Nightmare Alley Page #4

- 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 I... Charlie!

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