats!

Your favorite
customer has returned.

And he's ready.

Oh, Tom.

Hi.

Where's Amy?

Oh, she hasn't been
feeling good lately.

I told her to stay
in and get some rest.

She, uh, she lives
here, doesn't she?

Yeah, in one of our cabins.

Which one?

Look, I don't want
you bothering Amy.

Look, I've got a message for her.

She doesn't have to let me
in if she doesn't want to.

Which cabin?

Number four in the rear.

Thanks.

Mink.

Mink!

What did he want?

To see Amy.

He says he's got a message.

She's got to go.

We can't afford the kind of
trouble she's going to make.

She's got to clear out.

All right.

We don't have to settle it now.

Yeah?

Tom Kaylor.

Please go away.

Either I talk to you
or I talk to the police.

What did you mean about
talking to the police?

You must have a guilty conscience.

I just don't want any trouble.

You've already got trouble.

If this is about Wally,
you're wasting your time.

He was nice to me.

And I'm sorry he's dead.

But that's all.

No, that's not all.

I think Wally was k*lled
trying to cover for you.

Cover what?

He started out to
expose this outfit that

was dumping all the
black market Bennys.

And why would Wally
get mixed up in that?

Why?

Because those pills had just
k*lled one of his best friends.

Because he hated what he saw
them doing to the guys he worked with.

Because he hated what he
saw them doing to you, Amy.

He must have been crazy to
think he could do anything.

He got close, too close.

Did he tell you all this?

He name names?

No.

No, he quit.

He was covering for someone.

But he'd gone too far.

How do you figure in this, anyway?

What's your percentage?

No percentage, Amy.

I liked Wally.

I don't like being
accused of k*lling him.

Well then why didn't you tell
the police all this about Wally.

Because they wouldn't
have believed me.

And maybe because I thought
enough of you to give you a break.

I didn't have anything to do
with what happened to Wally.

No?

You told the others he was
snooping around, getting too close.

No, I never guessed he was.

Even if I had, I'd
have never told them.

Told who?

Nobody.

Don't lie to me, Amy.

You're as guilty of Wally's m*rder
as the guys who b*at him to death.

No.

Look, get out of here.

Leave me alone.

Not until I get some answers.

I wish I was dead.

Oh, how I wish I were dead!

Now why don't you stop
feeling sorry for yourself.

Why don't you try thinking about
somebody else for a change,

like Wally maybe, or
his wife, or his kids.

Now those guys you sell pills
to every night, guys who end up

under 15 tons of wrecked semi or frothing
at the mouth on some violent ward...

why don't you try
thinking about them?

Oh, don't you think I do.

I haven't been able to sleep
since Wally got k*lled.

Every time I hear about a wreck, I

wonder if it happened
because of me, those pills.

Well then why do you go on?

I've tried to stop.

It's like standing on the edge of a
cliff all the time, scared and dizzy.

Only the pills will make me
feel steady and sure of myself.

How in the name of heaven
did you get started on them?

So easy.

Me and my mom, we had nobody else.

So long as it was the
two of us, it was OK.

And when I was about
15, mom got real sick.

I quit school, and went to work.

What kind of a job
can a kid 15 get?

Doctor bills, and
mom needed medicine.

Just wasn't bringing
home enough of money.

There are places to
get help, you know.

Sure.

Maybe I was crazy.

I don't know.

I wanted to be the one to
help her, all by myself.

So I got a second job.

That's when you
started on the pills?

Just to keep going.

It was just like taking an aspirin
when you have a headache.

When mom d*ed I could have quit
one of the jobs, but I didn't.

I could have quit the
pills, but I didn't.

I never will.

Sure you will, Amy, with help.

Look, you think Wally got
k*lled trying to help me.

You want to get k*lled, too?

Just tell me what you know.

I'll take care of myself.

Who supplies you
with the pills, Amy?

Amy?

Look, I'd like to help you.

But I...

Well then tell me, please.

Let me think it over, will you?

Time's important, Amy.

Look, there will be
protection for you.

I promise.

He'll be coming
through here tomorrow.

- I'll talk to you then.
- Why wait?

All I want is names.

30 seconds will do it.

Tomorrow.

All right, tomorrow.

You're really letting
this baby out, dad.

Look who's talking.

Oh, me, I was born in a hurry.

But I had you figured for
the slow and cautious type.

Well, I never believe in rushing
unless there's a good reason, Mink.

Yeah.

For this trip you got
a good reason, eh?

Your reason couldn't be a
certain cute little waitress

at Six Points, now could it?

You'd make a great detective.

Yeah, so we're
burning up the pavement

just so you can have a little
extra time with Amy Phillips.

Dad, you're human after all.

Got a yen for Amy, huh?

Yeah, I got to admit it.

I've been thinking of nothing but
seeing Amy again this whole trip.

Don't you have any idea
where she might have gone?

Just went off without a word.

Had a week's salary coming, too.

We figured you'd know
where she'd gone, and why.

No.

What about her friends?

She didn't have any.

Now look, Mr. Overton, there
must be somebody who knows.

Look, mister.

Amy Phillips is gone.

Far as I'm concerned,
she's forgotten.

That sounds pretty convenient.

If she hadn't run off,
I meant to fire her.

Why?

That's my business.

And remember this, I've broken
no laws, unless they passed one

against feeling sorry
for someone who's sick.

It can be illegal to
spread sickness, you know.

Yeah, I know.

And that's just why Amy Phillips
couldn't have stayed on.

Now I've said all I mean to.

If you want food, we'll serve you.

Otherwise, there's the door.

Mabel?

Yeah?

Could you make me a hamburger?

Coming up.

You better put onions
on it... self defense.

Val?

Tom.

Hi.

I got a great idea.

Let's go out to dinner, just the
two of us, somewhere really good.

And then maybe
afterward we can go...

Hello, Tom.

Oh, hi, Steve.

I thought I saw your
car out in front.

Tom, I love your idea.

But, well, could we
make it another night?

Sure.

Steve's come down to help
me with my legal tangles.

And we're having
dinner with my lawyer.

It's going to be a long session.

Oh, next time I'll put in
my bid a little earlier.

Nice seeing you, Steve.

Tom, I'm sorry to have
spoiled it for you.

That's all right.

Good night, Val.

Tom?

Don't wait too long
to ask me again.

Don't worry.

Man, all you need is
a lily in your hand.

Hey, why so sad, dad?

You and the merry
widow have a fight?

Oh, save it, Mink.

Oh touchy, touchy.

We've missed you, dad,
since you and Val started

working crossword
puzzles every night.

Look, don't let me keep
you from anything important.

Look, Nancy's all the time asking
when she's going to see you again.

You really registered
with that chick.

What's your secret, man?

Well, I don't talk much.

It confuses them.

Are you free tonight?

Nancy will give you
a big welcome back.

No thanks.

I got just the things that
tired all over feeling.

Come on.

You eat those things
like they were candy.

Oh, much better than candy, dad.

Now are you going to
give Nancy a break?

Not tonight.

OK.

Back in your coma.

Now listen, don't forget we make
the Portland run in the morning.

At ease, dad.

With Mink and Benny on the
stick, the sky's the limit.

Sweet dreams.

Mink.

Yeah?

Did you ever meet Mrs. Hummel?

Hummel?

Oh, Val's friend from Sacramento.

Yeah, she was around
after Lennie was k*lled.

Sharp looker.

Why the interest in her?

Oh, I don't know.

Hummel seems to be
around here a lot.

You're jealous.

You're jealous of Val.

Oh, man, oh man, what
a dark shade of green.

Good night.

Good night, Steve.

Hi.

Tom!

You scared me.

I'm sorry.

It's awfully late.

Yeah, well I couldn't sleep.

My room was kind of stuffy.

So... oh, who am I kidding.

I had to see you.

Val, I'm like a schoolboy.

I can't eat.

I can't sleep.

I can't think about
anything except you.

How you look, how
you feel in my arms.

Don't talk, Tom.

Don't talk.

You're all set.

Where's Mink?

I don't know.

If he doesn't show up pretty soon,
you better report to the dispatcher.

Yeah.

There it is, my ship.

On the gangplank.

Avast, mate.

Ready to sail?

Mink are you crazy,
bringing these people here?

My friends come to
wish me aloha, right?

Right!

All right.
Come on.

Get in.

Hey, now who are you shoving?

Mink.

I'm taking the wheel.

- Look...
- I'm the captain.

No mutinies.

Let me get her started
anyway, will you?

You better get in, mate.

I'm taking off.

Aloha!

Aloha.

That's the old [INAUDIBLE] mate.

Mink, you're so full of Bennys
you couldn't ride a tricycle.

You're not in any shape
to drive this truck.

Anchors away, daddy-o.

Aloha.

Aloha.

Water, I want some water.

You know where the fountain is.

Oh no.

I'm on to your sneaky tricks.

Service.

Can't a regular customer get
a drink at this crummy place?

All right, Larry.

Get him a drink of water.

Tom, you better humor him.

I should have turned
him into the dispatcher.

He'll be all right as long as
he doesn't run out of Bennys.

Contact!

What are you trying
to prove, anyway?

It's a secret between
Benny and Mink.

Look out!

Pull over.

No.

I gotta make time.

You almost hit that car head on.

Plenty of room.

Me and Benny saw it.

That much room. Leave
it to Benny and me.

Water!

Give me some water, Mabel.

Got something for you, Tom.

Huh?

Mink, lay off, will you?

Can't get along
without my co-pilots.

Ah.

Oh, there's my favorite music box.

We heard from her, too.

Oh, I'm in a dancing mood.

Hey, I'm in a dancing mood, I said.

Come on, Mabel.

Now you behave!

Come on!

Don't fight it, honey.

It's bigger than both of us.

Stop it.

Mink, stop it.

Leave me alone.

Come on.

You all right, Mink?

Yeah, leave me alone.

I'm OK.

Get up, out of my place.

All right.

I'll get up.

Come on.

On your feet!

Yeah, on my feet.

- You all right, Mabel?
- Oh, sure.

- I'm all right.
- You all right, honey?

Yeah, I'm all right.

But I can't understand
it, what's got into Mink.

I know he's always been loud.

But this is some kind of crazy.

Mabel don't want to dance,
it's all right with me.

The doll in Portland will dance
24 hours a day with me, 24 hours.

Tom, make him stay here.

I'll get a cabin ready.

Oh, thanks.

He'd never do it, Mabel.

I'm sorry.

You took my truck.

Take it easy, Mink.

Took my truck!

Lie down.

You're sick.

I want to drive my truck!

Oh, take it easy.

All right, after you get some rest.

The car!

Look out for the car!

There isn't any car, Mink!

There's no car.

We're going to crash!

I can't breathe.

I can't breathe!

It's all right, Reynolds.

Relax.

A hospital?

My arms, I can't move
my... what's the idea?

You were violent.

Mr. Kaylor brought you in.

We had no choice.

Don't you remember anything, Mink?

We have a riff?

How many amphetamine pills had
you taken before you blacked out?

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Bennys, stay awakes,
how many had you had?

I, uh, I did have one
or two of those, I guess.

Two dozen is nearer the mark.

You were full of amphetamine,
enough to k*ll some men.

What's this all about?

So I got tired, blacked out.

Listen to me.

You ought to be in jail
instead of this hospital.

Jail?

Because I took a few Bennys?

No, because you tried to k*ll me.

I tried to k*ll you?

That's right.

I don't remember that.

You're a lucky man.

You could be facing
a m*rder charge.

Yeah, you could be in the morgue
yourself, k*lled by your old pal Benny.

You better face it, Reynolds.

You're an addict.

Now I don't want to worry you.

But Unless you get medical help,
these pills are going to k*ll you.

k*ll me?

I never thought no more of taking
a B-Benny than taking an aspirin.

Doc, what should I do?

Well, if you really want to help,
you can stay here for a week or so.

We'll see how you get along.

Tom, I'm sorry.

How about the truck, the load?

I delivered them.

I'm on my way back to LA now.

I'll try to cover for you.

Thanks.

Mink, Mink, who'd you
buy the stuff from?

Look, what's it matter?

I'm, I'm through with it, honest.

If it can make a guy k*ll...

Look, you're through with it because
you had a bad scare, and came out lucky.

How about all the guys
who won't come out lucky?

I don't like to sing on anyone.

That's a sick kind of loyalty, Mink,
protecting the guy who sells you poison.

Now look, I don't want
to get rough with you.

But if I have to...

OK, Dunc Latham.

Dunc?

We tried and tried to make a buy
from Dunc, never got any place.

He don't risk selling
a buck's worth.

He keeps the place
clean for bigger marks.

Sure, Dunc and Wally
Morris were good friends.

Dunc's a nice guy.

He's plain goofy about his wife.

She's a real fancy spender.

That's why he got
hooked in this racket.

Jails are full of
nice guys like Dunc.

The excuses they've got
would break your heart.

So long, Mink.

Thanks.

I'd like to help
Mink out of his jam.

But I don't know.

I'm not asking you to lend
us the money that Mink needs.

This is a business proposition.

We buy the merchandise from you.

I sell it to my contact.

And Mink's got the dough he
needs to get out of his jam.

This trouble that Mink's in...

It's nothing that some
quick cash won't settle.

How many pills can you handle?

100,000.

You got a cash buyer for that many?

Mhmm.

How much will it cost me?

Well, I, I'd have to check.

Well, maybe a nickel a piece.

That would be $5,000.

My party will pay $7,500.

I make a quick $2,500.
When can I have an answer?

I don't know.

A buy this big...

We can't wait.

Look, Dunc, he wants
to work with you.

But if you won't play ball, he figures
there are people who'd like to know

about this little
side line of yours.

OK, OK.

I didn't say I wouldn't play ball.

You free tomorrow afternoon?

Mhmm.

I'm through at 4:00.

Meet me here.

4:00 tomorrow.

I could figure a guy
like Mink for this.

But somehow I had
you pegged different.

Well, you just never know, Dunc.

See you tomorrow.

Steve?

Steve?

Val?

Hi.

Well, now what kind
of a welcome is that?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I just got the brush
off from Steve outside,

and now I get the
same thing from you.

Oh, Steve's so upset he
probably didn't even recognize you.

What's his trouble?

Business setback.

Are you involved?

He just wanted a
shoulder to cry on.

I admire his taste.

I was worried.

Weren't you due back earlier?

Yeah, Mink got sick.

Mink?

Mhmm.

Had to leave him in
a hospital up North.

Exhaustion, the doctor called it.

So our playboy finally
pays the piper, huh?

He just needs rest.

So do you.

Mmm, not me.

I've got plans for us.

Tonight?

Mhmm.

We're going to do the town.

Sounds like a celebration.

Remember you once accused me
of just marking time as a truck driver?

Well, I'm through marking time.

You mean you got another job?

Mhmm.

Don't tease, Tom.

Tell me.

I'll tell you.

I got a lot of things to tell you.

And I want the mood and the
setting to be just right.

Not even a hint?

No, not even a hint.

Give me half an hour.

Val, honey.

Change of plan.

Amy's letter.

It was so obvious
I almost missed it.

I did miss it.

Of course, you're Mr.
Brown, the big wheel

with Sanborn Pharmaceutical
who dealt with Amy Phillips.

No wonder you were upset because
questions were being asked today.

I told you it was that
waitress who talked.

You were the one with the
answers all along, weren't you?

The ambitious woman married
to the poor, hardworking slob

who couldn't make anything pay off.

Sweet.

Dunc, good old Dunc, peddled poison to
his friends, and set up Wally's m*rder.

I didn't mean for
Wally to get hurt.

Just like I'm against what
they're talking for you.

Be quiet.

k*lling a federal cop.

What's your answer?

You got us into this,
trusting that crazy Mink.

Well, you're smart enough to
know I'm not working alone.

If anything happens to me...

I've thought of that,
and a way to cover it.

Get started.

I guess I'll go on home.

No, Dunc.

You're going with the others.

With Hummel and Pason
here, you don't need me.

You're going, too.

You sure there's nothing
left in these rooms?

Oh, you're not going with us?

What's the matter,
Val, got the trembles,

like after Wally's funeral?

Will you get him out of here?

Oh, just repeat the magic formula,

Val... win heavy, lose heavy.

Dunc, you drive.

Come on.

Get in.

Dunc, turn right here.

Take him right up there.

Dunc, give them a hand.

I thought I'd sit here
in the car and wait.

You heard me.

All right.

Start digging.

Digging what?

A grave.

Dunc?

Yeah?

You better make that two graves.

Two?

Sure.

They've got to k*ll you.

You're as dangerous
to them as I am.

I should have guessed.

[INAUDIBLE] shut him up.

Thanks, Dunc.

Oh.

Steve?

Your turn to be surprised.

Where's Steve?

Men who know you, Val, all
end up as bad insurance risks.

Tom.

I'm so glad you're all right.

I, I never wanted you to be hurt.

You know how I feel about you.

I thought I did.

Tom, it can still be you and me.

Listen, how much do
you make here, $7,500?

I've got over 10 times
that much in cash.

Well, I'm glad for you, Val.

Good lawyers come high.

You mean you're
going to turn me in?

Oh.

I, I don't want to go jail.

I, I never meant it to go this far.

S-Steve got me into it.

It, it was all his idea.

I was just so sick of
never having any money.

I thought this would be a chance
to make a few dollars, that's all.

All right.

It was weak of me.

It was foolish.

But I never meant any real harm.

I was just led into it, tricked.

Save it for the jury, Val.

Thanks, Val.

The cure is complete.

Oh!

Take her in.