All language subtitles for Silver River (1948).en

Halt!

- Major Ross?
- Yes?

I'm Major Wilson
from headquarters.

You can't take this wagon
train into the village.

- Why not?
- Lee has engaged

our entire army at Gettysburg.'

The pay train is not
to enter the village.

Yes, sir.

Captain McComb?

- Yes, sir.
- You're in charge.

I'm going
to reconnoiter up ahead.

You stay here with the train.
Don't move.

Saunders.
Bring your men, come with me.

They left us high and dry
with a wagon load of money.

We could start
a little poker game.

Poker?
With an army payroll? Not me.

Jeb Stuart's
right on this flank.

You better
get out of here, captain.

Look!

Get those first two
wagons down the road.

'We'll make a run for it
with the pay wagon.'

Pistol, take over the wagon.

Captain, what are you
doing with that money?

- That's government property.
- I know it.

What are you gonna
to do with it?

- Burn it.
- Burn it?

Have you gone crazy?
That stuff's real.

Just as real to Jeb Stuart
if he got a hold of it.

It's getting a little warm here.

Get on that near wheel horse.

I'll pull the kingpin.

Lucky we thought of
burning that money.

We won't get anything,
but Major Ross

will probably get a promotion.

He can have it.

I'd settle for a good bath.

I suppose you have an
explanation for this, captain.

Yes, sir. Enemy raiding
party nearly captured us.

But we managed
to destroy the payroll.

You mean you deliberately
set fire to it?

Speak up, captain.

Yes, sir. There it is, or...
was.

You had your orders
and disobeyed them.

Our lines were broken
at Gettysburg, I know that.

If the enemy had got
their hands on this money

they could have kept
this war going forever.

Captain, we just learned
that Lee is in retreat

back to Virginia. We didn't lose
the battle, we won it.

I left Captain McComb in charge.

Told him not to move
from his position.

It seems that he took matters
into his own hands

and did,
against army regulations

burn one million dollars of pay

of the union armies
in the field.

Gentlemen of the court,

we must admit the allegations.

We have never denied
the facts as presented here

nor that they were in violation
of the articles of war.

But i ask you
to consider the character

and record of this officer.

Captain McComb served under me

therefore i know whereof
i speak.

I realize that
he was under orders

orders not to move
from his position.

But, gentlemen, an order
is not a God it is a guide.

This is a flagrant case of
direct and willful disobedience

of orders and regulations.

Captain Michael McComb
is to be cashiered the service

of the United States Army
forfeiting all pay

and allowances now due.

The findings and sentence
of the court have been approved

and will be duly executed

by command of
Major General Howard.

Thank you, sergeant.

Whoa!

The war department gantry
opened your case, Mike.

I'm sorry, because i still
don't think you had it coming.

Well...

...it's a hard,
cruel world, isn't it, major?

Well, I really wanted it
to work for ya, Mike.

I even saw the adjutant general.

The adjutant general, huh?
Hmm, thanks.

I can't blame you
for feeling bitter.

Bitter?

I'm not bitter.

I'm grateful...

-...for the lesson.
- Lesson?

Yes. I didn't follow their
rules, so they tossed me out.

But i'll follow them
from now on in

except they're gonna be
my rules.

In other words, if there's
gonna be any shoving around

next time i'll do it.

Anyway, thanks, major.

Well, good luck, Mike.
Come on, boys.

- You lose.
- This game is crooked.

I want my money back.
What do you got,

only sixes and aces
under those dice?

Can't you make an 11?
Where's honest Harry?

I want my money back.
Are you honest Harry?

Wait a minute. Now somebody's
gonna get hurt here.

He's my friend.
What do you think you're doing?

We'll show ya.

How would you like a nice wide
crack in the skull with this?

- I wouldn't like it.
- A tulip!

Now you better start
kicking up the dirt

while you're still on your feet.

Rough exterior
but a heart of gold.

Yeah. Hard and yellow.

- Hey, Pistol.
- Yeah?

- Can you still blow a bugle?
- A what?

A bugle. Can you blow a bugle?

I guess i could
if i had a bugle.

Go get one.

Bugler.

Sound assembly.

Can they court-martial you
twice?

Blow!

Columns in fours, men.

Columns in fours.

Alright, line up,
line up, stretch it out.

Attention, left face!

Now then, men, listen carefully.

I have orders i want
carried out immediately.

This camp is a disgrace

and there's the cause of it
over there.

Honest Harry's. Gambling.

Crooked dice, bad liquor.

You boys didn't lose your money,
you were robbed.

I'm gonna put a stop to this.

Go in there and give them
a little of the old army boot.

Alright, men. Break ranks.

Double quick. Let's go...

You wanna get hurt?

Attention!

Well done, men,
I'm proud of you.

Now take these hoodlums
and ride them out of town

on a fence rail.

Don't treat 'em too rough

just barely kill 'em.

Now where is the tulip?

There he is, over there.

- He's out cold as a fish.
- Oh.

Well, take him
and throw him in the river.

This is a new one on me.

Stand aside, son.
I have a way with those things.

Here.

Thank you.

Alright, boys.

There it is.

There's the money
those thieves stole from you.

Hey, don't break up
that gambling equipment.

The provost marshal might
need that for evidence.

When the provost
gets through with it

we might just buy that in.

What're you doing?

I'm getting back
my mustering-out pay.

Well, don't use your pockets.
Here. Use a barrel.

I'll get yours, too.

- Pistol?
- Yeah?

I have news for you.

I think you've just gone
into the gambling business.

Mike, we're in trouble.
That bunch of crooked

freight handlers
attached our stuff.

- What for?
- Aw, some jacked-up charge

or other, but it's serious.

Fellow named 'Banjo' Sweeney

bought the writ of attachment
and he's trying

to grab our equipment.

- Well, forget it. Cards.
- I'm out.

Seizing property on false
attachments is no dodge.

It won't work in Missouri,
but it's sure legal in Kansas.

That's right, mister.

I want your bill of lading,
McComb.

Oh, we were just
discussing you, Mr. Sweeney.

Well, there's nothing to
discuss. Just give me the bill.

Oh, wait a minute,
wait a minute.

After all, if you're going
to grab a man's equipment

I think the least you could do
is give him the benefit

of a little conversation.

I didn't come here
for conversation.

- Quit stalling.
- I'm not stalling.

Why don't you sit down
and have a drink?

- We can settle.
- I'll get the sheriff.

He'll settle your hash.

Take one more step,
and i'll shoot you...

in the back.

You don't take
any chances, do you?

I never take chances.
It's too risky.

Hey! Hey, Mr. Sweeney. I've been
looking all over for ya.

- Serve the writ.
- Huh? Oh, yeah.

That's McComb right there...

with the gun.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well...

What's the matter, boys?

Couldn't be that we crossed the
line into Missouri, could it?

That's right.
Uh, I'm sorry, Mr. Sweeney.

You know, McComb, the way
you held that gun on him, I...

I really thought you'd
shoot him in the back.

Hey, Pistol.
Take care of the purser.

See our stuff
gets off first, huh?

Um, your bet,
I believe, Mr. Blakely.

- Drink, soldier?
- Here's what we collected

on deck for the boys.

Looks like they kept
their hands in their pockets.

Didn't dare disturb
the cabin passengers.

They're mostly Yankees.

Give me that. I just love to see

Yankees and their money
part company.

I've never seen a handsome
gentleman who wasn't generous.

Thank you.

Purser?
When we get to St. Joe

would you see that
McComb's stuff gets off first?

I'll raise you 200.

- I've had enough.
- Oh, Miss Moore.

Don't get up, Mr. Chevigee.

I'm just collecting money
for the soldiers on deck.

- Would you mind?
- It's a pleasure, ma'am.

Thank you.

Of course, of course.

Go away.

Go away before i shoot you.

In the back.

I'll call ya.

I happen to be trying
to help wounded soldiers.

Now would you care
to contribute?

Your pardon, ma'am.

I had no notion
i was addressing a lady.

- Thank you.
- Wait a minute.

- The change.
- Thank you.

- Who's that?
- That's Georgia Moore.

She and her husband own
the Silver River mines.

- Nice people.
- Very nice.

And you're very generous,
too, with my money.

I'd make that pot good
if i were you.

Three aces.

I had no idea
the frontier could boast

such charming ladies.

And speaking of charming ladies.

What is this? Our stuff was
supposed to come off first.

- Did you pay off the purser?
- He wouldn't take anything.

He was a northerner, too.
You can't trust anybody.

Where's the fellow
who owns those wagons?

He's over here.

Well, you keep an eye
on the stuff.

Hustle up.
Murphy, pull up that team.

- Say, uh, these wagons yours?
- Yep. Sam Slade, that's me.

- Like to hire some of them.
- Sorry, mister.

- Can't be done.
- Why not?

You're too late.
The lady's got 'em.

Set those crates down easy!
I didn't bring that machinery

all the way out here
for you to ruin it.

Alright, take the cable off.

Wagon boss is a bit tough.
See what you can do with him.

We're liable to run
into rough weather.

Hello, Mrs. Moore.

Or maybe you're Mrs. Moore's
younger brother.

That's very funny.
What do you want?

I want a little help.
You remember me, don't you?

I'm the man
who so graciously contributed

to your worthy cause.

I'd like to get
a couple of your wagons.

- That's impossible.
- Oh, just a minute.

This is business.
I need those wagons pretty bad.

- Like to make you an offer.
- Sorry.

The answer is no,
Mr. Whatever-your-name-is.

McComb, ma'am. Mike McComb.

I need all i have and more.

I've been trying to get
this mining machinery

to Silver City for six months.

- Sorry.
- Oh, that's alright.

I just thought out west here

everybody tried giving
the other fellow a helping hand.

We also have a saying,
what's mine is mine.

I keep the wagons.

Pretty smart in those pants.

I'd look pretty silly
without 'em.

But a couple of drinks
ain't gonna hurt ya.

Sorry, son,
I gotta stick on the job.

I'll tell you
what i will do, though.

If you stick around,
I might play you

a little game of horseshoes.

Give them horses
a smackin' big feed.

We're leaving the first thing
in the morning.

Whose stuff
are you hauling, Sam?

Belongs to the Moore Company.
Silver River.

- What do you charge a trip?
- Plenty.

But i ain't got room this trip
to carry a humpbacked mouse.

He's got ethics.
I offered him twice the price

to carry our stuff instead.
But he's got ethics.

Well, I like a man with ethics.

You sure got a way
with those horseshoes.

- That was $10 a game.
- I know it.

Fifth game you won in a row,
isn't it?

I'm good at all kinds of games.

- That's my nature.
- Hey.

- You ever play poker?
- Poker?

I said all kinds of games.

"And i do, therefore,
transfer to said Mike McComb

"all my wagons
and freighting equipment

in payment of
the said sporting obligation."

I think that'll do it.
Put your John Hancock here, Sam.

I shoulda stuck to horseshoes.

- Well, so long, mister.
- No. Wait a minute, Sam.

You're still my wagon boss,
aren't you?

- Yeah.
- Well, how about getting that

Moore stuff off my wagons, huh?

- Mike, how can you do that?
- Do what?

Take those wagons
away from Mrs. Moore?

- She needs 'em.
- Pistol...

Allow me to explain something

that may be a guide
to you in the future.

From now on,
I am interested only

in the needs
of one Michael J. McComb.

- Have it your own way.
- I will.

She's got an awful temper.

I wouldn't want
to tangle with her.

That's where you and i
are different, pal.

Hey, what are you doing loading
McComb's freight on my wagons?

These are our wagons now, lady.

- Where's Slade?
- He's over there on the dock.

Get in your wagons.

Have you gone crazy, Sam Slade?

- Maybe, yeah. I ain't sure yet.
- Why are you doing all this?

Well, if it's all the same
to you, Mrs. Moore

I held a bad hand last night.

I'm doing what the new owner
of this wagon outfit ordered.

- What new owner?
- You're lookin' right at him.

Alright, Sam, get 'em rolling.

Can i be of any service, ma'am?

You cheap,
double-crossing tinhorn gambler.

I'll have you strung up
for stealing my outfit.

Why now, Mrs. Moore,
don't scare me like that.

If you want to do business
with me, talk nice and sweet.

But i've got to get this
machinery to Silver City.

My husband's expecting it.

Then i'll be very glad
to do your husband a favor

and bring his little wife
home to him.

With the machinery?

With love and kisses,
but no machinery.

I've got no room.
You want a ride or don't ya?

No, thank you.

Maybe you're not
so anxious to get home, huh?

Not if i have to go with you.

Now that kind of flattery will
get you nowhere, Mrs. Moore.

Well, if you're not
going to ride with me

there's a stagecoach
leaving in about a week.

Adios.

We're about to pass
your wagons, Mrs. Moore.

We'll be in Silver City first.

Might even organize
a little reception committee.

I have no further interest
in Mr. McComb.

Mr. McComb.
Certainly glad to see you again.

We're having
a little trouble here.

- So i see.
- I know you've got quite a load,

but if you could take us
into Silver City,

I'd consider it a great favor.

Why, Mrs. Moore.
Having a pleasant journey?

- Can you take us?
- You bet.

How much is this
gonna cost us, McComb?

Aw, Mr. Sweeney, it's
not gonna cost you a nickel.

You're staying right here.

Then he's going to have company.
I'm not going.

You can't do this, Mrs. Moore.

Why, it'll be two days before
they get a new wheel out here.

- I'd sooner ride with the devil.
- He ain't with us this trip.

Oh, do come, Mrs. Moore.
I insist.

Oh, come on, Mrs. Moore.

I'll catch up to you
in Silver City.

We're camping here tonight,
Mrs. Moore.

Make my wagon your home,
won't you?

Certainly nice country, Charlie.

- Yea, and plenty of 'er.
- Any Indians around here?

Shucks, no, and not within
a hundred mile of here.

I like you better in skirts.

Sorry to disappoint you, McComb.

Where ya going?

To make my bed
and get some sleep

if it's alright with you.

Sure it's alright,
but i had an uncle once

slept away from the wagons
one night.

In the morning he woke up
without his hair.

Scalped.

Now how would you know
whether or not

there are Indians out here?

You've never been west
before, greenhorn.

Ain't you gonna sleep
in the wagon?

No, you take it tonight.
I'll bunk down here.

I'll go over
and count the horses again

and pick up a couple
of blankets.

Alright.

Please, Mrs. Moore. You could
at least knock on the wheel.

What sort of a man
is your husband?

- He's a gentleman.
- Oh...

Isn't that a shame.

How long since you've seen him?

You ask a lot of questions,
don't you?

You're the sort of woman
a man asks questions about.

Besides, I like your answers.

I thought you made up
all your own answers.

Awful wet down here.

Good.

It was only Pistol.
He didn't know you were there.

- Are you hurt?
- No, it's just bent a little.

Pistol, take these over to
Mrs. Moore with my compliments.

- She's gone.
- Gone?

How far can she get?

As far as your horse
will take her.

Take 'em on down
to wagon yard, Sam.

You ain't aimin' to settle in
Silver City, are ya, stranger?

Oh, I might. Why?

Well, if i was you,
I'd keep moving.

- Any particular reason?
- You wouldn't like it here.

Bad for your health.

Oh, well, that's certainly
very kind of you boys

to be so considerate
over a stranger.

Here. Hold my horse, sonny.

- Alright, boys. Out you go.
- We-we were just

You're too young
for this game. Come on, kid.

Come back
when you're old enough to shave.

Move over.

Hello, McComb.
Open for business?

- What kind?
- Strictly on the level.

Maybe you remember.

I was figuring on a layout
like this for myself.

Too bad your equipment
didn't get here.

I was coming to that.

McComb, you need a partner.

I do? Who do you suggest?

You're looking right at him.

- What do you say?
- Ha!

I'd say you'd better have
a drink and forget it.

I don't need any partners.

Is there an undertaker
in this town?

Yeah.

Your boys seem
to be a bit rough.

You wouldn't want them
to get hurt, would ya?

Nobody's gonna get hurt.

They're just celebrating
our partnership.

Banjo, I seem to remember
telling you once before

I never take chances.
It's too risky.

But maybe i do need a partner.

A silent partner.

When he comes to,
tell him he's out of business.

Now get him out of here.

A glass of milk.

Primitive, but persuasive.

What?

Your method of settling
a debate.

What are you selling?
You sound like a lawyer.

I am a lawyer. Business
is a little slow at the moment.

It might surprise you, sir,
to know that

one of our
great universities of learning

once pronounced me
its potential best.

I am still potential.

Well, how about
a potential drink?

Always.

Ah. That's a gentleman's drink.

Beck is my name, sir.

John Plato Beck.

Thank you. McComb.

Michael J. McComb.

- To your health, sir.
- Thank you, sir.

Someone else here
to see you, Mike.

Who is it?

I think you better make
yourself scarce.

This is personal.
The lady's husband.

- You're McComb?
- That's right.

I'm Stanley Moore
of the Silver River mine.

What can i do for you?

My wife tells me you took over
our freight wagons.

Those wagons were
neither hers nor yours.

I bought them faithfully.
Did she tell you that?

Yes, she did.

Can i offer you a drink?

McComb, I'm in kind of a spot.

To get my machinery
i need those wagons.

- Will you lend them to me?
- Lend them to you?

Mr. Moore, I operate
strictly on a cash basis.

If you want to buy those wagons,
they're for sale.

- How much do you want?
- Oh...

Six thousand.

I haven't
that kind of money on hand.

Will you take shares
in the Silver River mine?

A dollar a share.

What do you say, your honor?
That stock worth anything?

- Might be. It's a gamble.
- Well, I'm a gambling man.

I think you've got a deal,
Mr. Moore.

Oh, have you met my lawyer,
Mr. Beck?

- We've met.
- I have a client?

It looks like it.
Have you got an office?

Just down the street, sir.

My hat.

- Let's go.
- Alright.

Get rid of this.

Now if you'll...
you'll just sign

one of these blank forms,
Mr. McComb

I'll make out the bill
of sale for the wagons

and give it to Mr. Moore
in the morning.

Alright.

Here we are.

Very pretty. I hope our little
deal works out

profitably for you.

I hope so, Mr. Moore.

Now, if you'll pardon me.

Give my regards
to Mrs. Moore, won't you?

Yes, of course.

- Interesting couple, the Moores.
- Hmm.

Good looking wife.

He's to be envied.

You sound like a lonely man,
Mr. McComb.

Man is only lonely
when he depends

on other people, Mr. Beck.

I don't.

As a student of human nature,

you excite my curiosity.

Where'd you come from
and what are you looking for?

I'm looking for a lawyer
who can mind his own business.

Sorry.

Gibbons' decline and fall.

I seem to remember a quotation
from that. Let me see...

"No clash of arms,
no matter of rebellion

can pluck from his grasp
what he had won."

Sounds as if you knew it.

Oh, I read a book once.

Well, Caesar was ambitious.

He lived by it,
and he died because of it.

A bad exchange, that, isn't it,
Mr. Beck? Death for ambition.

But, of course,
there's an answer for that, too.

Ambition should be
made of sterner stuff.

Of course,
you've got to be lucky.

Even Caesar
couldn't make his own luck.

Oh, Caesar didn't have bad luck.

That was bad judgment.
He trusted a friend.

Remember? Brutus.

Goodnight.

You shouldn't have waited up,
darling.

I couldn't sleep.

He didn't give you the wagons.
I knew it would be like that.

You've got him all wrong,
Georgia. We made a deal.

- What kind of a deal?
- A fair one.

He doesn't even know
the meaning of the word.

I think you're being hard
on him. He's just a businessman.

Stanley, you're not in Boston.
You're in Silver City.

The only dealing McComb knows
is double dealing.

What did you give him
for the wagons?

-It wasn't money.
- Well, what then?

Some shares in the mine.

Oh, I know he's a little smooth,
but he's plenty smart, too.

Stanley, how many shares
did you give him?

Six thousand.

Don't worry, it'll be alright,
darling. You'll see.

Do you remember me?

You bet i do.
Sam. How are you?

- Still pitching horseshoes?
- Some.

But i ain't playin' poker.

Had a tough run of luck,
Mr. McComb.

Taking a party upcountry.
But the trouble is--

I know. You need a stake, huh?

- Uh-huh. I thought that maybe...
- Pistol.

I guess we sort of owe you
a favor anyway, Sam.

Take care of him, will ya?
Good luck.

This is getting monotonous,
Plato.

More and more of
this paper every night.

That's true enough.

"This voucher good for 5
dollars in cash when redeemed

by the Blake Mining Company."

Tell the dealers not to accept
any more of this stuff.

After tonight i want gambling
losses paid off in cash.

Oh, wait. Local merchants
are accepting these vouchers.

Well, I'm not.

Aren't the mine owners
gonna redeem these things?

- They'd like to.
- What do you mean?

I've gone over the whole problem
with the mine owners

and, believe me,
it is a problem.

They're forced
to issue these vouchers

because you and your
gaming table

have corralled all the money
in the town.

Then let them get
some more money.

Haven't they heard there's
a little thing called a mint

in San Francisco?

You know,
if there was a local bank

these vouchers
could be redeemed.

I think i'll take
a little ride in the morning

and find out what goes on
in this mining business.

Good morning.

I just thought i'd come up
and take a look around.

- You're poaching.
- Oh, I wouldn't say that.

I'm a stockholder, remember?

I remember
a lot of things about you.

- Good.
- One is that i don't like you.

Going somewhere?

Think i'll come along with ya.

What do you think you're doing?

Ah, I'd like to talk business.

Everything going smoothly
at our mine, I hope.

Take it up with my husband.
I'm going to see him now.

In that case,
we'll take our time.

Why don't you leave us alone?

Because i've met your husband.

Just what are you trying to say?

Just that i don't think
you dislike me

as much as you think you do.

- I think you're just scared.
- Oh!

- You're a fool, McComb.
- You've got the wrong woman.

- Glad to see you, McComb.
- Thanks.

You make me feel
like one of the family.

I guess you're up here
about the stock.

Yeah. I'm not getting
any returns.

Well, you might as well know.

You won't get any.

With that smelter going up?

I can't finish putting it up.
I'm about cleaned out.

I'm sorry to hear that, Moore.

Something about a losing
investment i don't like.

You never take a chance,
do you, McComb?

Not if i can help it.

I know a lot of people
who don't know what to do

with a chance when they get it.

I've got some more
above ground, but no credit.

If i have to,
I might be able to sell out

to a syndicate in San Francisco.

Too bad to take such a loss.

Why take it?

That's right, Stanley.
McComb has plenty of money.

If we get our smelter up now

the other mine owners
have to come to us.

Why not let him advance
what we need?

That sounds like
a very good idea.

I might even consider it for a,
shall we say...

a third interest
in Silver River properties?

You don't ask for much.

I don't Know. The way things stand, I...

I think maybe we'd better
accept McComb's offer.

Good.
Then we'll all be partners.

Why don't you fellows get smart?

The mine owners
will never pay off in money

as long as you keep
taking their paper.

So don't let them
feed you that malarkey

about the cash coming later.

They'll keep you working
for nothing. It's in the greed.

And let me tell you
another thing.

Mike McComb's in with 'em.

That don't sound right, Banjo.

Mike's a gambler.

Hey, McComb!

What's 'Banjo' Sweeney selling?
Patent medicine?

Looks like trouble, Mike.

Bar that door.
That one, too.

The mine owners are upstairs
waiting for you.

Well, Silver City's most
distinguished citizens.

And Mrs. Moore.

I had no idea there were
to be ladies present.

I'm here as a mine owner,
Mr. McComb.

We're not paying a social call.

We're having trouble
with the mines.

Ah, trouble, trouble, trouble.

Indeed, we all have
our troubles, do we not?

You're the cause
of our troubles.

You won't let the miners gamble
unless they have cash.

You know we've been
paying them off in paper.

Then pay them off in cash.
Suit me better.

Well, the truth is,
there's no loose money around.

Now these gentlemen and this
lady here thought maybe--

Maybe they'd better do
less thinking and more mining.

Anyway, why come to me?

Don't be a bunch of sheep!

Go in there
and make them pay up!

I think i may have
a possible solution.

Some of you
aren't gonna like it

but it's gonna be
my way or not at all.

I'll set up a bank.

- How's that for an idea, Plato?
- He's right, gentlemen.

He has all the cash
and he could guarantee

the weekly payroll.

This is going
to cost us something.

What is it, McComb?

Mrs. Moore,
it's a hard, cruel world.

Naturally it's going
to cost you something.

I want a cut of stock
from every mine in Silver City.

- That's robbery!
- No, no, no. That's business.

Of course, there'd be
an additional fee. Say 10%.

- Also payable in stock.
- Plato, I'm proud of you.

Sometimes i think
you earn your salary.

Well, I suppose there's
nothing else we can do.

You win, McComb.
You're in the banking business.

I'll go welcome
my new depositors.

Alright, alright,
cool off, boys.

I've just been having
a little talk

with the mine owners
inside here

and they seem to think
it would be a good idea

if i were to set up a bank.

Alright. I'll guarantee my bank

will meet all the paper you hold

and pay you off in cash.
How is that?

How are you boys doing
with those doors down there?

Well, knock 'em down and come on
in for a drink on the bank.

Hey, Pistol, pay off all these
vouchers, will ya?

Alright, boys,
whiskey to the right,

cash further up.

Put those bags on the table

then go back to the palace
and get the rest of the stuff.

What do you think of it?

I like 'em better
with two sleeves.

Oh. Meet my new tailor,
mister, uh...

Anyway, he once made a suit
for the Prince of Wales.

Mike, with the money
you're making

you can afford
to get them ready made.

Make him a new vest.

Plato says i'm now a gentleman.

Going on the theory
that clothes make the man.

No offense, Mike.

Not bad.

- Mr. McComb, if you please.
- Oh, sorry.

I don't understand it. First you
loan the money here at the bank

then you win it back
at the gambling tables

across the street,
put it back in the bank

then loan it out again.
But are we making anything?

That's high finance, Pistol.

- Explain it to him.
- He might not be so wrong.

This system could backfire.
Better think about it.

Don't you think
I've thought about it already?

We're not stopping here.
We're expanding.

Carson City, all over the state.

First i'm gonna
open gambling houses.

After that, banks.

People will like that idea.

Give them some place
to put their money.

Right in their pockets.

Mr. McComb will have no
pockets unless he stands still.

- This just come over the wire.
- This isn't addressed to me.

Why, I thought
you'd like to see it first.

- Look who's coming.
- Huh?

Hey. This'll be
the biggest thing

that ever happened
to Silver City.

Have we got
his brand of whiskey?

Put some more ice in that
punch bowl. It's all melted.

Don't worry, dear.
Everything's gonna be alright.

What difference does it make?

The whole evening's
spoiled anyway.

Oh, I'm sure the president will
be here most any minute now.

I'd give a thousand dollars
to get my hands

on that Mike McComb.

You can just bet
he's responsible for this.

I don't think
it was very nice of him

after all the trouble
we went to.

He loves trouble,
especially when he's making it.

Excuse me, Mrs. Moore,
but i heard the president

was over at McComb's place.

Oh, that's perfect.
Just perfect.

He'll no doubt fleece him
in a card game.

Darling, darling,
don't get so upset.

Oh, I'm so mad i could spit.

Now, Georgia. Men will be men.

McComb is not a man.
He's a...

Mr. President,
Mr. Chevigee, our host

and the owner of
the biggest mine in Silver City.

- That interests me greatly.
- Mr. President.

Uh, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Howbote.

- Mrs., um...
- Moore.

Ah, yes, of course, the head
of our entertainment committee.

- And Mr. Moore.
- A pleasure, Mr. President.

Three cheers for the
president of the United States!

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

I appreciate the ovation.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now, Mr. President, let me
introduce you to the punch bowl.

- Cigar, general?
- Thank you.

- How about some punch?
- No, no, no, no, no.

McComb is an amazing man.

Pardon me, Mrs. Moore.
I wonder if you could spare

your husband for a moment?
The boys would like to have you

join us for a little talk,
Moore.

- Georgia?
- Of course.

There's one
or two other matters

but you already know
most of the story.

I think you can tell
the other gentlemen.

Do you have everything
you want, general?

Everything
but a dance with you, Mrs...

Moore.

I wish all men
were so easily pleased.

While we're in here talking,
McComb is out there

making policy
with the president.

I hardly think the president
came all the way out here

just to patronize
the punch bowl.

You're entirely right,
gentlemen.

Shut that door.

I can tell you it's no accident
that the president

of the United States
came to Silver City.

Although his visit's unofficial

what he told me
is of vital importance.

Well, if it was so important,
why didn't he talk to all of us?

I imagine the president
has a pretty fair idea

who he wants to talk to.

Besides, aren't we all
in the mining business together?

McComb's right, gentlemen.
Aside from personal feelings

we can't operate the mines
without him.

Let's hear what he has to say.

Very smart. Plato, you were
there this afternoon.

Give them the picture.

Well...

as you all know,
a first great nation

is a nation with surplus
international credits.

Britain has her empire.

Kimberly diamond mines,
the silver of India

the gold of Iran
and the tin of Malaya.

Russia has
the steppes of Siberia

rich in a hundred resources.

What about the gold of
California, Oregon, Colorado?

True. The 49ers gave us
the gold exchange

but, gentlemen,
that's not enough.

The big strikes in gold
are over.

Do you know what we need now

to make this country
the great creditor of nations?

Silver.

In simple language, gentlemen

here's the word
from the president.

You've got
to produce more silver

even if it means working
the mines 24 hours a day.

Digging faster, shipping faster

you've got
to produce more silver.

Up until now, of course,
everybody's been digging silver

to see how much of it they could
stick away in their own pockets.

Fine. But the picture's changed.

Silver City has become more
important than all of us.

On what we do right here depends
the very future of America.

I visualize this territory
around us here

as the foundation
of a vast empire.

And if you're smart,
it'll begin right here

with the men in this room.

This country's rich in silver.
We'll find new fields.

If we try, we'll
double the silver output.

Depend on me.

I thought you'd see
it my way, gentlemen.

Uh, pardon me.
Mine and the president's.

Well, drop around
to the bank tomorrow

and we'll go into detail.

So what else could we do?
We burnt the million dollars.

What a fire. I had $35,000
worth of ashes on my hat.

And for that, they threw him
out of the army.

That's gratitude.

They threw you out once,
didn't they?

No...

twice.

You've got a pretty
good job now, though.

Our dance,
I believe, Mrs. Moore.

Yes, it has been nice.

Oh, you'd better.

People might think
you don't like me.

I don't want to dance with you.

Take me back, please.

Why, Mrs. Moore, I think you
wanted me to ask you to dance.

- You're aggressive, aren't you?
- Mm-hmm.

But like a child. First you want
a circus all done up

in gold braid
and then you want--

You.

I'm not interested.

May i offer you a toast,
Mrs. Moore?

To what we both really want.

You seem to have spilled
your drink.

Lovely party, isn't it?

What will i own, Plato?

How about a million
acres, Mike?

All of the country you can
see to that far ridge.

Clear across the valley
to those peaks.

And as far north
as you can see

across that snow-capped ridge.

I tell you,
it's a big undertaking

and it'll cost you
a pretty penny.

Plato...

you're looking at a man who
once burnt a million dollars.

Out there...
I see a hundred million.

Buy it tomorrow.

Sam Slade.

Sam, who'd you tangle with?

Ran into a pack of Indians.

Black Rock Range.

- Black Rock?
- Yeah.

I was freightin'
in a camping outfit

for eastern fellas,
prospectors.

Shoshones killed all of them.

We'd better keep
this quiet or we're liable

to throw the whole town
into a panic.

Gun and a little bit of silver.
All that's left of Sam Slade.

Little enough for a man
to leave, isn't it?

Come in.

- Hello, Moore.
- Hello, Beck.

I know it's late,
but i've been to town

several times today
looking for you.

Oh? What's on your mind?

You know, we've been getting
out a lot of ore, all of us.

Mines are working
at full capacity.

Still, it's not enough.

I know it.

Got any suggestions?

That night at Chevigee's
I told you

I thought there was still
untouched, undeveloped fields.

Sure, I remember.
We need new fields.

Well, we're not
the only ones who think so.

I heard a prospecting party
went out just the other day.

That means other companies
have the same idea.

We can't let them
get away from us.

Where is this country?

Black Rock Range,
about a day's ride away.

That's the Shoshone Indian
country, Moore.

I know.

And, uh, you think there
might be silver there?

I'm sure of it.

Of course, that's
pretty rugged country.

After all,
you're a married man.

Your wife,
she-she might not like it.

I'm a mining engineer, McComb.

Here, let me show you
on the map.

The range of mountains
runs right along here.

They have the same type
of outcroppings on that range

as we have here where we're
getting silver right now

and i believe that
if we go right in this area

we have an excellent chance
of making a big strike.

I want to go out there and
take a few samples of the ore.

If they prove to be as rich
as i have every reason

to believe they will,
we can double our output.

- Good night, Beck.
-'Night.

Good night, sweet prince.

Lights of angels,
sing thee to thy rest.

Looks like a long drink.

It's gonna be a long night.

You silly old...

Plato, you still need that stuff
to see you through a night?

I will for what i want to say.

Oh, a speech, huh?

It's a good speech.

A speech about the truth.

I used to like the truth, Mike.

- Well, we all do, don't we?
- Ha!

Not you, you run from it.

My speech is
about the human soul.

Do you believe
in the human soul?

I believe in myself.

Then you're wasting your time.

You know why?

Alright.

Why?

Because you're no good, Mike.

You're no good.

The defense rests.

Did you ever read the Bible?

- Not lately.
- Well, it's all written there.

The whole story
about a king called David.

You know what he wanted, too?
A woman.

A woman he saw one day
bathing in the garden.

Mm-hmm. Go on.

And David desired this woman

and he lusted for her

but she was the wife
of one of his captains

and he sent the captain
off to the wars

and he placed him
in the fore of the battle

and this captain was killed

and the king took the wife of
this slain captain for his own.

And that's not all.
You've forgotten something.

What?

The king loved that woman,
didn't he?

David loved her
with an all-consuming passion.

- Didn't he?
- That's not important!

Of course it's not important

not to you,
you cold Boston codfish.

You and your sermons.

You get 'em
out of a bottle, Beck.

You want to make up rules
for other people to live by

because you've forgotten
how to live yourself.

You're a drunk
and sanctimonious hypocrite...

Don't do it, Mike.

Don't send Moore
to that Shoshone country.

Don't do it.

Don't do that.

Not even you.

Aw, don't do it, Mike.

Alright, take it up to
the cookhouse and check it in.

Hello, I, uh... want to have
a little talk with you.

- What about?
- Oh, about your husband.

Why talk to me? My husband
takes care of his own business.

Besides, he's gone.

Gone? I didn't think...

Georgia, he's gotta be stopped.

Oh, I guess
you've thought it over

and now you're going
to change your mind.

Leave Stanley alone. He knows
mining. It's his business.

Look, there's something
i've got to tell you.

He's gone up
in the Black Rock Range.

- I know that.
- I don't think you understand.

I just found out the
Shoshones are on the warpath.

You know what that means,
don't you?

They already killed
a party of prospectors.

Shoshones?

- How long ago did he leave?
- At dawn this morning.

I'm going after him.

McComb, I want to go, too.

No, you'd better stay here.
I'll take some of your men.

We ought to be able
to catch him.

Get on your horses
and follow me.

Get on your horses
and follow me.

Pardon me. Pardon me.

I, uh...

We didn't get there
soon enough, Georgia.

Well, King David, I see
you've brought the warrior home.

I believe we've been too hasty

in discharging our obligations
to the late Mr. Moore.

We've written no epitaph.

Well, I'll speak one.

Nature might stand
to all the world and say

this was a man,
a man betrayed.

I don't believe
I need to identify

the gentleman
who victimized him.

He was among us today,
not to mourn

but to claim the rewards
of his treachery.

- Good morning, Mr. McComb.
- Morning, Edwards.

Well, what do you think
of this site?

Oh, it's excellent, excellent

but, uh, do you think a castle

will blend with this landscape?

Blend? In the landscape?

Look, Edwards, I don't intend
to blend with any landscape.

- I intend to fill it.
- Yes, sir.

Now, look. I want a big
magnificent house, gothic style.

I want it built
in white marble. White.

But there's no marble
in this part of the country.

Then get marble.

And look, Edwards, on both sides
of the main entrance

I want wings stretching out.

Mr. McComb,
I'd like to talk this over

at greater length with you.

I'm still rather confused.

Hurry it up, Edwards.
Good-bye.

"Michael J. McComb."

"Mike McComb,
who brags he once burned

"a million dollars
of army payroll

"and ran a roulette wheel

"into the largest silver
syndicate in the west

"expanding his interests
into cattle, wheat and lumber

"is now building
a castle in the desert

from which to rule
his growing empire."

- Hello, Chevigee.
- Where is McComb?

Haven't you heard?
Mrs. Moore is coming in

on that San Francisco
stage this afternoon.

You'll find him down there.

Stage from San Francisco.

Stage from San Francisco.

- Welcome home.
- It's nice to be back.

I've brought
my carriage here for you.

- Thank you.
- You look well.

Do i?

What am i talking about?

You look beautiful.

Can this be the old Mike McComb?

No.

You've been gone a long time.

If you hadn't come in today,
I was coming after you.

I don't want you to make
any plans for a week.

Every day for a week.

We're the same kind
of people, you and i.

Maybe that's the trouble.

I'm not sure if we'd
be good for each other.

One minute we're
fighting like wildcats

the next we're in love.

It certainly took you
a long time to say that.

- I never wanted to.
- You just did.

It's not as simple as that.

It would be
if you'd just stop talking.

I don't think it's gonna be so
difficult for us to get along.

You almost had me fooled
for a minute.

You know you haven't changed
a bit, Mike McComb.

Everything out there,
as far as you can see

will be yours.

It's empty land.

Now, maybe, but it's not
going to stay that way.

One day, you mark my words

there'll be cities out there.

Railroads, water,
things growing.

A whole new world created
from Silver River.

They'll remember you then.

- Me?
- Sure.

They'll say it was all done
for the love of a woman.

Let's be honest, Mike.

You were taking care of yourself
long before i ever came along.

I'm sure nothing in the world
could have stopped you

or can now.

I don't want to be stopped.

It isn't going to be as easy

as taking those wagons
away from me.

- Mr. Burns?
- What's this?

An invitation to
Mike McComb's housewarming.

I'll go.

It ain't gonna be that warm.

Everything in the house
is imported from Europe.

Mr. Blake, Mr. Chevigee

and one for the attorney.
Don't miss this party, men.

Eight hundred cases
of real champagne.

- Look at this.
- Well, what do you expect?

Very fancy, but i'm not going.

I'm going to stay home
and so's my wife.

You'll go, gentlemen,
and so will your wives.

The king is now in his castle.

This is not an invitation.

It's a command. Louie!

I'll trade you mine
for another drink.

Yes, sir, everything
in that room's imported.

Look at that clock.
Got that from Switzerland.

We got some cheese
from there, too.

You'll get some of that later.

Now that's the front door.
That's where you came in.

You saw that. Now upstairs
are the bedrooms. Ten of 'em.

One big one. And that
light hanging up there

that's imported, too.
All the way from Philadelphia.

If we have time later,
I'll take you down

and show you the wine cellar.

Full of imported wine,
beer and cigars.

Now you see that door
and that ceiling?

Mike had that taken
right out of a French castle.

Cost us a fortune.

And here, this is
the dining room in here.

- Wait till you see that.
- Wait till we see it?

We've been here
for over an hour.

Yes, Mr. Porter,
all this is very lovely

but where are our host
and hostess?

We're terrible,
keeping them all waiting.

Hmm. You just say the word
and i'll throw them all out.

You'll do nothing of the kind.

- You look beautiful.
- Thank you.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

- Good evening. Well.
- Good evening.

Hello, Chevigee, seen the house?

What a lovely gown, Mrs. McComb.

- Thank you.
- Dinner is served.

Uh, shall we go in?

Your kind indulgence,
ladies and gentlemen.

I'd merely
like to say how happy i am

to think that so many
of our invited guests

found time to grace our table.

Indeed, it's not often
that a man finds himself

honored by the presence
of so many...

So many loyal,
trustworthy friends.

Huh, Chevigee?

Oh, uh, yes, yes, to be sure.

Now, if i may,
I'd like to propose a toast.

To the Silver Queen,
Mrs. Mike McComb.

Thank you.

Well, I seem to remember
my father telling me

on an occasion
somewhat similar to this.

Be brief, be sincere,
and be seated.

We're greatly indebted
to Mr. and Mrs. McComb

for their gracious hospitality.

Much happiness to them.

Now i'll tell one.

Ha! Plato.

With a respectful bow
to our beautiful hostess

I propose a toast to Mr. McComb

my old friend.

Indeed, we should all honor him.

His name marks our schools,
our banks

and one day, maybe, our finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, you're
in the presence of a great man.

A mighty man.

- Are there any takers?
- Easy, Plato.

Easy is the word.

Remember to say "please”
and "thank you" to Mr. McComb.

He likes to be thanked.

Mr. McComb is offended
by my conduct.

He believes in the dignity
of man, one man.

Why should Caesar
be a tyrant then?

Ask Mike McComb.

He knows all about tyrants.

But let's look at the man.

The whole man,
the good and the bad.

Ladies and gentlemen,
this is no whole man.

Let's consider him,
then, a serpent's egg.

And kill him in the shell.

Get out of here.

Get out you,
you drunken old fool.

You're no good, Mike.
You're rotten!

Rotten clean through!

You hear me?
I'm through with you, finished.

You think you run the world now

but that won't last, King David.

See that he gets home
alright, Pistol.

Did i ever tell you
the story of King David?

- Let me tell her that story.
- Later.

Shall we go
into the drawing room?

I'm afraid i can't stay.

It's been a pleasure, sir.

- Good night, Mrs. McComb.
- Good night, Mrs. McComb.

Good night.

Good night, Mr. McComb.

Mike.

Lovely housewarming,
wasn't it?

I hope you don't mind
everyone's leaving so early.

Mind? I wonder why we bothered
with them in the first place.

But Plato. I don't understand
his acting like that.

Oh, it was just
the liquor talking.

What did he mean
about King David?

What did he mean about David?

Who knows what goes
through the mind of a drunk?

One minute
he's talking about Caesar

the next about serpent's eggs.

But it was so strange.

Forget it.

- Oh, good morning, Mr. McComb.
- Morning, Mr. McComb.

- Morning, Mr. McComb.
- Morning, Mr. McComb.

- Good morning, Mr. McComb.
- Morning, Mr. McComb.

Well, it's about time
you got back.

I've been trying to
get in touch with you.

Have you? Well, the Mrs. and I
thought we'd leave business

to the rest of you for a while.

Ah. The Harvard Lampoon.

Heh. Very educational.

Somebody must've left it here.

I've been keeping
my eye on things, Mike.

Did you get those reports
i sent you?

I haven't been doing
much reading lately.

What is it, Shaeffer?

These were will require your

immediate attention, Mr. McComb.

I don't know what
you'll say to this

but Mr. Chevigee
and the other mine owners

have withdrawn their money
from this bank

and have arranged to transact
their business in San Francisco.

San Francisco.
That's a long way.

They, uh, call themselves
the Western Combine.

Short and simple.

What does that mean to us, Mike?

I'm not sure.

They still have to have
their payrolls met in my bank.

Only from now on, Shaeffer

I only want the payrolls
of the Silver River Mines met.

- Is that clear?
- Yes, sir.

- That'll bring 'em around.
- It should. Where's Beck?

I haven't seen him.
I looked in all the bars.

- He must have left town.
- Left town?

Probably out
looking for a new saloon.

Looks like Chevigee and the
boys haven't wasted any time.

- Hello, Beck.
- Hello, Chevigee.

We learned you were in town.

We'd like to talk over
a little proposition.

Now since you handle a lot of
McComb's business we thought--

I'm sorry, gentlemen.

I have plans of my own.

Besides, I'm not in sympathy
with your war over silver.

It's rumored that you're
going into politics, Mr. Beck.

Why did McComb move
his offices out here?

We're working 24 hours a day.

Got our own telegraph wire
in there.

Mrs. McComb, I think you'd
better tell your husband

I can't get his price
for the warehouse.

- He oughta settle for half.
- Keep trying, Mr. Taylor.

Mr. McComb
never settles for half.

Mrs. McComb,
I've been waiting for hours.

Well, make yourself comfortable.

What goes on here? McComb
rushed me out here from Denver.

Now he lets me sit here
and cool my heels.

If that doesn't work,
try cooling your temper.

Name's Rice, Mrs. McComb.

I'm from
the "San Francisco Telegram."

They call you the Silver Queen,
don't they, ma'am?

Well, what do you
think of the silver war?

Where i come from,
this is a skirmish.

Pardon me, gentlemen.

Tracey, you were the one
who talked me into

buying this land for half
a million dollars, weren't you?

And now when i want you
to sell it for a profit

you mean to say
it's not worth it?

No, it isn't, Mr. McComb.

What're you talking about?

Tell 'em there's gold in it.

Come on. What goes?

Not so good.

Looks like
the bottom's dropping out.

It's down another 50 points.

Now listen, all of you.
I don't know where Chevigee

and the rest of the Combine
are getting their money,

but they're getting it
somewhere.

That means i've gotta match 'em

dollar for dollar.

Mike, maybe i'm wrong,

but wouldn't it be a good idea

to put the properties
on the market one at a time?

Well, of course.
I thought that was understood.

Don't make it look
like i'm selling out.

For instance, Tifton,
whenever you sell a ranch

wait awhile before
you list the next one.

Those, uh, dance halls are
worth something, aren't they?

Aw, no.
No, I don't wanna sell those.

After all, that's
where the ready cash is.

That's something tangible.

Don't forget
that's where you started.

You ain't gonna
sell 'em, are you, Mike?

Oh, Pistol just likes the girls.

Hmm.

I think you'd like
to see me get rid

of those dance halls,
wouldn't you?

Alright. Sell 'em, Tracey.

Now, you all understand
the plans, do you?

McComb, a message from the east.

"The Eastern Syndicate
lend support to smash McComb."

Ah.

So that's where they're getting
the money, is it?

Gentlemen,
disregard everything i said.

I want every penny of cash
you can lay your hands on.

You get it? Sell everything.

I said everything.
You heard me, didn't you?

Alright, gentlemen, be kind
enough to get out of here.

I got business.

Mike, there are newspaper
reporters out there

from all over the country.
They've been waiting for hours.

Maybe you'd better see them now.

Oh, let 'em wait.

Well...

...I never did like things
that came easy, but this time

it looks they're gonna give us
a run for the money.

I know.

But we'll give 'em
as good as we get.

Better.

I'm glad you said "we", Mike.

Honey, you don't think
i've forgotten you, do you?

Georgia, I'd be no good
without you anymore.

- Are we going to beat them?
- You bet we will.

I've already forced some of
their mines to close down.

And before i'm through
i'll close

every mine in this territory.

You said this was
between you and Chevigee.

But when you start talking
about closing the mines

I just don't understand.

Mr. McComb, a reply
from Thompson in San Francisco.

Read it.

Urgently need $300,000 cash.

We can thank McComb
for all this.

Yes, and them a livin' in
that fancy house of theirs yet.

Well, boys, how do you like it

since McComb
shut down the mines?

Talking ain't gonna open
'em up again, Sweeney.

If i was in your shoes, I'd go
and have a talk with McComb.

Well, you ain't in our shoes.

We haven't even got 15 cents
to buy a drink with.

You stick with me and i'll buy
you all the drinks you want.

Where'd you get all
the pay dirt, Sweeney?

I got the right kind of friends.

And i don't mean him!

I'll vote for him if he
can open up the mines again.

Why don't you get smart?
Beck used to work for McComb.

He probably still does.

Now, take these to my office,

and pick me up around 8 o'clock.

Yes, sir.

Whoa, boy. Plato! Plato Beck!

- Hello, Georgia.
- We've missed you.

Well, I haven't been far
from the sound of Mike's name.

They're talking
about him all over the state.

I hope you haven't been
listening

to the wrong side
in your campaigning.

Georgia, I've got to listen.
That's my business from now on.

Listening for the truth.

Why don't you come out
to the house?

I know Mike would love
to see you.

I've been meaning to call.
Only...

That's all been forgotten.

Good! i'd love to talk to Mike.

You see,
he's part of my campaign.

Oh?

What have i been telling you?

What do you think Beck's doing
in that buggy

with Mrs. McComb?

Come on. Get wise to yourselves.

Take a look at this.
The Silver Queen herself.

Let's have three cheers
for Beck and the Silver Queen.

The former Mrs. Moore!

Shut up, you idiot!

What's the matter, Beck?
You know all about it.

Everybody knows about it except
Stanley Moore, and he's dead.

King David killed him.
King David McComb!

Get out of my way.

- The prodigal returns.
- Plato.

I'm glad to see you.
I knew you'd come back

sooner or later,
you old reprobate.

Here, let me have your hat.

Georgia, let's get him a drink.

No, thanks.

Remember when i told you once,
Mike,

a man should have roots?

Well...

...mine are here.

Yes, but...

the town's not the same, Plato.

Towns should never stay
the same, Mike.

They should change, get better.

This one can, with your help.

Same old Beck.

Except, uh, I never
heard you preach sober.

I'm not preaching, Mike.

I'm running for senator.

- Senator?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, well.

Senator Beck, eh?

Well, what's
your platform gonna be?

The decline and fall of
the Roman Empire or what?

No. The decline and fall
of the Silver Empire.

As a matter of fact, Mike,
I've been talking about you.

Have you?
Thanks for the boost.

I'm not sure you'll
like what i've been saying.

I'm not so sure either.

You've gone over to the
Western Combine, haven't you?

No.

You've got it all wrong, Mike.
It's the people.

The people against
the Western Combine, too.

Funny thing about voters.

They don't like to be caught
in a private war.

- Yours or anybody else's.
- Ah, you make me sick.

Senator Beck, huh?

Georgia, I seem to remember
dragging the senator

out of a gutter once.

Or was it a bar room floor?

Buying him his whiskey, putting
a clean shirt on his back

when he didn't even have one.

And now he's come
to pass judgment on us.

I made Silver City
and i can break it.

Sooner or later,
you and all the rest of them

will come crying to me
like a pack of dogs.

- I'm sorry, Mike.
- Ah, you're always sorry.

I'm sorry for you this time.

I'm going to win this fight.

And when i do, I'll wipe you

and the Western Combine
off the map.

This country
has a chance to grow

and i'm going to see
that it gets that chance.

Beck, you're still
a sanctimonious old hypocrite.

Good-bye, Georgia.

If you need me,
you'll find me in town.

I'll see you to the door.

Georgia.

Georgia.

What's the matter with you?

Plato said he was sorry for you.

I'm sorry for both of us.

That needs a little clearing up.

Like most of Plato's parables

it doesn't seem
to make much sense.

He was right, Mike.

In town,
the people are desperate.

It's like a graveyard.

Then i hope they rest in peace.

That's their funeral.

- You can't mean that.
- But i do mean it.

I've got to mean it.
Even if you don't like it.

You almost sound as if,
as if you want me to quit

in the middle of a fight.

I don't want you to fight me.

- But, Georgia, you're my wife.
- Yes.

But i think you've forgotten.
I'm a fighter, too.

You don't even understand
what i'm trying to say, do you?

I think i do.

It seems to me that...

the babblings of
a reformed drunk

have turned even you against me.

That drunk was your friend once.

Friend?

I expect nothing from friends.

But i did think i could count
on the loyalty of my wife.

I was reminded,
you took another man's.

Ah.

Now we're getting to it.

- Beck told you.
- I didn't hear it from Beck.

- Banjo Sweeney was in town--
- Sweeney.

I never wanted to blame you
for Stanley's death.

I wanted to believe
you did everything you could

to stop him.

I knew what people were saying.

But i loved you,
so i believed in you.

Now you don't. Is that it?

I thought you changed, Mike,

but you haven't.

Change?

Why should i change?

I never pretended to be anything
different than what i am.

And you always knew
what i was after.

But i didn't know
how you intended getting it.

Mike, call off this fight.
Please.

- Let's start again.
- Call it off?

I'll never call it off, Georgia.
Never.

Then i can't stay and watch it.
I'm leaving you.

- You seen Banjo Sweeney?
- No, I ain't.

- Where's Sweeney?
- He's not here.

He's gone to San Francisco.

Liar.

I tried to tell you
there's a run on the bank.

- We're through.
- What're you talking about?

Get Carson City.

Tell them to send us a couple
of hundred thousand dollars.

There isn't any bank
at Carson City.

It didn't open today,
Mr. McComb.

- Then get Leadyville.
- It's closed, too.

Get outta here.
Get out or i'll blow you out.

Put up that gun, Pistol.

Shaeffer,
pay off all those people.

But Mr. McComb, I'm not sure
we have enough money to...

If you do, you're bankrupt!

Pay them off.
Give them everything we got.

Quiet down. Quiet down.
You'll get your money.

Quiet down, everybody.

Quiet everybody. Quiet down.

Georgia?

- Get your hands off that.
- Everything goes, McComb.

That picture stays

unless you want to
go out of here feet first.

Come on, Jim, Terry.
Let's get this other stuff.

They sure cleaned the place out,
didn't they, Mike?

Sure did.

I like it that way. More room.

Look, Mike,
I haven't got big money

but i got a few dollars.
It's yours.

I was just thinking of the time

we burned a million dollars,
remember?

I sure do.

Seen a lot of changes
since then, haven't we?

Yeah. You know, Chevigee
and the boys are back in town.

They're running some windbag
against Beck.

Are they? Very interesting.

You didn't come here
to talk politics, though.

What's on your mind, boy?

Oh, nothing.

I just thought you'd like
to know i saw Georgia.

You know, Beck is making
a speech today

at the Silver River Mine.

Georgia's working with him.

Is she?

She, uh, she looks well, I hope.

- She looks great.
- Good.

She's gonna be on hand today
for the big rally.

Why don't you come out, Mike?

I don't know.

I'm not interested in politics.

I thought you'd like to know.

Well, I guess
i'd better be going.

Look, Mike, why don't
you two get together?

Maybe you can straighten
this thing out.

Of course,
it's none of my business.

That's right.

It's none of your business.

Our opposition just passed by,
John Plato Beck.

- And Mrs. McComb was with him.
- What's she doing with Beck?

Maybe McComb is in this.

You don't have to worry
about McComb. He's washed up.

Mr. Sweeney's right, gentlemen.

The only person we have
to worry about is Beck.

The voters know where
to place their confidence

and that's in Everest T. Walker.

Well, if we want to get back
into the silver business

you'd better be right.

The president's commission
will certainly take

the recommendation
of our new senator.

Naturally.

I think you fellas are
just making a lot of talk.

Plato Beck hasn't got a chance.

You're sure
of that, Mr. Sweeney?

As sure as shootin',
Mr. Chevigee.

Understand?

You can take my word for it.

I see some
very fine old bourbon...

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am winding up my campaign
at Silver River

because it's here
that the nation looks

for economic support.

We have pledged ourselves
to the government

but there are those among us

who have broken that pledge.

And it is our responsibility

to expose them.

I propose to call them by
name...

Alright, boys, break it up.

- Keep your places!
- Shut up.

We're going right on
with this meeting.

- Shut up, Beck.
- These men are here

to intimidate us!

Michael, let me walk.
I...

Doctor. Quick.

They didn't want me
to talk either.

I had important things
to say, Mike

and i wanted to make
my peace with you.

Funny thing, Mike...

my speech was going
to be about you.

Georgia...

you tell him.
You know what i want to say.

I'll tell you what he told me.

In every age, every country

a few leaders are born.

Not many. Just enough
to keep things going.

You were that kind of man, Mike.

He'd always hoped
you'd find out.

But you built an empire
just for yourself

then you destroyed it.

Plato was trying
to pick up the pieces

fit them together again.

There's no one left
to do that now but you.

Plato Beck's dead.

What are you gonna do about it?

What are you gonna
do about it, McComb?

Speak his epitaph?

No, I don't have any words
that would do him justice.

I just keep thinking that
the men who killed him

are celebrating right now
in Silver City.

But something's got to be done.

So who feels like doing it?

We've lost everything as it is.

Now McComb wants
to take us into town

and get our skin full of lead.

So you're going to
let him go alone.

What a bunch of
yellow-bellied skunks you are.

Get in those wagons
and go with him!

Hanson, you take your men
in from the other side.

Cover every street out of town.

Tear that sign down,
take it out of town and burn it.

Alright, you men disperse.
Come in from the east.

McComb's coming into town.

He's got all his miners
with him.

Get on your horses
and let's get out of here.

Get the ropes, boys.

Lynch him! Lynch him!

Lynch him! Lynch him!

String him up! Lynch him!

Hold it, men, hold it. Look.

I'd like to see him strung up
as much as you would

but don't let's have a lynching.

That's what we came here for!

Yeah!

I know it. Beck wanted to make
his speech today, didn't he?

He never finished it.

He wanted to tell you
who was responsible

for most of your troubles.

I can tell you that. Me.

I can remember,
right in this town

pledging to the president
of the United States himself

that we here in Silver City

would keep
the Silver River flowing.

We didn't do it.

But it's not too late
to make a new beginning.

First we'll open up the mines

and this time
we'll keep 'em open.

Pretty soon you're gonna see

important changes around here.

Big changes.

These men are gonna get
what's coming to 'em.

I promise you,

but don't let's do it
by mob violence.

We've all had enough
of that, haven't we?

- Let's open the mines!
- We want to go back to work.

Take 'em and lock 'em up.
We'll give 'em a fair hearing.

I'm proud of you, Mike.

What's the matter?

I was just thinking
what a wonderful chance i had

to shoot Banjo Sweeney
in the back

and i passed it up.

You haven't changed a bit,
Mike McComb.