The Big Heat

Mr. Lagana.

I know it's late.

Wake him up.

Tell him it's

tom duncan's widow.

I'm very sorry, mr. Lagana, but there's

an important call on the private line.

A woman who says

she's tom duncan's widow.

Widow?

That's what she said.

Yes?

This is lagana.

No. I'm glad you

called me, mrs. Duncan.

I appreciate it.

Yes, of course

we will get together.

But now i suggest you call

the police immediately.

Call vince.

Mr. Lagana

wants vince stone.

It's his girl.

She says he's playing cards.

This is not a social call, debby.

Tell vince i want him, right away.

Oh, sure, mr. Lagana. I always

like to tell vince you're calling.

I like to see him jump.

Vince!

It's him!

Oh, pass the deal, hmm?

Why don't you shut the door and

see if anybody needs a drink?

well, i don't know

about your politicians,

But i'm so bored

i need one.

Two.

Debby!

Shut the door.

Yes, mike?

Well, i didn't know it was the private line

ringing, or i would have answered myself.

When?

When did it happen?

Oh, sure,

i'll see to it.

Too bad you had to make the trip

out from headquarters, sergeant.

From out of bed, you mean. When a cop

kills himself, they want a full report.

Did you know him? No.

Just to say hello to.

He was in charge

of the record bureau.

Single contact wound. Powder

burn on his temple and right hand.

Suicide. No question. Tell the

wagon boys they can have him, huh?

Yes.

No note or anything,

huh, gus? No. Nothing.

You'd better make a list of all

this stuff for the report, huh?

Right.

I'm going upstairs, have

a talk with mrs. Duncan.

Please come in.

Mrs. Duncan,

i won't keep you very long.

You needn't apologize.

I know this is necessary.

Please sit down.

Thank you.

My name is david bannion.

I knew your husband slightly.

Tom had many friends.

Would you mind telling me

what happened?

When i first heard the shot,

I was too surprised to move

for a few seconds.

Then i ran downstairs.

When i found him,

he was- He was dead.

i'm sorry i have to ask you

these questions,

But they want

a full report downtown.

Of course.

When a policeman kills himself,

the department gets worried.

Well, that depends

on the circumstances.

There weren't

any circumstances.

Everything tom ever did...

Was clean and wholesome.

That's the kind of man

he was.

do you know why

he took his life?

It-It must have been

his health.

S- Several times

the past few months,

He complained...

About a pain

along his left side.

When i suggested

he see the police surgeon,

He'd make excuses.

I think he was afraid to.

Then he didn't

see a doctor?

Not that he ever told me.

You've been most helpful.

Now look, if there's anything

you need, anything at all,

You get in touch

with us, huh?

Thank you, mr. Bannion.

good-Bye, mrs. Duncan.

What's with dinner? How about

putting the paper down and helping?

All right.

Whoop. Hey.

What's that, steak?

Medium rare.

How do you manage steaks

on my salary?

You know, downtown,

they just don't believe me.

- Tell them you married an heiress.

- All right.

Next year, when joyce

starts kindergarten,

You're gonna have to kiss the steaks

good-Bye until she finishes college.

Unless you become police

commissioner in the meantime.

Oh, that's inevitable.

Oh, naturally.

Okay, commissioner, you get

the stringy end of the steak.

What about joyce? She go to bed all

right? Just the usual tug of war.

She had to go to the bathroom a

few times, hear three stories...

And have a glass of water

before she finally went to sleep.

She's angelic all day. But

at night, she's a holy terror.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes