And the Oscar goes to . . .

How did you get in here?

I thought you understood that I didn’t want to see you again, ever.

Well, I’m sorry, Frankie, but a situation came up. I thought you’d better talk about it.

You picked some dumb stupid time to want to chew the fat.

Our deal was I wouldn’t tell who hired me to dig into your past. I’m not goin’ back on that. But a couple of public relations guys called to feel me out. They work for two of the other nominees. They wanted to know how much it would cost for me to let the newspapers know that it wasn’t their clients who hired me.

This is starting to smell, Yale. Put a little chlorophyll in the conversation.

Listen, Frankie, this could mean as much as twenty grand. There are four other nominees. I need that money, Frankie. With the divorce and all I can use it. Now you win that Oscar, you stand to make millions. Why shouldn’t I get a few bucks? It only seems fair. You know I got a good reputation in this town, everybody knows I can be trusted, I don’t reveal a client. I’m not tellin’ who hired me, just who didn’t. Ah, but just to stay tight with you, Frankie, I’d settle for fifteen grand. Now, I’m voluntarily cuttin’ myself out of five big ones.

Barney, I hope you’re gonna believe this because it’s the truth. I haven’t got it.

Look, I don’t care if you think I’m dumb, but just don’t talk me dumb. Frankie, you live in a Bel Air mansion, this is sixty-five feet of yacht, and you drive around in those cars . . .

All in hock, up to the ears. I haven’t got a dime. I come up empty, empty!

Now, this ain’t right, Frankie. I didn’t have to come up here to offer you this chance. The least you can do is deal me straight! Now, look, fifteen grand to you is like a drop in the bucket. I know how you guys live, that’s walkin’ around money.

What the hell’s the matter with you, Barney? Are you deaf? I said I haven’t got it!

Stop shuckin’ me, Fane. I want that fifteen or I tell those PR guys I’m takin’ ’em up on their offer. Now the ballots are in the mail. In a few days they’ll have voted. My word won’t be worth a dollar. You got forty-eight hours. That’s what they gave me. That’s what I’m givin’ you.

Don’t threaten me, Yale.

I can’t afford to let you do me out of that money. I expected better from a guy like you. I figured you’d treat me square.

You must be nuts! You blackmail me! And you’re insulted I don’t want to pay.

You got forty-eight hours. Don’t waste a minute of it. Please.