Nightmare Alley

Pete Krumbein:
Throughout the ages, man has sought to look behind the veil that hides him from tomorrow. And through the ages, certain men have looked into the polished crystal... and seen. Is it some quality of the crystal itself, or does the gazer merely use it to turn his gaze inward? Who knows? But visions come. Slowly shifting their forms... visions come. Wait. The shifting shapes begin to clear. I see fields of grass... rolling hills... and a boy. A boy is running barefoot through the hills. A dog is with him. A... DOG... is... with... him.

Stanton Carlisle:
Yes... go on... his name was Jib. Go on!

Pete Krumbein:
[Choked laughter] Humph. See how easy it is to *hook* 'em!

Carny #1:
How can a guy sink so low?

Carny #2:
He reached too high...

Pete Krumbein:
Every boy has a dog.

Stanton Carlisle:
It takes one to catch one.

Hoatley - First Carnival Owner:
Now this creature - There he is, THE GEEK! He has puzzled the foremost scientists of Europe and America. Is he the missing link? Is he man or beast? Some have pronounced him man. But beneath that shaggy mane of hair lies the brain of a beast.

McGraw - Final Carnival Owner:
Wait. I just happened to think of something. I might have a job you can take a crack at. Course it isn't much and I'm not begging you to take it, but it's a job.

Stanton Carlisle:
That's all I want.

McGraw - Final Carnival Owner:
And we'll keep you in coffee and cake. Bottle every day, place to sleep it off in. What do you say? Anyway, it's only temporary, just until we can get a real geek.

Stanton Carlisle:
Geek?

McGraw - Final Carnival Owner:
You know what a geek is, don't you?

Stanton Carlisle:
Yeah. Sure, I... I know what a geek is.

McGraw - Final Carnival Owner:
Do you think you can handle it?

Stanton Carlisle:
Mister, I was made for it.

Stanton Carlisle:
You've got a heart as big...

Zeena Krumbein:
Sure, as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone.

Zeena Krumbein:
I'm about as reliable as a two dollar cornet.

Zeena Krumbein:
Look at him. He's like a dog waiting for somebody to throw him a bone.

Stanton Carlisle:
What kind of deck is this?

Zeena Krumbein:
This is the tarot. Oldest kind of cards in the world. Pete says the gypsies brought them out of Egypt. They're a wonder for giving private readings.

Stanton Carlisle:
I'd say. They look plenty weird.

Stanton Carlisle:
Well, you're a fine one. Runnin' off in the middle of the show. Zeena was sore.

Pete Krumbein:
I couldn't help it. She's got me on a diet. One shot a day.

Stanton Carlisle:
The spook racket - I was made for it.

Molly:
Wait a minute mister, you're not talking to one of your chumps. You're talking to your wife! You're talking to somebody who knows you red, white and blue. And you can't fool me anymore.

Stanton Carlisle:
Listen to me, I'm no good. I never pretended to be. But, I love you. I'm a hustler. I've always been one. But, I love you. I may be the thief of the world, but, with you I've always been on the level.