Minute 054: The Number Three Box Office Star

Summary

In Eddie Valentine’s office at the South Seas Club, Neville explains that the woman he’s having dinner with is Cliff Secord’s girlfriend.

“Good,” says Eddie. “She’ll tell us where Secord is. My boys’ll get the truth out of her in two minutes.”

Sinclair leans over Eddie’s desk, face to face with Eddie. “Valentine,” says Sinclair, “we’re going to do what *I* think is necessary.”

“And that includes breaking one of my men in half, huh?” says Valentine. “Next time you go after one of my men, I’ll kill ya.”

Sinclair smiles. “Don’t threaten me, Eddie,” he says, “just do your job.” Sinclair turns to leave.

Valentine puts a cigar in his mouth. “Hey,” says Eddie, “Sinclair – – if the feds get me, I’m taking you with me. I’m going to tell ’em everything.” Eddie lights the cigar. Neville stands by the open office door.

“Who do you think they’d believe?” replies Sinclair. “A cheap crook, or the number three box office star in America?” Sinclair slams the door shut as he leaves.

“Number three JERK!” shouts Eddie, tossing the cigar at the closed door.

Back at the Bulldog Cafe, Malcolm hurries inside. In the bulldog’s “head”, Peevy and Cliff listen to news reports on the radio.

“Helmeted Mystery Man disappeared into the Baldwin Hills moments after the daring rescue, and has yet to step forward and identify himself, ” says the radio announcer, “but air circus owner Otis Bigelow promises his bird man will return. Until then, all of Los Angeles is buzzing. Who is the Rocke–”

In This Minute
Timothy Dalton as Neville Sinclair
Joe D’Angerio as Stevie
Paul Sorvino as Eddie Valentine
Eddie Jones as Malcolm
Billy Campbell as Cliff Secord
Alan Arkin as Peevy