Essay Questions

Why does Skip not believe that he was caught pick-pocketing on the train?

Skip is a master pickpocket. So, for anyone to catch him is completely ridiculous to him. Thus, because the Captain knows that he stole the microfilm, Skip understands that it wasn't him they were watching, it was the girl. This is when he understands that he is in the midst of a bigger scheme.

Why won't Moe sell out Skip to Joey?

Joey comes to Moe's apartment in order to get her to talk and tell him where Skip lives. Moe has already sold Skip out to Candy for $50 earlier in the film. But, this time she won't do it. The reason is that this time she knows that the Communists are involved. She refuses to participate with the "Commies" or any Commie traitor, and she pays with her life when Joey shoots her in the head.

Why doesn't Skip initially come clean about finding the microfilm to the police when he's asked?

Skip is told that he will have all charges dropped if he tells the police where the microfilm is. But, he won't do it. The reason is that he has three strikes against him, and if he gets another he could go to prison for life and he doesn't believe, not for one second, that the cops are actually going to follow through on there word and help him.