The Burglar who thought he was Bogart

“Where, Bern?”

“A movie.”

“The Bogart festival’s over, Bernie. Isn’t it?”

“Over and done with. But down at the Sardonique in Tribeca they’re starting an Ida Lupino film festival.”

“ Bern, I got a question. Who cares?”

“What have you got against Ida Lupino?”

“Nothing, but I never knew you were such a big fan. What’s the big deal about Ida Lupino?”

“I always liked her,” I said. “But tonight’s movies are kind of special. They Drive by Night and High Sierra.”

“I’m sure they’re both terrific, but…wait a minute, Bern. I know High Sierra. It’s not an Ida Lupino movie.”

“It most certainly is.”

“She may be in it, but that doesn’t make it her movie. It’s a Humphrey Bogart movie. He’s trapped on a mountain peak with a rifle, and they kill him.”

“Why’d you have to ruin the ending for me?”

“Come on, Bern, you know the ending. You’ve seen the movie.”

“Not recently.”

“What’s the other one? They Drive by Night? Who’s in that, if you don’t mind my asking? Besides Ida Lupino.”

“George Raft,” I said. “And I think A

“And?”

“And Bogart. He plays a one-armed truck driver. They showed High Sierra at the Musette, but on a night I couldn’t go. I was stuck at that auction. And They Drive by Night never played the Musette.”

“Maybe for a good reason.”

“Don’t be silly,” I said. “I’m sure it’s great. What do you say? Do you want to go? I’ll buy the popcorn.”

“Oh, what the hell,” she said. “But one thing, Bern. Can we get one thing straight?”

“What’s that?”

“This is entertainment,” she said. “These are not training films. Is that understood?”

“Of course.”

“Good,” she said. “Don’t forget, sweetheart.”

Acknowledgments

The author is pleased to acknowledge the contributions of the Ragdale Foundation, in Lake Forest, Illinois, where some of the preliminary work on this book was done, and of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, in Sweet Briar, Virginia, where it was written.

About the Author

A Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, LAWRENCE BLOCK is a four-time wi

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