The Narrow Margin

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Your attention, please.

Now arriving from Los Angeles

at Track 3...

Central Pacific train number 10...

the Forty-Niner now arriving

from Los Angeles.

You handle the bags.

I'll meet you at the taxi stand.

Yeah, sure.

- Redcap.

- Yes, sir?

- Those two there.

- Yes, sir.

You going on East or staying over?

Neither. Going back tonight.

Golden West Limited, Los Angeles.

- Why, that train leaves in an hour, sir.

- Yeah, I know.

- Just be sure those two are aboard.

- Yes, sir.

Car 10, rooms A and B.

- Okay.

- Thank you.

- 9417 Water Street, South.

- Okay.

Yeah, and if you know any shortcuts,

driver, take them.

Relax, Walter. We'll make it okay.

If we don't, I know a couple of suitcases

that are going to be awfully lonesome.

Your cigar is dead.

Thanks. I'm thinking of changing brands.

Something with a self-starter on it.

Bet you're wondering the same

thing I am:
What she looks like.

I don't have to wonder. I know.

Why, that's wonderful, Walter.

Nobody's seen her, but you know

what she looks like. What a gift.

Come off of it. You're just making talk.

Well, we'll get there just as fast talking.

- What about this dame, Mr. Crystal Ball?

- A dish.

What kind of a dish?

Sixty-cent special: Cheap, flashy,

strictly poison under the gravy.

Amazing. Now, how do you know all this?

Well, she was married to a hoodlum,

wasn't she?

What kind of a dame would marry a hood?

All kinds.

Oh, Gus, at heart you're still a boy scout.

Maybe it's just old age coming on.

Anyway, I got $5 that says

you're wrong this trip.

- What can I lose?

- $5. You're on.

Slightly out of the high-rent district,

isn't it?

- Well, nobody tailed us.

- You hope.

Wait here, driver.

Douse your lights, will you?

Number 10.

You want to double my bet?

- Who is it?

- Forbes.

It's okay.

- Det. Sgt. Brown.

- All right.

What's the music for? A welcome?

You don't know how welcome.

Turn that thing off.

Your escort's here.

Forbes and Brown. Los Angeles.

How nice. How's Los Angeles?

Sunburn wear off on the way out?

If you don't mind, Mrs. Neall,

we're a little short of time.

- Our train leaves in half an hour.

- Just a minute.

I can pack my own things.

First, I want to know who I'm going with.

- You're going with us.

- Don't be too sure of that.

How do I know you're cops?

- Was I right?

- Don't rub it in.

- I owe you $5.

- Better show her your orders.

- She's afraid of a trap.

- You bet I am.

Getting killed sort of runs in our family.

They got Frankie, and his widow's next.

I'm taking a big chance.

Okay. Here's the DA's signature.

We're taking a big chance, too, you know.

If we don't get you to the Coast,

it'll cost us our jobs.

- You're breaking my heart.

- You satisfied?

All right, I'll get my things together.

- So long, mother.

- Have a nice trip.

- She's all yours, boys.

- Okay, Wilson.

"Rumor of grand jury to hold

special session.

"Hint slain ganglord's widow...

"may testify in graft probe. "

The word gets around, doesn't it?

That's what's worrying me.

Frankie carry any life insurance,

Mrs. Neall?

Quit hinting.

Well, I thought he might've

left you an annuity.

Not cash exactly,

but something just as good.

Like that payoff list they talk about.

I heard you the first time.

You'd like a look at that list, wouldn't you?

Well, I like to feel I'm in the know.

Buy a paper, the first thing I turn to

is the gossip column.

- I'll read them off to you sometime.

- When?

When the grand jury asks me and not

before. So quit making a pest of yourself.

- And get your hands off my baggage.

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