Let's meet back here in 20 years after I return from the West.
Glide: 4
Big Joe's was here until five years ago.
Glide: 5
Twenty years ago tonight, I had dinner with Jimmy Wells. He was my best friend and the best fellow in the world. He and I grew up together here in New York, like two brothers. I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty.
Glide: 6
The next morning I was to start for the West. I was going to find a job and make a great success. You couldn't have pulled Jimmy out of New York. He thought it was the only place on earth.
Glide: 7
We agreed that night we would meet here again in twenty years. We thought that in twenty years we would know what kind of men we were, and what future waited for us.
Glide: 8
It sounds interesting. A long time between meetings, it seems to me. Have you heard from your friend since you went West?
Glide: 9
Yes, for a time we did write to each other. But after a year or two, we stopped. The West is big. I moved around everywhere, and moved quickly. But I know that Jimmy will meet me here if he can.
Glide: 10
He was as true as any man in the world. He'll never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand here tonight. But I'll be glad about that, if my old friend comes too.
Glide: 11
Three minutes before ten. It was ten that night when we said goodbye here at the restaurant door.
Glide: 12
You were successful in the West, weren't you.
Glide: 13
I surely was! I hope Jimmy has done half as well. He was a slow mover. I've had to fight for my success. In New York a man doesn't change much. In the West you learn how to fight for what you get.
Glide: 14
I'll go on my way. I hope your friend comes all right. If he isn't here at ten, are you going to leave.?
Glide: 15
I am not! I'll wait half an hour, at least. If Jimmy is alive on earth, he'll be here by that time Good night, officer.
Glide: 16
Good night.
Glide: 18
Twenty Minutes Later
Is that you, Bob?
Is that you, Jimmy Wells?
Glide: 19
It's Bob! It surely is. I was certain I would find you here if you were still alive. Twenty years is a long time. The old restaurant is gone, Bob. I wish it were here, so that we could have another dinner in it. Has the West been good to you?
It gave me everything I asked for. You've changed, Jimmy. I never thought you were so tall.
Glide: 20
Oh, I grew a little after I was twenty.
Are you doing well in New York, Jimmy?
Well enough. I work for the city. Come on, Bob. We'll go to a place I know, and have a good long talk about old times.
Glide: 23
You're not Jimmy Wells. Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change the shape of a man's nose
Glide: 24
It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one. You've been under arrest for ten minutes, Bob. Chicago cops thought you might be coming to New York. They told us to watch for you. Are you coming with me quietly? That's wise. But first here is something I was asked to give you. You may read it here at the window. It's from a cop named Wells.
Glide: 25
Bob:
I was at the place on time. I saw the face of the man wanted by Chicago cops. I didn't want to arrest you myself. So I went and got another cop and sent him to do the job.