Panic in the Streets Page #5

Dan, looks like your job.

All right, sir.

I'll do what I can.

But after all,

we don't know the identity of the dead man.

- We have no possible idea of the motivation.

- And you haven't got much time.

- Also, we haven't got the body.

- Did you empty out his pockets?

- I had everything burned.

- Great.

If the killer is incubating pneumonic plague,

he can start spreading it within 48 hours.

- Forty-eight hours?

- Yes. We have 48 hours.

Shortly after that,

you'll have the makings of an epidemic.

Commissioner, what's the use

of kidding ourselves?

We can't turn up

an unknown killer in two days.

He's absolutely right,

Mr. Mayor.

The police department

can't be held responsible for this.

Now, if you want to believe

the doctor here...

I'm sorry, sir, but frankly,

I honestly don't...

...but if you want to believe him,

there's only one way to handle this.

Give the story to the press.

You get on the radio...

And have everybody who was

in contact with the dead man leave town?

You can't give it to the press!

I may be an alarmist. I may be entirely

wrong about the whole matter.

But I've seen

this disease work...

...and I'm telling you if it ever gets loose

it can spread over the entire country...

...and the result will be more horrible

than any of you can imagine.

And the key to the whole thing lies

right here, now, in the next 48 hours.

You can take me at my word.

Whatever you like.

What can we do?

Find this man.

Dan, put your best men on it.

Yes, sir.

Tom, you work with the doctor.

Anything else you need,

ask for it.

- Mackey.

- Thank you.

- We'll give him all the assistance possible.

- That's it, gentlemen.

All right, Tom.

Make your arrangements with the doctor here.

I'll be on call

waiting for a report.

Take any emergency action

you feel necessary.

Annapolis man?

No. Why?

No reason.

- Hope I wasn't too rough.

- On me?

- No.

- No, I meant the rest of'em.

I still have a feeling

they don't believe me.

I just know how serious

this can be.

- I was trying to put it across to 'em.

- Mm-hmm.

Now I'd start worrying

about what you're gonna do...

...when we don't turn up

with your boy.

- Just a minute, Captain.

- Hi, Cap.

- Hello, Josh.

- If this is the attitude you're gonna start out with...

- We're not going to get far.

- I was assigned to this. I'll do the best I can.

But let's not get the idea

that I'm a sailor in your, uh, navy.

- Now, wait a minute...

- Hello, Warren. I've been looking for you.

- You found me and you're interrupting me.

- Heard you had a meeting.

- Little pitchers.

- Had Mackey and the Board of Health in too.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes