Marked Woman

Oh, that's the cocktail bar, huh?

- What's in there? - It's a private dining room.

From now on, it's the gambling room.

- Make a note of that, Charlie. - Right.

Take him out for a walk. It's too stuffy in here.

That, it's crummy. Change it.

But, Mr. Vanning, it's French. I had it specially designed.

It's still crummy.

None of the classy spots use that kind of stuff.

I want the kind that sticks up in the ceiling.

- Indirect lighting. - That's what I want.

Hello, Gabby. Still around?

Yeah.

Emmy Lou is the name, Mr. Vanning.

Alright, now. This is it.

I'm taking over this joint.

From now on, you're working for me, understand?

Most of you've been around long enough to know how I operate.

If you don't, read the papers and find out.

Up to now, this night club racket's

been run on a penny-ante basis. That's out.

From now on, I'm organizing it.

When I organize anything, I make it pay big money, or else..

Now, this town is full of big shots from the stakes.

They keep pouring in by the carload

looking for one thing.

The kind of time they can go home and brag about.

And torch songs with soft lights aren't going to satisfy them.

We know the kind of action they want

and we are going to give it. From tiddlywinks to roulette.

But they're going to pay for it, plenty. Understand?

In other words...a clip joint.

Yeah...and run on a high-class basis.

'Your job is to soften them up, so, they can be taken.'

'There's only one way to work on chumps..'

'...our way.'

'With no holds barred.'

High-class?

You don't like it, huh?

It all depends.

How much is there in it for us?

About 50 times what you're getting now.

But you don't get it for nothing.

Every week, you're going to kick back

part of what you make to me.

That goes for protection, hush money, lawyer's fee, bail bonds

anything else to square the rap, in case, the law steps in.

That's one thing you wouldn't have to worry about.

Anybody that sticks with me

gets taken care of.

Maybe you like this setup, maybe you don't.

But you're going to take it.

'I got every nightclub in town'

'and every girl working in every nightclub, sewed up.'

'You're going to work the way I tell you'

'or you don't work at all.'

You got that straight?

Alright, the place will be closed

until we get it fixed like I want it.

Oh, and cut a peephole in the door.

The chumps go for that hard-to-get-inangle.

Come on, let's get outta here.

Wait till I get my pay.

'Hurry up. We'll be outside.'

Hey, you. Yeah, you. Kind of old, ain't you?

I need young dames here.

The kind men go for in a hurry.

But, Mr. Vanning, I've been here a long time--

That's the trouble.

You won't do. You're through.

You said you took care of people who're loyal to you.

- She never worked for me. - But she has for Beler.

And she's always been on the level.

How do you know what she can do?

Why kick her out just because you're taking over?

Sure, she's okay, Vanning.

Why don't you give her a break and let her prove it?

You know, she can't wreck the place.

Yeah?

- Okay. - Thanks, Mr. Vanning.

Pretty smart girl, aren't you?

I get along.

How about coming up to my place for a drink?

- I'd like to know you better. - No, thanks.

Why not?

Well, you've told me I was working for you.

So, I work for you. That's as far as it goes.

Anyway, I'm sort of afraid of your social set.

- Afraid? - Yes, I..

I might get to learn too much about you

like, Audrey Fleming did.

Remember?

Anyway, if I'd wanted to end up in the river

I'd have taken a jump off Brooklyn Bridge, five years ago.

You're not afraid to talk, anyway.

We're among friends.

And I think we'll get along a lot better

if we understand each other.

I think I'll be a big help to your business.

Maybe you will at that.

Goodnight.

- Smart girl. - Maybe too smart.

- Thanks, Mary. You were swell. - Forget it, Estelle.

- Goodnight, Mr. Vanning. - Goodnight.

- What's her name? - Emmy Lou.

Make a note of it.

- Here you are, girls. - Wait a minute, let's walk.

We'll need some fresh air after that one.

That sign, what's it mean?

- Come on. What does it mean? - Intimate.

- What does that mean? - You know, intimate.

Personal. Get together.

Like, uh, like this..

Oh, well, why don't it say what it means?

- Change it. - To what?

- What was that you said? - Intimate.

- Intimate. Make a note of it. - Right.

Good morning.

I don't really look old, do I?

'What does he expect a girl to look like'

'at six in the morning after dragging'

a lot of heavyweight shoe salesmen all night?

Like a debutante?

I bet if he saw me when I'd just come to work and my makeup--

Oh, let's skip it, Estelle, and go to bed.

We're all fagged out.

Well, let him fire me. What do I care?

I don't want any part of his clip joints anyway.

And if you do, you're crazy.

He might as well put a gun in our hands

and send us out on stick-ups.

Well, what are you going to do?

You heard what he said. It's Vanning or nothing.

Well, this isn't the only way to make a living.

Do you know a better one?

Well, of course, I can always go back into Vaudeville.

Stop kidding yourself, Estelle. Your dancing days are over.

You'd have counterweights to keep your arches from falling.

Then I'll get one in a factory, behind a counter, anyplace.

- At 12 and a half a week? - That's enough for me.

- For cigarettes? - Mm-mm.

We've all tried this 12 and a half a week stuff. It's no good.

Living in furnished rooms, walking to work.

Going hungry a couple of days a week

so you can have some clothes to put on your back.

I've had enough of that for the rest of my life.

- And so have you. - Well, of course she has.

She's just burned up 'cause Johnny said she was gettin' old.

Aren't you, honey?

You're a sweet little hyena, aren't you?

'Well, it's true, isn't it?'

'Working for Vanning isn't gonna be any bed of roses.'

- 'You don't have to rub it in.' - 'You're gonna work for him.'

Uh-huh, but I'm not getting into his trap.

And I'm not taking any chances of getting

a slap in the face with a spade either.

We're letting ourselves in for enough as it is.

Some will wind up in the short end.

But not me, baby.

I know all the angles, and I think I'm smart enough

to keep one step ahead of them

till I get enough to pack it all in

and live on easy street the rest of my life.

I know how to beat this racket.

Yeah? How?

That's what I've been trying to find out for years.

- Good evening, gentlemen. - Here you are.

- Oh, look at that. - Oh, keep the change.

This way, please. Where are they from?

I picked them up at the Waldorf Ritz, metal industries banquet.

It's locked. Hey, captain, commodore, come on.

Just a second, gentlemen.

From the Waldorf Ritz. McGrew sent them.

Say, are we having fun?

- Good evening, gentlemen. - How do you do?

- How many? - Four, please.

Right this way, please.

* Ain't it funny that paper money *

* Don't seem like genuine Jack *

* And every check has a knack *

* Of jumpin' and a-bumpin' and bouncing back *

* I like nothin' but silver dollars *

* And I've collected a few *

* When silver starts in ringin' *

* It rings so true *

* My silver dollar man *

* He ain't a tie-and-collar man *

* A rough and ready man *

* But he's a mighty steady man *

* And though he can't supply *

* A lot of luxuries that I demand *

* He never leaves me till he leaves *

* A bit of silver in my hand *

* He's the.. *

Are there going to be any more in your party?

I don't know.

* Upon the easy fame and.. *

Are there?

* You don't know how my heart feels *

* Playing those cartwheels *