Original subtitles

DAUGHERTY: Go on, draw. You ain't got nothin'.

(PHONE RINGING)

9th Precinct Police Station. Sergeant Harris talkin'.

Double pinochle! 300.

Hey, hey, wait a minute!

Where do you get that "300" business?

That only counts 80.

Shut up, you guys, till I get this.

You're crazy. I didn't meld 'em separate.

Separate or together, it only counts 80.

- What are you doin', welchin'? - Ah, don't be like that.

There's been a fight down in Spelvin's café.

Somebody's hurt bad. Get goin'.

Go on, call up Rudy Schultz over at the coroner's office.

- See what he tells ya. - I don't care what Rudy Schultz says.

I say it counts 300. You owe me 42 cents.

- Go on, I don't owe you a nickel. - You owe me 42 cents.

Get goin', you guys.

Old Thaddeus Parker's son. He's liable to die.

And me with a 150 trump.

What good would it have done ya? You wouldn't know how to play it anyway.

- I'd have played 'em. - Call up Rudy Schultz.

Listen, I don't care if Rudy Schultz invented pinochle. Look it up in the book.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah?

- Well, Rudy wrote the book. - Well, then, 300.

- All right, Jim, Spelvin's café. - (ENGINE STARTING)

I'll tell ya somethin' about pinochle. Now, if you leave the ace...

(SIREN BLARING)

Say, listen, when we get back off this call,

I'm gonna have Rudy draw you up a set of rules.

I don't care about Rudy's rules.

By my rules, you owe me 42 cents.

That's you all over. Arbitrary.

I don't know what "arbitrary" means,

but you still owe me 42 cents.

(BRAKES SQUEALING)

...and if you took a few lessons from Rudy, you might know somethin'.

That's got nothin' to do with the 42 cents. You owe me the money.

- No, I don't. - Yes, you do. I know pinochle.

Stand back here!

- Hello, Mac. You're gettin' popular. - Hi, Mac.

- Hi, Spelvin. - SPELVIN: I don't know how they got in.

Didn't see a thing. Everything was orderly.

Keep your shirt on, Tony. We'll get to you.

How is he, Doc?

Oh, hello, Doran.

Maybe he'll pull through, but I wouldn't bet on it.

- What was he hit with? - DOCTOR: A water bottle.

Mmm. Who done it?

The kid over there.

- DORAN: Drinkin'? - COP: Yup. Parker and the kid both.

How about it, kid?

Well...

I don't know. We were just dancing, and...

I didn't mean to do it. I didn't...

Oh, yeah, sure. The bottle just slipped outta your hand.

Oh, no, sir.

He kept putting his hands on her.

I've got nothin' to do with it. I'm gonna get outta here.

Oh, no, sister. Stick around.

Well, what for? I hardly know these people.

Oh, you've got plenty of other witnesses, and...

Besides...

- I don't feel very well. - That's too bad.

Come on, let's go.

GERTIE: Oh, but let me call my house. I wanna get my lawyer.

I'll bet you duped that guy pretty good, didn't ya?

(CHATTERING)

If you don't wanna take my word for it,

I'll get you eighteen other guys to prove that I'm right.

There'd be eighteen saps if they agree.

- Come on. - Come on.

Come on, break it up. Come on. Clear outta here. Come on.

(SIREN BLARING)

- (TYPING) - (CHATTERING)

DORAN: I don't care what Rudy Schultz told you.

You owe me 42 cents and I want my money.

All right.

Yeah? Yeah. Oh, hello, Joe.

Yeah, did he make any statement?

Yeah? Yeah.

No, no, no, let the police notify the coroner.

That's right. All right, goodbye.

Sit down.

Never mind that. Pull down the shade.

What's your name?

Merwyn Fontaine.

What's your real name?

- Gertrude. - Gertrude what?

- Gertrude Williams. - Yeah. Ever been arrested?

- Oh, no, sir. Honest, I haven't. - All right. I'll take your word for that.

Now, tell me everything that happened last night,

and don't make any mistakes.

Yes, sir.

Well, I was just walkin' down the street.

What street? What time?

Market Street, about eleven o'clock.

- I was only lookin' in the store windows, and... - Yeah, go on.

- And a young man came up and spoke to me. - Ever see him before?

- Oh, no, sir. Honest, I hadn't. - Go on.

Well...

- At first I was insulted. - Never mind that stuff.

All I want is the facts.

What did he say?

He said he'd only been in town a short time, and...

it was his birthday, and he was lonesome,

and would I go some place to dance with him?

- I didn't see any harm in that. - Huh!

Ever see that before?

Yes, sir.

That...

- That's what he hit him with. - Where'd you see it?

- At Spelvin's. - Who suggested that joint?

- He did. - Then he learned his ropes pretty quick

for not being in town long, eh?

Guess he did.

Now, who suggested that joint?

I don't remember.

Maybe I did.

Yeah?

That's possible.

All right, go on.

Well, we danced a while, and we had some ginger ale.

Nothing else?

Some gin.

- Where'd you get the gin? - The waiter brought it.

Oh, you knew the waiter? You'd been there before?

He got it for you. Is that it?

Yes, sir. But anybody can get gin there.

Yeah, but the boy didn't have it? He didn't know.

That was your idea.

Yes, sir, but we both drank it.

Yeah.

All right. Go on.

This...

This Mr Parker got fresh with me on the floor.

- You knew Parker? - I'd seen him.

Ever been out with him?

Yeah.

All right, what did he do?

He wanted me to come over to his table.

When I wouldn't, he got sore, and he called me a name.

That's what started everything.

The young boy I was with, he said, "You've insulted this lady."

He meant me.

And then, Mr Parker reached back into his hip pocket.

It was just for his handkerchief. He didn't have nothin' else.

And then, the boy...

The boy picked that up,

and he struck him before anybody could stop him.

He was screaming like a madman.

- Gee, I did my best to... - All right, GERTIE. That's all.

- Come back here at five o'clock. - Yes, sir.

And GERTIE...

Don't do any talking. Keep your mouth shut.

Yes, sir.

Whew!

That all the witnesses, Lew?

Three... four... six... seven...

Yes, that's all.

Seven witnesses, and they all check on material points.

- Open and shut, eh? - Like a knife.

(PHONE RINGING)

Yeah?

Yeah.

No, I can't tell yet.

Call me up at six o'clock, and I'll give you a statement.

Yeah, goodbye.

Yellow press.

- How they love the smell of blood! - Yeah.

They're all alike.

They'll squeal themselves deaf over this.

And old Thad Parker spends more money on advertising

than any man in this town.

That's right, Mr Brady. I never thought of that.

Yeah...

and an election coming on.

Hmm!

Bring the boy in.

Yes, sir.

All right.

You, come on.

Wait out here, Mike.

BRADY: Hello? Yeah.

What's the matter, ya think we're asleep down here?

No, I'm... I'm taking personal charge of the case.

Yeah. Yeah, be lucky if he doesn't hang.

Yeah, goodbye.

Sit down, kid.

- I'd... I'd rather stand, sir. - Have a cigar?

- No, thank you. - Cigarette?

- No, sir. - Don't you smoke?

Yes, sir, but I... I don't care to now.

- Yeah? What's your name? - Robert Graham.

Yeah?

Ever call ya "Bob"?

Yes, sir.

- How old are you, Bob? - I was twenty...

yesterday.

Sorta celebrated, didn't ya?

Stranger in town?

I've been here a month. My home's in Hood Valley.

Yeah? Whatcha been doin' here?

Well, I...

I was a clerk at Price and Hatton's, the broker.

Any friends here? Parents living?

- My mother. - Yeah?

Ever been arrested before?

No, sir, I haven't.

Yeah?

Well, Bob, you're in a jam.

Yes, sir.

Young Parker died this afternoon.

Like a little drink?

No, sir.

Have you got a lawyer?

The firm I work for sent their lawyer to see me this morning.

- Yeah? What did he say? - He...

- He told me not to talk. - Yeah?

Then don't you say a word.

You haven't said anything yet that'll do you any harm.

Please, sir, what... what do you think?

Tough luck, Bob. But that's the way things go.

That's the way they break sometimes.

You gotta take 'em the way they fall.

Yes, sir.

Kid's got a nice personality.

Smart criminal lawyer, like Shapiro or Sullivan,

- could make it tough for us. - That's right, Mr Brady.

Yeah, if that kid belonged to me,

I'd make a plea of self-defence, and fight it out.

- Parker didn't have a gun. - Thought he had.

He thought he was fighting for his life.

- It's what ya think that counts. - But he was full of gin.

Suppose he was? What of it?

I'd get a disagreement at worst. A year delay, a new trial.

The witnesses would fade away. They always do.

The whole mess'd get cold,

the papers would have something else to yap about.

I'd get him off.

He'd never serve a day.

- I guess you could, Mr Brady. - Yeah.

Thing like this is liable to happen to anyone.

You, or me, or anyone.

It's just a rotten break, that's all.

Yeah.

Graham's attorney, Mr Brady.

All right, show him in.

Well, Lew, you better get those notes transcribed.

Okay.

BRADY: Call up the newspapers, and tell 'em we promise

a quick conviction, and, er...

Yeah, well, you know. The usual baloney.

Yes, sir.

- Mr Brady? - Yeah.

I am, er... Leonard Nettleford.

- Of Nettleford, Lambskin & Kroll. - Pleased to meet you, sir.

- Sit down? - Thank you.

- Want a smoke? - No, thank you.

We are attorneys, Mr Brady, for Price and Hatton.

- The stockbrokers. - Yeah?

It appears that a young man who has been in their employ

- is involved in an unfortunate affair. - Yeah?

Mr Price asked me, as a personal favour,

to interest myself in the case.

Well, I'm glad you came over, Mr Nettleford.

I'll be perfectly frank with you. That's my way of doing business.

Thank you very much.

Now the case as I see it is open and shut like a knife.

The boy Graham picks up a frail on the street...

I, er... beg your pardon?

Frail. A Jane. A gal.

Oh, oh, yes.

He takes her to Spelvin's, a notorious joint.

There's a drunken brawl.

Graham kills Parker,

confirmed by the statement of seven or more eyewitnesses.

We're going to ask for a verdict of second-degree murder.

Murder? Dear me, Mr Brady, that...

that sounds very hard.

It's the law of the state.

You'll find it in the Code.

I have not had occasion to consult the Criminal Code in twenty years.

Well, the Criminal Code is my bible, Mr Nettleford.

Yes, er... I suppose so.

But, er... this boy,

this poor unfortunate boy, he, er...

he meant no harm, Mr Brady. It was an accident.

- He is sorry. - Yes, he's sorry, and Parker's dead.

Yes, yes, I... I quite understand that.

But... but, a misunderstanding, an... an unguarded moment...

These wretched things do happen.

Perhaps you have a boy of your own, Mr Brady?

No, I have a girl.

Oh. Yes, yes, well, it seems very hard.

Tell you what I'll do, Mr Nettleford.

If you want to plead him guilty to manslaughter,

I'll let it go at that.

Er... manslaughter? Um...

Just what does that involve?

Maximum sentence of ten years.

But ten years is a long time, Mr Brady.

It's a big piece out of a boy's life.

Good Lord, man, what do you want?

There's a boy lying on a slab in the morgue.

There's a big piece out of his life. All of it.

- But... - Somebody's got to pay for that.

"An eye for an eye."

That's the basis and foundation of the Criminal Code.

Somebody's got to pay.

...but drunkenness is no excuse for the violation of the law.

Therefore, according to the just verdict of this jury,

I sentence you, Robert Graham,

to serve a term of ten years in State's prison.

Next case.

CLERK: Your Honour, the next case is a writ of habeas corpus...

My boy, I'm sorry.

All right, son. Come on.

Well, Mr Brady,

- the best man won, I'm afraid. - Yeah?

And I... I want to thank you for all your courtesy.

- That's all right. - Goodbye.

Goodbye.

(MARCHING IN STEADY RHYTHM)

(DOORS GRINDING)

(BELL CLANGING)

GUARD #2: 164, two.

- GUARD #1: 165, three. - GUARD #2: 165, three.

- GUARD #1: 166, two. - 166, two.

- 167, two. - 167, two.

- 168, two. - 168, two.

- 169, three. - 169, three.

- 170, three. - 170, three.

- 171, two. - GUARD #2: 171, two.

- GUARD #1: 172, three. - GUARD #2: 172, three.

Locking up the animals for the night.

- GUARD #1: 174, two. - GUARD #2: 174, two.

GUARD #1: 175, three.

Whaddaya thinkin' about, kid?

Oh, I was just figurin' out how many hours there are

in six years.

52,560, in case it interests you.

Tomorrow will be 24 more.

Wouldn't it be swell if you could sleep for a year at a time?

FALES: What's the matter, kid?

Ah, it's that jute mill.

The noise, and the rotten, filthy dust.

Well, you oughta be used to it by now.

Used to it? I'll never get used to it.

You can wash it outta your ears, and your nose.

How do they expect you to wash it outta your lungs?

(CHUCKLING) Now, that's where I get a break.

I've only got one lung left.

Scram.

Checkers, kid?

No. No, thanks.

Ah, come on, sit in, sit in.

It'll do ya good.

Forget it, kid. Forget it.

It's tough. I know it's tough,

but you're young.

Take a slant at me.

Here I am, on the shady side of forty,

at the start of a twenty-year stretch.

How many hours is that?

Never mind, never mind, you don't have to figure 'em out.

I'm not gonna stay half of 'em in here.

Let me tell you guys something.

- I'm gonna make a break for it. - BOB: You are?

- Why not? It's my only chance. - When?

I don't know. A crushout takes time,

but I'm going, and I'm going soon.

- Take me with you, Jim. - Now, wait a minute, kid.

It's a long shot. A gamble.

Nine out of ten come back.

Yeah, and eight out of the nine come back on a stretcher.

I don't care.

If I can just get one breath of air outside.

If I can get one good square meal.

If... If I could just see a woman's face again.

I dream about those things, Jim.

Night after night.

Oh, what dreams.

How about you, Galloway?

Not me.

I got an appointment with a guy.

BOB: What do you mean?

Did ya know I was in for twenty years, don't ya?

BOB: Yes.

Well, I done eight, and they let me out on parole.

And I went into a speakeasy.

I wanted to wash the taste of this slop they call grub out of me mouth.

I had a drink. Just one.

And somebody saw me take that drink, and squealed.

They sent me back for the rest of me jolt.

- BOB: Just for...? - Yeah.

Twelve years for one lousy glass of beer.

But the guy that squealed is in here, too.

I got an appointment with him,

and twelve years to keep it in.

Ssh! Screw!

Telegram.

Oh, maybe it's an invitation to a party.

Your move, kid.

She...

She used to come to see me every Friday.

My mother was awful nice.

Your move, kid.

Do you know what she wanted to do?

She wanted to come down here,

and live with me somehow.

What do they want to punish her for?

Bob, she knew it wasn't your fault.

She knew your being in here was a rotten deal, didn't she?

Sure, she did. That's what killed her.

Your move, kid.

I'm human, ain't I?

That was my mother, wasn't it?

I gotta get outta here.

- I've gotta get out! - Steady, kid, steady...

Your move.

(CLATTERING)

You're right, it's my move! It's my move outta here!

- I'm gonna get out! - You'll get out in a box if Gleason hears you.

Well, that's great! That's where my mother is, isn't it?!

In a box.

- They put her there! - Hey, listen...

Listen? Listen? That's what I've been doin' for six years.

I'm sick and tired of listenin'! I'm gonna get out!

- Pipe down. Pipe down! - No, they're all gonna hear me.

Hey! Let me outta here!

Stop! Stop!

Cut out that yammering!

- (HEAVY THUD) - (SUDDEN SILENCE)

Well, where's the big noise that's got to get outta here?

I'm sorry I yelled like that, Captain,

- but I felt sick, see? - Don't lie to me. It wasn't you.

Cut out that Christian martyr stuff and kick that rat over to me.

Oh, listen, Captain, it was just hysterics.

We've got him under control now. He'll be all right.

Yeah? Well, no con under me can yowl that way

and throw this pen into a panic. Kick him over here.

Come in and get him.

Please, Captain, please, the kid got bad news.

His mother died.

Yeah?

Well, another yap out of this cell and all three of you'll go to the hole.

Jim, get some water.

You don't like that fella Gleason, do ya?

He's the guy I got the appointment with.

No kiddin'?

Give him some water.

- Did I yammer? - You sure did.

Tenor, baritone and bass.

Who hit me?

Brother Galloway.

Thanks, Gats.

Okay, kid.

(BELL CLANGING)

Got a cigarette, Jim?

GUARD: Say, Mac. Says here that Brady comes in tomorrow.

Wonder what kind of a warden he'll make?

A tough one, I'll bet.

GUARD: Yeah, and he oughta be in a sweet frame of mind

after losing out for Governor.

I'll bet he runs these cons ragged.

And won't they like it!

(CHUCKLING) Especially comin' from him.

GUARD: Say, that's right. I never thought of that.

Say Runch, did ya hear the screws?

Yeah, I ain't missing nothin', Tex.

That's the guy that sent me up.

And me, too. Railroaded me for doin' nothin'!

Warden. Hmm!

Hey guys, Brady comes tomorrow!

Our pal.

(WHISPERING) Hey.

How you gonna like bein' butler to the warden now?

Not so bad.

I guess you'll be glad to see your old friend, eh, kid?

Ah, I don't care.

I used to lie awake nights figuring how I'd get that guy.

Now...

Ah, what difference does it make?

He might as well be warden as anyone else.

Yeah?

Well, there's others don't feel the same way.

Yeah? Yeah, he's here.

All right.

New warden's here, Captain.

- You're wanted up in the office. - Okay.

McMANUS: You'll find this a nice office, Mart.

Warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

- Centrally located, nice and pleasant. - (KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Come in.

Oh, hello, Gleason.

How do you do, Mr McManus? How was the Prison Board this mornin'?

Fine, thanks.

This is your new boss, Mr Brady.

Mart, this is Gleason.

Best yard captain in the prison business.

- Glad to know you, Captain. - Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Meet my daughter.

How do you do?

- I'm pleased to meet you. - My housekeeper, Miss Ryan.

- Pleased to meet... - How do you do?

Look here, Mart,

there's your boys down there.

Yeah?

Mary.

2,500 of them. Right, Gleason?

2,552, Mr McManus.

(GUARD BLOWING WHISTLE)

(CHATTERING)

Out of that mob, I'll bet you sent up about, er...

a thousand of 'em yourself, Mart.

- Did you ever think of that? - Yeah.

Tex, there's Brady now, up in the window.

Yeah, the yellow rat.

I wish he'd come down here.

- Yes, he sent me up, too. - Me, too.

- My friend! - Mine, too.

Yeah!

Yeah!

(OTHERS JOINING IN)

(CONTINUOUS ANGRY NOISE)

What is it, Gleason?

They call that "yammering", sir.

They do it when they're sore about something,

or somebody.

Yeah?

- I better go down. - I'll go with you.

I wouldn't go if I were you, Mart.

- Better stay here. - Yeah? Why?

Sounds like this show was staged for your benefit.

That's right, Mr Brady. I have a hunch that's what it is.

- Yeah? Kind of a protest, eh? - Yeah.

You won't be very welcome down there, Mart.

Better let Gleason go.

Yeah?

Well, let me tell you something.

I've been taking the taxpayers' money for a long time.

When my name was on the District Attorney's door,

I was District Attorney.

It was my job to get convictions, and I got 'em.

If I'd been elected Governor, I'd have governed.

Maybe that's why I wasn't elected.

Well here I am: warden.

And that's what I'm going to be: warden.

- That right, sweetheart? - Yes, Dad.

Wait a minute, Mr Brady.

I'll get some guards and machine guns, and we'll...

You stay here, Gleason.

This seems to be a matter between me and the boys down there.

We gotta settle it ourselves.

I don't like this, Mr McManus.

- Go on down there, Gleason. - Yes, sir.

(YAMMERING CONTINUES)

(PRISONERS FALLING SILENT)

(SILENCE)

You start it, Tex, I'm with ya.

Me, too. He sent me up.

Ssh! Pipe down, ya guys. Pipe down.

Hello, Tex.

How are ya, Mr Brady?

(CHATTERING)

GLEASON: Come on, break up.

Come on, don't gang up here.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(CHATTERING)

Great conscience!

Well, I'm glad that's over.

(GUARD BLOWING WHISTLE)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(MACHINERY CLANKING)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(MACHINERY STOPPING)

(MACHINERY CLANKING)

(MOANING)

(LAUGHING)

Keep quiet, kid, keep quiet!

GUARD: Who's makin' all that racket over there?

- (WHISTLE BLOWING) - Come on, what's the matter there?

FALES: He's sick, sir, quite sick.

All right, pick him up. Take him out, take him out.

Where do you work?

Jute mill.

How long have you been there?

Six years.

Hmm.

You can go.

Jute mill...

Six years...

Well, Doctor?

- I wish to speak with you about a prisoner. - Yeah?

I don't like to trouble you with the cases that come before me.

They're nearly all alike, but this one is different.

This is a case of a man in the jute mill.

A boy, in fact, and he's breaking down.

- What do you mean? - I mean morale.

Yeah? Why?

Why? Well, who can tell?

Environment, mechanical occupation,

starvation, and a lack of the other half of the world.

- Heaven knows what. - Yeah?

It is all down on this card, the physical part of it.

I've seen this boy, Warden. His character, I mean.

Only a glimpse, that's true, but I have seen it.

He isn't a criminal at all.

A casual offender, perhaps, but far from hopeless.

Pity, a great pity.

There is something in there that is worth saving,

and it's almost gone.

Graham. Robert Graham.

Yeah?

Well, what do you want me to do?

I would suggest a change of occupation or environment.

Yeah?

I think you should see this boy yourself, Warden.

All right, I'll see him. Send him up.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

25465, Warden.

Yeah?

Go on, get over there.

Dr Rinewulf said you wanted him brought here.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Your name's Robert Graham.

They ever call ya "Bob"?

You asked me that...

once before.

Huh?

GLEASON: It's the Parker case, Mr Brady.

Parker?

GLEASON: Yeah, young Parker, who was killed six years ago.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, I remember now.

We're having tea, Dad.

Oh?

Oh, you're getting pretty stylish, aren't you, Mary?

MARY: (CHUCKLING) Yes.

All right, I'll...

I'll be there in a little while.

A change of occupation and environment...

Yeah.

Did you ever drive a car, son?

Yes, sir.

Yeah.

- MARY: Oh, hello, Doctor! - How do you do, Miss Mary?

- How's Katie? - Oh, she's all right.

We'll have her out tomorrow. Summer cold.

You know, she isn't young anymore,

and I think the prison depresses her.

Yes, I know. Poor dear.

You don't seem to mind it.

- I? Why should I? - Mmm, why should you, indeed?

You know, I want to congratulate you on the good influence you have here.

How's that?

- The miracle you have performed. - Miracle?

The reconstruction of a man.

I don't think I quite understand you.

I mean the man who drives your father's car.

Oh...

Well, what have I to do with that?

It's a strange phenomenon.

It takes a prison six years to break a man,

and something mends him in three short months.

And is he mended, do you think?

What shall I do with these, Miss Mary?

Oh, you can put them all in the kitchen, Graham.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Is he mended?

Take a look into his eyes sometime,

and then tell me.

May I help you with anything?

- Oh, well, I think Galloway will... - Well, Galloway's off today, miss.

Everybody's down at the ball field.

Oh, yes, this is the day of the game, isn't it?

Well, you can peel some potatoes for me.

Sure.

- Here's a knife. - Thank you.

Don't you like baseball, Graham?

Why, yes, miss. I played with the Hood Valley Club.

We had a pretty good team the last year.

Really? You should be out there today. Be good for you.

I wish you'd told me. I could have driven the car just for one day.

Oh, no, no. I'd rather drive it myself.

Why do you say that?

Am I such a terrible driver, Graham?

Oh, no, I didn't mean that, but...

I think perhaps it's good for me to drive the car.

It might help me later on.

You mean you might make your living driving a car?

Well, I don't know just how I am going to make my living.

I've thought a lot about it, too.

Do you...

Do you think it'll make much difference to people?

- What? - That I've...

That I've been in prison?

I don't see why it should.

When a thing's over, it's done.

Well, that's my idea, too, but...

they don't seem to think that in here.

They say that's why so many who go out...

come back.

Would...

Would it make much difference to you?

No, I... I don't think it would.

I think you'd better let me finish those, Graham.

All right, miss.

Oh, Graham, by the way...

About a week ago, I lost a handkerchief.

One with a blue border.

You didn't happen to see it, did you?

Why, I... um...

It was from my aunt. I'd hate to lose it.

Why, I'm... I'm sorry, miss.

- I'd better put the car away. - Graham?

I'd like to have my handkerchief, please.

- But, I... - Please.

- GUARD #1: 169, two. - GUARD #2: 169, two.

- GUARD #1:170, three. - GUARD #2:170, three.

- GUARD #1: 171, three. - GUARD #2: 171, three.

Bob? Do you remember I told you about makin' a break for it?

- Sure. - Well, everything's set for tomorrow night.

You still wanna go with me?

- Well, no, Jim. I... - Oh, I understand.

You got something to stay for.

Jim, who else is in on it?

- Three of us. Tex, Runch, and me. - Runch!

I'm not wild about him myself, but Tex let him in,

- and it's too late now. - Listen, Jim, that guy's a stool pigeon.

He's no good. Just as wrong as they make 'em.

Well, he's too dangerous to leave behind.

Yeah, just how are you going to work it?

Well, we got a con in the turnkey's office

to take our numbers off the cell book.

And tomorrow night, when the bell goes,

while they're checking up...

(BELL CLANGING)

Ssh...

- Where's Runch? - I don't know.

- Why didn't he meet us here? - I don't know.

Tex, are you sure that guy...

Come on. Let's get outta here.

- GUARD #1: 169, two. - GUARD #2: 169, two.

- 170, two. - 170, two.

- GUARD #1: 171, three. - GUARD #2: 171, three.

GUARD #1: 172, three...

They've got a chance now.

Yeah? I wish that guy Runch wasn't in it.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

GLEASON: Throw up your hands!

- (GUNSHOT) - (LAMP SHATTERING)

(MACHINE-GUN FIRE)

Throw on the other light!

Take care of FALES.

Bad night for walking, Tex.

Yeah, 'cause Runch squealed.

GLEASON: Come on inside.

Nice and warm. Nice, cosy dungeon.

Come on, take him down.

All right, Tex.

- Oh, I forgot about that. - Yes, sir.

A little late this morning, aren't you, barber?

Yes, sir. I was at the funeral chapel this morning, sir.

Oh, yeah.

- For FALES, eh? - Yes, sir.

Mm-hmm.

I guess the boys feel pretty badly about that, don't they?

Yes, sir. Nobody likes a squealer.

Yeah.

- Don't I know you? - You do.

Your name is, er... Red Fleischer, isn't it?

It is.

- Yeah. Lifer, eh? - I am.

Mm-hmm.

- I sent you up, didn't I? - You did.

- What for? - For cuttin' a guy's throat.

Hello, Mart!

Oh, hello, Mac! When'd you arrive?

Just now. Say, boy, you oughta be tickled to death.

You're a hero! The way you stopped that attempt to, er...

Well, I'm telling you, they won't be able to keep you in this dump much longer.

You'll go up where you belong: the Governor's mansion.

Well, maybe it'll break like that. Maybe it will at that.

Well, Thaddeus Parker with all his dough can't keep you down, Mart.

- Hot towel, sir? - Never mind, er... barber.

- I want to talk to Mr McManus. - Yes, sir.

How are you?

How are ya?

Say, do you know who that barber is?

Yeah, sure I do.

You better lay off and grow a beard.

Hey, er... you got the report for the Board ready?

- You'll find it there on my desk, Mac. - That's good.

Say, Mart?

What have you done with the guy that squealed?

- Who, Runch? - Yeah.

Say, listen. You gotta get him off my hands. Pardon, parole, transfer, anything.

Well, I'll do what I can. Where is he?

I got him in here as my clerk.

Sleeps in the alcove there, and I have his food sent in.

Doesn't set a foot outside.

Ah, that's a good idea. You can't be too careful.

That guy's life wouldn't be worth a nickel if those other birds got at him.

It isn't worth a nickel anyway. He's petrified.

Scared stiff. Like a rabbit in a trap.

- Yeah. - Hurts me to look at him.

Had him in here since the day before yesterday, but...

it's gotten on my nerves.

Can't sleep at night, thinking of him.

You gotta get him outta here, Mac. Now, you gotta do it.

I know exactly how ya feel.

It would be bad for you to have a killing now,

just when you're on the crest of the wave,

and ringing up a good record.

Why, the newspapers would turn on you like that.

Why, man, it isn't only that. I'm responsible.

I'm responsible for that man's life.

I'll do all I can.

In the meantime, Mart,

I think I'd get rid of Mary for a few days.

You know, just, er... until this thing blows over.

Thought of that myself. I'm gonna send her up to her Aunt Ellen's for a week.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Well, I gotta beat it. So long.

Hey, Mac, don't forget to work on that parole for Graham.

No, I won't.

- And Mac? - Yeah?

Next time you come up, you can bring me a safety razor, will ya?

Huh? Oh... Oh! All right. So long.

So long, Mac.

- Hello, Gats. - Hello, kid.

Will you tell Miss Mary the car's here?

Seems to me you're kind of enjoyin' your job.

- Sure, I am. Why not? - Yeah?

While your real friends are still inside.

I know that.

- Yeah, well, don't forget it. - I won't.

You know, Jim thought a lot of you.

That's why I'm giving you the office.

- Watch your step. - What do you mean?

I mean that someone's gonna get that rotten squealer.

- Who? Runch? - Who else?

But he didn't know what he was saying. Gleason...

I know, I know, but he squealed.

He turned up his pals, and a man's dead.

Somebody's gotta pay for that.

But how?

How should I know?

I'm only tippin' ya.

Somethin' in the wind.

So watch your step, unless you want to get into a jam.

I don't. I don't. But what? How?

Keep clear of him, and the corridor.

I will.

Thanks, Gats.

- Guess we're early, Graham. - Yes, miss.

Is there anything you'd like to have me do in town for you?

No, miss, thank you.

No-one you'd like to have me see?

Not now.

My mother's dead.

Oh, I didn't know.

I'm sorry.

She used to come to see me every week.

It sort of kept my courage up.

Something to look forward to.

Yes.

Afterwards, I began to slip a little.

It's awfully hard to make yourself believe that it's

worthwhile to try.

And you've gotta do that, otherwise you'll break.

They all think they got a rotten deal in there,

and that's all they talk about.

Gets under your skin in time, and...

fills you with a bitterness, hate.

Are you bitter?

No, not now.

I was, but I seem to see things more clearly now.

You know, my father's trying to get you a parole.

Yes, I know.

I'm awfully grateful,

but it doesn't seem to matter so much now.

Well, why do you say that?

I... I mean, if... if you stay.

- You know you don't mean that. - Yes. Yes, I do.

Things aren't the way they were before at all.

If I could just...

see you, every day.

Just see you.

(TRAIN BELL CLANGING)

Will you be gone long?

Only a week.

- Goodbye, Miss Mary. - Goodbye, Bob.

CONDUCTOR: Aboard!

(GUARD BLOWING WHISTLE)

(CHATTERING)

- Well, what's on your mind, Gleason? - Plenty.

- Yeah? - There's trouble brewing.

Altogether too quiet out there since FALES got it.

- Quiet, eh? - Yes. No talking, no laughing.

That's a bad sign, sir.

'Course I'm not giving them much chance to think it over.

The guards have orders to keep 'em moving, but...

I don't like it.

Yeah?

Now, watch 'em.

They'll gang up as soon as the guard passes on.

Look at that? What did I tell ya?

Yeah, wake up the night detail. Get 'em out.

Arm them with rifles, and put them with your regular men.

Better put a couple of sub-Thompsons up there, too.

Yes, sir.

And Gleason...

Post an extra guard at the gate leading up here.

Yes, sir.

We've set the time for 2:15.

Tip the gang off, and watch your step.

Runch, 2:15.

Runch, 2:15.

CONVICT: Okay.

Hey, hey! Screw!

GUARD: Come along, boys. Break it up. Get goin'.

Cut that out. You oughta know better than that.

Oh, Runch?

- Yes, sir? - Put these away.

Yes, sir.

- Why are you trembling like that? - I...

I don't know.

Come on, Runch, pull yourself together.

There's eight feet of stone wall between you and the yard down there,

with iron gates with guards on either side.

Yeah, but there's... there's all the clerks in the turnkey's office, sir.

Do you think it likely they'll walk past my guards and climb my private stairs?

No, sir.

There's no-one beyond there, except my servants.

Do you think they'd risk their easy jobs, to say nothing of their necks, for you?

Come along, pull yourself together. No-one can harm you here.

But they'll get me, sir. They'll get me. I know they will.

- How? - I don't know that.

I wish I did.

Oh, can't you get me outta here, sir?

- I'm doing all I can. - I never meant to squeal.

I couldn't help myself. I didn't know what I was sayin'.

I was framed. Oh, ya... ya gotta get me outta here.

I'm doing all I can, I tell you.

A guy that squeals oughta have a break,

a chance to save his life. A run for it. It's...

- It's like the death house, waitin' here. - Ah, you're off your nut.

You... You oughta get me outta here.

I'd beat it down for South America, and I'd...

I'd never come back here again.

I swear I wouldn't, Warden.

Oh, give me a break!

- A chance! - (DOOR OPENING)

BRADY: All right, Runch. You can go. Take those along with you.

- Well, Bob? Miss Mary get off all right? - Yes, sir.

You told me you wanted me to come back here, sir.

Yeah, that's right. Sit down.

I wanna talk to you about a parole I've been trying to get.

You know, it isn't as easy as it sounds.

There's over 2,500 men in here, and they all want me to do something.

BOB: Yes, sir.

Runch, 2:15.

Runch, 2:15.

- Runch, 2:15. - Runch, 2:15.

(CLOCK TICKING)

Tea, madam?

Oh!

I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me like that.

Great conscience! I'd rather do the work around here myself

than have you around.

I never see you coming, I never hear you coming.

I just look up, and... and there you are.

I didn't order that, but I'll take it so long as it's here.

Come on, let's go.

- Yeah! - Yeah!

- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! - Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

(FULL-BLOWN YAMMERING)

What's that?

Wait here till I come back. Don't go away.

Some more tea, madam?

No, thanks.

What is it?

- What's that noise, Bob? - How do I know?

(YAMMERING)

Why...? Why would they yammer like that?

I don't know.

Oh, you don't wanna touch me, eh?

You're sittin' pretty now,

but you may be in a jam like this yourself some day.

I'm just as square a guy as you. As anyone.

They framed me, and I... I fell for it, that's all.

I... I got a rotten break.

It's... It's getting louder.

Gimme a tip-off, kid.

Have they got me framed? Are they gonna get me?

- I don't know. - Yes, you do!

You were down there in the yard. You know what's goin' on.

You're holdin' out on me!

Oh, have a heart, kid.

Have a heart.

Gimme a chance!

A break!

Go... Go find out what they're yellin' for.

I can't. The warden told me to stay here.

You're lyin' to me!

Just... just down the stairs, and... and ask the guards down there.

No.

- You're in on it yourself! - No! I don't know anything, I tell ya!

Then just go out in the hall and listen, Bob.

You... You might hear something.

Please!

I'd do that much for you, Bob. I'd do it for...

a dog! (SOBBING)

(YAMMERING CONTINUES)

(YAMMERING AND CLATTERING)

(YAMMERING CONTINUES)

(YAMMERING STOPS)

- Gats! - Get out of here, ya fool. Quick!

- Why? What's the matter? - Never mind. Go on, get out.

- I can't. The warden told me to stay here. - Beat it, you fool.

Don't let him find ya here, ya sap, ya dumbbell.

Go on! Go on! Get out!

Some more tea, madam?

Some more tea, madam?

No, thanks.

GLEASON: ...it's happened before.

- BRADY: Well, it isn't a pleasant sound. - GLEASON: No, sir, it isn't.

It drives the guards nearly crazy.

Sometimes they keep it up all night, kicking about the grub or something.

Yeah?

- Have a cigar, Gleason? - Yeah, thanks.

- BRADY: What do you make of it? - GLEASON: I don't know, sir.

Sometimes, it's just pure orneriness.

Then again, they'll pull a stunt like that to cover up something.

Cover some...?

Runch!

- GLEASON: Yeah, they got him. - BRADY: Yep.

- GLEASON: Shall I call Dr Rinewulf? - BRADY: Nah, too late.

He's dead as a nail.

Gleason, beat it down the stairs, quick.

See the two guards at the gate. Get the fingerprint man up here right away

Okay, sir.

(DOOR CLOSING)

You didn't do this, did you, Bob?

- Oh, no, sir. - Who did?

- I... - Who did it?!

I don't know.

Yeah?

How long have you been sitting in here, Katie?

Ever since Mary went to the train.

You haven't been out of this room? Not for an instant?

- Why no. Why? - Anybody go through here toward my office?

- No. - How about Galloway, the butler?

Galloway brought me some tea, but he went back into the kitchen.

- Yeah? You're sure about that? - Yes, why?

Yeah.

Huh!

The guards below don't know anything about it, sir.

They didn't see anybody come up, and they didn't see anybody go down,

but they slipped across the corridor to get a look when the noise started.

Yeah, then somebody could've used those stairs.

That's the way it looks to me.

Yeah, well, round up Galloway and all my private servants for bloodstains.

- Yes, sir. - Quick, before they get a chance

- to get 'em off. - Okay.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Who did it, son?

I don't know.

You can't get away with that.

You were in this room when that man was killed.

- No. No, sir, I wasn't here. - What?

- I wasn't here. I went... - Went where?

- Nowhere. - What do you mean?

Nothing. I...

Nothing.

And yet you say you don't know who did it.

You're lying, Bob.

You're lying to shield a murderer.

What are you gonna tell them at the inquest?

- Inquest? - What are you gonna tell them?

What are you gonna tell the coroner's jury, Bob?

Nothing.

You can't get away with that.

The long arm of the law will reach right through these gates

and yank you outside. They'll put you in a county jail.

I got no jurisdiction then.

I'll be just a witness in the box. What can I do?

I know you didn't do it, Bob.

But that won't prove it to them. They'll hang it on you.

No! No, they can't!

Sit down, kid.

Sit down.

Come on, kid. Now, out with it.

Out with it. Who did it?

I can't tell. A man can do anything but squeal.

- I'll have to take my chance. - Chance? You haven't got a chance.

You're caught. You're in a net. You'll have to clear this up to save yourself.

- I can't. - You must. Think fast.

It may mean ten or twenty years at best.

I couldn't stand it! No, I'd rather die!

Parole's up in town. It's due here any day.

The Prison Board'll cancel that.

I didn't kill him! I've done nothing wrong!

Time you've served for good behaviour will be lost.

That leaves ya three more years to serve.

- Three years at least. - It isn't fair! It isn't right!

Come on, Bob.

I can't keep you here with me.

- You'd go back to the jute mill. - Ju...?

Oh, no! No!

You haven't forgotten the smell of jute in six short months?

- No! - You see, boy, you're...

you're up against it.

You've got to tell!

Who killed that man?

Come on, Bob, think fast.

Who killed him? Now, who? Who? Quick, who?

Yeah?

Yeah...

Then just tell me which way he came.

From over there...

or there, Bob?

You can't be doing any harm by that.

I know he came one way or the other.

It's just a detail that I'd like to know.

From over there, Bob?

Or there?

Come on, be reasonable! It won't be violating your code to tell me that.

I don't know.

Yeah?

Do you believe that I'm your friend, and wanna help ya?

- I don't know. - Well, I am. I swear I am.

I haven't got another thought in this but you.

I've got lots to lose myself.

I was warden of that man. His safety was my job.

His blood is on my head.

The press will make me sweat for this, and there's an election coming on,

- but I'm not thinking of that, understand? - Yes.

Now, things have been tough for you.

It was a rotten piece of luck that sent you here.

You've got another now, but that's the way things break sometimes.

You know, you've gotta take 'em the way they fall.

- See what I mean? - Yeah.

You see, you're up against it, boy.

You're up against the wall.

You're up against it stark and flat.

There's only one out for ya.

You've got to tell. You've got to tell, Bob.

Come on, now.

Who killed that man, huh?

Come on.

Won't you... Won't you come through?

I can't.

You'd trade your life away for a code made up by murderers and crooks

to cheat the laws of honest men?

You're not a crook. That's not your code.

- It's all I've had. - No, no. This is your code and mine.

Hold fast to it, Bob.

You can't be faithful to them both.

Stick to the law.

Don't turn a crook! You're not one.

Don't turn your back on this.

Come on, Bob! Who killed that man?

No, I can't tell!

I can't! I can't forget so quickly what I've learned in here.

I can't go back on their code. I think their code's right for them,

and I can't go back on that. No.

Why, I wouldn't be anything then.

Don't you see? I'd be like that thing in there. No!

Yeah?

Well...

(DOOR OPENING)

What'd you find, Gleason?

Nothing.

What'd he say?

Nothing.

Well, we'll take that out of him.

Come on.

Wait a minute, son. I'll give you one more chance.

Your parole will be here next week.

You'll be outside these walls, free.

Free to make a future for yourself.

Free to come and go where you please.

A home, a wife, kids! Free!

Yeah? Or rot here in this cage for three, or ten, or twenty years.

A rope around your neck, perhaps.

The jute mill every day, year in, year out.

The smell of it that makes you sick. Jute! Jute!

The dungeon, now. A bucket meal each seven days.

Cold slop with bread and water in between.

No ray of light, no human voice, black emptiness, that's all.

- Come on, Bob. - No! For what? For what?

The prison rules the prisoner must obey.

Who killed that man?! Come on, who killed him?!

Who?! Who?! Huh?!

Yeah?

All right, Gleason, lock him up.

All right. Come on. On your way.

Come on, get out.

He won't be so cocky in a week.

Hey, no rough stuff with that boy.

Let no-one lay a hand on him, understand?

- All right. - I've got to save him.

I've got to save him from himself.

He's got to tell. He must. He must!

Sure, a week of bread and water in the dark will loosen up his tongue.

- Yeah? - Sure.

Fingerprint everything up here.

The hall, the stairs, the corridor, the body there.

Don't miss a bit. I've got to get that bird.

- I've got to get him! - Yes, sir.

Warden talking. Send the coroner here right away.

Week of bread and water,

in the dark.

Hello, Bob. How are ya?

Enjoyin' your bread and water?

Yeah?

Why, you've only been here a week.

Come on, get up.

Get up.

Get up!

How do you like that cigar, Bob?

Smells good, doesn't it?

Have a cigarette?

Yeah, that's all right. Go on. Go on, kid.

Oh, no!

Oh, isn't that too bad?

The last match I had, too.

Yeah.

Smoke tastes good after dinner, doesn't it, Bob?

Especially after a good hot cup of coffee.

Let's see, what'd we have for dinner today?

Oh, yes, beefsteak smothered with onion.

Mashed potatoes, country gravy...

Gleason's goin' too far, if you ask me.

Yeah, and he's goin' outta here in a big way

if the warden ever gets wise to some of the stuff he's pullin'.

You bet.

On the level, Bob, you're a sight.

I bet you itch, don't ya?

Any nice girl would be scared to see ya now.

Must be kinda depressin' down here,

especially when you don't have to stay.

I know a kid that's got a parole waitin' for him up on the warden's desk.

He could be out of prison in an hour. Eatin' swell food, too.

How about it, Bob, eh?

How about it?

Who killed Runch?

I don't know.

- Who killed Runch? - I don't know.

Who killed Runch? Come on, let me have it. Who killed him?

Try and get it!

GLEASON: Who killed Runch? Come on, who killed Runch?

Speak up, you rat! Speak up!

BOB: Try and get it, ya thick, flat-footed bull!

(HEAVY THUD)

TEX: You tell him, kid! That's the stuff!

All right, Kurt, lock him up.

Another yap outta you, Tex, and I'll come in there, too.

TEX: Ah, nuts!

(GATE BEING LOCKED)

Now listen to me, Mr Brady.

I'm State's Attorney for this district, and it's up to me to get some action.

So far there's been none,

and I don't mind telling you that the situation's

- become intolerably embarrassing. - Yeah?

Yes, ever since this man was murdered, right here in your office,

I've been under fire in the Metropolitan Press.

Yeah? Well, it's not often that a young man

gets a chance to crash into the city press like that.

Yes, I appreciate that, Mr Brady,

but whether or not it's good publicity, I don't know.

Anyway, I don't feel that I should take a chance.

- What with an election coming up... - Yeah, yeah, I know.

Now, there was a killing out here over a week ago.

So far, there's been no inquest.

The coroner's done his duty. He's been out here three times.

We've sworn in a jury, packed 'em out here on a bus,

and had to pack 'em back again.

Each time you've asked for a postponement.

You wouldn't let us see this fellow, Graham.

You refused to testify yourself.

All we know about the case is what comes out in the newspapers.

- Yeah, and that's not much. - Not much?

A man's dead, and somebody's got to pay.

"An eye for an eye."

That's the basis and foundation of our Criminal Code, Mr Brady.

That's the law.

Yeah? You're not telling me.

I am telling you. You've got to do something, and do it quick.

Yeah?

Well, Mr Brady, I...

Look here, I just came in a frank and friendly spirit,

and laid my cards right down on the table.

Now, I ask you, as man to man.

- What are you going to do? - Nothing.

Just what do you mean by that?

Just exactly what I say.

Well, I want to tell you that you can't get away with it.

Not a minute longer. There'll be no more delay.

There's been a murder committed.

Well, there's going to be an inquest, a trial, and a penalty.

That's the law in this state.

- I don't know what your motives are... - Motive?!

- Why, you young whelp... - Why, Mr Brady, all I mean is...

No matter what you mean, you've said too much.

Now, I'll do some talking.

Now, don't try to tell me how to run my job.

I learned this game when you were in the cradle.

I'm moving heaven and earth to find the bird that turned this trick.

Now gimme a chance. Lay off, will ya?

You and your coroner and your inquest.

What'll you do? You'll only bawl things up.

I only want to do my duty. I'm trying to serve law and justice.

Justice? That's what I'm after too: justice.

And that's what I'm going to get.

The only thing that you'd do is to indict an innocent boy.

Now, lay off me, will ya? And give me a chance.

I'll work this thing out myself.

Yeah, but when? How long will it take?

Well, I dunno.

- I dunno. - Well, I'm very sorry, Mr Brady,

but you can't expect me to accept as vague an answer as that.

Yeah? Well, what are you going to do about it?

I'm going to report your unheard-of conduct

to the Prison Board and to the Attorney General.

I'm going to have an inquest here, tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.

I'll have you called on a subpoena.

Yeah? I guess you can do that.

I guess you can at that.

That's the law, Mr Brady.

Good day.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Fat-head.

Fat-head.

(SPITTING)

Hello, Cluck.

All right, Jerry.

- Who eats today? - The kid. Graham.

Yeah?

Get me a spoon, will ya?

Sure.

- I seen what you stuck in there. - Ssh!

It was a knife.

You gotta take that out of there. You're liable to get me into trouble.

- You won't get caught. - Why won't I get caught?

Why, they're liable to trace that knife right back here again.

They can't trace it back. It's a shoemaker's knife.

I had it ever since I was in the shop.

Oh, I see. Well, I ain't totin' any knives around

until I know what it's all about, see?

- It's for Graham. - Graham? Not me, Cluck.

- I wouldn't be a party to anything like... - Listen, the kid's been in the hole a week.

He kept his trap shut. If he'd'a squawked he'd have been out long ago.

He deserves a break, and I'm gonna see that he gets it.

Yeah, but what good is a knife to him down there?

Don't ya see, stupid? It's an out.

A two-way out.

- To end the torture, or... - Oh, yeah.

I see. You mean either him or Gleason, huh?

Yeah, that's it. Ssh!

- All right, Jerry? - Yes, sir.

Come on, let's go.

- Hello, sweetheart. - Hello, Dad.

It's like a breath of heaven to have you back here again.

Take off your coat.

McNamee, take Miss Mary's grips inside.

- The housekeeper will show you where. - Yes, sir.

Well, well.

Come on, now. Tell your old man all about your...

Hey, what's the matter?

What have you done with Robert Graham, Dad?

Who told you about him?

What have you done with him?

Now, don't you worry about things you don't know anything about.

Everything's all right, or it's going to be.

I want to know, Dad.

And don't let the newspapers get your goat.

I've been to the mat with them before.

Yeah, I'll come out of this all right. Don't you worry about me.

I'm not worrying about you, Dad.

I'm worrying about him.

Yeah?

Why?

For one reason, because you put him here.

Who told you about that?

Well, I know, that's all.

I've taken the trouble to find out everything about him.

- Yeah? - Where is he?

He's in the dungeon, Mary.

What for?

Technically, for shielding a murderer.

Practically, to save his life, perhaps.

What good is it to save a man if you destroy him while you're doing it?

Yes, I've thought of that myself.

Prisons are full of broken men with broken minds and souls.

What good is it to save a man for that? Why, he'd be better dead.

Yes, I thought of that, too.

That boy was clean, and fine, and straight.

What will happen to him when you break him?

It's all right, Mary,

I see your point. I thought of all that stuff myself,

but what am I going to do?

His parole is laying here.

It's taken me months to get it. I wanna get him outta here.

I wanna turn him loose, but he's tied my hands.

I can't.

You can. You must.

Yeah? Well, what would you do?

I'd set him free tonight.

Why, you're just a kid.

You don't know anything about these things.

I do. I do. I'd set him free, and then I'd fight for him.

I'd get behind him, and see him through.

If he were free, he'd have a chance.

He's done nothing wrong.

He's only doing what he thinks is right.

- It's only what you think that matters. - Yeah?

A man like you could find a way to save him.

Delays, disagreements, and what not.

You know how those things are done.

You've often told me of the things they've done to you.

He'd be outside and free. He'd have a chance.

- You'd get him off. You know you would. - You're crazy, Mary.

You know what they'd do to me for that?

I'll tell you what they'd do. They'd bust me higher than a kite.

I'm only hanging by a shoestring now.

They're after me. They're only waiting for a chance.

- But if it's right... - Right?

Yeah? Right?

You talk as though I'd committed a crime myself.

I've done my duty all my life, by the public and by the law.

I'm not God. I didn't make things right or wrong.

I didn't make the law. There's nothing on my head.

I don't owe any man the scrap of future that's left to me.

- But, Dad... - Oh, Mary, you're crazy.

You're just a child. You don't know anything about these things.

I've done the best I could for him, and I'm done. I'm through!

The law must take its course.

No, you can't do that. You can't!

Say...

what's gotten into you?

What are you driving at?

What's it all about?

I...

(SOBBING)

Come along, now.

Let's get down to cases.

What's up?

I...

I love him, Dad.

(SOBBING)

Yeah?

Yeah?

Is that on the level, Mary?

How long has this been going on?

Oh, it hasn't gone on.

He's never said a word to me, but...

I knew, Dad.

Yeah?

Well, I'm sorry if this hurts you, but I...

It's all right, sweetheart.

You can't help that.

You're not a child. You know what you're doing.

Well, I...

I guess that's one thing the law doesn't cover.

But...

what will you do?

Do?

Well, there's only one answer to that, Mary.

I'd turn the demons outta Hell for you.

Come on, now, sweetheart,

it's gonna be all right.

We'll see him through,

somehow,

some way.

Yeah, he'll never serve another day if we can help it.

And I guess we can help it.

Yeah,

I guess we can.

Some way.

Come on, now.

Chin up, little girl.

- Yes, Dad. - (BRADY CHUCKLING)

- MAN: Yes, sir. - Warden talking.

- Where's Captain Gleason? - He just went down to the dungeon, sir.

Go down and tell him to bring up 25465 to my office.

Right, sir.

Thank you, Dad.

- All right, sweetheart. - (MARY SOBBING)

We'll get him out.

We can get him out.

Some way.

Gal! Come here.

- Cluck just sent a knife down to Graham. - Yeah?

- Yeah. - That guy?

And Gleason just went down to the dungeon, too.

Whaddaya gonna do about it?

Well, that kid don't take no rap for me.

I'm going to keep an appointment.

Ssh...

Hey!

I don't like you.

GUARD: What's that?

(SPITTING)

- You see what he done? - Yeah, I seen him.

- This means the dungeon for you. - All right, let's go.

All right, come on, take him out. Come on, get out.

Kinda tough waiting, isn't it, sweetheart?

Yes, Dad. I wish they'd hurry.

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

I know.

I know how you feel.

(SIREN BLARING)

Hello! Hello! Hello! Where's the trouble?

- MAN: It's in the dungeon, sir. - Dungeon?

- Bob! - Wait here.

- Dad! - No, wait here!

(SIREN STOPS)

Get outta the way, Graham! Get outta there!

Go on, kid.

Go on, kid. You get outta here.

Get clear. Go on.

GLEASON: Get out, Graham! Get out!

Galloway, come on outta there!

GALLOWAY: Come on, Gleason! Come and get me!

- GLEASON: Give it to him! - (MACHINE-GUN FIRE)

Come on, ya yellow bellies!

Get me!

Let him have it!

(MACHINE-GUN FIRE CONTINUES)

- What's going on down here? - Look out, sir! It's Galloway!

- He's got a gun! - Yeah? Well, what's happened?

He knocked over two of the guards when they were lockin' him in.

- Yeah? How about Graham? - Oh, Graham wasn't in it.

They were leading him out when it happened.

Yeah? Come on out of there, Galloway. You can't get away with this.

Too bad, Brady. I'd like to for you.

Here's the riot gun, sir.

Your last chance, Galloway.

We're gonna turn the tear gas loose.

Are ya comin'?

GALLOWAY: Okay, I'm licked.

Throw that gun out first.

GALLOWAY: Yeah? And get shot when I hit the open, eh, Gleason?

Nah, you won't get shot. You know me, Galloway.

Well...

I trust you, Brady.

Here I come.

(CLATTERING)

There, you take care of him, Gleason.

Come on, fresh guy,

I got an appointment with you.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

GALLOWAY: Stay where you are!

You can't get away with this, Galloway.

Stand back there, or you'll lose your best guard.

Go on, get back! Get back!

Get back!

Ah, ya don't like it, do ya, squealer?

No more did Runch, when I give it to him.

Runch! You, Galloway?

Yes, I got Runch, Brady.

No rat ever got away from me.

Ya hear that, Gleason?

Now tell 'em, squealer.

Tell 'em what happened.

Tell 'em what you done to the kid,

what you done to me about that glass of beer.

- Tell 'em why you're gonna die! - (GLEASON GROANING)

(DOOR OPENING)

Here he is, sweetheart.

Bob!

Oh, my dear,

what have they done to you?

I... I'm all right.

I'm all right... now.

Dad...

I'm so happy.

Yeah?

Well, that's the way things break sometimes.

You gotta take 'em the way they fall.

Yeah.

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