Night Beat - The Juvenile Gangster

Randy Stone, reporter for the Chicago Star newspaper, stops at the local Police Precinct to see if there were any late developments regarding the two escaped prisoners, Gus Reed and Neil Ramsey. The police told him that there might be some news later, so Randy steps out for a cup of coffee and a sandwich at a nearby delicatessen named Harpoon Louie's. As he walks in, the deli owner, Lou, says "Oh Hello, Mr. Stone. It's been a few nights since I've seen you. Been working hard?" Randy says "Well, I've been on the jump lately. What's good tonight?" Lou, says "Got a fresh baked ham tonight". Randy says "That's a deal. I'll have it on rye bread with a cup of coffee". Just then, a thirteen year old boy walks in wearing a Halloween-type alien mask. Randy says 'Well, look at what just walked in, the man from Mars. What happened, your flying saucer break down?" Lou says "Well, goodness, you're a big boy to be wearing a Halloween mask". The kid says "Shut up". Randy says "What's the big idea?" The kid says "What's it look like? This is a stickup!" The kid in the mask looked very amusing, but he 38 caliber gun he held in his hand did not. The kid says "Open the cash register. Let's have it, quick". Lou says "Well, all right". Randy says "Easy with that gun, kid". He says "Shut up and empty your pockets. You, behind the counter, lay the money on the showcase". Lou says "It isn't worth it, you know, son". As the kid steps forward, with his eyes on the money, Randy lunged at him. The kid whirled around as Randy's fist smashed against his wrist. The gun hit the floor. As Randy grabs the kid's mask, he trips and hits his head on the radiator. The next thing Randy remembers is Lou and two police officers standing over him. An officer says "He's coming around. How's your head, Stone?" Randy says "It feels like a sagging circus tent". Lou says "Here, let me help you up". Randy says "Thanks, I can manage". An officer gives Randy a piece of paper and says "Look at this description of the kid that Lou gave us". Randy says "Yeah, this looks right". Lou says "Why do you think a child would do a thing like that?"