Panama You've been nice to me. You took a rap that I couldn't afford to take. It would have put me out of business. And I'd hate to see someone like you banging his head against a stone wall. Now the liquor business is gonna grow big and it's gonna grow fast. So get in line, buster. Hack drivers are a dime a dozen.
But you gotta know people.
Panama I know people.
Panama Oh, I can get it - if you start small.
Tell me, what's in this for you? What's your take?
Panama Nuthin'. That story about the guy in the cell was a sad one. I'd hate to have somebody tell me that about you.
Panama I once knew a soldier like you who went to France. He never came back. I never got over it. That's why.
Panama If you don't like that story, I'll try to think of another one.
Panama [about Jean]
What's this kid got on you?
Oh, I don't know. Whatever it takes to get a guy like me, she's got.
Panama Does she know about this?
No, I'm gonna tell her after the show.
Panama You might be movin' too fast, Eddie. Sometimes you get over these things and you're sorry.
I don't think I'll ever get over this one.
Panama You're battin' out of your league, buster. You're used to traveling around with - dames like me. You sure got it bad. Suppose she turns you down.
Turn me down? Why should she turn me down?
Panama Suppose you tell me about that later.
[about Lloyd and Jean]
I'll lay ya eight to five right now - that's kid's gonna move in on your gal.
I hope you know what you're talkin' about.
Sure I do. Listen Eddie, I'm tryin' to steer you right. Listen, gals like her go for guys like that, you know, with all that Joe College stuff. He's gonna take her to football games, fraternity dances, all that rah-rah stuff. A kid like him can't miss.
Panama Calm down, Eddie. Maybe George is right. If he is, there's nothing you can do about it.
Shudd-up. I trust my friends. [Eddie leaves]
You know, he's a sucker. I don't trust mine.
Panama It's mutual, chump. They don't trust you either.
Panama Eddie, I'm gonna tell you something you won't like. Jean's quit the club, gave her notice.
Panama Do I have to draw you a diagram?
Now look, you're tryin' to say somethin'. Get it off your chest and say it.
Panama Jean's in love.
Well, now you're bein' full of news. Sure she is, with me.
Panama Eddie, this is gonna be kinda hard to take and I don't want ya to get mad. Jean was never in love with you. She went hook, line, and sinker for that Lloyd guy the minute she saw him. And she's been seeing him every time your back was turned. I tried to give you the steer, but I guess I didn't get it over. Everybody knew it but you. Now look, Eddie, as far as Jean is concerned, you've been...
Panama Okay.
Yeah sure, it's his duty. It's George's duty to stop him. I'd do the same thing in George's place.
Jean Eddie, please, for my sake...
The same old story, the same old story. Any time she wants anything, she comes to me. I suppose that's all I ever meant to you anyway...Maybe a patsy once but never twice.
Panama Well, I don't see how it's gonna do any harm to talk to George.
Talk? There's only one language George understands. And do you think I'm gonna walk into an ambush just because that big, dumb, good-lookin' husband of hers doesn't know enough to keep his trap shut? You're crazy. No dice, Jean, no dice.
Panama Look Eddie, you've got to do something for them. She's got something to look forward to.
Panama What?
Panama Eddie, you're kidding yourself. The race is over. We're both finished out of the money.
Maybe for you, but not for me.
Panama It's over for all of us: you, me, and George. Eddie, something new is happening, something you don't understand.
