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If I could have just one minute?
Please, I've got this fashion show just staring me in the face.
I realize your problem.
I have one, too.
A musical show.
Bright, witty, modern now highly expensive, since I'm waiting for a designer to make up her mind.
It's more than just my mind.
What would the store think?
I'm just an employee here, you know.
Besides, I've never done theatrical designs.
That's why I want you.
You'll be fresh, different.
It needs your high style.
I don't know.
Randy's supposed to put the numbers in work next week.
He can't move unless he has some idea what the wardrobe will be.
- Zach, I just don't know.
- I agree with her 100°/°.
- What?
- You just don't know.
- Randy!
- I love Marilla, I love her work.
- But not for this.
She's all wrong.
- Oh, really!
Designing a musical show, my pet, is not done over the weekend.
- You just can't toss it off.
- But I'm not trying...
I have ideas, you know.
And above all, any wardrobe designed for this show has got to dance.
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- Look, I'm not asking to do this.
- Look at this!
Beautiful!
Wonderful design!
As long as she stands like this.
But can she do this?
Don't tell me it's impossible.
Nothing's impossible.
- Who said that?
- The bongo number.
I have no idea what I may do with the bongo number.
I may go completely insane.
And if I do, I want the clothes to go completely insane with me.
I admire your honesty in admitting you can't do it.
- I haven't admitted anything.
- We have five weeks.
- She couldn't learn in five years.
- I could do it in five days.
- Will you?
- Yes!
Good.
We got what we came for.
May we leave now?
When can we get together?
Zach, please give me a few days.
I've got the fashion show.
I want to have a reading of the play for you creative minds.
How about Wednesday night?
- I'll have the others.
- Zach, will you please get him out?
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- Wednesday night.
- Yeah, Wednesday night.
- Randy?
- I don't think I'll do a bongo number.
Did I ever tell you the idea....
Let's tear this up and start all over again.
Tear it apart.
Two, three four, five....
I'll say one thing:
Marilla was the best-dressed fight fan the seconds had ever seen.
Hi, girl.
Am I late?
I'm sorry.
That jersey print came in and I had to tell them how to cut it.
- How are you?
- Fine.
- Who's winning?
- Galatos.
It's a slaughter.
Give it to him!
Where did you get that thing?
Who told you, you could fight, you groundhog?
How are you, Mike?
Congratulations.
- Thanks.
- You didn't return my call.
Calls, Mr. Daylor.
About 20 of them.
I read again yesterday that I'm a very disreputable character.
What was that phrase?
|
"A hydra-headed monster"?
"Feeding with all nine mouths on the boxing game."
My boy at Princeton was quite upset.
They don't appreciate that at Princeton.
- He can switch to Harvard.
- Be reasonable.
I'm a family man.
I've got a lot of responsibilities.
I admit I take a dollar or two under the table, but I pay all my taxes.
- I don't kick dogs.
- Just people, huh?
Throw the bums out of the ring!
Joey Yustick shouldn't be within 10 miles of a prize ring and you know it.
He gets his brains loosened every time he climbs in there.
But he pays you extra dues, so you see to it he gets plenty of action.
He's over 21 .
He's over 41, Mr. Daylor.
Read about it tomorrow.
Mike, some day you'll wake up and find your typewriter smashed.
Throw the referee out!
I'm Mrs. Hagen.
Mike is forgetful sometimes.
- It's a pleasure.
I'm Martin Daylor.
- How do you do?
Martin Daylor?
I know I've seen that name someplace.
Aren't you the man Mike's been writing about in his column?
I'm the man.
- I hope you enjoy the fights, Mrs. Hagen.
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- Thank you.
- Good night.
- Good night.
How did I know?
He certainly doesn't look like a crook.
I'd never take him for a crook.
How many crooks have you known?
A new side of Mike.
A man in a huff.
He didn't want to talk, so I had to watch the fight, too.
It was awful.
One of the men, the older one, was being punched constantly.
You wouldn't think they'd get hit so much with those heavy gloves on.
The gloves are to protect their hands.
Mike, sarcasm doesn't become you.
No, it's true.
The gloves are to protect their hands.
All right, if that's the way you want to be.
I don't think I like fights.
A lot of people do.
Not all of them.
To some people it's very boring.
Boring?
Look at those people.
They're reading newspapers.
They're not reading.
They hold them that way in case the blood splatters.
That was all I needed.
Mike, take me out of here.
- Are you okay?
|
- I'm fine.
I'm sorry, Mike.
That's all right.
Come summer, I'll take you to the tennis matches.
- Mike, boy.
- Not now, Charlie.
Mike, I got a little something for you.
Got a slice of information.
- Tomorrow.
- It's a very warm slice, Mike.
I could let you have it for a Ulysses S. Grant.
I haven't got...
Two Andrew Jacksons might do the trick.
- No.
- I got the shorts real bad, Mike.
- No.
- How about a Lincoln?
- Not even a Lincoln?
- Charlie...
I'm desperate.
Three Washingtons.
Here.
Now, go away, please.
- Don't you even want the hot slice?
- No.
Thanks, Charlie.
Mike.
You're people.
- Who is he, Mike?
- That's Charlie Arneg.
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He's also known as "Charlie the Sneak." He peddles information.
- What kind of information?
- Any.
Charlie's not fussy.
What was all that talk about Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew Jackson?
Ulysses S. Grant is a $50 bill.
- It is?
- It's got Grant's picture on it.
Andrew Jackson's $20, Lincoln is $5...
- Washington is $1 .
- That's right.
Very interesting.
But why does he do it?
He's trying to get into a Damon Runyon story, who knows?
Mike, you're working.
Go on back.
I'll wait right here.
- No, no.
- Please, I'll be fine.
I'm really perfectly fine.
Now, you go on.
Well, okay.
I'll come back to see you between fights.
- Hey, Mike.
- Larry, boy.
- What's the matter, you quitting?
- No.
- My place next week, okay?
- Okay.
That's Larry Musso.
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You'll meet him.
I invited the regular crowd for poker next Wednesday.
Wednesday?
- Anything wrong with that?
- No.
That's fine.
Just fine.
The show crowd was coming that night, too.
It started out a bad evening, and worsened steadily.
Play cards.
Play cards.
- What are they doing in there?
- Reading a play.
Who's reading it, Jack Benny?
"Ronnie appears at the top of the steps:
'Aunt Agatha, she's done it again."'
Boy, this is one I have to see.
Play cards.
This is where I want to do the undersea ballet.
You can't do an undersea ballet.
Why not?
Because you're still in the drawing room set.
- It has doors, doesn't it?
- Yes, but...
That's all we need.
Behind closed doors anything can happen.
It's the basis of all my work.
The entrance of the unexpected.
A closed door.
When this door opens, anything can come through.
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Sea horses.
I'll get the sandwiches.
Aces.
- How's the game going, dear?
- Yeah.
- Did you want something?
- Well, yeah.
The food, if it's ready.
I'm sure it is.
- Everybody ante?
- I'm in.
I'll get it.
You go and play, dear.
Fred deals the cards.
- Mike Hagen live here?
The poker game.
- Mike Hagen?
Yes.
Thank you.
My name's Maxie Stulz.
I'm his best friend.
Yes.
Mike.
- You Mrs. Hagen, lady?
- Yes...
Then I'll tell you something.
Don't worry, you know?
Any time anybody make trouble, you tell Maxie Stulz.
I take care of him good, right?
So you got nothing to worry about.
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Nothing, right?
Where's the game?
In there.
- Hello, boys.
- Hi, Maxie.
How you been?
Glad you could make it.
I feel pretty good, Mr. Hagen.
I'm making a comeback, you know.
You're the boy that can do it, Maxie.
And Solly Horzmann's gonna manage me, right, Solly?
Sure, like I told you.
Sit down, Maxie.
- Deal me in.
- Okay.
Who is he?
- Who?
- That man with no nose.
- He has a nose.
It's inside.
- But who is he?
That's Maxie Stulz.
He used to be middleweight champ.
He's punchy.
- What?
- Punchy.
Punch-drunk.
We let him sit in for a couple of hands every Wednesday.
We make sure he wins.
- It takes care of his room rent.
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- That's very sweet.
He's not going to hit anybody, is he?
- Why would he hit anybody?
- I don't know.
Told me not to worry about trouble.
I don't know what not to worry about.
- What is it?
- Nothing.
I told you he's punchy.
- Just forget it, will you?
- I'll try.
Nice work, Maxie.
Nice work.
How about that?
He wins on a pair of nines.
- That's a pretty good hand, right?
- They don't come any better, Maxie.
- We put you in for $5, Mike.
- Fine.
I better go 'cause I got roadwork in the morning.
No, one more hand, come on.
There are two possibilities....
- Mike, can I see you for a minute?
- Yeah, sure.
Play cards!
Sorry, but where would you like to eat?
In here?
Sure, anyplace.
What's that?
It's one of Gwen's creations.
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A "poker loaf," she calls it.
Yeah, but, I asked for bologna and cheese and stuff, you know?
Well, it's all cheese and there's bologna in the middle.
Okay.
They don't seem to be going.
Let's just take the food and the poker table and move them to the study.
- Then you won't be disturbed, all right?
- Fine.
Give me a hand here, we're gonna move in there.
What for?
Come on, just pick up your stuff.
Cream cheese and olives.
Hey, you know, I tried one of those once.
Gave me gas.
I was reading an article the other day where you can buy these cutters for card parties and you can make sandwiches in the shape of clubs, hearts, and spades.
- Diamonds, too?
- Absolutely.
You take this thing...
If you don't like it, don't eat it.
In there.
I'm sorry.
These people here, are they friends of Mike?
Why, yes, of course.
Nobody's gonna make trouble?
I don't...
No, they're close friends.
Very close.
That's good.
'Cause I don't like trouble, you know.
Every time there's trouble, my head....
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I don't like it.
There's never any trouble around here.
Never.
Just put it over there by the table.
That's right.
Thanks.
- I had one fight too many, you know.
- I'm sorry.
Yeah, I was fighting Tony Bleney and....
You see that eye?
I got 16 stitches in that eye.
In the eighth round, Tony opened it up and the blood poured down.
I couldn't see.
In the tenth, he opened up the other eye.
The blood came down and I couldn't see at all.
- What's the matter?
- Nothing.
Excuse me.
- Enough of that one.
Let's try this.
- Come on, let's get going.
You take a chair, I'll take the glasses.
Maybe I'll be luckier in here.
I don't want to move furniture.
I came here to play cards.
By 12:00 everyone had gone.
I had a feeling there might be words but I decided firmly they would not originate with me.
Well, well.
Six Washingtons.
What's that for?
|
Sandwiches.
We split the expenses every week.
If you play at a different house each week why doesn't the host take care of the sandwiches?
It would all even up in the end.
We do it this way because we like it this way.
Yes, there were going to be words, all right.
It'll be done the same way six weeks from tonight when the game comes around here again.
So, in six weeks I'll have the pleasure of meeting that man with no nose again.
I was going to say so, but repressed myself quickly.
So, in six weeks I'll have the pleasure of meeting that man with no nose again.
What's the matter?
You have something against Maxie Stulz?
Of course not.
He's a poor, unfortunate, punchy-drunk man.
I feel very sorry for him.
But you could do better by sending him to a good psychiatrist.
I don't know a good psychiatrist, but if I did, I might visit him myself after this evening.
So, it's out in the open, is it?
You don't like my friends.
Well, I'm not bowled over.
That's strange.
They're so much like yours.
- We're back on Maxie again.
- I never mentioned...
I'll tell you one thing.
Nose or no nose, he's more of a man than Randy Owen who does....
Hello, Randy.
- Did you forget something?
- My script.
I'll get it.
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This is a picture of my wife and my three sons.
They're a little bigger now.
The oldest is about six feet.
He plays football up in Maine.
I'd be happy to have you meet them sometime.
And some other time, if you'd like, I'd be happy to beat both your ears off.
- Easy.
Don't lose your head.
- Right now, if you'd like.
Randy.
Randy, here's your script.
- Good night, Marilla.
- Good night.
Is he for real?
- Did he mean that?
- I guess so.
He's something of a character, Randy.
Character.
He's punchier than Maxie Stulz.
I wish Marilla hadn't decided to make me her confidant.
It's a thankless role at best.
But when you're cast in it opposite a girl you once asked to become your wife why, it's downright embarrassing.
Do you like Mike?
- Do you like Mike?
- Certainly I do.
I don't know him very well but he seems an intelligent man.
Fairly easy temperament.
Darned good writer, I've read him for years.
- Of course I like him, why do you ask?
- He hates you.
|
It's not just you, of course, it's all my friends.
So you know what?
You're not coming up to my place anymore.
After all, we're a pretty neurotic bunch.
Mike doesn't understand us.
Until he gets used to us, I'm going to keep all of you away from him.
- Protect him from our neuroses.
- That's right.
And Mike's not going to bring some of his friends around, either.
Neuroticism doesn't seem to be confined to the artistic class.
I'm relieved to hear that.
- Yes?
- Miss Shannon is here.
Ask her to come in.
This might be our leading lady.
I want you to meet her.
Hello, Mr. Wilde.
- How are you?
- Fine, thanks.
- Marilla Brown.
Lori Shannon.
- Hello.
How do you do, Miss Brown?
- Have you two met?
- I'm sure we have.
Haven't we?
I was just trying to think.
Well, anyway, you'll be a pleasure to dress.
You have a lovely figure.
- Why, thank you.
|
I'm a trifle long-waisted.
- Nothing we can't take care of.
Luckily you're tiny in the hips and your bust is perfect.
Well....
I've got to run.
I have 100 things to do before my fashion show.
It's been very nice.
Congratulations on getting the part.
- I don't think I have yet.
- You will.
Zach, you've got to.
She's perfect.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
I didn't know Marilla Brown was designing your show.
Yes, we're very lucky to get her.
Yes.
Don't ask me why I went to Marilla's fashion show that afternoon.
I must have been out of my head.
You ever been to a fashion show?
It's a sort of pagan ritual, a ceremonial dance where the faithful sit around sipping tea and worshipping clothes.
There's a sacrifice involved, too.
$1,500.
$1,500 for a dress.
$350 for a nightie, so help me.
The high priestess at this slaughter was my Marilla.
Mike, you came.
- I want to introduce you.
- No, I'd rather...
All right, we'll be exclusive.
|
$850.
What made you come?
I don't know.
I was working and suddenly I had this hunch.
A real hot flash, go to the Delsette store.
No, I mean it, it happens to me like that sometimes.
Quick hunches.
Feeling that something nice is about to happen.
Well, look at that!
Zach, here.
That's Lori Shannon, she's in the show.
- Miss Shannon.
- Hello.
- Did we miss anything?
- No, you're on time.
- How are you, Mike?
- Hello, Zach.
Miss Shannon, this is my husband, Michael Hagen.
- How....
- How do you do, Mr. Hagen?
It's so nice to meet you.
- Won't you sit down here?
- Thank you.
The chairs aren't very practical.
Miss Shannon, I wanted you to see this.
How beautiful.
Lori was going to play it like we'd never met.
Good.
I sneaked a look at Marilla to see if she'd noticed anything.
Everything was okay.
|
"So," I thought, "he knows her."
I'm not naturally suspicious, but this you couldn't miss.
I see something like that for you in the garden number.
Slit up the sides for more freedom in dance.
- Don't you think so, Zach?
- Yes.
By the way, Miss Shannon, how are your legs?
- No complaints.
- I was sure there wouldn't be.
I do think we ought to see your legs in this.
But not quite so revealing in the neckline.
Although you've certainly got nothing to worry about there.
Are you all right, darling?
I began to put two and two together.
It didn't take long.
Two, the girl Mike feared was about to spill tea in his lap and two, the girl who had spilled ravioli in his lap, were one and the same spiller.
Total, four.
I still couldn't place where l'd seen Lori Shannon.
- How would you like to see her dressed?
- In splints!
Hello, Mr. Hagen.
Do you remember me?
- Yeah, you're Johnny O, aren't you?
- That's right, yeah.
I used to fight heavyweight.
Come in.
Nice place you got here, Mr. Hagen.
Yeah.
Anybody home?
Just the maid.
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It's Thursday, Mr. Hagen, she's off.
Yeah.
Mr. Daylor told us to drop in.
He's angry at you, Mr. Hagen for going on writing those stories about him after he asked you not to.
What we're here for is not to hurt you or anything like that.
It's more like a warning.
Yeah, friendly like, you know.
Leave him go.
Now, what I would suggest, Mr. Hagen, is maybe from now on you get after the basketball boys and the wrestling and the horses.
They could stand a lot of cleaning up.
But you leave the fights alone or they got to clean you up.
Do I make myself clear?
- I'll have that laundered for you.
- No, nothing at all.
Well, it was nice seeing you again, Mr. Hagen.
I just hope we don't have to meet no more.
I didn't know you had friends.
This is Mr. Johnny O. My wife.
- How do you do?
- Nick and Eddie.
- How do you do?
- Hello.
What happened to your lip?
Just an accident.
Johnny O here was showing me how he knocked out Bob Fitzsimmons.
- Boys, I hate to push you out.
- Sure.
We was just going, Mr. Hagen.
This way, boys.
- Mrs. Hagen.
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- 'Bye, Mr. O.
So long, Mr. Hagen.
Nice of you boys to come by.
Mr. Hagen, remember:
No more articles about Mr. Daylor.
Is your lip all right?
It's fine.
People should be more careful.
He might have hurt you.
Not Johnny O.
How did the rehearsal go?
I came home.
Listen, Mike, there's something on my mind about us.
About me really, because it happened before I met you.
But I don't believe in keeping things secret.
Before I met you there was a man.
- Zachary Wilde.
- Another man.
The boy from Yale.
He was nothing.
Neither was that artist I told you about.
I mean, another man.
Not that there was anything really wrong.
I'm sure of that.
I wanted to tell you anyway.
It's been on my mind.
And I believe in being frank and aboveboard.
If there's one thing I've learned in this world it's the exact moment when not to be frank and aboveboard.
Okay, dear.
- What's for dinner?
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- Lori Shannon!
For dinner?
You know what I'm talking about.
All that elaborate pretending.
"How do you do, Miss Shannon?" "How do you do, Mr. Hagen?
So nice to meet you."
I introduced you.
You let me introduce you and all the time....
Wait.
I didn't know....
Why didn't you tell me about her?
- What's the big secret?
- I don't know...
No!
You didn't say a word.
What are you talking about?
You let me find out for myself while everyone is laughing behind my back.
- You're not making sense.
- I'm making excellent sense.
Lori Shannon.
She's the girl in your show.
That we already know.
What else is she or was she, or is she?
- Lori Shannon.
Are you out of your mind?
- The picture.
What picture?
The picture in your apartment.
I recognized her from that picture.
- Lori Shannon?
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- Who else?
- In my apartment?
- In your apartment!
Where's the picture?
Show me the picture.
I tore it up.
You tore....
- In a law court...
- We're not in a law court yet.
Just because you happen to find a picture of a girl....
You found a picture of a girl in my apartment?
Not a girl.
Lori Shannon.
You knew her.
Why didn't you say so?
Lori Shannon.
That day at that style show, she walked in, right?
I never saw her in my life.
If she knew me, why didn't she say so?
Now who's not making sense?
If you'd listen a second, just because you happened to find a picture...
I'm sorry.
How is it that you cannot stand the sight of blood on anyone except me?
Mike, I want to talk to you.
- Excuse me, I'm due at the office.
- We've got to settle this.
Listen, I want to talk to you.
You just....
That settles it.
Forget all about Mart Daylor.
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- Forget him?
- Forget him.
You're a lousy newspaperman, but you're not worth a nickel lying in an alley.
I've been after Daylor for two years.
I need a couple of weeks to finish the job.
Three, at the outside.
I've got affidavits coming in.
All right.
You want to dig your own grave?
I'll lend you a shovel.
Only on my terms.
I'll give you three weeks, not a day more.
We'll find you someplace to hide.
The Gage Hotel around the corner.
We'll dateline your stories from out of town.
You're following the Yankees.
Only you won't be there, so the bullies can't catch up to you.
Meanwhile, lay it on Daylor with everything you got.
Also, meanwhile, you're not to set one foot out of that hotel room for three weeks.
Agreed?
- What will I tell my wife?
- The truth.
That I'm on the lam from the mob?
She will faint.
Don't tell me your problems.
I'm no marriage counselor.
Go on.
Get out of here and get packed.
I'll send a copyboy every day to pick up your stuff.
And don't answer the phone no matter what.
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One more thing, you'll need somebody around for protection.
Is Maxie Stulz still around?
He is.
Fine.
Send him in.
Three weeks with Maxie Stulz, I'll be punchier than he is.
- No!
- Shut up!
Maxie, come in here.
Hi, Mike.
Maxie, listen carefully.
There are some mugs in town that don't like Mike Hagen.
They want to hurt him.
See?
There.
That's the ticket, Maxie.
That's the ticket.
You protect him, see.
You protect....
Maxie, listen!
You stay right next to Mike Hagen day and night.
No matter where he goes.
Do you get it, Maxie?
That's the ticket.
Now, get him out of here.
Maxie, for the love of....
Maxie, will you let go just for a minute, please till I get some circulation?
Thank you.
I going to protect you, Mr. Hagen?
I stay with you every minute, right?
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Right.
- Anybody looks cross-eyed.
Right?
- Right.
Anybody looks cross-eyed.
Anybody.
Right?
- Right?
- Right!
- You looking cross-eyed?
- Maxie, no.
He looks cross-eyed.
He always looks like that.
He lost a horse.
It affected his mind.
Mike, I've been trying to reach....
- I believe you've met Maxie.
- Of course.
- How are you, Mr. Maxie?
- I'm making a comeback.
- Maxie came up from the office with me.
- How nice.
You'll think this is pretty strange coming right at this time but I have to leave for a while.
- Leave where?
- Here.
Well, I don't think that's strange at all.
Where are you going, to the club?
No, I'm not going to the club.
I don't belong to a club.
Something has come up.
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Something very important.
I don't want you to be upset, but....
Well, you see, I'd like....
Maxie, will you stand over there for a minute?
Please?
Thank you.
I'd like to take you into my confidence.
May I do that?
- That would be a novelty.
- Please, let's not assume attitudes.
As far as that matter is concerned, I don't even want to discuss it.
This other thing is too important.
- Can you keep a secret?
- Not as well as you can.
Okay.
Excuse me, I've got to pack.
Excuse me, lady, got to pack.
I still don't know where you're going.
Chicago.
Then on the road.
For how long?
Three weeks.
I'm going to follow the Yankees.
Is that the big secret?
You're going to follow the Yankees?
Yeah, they shouldn't know about it.
Mike, can I talk to you alone, please?
Well, what about?
You know what about.
I want to....
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- How have you been, Mr. Maxie?
- He's been fine.
I was conversing with Mr. Maxie.
Mr. Maxie doesn't know what you're talking about.
You're packing a shoe with a hole.
You only wear these when you're writing.
I'll be doing some writing on the road.
Maxie, please.
It was pretty obvious, this sudden trip.
And bringing Mr. Maxie home so he wouldn't have to talk.
I decided to pump Mr. Maxie.
Well, Mr. Maxie.
Are you taking Mike to the plane?
That's right.
Every place.
- Then you're not going with him.
- That's right.
Every place.
Then you'll be following the Yankees, too?
Who?
You.
You and Mike.
That's right.
Every second, day and night.
Anybody looks cross-eyed.
- Who?
- Cross-eyed.
Shut up, Maxie.
I'll call you tomorrow, as soon as I know what hotel.
Let's go, Maxie.
|
So long, Marilla.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
- I hope you two will be very happy.
- Thank you very much.
- Mr. Higginsbury and Mr...
- Mr. Smith.
How do you spell "Smith"?
- Make a cross.
Keys, please.
- Okay.
Suite 406.
How do you do, miss?
I'll place a few local calls now and then but I'd like the party to think I'm out of town.
So you say that Chicago is calling, or Kansas City, or whatever I tell you.
Understand?
No.
That make it any clearer?
- Yes.
- Good.
My first night away from Marilla since we were married.
I couldn't sleep.
Four times I picked up the phone to make a clean breast of everything and four times saner judgment prevailed.
Here I was, happily married to the loveliest creature in New York.
And here I was, shacked up in a hotel with a punchy ex-middleweight.
I began to hate Ned Hammerstein.
Maxie Stulz was no cure for the blues either.
3:00 in the morning and all he did was stare at the ceiling.
Suddenly, I remembered.
He'd been staring like that since 1 1:30.
|
I realized it then.
Maxie had died!
Okay, Maxie.
It's okay.
It's okay, Maxie.
- Stop!
- Where?
Who?
Cross-eyed?
It's all right, boy.
It's okay.
Nothing.
Forget it.
All right.
Circle seven, zero, five, nine, eight.
- Hello.
- Ned?
Yeah.
Mike?
I just wanted to tell you.
Maxie Stulz sleeps with his eyes open.
Why, you crumb!
You thieving, no good...
What was that?
Maxie Stulz sleeps with his eyes open.
Thanks for a civil answer.
Our first night apart.
I didn't know a person could be so miserable.
By 3:00 a.m., I had convinced myself that Mike was innocent.
After all, maybe he had never known Lori Shannon.
|
Maybe the whole thing was a mistake.
That's what it was, a horrible mistake.
Only what about the photograph?
All right, what about the photograph?
A man can have a picture of a woman without knowing her, can't he?
No.
Then put it this way:
Mike is a newspaperman, he meets all kinds of people.
He could've met Miss Shannon in a purely business fashion.
Purely business.
Sure, but Miss Shannon is no hockey player.
Shut up.
My mind began drawing nasty little pictures of Mike and Lori Shannon.
I saw them laughing together in some restaurant.
I saw them out dancing.
I saw him bringing her home.
I saw him take her into the living room.
I saw him kiss her.
I saw him....
"But when you've got love, you're high
And your song is a gay refrain.
A happy strain that sings out the news.
Don't let the night go to waste looking for ways to say I love you.
Take your cue from the birds"
What would happen if I quit the show?
I'd shoot myself.
Listen, Madame X, as I understand it, your Michael has departed for Chicago firmly protesting his innocence.
What does that prove?
Nothing.
"Music is better than words"
|
Not bad, sweetie.
Go to your room and I'll clean it up.
All the four parts right over here.
Take it from just before the circle.
What have you proved?
Also nothing.
I admit I could be wrong.
I just can't stand not knowing.
And I certainly can't ask her.
"Pardon me, Miss Shannon, but was my husband in love with you?"
- It's unthinkable.
- Definitely.
- So I have an idea.
- What?
- You ask her.
- No.
You can do it.
All you have to do is broach the subject as tastefully as possible.
Find out if she ever knew him, and then tell me about it.
Marilla, deceit and collusion are completely out of tune with your character.
I know it, but please, Zach, I can't go on working like this.
- I'll speak to her right away.
- Thank you.
Yes?
Come in, Mr. Wilde.
- Am I disturbing you?
- Not at all.
- May I?
- By all means.
Miss Shannon, this is rather a delicate matter.
|
You see, I hate to intrude.
Playful little fellow, isn't he?
- I'm so sorry.
- That's all right.
Come along now.
Over here, 'cause you're a naughty dog.
Right, now sit.
That's a good boy.
Miss Shannon, I'm usually a man of quite a few words but I'll try and make this as brief and tactful as possible.
Yes.
What I have to ask has nothing whatsoever to do with this show or our future business relationship.
- I want you to understand that.
- Yes.
Miss Shannon I'd like to know, and please answer very frankly if I may feel free to call on you at your apartment and take you to dinner as often as the spirit moves us both?
In time, as you learn to know me better I hope our friendship will ripen into something shall we say more neighborly?
You don't have to answer now.
I'd be delighted.
8:30 tonight?
- Well?
- I asked her point-blank.
Miss Shannon never laid eyes on your husband until that day at the fashion show.
Feel better?
Is this Mrs. Hagen?
Just a moment, please.
Chicago calling.
Hello, Marilla?
This is Mike.
What do you mean, where am I?
I told you, I'm in Chicago.
What?
|
What hotel?
We're at the Whitestone, but we're leaving here tonight.
Well, why can't you talk now?
Who's there?
Zachary.
Yeah, Zachary, sure.
The whole crowd, you're working.
The weather?
The weather here?
Well, it's....
You know.
Hello, Marilla?
I can't hear you.
Hello?
Hello, Marilla.
Yeah, I can hear you now.
It's hot here. 92.
Well, I guess that's about all if you're busy.
I just wanted to say hello.
Okay.
I'll call you again in a couple of days.
'Bye.
I don't like Chicago, I got a bad decision here once.
It's all right, Maxie.
You go to sleep.
Open your eyes and go to sleep.
I'm in Boston.
We just got in.
Cleveland.
Kansas City.
|
Mike?
I just read your stuff, it's great.
Keep your nose off the street.
You may win the Pulitzer Prize.
Stick it out and Daylor will bite it off.
Your job is to find Mike Hagen.
Who have you got working on it, a troupe of clowns?
Clowns?
In Chicago was Joey Golner.
This is not a good guy?
In Boston, it was three boys with Louey Gasto, merely the best.
- In Kansas City...
- Never mind the excuses.
Just give us some action, Milt.
Action.
You're wasting your time, Milt.
You're looking all over the place and your eyes are in the way.
Hagen's not out of town, he's right here.
In New York?
What makes you think?
I'm guessing.
And I'm guessing right.
He's holed up somewhere right under our noses.
- Trick is to bring him out in the open.
- Any ideas?
I think so.
Johnny, round up a couple of the boys and be in my office tonight.
Let's go.
And, Johnny I want real good boys.
Playtime is over.
|
Hello, honey, will you call that number again for me?
I'm in Detroit.
It's a nice town, Maxie.
Lots of automobiles, you'll love it.
Hello, Marilla?
How are you?
This is Gwen, Mr. Hagen.
Mrs. Hagen isn't here.
When will she be back?
I don't know.
She didn't say.
- Do you know where she went?
- No, I don't know where she went.
I'm here, I just don't want to talk.
Goodbye.
- Wait.
What's going on?
- I'm packing, that's what's going on.
Packing?
Where are you going?
Boston.
The show's opening there tomorrow night.
Yeah, the show.
You wouldn't happen to be going to Boston tomorrow, by any chance?
- No, I wouldn't be.
- I was sure you wouldn't.
Goodbye.
Marilla, will you stop?
What's the matter?
It's funny you should ask that.
|
Why should anything be the matter?
I don't eat and I don't sleep but outside of that everything's just dandy.
Marilla, will you listen, please?
If you're still worried about Lori Shannon, you've got it all wrong.
I wouldn't have cared if only you'd have told me.
"How do you do, Miss Shannon?"
All right, I've had enough of this!
I'll ask her myself.
All right, Marilla.
You do that!
I want you to!
I will.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
This ain't Detroit.
Looks more like Chicago.
Hey, Mr. Hagen, you punchy?
I'm going to do my best.
I had three quick ones which did me no good at all.
But strangely enough, after the fourth, I found the solution to the whole problem.
I would see Lori that night and fix up a story.
Liquor, I have found, makes me very smart.
First, of course, I had to get rid of Maxie.
Boy, am I beat.
Let's hit the hay, Maxie.
Sleep.
I was packing for Boston when the bell rang.
"lt couldn't be," I thought, but it was.
- Hi.
- Hi.
|
I came up the stairs.
I didn't want the elevator boy....
Have you got a drink?
Thanks.
Not now, boy.
I guess you're sort of surprised to see me.
- Mind if I sit down?
- Please, do.
What I came about....
All right, boy, that's enough.
I came really because....
Will you stop?
There's something of the utmost importance I have to discuss with you.
Not only....
This dog has very bad habits.
There was a time when you thought it was funny.
My sense of humor has changed.
- I thought you were out of town.
- Yeah, a lot of people think so.
Including your old friend Mart Daylor?
I've been reading your column.
Where are you hiding out?
The Gage Hotel.
For three weeks.
- Your wife must be delighted.
- She doesn't know.
I didn't tell her.
She thinks that....
Well, it's a big megillah.
I'll bet it is.
|
How's Marilla been acting lately toward you?
About the same.
What does that mean?
I think she's getting ready to slug me.
That's why I'm here.
You see, Marilla found a picture of you.
And she thinks that....
Well, you know what she thinks.
Anyway she's going to ask you about us.
I've got a story all worked out.
This could be interesting.
How does it open?
You're a girl from Wisconsin.
Up to there it's very logical.
A friend of mine in Wisconsin, a halfback on the Green Bay Packers...
- What's that?
- It's a football team.
He sent me a picture of you.
Asked me to use my influence to get you a job.
You know, in radio, TV, anything.
All right.
You came to my office.
Once.
I told you that I was sorry, there was nothing that I could do for you.
And that was the end of the whole affair.
But I forgot to throw out the picture and that's how Marilla happened to find it.
- Well?
- I don't believe it.
I don't expect you to believe it.
I want Marilla to believe it.
|
- She won't believe it either.
- Why?
I read something like it once in a comic strip.
Even there they didn't believe it.
Hello?
Yes?
Yeah, hello, Miss Brown.
Where?
Why, of course.
Well, yes, I was in bed, but that's perfectly...
Could you just give me a few minutes?
- Yes, all right.
- What?
She's in the lobby.
She went out without her purse and she wants to borrow a cab fare.
You mean she's coming up?
Why didn't you stop her?
How?
Tell her I didn't have $1?
She doesn't want $1 .
She wants to find out....
I'll go down the stairs.
Fine.
If you run into her, tell her about the Green Bay Packers.
Well, in here.
Listen, that story.
It'll work.
I know.
Just get your facts straight.
That fellow, Nordley was his name.
|
Frank Nordley.
He's a friend of yours.
The Green Bay Packers.
I've played this scene before, I thought.
In a blackout on the borscht circuit.
Hello.
What a sweet dog.
- This is the silliest thing.
I'm terribly sorry.
- That's all right.
We were all working at Zach's tonight and I decided the air would do me good so I walked till I almost fell down and there I was, no purse.
- I hope you weren't asleep.
- No.
What a lovely place you have.
Did you do it yourself?
.
- Yes, it's about...
- I love your drapes.
What a beautiful chest.
Could I get you a drink?
No, thanks.
I will have a cigarette though.
- Just there.
- Thank you.
I'll get my purse.
Some day I'm going to design a purse you can't forget.
It'll have a little bell or something that tinkles madly whenever you leave it behind.
Good idea.
Will $5 be enough?
Heavens, yes.
|
It's only a mile or so.
Thank you.
You know, I have a real phobia about taxi drivers.
I could've gone to the apartment and asked him to wait.
But whenever I do that I'm always afraid they'll think I'm trying to cheat them.
Do you have a fear like that?
I could say I didn't know I had it.
But I'm a very bad liar, Miss Shannon.
I suppose you've noticed that.
Maybe you just haven't had enough practice.
I came here tonight for a very definite reason.
To ask you a question.
At the moment I feel like a fool, so I've decided not to ask it.
Tonight or ever.
I hope you'll forgive me.
- Of course.
- Thank you.
I must say, you've been very understanding about this.
I really do appreciate it.
Furthermore, I'd like to apologize for the way I've been acting lately.
- I don't think I've been aware of anything.
- Really?
You must've noticed that twice during the last week while pinning material on you I've jabbed you in the derriere.
- That.
- I did it purposely.
Really?
Anyway, I'm sorry and it won't happen again.
I had the silly idea I was supposed to be jealous of you.
Thank heaven I've come to my senses.
Please try to forget I ever came here tonight.
|
Marilla, what are you doing here?
There's no explanation for what you did to me.
- I don't want to listen to you.
- Come back here now.
You're jumping to the wrong conclusions, altogether.
You don't want a taxi.
You're not getting...
Don't touch me!
Take your hands off me!
You mustn't be deceived by appearances.
Appearances are very deceiving.
- I don't want to hear why.
- I was up there.
Yes, but why?
Taxi.
Taxi.
Just for once in your life, will you listen to me?
Marilla!
When you said you were going to ask Lori Shannon about us I just dropped over to see her.
From Detroit?
I haven't been in Detroit.
I've been in a hotel for two weeks.
Right here.
Hiding out.
That's right, hiding out!
Have you been drinking?
Of course.
A hotel drinker.
That's the way I met you.
That's the way I'm leaving you.
|
- Taxi.
Taxi.
- Just a minute.
Come back.
Will you let me go?
I told you I hate that.
Don't get in that cab.
Marilla!
Don't drive that cab away, I'm telling you.
- Don't drive it away.
Stop!
- Taxi, drive on.
Come back.
Marilla!
Officer, I've got plenty of troubles tonight.
I don't need any from you.
I'm a fighter, you know, and a fighter needs lots of sleep.
So I'm sleeping in the bed, and I'm dreaming like, you know.
But all of a sudden I wake up.
I look around.
I look in the bed for Mr. Hagen.
But he ain't there, so I don't see him.
So I think maybe he's in the parlor.
So I go in the parlor.
I look all around good, but I don't find him.
"Boy," I say.
Boy.
So I think maybe he go downstairs.
So I go down the stairs to the lobby, like.
And I don't find him no place.
|
"Holy smoke," I say.
Holy smoke.
- Aren't you Maxie Stulz?
- That's right, Maxie Stulz.
Don't you remember me, Charlie Arneg?
Yeah, sure, that's right.
Did you see Mr. Hagen, Charlie?
- No, Maxie, Mr. Hagen's in Detroit.
- Where?
Detroit.
See?
It says right here in the paper.
"Mike Hagen is in Detroit."
- Where am I, Charlie?
- New York, Maxie.
- Then Mr. Hagen is in New York, too.
- Here, in this hotel?
That's right.
He left his room.
I got to protect him.
- Where have you been, Mr. Hagen?
- All right, upstairs.
- You've been in Detroit, Mr. Hagen?
- Yeah, yeah.
There is an old saying which says:
"lt is not who you know that matters in this world, but what you know."
For instance, I know that Mike Hagen is hiding out in the Gage Hotel.
This is a nice slice of information, which dropped in the right company could net me a nice piece of change.
Next day, I start hanging around with Marty Daylor's boys.
And I learned something that is hot.
|
Real hot.
And worth even more to Mike Hagen than I could get from Marty Daylor.
Hi, Max.
Mr. Higginsbury in?
- Who?
- Mr. Hagen.
Where is he?
Shut that door, Maxie.
Mike, boy.
- How did you know where I was?
- Relax, Mike, boy.
I met Maxie in the lobby last night.
Then I see you come in.
What do you want?
I got a nice slice of information for you, very warm that I could perhaps let you have for a Willie McKinley.
If that's what I think it is, the answer is no.
Okay.
It's too bad I can't get to Mrs. Hagen on time.
Considering how warm this slice really is, I think it's a very fair fee, Mike.
What's Mrs. Hagen got to do with this?
William McKinley.
A U.S. old president, cooled around 1900.
A half a grand.
I don't have it on me.
I'm not poor enough to have that much on me.
All right.
I'll show you Charlie's heart is in the right place.
From you, I would take paper.
For a leave of, say, about 30 days.
- Is hotel stationery legal?
|
- Without a doubt.
I, the undersigned, promise to pay to Charles Arneg....
- Make it Charles, will you, Mike?
- Yeah.
$500, 30 days from the above date.
What about Mrs. Hagen?
Mart Daylor's boys are putting the snatch on Mrs. Hagen tonight.
In Boston.
How do you know?
I invest in a few beers with the right people.
They can't find you, so naturally they got to grab the next best thing, your wife.
Right after the show.
None of that "hold them for ransom" jazz or that old-fashioned stuff.
They'll probably tuck her away for a few days in a little hideout and make a few scars.
Hello?
- Hello?
- Michael.
If you're calling the cops, I think this is a very bad move.
Now suppose, for argument's sake, the snatch is on?
Now, the boys have got to dump your wife someplace.
And when they dump her, she's liable to be very cold.
Hello?
Listen, get me the Palace Theater in Boston.
Backstage.
I'll talk to anybody.
That's the whole slice.
I'll see you around, Mike.
Wait.
Where do you think you're going?
To the drug store, to invest in a malted.
|
With Mart Daylor maybe, so you can earn another McKinley?
Mike, a guy's got to make his own way in this world, but a thing like that, I just...
Maxie, cross-eyed.
Now, Max, boy.
You remember me?
Charlie?
Charlie Arneg?
I want to speak to Mrs. Michael Hagen.
Marilla Brown.
Right away.
Impossible.
I can't get her to the phone.
The curtain just went up.
This is her husband.
I've got to talk to her.
It's a matter of life and death.
- Don't you understand?
The curtain has...
- You hear me?
Life and death.
All right!
Hurry up, girls.
Come on.
Come on, girls.
Let's get a move on now.
Here we go.
A matter of life and death.
There was a Hagenism if I ever heard one.
No dice.
Listen, you!
|
- Come on, Maxie.
- Where?
What?
- We're going to Boston.
- Again?
Move!
- Come here with me.
- You wait here.
Something's the matter with Lori's next change.
- They can't fix it.
Will you take a look?
- When I agreed to come...
Marilla, don't be like that.
She can't go on the stage.
You can't do that.
Please, Marilla!
It looks terrible.
They cleaned this dress and tacked it back.
I don't know how.
- Looks all right to me.
What's the matter?
- First, I can't breathe.
- What's wrong with that?
- But she has to be cut all over.
Fine.
Where shall we start?
Wherever you think?
You can go now, Evelyn, Miss Brown will take care of me.
- Shall we talk?
- Let's.
|
What about?
Let's talk about Michael Hagen.
Interesting subject.
You first.
Of course I knew Mike.
I knew him very well.
But I lost him when you came along.
He's quite a man, Michael Hagen.
No saint, of course but you must have suspected that before you married him.
Maybe, even, that was why you married him.
I don't think you really minded that he'd once been in love with another woman.
- You just couldn't take meeting her.
- Small-minded.
It could be your early upbringing.
You realize, of course, I have a weapon in my hand.
Would it be small-minded to ask you what my husband was doing in your apartment at night, pie-eyed?
Just one right here and I think we'll have it.
Mike never left town, you know.
- He was in New York all the time.
- So he told me.
- Did he tell you why?
- He tried to.
You should have listened.
Not that you'd care for it.
I'm sure you could never stand anything that approached physical violence.
Up to the moment, no, but I'm beginning to find the prospect very alluring.
I still haven't heard what my husband was doing shoeless in your apartment.
- Are you ready?
- I'm ready.
He came there that night to make up a lie about us.
|
Give him a chance and he'll tell it to you sometime.
- A real dilly.
You'll love it.
- Give me a hint.
I don't want to spoil it for you.
But if I were you, I'd believe it.
After all, he's only lying about something that happened before he met you.
He has nothing to lie about since.
Take my word for it.
That's what I'd like to find sometime.
The kind of man who'd love me so much that he'd do anything, no matter how silly, just so I'd never be hurt.
That's what I've been looking for.
And I darn near had it.
It's all right now, Miss Shannon.
Thank you, Mrs. Hagen.
- Where are you?
- In New York, with Mike.
Why don't you leave?
Everything is all right.
You're just in the way here now.
Thank you, Zach.
Mrs. Hagen.
I'm Johnny O. We were introduced by your husband.
- Of course.
How are you, Mr. O?
- Mrs. Hagen, your husband is in trouble.
- Trouble?
What kind of trouble?
- Bad.
A matter of life and death.
|
- No.
- He wants to see you, Mrs. Hagen.
He's been hiding out, printing those articles about Mr. Daylor and some very rough people have put the finger on him.
I could take you to him right away.
There's a plane in about 20 minutes.
Please!
Good night, Miss Brown.
What?
No, let me go.
The punchy.
Get that punchy.
Maxie, cross-eyed!
Maxie, cross-eyed!
Somebody, help!
Cross-eyed.
Cross-eyed.
I realized what was happening.
Maxie couldn't tell the good guys from the bad.
Cross-eyed!
Fellows, we can't have this sort of thing.
There's a show going on in here.
Don't you realize this is an opening night?
- Would you mind telling me what this...
- No, Maxie!
No!
Cross-eyed.
Get that big punchy.
Stop it, you.
Both of you.
Stop.
|
Marilla, will you get in here?
There's trouble with the costumes.
Foul.
There he is.
- Randy, boy.
- Hi, Mike.
Are you all right, dear?
- Are you all right?
- Sure.
- Did they hurt you?
- I'm all okay.
- Poor darling.
- Are you all right, sweetheart?
- Are you sure you're fine?
- Yes.
Look.
Right now, before anything I want to straighten you out on the Shannon thing.
Mike, you don't have to.
Please, believe me.
No, I want to.
Now, listen.
Lori Shannon comes from Wisconsin.
A friend of mine, on the Green Bay Packers sent me a picture of her.
Asked me to use my influence to get her a job.
Lori was right. lt was a real dilly.
But I forgot to get rid of the picture.
And that's how you found it.
See?
Mike, darling.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
|
For the record.
Mart Daylor was convicted and sentenced to three to five years.
He was released after eight months, for good behavior.
But his reputation as a crook was ruined, and he faded into obscurity.
Mike and I are still together of course.
We never argue anymore, and when we do it never lasts more than a week or two.
We are really very happily married.
We don't often mention Lori Shannon in our household though I understand she's quite happy, too.
Well, why shouldn't I be?
Zachary and I have been engaged for sometime.
That's enough, boy.
Now, stop.
Well, I think that about sums up the story.
Unless, of course, Maxie has something to add.
I'm making a comeback, you know?
I'd like you to take a look at this gun.
The balance is excellent.
This trigger responds to a pressure of one ounce.
This gun was handcrafted to my specifications, and I rarely draw it unless I mean to use it.
Thank you, Mr. Paladin.
Your pen, Mr. Paladin.
Thank you, Hey Boy.
"Rancher invades Mexico.
"Pursues eloper's attempt to assault on Perdido.
"Jesse Reed, prominent cattleman of this territory
"took fast action
"when his daughter Nancy ran off with Dave Enderby
"for whom the US Marshal holds a murder warrant.
"Mr. Reed led 26 of his ranch hands against Perdido,
|
"a notorious outlaw refuge in the Sierra Grandes
"where the young couple are believed to have fled.
21 dead, three wounded, including Mr. Reed."
Jesse Reed.
Portalis...
New Mexico.
Gotch!
Gotch!
Oh!
Never around when I want him.
What can I do for you?
My name's Paladin.
I got your wire.
What do you plan, Mister?
Your name Jesse Reed?
Yeah.
And what about it?
You and 26 of your men tried to take the town of Perdido in Mexico.
Only six of you came back and not in very good shape, either.
I sent a card offering my gun;
you wired acceptance.
Where do you get all this knowledge?
In the newspapers in San Francisco.
Well, you better go back to San Francisco and read some more papers.
I never sent you no wire.
You didn't send me...
Well, howdy, Mister.
Gotch is the name.
Never mind all of your sociability, Gotch.
Show the well-dressed fella to the door.
|
Now, that ain't being very hospitable, Jesse.
I don't need to be hospitable.
Man claims I sent him a wire.
He just ain't telling the truth.
Well, I sent the wire, Jesse.
What?
!
Well, who asked you?
What's going on here?
Who are you?
Oh.
A fast gun, huh?
Fast enough.
And what do you think you can do for me?
Well, Dave Enderby ran off with your daughter, shot you in the leg and ambushed 21 of your men.
I guess you'd like to see him.
If I couldn't bring him back here with 26 men, just how do you think you can bring him back here alone?
The Greek Phalanx was developed out of a specific need.
They fought shoulder to shoulder on small battlefields and they were considered invincible.
Then the Mastadonians hit them with cavalry and that was the end of the Phalanx.
There are all sorts of tactics, Mr. Reed.
Ex-army officer, huh?
Among other things.
West Point, sounds like.
Let's stay with your problem.
I know the breed.
He can't work, can't sleep, got to have action and money.
And that brings me to my fee.
I am not paying anything.
I didn't ask you, and I'm not paying.
|
You're paying for Dave Enderby delivered and breathing.
And when I deliver him, that will come to $1,000.
That big black gun of yours comes high.
Let's have a look at it.
What do you think of that?
I asked a man for his gun, and he hands it to me.
Why, you overdressed tin soldier, you have about as much chance against Enderby as a ribbon clerk.
I'll have my gun now, Mr. Reed.
I don't think you got a very good look at this gun while you had it.
The balance is perfect.
This trigger responds to a pressure of one ounce.
If you look carefully in the barrel you'll see the lines of rifling.
It's a rarity in a hand weapon.
This gun was handcrafted to my specifications, and I rarely draw it unless I mean to use it.
Would you care for a demonstration?
Are them your working clothes?
They have been.
All right, Mister, you've got yourself a job.
Which way is Perdido?
I can tell you how to get in there.
It's the getting out that's dangerous.
Thank you.
Which way's the road?
You go west from Portalis until you get to Twin Peaks.
Then head dead south... through the brush country about a half-day's ride from here.
The Rio Grande- she's running pretty low at this time of year.
You won't have much trouble crossing.
You're not deep enough into Mexico until you can see the Sierra Grande Mountains.
A half-day's ride will bring you to the foothills.
The only way up to Perdido is through the passes.
|
That's where I left 21 good men.
Just remember this.
They say a lone rider can get into Perdido, but the main trick is the getting out.
Buenos dias, amigo.
There's a man called Dave Enderby.
Señor Enderby.
My friend.
My heart longs to see him.
When two friends meet, there is much to talk about.
Is he alone?
Señor, it is not permitted to quarrel in Perdido, even among good friends.
One comes to Perdido to rest and be safe.
I'll ask for it later.
I will pay for water at the price of tequila.
If that were a man's neck you would have missed him a mile.
I don't miss when it's a man.
Oh, yeah?
Double the bet?
Why not?
Oh, too bad.
Can't ever beat that.
Now, ain't that a crying shame?
Hey.
This time I'll use your knife.
Now I ask you, stranger.
Ain't that a mean, dirty trick?
Take another man's knife?
I don't know the rules in this town.
It's a dirty trick in any town, ain't it?
Hand it over.
|
You can use my knife.
Hand it over.
Señor!
There is one law in Perdido.
We do not fight with each other.
Well, I want to thank you for reminding me of that.
We're just having a little fun here, and, well, I ain't going to be the one to spoil it.
Go ahead.
Try it.
Señor!
I don't mind giving stuff away, but nobody takes anything from me.
You savvy?
I tell you, stranger.
Don't ever get mixed up with that Dave Enderby.
Dave?
I've come looking for you.
He likes his little jokes.
He's Enderby.
Señor!
Get out of here!
I hear another flat out of you
I'll poison you in your own liquor.
Now, you were looking for me?
That's right.
I'm going to take you back across the border.
Oh?
You forgot something.
Uh, well, if I need one, I'll find it.
Who sent you anyway?
Jesse Reed.
|
He wants you alive.
How do you figure on getting me out of Perdido?
A lot of sentries out there.
You don't suppose this village is sick enough of you by now to want you to go?
Uh-uh, it'd be bad for future business.
What's your name anyway?
Paladin.
Paladin, huh?
You know, you're more fun than old man Reed and his whole army.
Come on along with me.
Nancy'd get a big boot out of you.
Thank you.
I'd like very much to meet the young lady that caused all this.
After you, Mr. Paladin.
Ay, Señor O'Brien.
Cómo ésta?
Muy bien, amigo.
Is that one a friend of yours?
This is Mr. Paladin.
He's come to take me back to Jesse Reed he says.
The tools of a craftsman, señor.
Very excellent.
His?
You should not leave weapons in the serape of a poor sleeping man, señor.
He might have bad dreams.
I was very careless.
Fortunately, we are not.
Oh, meet Señor O'Brien.
He's the alcalde here, our mayor.
An interesting village, Señor Alcalde.
|
Our soil is poor.
All we have to offer is hospitality, for those who need it.
Or so long as their money holds out.
It's a poor business, señor, that does not show a profit.
Oh.
I must tell you about our bell.
If it should ring when one leaves here, that one is always met in the pass.
Looks like a church bell.
It was.
But we did not need the church.
It's a very fine bell.
So stay with us and be comfortable, señor.
And when you leave...
Leave?
He doesn't have to leave.
I like him.
That is your business, señor.
My business is to keep Perdido prosperous and peaceful.
Hasta luego.
Good-bye, señor.
I hope the bell does not ring for you.
You must be very happy here, Mrs. Enderby.
Tell him, honey.
I have the right to follow my husband.
I'd like to think he'd follow you just as quick.
What happens is nobody is going anywhere right now.
Dad wasn't completely honest with you, I'm afraid.
All he wanted, I guess, was to set you against Dave.
I don't suppose he told you that every time Dave fought, he was forced into it.
That's the gospel.
|
The Gospel by Saint Enderby.
English bone china.
Beautiful.
We had this at home when I was a boy.
And your silverware is very handsome too.
It all came with the house.
Dave wanted me to have the best.
Dad wouldn't even understand what made one thing better than another.
No, I guess he's just a good judge of men.
He's raking me with them spurs again, honey.
See?
You think you're going to get me to go back?
Honey, he came for me.
Your daddy don't even want to see you again.
He said so.
It's true.
He won't ever want to see me again.
How do you know?
She knows her old man.
He's got a hide thicker than an alligator.
You managed to put a bullet into that hide.
Don't you believe it.
I told our boys to leave your daddy be, and they did.
I saw him ride away with my own eyes, without a scratch.
Your dad saw Dave try to bushwhack him.
Don't that prove he'd say anything to split us?
I guess you got a real problem, Nancy.
Who's the liar?
Your husband or your father?
Dave is wild, but he's no outlaw murderer.
|
He wouldn't shoot my father any more than he would me.
If I did half the things folks said, then I'd be dancing at rope's end long ago.
There's still time.
Nancy, will you go in the house and get me that old bottle of wine we've been saving?
He's trying to make you fight, Dave.
Don't let him.
Go in the house and get me that wine.
You have to fight, Dave.
Or come back with me.
You've got both my guns.
I give you my word I haven't another.
Now let's see you fight.
You're a miserable, slimy, yellow, scrawny coward, who bushwhacks men or stabs or shoots them in the back.
If you had any stomach for fighting, you'd have finished that boy at the cantina.
You'd have finished me.
But you couldn't because we were face-to-face with you.
You're about as much man as a wood louse.
I'm taking you home.
I wish he had killed you.
We'll talk about that on the way.
You're crazy to think I'll go.
You'd rather stay here with him?
Yes.
Then I'll have to finish him.
You wouldn't!
Self-defense, that's what he'd say in my place.
No.
Please.
I'll do anything you ask.
Will you go back with me?
|
Yes.
no trouble.
No trouble.
All right.
We've got a long way to go.
Come on.
Buenos días, señora.
You've completed your business in Perdido, Señor Paladin?
I had bad luck.
I came after Dave Enderby, and he's still there.
I see you changed your gun, señor.
A sign of friendship, perhaps?
Possibly.
Anyway, I've put myself in Mrs. Enderby's hands.
It's all right.
I'm going to ride to the foot of the pass with Mr. Paladin.
Then it is good-bye to you, señor.
Perhaps we'll meet again someday.
In Perdido?
I would like it to be in Perdido.
Hah!
Sounds like Dave's on the way.
You'll be sorry you ever saw us or Perdido.
Well, we'll have to ride fast to stay ahead.
It's hot.
It's cooler near the Rio, Nancy.
Let's get to it.
We going to ride all night?
The idea is to lose Dave, isn't it?
Let's go on.
|
Aren't we ever going to rest?
I guess we can now.
He'll be catching up to us about now.
Between the two of us, we left a clear enough trail for him to follow.
Between the two...?
If the trail was any longer, you'd have a real problem in modesty.
And he'll come after you.
Not out of any feelings for you, but because of his brag that no one takes anything from him.
Was it one of your lies about Dave shooting my father?
He tried to shoot your father in the back.
That's the way he works.
If there's a way to crawl around to a man's back, he finds it.
No, you're wrong.
He loves me.
He doesn't know you forced me to ride away, and I'm going to tell him.
He was aiming at me.
You want to prove that, just straighten up.
Don't.
He'll kill you.
Nancy, what I said about him is true.
He'll never face up to a fight.
He'll stay under cover.
You're welcome to try.
Now wait a minute.
I don't want to go in there.
$1,000 delivered and breathing.
Yeah, but not for long.
Now wait a minute.
I've got a right to a hearing.
Shut up, you!
|
Why you...
I didn't agree to become an accessory to murder.
There's a warrant out for this bushwhacker, and you're going to let the law take him.
I am paying for him, and he's mine.
Only as a son-in-law.
And the hangman will arrange a quick divorce.
Now listen...
Reed, you vindictive old goat, your daughter's outside waiting for you.
Nancy?
Look at me, girl.
Don't grab me like I'm some puny little babe.
I can take of myself.
How are you, Dad?
How do you feel?
How do you think I feel?
With a daughter that hasn't got any more sense than to stay out here in the sun when-when she's got a house to go into.
Go on up to your room.
Get washed up.
You look like you've been in a stampede.
How does a man throw away the most valuable thing he'll ever own?
I'll never understand that.
Well, Dave, the marshal is waiting for you.
Let's travel.
Then it's the Golden Gate for me, and I wonder what kind for you.
Welcome home, Mr. Paladin.
Thank you, Patrick.
It's nice to be home.
I'll send Hey Boy out for the luggage.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, Mr. Paladin.
|
I'm so happy to see you.
Hello, Hey Boy.
You have good business trip?
Hey Boy, this business was a pleasure.
Hey, boy, two fresh decks of cards, Room 204, right away?
Right away.
Game, Hey Boy?
Big game, lots of money.
Do the other players happen to know who that gentleman is?
Oh, him?
Him lose all the time, Mr. Paladin.
He always does.
Until he switches to his own deck.
I think I'll sit in that game, Hey Boy, just for relaxation.
My luggage is outside.
¶ "Have gun, will travel," reads the card of a man ¶
¶ A knight without armor in a savage land ¶
¶ His fast gun for hire, heeds the calling wind ¶
¶ A soldier of fortune, is a man called Pal-a-din ¶
¶ Paladin, Paladin, where do you roam?
¶
In 1944, when Japan's island empire was still an impregnable fortress I approved plans, as commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet for one of the most daring and formidable operations in the history of naval warfare.
The problem was how to get past the heavily-mined entrances into the Sea of Japan.
How to sever the link of supply between Japan and the Asiatic mainland thereby breaking his will to fight and ensuring his destruction.
My faith in this daring operation was placed in men like Vice Adm. Charles A. Lockwood...
And his faith was placed in men like Cmdr. Casey Abbott captain of the submarine Starfish.
This is the story of the life-and-death struggle fought not only beneath the surface of the sea but within the minds and hearts of a valiant group of men the Hellcats of the Navy.
My favorite kind.
Hey, Freddy, I made these special for you.
|
Thanks.
Cookie, sir?
We should be sitting right off the Honshu coast.
- See if those frogmen are ready.
- Aye, aye, sir.
We close enough to pick up a couple of geisha girls, Mr. Landon?
Yeah.
Nice, fat ones with horns on them.
Horns?
He means mines, dope!
They're right on the edge of the minefield, according to the DRT.
- No sonar contact, Mr. Landon.
- Huh?
Where's the minefield?
It's there, all right.
What do you see, captain?
Nothing but fog.
- All ahead, one-third.
- All ahead, one-third.
We're right on the edge of the Japanese shipping lanes.
Better take those frogmen out through the escape trunk.
Where's Mr. Barton?
He moved into your bunk this morning to get some sleep.
Too much acey-deucy, I guess.
- All right.
See you at forward.
- Aye, aye.
Let's go, fellas.
Come on, Wes.
Come on, lover-boy.
|
The dream sequence is over.
You're on.
You're the head man in this act, so get into your gear.
What time is it?
Time for you to go out and get a couple of those Japanese mines.
- Ain't I the lucky one?
- Yeah.
You're lucky it's me waking you up and not Capt. Abbott.
- You think he's sore?
- No, no.
He likes it.
His girl's going out with another guy, especially a jg.
Was it my fault?
She practically sat down in my lap and demanded attention.
Yeah.
I hear she's just that type.
Don't let the quiet ones fool you.
I've been telling you you gotta open the oyster to find the pearl.
Forget the oysters this trip, will you?
Just bring back two Japanese mines.
We gotta have them to make this new sonar work.
The next thing you'll want is a TV so you can see where you're going.
I wish I could see where you were going.
The girl again?
Look, what's the big deal, Don?
Wes, I've seen you playing the field ever since the academy.
This girl is different.
She wouldn't fit into a notch on your belt.
Don, may I never live to borrow your Skivvies again if I'm telling a lie, but I didn't break up this romance.
No, I got her on the rebound from Abbott.
|
Are you satisfied?
Where does it say in Navy regulations...?
Come on, they're waiting for you out there.
A few days from now, we'll be sitting around Wing Joe's listening to Wes Barton telling us all about how he won the war.
Single-handed.
Hey, tell us about it, will you, Wes?
- Come on!
- Come on, Wes, tell us about it.
All right, listen.
There I was, right in the middle of the Sea of Japan surrounded by the entire Japanese navy.
And all I had was a pair of flippers.
- Pair of flippers, huh?
- Will you tell us how you did it?
Hey, Cinderella, here's your magic slippers.
You men all ready?
We're all set, sir.
- How about time?
- Twenty minutes out, 20 minutes back.
No longer.
We'll surface in 40 minutes.
What's so special about these particular mines?
The Japanese have done something to them so our sonar won't pick them up.
We have to find out what it is.
We lost the Need/e Fin trying to get through these straits.
All right, let's make it.
Wes, you'd better hurry back.
You got a pair of my shoes.
I'm getting a new pair of heels put on them.
You know how it is, being dragged out of bars.
- Just the thing for water polo, huh?
|
- You're not kidding.
- What happened to him?
- Too much, too long.
Get him below.
Where's Barton?
He was with Cordice and Smith.
Cordice, isn't Barton with you guys?
I thought he was with you.
Hey, Barton!
Wes!
That guy couldn't drown.
We'll go back after him.
Barton!
- Lines secured, sir.
- Very well.
Radar contact on the starboard bow.
Bearing 0-2-5.
- How far?
- About 3000 yards.
Range closing fast.
Could be a destroyer.
- Hey, Barton?
- Landon!
We'll have to dive.
If you cut your engines, they'll never find us in this fog.
They may have us on their radar already.
We've got to bring him in!
What's the position on that radar report now?
Twenty-five hundred yards.
Range closing fast!
|
Wes!
- Clear the deck.
- Captain, I see Wes!
- Where?
- About 100 yards out!
I see him, sir!
- I think.
- You, get below.
Barton!
Wes!
Clear the bridge.
Lookouts below.
- What about Wes Barton?
- Two thousand yards!
We can't do anything for him now.
Hatch shut!
Take her down fast, 5-7 feet.
Ready all tubes.
Stand by, forward and aft.
- Left, full rudder.
- Left, full rudder.
Green board, pressure in the boat, main induction shut and locked.
She's heard our sounds.
Close the board.
- Battle stations, torpedo.
- Battle stations, torpedo.
Man battle stations, torpedo.
Man battle stations, torpedo.
Range opening.
Bearing.
|
Mark.
Bearing 2-5-0.
Final bearing and shoot.
Stand by, aft.
Tubes aft ready and standing by, sir.
Bearing.
Mark.
Bearing 2-5-0.
Fire seven.
- Seven fired electrically, sir.
- Fire eight.
Eight fired electrically, sir.
Got them!
High, fast cruise coming in on us, captain.
- Stand by, forward.
- Stand by, forward.
Final bearing and shoot.
All tubes ready, sir.
Bearing.
- Mark.
- Bearing 3-5-8.
Fire one.
- One fired electrically, sir.
- Fire two.
Two fired electrically, sir.
- Missed them.
- Scope down.
Flood negative.
Take her down.
They're over us now, sir.
|
Rig for depth charge.
All compartments, rig ship for depth charge.
- Fire in the forward engine room.
- Lay aft, Don.
Check on the fire.
We've lost main control, sir.
Screws have stopped turning.
Take over, Paul, I'm going to Control.
- What's our depth?
- Two hundred feet.
What's it look like?
Have we lost them?
Can't even hear them now, sir.
Sonar power's off.
Ask Maneuvering about those shafts.
Maneuvering, Control.
What's the condition of those shafts?
Fire's out in the engine room.
Full power restored in the maneuvering room.
About Barton there was nothing else to do.
Thanks, honey.
You pulled me through again.
How's that?
That's Mabel.
It's my girl.
She brings me luck.
If she pulled you through, she pulled me through.
She pulled us all through.
We all ought to kiss her.
Mon chérie, you are so beautiful.
|
I must kiss you.
At least if you kissed her on the cheek...
Come on, Freddy, give her a kiss.
She won't bite you.
- Sure, Freddy.
- Come on.
- Never mind.
You're my boyfriend.
- Hey!
Look out!
Come on, now.
Cookie, give me the picture.
- Oh, baby!
- Oh, come...
Give me the picture, Cook!
Okay, Landon.
Let's talk.
What I've got to say to you can't be said to a commanding officer.
Spit it out.
You have my permission.
You haven't served with me before.
Do you think I enjoy letting men drown?
No, captain.
But by now, I suppose you've got yourself convinced that this hurts you more than it did him.
I don't happen to think you had to let him die.
Someday, you may have a command of your own.
If you wanna take a chance and risk an entire crew a ship and a mission for one man that'll be your decision to make.
This one was mine.
If you'd cut your engines, then they might not have found us.
Maybe not.
|
We'll never know, will we?
There was no time to figure the odds.
I had to rely on experience and instinct.
Right or wrong I decided to play it safe for the 85 men on this sub.
Tell me what did your instinct tell you about this?
In that split second, did instinct remind you that Barton might be waltzing your girl around the base?
I've had time to consider my decision.
I still think it was right.
If you were wrong, could you admit it?
Even to yourself?
If you think I made a personal decision that cost Barton's life you have my permission to report it to the squadron commander.
I can't do anything about it, and you know it.
I can't prove a thing.
- About this girl...
- Leave her out of this.
I gave you permission to speak, Mr. Landon so I intend to forget this conversation.
Come on, Freddy.
Let's go.
Cut the cake.
- I said, leave me alone.
- Blow out the candles.
- I said, leave me alone.
- Blow out the candles.
- Go on, blow them out.
- I told you, leave me alone!
It was an accident, sir.
We planned a little party for Freddy.
He's 19 today, and it's his first time out.
I had the cake already, sir.
We figured to go ahead and try to cheer him up.
|
Only I didn't wanna be cheered up, sir!
I figure that after what happened today we shouldn't have a birthday party.
We should have a wake.
Back where I come from, that's...
He's kind of broken up, sir!
He was on deck, and he claims he saw Lt. Barton just before we...
I did see him!
You probably did.
Port back, full.
Left, full rudder.
All stop.
I can only say that I feel the loss of Lt. Barton as keenly as you both do.
But according to your report, Casey you did the only thing possible.
Well, let's hope the mine you brought back will give us a real clue to getting through the Tsushima Straits.
We're covering a few dozen dummy mines with the same rubber and acetate coating on the Japanese mine.
When we get the report from the lab we'll try to fix our sonar to pick them up.
There's another way to do it, sir.
Japanese freighters are going through those straits every day.
We could follow one and chart a mine-free channel for ourselves.
We lost the Need/e Fin trying that.
We're not sure how we lost the Need/e Fin, are we, sir?
Let's try it my way for now, Casey.
We'll see how the sonar tests go.
Aye, aye, sir.
Anything else?
I'd like to talk about my officer-personnel situation, if I may, admiral?
Yes, sir.
Cmdr. Abbott.
Case!
I was afraid you wouldn't come.
|
- You've heard about Wes?
- Yes.
I talked to Landon.
Somehow, I feel it's all my fault.
Everything's such a mess, and I...
Let's get out of here.
I'll sign out.
I've got a jeep.
Take over for me, will you, Frankie?
You knew I was fresh out of a bad marriage when we met.
I wanted to be sure this time, so I played it safe until I knew that you were Mr. Right.
But then you gave me that line about wartime marriages.
I wanted a wife and kids, not a widow and orphans.
Sure.
Then I began to think maybe you were playing the South Sea circuit.
- You knew better.
- How could I know?
Did you give me a postdated check?
So I got sore.
What really happened is that I got scared, unsure.
I had to prove to myself I could still circulate.
You proved it with Wes Barton.
Well, he was the guy all the girls whistled at and just about the nicest guy I ever knew.
But it wasn't love.
Not for him, or for me.
We both knew that.
I should have known it.
I should have come and found out while I could do something about it.
That's what I'm trying to say.
What happened out there had nothing to do with you and me.
|
It's Landon, isn't it?
He didn't come right out and say so, but I knew what he thought.
It's crazy, Case.
Don't you see?
He doesn't know you.
Don't you see how crazy it is?
He's right about one thing.
I can't take up where Wes Barton left off.
I'd never feel right.
And if I forgot, there'd be people and faces to remind me.
You?
What about me?
What about us?
I don't care about people.
You have to live with people.
You have to work with them, fight beside them.
It does matter.
I guess you'd better take me back, Casey.
Take in two and three.
Take in four.
Leave her around.
Easy on one.
All back, two-thirds.
How much longer are we gonna play tag with these dummy mines, sir?
Until we get the bugs out of that sonar gear.
- The Army may be in Tokyo by then.
- Try telling the admiral that.
Clear the bridge!
Can you interpret that hash?
No, sir.
|
Would you say there were mines out there?
No, sir.
Well, there are.
It looks more like fish or seaweed to me, sir.
Does that sound like seaweed?
- No, sir.
- All stop.
All stop.
Let's hope we're not hung up again.
- All back, full.
- All back, full.
- All stop.
- All stop.
- All ahead, one-third.
- All ahead, one-third.
- Right, full rudder.
- Right, full rudder.
- It's working, sir.
It's working.
- What did you do to it?
I just remembered.
I cut in the new circuit the lab gave us.
If it keeps on working like this, we've really got something.
Looks like a mine coming up, starboard side.
- Rudder amidships.
- Rudder amidships.
- Steady as she goes.
- Steady as she goes.
Take over, Landon, and run the field.
Aye, aye, sir.
|
- Matches.
- He made it again.
- I'm telling you, he shaved the dice!
- Stop him, somebody!
- I bet you five more it comes out.
- Come on, dice!
- Use the cup, Carroll.
- Come on.
Blow.
What do you mean, "blow"?
Come on.
I got a six.
How are we doing on sixes, Freddy boy?
- Just a minute.
I have to figure it.
- What's with this pencil-and-paper bit?
What do you mean, "how are we doing on sixes"?
It's simple mathematics.
It's...
- What do you call it, kid?
- Combinations and permutations.
What's with this "combinations and permutations"?
Look, Freddy keeps tabs on the numbers.
We know the odds.
If it ain't come up much, it's due to show.
Otherwise, it's a sucker bet.
See?
Combinations and permutations.
I don't understand combinations and permutations.
You're okay on sixes.
|
- How come he knows so much?
- Never mind.
Carroll, shoot the dice.
He knows all about science too:
radar, electronics, sonar.
He knows more about these sonar tests than all you put together.
He was explaining about these mines...
Look, either you shoot the dice or get off...
All right.
Come on.
Fade me.
Fade me.
All right, shoot already.
- Bets.
- Bets.
Six it is.
After we clean out the Japs, Freddy and I are gonna take our system to Las Vegas.
- Ain't we, Freddy boy?
- Sure.
- Shoot the dice.
- Fade me.
- You got it.
- Here we go.
Five more, it comes.
Is that floating crap game still going on?
Afraid it's chronic, sir.
- Who's winning?
- Carroll.
He claims he's using science.
Well, I have to break it up, but I don't have to catch them at it.
|
I'm going forward, Charlie.
- Forward room.
- Yes, sir, captain.
Suppose we're going through an enemy minefield like into Tokyo Bay.
What's this?
A kind of crap game?
No, sir.
Freddy was just explaining to us about the sonar tests.
Well, go on, Freddy.
I want to hear this too.
These nickels, dimes and quarters, they're the mines in the bay.
But a clear channel has been left so a Japanese harbor pilot, having a chart can guide friendly shipping through without running into the mines.
Only we don't have a chart, so if we try to get through we run into the mines.
Then we all get killed.
Go on.
That's all, sir.
One thing if this is supposed to be one of our ships you turned up snake eyes.
Snake eyes are supposed to be bad luck.
Isn't that right, Carroll?
If you say so, sir.
I'm glad to see you're all up on your sonar lessons, but don't overdo it.
Commence reload drill.
That'll relax your minds.
Feels like we're riding up on another cable.
Secure that fish!
- All stop.
- All stop.
Push it back, fellas!
Doc!
Doc!
|
Somebody!
Doc!
Come on.
The skull is badly fractured.
There's no chance unless we get him right back to base.
Ring the conning tower.
Paul?
Sonar and radar still out?
They will be for two or three hours.
What's our visibility?
What's visibility?
Tropical storm coming up.
Visibility less than 100 yards.
I'm coming up.
The boy can't live unless we get him to base hospital.
Prepare to surface two main engines.
If we surface, we risk a collision in this squall.
If we lay until that gear is fixed, he'll be dead.
But there are four other destroyers, three subs a minesweeper and five PT boats up there.
It's a big ocean.
- What would you do, let the boy die?
- No, sir.
I wouldn't.
I'd take a chance to save a life.
I think you made the right decision.
This time.
Ready to surface below.
Surface.
- How's that boy doing?
- Still in a coma, sir.
|
Casey, your dummy-mine tests have helped us a lot but I'm taking you off them for a special mission.
You'll have sealed orders aboard the Starfish in an hour.
Yes, admiral.
About my exec, Lt. Cmdr. Landon?
- You say he is a good officer?
- Yes, sir.
Any reason why he shouldn't go out with you?
No, sir.
Good.
Then hop to it, and lots of good luck, Casey.
Thank you, sir.
The captain would like to see you in the wardroom, sir.
Right away.
Steering course 2-5-0.
Going ahead on standard, on four engines.
- You have the Con.
- Aye, aye, sir.
We're on a special nine-day assignment, proceeding to the island of Saishu-to.
Let's see, that's almost 60 miles southeast of Tsushima Strait.
That's right.
We're to knock out the island so it can't be used as a base when we make our breakthrough into the Sea of Japan.
Arrange a small landing party, one officer.
I'll take the party, captain.
I don't think that's a good idea.
As second-in-command, it's right that I should lead the party.
In the event of trouble, I might have to abandon the raiding party in order to save this boat.
Yes, sir.
It's a question of your confidence in my judgment.
I understand exactly what you mean, sir.
But it's my job.
|
I don't think I should ask anyone else to take over.
Very well.
Pick your men.
- No other orders.
- Yes, sir.
- Prepare to surface on battery.
- Prepare to surface on the battery.
- How does things look up there?
- No Japs, plenty of installation.
- Ready to surface below.
- Surface.
We'll surface for you at 2230.
Good luck.
Those explosions are going off ahead of schedule.
Prepare to surface on the battery.
- One man's missing.
- They got Carroll.
There they are, captain.
Close aboard, starboard.
Clear the bridge!
- Air shut!
Take her down, 6-0 feet!
- Aye, aye, sir.
They've got us zeroed in.
We can't stay down here any longer.
Landon says the pumps can't keep up with the water.
No sonar, no radar.
And only five miles from the Sea of Japan and those minefields.
We'll just have to take her up on guts.
Let's have a quick look around first.
|
Paul, have a look at this.
Landon, there's a Japanese merchantman heading into the straits.
- Quite a temptation.
- We were supposed to avoid contact.
I'm not sinking her, just following her through.
But our orders, captain.
My orders don't say anything about a situation like this.
And we can't radio for new ones.
Here's our chance to log every inch of that channel, right into the Sea of Japan.
Didn't Prentice tell you that there was no suction in the bilges and the pump's burnt-out?
We can't get any speed because the battery's too low.
This tub I'm watching can only do about 7 knots.
We'll limp along behind.
C/ear the torpedo room.
Leave a vo/unteer there to keep the /eak stoppers in p/ace.
Put on any air pressure you need to keep the plugs in.
Aye, aye, sir.
We'll follow this baby all the way in.
- All ahead, two-thirds.
- All ahead, two-thirds.
Clear the torpedo room!
It gets rough in the straits.
You're needed up in the conning tower.
You mean it gets rough in here if those plugs pop.
- I can handle that job.
- But I want you outside.
I'm gonna close this hatch.
Keep up the air pressure.
I'm going to need plenty of it.
Mark the time, Paul.
|
One hour, 14 minutes since we started our transit.
- Another 15 minutes, we should be at...
- Captain.
Forward reducer just let go, captain.
Shut that valve!
All stations, put Mr. Landon on.
All stations, put Mr. Landon on.
This is Landon in the forward room.
The room's under pressure.
Landon, when I want you to volunteer, I'll tell you.
How are the plugs holding?
I can keep them in if Control gives me back the air pressure.
One plug just let go!
Charlie, how are you coming with the air?
We're working on it, but I can't hold it at periscope depth much longer with that torpedo room flooding.
- How much further, Paul?
According to DRT, two minutes and we're through, with no gravy.
Landon, you've got to hold on for two more minutes.
Con, Forward Battery.
Forward torpedo room flooding fast.
We're losing the bubble, captain.
We'd better quit with what we've got.
Prepare to surface, four main engines.
- Ready to surface, four main engines.
- Surface.
We're out of the straits.
Here's the chart.
Talk about bringing home the bacon.
A clear channel into the Sea of Japan.
Could change the whole course of the war.
|
Right, full rudder.
All ahead, flank!
Battle stations, gun action!
Abandon ship!
Open all deck hatches!
Over here!
Come on!
Somebody give us a hand.
Bring that boat!
Hunter Seven, calling Red Dog Two spotted life raft, picking up survivors.
Have ambulance ready.
Over.
- I'll take over, Frankie.
- All right.
You have to get some rest.
I don't want to sleep, dream or wake up.
Sixty men trapped below with the sea rushing in.
And the lucky ones that escaped, burning in the oil, riddled by bullets.
Oh, Case.
Those weren't just casualties.
I knew them.
I knew about their families, their plans.
- Do you know what I feel?
- Yes, I do know, Case.
When you were overdue, and I thought you weren't coming back I imagined every awful minute of it.
Don't you think I know?
How are the others?
Charlie, Landon, Chick?
They'll be all right.
You have a slight concussion.
|
You have to stay a little bit longer.
I have a slight concussion, and 60 men are killed.
That ought to earn me a Purple Heart with 60 clusters.
- An investigation, sir?
- An inquiry into the loss of the Starfish.
Naturally, I had to report that the captain carried out the action against my advice.
- I understand, sir.
- But the charts you brought back is a mighty welcome form of insurance.
The hearing is set for 10:00 tomorrow.
The doctor says Abbott should be on his feet by then.
Adm. Lockwood, I understood when I first shipped out as Cmdr. Abbott's exec, that it was a temporary assignment that I was in line for a command of my own.
In fact, I thought when the Sea Ray returned from the China Sea...
Your last commanding officer turned in a report which makes it impossible for me to recommend your assignment.
My last...?
Do you mean Capt. Abbott, sir?
But what was the nature of the report?
Is the report subject to review, sir?
I'd prefer it, Landon, if you discuss the matter with Capt. Abbott first.
Yes, sir.
Well, sir, the admiral made it quite clear your report stands in the way of my command.
Yes, I'm sorry, Landon.
Yes, sir.
I was hoping you'd tell me about it.
- Don't you know?
- No, sir, I don't.
If it's because of the way I talked to you after Lt. Barton's death I'll admit it was improper.
But you asked me to "spit it out." I recall your words.
My criticism had nothing to do with that.
I reported that you were an excellent executive officer.
- Courageous, alert, skillful and efficient.
|
- Yes, sir?
I also remarked you were not equipped for command because you seemed incapable of making the sometimes painful decisions required in an emergency.
Now I understand, captain.
I doubt that, Mr. Landon.
I think you're a man who is ruled by personal emotion and you attribute that behavior to everyone around you.
Until you overcome that, you'll be unfit for the responsibility of command.
Yes, sir.
Since you seem determined to be proper today I might as well say the rest of it.
I know what you think of the Wes Barton episode.
You think that out of remorse and sentimentality I risked the Starfish and crew in order to save Freddy Warren.
And now you think that for reasons of personal ambition I risked the passage of the straits and lost my boat and men.
You said it, captain.
I didn't.
But it's what you think, Landon.
And that's what I mean by your inability to interpret the decision of command in anything but personal terms.
And until you grow up...
There's an inquiry into the sinking of the Starfish tomorrow morning.
If you still think you have a case against me...
- I'm sorry.
- What is it?
Freddy Warren.
He's conscious and asking for you.
He's very weak.
I'll see you tomorrow, captain, at the inquiry.
Hi, Freddy.
I wondered where the fellas were.
Carroll and Jug Benny.
Well, we've been out on a mission, Freddy.
But you're back now.
They'll come now?
|
Yeah.
They'll be coming to see you.
I wanted to tell you something, sir.
It's...
It's about Lt. Barton.
That day, my birthday what I thought about you...
I wanted to tell you, sir, I was wrong.
It's been on my mind a long time.
- I understand, Freddy.
- No, sir.
I have to tell you.
I know what you did for me.
Risking the ship just for me.
That's how I know I was wrong about you.
It's been on my mind.
It's very important...
Important...
Come on, Case.
- It's funny, in a way.
- How do you mean?
He said it.
I took a chance to save him.
I wouldn't take a chance to save Wes.
He didn't say that.
You're twisting it.
It's what Landon's been believing all this time.
It's not the same.
When the boy was hurt you didn't have the whole Japanese navy bearing down on you.
Of course you took a chance to save him.
Anybody would have.
|
I don't know anymore.
I don't know how I'll ever know.
Previous testimony has established that you were without radar or sonar.
And at this time, you sighted a Japanese merchantman.
Are these facts correct, captain?
Capt. Abbott?
They are, sir.
Captain, your operation orders said nothing about a mission through the straits.
- No, sir.
Nor did they preclude it.
You are aware Adm. Lockwood advised against any such attempt?
Yes, sir, but that advice was based on other circumstances.
Tell us, then, what were the circumstances that prompted your transit of the strait, in the wake of this merchantman?
Yes, sir.
Knowing that we planned to invade the Sea of Japan and appreciating the value of a chart through the minefield I decided that the weather, the time of day and the evident lack of Japanese surveillance all justified the attempt.
I considered it a target of opportunity and within my discretion as a commanding officer.
Did you take into consideration that your vessel was already damaged?
I concluded the damage was not so extensive as to interfere with the mission.
As to the air-pressure failure that didn't enter the picture until I was fully committed.
- Is there anything else, captain?
- I should point out that I lost my boat after maneuvering successfully out of the strait, into the open sea.
I had no radar as a result of damage on my original mission to Saishu-to.
It was just bad luck.
- Is that all, captain?
- No, sir.
I request it be entered into the record that I was successful in bringing back a chart of the minefield.
- Any other questions?
- No.
Thank you, captain.
Mr. Landon, this is an informal inquiry but anything you say will be entered into the record and may become, subsequently, a foundation for a charge against Capt. Abbott.
|
- Yes, sir.
Did Capt. Abbott consult you, as his executive officer before undertaking this foray?
I was in charge of damage control at the time, sir.
The captain merely announced his decision to me.
Did you express an opinion?
- Yes, sir.
I tried to protest.
- On what grounds, Mr. Landon?
On the grounds that a transit of the strait seemed to exceed the permissible scope of our assignment.
But you are aware now that Adm. Lockwood never expressly prohibited such a mission and that Capt. Abbot was unable to radio for instructions?
Yes, sir.
I'm aware of that.
Mr. Landon, I know this may be distasteful to you but as next ranking officer, I must ask you do you have any reason to believe that Capt. Abbott was guilty of any negligence or dereliction of duty?
Sir, that's a conclusion that you're asking of me, not facts.
You may express a conclusion, but I must ask you to be candid.
I'm sorry, sir.
I cannot answer that.
Do you wish to bring forward any facts which will assist this board in reaching a conclusion about Capt. Abbott's action?
Facts?
No, sir.
No other facts.
You know, Casey, in conditions of war the line between initiative and heroism on the one hand and recklessness and dereliction on the other is sometimes hard to draw.
There's the report of the Board of Investigation in the loss of the Starfish.
They concluded that your actions were justified and they've recommended no further proceedings.
I'm glad, Casey.
I want you to know that I agree with their conclusion.
Thank you, sir.
You don't seem very pleased.
I understand the final briefing for the Sea of Japan takeoff is scheduled for sometime this afternoon.
Yes, and I want you to be there.
|
I have no command, sir.
Well, the Sea Ray is back from the China Sea.
Yes, sir?
It was Adm. Nimitz's suggestion that you take over its command.
The Sea Ray.
That's the boat Landon expected to get.
I'll have a talk with him.
You be at the briefing this afternoon.
If Landon is there, he's your exec.
Aye, aye, sir.
Gentlemen, the admirals are here.
Attention on deck.
Good evening, gentlemen.
Carry on.
All right, Bill, go ahead.
You Hellcats are shoving off at dawn in three groups, gentlemen:
Hepcats, Polecats and Bobcats.
Now, we have calculated your time of departure to permit an ETA at Tsushima Strait at zero hour, based on a speed of 13 knots.
Rely on your new sonar.
In case of mechanical failure, you have Capt. Abbott's chart on a clear channel through the minefield.
Once in the Sea of Japan all Hellcats are to reconnoiter their areas.
How have these areas been assigned, Lockwood?
Bobcats will lay off Honshu the Polecats off Korea, and the Hepcats off Hokkaido.
You are to remain unseen until sunset of June 9.
Is that clear, gentlemen?
That will be the hour for commence firing.
You mean from here on, admiral, it's every cat for himself?
You're to torpedo or gun everything in sight:
Freighters, trawlers, even sampans.
Why the wait until we start popping them, admiral?
|
Intelligence figures the Japanese know something is brewing.
We don't want any single unit to be spotted until you're all in position to go into action simultaneously.
You are to rendezvous on June 23 west of La Pérouse Strait and make your exit.
Any questions, gentlemen?
Now Adm. Nimitz would like to say a few words.
With the help of the men in this room, we have beaten the Japanese back from the very shores of Hawaii and Australia.
From Guadalcanal, from the Philippines, New Guinea the Gilberts, Solomons, Carolines and the Marianas.
We have retrieved the vast empire they sought to plunder.
But we cannot achieve victory until we isolate the home island from their main source of coal, iron and food on the continent of Asia.
It is your mission, gentlemen, to demonstrate to the Japanese people that even their warlord's private lake is fair fishing for the American Navy.
So make it a big show.
And remember this time, we're reaching for victory.
Good hunting and Godspeed.
Well, sir, this is it.
- Hi, Helen.
- Hi.
- How's young Freddy doing?
- Well, he's doing much better, I think.
Case, how about buying me a cigarette?
- Sure.
I'll see you onboard.
- Aye, aye, sir.
- Hey, what about me?
- Well, take your pick.
- It must be a big push this time.
- The admiral told me not to tell.
The admiral should have told me not to worry.
I thought we settled all that, about you and me.
It won't stay settled, Case, not until you tell me you've stopped caring.
Still beating your chest about Wes?
|
Well, I guess I didn't have much to say after all.
What are you going to do after the war, Case?
I've told you a hundred times.
I want to hear it once more.
I'm going into the surplus business.
I'm gonna buy up all the old mines and sell them to the man in the moon.
There's no water on the moon.
How do you know so much about the moon?
I know a lot about it.
I spend all my time looking at it when you're away.
That's how it still is with me, Case.
It's time for me to go now.
It looked like the fountains at a French palace.
We couldn't have picked a better place to surface.
It looked like we were in...
Did I interrupt something?
I was just telling them how we lost the Starfish on your last patrol.
If you're done with your coffee and done telling war stories would you mind making up a position report?
Aye, aye, sir.
Mr. Landon probably didn't tell you about his own part in that last patrol.
He preformed a great bravery.
He's a fine officer.
We're ready for the transit of Tsushima, captain.
Can you give me a fix?
What do we hear from the other boats, Foley?
All communications are shut off till H-Hour, June 9, sir.
Keiki-do bearing, mark!
Peak bearing, mark!
Charlie.
We'll make our transit by the chart.
|
Depth 1-2-0.
1-2-0 feet, captain.
We're at the halfway mark, captain.
Mines ahead, sir.
I thought this was too easy.
No mines or surface vessels.
How far?
I can't tell, captain.
Blips are coming in all over the place.
- They must be packed solid.
- Rig for depth charge.
All compartments, rig ship for depth charge.
- All stop.
- All stop.
- All back, two-thirds.
- All back, two-thirds.
- Rudder amidship.
- Rudder amidship, sir.
Mine cable scraping down the portside of the after battery, captain.
- Left, full rudder.
Port stop.
- Left, full rudder.
Port stop, sir.
We're clear, sir.
The Japanese must have shifted their minefield pattern.
- I hope the rest of our subs caught it.
- Destroyer screws coming in fast.
How deep can I go under those mines?
Two hundred and fifty feet.
Rig for silent running.
|
Rig for depth charge.
Rig for silent running and depth charge.
- 200 feet, Charlie.
- 200 feet.
Put her on the bottom.
When are they gonna give up?
I think they're gone, sir.
Can't be sure, sonar's out.
How long to fix it?
I don't know.
I don't know what's the matter yet.
No sonar, an unreliable chart, and they know we're down here.
How long can we run at 200 feet?
All the way.
Take her up to 200 feet.
Maybe we can sneak in under that minefield.
Charlie, take her up, 200 feet.
Captain.
According to the DRT chart, we're through.
Well, I'd better check it with AVICs.
- Bring her up smartly.
All ahead, full.
- All ahead, full.
We're through, all right.
The pond's lousy with them!
I'd sure like to get one of them now.
When the time comes, we'll get them all.
Down scope.
Japanese freighter off the port bow heading north.
And it's sunset, June 9.
|
Now man battle stations, torpedo.
Man battle station, torpedo.
Range, mark.
1-2-0-0 yards.
- Gyro matched and ready.
- Heave!
Final bearing and shoot.
Fire one.
- One fired electrically.
- Fire two.
Two fired electrically.
- Bonsai!
- Up their kilt!
Final bearing and shoot.
- Bearing, mark.
- Bearing 1-0-4.
Fire four.
- Range, mark.
- 900 yards.
- Angle on the bow, zero.
- Down-the-throat shot.
Final bearing and shoot.
Bearing, mark!
1-3-5.
Fire seven.
- Seven fired electrically.
- Fire eight.
Eight fired electrically.
Got them.
Sounds like another can astern of us, captain.
|
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