All language subtitles for The Inside Story (1948).eng

- Hi, Uncle Ed. That a new truck?
- Yep.

You farmers
must be doing alright.

Not so good for a good year,
but not so bad for a bad year.

Hello, Ed. I saw you bringing in
a load of pigs the other day.

How much'd you get for 'em?

Not so much
as I figured I might,

but I never thought I would.

- Good morning, Uncle Ed.
- Hello, Jim.

- Think it looks like rain?
- Not until it starts falling.

You're sharp as a tack
this morning.

Which end?

What do you think
of the political situation?

Well, whatever it is,
I'm agin it.

- There you are.
- Thanks, Jim.

- Morning, Mr. Mason.
- Hello, Jim.

Hello, Uncle Ed.

Hello, Mason.

- You too, eh?
- Me too what?

Putting your cash on ice.

- Is that what you're doing?
- That's what everybody's doing.

Look. 20,000 smackeroos.

- Black market?
- No.

It all came over
the top of the table.

What are you putting it
in there for?

Well, that's what
you're doing, ain't it?

Oh, no.
Mine are government bonds.

My dollars are out
helping run the country.

Looks like they expect
our dollars to run the world.

Not me.
I'm gonna be ready this time.

Ready for what this time?

Remember 1933?

What's your 20,000 smackeroos
got to do with 1933?

We're heading that way again,
and fast.

Yeah? What gives you
that impression?

The writing's on the wall.
Higher prices, higher wages.

Money getting tighter.
Trouble abroad.

Business recession.
A shrinking dollar.

A dollar won't do much
for a person these days.

That's because a person won't
do much for a dollar these days.

You take a tip from me,
old-timer.

Turn those bonds into cash
and be ready.

Oh, you give me
a pain in the ankle.

You with your
"writing on the wall."

Why don't you come out
and say what's biting you?

- What's that?
- Fear.

You're afraid
of your own shadow, Mason.

You're scared of a lot
of little boogeymen,

so you're hiding your cash
in the strongbox.

Where I can put my hands on it
when I need it.

You mentioned 1933.

These boxes were loaded
with gold then.

Thousands of dollars
hoarded away by panicky people.

And every vault in the country
was the same.

Billions of dollars of gold cash
put out of circulation.

Locked up where it could do
nobody no good. Why?

Nobody knew the answer.

Greed and ignorance
from the top down.

Mammon making monkeys
out of men.

But, anyway,
we had a heck of a panic

and the worst depression
in our history.

- And we've had some beauties.
- You're telling me.

Now, wait a minute.
Don't try to brush me off.

I ain't going to preach a moral

and I ain't going to
try to tell you

how the country ought to be run.

But when you mentioned 1933,

that kinda put me in mind
of a thousand dollars

and what a lot of good it did
to a lot of fine folks I knew

right here in Silver Creek.

We were in the fourth year
of the depression.

And this town was deader
than a mackerel.

The mills
were shut down, workers gone,

banks closed, everybody broke.

Farming, like everything else,
was bankrupt in '33.

So I was helping Horace Taylor
run the Silver Creek Inn.

Horace Taylor was
a nice fella, kind and honest,

but the crash of '29
had about wiped him out.

All he had left was the inn,
and business was so bad,

even the cockroaches
went out to eat.

Johnson give you
any more credit?

Not after tomorrow.

How are we gonna eat?

We won't at the prices
J.J. is charging.

Eggs, 20 cents a dozen.

Sirloin steak, 35 cents a pound.

Chicken, 21 cents.

And milk, 10 cents a quart.
It's like eating gold.

Oh, doggone
this dad blasted depression.

Who started it anyway?

Nobody knows.
It's all a mystery.

Some say financing the war

by borrowing
from the people caused it.

Some say lack of confidence.

Others say
buying on credit did it.

Still others blame it
on our generosity to Europe.

The Republicans blame
the Democrats.

The Democrats blame
the Republicans.

Management blames labor.
And labor blames management.

There's only one thing
we're sure of: we're all broke.

And I hear tell that we made
the world safe for democracy.

You haven't a thousand dollars
I could borrow, have you?

I got a thousand-dollar
life insurance policy, Horace,

but I gotta be dead
if you wanna collect it.

Don't tempt me.

- Horace, Horace.
- Take it easy.

Take it easy.
You'll bust a gasket.

You should have seen it. That
daughter of yours, Francine.

- What's she been up to now?
- She's the greatest girl in the world.

We know all that.
What did she do?

It seems the Widow Allen
owed the bank $60 interest

on a chattel mortgage
which she couldn't meet.

So they sent the sheriff and
auctioneer over to sell her out.

Wait a second. Wait a second.

I thought the new president
declared a bank holiday.

He did. You can't take
any money out of the bank.

But you still have to put it in
if you owe it.

Go on, go on.
What did Francie do?

When Francie got wind
of this auction,

she did a regular Paul Revere
in her roadster

and gathered up
all the neighbors.

Then some of the fellas put the
auctioneer in the fruit cellar

and Francie took over the gavel.

That's illegal.

Not when the sheriff's
on your side.

Bank ordered an auction
and, by glory,

- Francie sure give 'em one.
- What did she do?

She had the neighbors buy up
the cows at a penny on the dollar,

and then they all give 'em back
to the Widdy Allen.

- What about the auctioneer?
- She took up a collection,

raised the 60 bucks
the widow owed

- and paid off the auctioneer.
- What a girl.

I tell you, Horace, it's the greatest thing
that's happened since the depression.

I gotta go write it up
for the Bugle.

Be sure to spell her name right
this time!

Oh, what a girl, what a girl.

When Francine comes in,
tell her I want to see her.

Francine was a fine girl,

the apple of her father's eye.

But there was a worm
in the apple,

a young artist
named Waldo Williams.

What's that for?

A check from
the Steine Art Galleries.

Oh, I do hope
they sold your painting.

Well, if they did, I'll buy you
any present you want.

How's about a wedding ring?

- Is that a proposal?
- Certainly. Will you marry me?

You know I've said yes
every time you've asked me.

What am I supposed to do?
Set the date too?

Well, I'm still not so sure
that you can support me

in the manner to which I have
no right to become accustomed.

When, as and if
your paintings are recognized,

we'll live in luxury.

Mm-hm. And in the meantime?

Well, we're living, aren't we?

We are? I mean we are,
on your father.

I already owe him
over 900 bucks.

Hello? Who?

Ab Follansbee?
No, he ain't here.

What? Oh, you're Ab Follansbee.

Say, Ab, somebody's been trying
to get you on the phone

for the last few seconds.

Huh? Oh, it was you.
How you been?

Who's gonna be a father?
You are?

Well, take it easy.
Don't let it get you.

Fellas like you
have been becoming fathers

for quite a while now.

OK, I'm listening.

Man from New York?

Money for you?

Alright, I'll tell him as soon
as he gets here. Bye, Ab.

Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

What can I do for you, folks?

Oh, hello, Francine.
Hello. Hello.

- Hello, Waldo. Hello.
- Hi, Uncle Ed.

Waldo, there's a letter for you.

- From where? New York?
- Some art gallery.

Well, give it to him,
give it to him.

Now, let me see.
You're in, uh...

- 16.
- You're in...

- Steine Art Galleries.
- Cross those fingers again.

Is it, darling? Is it a check?

You know the guy
who was gonna buy that picture?

- He backed out?
- He sure did.

Out of a 50th-story window.
Another Wall Street sucker.

Guess you're gonna have to wait
a little while for that ring.

I'll take the gear upstairs.

I could have sworn there was a
letter here for Waldo, Francine.

Now, you just be patient and...

- Hello, Dad.
- Hello, Paul Revere.

Oh, you heard about the auction?

I heard. And Eph's
printing it in the Bugle.

I had to do it, Dad.

Just because the financial world
has got itself all fouled up

is no reason why people
like Mrs. Allen should suffer.

She didn't cause the depression.

- You're not angry?
- Angry? Of course not.

It's great training for you.

Tomorrow or the next day you'll
be doing the same thing for me.

I will?

J.J. Johnson'll be sending

the sheriff and the auctioneer
over here.

You're not serious?

If there's one thing I am,
my dear, it's serious.

And I want to have a serious
talk with you about Waldo.

Oh, Dad, please don't be hard
on Bill today.

Bill? Who's Bill?

Well, he doesn't like me
to call him Waldo.

So you won't pick on him,
will you?

Pick on him?

How can a man who's owed
the money Waldo owes me

possibly pick on him?

He's just had
a very tough break.

What happened?

A picture he thought
he had sold in New York,

the deal fell through.

Well! Since that was
to be my money,

it seems that I'm the one
who's had the tough break.

I didn't take you out of Vassar
to start supporting him.

Give him a chance, Dad.

I'm owed money and I owe money.

My Yankee ancestors
are spinning in their graves...

Ah, the time-old battle.

Father against daughter.
Money against love.

I was betting on Francine
to win.

Daddy, give Bill
just a little bit more time.

Well... But you know
how I feel about it.

Oh, thanks, Dad. Here.

Oh, we shouldn't have
let Aggie go.

Oh, nonsense. She was always getting
her thumb in the soup bowl when she served.

Besides, we couldn't
afford her any more.

I know,
and I appreciate you doing it,

but must you wear this thing?

I not only must but I must.

Come on, dear, get your lunch.

I heard the argument.
What's all the fuss about?

- Money.
- Who's got money?

Waldo hasn't. That's what
all the fuss is about.

If Waldo hasn't got
any money, why fuss about it?

The country can't run
without money.

This hotel has been
running without it.

Not much longer, Ed.

Where is all the money, anyhow?

I don't know. Bank vaults maybe.

Well, why in thunder
close the banks?

Money in the vaults won't do
nobody no good, not even moths.

They had to close the banks
to stop a panic.

I don't get it.
Here. Here's a quarter.

I put it in the bank so
it'll be safe and draw interest.

Now I want to buy a good cigar.

The new president declares
a bank holiday.

I can't get my money out.
What do I do?

- You borrow on your credit.
- You got a cigar?

- Sure.
- My credit good?

Thanks.

Well, maybe the government
ain't so dumb after all.

Just a minute, Ed.

The bank you deposited
your quarter in is unsound.

The bank examiners
won't let it reopen.

Your credit is all tied up.

The bank had to foreclose.

Hey.

Yes, sir, money's a funny thing.

You worry when you got it
and you worry when you ain't.

What was it Ab Follansbee said

about a man coming up
from New York with money?

This'll do.

Are you sure
the truck'll go by here, Eddy?

Sure I'm sure. This is the main
road from the border, ain't it?

- If you say so, Eddy.
- Sure.

We'll wait in this flop joint

and let the truck
barrel through,

pick it up on the hill south of
town and escort it to New York.

- If you say so, Eddy.
- I say so.

Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.
What can I do for you, ladies?

Hello, Pop. You mind if we use
your lobby to hang around?

We're waiting
on a business deal.

Oh, sure. Help yourself.

Are you the fella
with the money?

- Huh?
- Is Ab Follansbee expecting you?

- Who's Follansbee?
- No, I guess you're not the fella.

I'm hungry, Eddy.

Where do we put on
a feedbag, Pop?

Oh, dining room's
right in there.

50 cents apiece, please.

Will you keep your eyes
peeled for us, Pop?

We're watching for a truck.
Cagliari Express Company.

If they come by, buzz us, huh?

I'll watch like a hawk.

Thanks, Pop. Have a cigar?

Don't mind if I do.

- Over here, Hawk.
- Oh.

- You getting out here, Audrey?
- Oh, no, Mrs. Atherton.

George'll take me
right over to the house.

Remember what
I've told you, child.

I've seen three generations
of O'Connor men

and they're all alike.

Irish, high-spirited
and sensitive,

every one of them.

You're right about that.

I guess that's why I married Tom
in the first place.

I'm glad we had our little talk
on the train.

Keep your chin up, dear.

Oh, you won't tell Tom
about it, will you?

Do I look like the kind of a woman with
a mouth big enough to put my foot in?

- Don't answer that.
- Hello, Geraldine.

Hi, Ed. How are you?

Not so bad as I look
and not so good as I feel.

- Hello, Audrey. It's nice to see you.
- Hello, Uncle Ed.

- Tom will be glad you're back.
- Thank you, Uncle Ed. That goes both ways.

- I'll take your bag.
- Nonsense, Ed. I'm stronger than you are.

- Goodbye, Audrey. Give my love to Tom.
- I will. Goodbye.

- Over the river.
- Over the river.

Do you still believe
the earth goes around the sun?

- It certainly does.
- Oh, poppycock.

Don't I see it coming up every
morning and going down at night?

With your brain you ought to be
a very happy man.

- You got a room for me?
- Got a room for a convention.

- Place full of echoes, huh?
- Yeah.

The only guest we've got is Waldo
Williams, and he's on the house.

I suppose you want
your usual room, eh?

Fine. Say, who owns
that big, black job out in front

with the New York
license plates?

Looks to me
like a couple of gangsters.

- Bootleggers?
- Mm-hm.

Nice fellas.
They give me a cigar.

We won't be seeing those boys
around much longer.

Beer's coming back and they'll
repeal prohibition pretty quick.

Well, it suits me.

Body can't sleep
with those heavy booze trucks

running down here from Canada.

- Wanna go right up?
- No, I'll have a bite of lunch first.

- Dining room open?
- Yep, temporarily.

- Knock, knock.
- Who's there?

- Nona.
- Nona who?

None of your business.

- Not bad, huh?
- Pretty good, young fella.

- Listen. Knock, knock.
- Who's there?

- Greta.
- Greta who?

Gret along, little doggie,

gret along!

That's a lulu, old-timer.
I gotta remember that one.

But catch this. What is it?

Indian riding in a V8.

- Oh.
- Oh, don't take it so hard.

That got its hash marks
in the civil war.

Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

No, no, no, I'm not staying.
My name's Peabody.

Eustace Peabody.
Acme Collection Agency.

There's nothing to collect
around here, not even garbage.

And the boss has gone away.
He's been away for a long while.

Well, I'm not collecting.
I'm delivering.

- Garbage?
- Oh, no, of course not.

I'm supposed to meet a man

named Ab Follansbee.

- Have you seen him?
- Oh. No.

He hasn't been in town
for quite a while.

Well, he ought to be here.
He's late now.

I've gotta get the afternoon
train back to New York.

Follansbee. I knew
I had something to remember.

- Are you the fella with the money?
- Don't shout it. Yes.

Well, Ab told me to tell you
that he'd be late.

- He's having a baby. His wife is.
- A baby?

He's got a gall bringing me up
here to this hole in the ground.

- He wouldn't take a check by mail.
- Ab's no fool.

You can't cash a check
with the banks closed.

What am I supposed to do while
this yokel's paging the stork?

Now, don't get yourself
in a sweat.

Go in there and get yourself
something to eat.

Ab will probably be here
by the time you get back.

- Here. Fifty cents, please.
- Hm. Babies. Storks.

What a bird.

- Hey.
- Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

No, it's me again. I wanna put this dough
in the safe till Follansbee gets here.

- Yeah, sure.
- Well, count it and give me a receipt.

One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

- Ten dollars.
- Ten dollars? Those are hundreds.

Huh? Hundreds? One...

A thousand dollars.

A thousand dollars!
What do you know!

Just give me a receipt.
Give me a receipt.

Don't look now, Eddy,
but your heater's showing.

Thanks, Rocky.

- Hey, Eddy.
- What's on your chest?

- A tattooed horse.
- Which way is it going?

Oh, quit your kidding.
This is serious.

If they repeal prohibition,
it's gonna be tough on us guys.

Yeah, this could be
our last escort job.

Hey, I got an idea.

I know. A grand idea.

With that grand
we could buy a racehorse.

Nothing doing.
You have to feed racehorses.

I'm putting my dough
in a legitimate business.

Like what, for instance?

Like slot machines, for
instance. The suckers feed them.

Not me. I'm not putting my half
in no slot machine.

Alright, buy yourself
half a horse.

There you are.

A thousand dollars.

There you are.
Safe as a bug in a rug.

- Knock, knock.
- Who's there?

- Felix.
- Felix who?

Feel excited?

Well,
that's how the thousand dollars

came to Silver Creek.

And I was sitting there thinking

how much good it could have done

for Horace, Taylor and Francine

and a lot of other people.

Bewildered men and women
marching through the streets

with empty market baskets
and empty hearts,

banding together
in futile protest

against the fate
which had befallen them.

12 million willing workers

made idle
by the economic disaster,

standing around
in stunned silence,

wondering what it was all about.

Bread lines growing
longer and longer.

One third of the people
threatened with starvation.

Even those
who had prospered yesterday

were victims
of the depression today.

Businessmen made
cynical and desperate

by their common plight.

The Salvation Army doing
all in its power to help

with the few pennies
dropped into its tambourines.

Homeless unfortunates

seeking a night's rest
where they could find it.

Misery acquaints a man
with strange bedfellows.

Depression camps springing up
all over the country.

Brothers in adversity
sharing pot luck.

Families scattered
to the four winds

to lead the lives
of aimless wanderers.

It is a comfort to the unhappy
to have companions in misery.

Yes, sir.

Once upon a time, a thousand
dollars was a fortune.

And then I thought of Audrey
O'Connor and her husband, Tom.

Hmm. They sure
could have used it.

- Where's my husband?
- Audrey?

Oh, I've missed you, Audrey.
I thought I'd go crazy.

Oh, Tom.

Let me take a look at you.

Hm. Four new gray hairs.

You've been taking life
much too seriously, my love.

Well, let me see what kind
of a housekeeper you are.

Well, you deserve a gold medal.

Ashtrays all empty.

No new cigarette burns
on the furniture.

Dirty dishes in the kitchen
instead of on the mantel.

- Not bad for a lawyer.
- A lawyer without a client.

I think you were cut out
to be a bachelor.

- Audrey.
- I was only teasing.

Oh, I know, I know. I'm sorry.

I haven't got the right to blow
up. You're earning a living.

Maybe I was cut out
to be a bachelor.

You were meant to be
the cut of my jib,

and that's just what you are,
so stop frowning.

This isn't
your private depression.

The whole world's sick,
so don't take it personally.

That's easy to say,
but this is my world,

this tomb that used to be
our house.

Do you know what it's like
alone here in the dark?

Only seeing you every two weeks
and thinking about you

and missing you
so much I could...

It's the same in town.
But it's a job and a good job.

I'm not the girl I used to be.

Let's be grateful
they took me back.

- How can I be grateful?
- Tom.

Do you think it's pleasant
to sit here and think of you

parading around
before a lot of men?

Please, Mr. O'Connor.
I model only for women.

Don't make me a bubble dancer.

I know it's lonely,

but I'm working
on a little plan to cure that.

- So am I.
- Bet mine's better.

It couldn't help but be,
but mine will last longer.

- I'm not so sure.
- How can you stand it, Audrey?

How can you take a husband
who's a failure, who can't support you?

Oh, support you? That's a laugh.

I couldn't even buy myself
a glass of water.

- How can you tolerate me?
- Because I'm tolerant.

Why do you ever come back here?

Because I love you.
Hang on, darling.

Remember what
the new president said.

"We have nothing to fear
but fear itself."

And I heard what
the old president said.

We've reached the end of our
string. There's nothing more we can do.

I don't believe that. Somehow
the world keeps going on.

We have a little money.

- You have a little.
- We have. Enough to keep going.

- Enough to pay a few bills.
- Yes, bills.

Bills piling up, stacking up.

While I sit here helpless not
able to do anything about them.

Well, if it annoys you so much,
darling, let's pay them.

I have two weeks' salary here.

That'll take away
a few headaches, huh?

We'll pay the most urgent ones
and let the others wait.

J.J. Johnson. Let's pay that
old skinflint. We have to eat.

Tom.

That thousand
dollars kept looking

bigger and bigger to me.

Tomorrow our credit with
J.J. Johnson would be cut off

and there'd be no more meals
served in the dining room.

Horace, you ought to be
ashamed of yourself,

letting Francie
wait on tables like this.

Don't talk to me
about it, Geraldine.

- I wanted no part of it.
- It was my idea.

- But good heavens, child.
- What's the matter?

- Isn't the service alright?
- Perfect.

But why doesn't Waldo
pitch in and help?

- Waldo, that worthless...
- Dad.

Isn't he still staying here?

He's staying, not paying.

Yes, but why don't make him
wait on the tables?

He would if I'd let him,
but I want him

to paint and paint
and keep on painting,

'cause that's his work
and that's what he's living for.

The boy does have
a lot of talent.

For heaven's sake, Geraldine,
don't encourage her.

That useless young man
ought to stop daubing paint

and start earning money
doing something practical.

And I'm going to
tell him so too.

No, Horace. Remember, never
take from any man his song.

Got something to talk to you
about. Very important.

See you in a minute.

- Knock, knock.
- Who's there?

- Hobart.
- Hobart who?

- Hobart a little...
- Hobart a little kiss, baby?

Oh you heard
that one before, huh?

It's a small town.
Things get around pretty fast.

Would you care to order
your dessert now, sir?

I sure would.
What's sweet besides you?

The arsenic pudding
is very nice.

Fine, fine. And the coffee,
is it fresh?

If it were any fresher,
it would be insulting.

Babe, you're better
than the Orpheum.

Looks like I might be hung up
here for the afternoon.

It's a kind of a lonesome burg.

I mean, what does a guy do
for conversation?

You might try Marble Canyon.
It's got the nicest echo.

Arsenic pudding?

What I wanted to say,
Mrs. Atherton,

you're the leading citizen
of Silver Creek.

- I am?
- Yes, when you're here.

And as the leading citizen,

you ought to do something
for the town.

For instance, what?

You ought to have
your portrait painted.

- Is she kidding?
- Why, not at all.

As a matter of fact,
it's an excellent idea.

Can't you see me well,
or is it too dark in here?

You are the leading citizen.

You own the mills,
most of the town,

and your grandfather
founded Silver Creek.

My grandfather fell down a hole

that happened to be
full of high-grade marble.

If you call that
founding a town...

We're all here today
on account of him.

We're all here today
on account of corn liquor.

What about the portrait?

- No, Francine. No dice.
- But Waldo could...

Waldo could immortalize this
face of mine better than anybody.

- That's what I'm afraid of.
- Oh, but, Mrs. Atherton...

I avoid mirrors as it is.

You'll have to get yourself
another pigeon, dear.

I've got some important business
I'm going to attend to.

Geraldine, there's
a funny look in your eye.

Good. I'll go over and show it
to J.J. Johnson.

After what you told me,
I'm gonna turn the heat on him.

- No, Geraldine.
- Don't try and stop me.

- I beg you...
- You know when I make up my mind...

The Bon-Ton Market
was owned by J.J. Johnson,

a crafty, close-fisted merchant

with a store full of groceries
and a heart full of larceny.

You heard me, J.J. Speak up.

What this nonsense
about your putting

poor Horace Taylor
over a barrel?

It's none of your business.

I'm making it my business.

Now, look here, Geraldine...

You're not the only one
that's got a barrel.

I got a beaut, a nice big one,

and I'd like you
to try it for size.

Well, let's talk this over.

Money is gonna do the talking.

You owe me three months' rent.

$600 and I don't mean wampum.

You know I can't pay.

You can't, but you're going to.

I may look philanthropic,

but underneath this angel face,

I'm a Uriah Heep.

Kick in, J.J.

Geraldine, be sensible.

There's not 600 available
dollars in the whole town.

Maybe the whole state.
Everybody owes me money.

Horace Taylor alone owes me
1200 and I can't collect.

And I bet you overcharged
him beautifully

in exchange for that credit.

Oh, I'm a friendly man.

And I'm a friendly woman.

Pay up or get out.

Oh, what did I ever do to you?

Besides pay you more
than this place is worth.

J.J., it's pirates like you
that created this depression.

You soaked my mill hands.
I had to raise their pay.

You boosted prices
every time I boosted wages.

And every time I boosted wages,
you boosted prices.

A vicious circle,
prices, wages, prices, wages,

till the top blew off.

- Did I control prices?
- When people were buying, yes.

When they stopped buying,
neither you nor anybody else

could avert a depression.

It was like a snowball
going downhill,

getting bigger and bigger
until it smashed at the bottom.

I had to close the mills.

Your customers were
out of work and broke.

You were charging 60 cents
for a dozen eggs,

and now you're begging for 20.

Don't you suppose
I took a beating too?

I hope so, and I hope
you learned a lesson.

Next time when we come around
to a normal way of living,

don't start raising prices.

What do you think I am?

Well, you can't grow a cherry
tree out of a squash seed.

- Oh, Geraldine, have a heart.
- Sure I'll have a heart. Yours.

And that means I'm going
to Tom O'Connor's office

and have him draw up
a writ of eviction.

Don't go away. I'll be back with
the sheriff and the auctioneer.

- Hello?
- Tom?

Why did you run out on me?

I remembered something
I had to do.

Will you be long?

Yes, quite a while.

Then I'll have time to run over
to the inn and see Francine?

- Go right ahead.
- See you later, darling.

Yeah.

- Hello, Tom.
- Mrs. Atherton.

Say, what's the matter with
this joint? It's falling apart.

I had to let myself in. There
was nobody in the outer office.

Sorry. There's a little thing
called the depression.

Yes, I sort of got
that message from Audrey.

Oh, you've seen her?

On the train from New York.

Tom, what kind
of a young fool are you?

The usual kind, I guess.

Don't you know you've got that
wife of yours worried stiff?

- Did she say so?
- Of course not.

It's what she didn't say.

I can read between the eyes.

Look here, sonny boy.

When you plucked Audrey from
the bright lights of New York

and brought her here to live, she
was the happiest girl in the world.

Don't ask me why a pretty thing
like that would let you

put her away in that
old mausoleum you call a house.

But she did, and she loved it
because it was your way of life,

not because you were rich.

And now she's working so you can
still have a life together.

The trouble with you
is you keep living in the past.

Only because there's no future.

Are you kidding?

Listen, Tom,
this isn't the first time

our county has scraped
the bottom of the barrel.

We had a Black Friday in '69,

and a fine little depression
in '73 and another one in '84.

We had a beaut in 1908 and the
bottom fell clear out in '29.

But Uncle Sam always manages

to patch up the barrel
and refill it.

Don't tell me prosperity
is just round the corner.

Maybe it is.
Maybe I'll reopen the mill soon.

And when I do, maybe the company
will retain you again.

Don't worry about me.
My wife pays the bills.

That's a stuffed-shirt remark

and I'll make something of it
when I've got more time.

You gave her every luxury
when you could,

fine clothes, furs,
and you were proud.

Well, maybe she's proud now
to be doing her share.

But I didn't come here
for a social call.

I'm here on business.

Business? You mean
there's something I can do?

That's right. Now,
get your chin up on the curb.

I want you to draw up
a writ of eviction.

Oh. On whom?

- J.J. Johnson.
- Johnson?

Now, don't try
to talk me out of it.

Well, Judge Crockett
won't sign it.

Oh, yes, he will.
Who made him a judge?

Very well. If you insist.

Insist is putting it mildly.

What's the joke?

Francine Taylor wants me

to let Waldo Williams
paint my portrait.

And will you?

If Judge Crockett
refuses to sign that writ,

I'll get the portrait

and hang it in his courtroom

right over his bench.

Come back out
of that dream world, Rembrandt.

Hi.

- Oh...
- Oh.

Rembrandt is right.

This one ought
to make me immortal.

You better eat
while you're still mortal.

Alright, just a second
and I've finished.

You can't paint
unless you eat, you know.

I can't eat
unless I paint either.

True.

This one's
for the barter system.

- Barter system?
- Yeah.

A painter needs paint
to paint with,

and for that I get more paint.

How do you like my model?

Ain't she a cutie? What lines.

I wish all your models
were like her.

Why?

They'd give you the brush-off.

Mm-hm. That's quite a whisk
broom, Bill. A good likeness.

You like anything I do.
You're just prejudiced.

Remember the first painting
of yours I ever saw?

Yeah, it was in the Biarritz
Galleries in Paris, wasn't it?

It should have been
in the Louvre.

It should have been
in a pawn shop.

It was a lovely painting.

I stood entranced,
gazing at it for hours.

Then up stepped
a tall, handsome stranger...

Well, he was tall.

And he asked you
what you thought of it.

And I said that it was the most
beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

And the handsome... fascinating
stranger said that he thought

you were far more beautiful
than the painting.

He wasn't a bit fascinating,

just a fresh smoothie
with an American accent.

Yes, but you did accept
his invitation to lunch.

I was a venturesome hussy in
those days. Besides, I was hungry.

It's a good thing for you his
credit was good at that little cafe.

And what was his credit good
for? A luscious dish of snails.

And that was the beginning
of a beautiful romance.

Oh, my darling,
It was April in Paris.

They even wrote songs about us.

Our rendezvous, our
chestnut trees, small cafe...

And in spite of your pug nose,

the guy fell
madly in love with you.

And I with him,
in spite of everything.

- What's wrong with my nose?
- Nothing. I love it.

- Some doll.
- If you say so, Eddy.

- I say so.
- Me, I like horses.

If I wasn't tied up
with this escort job,

I'd stick around
and do a little pitching.

- Horse shoes?
- Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

Hello, Uncle Ed. Is Francine in?

Hello, Audrey. I just saw her
take Waldo's lunch upstairs.

Thank you.

- Oh, um, pardon me.
- Well?

Didn't I see you
on the New York train?

Yes, I was the caboose.

Caboose?

- Hello, Waldo.
- Hello who?

- Bill.
- OK, that's better.

- Come on in.
- Hello, Audrey.

- How are you, Francie?
- I'm glad you're here.

He goes out of his mind
waiting for your next sitting.

Well, it's just that I'm afraid
I may not be able to finish it.

- Not finish it?
- It's just his pride.

- He owes Dad money.
- Oh. Oh, money.

Sure, who cares about money?
Forget it.

Yes, what's money?

When I first commissioned you
to do this painting,

I didn't know Tom's business
was going to collapse.

Audrey, the pleasure
of painting your portrait

is payment enough for me.

- But that's not fair.
- Now, just a minute.

You two have heard
about the artist

who's 10% inspiration
and 90% perspiration.

You're not gonna take away
my inspiration, now, are you?

Thank you. Ladies,
we're wasting valuable time.

Uh-oh. That means
clear out, Francie.

Besides, I'm not supposed
to be social. I keep forgetting.

Audrey, make him finish
his lunch, will you?

These days you just don't
send back half a sandwich,

with a pickle on the side.

- I'll make him eat it.
- Hey, waitress.

That's for being a cute kid.

Oh, thank you, sir.
Nicest tip I've had today.

Come on, Audrey. I'll help you
dress. What a stunning suit.

- Oh, it's the new thing.
- Must have cost a fortune.

Don't get the idea
that I bought it.

The store lets me wear
these models for advertising.

What a break.

Are the skirts all that long?

Oh, yes, that's the new style.
It's quite a change, isn't it?

I bought this in 1930.
Yours is a 1933.

By the time we reach 1940,
they'll be dragging on the floor.

The women aren't taking
to the new lengths too quickly.

I love this dress.
It seems prettier each time.

I wore it on the very first date
I had with Tom.

It was always his favorite.
That's why I saved it.

When it wears out,
will you let me have it?

Sorry. I guess there's a dress
in everyone's life

that somehow or other
represents romance.

Waldo just has to finish
that painting, Francie.

I wanna hang it in the library

so Tom won't be lonely
while I'm away.

Then I'll always be with him,

just as I was
the first time he saw me.

And you'll always be
lovely to him, Audrey.

But I know what you mean.

Don't worry. We'll get
the picture finished somehow.

I think Bill feels
just as you do about it.

And he's put his heart
as well as his soul into it.

That's why it means
so much to him.

It's as if you were telling Tom

what's in your heart
in that painting.

Tom needs to know,
and I can't seem to tell him.

It's funny, here we are,

both of us working,
trying to help out.

Anybody'd say
this is a tough time for women.

I don't agree.
It's much worse for men.

Especially sensitive, proud men.

- You haven't told your father?
- Uh-uh.

Strictly a secret
among the three of us.

I want it to be
a complete surprise for Tom.

To cheer him, though, I'm afraid
it'd have to be a Gainsborough.

A Waldo Williams, please.

Let's ride out
and take a gander at that hill.

Hey, that's a hunch. Lord Gander
is running in the third.

You're getting to be the
smartest moron I've ever met.

Thanks, Eddy.

Say, by the way, sister,
where is Marble Canyon?

One mile east.
Then follow your echo.

Alright, Uncle Ed,
you can go to lunch.

Thank you, Horace.

This might be my last.
Look who's coming.

Hey, Follansbee? Ab Follansbee?

Who, me? My name is Johnson.

- Horace. Horace.
- Oh, hello, J.J.

- Don't give me that stuff.
- Well, what's the matter?

Less words
and more action, Horace.

The time has come to put up
or shut up. I'm not fooling.

I want the money you owe me
and I want it right now.

- I haven't got it.
- I've got to have it, Horace.

I don't like
to push you this way.

It isn't as if I wanted it all.

Just half. Right now,
that's all, just half.

- But it's impossible.
- I've got to have it, Horace.

Geraldine Atherton
is putting the heat on me.

I owe her $600 back rent.

If I don't pay up,
she's going to evict me.

I knew it, I knew it.
I'm terribly sorry, J.J., but...

I don't want your sympathy.
I want your cash.

Come on, Horace. You know you've
been hoarding funds some place.

Drag out the sock,
dig up the old tin can,

but pay me my dough.

J.J, I tell you, I'm flat broke.

I haven't got a dime.

Horace, I'm warning you.

If you don't slip me $600 right
now, today, I'll get rough.

I don't like
to pull this on you,

but, so help me,
it's sink or swim.

If you don't pay me today,
right now,

I'll put Silver Creek Inn
under the auctioneer's hammer

before you can say "ouch."

Please, J.J., don't do
a thing like that to me.

- I'd like to help you, but...
- Just $600. Not the whole debt.

- 600's no fortune.
- It isn't?

Well, you've got
at least that much?

Ten dollars'd be
a fortune to me.

Horace, look,
we're old friends, aren't we?

- Hmm?
- Huh?

We're old friends, aren't we?

Well, we've known each other
a long time.

I gave you credit
when you needed it, didn't I?

- Fair credit at fair prices?
- You gave me credit.

Horace, Horace, please,
we're friends.

Just for me. Just $600.

I haven't made any demands.

I know you're making money.
A cash business.

- Maybe saving it.
- Saving what?

I made six dollars and a half
yesterday, and...

and today
a dollar and a quarter.

Not enough to pay the cook.

Oh, don't give me that.

Look at that safe.
I'll bet you it's loaded.

I'll bet you
it's ripe with cash.

Mm-hm. There's nothing
in that safe but dust,

and I'll show it to you.

Do you remember
the story about Mother Hubbard?

Old Mother Hubbard
went to the cupboard

to get a poor dog a bone.

And when she got there,
the cupboard was...

Old Mother Hubbard's
cupboard, eh?

Hand over that bone, Horace.

Well, I don't understand.

I was telling the truth.

You rascal, you.

Holding out on an old friend.

So help me, J.J., I...

- Waldo.
- Never mind who.

- How much?
- It's Waldo.

The art gallery must have sold
a picture after all.

And I've misjudged the boy.
Look here.

- How much? How much?
- One, two, three, four...

Uncle Ed should have told me
something about this before.

Five, six, seven... Here I've
been badgering the poor boy.

- Eight, nine, ten.
- Oh! A thousand dollars.

- We're square.
- But I owe you 1200.

I'll cancel it out for cash.
We're even.

You can have
all the credit you want.

Oh, boy, will I tell that old
battle-ax a thing or two now.

We're even! Ancestors,
you can stop spinning now.

Ha-ha!

Waldo.

Waldo, my boy.

My son.

Waldo.

Oh, no.

Waldo.

Just a minute... please.

Waldo, my boy!

- Thank you, thank you.
- Hello, Mr. Taylor.

Sometimes
it's a little difficult

for an ungifted man like myself

to appreciate
an artist like you.

You must be a little
understanding with me, my boy.

Well, I didn't expect anything
quite like this.

Now, I want to give you a
dinner. We've got to celebrate.

Youth and talent should be
sponsored and not smothered.

I want you to know how proud
I am of you and your painting.

And I think my daughter

is one of the luckiest girls
in the world.

Well, I'm awfully glad
you think so, sir.

You're going to make
a happy couple, yes, indeed,

and I'm going to show you
how proud I am of you.

Oh, my boy, this is a happy day.
A happy day.

Now, let's see
what you're doing here.

Oh, no. Mr. Taylor,
a painter has to have privacy.

I understand, yes, yes,
of course, of course.

Well, then, you get
right on with your work.

- Here, have a cigar.
- Thanks.

And I'll see you later... son.

Take a look, a good look.
How do you like them apples?

Had me over a big barrel,
eh, Geraldine?

Well, it had weak staves.

Oh, you can tear up
that writ, Tom.

Tear it up
and write me a receipt

for one thousand dollars.

A thous...? Count it, Tom.

I still don't believe it.

One thousand dollars,

genuine, guaranteed
coin of the realm.

The real thing. No imitation.

J.J, where'd you get this money?

I don't consider that
any of your business.

That's right,
a thousand dollars.

Well, give him a receipt.
And if he's robbed a bank...

Uh-oh. They're all closed,
madam, remember?

Well, then, you took it
off of a dead body.

I'll have the police
examine it for blood stains.

Oh, is that so?

Well, while you're doing that,
Geraldine, remember this.

The back rent is paid,

and there's
an advance payment there.

And if you set foot
inside the Bon-Ton Market

within the next eight weeks,

I will have
the personal pleasure

of heaving you out on your ear.

Thank you, my boy.
It's been very nice.

I trust that you'll remember me

if I never see you again
some time.

I never forget a face, and I'll
always remember both of yours.

Ah!

Well, I guess that's that.

As we were saying before,

a man like you with
your background and your mind

has no right to feel bitter
about his wife working.

Marriage is a 50/50 deal,

and when one can't carry
the load, the other must try.

- A man has his pride.
- So has a woman.

What if Audrey felt
the same way that you do?

How would you feel
when you came home with this

if she were to resent it
because she hadn't earned it?

- Incidentally that is yours.
- Mine?

Yes, as a retainer on your
services, now and in the future.

We gotta start thinking
about reopening the mills.

It'll be a lot paperwork,
reorganization,

heaven knows what
with this new administration.

I'll check with you
from time to time.

- But, Mr. Atherton, I...
- I know, it isn't very much.

But it's all I can afford
right now.

We'll increase the amount
as we get active.

Bye, Tom. My love to Audrey.

♪ Ha ha ha, hee hee hee

♪ Little brown jug
I do love thee ♪

- ♪ Ha ha ha... ♪
- Well, well.

You sound as spry
as a kitten, Horace.

I thought the tapioca pudding
was a mite heavy myself.

Ed, you old rascal.

- Why didn't you tell me before?
- About the tapioca pudding?

- About the money.
- What money?

The money.
The money in the safe.

- The thousand dollars.
- Oh, that money.

Don't make it sound
as if it was only five bucks.

Don't you know how important it
was to me, what it meant to me?

- A thousand dollars!
- Well, that's alright, Horace.

I gave the young fella
a receipt for it.

Oh, I don't give a hang
about the receipt.

But the money,
I needed it so desperately.

And when you saw the...

What young fella?

Why, the fella
that brought the money.

- Waldo, you mean?
- Waldo?

Waldo. Waldo Williams.

He owed me $970 and he paid me.

- He did?
- Didn't he?

You feeling alright, Horace?

I don't know. I don't know.

I'll tell you
when you answer this question.

Did Waldo Williams
give you one thousand dollars?

No, it was a fella by the name
of Peabody. Eustace Peabody.

- Are you sure?
- Of course I'm sure.

Why, you'd think I was
absent-minded or something,

to hear you talk.

He brought the money
for Ab Follansbee.

Only Ab Follansbee
was about to become a father

and couldn't be here,
that's all.

So the man got excited
and I put the money in the safe.

Oh...

What's the matter? Is that
tapioca pudding bothering you?

Not Waldo's money. That means
it wasn't mine and that means...

Now, take it easy, take it easy.

- Take it easy, he says.
- Shh!

It's alright. It's all
locked up. I spun the dial.

There's nothing
to worry about after all.

What's biting Horace?

I don't know. I'll have to talk
to Francine about her pa.

He's getting senile
or something.

I never heard of such a thing.
I can't believe it.

Horace, it's awful.
It's terrible.

I knew you'd understand, J.J.

Why, it's a catastrophe.

Horace, they could
put you in prison.

- Prison?
- It's a criminal offense.

Misappropriation of funds.

And the funds belong
to somebody else.

Yes, yes, that's true.

Oh, the disgrace of it.
Poor Francine.

- Think of what people'd say.
- I daren't.

I only thank heaven for a friend
like you at a time like this.

That's the spirit, Horace.
A stiff upper lip. Chin up.

And face the world with a friend
at your side and a pure heart.

Thank you, J.J. I knew I could count
on you to give me back the money.

- The money?
- Yes.

- The thousand dollars.
- Give it back?

If I get it back into the safe
before Peabody comes back...

- Really, Horace.
- What's the matter?

Don't you think it'd be
imposing on a friendship

to ask for money
in times like these?

But that's what
we're talking about.

The money, it isn't mine.

I gave it to you.
It isn't yours. It's Peabody's.

Are you trying to imply
that I stole those funds?

No, no, nobody stole the funds.
It's a mistake.

It's an error, but I've got to
get the money back. Please, J.J.

Well, I'd be glad
to help you out, Horace.

Thank heavens. But, then,
don't frighten me like that.

- Only I haven't got the money.
- It's too hard on my nerves.

- You haven't got the money?
- Of course not.

I told you, Geraldine Atherton
was gonna throw me out.

I had to pay her
every cent of it.

Horace, get a grip on yourself.

No, no, my ancestors,
the safe, the money,

Peabody, Waldo, Mrs. Atherton...

Mrs. Atherton?

A known fact, Ab.

Yeah, the first one
always takes a long time.

Alright, I'll tell the man.
Don't you worry.

Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

Only the fact that I'd wind up
in the electric chair

prevents me from killing you.

Oh, Horace, you ain't right.

- You ain't feeling right.
- I'm going mad.

I'm going stark, staring,
raving mad.

And when I do, you'll be the
first person that I vivisect.

Now, that ain't a kind thought.
What did I do?

You didn't tell me
about the money.

Oh, yes, I did. It's alright.
The money's in the safe.

You got nothing to worry about.

Don't you understand?
Don't you know how it happened?

You put the money
in Waldo's envelope.

I took it out
and gave it to Johnson.

And Johnson gave it to...

You shouldn't
have done that, Horace.

It's unlawful to give away
other people's money.

But I didn't know
it wasn't mine.

Ignorance of the law
is no excuse.

You put the money
in Waldo's envelope

and I thought he'd paid me.

- Oh...
- Now do you see?

Oh, yes, it's terrible. Oh...

Waldo certainly had
a lot of gall

leaving that envelope around,
didn't he?

But Waldo didn't...

Waldo.

I wonder
what's disturbing Horace.

Williams!

- Williams!
- Just a minute, Mr. Taylor.

I'll be right there.

- Hello, Mr. Taylor.
- Don't "hello" me.

"Goodbye" me instead.

You're through, finished, fired!

No, not fired.
You're out, evicted.

You pack your bags
and get out of this hotel.

You've got no credit,
no room, no nothing.

I wouldn't let
my daughter marry you

if you were the last man
in the world,

and if you were the last man
in the world,

you'd still owe somebody money.

If you're not out of this hotel
by tomorrow morning,

I'll shoot you on sight!

Horace, for heaven's sakes,
what's all the hullabaloo about?

- Geraldine.
- I was trying to take a beauty nap, or a nap anyway.

Geraldine,
I've got to talk to you.

You're not making
Indian signs now.

- The money.
- Whose money?

My money. I mean Waldo's money.

I mean the money
I thought was Waldo's.

Far be it from me
to commit you to a loony bin,

but your train sounds like
it's off the track.

Geraldine, did J.J.
give you a thousand dollars?

- He did.
- I gave it to him.

- You did? Where'd you get it?
- From the safe.

- Where Waldo put it. I thought.
- You thought?

Only he didn't. I thought
he did. I took it by mistake.

If you're trying
to get that money from me,

you're working
the wrong side of the tracks.

Geraldine, have mercy.

I don't mind if I do,
but I haven't got the money.

- I gave it to Tom O'Connor.
- O'Connor? Oh, my gosh.

Well, he might lend it back to
you at a fair rate of interest.

You think he would?
Maybe I could.

- Oh, Dad, I was...
- How do you do?

Charmed, I'm sure.

Well, how goes it?

What's eating you two?

Waldo says
he can't finish the picture.

- Can't finish it?
- Waldo, you have to finish it.

I can't tell you how much,
how very much it means to me.

- And to Tom.
- And to me too, Audrey.

That's the best thing I've ever
done, but what can we do?

You heard what Mr. Taylor said.
Clear out by morning.

- What is all this?
- Your father, Francie.

- He foreclosed.
- He can't do that.

He not only can, but he did.

Now, you're gonna finish
that painting.

Come on, Audrey,
get back into your dress.

I can't now. I have to hurry
and shop for Tom's dinner.

Can you come back
after dinner and pose?

- Sure, I can do that.
- We'll try it after dinner.

- About eight.
- Good.

Now, you'd better tell me
just what happened.

Francie, I don't like
to mention this,

but sometimes does your dad
go off the deep end?

Oh, darling, he has a lot of
worries. He just gets excited.

I don't get it. First he comes
tearing in here and says,

"Blessings on you, my children.
Waldo, you're a great guy."

Next thing I know, back he comes
with his fist in my face,

I can never see you again and
he's gonna shoot me on sight.

Don't worry about him, honey.
I can handle him.

No, Francie. You've forced him into
supporting me for too long already.

He's been mighty patient for six months
and I don't blame him for being fed up.

It's time I cleared out.

Well, alright. Let's see, now.
Where can you go?

You should have heard where
your father told me to go.

No, I'm serious.

I know. Audrey and Tom's.
They have a big house.

Will you use that pretty head
of yours for a change?

There's no money in this town.
I have to sell paintings.

So, logical conclusion,
I go where people buy paintings.

Alright. How long
have I got to pack?

- You're not going.
- Oh, yes, I am.

- Have you ever ridden the rods?
- Not yet.

I don't intend
to let you start now either.

- Well, what if I...
- Look...

You should know by this time
I'm a very stubborn guy.

You're not going,

and I'm not coming back
until I can pay our way.

Well, how long is that apt
to take, do you suppose?

I don't know.

The way things look right now,
it may be some time.

Well, hello again.

Hey, what's this?

An ass making an ass of himself.

Yeah, that's right...

Welcome to Silver Creek Inn.

Save it, old-timer.
You'll wear it out.

- Oh, it's you.
- What's the matter with these Vermont women?

Just ain't enough of 'em,
that's all.

They sure are a cold lot.

Well, you gotta light a match
before it'll burn.

- Now, you take New York gals...
- Oh, no.

I'll take a Vermont girl
every time.

Their heads may be
as hard as marble,

but their hearts
are just as soft

as the feather beds
they sleep in.

- You lived here all your life?
- Not yet.

Well, what do you Vermonters
do for excitement?

Raise more corn.
You're supposed to ask me why.

Alright, Mr. Bones.
Why do you raise more corn?

- To feed more cows.
- Why?

- To get more milk.
- Why?

- To make more money.
- Why?

- To buy more land.
- Why?

- To raise more corn.
- Why?

That's enough, young fella.

Thanks, son.

Ain't been able to pull that

since the tourist trade
fell off.

Say, what about this Follansbee?

Isn't he ever gonna show up?

Oh, he just telephoned.

He told me to tell you
to keep calm.

What does he mean, keep calm?

I guess that's what the doctors
have been telling him.

I got a half a mind to take the
dough and blow back to New York.

OK, if that's the way you feel.
It's your money.

Uh-oh, uh-oh. Now,
wait a minute, wait a minute.

No, no.
Now, don't go off half-cocked.

Ab needs that money,

seeing as how he's going to
become a parent and all.

Now, you just go over there
and sit down

and make yourself to hum.

If that guy
doesn't show up pretty soon,

I'll make myself to hum
on the southbound train.

Tom. Tom O'Connor.

- Tom.
- Hello, Audrey.

That's more like my husband.

What's the idea
of coming home so late?

Don't you know
a fella misses his girl?

- Why, Tom.
- You've been gone a while.

Well, I had to do the marketing.

Hmm. Mm-hm. Mmm.

- What is all this?
- All what?

All this hocus-pocus.
Is something the matter?

Nothing, nothing.
That outfit isn't yours, is it?

You know very well
it isn't mine.

Well, turn it back to them
and buy yourself a new one.

And while you're about it,
buy yourself a new bonnet.

Nothing better for a woman's
morale than a new bonnet.

- Oh, really?
- And get yourself a couple of dozen pairs of silk stockings.

You've got nice legs
in silk stockings.

And some lacy things, you know.

- Do you feel alright?
- Never felt better in my life.

You haven't been visiting
the local speakeasy?

Mm-mm.

Then where are we
going to get the money

to buy all these things?

Money? Oh, oh, oh, money.

I imagine this will take care
of things for the present.

- A thousand dollars?
- Mm-hm.

Darling, you haven't done
something foolish?

Sure have.

Where did this come from?

I'm a lawyer, Audie, remember?
I'm a counselor-at-law.

Well, I'm counseling
at law again.

- That's a retainer.
- A retainer?

Mm-hm. I did a job
for Geraldine Atherton.

The rest is just an advance.

She's thinking of the future,

and the mills
may be reopening again.

- Oh, darling, that's wonderful.
- Ah, the future.

I'd begun to believe
there wasn't any.

- You know what we're gonna do?
- What?

We're going up and over
the border and celebrate.

We're gonna have
a terrific dinner, a party,

and a lot of good
Canadian spirits.

Oh, that's great.
I'll wear my...

- Oh.
- What's the matter?

- We can't go.
- Why not?

Well, I... I promised Francie
that I'd come over

and talk to her tonight
after dinner.

What is this? What's Francie
Taylor got to do with us?

Well, it's...
it's Waldo Williams.

She's so very much in love with
him and Horace is objecting.

- It's pretty rough.
- Oh, what's biting Horace?

Waldo's a nice guy.

Alright, if you say so. What the
heck. We've had our good luck.

Maybe you can bring Francie
a little, eh, darling?

We'll celebrate tomorrow night.

I love you.

Uh-uh, no, I'd like to stay,

but my husband's expecting me
to cook his dinner.

What's he got
that I haven't got?

- I hate that guy.
- Why?

Every time I get any place
with you, he interferes.

That's life.
"Back to the kitchen, slave."

Stick around. We may be able
to get rid of him.

Hello?

Oh, hello, Horace.

After dinner? Yes, I'll be here.
Can't you tell me what it is?

No, no, Tom.
I'll tell you when I get there.

- Please cheer up, Dad.
- Why?

I just know that everything's
gonna be alright.

If you tell me it's always
darkest before the dawn,

I'll whale the living daylights
out of you.

Why didn't you tell Tom
what you want?

On the phone? It's a party line.

You might as well
put an ad in the Bugle.

Keep your fingers crossed, Dad.

You're a little late.

Gee, Eddy, look. Lord Gander
run out of the money.

I'd have lost my shirt.

You'll lose your neck if
that truck don't show up soon.

It ain't my fault. I don't set the
timetable for the trucks we're gonna escort.

- Oh, shut up.
- If you say so, Eddy.

- Francine?
- Hmm? What?

Penny for your thoughts.

Uh-uh. Too cheap. They're worth
20 years in Sing Sing.

What?

If only they had
cracked the safe

and stolen the thousand dollars.

They? Who?

What do you want them
to rob us for?

If they had,
Dad wouldn't be in trouble.

Well, there's nothing...

- But there isn't.
- I know.

But if they had cracked
the safe,

if they thought the money
was still in there...

It's too late.

There really was an echo
in that canyon.

I'll bet you enjoyed
talking to yourself.

Yes, it'd have been nicer
if you...

Go get your dinner, Ed. I'll get mine
later if I ever get my appetite back.

They say they set a good table
down at Windsor.

- What's at Windsor?
- State prison.

- Two dinners.
- That'll be one dollar.

If you see a big truck go
through, let us know, boss.

Sure. I haven't anything else
to think about.

- Did you get the money, Horace?
- Shh!

What's the matter? Afraid the
termites are cops in disguise?

Do you gentlemen mind
if I join you?

Sure. Sit right down
and take a load off the floor.

Thank you.
I just hate to eat alone.

Me too. Nothing like a lady
for dinner.

- Me, I like...
- Rocky, he likes horses.

- Me, I like horses too.
- Yeah?

Yeah. Where would Lady Godiva
have been without a horse?

Lady Godiva?
What track is she running at?

In the epidermis handicap
at Coventry.

Thank you.

- Good evening, Mr. Peabody.
- I wish I could say the same.

- Here. For the dinner.
- Thank you. Everything alright?

Oh, I'm fed up to here
with this one-horse burg.

If Follansbee doesn't show up
before the 9:30 train for New York,

you can tell him
he's out of luck.

Mr. Peabody, Mr. Follansbee
is usually a very punctual man.

But you know how it is,
becoming a father.

How would I know?
I'm not married.

Believe me, it's a very trying
ordeal. I remember when I was...

All I know is I was supposed to give him a
grand this morning and he didn't show up.

In fact, the more I think about
it, why should I wait for him?

Why should I grow old
in this graveyard?

Oh, I'm getting out of here.

Mr. Follansbee
needs that money very badly.

Not as badly as I need
to get back to New York.

Well, come on. Give me the cash.

- The cash?
- Yes, the cash, the geld.

It's in the safe,
a thousand bucks.

The old coot put it there.

Oh, the cash? Oh, yes,
Ed told me all about it.

- Well?
- I beg your pardon?

How about it?
How about my money?

The money.
Well, that's what...

It's really very embarrassing,
but as a matter of fact...

Now, look, let's keep it simple.

There's the receipt.
Now make with the money.

Well, that's what I was trying
to tell you.

Isn't it ridiculous?

It's getting to be, yes.

I mean about me
being the owner of the hotel

and not knowing
the combination of the safe.

- You mean you don't...
- Nothing to worry about.

The clerk knows the combination.

- Alright, I'll get him.
- No, no, Mr. Peabody.

It's humiliating enough for me
not to know the combination,

instead of having to send you
on a minion's errand.

I don't mind. I'd like to take another
squint at that nifty little waitress.

I'll get her, I mean him.
You stay right there. You...

- Ed, come on.
- What's the idea?

You got something
in your eye, Eddy.

He wears it well, doesn't he?

Ed, you've gotta
get out of here.

- Get out of where?
- Peabody wants his money.

I told him you were the only one
who had the combination to the safe.

Go into the kitchen. Hide there
until I give you the word.

- But I didn't have my dessert.
- Oh, there's plenty left.

If he sees you, I'm sunk.
Francie, get him out of here.

You can't hide him forever.
That Peabody'll just wait.

And chances are,
if he waits too long,

he'll just send for the sheriff.

Time, that's all I need.

I've got to see Tom O'Connor.

- Go on, Uncle Ed.
- But it's rice pudding.

And you know I like pudding.
It agrees with me.

- Hurry, hurry.
- There's a whole panful of it on the stove.

Francie, Francie, you've got
to do something for your father.

You've got to make
a great sacrifice.

Anything if it'll help.

You've got to vamp Mr. Peabody.

- Now, wait a minute.
- Nothing serious.

Just get him out of the hotel.
Take him for a walk.

Take his mind off money. Give me
a chance to see Tom O'Connor.

- I did say anything, didn't I?
- Yes.

Alright, but if it was
anybody but you...

- Bless you, Francine.
- Alright, go on to the desk.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Hiya, beautiful.
I've been waiting for you.

- Everything OK?
- Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.

- Have you got the combination?
- As a matter of fact, no.

- What?
- Now, don't get excited.

There's nothing
to be excited about.

There's a thousand bucks
to get excited about.

And it's quite safe and sound,
right in here.

I want it safe and sound
right in...

Oh, excuse me.

Maybe you didn't hear me,
but I'm getting out of here.

Well, as a matter of fact,
there's a slight delay.

Never mind the delays. I'm
getting the 9:30 train for New York.

Get some nitro, get a locksmith.
Get my dough out of there.

That won't be necessary.
Yes, Francine?

I think I'll go for a little
walk now, Daddy. Do you mind?

Well, now, daughter,
you know I don't approve of you

going out after dark alone.

Oh, Daddy, I've been in all day.

Yes, I know, but, of course,
if you could find somebody...

A little walk'd do me good
if it's company you want.

Well, Mr. Peabody,
that's very nice of you.

Yeah? OK by you, Miss...?

Taylor. Miss Taylor.

Thank you, Mr. Peabody.
That's very sweet of you.

Yeah? I thought
you put the chill on me.

Oh, how ever
could you think that?

I just don't want
to put you out.

I'll have
that little matter attended to

by the time you get back.

No hurry, Pop.
See you anon.

Ed, for heaven's sake.

- Is the coast clear?
- Yes. Come on, come on.

Watch out
for those termites, Horace.

- How do you spell Coventry?
- With a K.

Now, you watch the desk
and keep your mouth shut.

And if you see Peabody
before I do,

you faint,
go unconscious, anything.

I never fainted in my life.

You'll faint if you see him,

or I'll see
that you faint permanently.

Ain't that a hot one?

And I got another one
that'll slay you.

I'm afraid my Boston ancestors
wouldn't approve.

Thanks for the laugh, boys.

- Good night and good luck.
- Good night, lady.

If you're ever short of a snort,
give me a call in New York.

- Thank you. Good night.
- Good night.

It was me got Horace in this jam

and it was up to me
to get him out.

Then I thought of a plan.

Say, say there, you fellas.
Come here a minute.

- Will you do me a favor?
- Sure thing, Pop.

Will you watch the desk
for a while?

I wouldn't ask you ordinarily,
only, you see...

there's a thousand dollars
in the safe, in cash,

and I'm supposed to guard it.

Go right ahead, Pop.

Me and Eddy'll watch it
just like it was our very own.

Well, that's right neighborly
of you.

I'll only be gone a minute,
maybe longer.

That thing is a cracker box.
It was built in 1890.

Yeah, I used to crack that model
twice a week

when I was learning
the business.

Gee, Eddy, I bet you was
a beautiful safe cracker.

Not bad, if I do say it myself.

Is it hard to open?

Yeah. Not as hard as opening
a pack of cigarettes.

A thousand bucks, huh?

Hey, Eddy, could you learn me
how to open a safe?

Depends on your touch.

Well, go ahead and open it,
just for fun.

- For fun?
- Well, then, for a gee.

Yeah, but the thing is,
Pop kind of put us on our honor.

Yeah? What's that?

You got a point there.

It's all in the touch
of the fingers.

- No, you don't, Rocky.
- What's the idea?

Like I said, the old man
put us on our honor.

- Yeah, but I don't get it.
- It's like giving your word.

- When you give your word, it's like giving your bond. See?
- Yeah.

When you give your word and your
bond, you can't double-cross a pal.

- You can't?
- That's what I said.

It's like honor among thieves.

It ain't ethical we should break
our word of honor. Understand?

- Yeah, I get it.
- Good.

But what's that got to do
with us breaking open the safe?

- OK, if you say so, Eddy.
- I say so.

Tom! Tom.

- I've gotta talk to you.
- Oh, hello, Horace.

I couldn't explain
over the telephone. Party line.

It would have been
all over town.

Quite a story
about Francine and the cattle.

- Tom, listen to me.
- I'm listening, Horace.

I'm in trouble.
I'm in awful trouble.

I've done a terrible thing.

You better come into the house
and tell me all about it.

Yes, yes. Well, you see...

No, no, no, I can't go.

- I've got to get that money.
- What money?

It wasn't mine.
Don't you understand?

It wasn't mine,
and I thought it was,

and that's why I gave it to J.J.

Now, take it easy, Horace.
Let me get this straight.

You owed Johnson some money

and you paid him with funds
which didn't belong to you?

That's right, and I've gotta get
that thousand dollars back.

But you were not aware
that the funds you transferred

did not really belong to you.

No. They belonged
to Ab Follansbee.

Oh. Does Ab know
that you misappropriated it?

Don't use a word like that.

No, Ab doesn't know about it yet

because the money
hasn't exactly reached him.

You see, it belongs to a fella
by the name of Peabody.

Now you're not making sense.

If you want me to help you,
you've got to make sense.

Now, tell me the truth.

Look, the money was in the safe.

I thought it was mine.
I took it.

No intent to steal.
No intent to defraud.

Only an intent to pay my debts.

It's a difficult case, Horace.
A very difficult case.

Ipso facto,
no proof of criminal intent.

Don't say criminal. Look, Tom,
you've gotta help me.

I've gotta get that money back.
I'll pay you anything.

Don't worry about a retainer
at this time.

I'll do all I can to help you.

- Now, as your lawyer...
- As my lawyer?

Yes. The first thing
we must do is to prove

that your assumption
the money was yours is valid,

otherwise
the district attorney...

District attorney?
What are you talking about?

I don't want a lawyer. I don't
want a district attorney.

All I want is the money.
I need that money.

- Hang onto yourself.
- The money, the money.

I've got to have
that thousand dollars.

I gave it to J.J. He gave it to
Geraldine. She gave it to you.

I've got to get it
and put it back in the safe.

- Oh.
- Oh, he says. Tom...

Oh, I see. Well,
I'm terribly sorry, Horace.

I misunderstood you.

- I'd be glad to help you out.
- Oh, thank heavens.

I'd really be glad to
if I had it.

It sounded like you said
if you had it.

I did say so.
Audrey's got it now.

- Oh, no.
- I just gave it to her only a few minutes ago.

Why don't you ask her for it?

She couldn't possibly have spent
it. The shops are all closed.

- Where is she?
- She went to the inn to see Francine.

To the inn? To see Francine?

A thousand dollars. At the inn.

Horace, Horace, take it easy.

- Knock, knock.
- Who's there?

- Francie.
- Francie who?

Francy meeting you here.

Brother Peabody,
you're killing me.

- Oh, hello, Tom.
- Francie, where's Audrey?

- Audrey?
- You heard me.

- Now, wait a second, brother.
- You keep out of this.

- Francie?
- Why, I haven't seen her.

She said she was going over
to see you.

Oh, my gosh, I forgot.

I must have missed her.
I'll get right back to the inn.

Say, who's Audrey? Is she that good-looking
dish I saw going in that guy's room?

- Which guy?
- I'm a stranger here.

- I don't know from nothing.
- Which guy?

The artist.
Williams, I think his name is.

- Is Audrey with Waldo Williams?
- Now, Tom, listen to me.

So that's why
you're out with this.

- Tom!
- Hey!

Oh, shut up!

- Welcome to Silver Creek...
- Where's Audrey O'Connor?

- Home, I reckon.
- She's not home.

I just came from there.
Tom said she was here.

I ain't seen her. Maybe she went
by when my specs were up.

Maybe she's out with Francine.

Francie's out
with that Peabody fella.

Oh, she must be hard up.

If they come back, you tell him
I'm out, stall him off.

I've got to find Audrey O'Connor

if I have to telephone
everybody in town.

Well, now...

Well, that just about does it.
I hope Tom likes it.

Oh, he'll love it.
It's chilly in here.

Wait till I swing it around.
You'll get a better perspective.

- Welcome to Silver Creek...
- Where's Waldo Williams' room?

Oh, Tom. How's Audrey?

What's the number
of Waldo Williams' room?

Number 16. Good night.

Tom! Wait!

Tom, Tom, don't you go in there.
You'll spoil the surprise...

- Tom!
- Hello, Tom.

Surprise, eh?

Tom, are you out of your mind?

You didn't have to do things
this way, Audrey.

Hurray. You're jealous.

Look.

It's all yours.
We just finished it.

You mean... this?

That's the little plan I had
to cure your loneliness.

Audrey. It's... It's the most
beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Now I'll always be with you.

Mrs. Atherton was right.

- I've been a fool.
- You go right on being a fool.

Wake up, Bill.

Waldo!

Waldo?

- I'm terribly sorry, Francine.
- It's alright.

It's alright, old man.
I can't thank you enough.

Not in a thousand years.
Thanks. Thanks, pal.

- Maybe it's me that's crazy.
- Oh, Bill.

- Your painting is lovely.
- Isn't it wonderful?

- You're a great artist.
- Oh, no, not right now.

- Maybe later perhaps, but...
- No, now.

That's right.
It's a masterpiece.

Do you really think so?

- I'll be running along, Horace.
- Alright, Ed. Good night.

Come on, somebody, hand it over.

There's something
I wanted to tell you.

- Tell him to give me a grand.
- Oh, hang it all.

I can't remember a word of it
with him interrupting all the time.

It probably isn't important.

The thing is, it was important.

- I'll say it was.
- You'll remember tomorrow.

You can tell me then
if I'm still here.

The only thing is,
I hate forgetting.

Folks'll be saying
I'm getting old.

I wish getting old was the only
thing I had to worry about.

I don't worry about it. If
I don't get old, I'll be dead.

Now, you get a hold of a good
criminal lawyer, Horace.

- Hold everything, Taylor.
- Something, Mr. Peabody?

I'm blowing out of town.
Give me that dough.

But what about Ab Follansbee?

I'm getting the 9:30 train
for New York.

And if Ab Follansbee
doesn't like it, he can lump it.

Watch your language,
Mr. Peabody.

Give me my dough.
Give me my dough.

- I will not.
- What?

I will not turn over
that money to you.

It belongs to Mr. Ab Follansbee.

- He's a friend of mine and...
- Horace.

- Ab Follansbee.
- Follansbee.

Horace. Congratulate me.

Have a cigar. I'm a father.

Myra just had twins, twin boys.
Have two cigars.

Congratulations.
Twins? Wonderful.

Saves time. Boys? Girls?

Of course.
What else would you expect?

Are you Follansbee?
Is your name Ab Follansbee?

Here, young fella, take it easy.

I'm the one that just had twins,
not you. I mean, my wife.

- You are Ab Follansbee?
- That's me right enough.

My name's Peabody.
Acme Collection Agency.

I've been hanging around
all day waiting for you.

Well, Mr. Peabody,
glad to see you.

- Have a cigar.
- Thank you very much.

- Twins.
- I got the money for you.

- OK, pal, hand over the money.
- The money?

Don't tell me again
you haven't got the combination.

Shucks, Horace knows
the combination of that lock-up

like it was his own birthday,
huh, Horace?

- Sure, but...
- Step on it, Taylor.

- I've gotta catch that train.
- I just remembered something.

The safe is jammed. There's
something wrong, the lock.

I gotta fix the combination.
I'm getting a locksmith.

- You don't need a locksmith.
- Oh, but I do, I do.

- Eddy'll open it for you.
- Sure.

There ain't nothing to it.
A baby could open it.

- It worked fine before.
- Before?

- The old man opened it.
- Sheriff. Get the sheriff.

- Sheriff?
- We don't need no sheriff.

Nobody's gonna heist this dough
with us around.

You said it, Eddy.

Horace, I just remembered

what I forget to tell you
not to forget to remember.

Waldo paid up his bill. He sold
a painting to Audrey O'Connor.

A thousand dollars. The money
is right there in the safe.

There you are.

I'll be running along.
So long, Horace.

- Oh. Oh. Good old Waldo.
- Come on, come on, come on.

There you are, Mr. Peabody.
Count it if you please.

We don't want to have
any mistakes.

Eight, nine, ten, one thousand.

Uh. A receipt if you please.

Alright, here you are.

There you are, sir.
One thousand dollars.

A lot of money to take home
in the dark.

Horace, I think I'll just leave
this in the safe for the night.

Oh, no. No, nothing doing.

I don't want to have
any responsibility.

- Goodbye Mr. Follansbee.
- Here.

Just a second, young fella.

Will you do
some business for me?

Why, sure, for the usual fee.

Well, this money
don't rightly belong to me.

Would you take it to New York and
pay the Big-Dig Tractor Company?

- Collect your fee from them.
- What?

They was gonna take my tractor.
Owe 'em three back payments.

This thousand makes it mine.

If you wanted us
to pay the money in New York,

why didn't you ask us, instead
of having me come way up here?

I don't know.
I never thought of it, I guess.

You never...
Yes, sir, Mr. Follansbee.

If we can be of any further service,
don't fail to get in touch with us.

Well, so long everybody. Gotta get
that train. Don't take any wooden nickels.

If you don't mind
waiting around a little bit,

we can give you a lift
back to New York.

Yeah, we'd like to take you
for a nice long ride.

No, thank you.

Well, there you have it,

the story of a thousand dollars.

It arrived in Silver Creek
at noon

and left again at nine at night.

And in that short time,
it solved a lot of problems.

Maybe that whisk broom would
sweep away the depression.

It brought a young couple
a bright hope in the future.

And a thousand dollars
bought a portrait,

a symbol of permanence
and security

for a wavering marriage which
had been headed for the rocks

of vain pride
and misunderstanding.

It helped an old skinflint
pay off his back rent,

but it didn't square
his debt to his maker.

It saved the inn
from the auctioneer's hammer

and it started something
between a couple of old hearts

you'd have thought too tough
for Cupid's arrows.

And while that money
had nothing to do

with Ab Follansbee having twins,

it did save his tractor.

And strangely enough,
that money didn't belong

to any of those people
but Ab Follansbee,

and maybe it didn't
belong to him.

That's quite a story, Uncle Ed.

- But what became of the gold?
- What gold?

The gold you said
was in these boxes in '33.

Oh, we went off
the gold standard,

and it was a crime
to hoard gold.

They used it for filling teeth,

when they could find teeth
to fill.

What's so funny?

Well, I was just thinking
what a joke it would be

if we went back
on the gold standard

and they made you turn in
all that cash.

They could do it too.
Anything can happen.

Ed, you're absolutely right.
Well, what should I do?

Take that money in the bank
and put it back in circulation.

Didn't you get
the point of my story?

That thousand dollars
circulated.

Money is like blood,
no good unless it's circulating.

You're absolutely right.

Jim, Jim, let me out of here.

I'm gonna put this money
in the bank.

Hurray for Mason.

I wish everybody'd do that.

Well, goodbye, Jim.

Goodbye, Uncle Ed.