VINNIE: No. I ditched it. I’m very good at that. You know that. Went back two days later and picked it up, right where I’d left it.

CARTER: You can’t take those kind of risks! I’ve told you that.

VINNIE: Not now anyway.

CARTER: That’s right.

VINNIE: There was a time and place for risks and that time has passed.

CARTER: That’s what I’ve said!

VINNIE: I was just repeating it. Just to reassure you that I’ve absorbed your instructions.

Pause.

CARTER (with patience): Where did you trespass and whose privacy did you invade?

VINNIE: I met this woman—

CARTER: We’re going backwards, Vinnie.

VINNIE: You’ll have to bear with me. You’ve got no choice.

Pause.

CARTER: All right.

VINNIE: I met this woman—like I said. Watched her walk into the bar.

CARTER: I thought you weren’t drinking these days.

VINNIE (sudden violent explosion): NOT TOO MUCH, I SAID!! NOT TOO MUCH!! (Pause into sudden calm.) You’re not listening.

CARTER: I am.

VINNIE (calm): You’re interrupting. You’ve got to pay close attention to this. Try to grasp all the details.

CARTER: I am. Take it easy. I’m just asking.

VINNIE: I watched her. She had a movement to her. A kind of life. Like a dog caught in the headlights.

CARTER: A dog caught in the headlights?

VINNIE: Similar to that.

CARTER: You were attracted to her. In so many words.

VINNIE: I was. I admit that. I’m not ashamed to admit that. I had a thought. A thought came into my head as soon as I saw her and I’d never had this kind of thought before. I said to myself: “If I could have this woman—I would never ever ask for anything else again in my whole life.” I said to myself: “Please, dear God in Heaven, deliver this woman to me and I will never pester you again for anything whatsoever. For all Eternity I will leave you alone.” (Pause.) And a miraculous thing occurred.

CARTER: What was that?

VINNIE: She came straight over to me. As though I’d called her. As though I’d conjured her up. Sat down right next to me and smiled. Just like she was answering my little prayer.

CARTER: Congratulations. So, then what? You started the scam on her? The “detective” scam? I can’t believe you’re still doing this, Vinnie.

VINNIE: She asked me what I do for a living. Right off the bat. Very sincere eyes. Well, you know, that’s the one question that always throws me.

CARTER: What’s that?

VINNIE: The question of “occupation”. What I do for a living.

CARTER: I’ve offered you all kinds of jobs over the years, Vinnie. All kinds of opportunities.

VINNIE: I worked for you once. Once was enough.

CARTER: That was a partnership! We were absolutely equal.

VINNIE: Could I continue my story? Please.

Pause.