The System Page #4

if you're on the take, I'll go along.

I'll do business.

But it would bust my heart.

No, Johnny. I'm not on the take.

Well, then why?

These articles you're writing.

Suddenly, after all these years.

You ever know me to hurt anybody?

This Gerber kid, do you think that I..

Jerry, I give my right arm up

to here to have that boy back.

I believe you, I know you would.

- But then why?

Make me understand, that's all I ask.

Johnny..

you asked me what more

can a man want out of life.

Because you asked me that,

I don't think I'll ever be able

to make you understand.

I haven't got the kind of words

that Johnny Merrick can..

can take apart and taste them and smell

them and put them back together again and..

and then understand.

All I can do, Johnny, is tell

you I intend to close you down.

Forever.

Smash me?

Smash you.

Sorry, Johnny.

You got a job to do, do it!

You got a job to do.

Do it.

Good morning, Mr. Merrick.

- Morning.

I'm sorry, Sir, but Miss Stuart went

down town.. - Mr. Stuart sent for me.

Mr. Stuart's in the library, Sir.

- Thank you.

Well, Mr. Merrick?

- I got your message.

Message?

Biggest personal ever published,

half the front page in the News Tribune.

Piece mentions no names.

It doesn't mean Father

Gallo at Saint Sophia's.

No, it doesn't.

Oh, it reminds me..

I promised to make a contribution

to Father Gallo's fund.

Fine fellow, Father Gallo.

To me, it reads only way:

"Attention Merrick,"

"This is only beginning. No names yet."

"Let's have a meeting, before I really

get tough. Love and kisses, Stuart."

Your interpretation must remain your own.

Clarkton, I'm sure,

will read it in another way.

Organized gambling is

a menace to the community.

The system must be destroyed.

- How do you spell "system"?

M-E-R

-R-I-C-K.

Twenty years.

It's sure a long time

to make up your mind.

I'm never been an impulsive man.

Alright, Stuart, let's get in

out of the rain. What do you want?

I run a newspaper, Merrick.

My only interest is supplying the public

with stories and information which

will them keep coming back for more.

If I find that my readers..

lose interest in some feature or

series of articles, I.. - You drop it.

Racing results,

they interest your readers?

Allan's articles on gambling,

maybe they don't?

Maybe they don't.

Depending on what?

- On you!

How?

- Your actions.

With your daughter?

Ah, that's better! That's much better.

For a fast minute,

I thought you were sincere.

Jerry Allen is sincere.

You control Allen?

- I do.

But not Felice, huh?

Tell me something,

in this I really want to know.

How do you expect to talk turkey

to Johnny Merrick, when you

can't control your own daughter?

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