Original subtitles

[orchestral music]

Hey, catch your breath and I'll ask you something.

- I have my breath. - Who lives in that house?

- Old lady Brentman. - Who else?

Nobody else.

Here's something for your piggy bank.

Hey, thanks.

I'm saving to buy myself a hot rod.

I'm afraid there isn't anything I really need.

I'm not selling anything, Mrs. Brentman.

What is it?

No, no, Scoot, no. He thinks he's a watchdog.

Alright, there. I wanted to see the house.

Why? Did you think it was for sale?

No, when I was a kid I ran away from this house.

I'd just like to see it again, I wondered if it changed much.

Well, you can come in.

Most young people nowadays forget home too quickly.

Thank you, I always remembered mine.

We bought the house through the bank.

The people who did own it were named Hale.

- Your name Hale? - Yes, Hale.

There was a boy I seem to remember, now what was his name?

- I think it was Chris. - That's right, Chris Hale.

We bought the furniture with it, John and I did.

John is my husband. He's dead now.

You must have been away a long time.

Yes.

You can see upstairs if you want to.

I know you want to see your old room.

It is the same one that Sammy had.

Oh, there seems to be one room in a house

that's just made for the boy of the family.

It's the one with most windows, big sized.

Looks right over the yard.

Easiest to sneak into late at night.

The Folgers live next door.

They live here when you were here?

I think so.

This was yours, wasn't it?

This is Sammy's room.

Sammy?

That's him. He died in the war.

Oh.

This I remember.

Probably the only honest thing I..

...ever won in my life.

Would you like to be here alone a little while?

I'll go down get you a cup of tea, would you like that?

Thank you.

It's all ready, Mr. Hale. I'll take it into the front room.

Oh, let-let's have it in here.

Oh? Alright.

Sammy always liked it here.

I bet you were in the war too.

You can always tell it on men's faces. Sit down.

- I'll get some cookies. - Thank you.

My Sammy is buried in the army cemetery in Virginia.

Someday I want to sit beside his grave and think all about it.

See if I can understand it better.

See if I can see it clearly why it had to be.

Oh, goodness, I shouldn't be talking like that to you.

- That's alright. - Sugar?

- No, thank you. - Cream?

No.

Your folks still living?

No, they aren't.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Thank you.

I was thinking of selling this house.

Then, again I might take in boarders.

It's so hard to know what's best.

What kind of work can you do?

Nothing.

Why, you shouldn't talk like that.

Young man like you?

Why, you can do anything you want to learn.

I can't learn anything I want to do.

Say, Mr. Morgan, he lives across the street.

He's a foreman at the Corelli factory

and a friend of mine.

Would you like me to speak to him about you?

Oh, that'd be fine.

Well, I'll do it first thing tomorrow.

Would you like some more tea, Mr. Hale?

No, thank you. You better call me Chris.

A man out of work is never mister.

Besides, I may be your first boarder.

Thank you very much, Mrs. Brentman.

Say..

...would you like to come back and stay in your old room?

You don't want me back in that room.

Yes, I do.

I want someone in there.

Alright. I'll bring my things in.

Is that all you do around here, skate up and down?

No, I caddie down at the golf club like my dad did

when it was nothin' but a nine-hole cow pasture.

What did that get him?

Me.

[instrumental music]

[crickets chirping]

You are Elaine Corelli.

I'm Chris Hale.

Are you?

Doesn't mean anything to you, never did.

You mind?

Would it make a difference if I did?

Not much.

When I was 15 I took a paper route

just so I could deliver papers to your house.

Once in the schoolyard I fought a guy named Murphy

because he called you a rich snob.

Did you win?

You can't beat an Irish man unless you kill him.

Murphy lived.

When I left town in a boxcar

leaving you was the worst part of it

but I knew I'd see you again somewhere.

- You do? - Yeah.

- Where? - Once in Monte Carlo.

Once at a club in Florida.

'When you threw 14 straight passes at the dice table.'

'I see your pictures in the paper.'

I read about you. You did alright.

What happened to all those men who used to hang around you?

Elaine. Excuse me, sir.

Father, this is Mr. Hale. He used to be our newspaper boy.

Mr. Hale was telling me how he was in love with me once.

- How long ago was it, Mr. Hale? - About a 100 years.

In that case, you are in good hands.

[speaking foreign language]

No.

[speaking foreign language]

- Are you winning? - Sixty five cents.

- Then, I'll stay a while. - Alright.

'What got you into that?'

Didn't you read about that too?

Guess I caught everything, but the main event.

I made a ski jump at St. Moritz.

Had bad luck.

You always did run around too much anyway.

I won't anymore.

Now, do you want to go back inside?

I was never in there. Just got into town.

Used to caddie here when it was just a nine-hole cow pasture.

'From carrying papers to caddying to what?'

Now? Going to work in your old man's factory.

- What have you been doing? - For 100 years?

- Took a few falls myself. - In war?

You know some girls are born ugly and..

...turn out to be knockouts, that never happened to you.

You were always beautiful.

Nice speech, but you still haven't answered my question.

Try it again.

I asked you what you've done?

Gamblers call me a sucker and the suckers call me a gambler.

- Now, you're going to reform? - I'd like to try everything.

So did I.

- You better go back inside. - Why?

Make the old man quit while he's out in front.

- Should he? - I don't know.

I never could.

Goodnight.

Pardon me, I'm looking for Mr. Morgan.

I'm Morgan, come in.

My name's Hale. Your neighbor, Mrs. Brentman--

I know all about you.

You certainly have an admirer in Mrs. Brentman.

You really didn't win the war yourself, did you?

- I didn't win it, I lost it. - If you see it that way.

Man never loses anything important

until he loses his nerves.

What can you do around the shoe plant?

[chuckles] Nothing.

You came to the right department.

No brains, no skills. How's that?

- Shoe fits? - Good. I can start you today.

- 'Yes, sir.' - Come in here, Ray.

I was in the first World War as a private.

How do you think it came out?

- Private. - Right.

Ray, meet Chris Hale. Ray Healy.

Hale's gonna work with us, tell him all you know.

That should take at least five minutes.

This is about you, Hale.

Big boss wants to see you, the old man himself.

- Why? - He don't confide in me.

- Take him up. - Yes, sir.

- See you later. - Sure.

He's doing alright, I've been here six years

and never spoken to the old man yet.

Can we get back to work or do you want to chew the fat?

Yes, sir.

My name's Hale. I'm carrying the weight around here.

You can go right in, Mr. Hale.

- 'Come in, Mr. Hale.' - Alright.

- 'Yes, Mr. Corelli?' - No calls, please.

(receptionist) 'Yes, sir'

Mr. Hale, the reason I asked personnel to find you..

Elaine talked about you.

She mentioned that you were going to look for work here.

- Where did they find you? - Mr. Morgan's office.

My daughter seemed very interested in your future.

We had a short conversation about it.

I want to do something for you.

I thought maybe in the sales or advertisement department.

Mr. Morgan is doing something for me

I think I'd better stick with him.

You are doing something for your daughter.

You're right.

I'm doing something for my daughter.

And there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her.

If it would help her, I would get out from behind that desk

and put you there even if it broke me.

It would.

Last night was the first time in a long time

I've seen her display interest in anything.

And...something you said or something you are

suddenly interested her.

I don't know how to tell you how grateful I am.

You don't have to.

You're a stranger to me, Hale, but I'm telling you this.

So you can imagine how much it means to me, and..

...how useless it makes all that out there.

- You understand me? - I think I do.

What job do you want?

One Mr. Morgan gave me.

I can't tell her that.

You want me to?

Will you?

Sure.

- Anything else? - No, no. No.

Thank you.

Well, that was very nice of Elaine Corelli

trying to help you get a job.

Yes, it was.

- Don't forget to thank her. - No, I won't.

Look, you know everything that goes on around here.

What sort of poker does Mr. Morgan play?

Oh, has he invited you?

Oh, the trap's set.

It's very nice of Mr. Morgan.

- One way. - Is there some other way?

Mr. Morgan always wins.

Nobody ever remembers Mr. Morgan losing.

Oh, he's a wonderful player. He has a poker...expression?

- An expression. - Maybe you better not go.

Here, you keep that for me, then I can only lose four bucks.

- Want me to wipe the dishes? - I certainly do not.

Good, I'll see you later.

If you lose early, you might go up and call on her.

You are a shrewd and stubborn old woman.

[Mr. Morgan laughing]

Cut it, Mr. Morgan?

- Oh, yeah? - Jacks or better, gentlemen.

I'm glad to get it over with. Guess I never should've called.

- All I had was a flush. - Well.

Shouldn't send a boy to do a man's work.

You couldn't expect him to go all through life

wondering whether it was good.

Cut 'em high and sleep in the street.

- I'll open two bids. - Call.

I'm out.

Raise. Ten cents.

Naturally. Hale.

Oh, I'm-I'm in.

- Call. - Fold.

- Cards? - Three cards.

Mr. Morgan.

I'll play it.

- Four to the dealer. - 'Check.'

Four raise.

Naturally.

Four bids.

'And four bids.'

Call. Two ladies.

Good as gold.

Nice to have done business with you.

Ah, it's early. Have some more chips. Put 'em on the cup.

- I'll try again next week. - I'll show you to the door.

You've shown me just about everything else tonight.

Let me find the door myself.

- Okay. - Goodnight, chumps.

(all) Goodnight.

He'll be alright.

[instrumental music]

Do you like that music?

I know very little about music.

You can like stars

without knowing anything about astronomy.

And I like it.

Or you just don't want to get into any argument.

Not with somebody with this many books.

You don't read very much.

When I've the time and everything to have a book.

I've both, but I'm a special case.

I can loaf around the world again without the wheelchair.

Create the love stories without having to live them anymore.

- 'Anything to drink? '- Anything.

'Why didn't you come in the front door?'

I wasn't sure they'd let me in the front door.

Besides, that's where I used to deliver the papers.

In the winter, when it was dark I used stand out there.

I stood out there one Christmas watching you jump around

the biggest tree in town..

...wishing I could give you a present.

Why didn't you?

All my life I've been busted at Christmas.

Yes, Miss Elaine?

This is Ms. Thompson, our housekeeper.

Mr. Hale is a footpad friend of mine.

- Slipped in through the window. - Indeed.

He'd like something to drink. I believe he'd drink anything.

Very well.

This afternoon you made my father feel like a failure.

Oh, you mean the sales and advertising the product.

You know what I mean.

Well, explain it. After all I went to some trouble.

My landlady, she has pull with the shipping foreman.

What do you expect to get out of shipping department?

Forty eight bucks a week.

'You don't expect much out of life.'

I've got my old room, a job. Is that bad?

If that's all you want, my trying to help you

must seem like a very poor joke.

Thank you. Everything's a joke.

Unless you'd find one thing that nobody'll laugh at.

- I never could. - Never?

Well, I found a few things I couldn't laugh at myself

and then some other guy always laughed.

I see.

'Like that bad spill you took at St. Moritz.'

'It must have looked pretty funny to somebody else.'

I guess I did.

So we're both failures.

Your legs and my life.

Except that something can be done about your life.

You've been reading too many books.

I promised your father I'd explain about the job.

Thanks for the milk and the conversation.

Wouldn't you like to go out the front door?

It's an old gambler's superstition.

Get out the same way you got in.

- Goodnight, Mr. Hale. - Goodnight.

[knock on door]

Yes?

I saw your light on. I knew you'd need fresh towels.

- What you doing? Writing? - No, drawing.

- Plans of a house. - Oh, a house?

- What did you see? - Oh, nothing.

- Sure? - I haven't got my glasses.

- I want this to be a surprise. - My, you startled me.

Sorry. I'm glad you came in. I wanted to talk to you.

I'm getting up early in the morning.

Tomorrow? I didn't know you worked Saturdays.

I'm going out of town for a day or two, but I'll be back.

- Friend of mine is in trouble. - That's too bad.

- Serious trouble? - No.

It's just that he can't make a living his way anymore.

Oh, what does he do?

- He's a card shark. - Oh, like Mr. Morgan.

Not exactly. My friend wins by cheating.

Now, that's no way to be.

I have a plan though, and..

...if it works, he'll never have to live that way again.

Chris, that's fine.

You're always doing something nice for people.

You better go to bed.

- Goodnight, Chris. - Goodnight.

[jazz music]

- You've got eleven cards. - I just hope you haven't.

Where you've been, Steve?

Oh, several spots around the country.

- Did you do any good? - No good.

They know me in most of the places.

Ran me out of California.

Yeah, heard you got the road gang in Florida.

Too bad Europe's so busted.

You're not the lend-lease type.

What you need is a new racket.

I may go legitimate.

The trouble with a straight narrow it's..

...too narrow.

Wise guy.

Hmm.

Another blitz, Jake.

(Jake) 'No wonder they tag you in those sucker joints?'

You just can't let yourself lose.

If you could pass up a little action now and then

you could make it look good.

But you gotta steal it all.

Even the luxury tax.

You can't help it, can you?

Even for peanuts, you gotta give me the business.

Call it even.

I didn't know if you were gonna show.

Nobody's seen you for weeks.

- You got 30 days or somethin'? - I said I'd be here.

You have everything the way I told you?

Yep. Doorman's fixed. We walk right in.

Here's the plan of the house.

We go straight to the office, I stick a gun in Bowen's ribs

and we walk him out with us. That's all.

That's all.

- If he don't go up? - He'll go up.

- You got a light? - I never said it was a cinch.

I didn't say I had to have a cinch.

- I just never went this far. - Neither did I.

We've run out of suckers.

Where do we go from here?

I guess we stick up a gambling joint.

Sure, that's why we're pulling this caper tonight.

And then we get out. All the way out.

We heist a gambler who can't stand to call the police.

- Get a car? - Yep.

- Borrow it? - What else?

You're a fool.

Looks like you had a good take tonight, Bowen.

Looks like you did.

Alright, Bowen, let's walk.

[indistinct chattering]

Get in the car, Bowen.

You drive.

Isn't this a sucker's play?

Take your time.

This is as far as you go, Bowen.

How far do you think you'll go?

Here's something for a cab when you get to a house.

- I'll try to pay you back. - Anytime.

You've gone this far with it

maybe you'd be smarter to go all the way.

Oh, not me, I'm just a thief.

Don't forget you owe me a sawbuck.

I won't forget.

Don't make the mistake of trying this again.

- Not for a long time. - Not forever.

Salt it away and be smart.

Like you said, I'll get lost.

I'll say it again, get lost and stay lost.

Pick a town, move in it and stay in it.

Get another name and be another guy.

It's what I did and that's what you're going to do.

- 'Yeah.' - Don't ever think you're safe.

And get careless and forget about tonight

because Bowen won't.

You think he's that tough?

The only way he is tough.

Where are you going?

Okay, okay. I was just wondering if I'd ever see you again.

I've heard there maybe a life after this one.

If it's true, I might see you down there.

- I owe you $4. - Wait till payday.

You may nick me again on payday.

Wanna get this off my conscience.

If you feel that way, maybe you were a bad boy over weekend.

- Why? - Healy was looking for you.

Mrs. Brentman said you left early Saturday.

Yeah, I drove over to West Virginia

to look for a relative. I got back late last night.

- What did Healy want? - What does Healy ever want?

- I've been looking for you. - Well, you found him.

- You doing anything tonight? - Say yes.

I got something nice lined up for you. Real nice.

That something real nice is his girl's buddy.

Let's go where we can talk.

Pay no attention to Morgan.

Except for poker night he's spent every evening

for the last 20 years with his wife.

So he thinks all women are fat and sleepy at 10 o'clock.

Her name is Gwen.

I've been giving you a good buildup for two days.

If you're not interested, we'll switch it to a movie.

- Is that fair enough? - Fair enough.

- Gives me a break with Mabel. - Do we take 'em to dinner?

- What did you do? Rob a bank? - No, it wasn't a bank.

Uh, we'd dance 'em around, buy 'em a few drinks.

- Anyway you want it. - I'll pick you up at eight.

Fine.

- Be right back, miss. - You look nice with roses.

- You should always carry them. - I'm going on a date.

She'll be very pleasantly surprised.

- I hope so. - 'Do I know her?'

Not as well as you think you do.

- Who is this lucky girl? - You.

When you're not around I sometimes wonder

if you aren't the strangest man I ever met.

'When you are around, I'm absolutely sure of it.'

Is this a brush-off?

You don't believe that any girl in her right mind

could turn you down, do you?

Not in the right mind.

I'm not quite sure how to take that.

'Oh, nothing personal.'

- Go ahead. - What time shall I drop in?

Oh, anytime. Just climb in through the window.

[barking]

Oh, my, my, how beautiful. Shall I put them in water for you?

I don't care what you do. They're yours.

- Mine? - Don't take it so big.

Just trying to get in solid with you.

Don't think you're getting them for nothing.

Ray Healy is coming by for me.

Tell him I couldn't make it. Something important came up.

I, uh, brought you the paper instead.

Like you did when you were a little boy.

Yeah, like I did when I was a little boy.

- Where's your coat? - Why?

- We're going out. - I don't go out.

'You do tonight. You got a date with me.'

'You don't expect me to sit and be stared at by the books.'

- Yes, Miss Elaine? - Oh, bring Miss Elaine's coat.

One of the minks.

Only three things can keep me in a room that long.

Sleep, a jailor, a deck of cards.

Don't misunderstand me. I appreciate this little act.

But I wouldn't do this to myself much less to you.

This is my fault for saying you could come here.

I don't want either pity or this humane bravado.

Now we understand each other. You can go and have fun.

- Not stay in any room too long. - Tell me on the way.

I don't want to make a fool of you.

Well, that's been done before, by experts.

No, Chris.

You're not ashamed to be seen with me?

That's not what you're getting at, is it?

- You don't think that? - I said it.

After all you're Elaine Corelli.

You're a million dollar chip off the social block.

You might have something at that.

The front door if you don't mind.

[rumba music]

- Now...glad you came? - Of course.

Stop looking like a diamond tiara at the ten-cent store.

These are my people. Wanna toast some champagne?

- Beg your pardon, sir. - Coffee.

Two coffee. Cream, sugar, spoons.

- The works. - Yes, sir.

Well, look who's here, Gwen.

- Elaine Corelli in the flesh. - Where?

Mink coat and the wheelchair.

Who's the man of distinction type with her?

(Mabel) 'Must be from the factory. Don't you know?'

I, uh, I've seen him around. Want some beer, Gwen?

Mm-hmm. How I've missed him.

He's, uh, he's new. Mabel, beer.

Well, who is he? What's his name?

Come on, who is it?

- Hale. - Hale?

(Mabel) 'Is that the big build-up you've been giving us?'

(Ray) 'That's right. It's the same guy.'

So that's the business he had.

(Ray) 'You wanna dance, Gwen?'

Ray, Ray, stop her. Do something. Dance with her.

You know I don't rumba.

- They tell me you're Mr. Hale. - Too late to deny that now.

Well, Mr. Hale, I'm returning the call you didn't make.

'For your further information, Mr. Hale'

I'm not accustomed to being stood up by any kind of date.

- Blind or dumb or-- - Come on. This is our dance.

I have to finish what I got to say if you don't mind.

I work for that girl's father.

You get involved with such a variety of women.

Ridiculous, isn't it? Want to leave?

Not until you've done something I think you should do.

What should I do?

Go and apologize to that girl.

- Want me to? - Yes.

If she's foolish enough to let you

which I doubt, dance with her.

Oh, you think she won't.

I'm sure of it.

- For what token wager? - Your check.

You're down.

I wanna tell you how sorry I'm about this.

Actually it couldn't be avoided.

If I'd seen your picture, it couldn't have happened.

You kinda pour it on.

- Anybody can say sorry-- - What do you wanna do about it?

Neither of us is leaving town, you know.

How about a dance?

I'll say this much, you've got your nerve.

Well, do you wanna dance or not?

- Waiter. The check. - Yes, ma'am.

Thank you, ma'am.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Have some fun?

Fun.

Just a word. Throw it away.

I guess I like you because

you can still look at me and remember me the way I was.

When I could walk and dance and live like that girl tonight.

You can fool yourself and almost fool me too

but it's a dream and I have to forget it.

So do you.

You're always telling me what I have to do.

A dream is alright.

It's an island everybody can sail to.

But you can't stay on it or make a life on it

or walk on it.

Your hand's cold.

Why don't you listen?

Because I know what you're going to say.

You're going to tell me that this is the end of us.

That your legs are dead and you're going to crawl away alone

until you fall off the edge of the world.

You're going to tell me that we are a big thing, you and I.

That somebody cares which way we go.

Some star will drop from the sky

or some clock will stop because of anything that happens to us.

That isn't what I mean.

I know what you mean and I don't care.

Would you take me in now?

I'm sorry, Chris. What else can I say you do?

You can kiss me goodnight.

(Mrs. Brentman) 'Can't you come in here without knocking?

You always do. Shouldn't frighten me like that.

You're not afraid of any man on earth.

- Not anymore. - You couldn't beat the races.

- I can beat this one. - Where?

Florida. What do you think of Silver Bell?

- Too much early foot. - Well, how about Starlit Sky?

That's a crazy horse. Sent three vets to the physiatrist.

That's a beautiful name. You know anything about Stumpy?

- Oh, very solid. - I couldn't do it.

I couldn't bet on a horse with a name like Stumpy.

Take Starlit Sky. I'll book it.

I had a postal card today.

It says, "Having a rotten time. Glad you're not here."

She says she won't be back until March.

She might go up to New York to look at the new plays.

- That's what she thinks. - What do you think?

I think nothing can keep her away that long.

- Not even me? - I wouldn't know.

There's no romance in me than in the refrigerator.

Still you have to bet on a horse named Starlit Sky?

- How do you want it? - On the nose. How else?

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Oh, my. Oh, my. What a pretty tree.

- Where shall I put it? - In front of the window.

Chris, the most wonderful news.

Who do you think is back in town?

- Hold that. - What is it?

Christmas present for an old gossip I know.

Oh, for me?

Oh, Chris, you shouldn't have done that.

Put it away somewhere she can't pry into it.

Aren't you curious?

In case you are, there's a bathrobe in there.

Aren't you gonna help me trim the tree?

Certainly not. I'm going over to Elaine's.

With a pocket full of mistletoe.

Oh, you knew.

- You like it, Miss Elaine? - It's very nice, Thompson.

It's been rather hurried.

Nobody expected you home from Florida until March.

It wouldn't be Christmas without a tree, would it?

Oh, I like this season. I always have.

- Have you seen Mr. Hale? - 'Several times.'

He came here one evening, to his sorrow, I might add.

Oh.

I was asleep when I heard music coming from this room

so I came to investigate.

He had come in as usual, said he was looking for a book.

He was sitting in that chair, reading.

Reading?

'A book of poems, as a matter of fact.'

And you called the police?

No.

We played gin rummy for a time.

Mr. Hale lost $4.

[doorbell ringing]

- I'm not in. - Yes, Miss Elaine.

What book did he take?

Truthfully, Mr. Hale carried on so about losing the four bucks

uh, dollars, I mean, that he forgot to take it.

I don't think he's a very good thief.

(Chris) 'Hello, Thompson. Is Miss Elaine in?'

(Ms. Thompson) 'No, Mr. Hale, I'm sorry. She's not in.'

(Chris) 'Oh. Well, Merry Christmas anyway.'

[door closes]

(Chris) 'Thompson has the cutest wink.'

We're always seeing each other after a long time.

I never seem welcome.

Merry Christmas.

I thought we understood that before I left.

- I thought so too. - Didn't it make sense?

Yeah.

That's all it made.

What brought you back?

The holidays, naturally.

Naturally.

Sherry, Miss Elaine?

- Sherry, Mr. Hale? - Thank you.

To Thompson.

So it didn't make sense?

'Well, I told old Brentman about it.'

'You can be old and ignorant, but not old and stupid.'

What did you tell her?

I told her how you were tied to the wheelchair

how I was tied to you.

How you felt it was no good and so blew town.

And what did she say?

'She asked me if I loved you.'

And you said?

Oh, I went all the way with it, I said yes.

Did you really tell her that?

- This is good. - What?

"I shall smell lilac in Connecticut, before I die.

"And see the clean white small churches of my youth.

"The gardens full of flocks of mignonette.

"The pasture bys I broke to run away.

- Do you like poetry? - Never learned one in my life.

What was that?

"Play any man from any land, any game he can name

for any amount that he can count."

What's this?

- John Brown's party. - John Brown? Don't know him.

- He was hanged. - Then I ought to know him.

What do you want Santa Claus to bring you?

Chris, I made a bargain with myself and I want to keep it.

I didn't come back for Christmas. I wanted to see you.

I thought I wouldn't feel so bad in the town where you were.

I haven't changed my mind, I'm here and it's still no good.

Want me to go?

Goodbye.

Let's go out and take candy canes to the poor.

♪ Around loud singing

♪ Tidings of great joy are bringing ♪

♪ Shepherds the chorus come and swell ♪

♪ Sing Noel O sing Noel

(all) Merry Christmas. Bye. Bye.

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Tis the season to be jolly

♪ Fa la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Don we now our gay apparel

♪ Fa la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Troll the ancient Yule tide carol ♪

♪ Fa la la la la la la la la.. ♪♪

You're not thinking again?

Only that it's been a beautiful Christmas.

- The best. - You really mean it?

The best. You know why? Because we get along so fine.

That's why we shouldn't let this Christmas go.

What should we do with it?

- Take it with us. - Where?

Could you go to that ski jump again and look it in the eye?

I think so. I might even laugh.

Where would you go?

For me we stop at Monte Carlo. They owe me something.

I was there, I put 200 francs on number 30 and came empty.

- Were you playing a system? - Yeah.

The 30th was my birthday and I was 30.

But I'll be luckier with you.

Where would you like to go the most?

- Anywhere in the world? - Name it.

Well, I thought the South of New Zealand was lovely.

There is a place I read about once, where women

go younger and more beautiful as they grow older.

But it would probably be crowded with women and

I might not like having you with me.

Alright, we'll pass that by. Where else?

A place I never saw but I always wanted to go

perhaps just because of the name.

- What's that? - The Windward Islands.

What's there?

Copra, sugar, casava, spices.

- We go there. - We do?

(all shouting) Happy new year!

Happy new year.

Happy new life.

- I had-- - Shh.

- I had to find you. - How?

- I'm in trouble. - How did you find me?

You left me your matches that night in the in the hotel.

- I told you to get lost. - I did, Steve--

Shh. Chris. Chris Hale.

I dropped out of sight, clear down to a town near Memphis.

I went into business--

What kind of business?

They opened up a gambling spot, I tried to sneak in.

But I had to get outta there.

Little dough I had. Went to Vegas.

- You're a fool. - I wanted to--

I wanted to make one more play and get out.

- Now you're broke? - Yeah. But that isn't all.

- Do you have a drink around? - No.

I'm cold waiting for you.

- You said that wasn't all. - No.

- Someone tried to kill me. - Who?

Couldn't have been anyone except someone from Bowen.

- Remember the doorman we-- - You fixed.

He was found dead in an alley.

Law has been waiting a long time now for Bowen to make a slip.

Maybe you'll be his first mistake.

In which case you'd have benefited society

not merely by your departure--

I had a hard look.

I moved into a town like you said, went crazy in it.

Maybe you can stand that. I--

- Were you seen? - No.

- They could have followed. - I was smart.

Tell me what you did, not how smart you were?

Well, I finally headed for here.

I didn't panic, I was careful.

I double backed, I took buses, I even hitchhiked.

- Spent Christmas on a bus car. - Don't break my heart.

It was probably to scare you.

- What for? - Maybe to scare you back to me.

Yeah. You hate my guts for this, don't you?

- You look scared? - Scared? No. Just cold.

You're hoping it's the cold.

You're scared.

- The old lady is up. - Who?

The landlady. Go along with anything I say.

Sure, I'll be alright.

- Happy new year. - Happy new year. I..

I didn't know you had company, or I wouldn't have come down.

Please, Mrs. Brentman, this is Mr. Lake.

Oh, how do you do? Happy new year.

- Happy new year. - She's old but honest.

Don't you believe him. You probably won't.

Did you make fresh coffee? I better make some.

Please, uh, he shouldn't have too much, he's been nervous.

That's too bad.

I was thinking of asking him to stay. Is that alright?

That's a fine idea. I'll fix the other room.

I got a hotel room in--

I'm sure Mr. Lake would rather stay with us.

Of course. You wouldn't get any rest or care at the hotel.

I'll fix the room before you can say Jack Robinson.

You worried about me getting killed?

Stay here. You're sick.

You're nerves are shot. You know it'll be easier for you.

You don't leave this house. You go nowhere.

Not even to the barber shop. Not even on the front lawn.

Remember when Guido had all the records sold up?

Someone asked him once, "What more do you want?"

And Guido said, "A lawn I can mow without

getting mowed myself."

- Very funny. - How long will it be?

- Till I can get rid of you. - What's that mean?

Till I can get rid of you.

- 'Jack Robinson.' - That's you, your room's ready.

Go ahead.

- Hey. How about a beer? - No time.

Gwen's been asking about you since that night

you left her swinging.

Say hello.

You want to play poker at Johnson's?

You don't play anymore. Something wrong?

Why?

I just asked. I haven't seen you since New Year's.

'Well, so long.'

Scoot. No, Scoot. No.

- What are you doing? - It's none of your business.

What did you say?

Maybe it is some of your business.

Chris ever give you something?

He did. He gave me a beautiful bathrobe for Christmas.

And he's sending me East to visit my son's grave.

Listen, you blabbering old crow--

Don't you speak like that to me.

Ah, forget it. I didn't mean it.

It's just that, uh, he's keeping something for me and

I want to find it.

He never gave you anything to put away, did he?

Some kinda package?

I don't know what you're talking about.

But if you want something, you should've asked Chris.

Look at the mess you've made.

I thought you were lyin'..

If you've lost something, I think it's your mind.

Now you leave everything of Chris' exactly as it was.

First he does nothing but stare out of the window for days.

Turns the house inside out as if it was a dresser drawer.

What's the matter?

- Oh, I know he's not himself-- - Whitey?

I didn't even know he was in the house.

If he's not in the house where else could he be.

He didn't want you to know. He goes for a walk every afternoon.

- Since when? - For a week. More or less.

Thanks.

Find it?

Why did you bring her into it?

- She stuck her own nose in it. - She did?

She drives me nuts. Follows me all day, every day.

Like that yapping dog.

Does she follow you down town, afternoons?

I told you to stay in the house.

Oh--

I can't wait here.

I'm not like you.

- Got blood in my veins. - More to it, isn't there?

There's more to it than waiting.

What is it?

Alright, you want me to say it? I'll say it.

You got a pretty good thing going here.

I heard all about it from the old woman.

A lot bigger than the heist of a crummy gambling joint.

You can move in there real plush now.

You just have to push that wheelchair around and you go

anywhere you want.

You're thinking about yourself.

Where do you go on too.

- I don't see where I fit. - You don't.

Okay, Steve.

Now I know how I stand.

I know what you've been figuring.

Like you figure everything.

Like a piece of arithmetic.

You've been figuring how you can get rid of me.

'How you can murder me.'

'Because that'll clear it all up for you.'

'Then I can never talk.'

That's why you want the old woman to visit that grave.

Let me go, Steve.

I don't mean what I say, I can't think anymore.

Let me go!

Just give me something to get out with.

I knew you didn't read much.

You mean I can take some?

All or any part.

You plane leaves in 20 minutes.

I'll take a sandwich and an orange.

They have lunch on the plane.

I don't wanna be any trouble to them.

I put the money back in the book.

Well, I'm glad you changed your mind.

I got wound up and came apart

The girl will come every morning to clean.

Kindly keep any eye on her

because she'll turn on the radio and dance with the broom.

Your woman's going, huh?

She'll be gone for ten days. It's better this way.

- Whatever you say. - That's what I say.

We'll straighten it all after she's gone.

Goodbye, Scoot.

Now you behave yourself.

And don't you tear the house inside out.

Neither one of you.

- Goodbye, Mr. Lake. - Goodbye, Mrs. Brentman.

[Scoot whimpering]

For two pins, going back to the house

You always wanted to visit his grave.

Yes, I did.

I don't know what good it does the living nor the dead.

You're on your way now, so stop worrying.

I guess I'm just worried about you being able to afford it.

I can afford it.

Thank you. Your plane is just coming in now.

Here's your ticket.

Chris, is something wrong?

What about?

- I don't know. - You mean about Whitey?

I don't know what I mean. I only know the way I feel.

Oh, nothing's wrong.

It could do any good to tell me.

What're you trying to say?

Might make a great deal of difference to someone else.

- You know who I mean. - Yeah.

There was something you should tell her.

- You'd better do it. - Your plane is ready.

Thank you.

- Don't be afraid. - Don't you worry.

I won't, now that I've said it.

What're you waiting for? A kiss?

I want you to look after yourself.

I always have.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

[train whistle blowing]

[train chugging]

[cars honking]

Thompson, this is Chris Hale.

May I speak to Miss Elaine, please?

Telephone, Miss Elaine. It's Mr. Hale.

- Chris? - Yeah.

I lost my car and found a little trouble.

Will you have your driver pick me up

in front of the Bruce Drug Store?

I have to see you.

You're very mysterious. Then you always are.

Anyhow I'll send him.

Yes, right away.

Will you send Gordon to the Bruce Drug Store.

- To bring Mr. Hale? - At once.

Bring him in here when he arrives.

You don't bring Mr. Hale, Miss Elaine, he walks right in.

- Let's move. - Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

When you phoned, I thought you might be joking.

Now I see you're not.

It's a kind of joke some other guy laughs at.

What's wrong, Chris?

You know what I was before I came here.

I've made some guesses.

I was a lot of things.

I was a gambler, a card sharp, a dice hustler..

...and a phony.

You've said part of that before.

There's one thing I didn't say.

I was also a thief.

'I left here one day and stole a $100,000'

'for a gambling joint.'

'Another guy and I.'

Why?

Well...I didn't know

that I could get honestly the things I wanted.

Now I think I've been found.

Is this why you've been avoiding me since New Year's?

The only reason.

I thought I could square myself..

...but I played it wrong.

Chris, if you hadn't been found

would you ever have told me the truth?

I think so.

You know you lied to me once. You said you loved me

when I was a little girl here in this town.

I never came here till I was 18.

Well, I, I would have loved you.

Was that true that we could have gone

to all those places?

The windward islands?

We could have started.

I never knew what it was

but I felt you'd made a mistake. As I did.

Not like you did.

What's the difference between mistakes

if they both ruin you?

A lot of difference.

Do you have the money now?

- My share? - Do you want it?

- No. - Since when?

Since you.

Then couldn't you take it back?

That's what I'm going to do.

That's what I came here to tell you.

I love you, Chris.

I said it to myself a 1000 times.

I can finally say it out loud

and not feel ashamed.

Now it's real, and alive and whole.

Keep it with you.

I'll keep it. It's my life.

I was dead until you gave it to me.

I want to know what happens.

- I'll let you know. - How?

You'll know.

Be like you, Chris.

'Whitey!'

(Chris) 'Whitey?'

Whitey?

[Scoot whimpering]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Hey.

- How long have you been here? - All the time.

- Anybody leave the house? - They took a man out.

- Who took him? - Two men did. He was sick.

They helped him walk to the car.

- What kind of car? - That one over there.

- You wanna make some money? - How much?

Sit on the porch till I come out.

- I'll pay a dollar a minute. - Boy, oh boy!

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

58, 59. Four dollars.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15..

'...18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23'

24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.

How long?

Five dollars and 30 seconds.

Here.

Tell Mrs. Brent down the street.

Sure thing.

Here's an extra buck.

Two bucks.

Tell her to take care of Mrs. Brentman's dog.

- Scoot? - Yeah.

Scoot.

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

[doorbell rings]

- Feel better, Mr. Bowen? - I never felt better.

I like to keep my neck in shape.

I stick it out so often.

You never did have good taste.

You were always scum.

'Why don't you sit down?'

I wouldn't sit on your death bed.

That's a pleasure you'll never have.

After you.

I owe you ten bucks, remember?

You gave me $10 one night, I was in trouble.

Keep it and buy a policeman.

You play high, you have to lose big.

That Corelli dame.

You really had something going there for yourself.

Something real good.

The best.

Just about a million bucks.

You wanna talk to me about it?

No.

[police siren wailing]

[car honking]

[tires screeching]

[gunshots]

[intense music]

[dramatic music]

Chris.

We're a dead even thing.

I've been trying to see you for weeks.

I wasn't worth seeing.

Are you alright, Chris?

I'll be alright as long as the wires hold me together.

Is it necessary you going to prison?

All my life I have taken things without paying for them.

This time I picked up a cold deck.

- Not that it matters. - It matters to me.

- You'll change. - I'll never change.

It'll always be the same. I'll always say it

as long as I live.

Come back and see.

- You want me to come back? - I went away from you once.

Because I knew you'd not be happy

tied out to a cripple.

Now you're going away. And when you come back

you'll be changed.

You'll be hurt too.

Then maybe you'll need me.

In whatever life you try to find, please find me too.

Because I belong to you, Chris.

And I'll never hide it again.

Don't feel that you have nothing left or that you're alone.

- I won't. - And I'll do anything I can.

Just do one thing.

Belong to me.

[instrumental music]