Wild Weed

This is the city of Los Angeles.

One of the fastest growing communities

in the United States today.

A city that still reflects the charm

and customs of its native past.

A city of culture,

of advanced liberal education that keeps abreast

of each new generation.

A city of progress and tremendous engineering accomplishments.

Los Angeles, City of the Angels.

But like any other city, it has its back alleys.

Its world of saints and sinners

and the half-world of dark shadows,

some of them dwelling.

The darkest of these shadows is marijuana.

In every large city, there are men like Captain Hayes,

Chief of the Narcotic Division.

His job is to combat and control this evil menace.

His fight, a 24-hour one.

His weapons? Simple but effective.

Patience and intelligence.

Every case, history tells the same story.

A story that's a tragic pattern of men and women's lives.

Cause? Marijuana.

This harmless-looking cigarette

is cloaked in many innocent disguises.

But light the match, inhale the smoke,

and it becomes an invitation to your own murder.

This killer and the man who sells it

has no respect for anybody.

His victims are any lost soul.

It matters not to whom the soul belongs.

The seller's method of operation?

Simple. Keep the mind from thinking.

The mind thinks, the world becomes a real thing.

With troubles and problems without the answers.

But he has the answer.

Escape. Sell the dreams, people want a dream.

Keep them from waking up, because once they do,

you're out of business.

Of course, the rich can afford to pay more for their dreams.

It's a profitable game.

When boredom sets in, heroin, cocaine, opium

is always the next step at higher prices.

If you live that long.

This man has no pride.

To lay his hands on an extra dollar,

he'll set this killer loose on anyone.

Even your kids who go to high school.

You may even know him. His name is Markey.

Oh, Ricky, I love you.

Change five pennies for a nickel, pop.

Be right back, baby.

How are you, Markey?

Shut up, you crazy kid.

How many times have I told you not to mention my name?

Oh, yes. Sorry.

Ah, you're getting good taste. I wish I was young again.

It's going to cost you five bucks tonight. -Five bucks?

That's right. Weekend special.

Three for five, just for you.

But five dollars? That's all I got.

Well, tell your old man to double your allowance next week.

I don't know.

Come on. You want it or not?

I haven't got all night.

Okay, okay.

Have fun.

Give us some more. More!

Hey, give us some.

I'm on a great big purple cloud and it's real purple.

Hey, you look funny.

You've got purple hair.

Let's go dance!

Let's go, come on!

Oh Ricky, look out! There's a car coming your way.

Watch me give him a shave.

Oh, my baby. My baby.

Well, the morgue did a big business.

Three lives.

One girl never to walk again, if she lives.

Too bad it wasn't the guy who sold them those sticks.

We'll get him, Mason. It may take time.

When we do, we'll throw the book at him.

From all reports, this peddler isn't the ordinary run-of-the-mill.

He moves in all circles.

From Beverly Hills and Bel Air to the nightclubs along the strip.

From Hollywood and the Wilshire District all the way down to Skid Row.

I'm assigning you and Tyne in this case.

You're going to work as a team.

I want this deal handled strictly on the hush side.

No pickups, no arrests.

We can pull in the users any time.

If we do it now, they may clam up.

They talk, their supplier is cut off.

Our job is to find the main source of supply.

Who sells it to the peddlers.

How he rolls the stuff in,

and where he stores it.

Looks like our vacation is over.

It was so nice and quiet in the community too.

Somebody had to go get greedy,

start a big push on the stuff again.

Well, if we blow this deal, boys,

all our vacations will be permanent.

Better get some sleep. This may be our last chance.

The boss was right.

Sleep? That was for babies.

I went home, dug out my old schoolbooks,

loaded up my pockets with nickels for the jukebox,

and brushed up on my jive talk.

Then I played a solo in that malt shop.

Another drink, madam?

Me? Oh, I joined the union to wear the uniform.

If the customers hadn't been loyal patrons,

I think I would have put the owner out of business.

It was all-hands. About six.

The only trouble was, five of them didn't function.

Say, Markey, can you let me help?

Uh-uh, sweetheart.

I crossed your name off my books.

I'm not in business for love. -Well, I can pay you next week.

See me then.

But Markey, I...

We do not have all day. Dress quickly, please.

Hello, Hugo. Found any new talent lately?

Big, you stay away from my girls.

Hugo, you hurt my professional pride.

You want them to have rhythm, don't you?

Back in a minute, honey.

Hello, Markey.

I'm awfully jumpy today.

Are you holding?

I've been telling you, Markey. She's a nice kid.

She's only working here because she needs the dough.

Markey, did you hear what I asked?

I had my eye on that for a long time.

Lay off, Markey.

She's the kind that works to help support her brother.

Wants him to have a decent education. I...

Rita, you sound as if I had the wrong ideas.

I think education is a wonderful thing.

I want to talk to her about it.

I told you, she's a nice kid.

So am I. I like nice kids.

That's why I want to meet her.

Arrange a party.

Markey, I...

Make it tonight.

All right.

You're a real sensible girl, Rita.

The kind that knows how to keep a good friend.

Oh, Anne!

I'm throwing a little party tonight.

Nothing sensational.

How about coming over?

Well, Bob's coming home from college.

Summer vacation. He may be in tonight.

We'll bring the party to you.

Really welcome the kid home.

Now you kiss me!

Now you!

I like yours better. Your mustache is tickley.

Well, the lady really is alive.

You had me worried for a while.

Rita always gets fun out of things.

Don't you?

I guess maybe I'm too busy trying to make a living.

I help send my brother to college.

Yes, so I heard.

What you need maybe is a little education yourself.

Learn to relax, let your hair down.

You got a lot of class.

Charm.

With a guy like me, you might even go places.

I know a lot of people.

The right kind.

You might even call me a sort of Santa Claus.

I could turn your life into a nice,

big, beautiful sleigh ride.

Enough dough to put your brother

through college twice.

You make living sound attractive.

Here, try one of mine.

Go ahead. It won't hurt you.

No, Markey.

Maybe for somebody else.

But not for me.

What are you worried about?

You're over 21.

You got a mind of your own.

I think you're the type that can take it or leave it.

Hey, fellas! Anne's going to join the club.

Come on, we can't miss this.

That's a good girl. -Don't be a poor sport, Anne.

It's fun, you'll love it.

Well, maybe one puff won't hurt me.

Sure, you know, I wouldn't steer you wrong.

Oh, no, baby. Not like that. Here, try...

Show somebody else, stupid. Not her.