They Live by Night

HORN HONKS

LOUD BANG

TYRES SCREECH

I knew that tyre had to go.

You talk too much.

Please, mister, please...

Uh-uh.

Yeah.

SOUNDS OF PUNCHING

Now what?

Now to get to that brother of yours

and get that dough you got stashed away.

Let's go, let's go.

Come on.

Let's go, let's go, let's go.

It's his foot.

How far we got to go? 10, 15 miles.

You two go on.

You hole up in here, back of the sign.

One of us will come back for you tonight.

We'll blink the headlights on the car.

At least you got company.

Take it easy, son.

I'll take it easy. I got a lawyer in Tulsa to see.

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

ENGINE SPLUTTERS

You having trouble?

Could be.

Who are you?

You live around here?

Could be.

You haven't had a couple of visitors lately, have you?

That wouldn't be a sore foot making you limp, would it?

Could be.

I got some other stuff to pick up.

Get in, or we'll both get pneumonia.

ENGINE STARTS

They took their own sweet time sending for me.

Who are you?

They sent this for you. Get in.

I'll take that stuff. You go around the shed,

through the trees, that cabin back there.

KNOCKING

Look who's here.

Hello, son.

MAN: You took your time getting here.

What have you and that gal been doing, swimming?

Say hello to Mobley, Chickamaw's brother.

I told you she'd find him. She's a weasel,

that daughter of mine.

All right? Sorry we had to keep you waiting, son.

Had to be that way.

Here, kid. This'll fit better over that bandage.

You're welcome.

1,000. That enough for a used car?

Could be.

You can't tell, though. The way things are...

Hear that?

Oh, that'd be my daughter.

Hello, Miss Keechie.

There's 500 more. That's 1,500 for the car.

Can't have you coming back in no rattletrap,

not for this trick.

1,500 bucks for a second-hand car?

That's right.

Whoever sells them for that...that's worse than robbing a bank.

They're thieves, just like us.

Now, don't forget the clothes.

And tell Mattie the first big dough

goes to get her man out of jail.

Yeah. Tell her that, or she won't come.

Oh, I'll tell her for sure.

Well, so long, fellas. I-I'll try to get

back here with Mattie before tomorrow night.

Hey, big brother, stay sober.

Me? Yeah, you.

Oh, I won't touch a drop, not a drop.

Of course he won't.

We take care of our friends, Mobley.

I know. I know that, T-Dub.

Keechie, you'll take care of the station, won't you?

So long.

"You'll take care of the station."

He never done a lick of work in his life, that brother of mine.

Did you catch that look on his face?

Ha ha ha!

He's still trying to figure out where I had that dough hid.

Ha ha ha!

CLANK

Can't you make that stove work?

He'd have grabbed it, too, wouldn't he, Keechie?

You show him how, Miss Keechie.

CHICKAMAW: That's one machine he don't know nothing about.

Here.

Thanks.

T-DUB: That boy is some gallant, ain't he, Miss Keechie?

Yeah. He's got a soft heart...

and a head to match.

His head looks all right to me.

That little girl don't think

any too much of us, I'm here to tell you.

Her ma was just the same way,

always acting like she was the queen of Romania.

Keechie's mom?

Yeah. You know what she did? She ran off with a fella,

and now they're running a medicine show.

No matter how I turn it, we're short. We need another 1,000.

Hey, we're in it.

"Prison farm break.

"The escape of three lifers was announced today

"by warden EK Lloyd of...

"of the state prison farm.

"The fugitives have kidnapped a farmer in their flight,

our own..."

"Elmo 'One-Eye' Mobley."

Always that "One-Eye" stuff.

They always got to mention that.

"RT Waters, farmer of Akoda,

"gave a description of the three men who commandeered his car

"at the point of a gun."

I should have blasted his head off with that shotgun.

Come here...

This dance hall - the Meadowbrook. You know it?

Sure I know it. Used to be my old stomping ground.

They're having themselves

a little dance tomorrow night.

Enough we could take there

for a small cushion for the Zelton job?

Sunday night. Yeah. That could...

that "One-Eye."

They didn't print a very big piece about us, either.

I wish it was only two lines.

Newspapers raise more heat than anything.

In a few days, they'll really have something to print about us.

Yeah.

Three boys like us, we can charge any bank in the country,

any bank.

How many you knocked over, T-Dub?

Enough.

And I've done a few myself.

You're a nut, kid. You're travelling with real people.

Takes three to charge a bank, and we're the three mosquitoes.

We move fast. Can you take it?

Me? You.

Sure. I can rib myself up to anything.

Maybe.

You ribbed yourself up once to killing a man, didn't you?

DOOR OPENS

Didn't you?

Yeah. I sure did.

DOOR CLOSES

CAR APPROACHES

Get in there.

Close the door.

Get down!

Highway patrol. This time every night.

HE COUNTS TO TEN

OK.

Thanks.

I don't guess I know much about talking to women...

or how to talk. I...

How old are you?

23.

How long were you in that prison?

Seven years.

What did that Chickamaw tell you about me?

CAR APPROACHES

The patrol back?

CAR CRASHES

WOMAN: Well, you ought to be happy now.

You finally hit something.

Shut up!

I thought I told you to stay sober.

Well, I had a tough time.

He had a tough time.

The way you was driving...

Aw, shut up!

T-DUB: Hello, Mattie.

Is that the best you could send?

Shut up!

I had a tough time.

I got everything done, though,

just like you told me.

T-DUB: Gee, it's good to see you, Mattie.

We got planning and figuring to do.

You're lucky he didn't

bust up something

before we got here.

The way that guy was driving,

I was ready to jump.

MOBLEY: Shut up!

Bowie, you better fix this tyre and check the car.

How's my brother?

He's still in there.

I know. Did you see him?

Yep.

Chickamaw.

I had a tough time.

Come on.

Slippery.

I can handle him.

She's my daughter.

MOBLEY: Keechie...Keechie...

Get away from my daughter...

Keechie...

You like your old man?

You like yours?

Not much.

Is it true your ma ran off with a guy?

Yes.

My ma took off with a guy

who ran a pool hall.

Pa used to take me there.

One night, he and this guy were having an argument.

I thought it was part of the game.

Never did see a pool game that didn't have an argument.

Pa raised his cue, and...

the other guy had a gun.

Pa turned to me like he was trying to say something.

I saw his face... white...

..like he was going to cry.

Had blood running into his eyes.

My ma went to live

with the guy that killed him.

You got a cigarette?

You smoke a lot.

I don't want one.

Haven't got one.

How's it coming?

BOWIE: All right.

I just wanted to make sure you were OK...

the two of you.

Nothing for you to worry about.

T-DUB: Chickamaw.

Better get a move on. We got some travelling to do.

Fine company you're running with.

I suppose you thought you had to get out of that prison.

I didn't see any use doing any more time.

Wasn't getting me nowhere.

Out here, even the air smells different.

Where do you think you'll get with them?

That Chickamaw - he lives for trouble, even if he is my uncle.

Oh, he's wild, all right,

but T-Dub's steady.

Maybe.

If I wasn't so hot, you know what I'd like?

What?

I'd like to have me a filling station.

A garage along with it, maybe.

That'd be too slow for you.

You want to live your life fast.

You don't know what you want.

You got me down wrong, Miss Keechie.

T-Dub saw it in the paper back there in the prison, see?

It's what the Supreme Court

of the United States itself said.

This fella it writes about...

he was tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced,

all the same day, the same as me.

Then the Supreme Court itself said,

"Let that man out. No due process of law."

That fella was 16, too,

when he done this murder, same as me.

How come you killed a man?

Some of the fellas in a carnival I was travelling with

said they knew how to make some money.

They had a safe all picked out.

I just sort of went along to see how it was done.

You were in a carnival?

Just roustaboutin'.

I should have been smart and run like the other kids.

You know, lawyers cost money.

As soon as I get enough,

I got a lawyer in Tulsa to see.

I'm going to get myself squared around.

I hope you're right.

Yeah. You bet I'm right.

You know what I'm going to do?

I'd like to go to New Orleans. Mexico, maybe.

The way Chickamaw talks about that Mexico,

that must be some country.

Before I'm through, I'm going to do a lot of looking around.

You think you're quite a man, don't you?

Uh-huh.

Fine way to get squared around, teaming with them.

Stealing money and robbing banks.

You'll get in so deep trying to get squared,

they'll have enough on you to keep you in prison

for two lifetimes.

INDISTINCT VOICES

If what that newspaper clipping says is true,

you can go back and tell them about it in prison.

They don't keep people there who don't belong there.

They'd never believe me.

Who said that- T-Dub? Chickamaw?

They know.

T-DUB: All set, Bowie?

Yeah.

Miss Keechie, will you drive Mattie here

down to the bus for us?

I suppose so.

It's a "cash on the barrelhead" proposition

for me, remember.

I told the boys that. After all,

it's my own brother that's in the pen.

It's my husband, and we ain't getting any younger,

and I want him out now. That's going to take money.

You do your part, Mattie. We'll get you the money.

I'll do my part.

So long, Keechie.

So long, Bowie.

CHICKAMAW: Come on. Let's go, let's go, let's go!

ENGINE STARTS

Are you interested in that?

What's it to you?

Jailbait.

He's just a kid.

Yeah.

That's what I said once.

Maybe you'll be lucky. Maybe they won't send him back to prison.

Maybe he'll get himself killed first.

I'll take you to the bus.

BOWIE: Now where do we go?

T-DUB: Zelton. We'll let you off just outside of town.

Some guys are just dingbats.

They'll charge a place with a filling station

across the street, a telephone office upstairs,

and a hardware store next door.

I've seen more guys killed that way.

The short match waits outside in the car. That's the tough job.

Some dingbats think the guy

in the car's got a snap.

He's the man that gets the rumble first,

believe me.

I'll go inside anytime.

Draw.

I'll stay in the car, any job we do.

OK?

OK.

Come on, son. Let's change.

CAR HORNS HONK

Want me to gift-wrap it?

No.

Ouch.

Have you anything smaller?

No.

Well, that's all right. I have to go over to the bank anyhow.

I'm dickering with them for a new lease on this place.

Do you mind stepping over to the bank with me?

Sure.

Change, please.

Here you are, young man, with thanks.

And I have a wedding ring or two if you ever...

Thanks.

On the nose. You all right, son? Sure.

Look around inside?

I can draw you a picture.

Save it for Chickamaw. Mattie got us the house in Gusherton all right.

Had to take it for six months.

You going to leave the car here?

Sure. It's OK.

Some shack, eh?

So? How do you like it?

Hey, Chickamaw.

So you got back, huh?

MATTIE: T-Dub?

Yeah. Mattie?

She got a real house.

Why not?

We're real people.

Hello, Mattie.

What's the matter?

What's been going on here?

Oh, I was just trying to get her to take a drink.

She's so dried up.

Maybe you're not the right man for her, Chickamaw.

How long does one woman wait for one man?

Listen, you crummy, one-eyed nut...

Mattie!

That's...that's seven years!

It's going to take the three of us. I want my brother out, too.

I got the cars for you- one here, one in Cedars.

Thanks, Mattie.

The first money's mine, remember,

and I want it on the line.

You're still a one-eyed lush,

and you always will be.

Jailbait.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

I don't know what she's got against me.

I don't, either.

The Zelton trick-it's going to be tough, huh?

Tough enough.

Yeah? That's for me.

I want some action.

And I'll take steps the block long.

Anyone gets in my way, I'll stomp them!

Lay it out for us,

everything.

I still don't know what she's got against me.

This is...

this is the street...

the bank.

7.28, a freight train pulls in.

Here's where we are.

Don't forget to keep the car running.

TRAIN PASSES

The night watchman. Get ready.

There's the porter.

Over the fence, Chickamaw.

Morning, Mr Hagenheimer.

Good morning.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...

Well, hello!

Good morning.

How'd the little lady like the watch?

You don't have to tell me.

My cold's all better today.

Coming in early. Inventory. I got-

Get away.

Did I say something?

Get away!

MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

Hold on, T-Dub.

STATIC ON RADIO

MUSIC STOPS

So long, T-Dub.

See you.

Take it easy. Watch your fingers.

What next?

Now we get to start strutting.

One thing you got to learn, kid...

you got to look and act like other people.

You go ahead, kid. I'll follow you.

And you better stomp it, or I'll run you down!

Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go! Come on!

HE HONKS HORN

Come on, Bowie. Get a move on.

TYRES SCREECH

CRASH

Get in my car, kid, quickly.

My money...

Come on, kid. Come on.

You can't lay down here.

SIREN WAILS

Everybody and his dog is coming.

My gun!

Come on. Come on. We got plenty.

What's your hurry?

I'm taking him to a hospital, Officer.

He's banged up pretty bad.

Yeah, bad.

Where are you from?

Denver.

Come on to the hospital if you want to ask him any questions.

The way it looks, you were travelling too fast, both of you.

You come with me, and you, too.

Not this time, friend.

Listen here, buddy,

you'll get in trouble yourself before you know it.

Now, friend...

GUNSHOT

CROWD SCREAMS

That old one-lung jalopy come right out.

There ought to be a law.

I better dump you at my brother's.

How bad hurt are you?

I'm all right. Just...

still sick to my stomach, that's all.

Ha ha ha! That's nothing. I-I used to get sick

just from standing up when Ma was cutting my hair.

Cut it out.

Her name was Peabody then.

No. No. That was the first guy.

Then it was Feintz. Ha ha ha!

Cut it out, will you?

The guy with red hair.

I told you to cut it out.

What's the matter with you?

Feintz. Feintz was his name. Ha ha ha!

It's getting dark enough so I can be moving on.

Is the boy still out?

Yeah, pretty much. It's his back.

When he comes to, tell him this. Tell him when the heat cools,

he can go down to the Gusherton house.

He can hole up there. T-Dub and me will meet him there.

Oh, I'll tell him, Chickamaw.

And keep an eye on him and take care of him.

Well, if it wasn't that I was losing money,

I'd just as soon close the place up and really take care of him.

Don't you worry about the money.

I've got to worry about it, Chickamaw.

You. Keechie.

ENGINE STARTS

Girl, that's more money than I seen

since I collected on the fire we had.

CAR PULLS AWAY

WIND BLOWS

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Bowie.

Here. Use this on your face.

TRUCK PULLS AWAY

What's that?

It's just a truck pulling away.

Where's Chickamaw?

He left.

I've been in a little trouble.

You look it. What happened to you?

Just burned my back a little.

Chickamaw told me that. Were you shot, too?

No.

Pull your shirt up.

Who's your fella, Keechie?

Why do you ask that?

None of my business.

Other girls have fellas. I was just asking.

I don't know what other girls have.

WIND BLOWS

Is that the patrol?

It's the wind in the telephone wires over on the highway.

I don't believe you like the menfolk, do you, Keechie?

They're as good as the women I've seen.

Did you ever want to leave this town, Keechie?

I've got a lot of money now.

Most girls like to go places.

I don't know what most girls like.

I didn't mean anything by that, Keechie.

I'd do this for a dog.

Keechie...

my coat.

Side pocket.

This?

I bought something for you there in Zelton.

It's a little old watch.

Do you want it?

Do you want to give it to me?

Yes.

Then yes...

I want it.

Is it true you never had a fella,

even just to go to church with or something like that?

Do you think I should have?

I was just asking. That's your own business.

I never saw any use of it.

You trying to say I should have a fella

and that fella ought to be you? Is that it?

I guess maybe it is.

I thought maybe that's what you were trying to say.

Chickamaw left this for you.

Keechie, I've got a lot of money in this.

I don't know why I said that.

Well, I'm glad you got it...

if that's what you want.

That wasn't what I wanted to say.

What I wanted to say was, now I can get that Tulsa lawyer.

He can square me away, like I told you.

Then nobody in this whole world can touch me, nobody.

What's the matter?

They found your gun in your smashed-up car

and your fingerprints on the gun.

That policeman was shot up bad.

I can skip that trip to the lawyer now.

You can't stay here. Papa's gone up to town.

He'll get himself sauced and shoot his mouth off.

Yeah. I'll get you both in a mess.

You'll be all right for tonight.

You can go tomorrow.

You're sure it's OK for me to stay?

You stay till tomorrow. Then you go.

I'll go with you... if you want.

Why?

What do you want to do that for?

Keechie... wh-what time is it?

I-I don't know.

There's no clock here to set it by.

It's a nice watch.

Well, what time do the hands say?

Five minutes to two.

That's close enough.

CRYING

Ma'am, your baby's crying.

I have been on this bus three days.

When we get to the next stop, I'll fix her a bottle.

Till then, I just don't care.

BABY CRIES LOUDER

Here. Come on.

Shh. Shh.

This is Fairfield, folks.

You'll have a ten-minute rest stop here.

You'll find the restrooms inside

to the rear of the building.

You also change cars here for Zelton, Cedars,

and Points West.

WAITRESS: Sandwiches - ham salad, egg salad.

WOMAN: A coffee, please.

MAN: Give me the same.

Ham salad and egg salad is all we have.

A circus come through and cleaned us out.

Sandwiches, ham salad, egg salad. All we got.

Just some coffee, please. Two.

MAN: Ham salad, egg salad is all we have.

A circus just come through and cleaned us out.

DIFFERENT MAN: Do you serve beer?

That's the only picture of me anybody ever took.

Yeah?

I was 14. Chickamaw took it.

Nobody will know me, not from that picture.

Yeah. Well, you filled out some since.

WAITRESS: Two coffees.

MUSIC: The Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

There's Hawkins' class-B wedding, organ music and everything.

20 bucks.

20 bucks. There ought to be a law.

The way people pop in and out of there, one, two, three...quick...

you'd think they were getting dog licences.

I don't want to get you in trouble, Keechie.

I tell you, I'm just a black sheep. There's no getting away from it.

The only thing black about you is your eyelashes.

Coffee was awful.

When a man has them laws after him,

they shoot first and ask questions later.

They're just as likely to shoot a woman down with him as not.

Don't you see what you got yourself mixed up with?

BUS DRIVER: All aboard, southbound bus.

Didn't that woman with the baby get off here?

Yeah.

We can sit together.

Let's go.

Do you want to sit by the window?

I don't care. All right.

Here.

Bowie...

Yeah?

Don't shut yourself up cold like this.

I don't know what to do.

No?

No, I don't.

You do just what you're doing now...

just tell me when I'm doing the wrong thing.

I'll snap out of it.

All right.

Look. 20 weddings.

What a way to get married.

Yeah.

BUS DOOR CLOSES

ENGINE STARTS

Keechie...

..would you marry me?

If you want me to.

I want you to.

Then yes, I would.

Hey, driver, hold it!

DRIVER: What's the matter?

We're getting off.

Come on, come on.

Wait a minute!

Come on, pal. I got a schedule.

Keechie...

What time is it?

Ten minutes to twelve.

DOORBELL RINGS THE WEDDING MARCH

Hello, hello!

Do you do the marrying?

That's my business. I have the 30 wedding,

which gives a complete recording

of the ceremony on records.

I have a 20 we...

Will you just marry us?

That'll be 20. Tillie, Herman.

Who are they?

My sister and her husband. Witnesses.

We have to have them?

Oh, yes. First you got to sign your names...

over here.

If you'll, er, just sign the register.

There. I'll rent you a ring for a dollar or sell you one for five.

I'll buy one.

Um, this one will do it.

DOOR CLOSES

HE PLAYS ONE CHORD

By virtue of the power vested in me,

I hereby perform this wedding ceremony.

Do you, Catherine, take this man, Arthur,

as your lawful wedded husband,

to love, honour, and cherish henceforth?

I do.

Do you, Arthur, take this woman, Catherine,

as your lawful wedded wife,

to love, honour, and cherish henceforth?

I do.

Put the ring on her finger.

Now, by virtue of the power vested in me,

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Tip them each a dollar.

Wish you all the health, happiness,

and wealth in the world.

HAWKINS: Herman! You got a cold.

I'm sorry. I have.

HAWKINS: That'll be 20, plus five for the ring.

HERMAN SNEEZES

You don't think much of my way of marrying people, do you?

I sure don't.

Well, me, neither, but I'm giving folks what they want.

My way of thinking,

folks ought to have what they want,

as long as they can pay for it.

You folks driving?

No.

Come in on the bus? No.

You ain't aiming to get a hitch?

That's no way to start a honeymoon.

Have you got any ideas?

Well, maybe I could fix you up with a car.

Maybe.

Party I know took in a new convertible today.

How long will it take?

If it means money, this party will be over in his nightshirt.

Shall I?

All right.

7-0-4-7.

45 miles, and no messing with the speedometer.

Hello, James? That new convertible.

Yeah. Yeah. Couple of eager honeymooners.

How much?

Uh...2,700 cash.

All right.

Plus 500 cash.

For you?

For me.

All right.

Bring it over pronto, Jamesy.

Uh, you folks have any idea where you're going...

on your honeymoon, I mean?

Why?

Well, I've got some mighty attractive folders there.

Ever think about, er, Mexico?

I could fix it so you'd have a real nice time.

We know where we're going.

That's fine. Of course, I'm partial to Mexico myself.

I spent a good many years there once.

I made a lot of good friends.

She said we know where we're going.

Uh...

yeah.

Aw, them old jalopies. They make the accidents. Ought to be a law.

Ha ha!

What's so funny?

Oh, Bowie.

What'd I say funny?

I like you so much.

I don't know much about kissing.

You'll have to show me.

I don't know too much

about it myself.

We'll learn together.

Yeah?

Have you got a place for us?

Alvin!

That depends. How long do you aim to stay?

A month or two...

..maybe more.

Oh, you didn't have to do that.

Yeah. I got a couple of places.

Not fancy, but comfortable.

I just aim to keep out the fly-by-nights.

Uh, my name's Lambert. This is my boy Alvin.

I'm learning him the business.

What'd you say your name was?

The Vines.

Well, let's see what you and Mrs Vine like, now.

Uh, right up this way.

What's your business, son?

Ball player.

Well, now!

That's an honourable enough calling.

We got a schoolteacher, two salesmen,

and now we got a ball player!

Ha ha! Uh, er...

here we are. Here we are.

This Bella Vista cabin is one of our nicest.

Well, er...what is it, folks?

Well, don't you have a place a little away from the others?

Uh-huh. Just married, ain't you?

Yeah.

Learn that, Alvin.

Just-married people like to be alone.

I should think so.

Well, er, follow me.

This place I'm going to show you

is clean away from everything

but the sky and the trees.

Uh, did you travel far?

Pretty far.

Well, how'd you happen to come here?

Friends told us about it.

You see, Alvin? A satisfied customer

is your best advertisement.

Oh, this is it. Turn right in here.

Well, here we are.

Uh, mind the second step.

Not fancy, but comfortable.

Uh, we've got a lot of blankets.

It gets kind of chilly up here.

It freezes, but it never snows.

How much is it?

It's 35 a week, in advance.

The light and water's included.

Think that'll bust us?

Oh, thanks. Uh, hope you folks enjoy yourselves.

If there's anything I can do for you,

just give me a holler.

Uh, come on, Alvin.

See, everybody has their own language.

DOOR CLOSES

I remembered everything all different.

It seemed like such a nice place.

We'll manage, honey.

Bowie...

Keechie, this is our honeymoon.

It doesn't make any difference where we are.

We'll get some paint.

Keechie, what kind of paint do people use in homes?

I'll get some things in town tomorrow.

As soon as the heat cools,

I'll take you to all the fine places.

We'll have a real honeymoon.

I'll buy you everything you want.

What do you want, Keechie? What can I buy you?

It's all for you. Just tell me what you want.

DOOR OPENS

If there's anything I can do for you, just give me a holler.

Let's get the things from the car.

Is anything wrong?

No.

Are you mad?

No.

Bowie, hold me.

Hold me tight.

After it was in every paper in the state, then you remember.

Well, try remembering a little more.

I tell you, I just saw the boy once.

You sure of that?

I saw him the first time. I didn't see him the second time,

but I just knew that he was there.

Can the girl handle a gun?

Look here, mister, this man of yours don't understand me.

I wouldn't try to cover up for that boy,

not after what he did to me- taking my daughter.

That boy belongs in the electric chair.

That's where I'd like to see him.

Yes, and I'd like to be the one to pull the switch.

I tell you, if I could get my hands on that boy...

All right, Mobley. That's all.

I'd wring his neck like a chicken!

Goodbye, Mobley. Yes, sir. I'd wring his neck...

Like a chicken. We know.

Yes.

Just want to say I'm proud to help you,

anyway I can.

Just call me anytime, and I'll-I'll, er...

Between him and a chicken, I'd bet on the chicken.

Yes, sir. Want to put somebody else on the case, sir?

Relax. Remember what Bowers and the girl are going through.

140 million people around them.

Anyone of them might trip them up.

Money to spend, and no chance to spend it.

All the time knowing one thing...

sooner or later, they'll be caught.

Every time they hear...

on the door...

their hearts jump a foot.

A heart can take just so much.

What would you do if something came up and I had to leave you?

Maybe we wouldn't be able to see each other again.

Didn't you hear me?

There wouldn't be anything for me if you were gone.

There's no use thinking about it.

What about those other women I was talking about?

KNOCK ON DOOR

ALVIN: Pop just got back and with some packages.

Packages?

I'll be right down.

I'll go.

Uh-uh.

What about those women who don't wait for their men?

Those women don't love. A woman only loves once.

I guess a woman is sort of like a dog.

A bad dog will take things from anybody,

but you just take a good dog...

his master dies, he won't take food from anybody.

He'll bite anybody that tries to pet him.

There was a man back up home,

and after he died, his dog wouldn't eat or drink...

and he just died, too.

Just goes to show you, don't it?

I guess it does.

We better start finishing the tree.

I wish we could go in town and take a chance

on seeing a movie together.

I've always wanted to hold hands

with a girl in a movie.

We will someday.

DOOR CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS

Keechie?

CHICKAMAW: How's the headline kid?

Chickamaw!

Are you alone?

I'm alone, all right.

Ain't you shacked up nice and cosy, huh?

Got a drink, kid?

Uh, no. I'm sorry.

Got some candy?

Sure. Here.

Man, you're doing all right for yourself.

You can't pick up a paper without seeing you

plastered all over it.

Every time some dingbat robs a filling station,

they say it's Bowie the Kid, the Zelton Bandit.

You'd have to have wings to be every place they say you been.

Where's the girl?

Keechie?

How many of them you got?

Ha ha ha! Just one.

Yeah. I kind of figured

she'd head back for these old hills.

We're married.

Hey. Hey, we should have learnt you the facts of life.

You went and married each other. How do you like that?

Hey, you ready to go back to work?

No time like the present.

Between them aces and kings I didn't draw

and the Denver queens I did draw,

I got no money left.

No drink, huh?

Well, what about T-Dub? What happened to his?

He didn't get Mattie's man out of jail. The parole board said no.

That T-Dub - he's crazy. You know what he did?

No.

He bought both of them a tourist cabin in McMasters...

for when his brother gets out of jail.

He's in Gusherton now. He's waiting for us.

Sure there's nothing to drink here, huh?

Mm-mm.

Kid...

we got us a little bank in Cedars just itching to be charged.

It's all cased proper.

It's just itching, I tell you.

Count me out, Chickamaw.

I still got most of my Zelton money.

You and T-Dub can have half of that.

Do you know, that's real friendly.

Real friendly.

Yeah. I'll split with you and old T-Dub.

You ain't going to be handing me out two bits at a time

for ice-cream cones. That dough you got-

where'd you get it, working in a shoe store?

It takes three to pull a trick,

and you're number three...

even if the papers do say you're number one.

T-Dub said you'd come.

When I read about you and the girl,

I figured maybe yes, maybe no. That bank's got real dough.

I said count me out.

That's a bad curve that girl's making you.

Cut it out, Chickamaw!

You better get rid of her. When's she coming back?

Right away, and I don't want her to see you.

OK. I'll wait outside.

I'll wait in the car for you a half-hour.

Then I'm coming back.

DOOR CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS

DOOR CLOSES

Hey, come help me.

Bring some wrapping paper. I got a sweater for Alvin,

and I got a...

Chickamaw's been here. What'd he want?

He and T-Dub are broke. They ain't got two quarters to cling together.

They want me in Gusherton.

I'm going with you.

No, you're not.

You don't belong with them kind of people.

I said you weren't going!

I heard you.

Then quit running around

when I'm talking to you!

All right.

I thought maybe we'd be lucky,

they wouldn't find us, and after a while,

we'd go away and live like other people.

We will. You'll see.

And live that way maybe nine or ten years.

It's happened to other men who escaped.

After a while, they go back and tell the police,

and they let them go free

because they proved they can live right like other people.

It could be. It sure could be.

You're my little old girl.

Not if you go back to them.

Keechie, I'll tell Chickamaw and old T-Dub,

"Boys, I'll do this because you're broke," I'll say.

"But after that, you can mark me absent because I'll be absent."

That's what I'll tell them.

They'll say, "Sure, Bowie." And then one day I'll come home

and find out Chickamaw has been here.

Me and those two fellas, we spent years together.

Most of the time, we made signs at each other.

We couldn't even talk. They helped me get free. Now they need me.

Banks aren't fools.

They'll be ready and waiting.

I don't want to pick up a newspaper

and read "the Zelton Bandits killed."

You think you're so smart.

That little package on the mantel,

that's your Christmas present.

You saved for it out of the house money, didn't you?

Yes.

No point in talking to Chickamaw. He's a stomping fool.

But maybe when I see old T-Dub,

if I tell him just what you told me...

Just promise me one thing, Bowie.

No matter what he says, you won't rob that bank.

Just tell me that,

and you can go see him, and I'll wait for you.

What time does your watch say?

I want to set this one of mine.

What difference does it make?

I'll be back.

Bowie...

it's ten minutes to 12.

ENGINE STARTS

Oh, Bowie...

That Keechie is a level-headed girl, ain't she?

I knew you'd say that, T-Dub.

And don't think I wouldn't like to pull out.

If I could find the right woman,

I'd rear back in them Missouri hills.

I know, T-Dub. You told me that.

This is business, son.

You said yourself I had the right idea.

The way things are, we got to keep right on going.

Not me.

You can just mark me absent.

Listen, you. We took you out of that prison camp

when there was plenty others we could have took.

Right, Chickamaw? Right.

So to speak, you're an investment,

and you're going to pay off.

You hear me?

Don't do that, T-Dub.

You hear me?

Do you hear me?!

Yeah, I hear you.

RADIO: 'Back to the news. The luck of the Zelton Bandits

'began running out today in Cedars, Texas,

'when they attempted one of the most daring bank robberies

'in the history of the Southwest.

'But this time, it did not come off.

'Local police closed in on...'

STATIC

'..Current wave of robberies.

'In a desperate attempt to reach the getaway car,

'the eldest of the trio, Henry "T-Dub" Mansfield, was shot and killed.

'It is believed that at least one other was wounded.

'The leader, Bowie "the Kid" Bowers, a fast-trigger killer,

'has so far...'

Get in the back.

Bowie "the Kid."

And stay down on the floor.

They're looking for two together, not one.

Don't you tell me what to do.

You ask me if I want to do it.

"The leader"!

It rips my guts out.

What are you talking about?

Bowie "the Kid," you.

All the newspapers print about is you,

you and that two-bit girl of yours.

It makes me look like

a penny in a slot machine.

Where's that bottle?

You finished it. Stay down.

Boy, don't keep telling me what to do.

Just because you covered for me in Cedars,

you think I owe you something.

You think you can shove me around.

I want that drink.

I want that drink,

and I'm going to get it.

Bowie, stop.

Keep your head down.

Bowie, stop!

TYRES SCREECH

Get out. Get out, I tell you.

I can't miss this close.

Sure, I'll get out.

I don't need you.

I can crack any bank in this country alone.

I'm better off alone...

..and I always was.

RADIO: 'And that is the only available identification

'of the youthful Zelton Bandit.

'We continue with our Christmas programme

'of music to sing with.'

Well, what's happened here?

The pipes bust.

Lambert is getting a plumber.

How did you let it get so flooded?

I was away when it happened, so were you.

Oh, it doesn't matter.

We'll buy some new things.

It doesn't make any difference.

I guess you heard over the radio.

I heard.

About T-Dub?

And Chickamaw.

What happened to him?

He was killed last night

breaking into a liquor store.

They say it runs in threes.

Honey, I didn't mean to get you mixed up in this.

I can take care of myself.

Anyway, they can't pin nothing on you, nothing in this world.

When did you start thinking about me?

You sure didn't think about me when you were gone.

Don't you touch me.

It was me or them, and you took them, didn't you?

I don't like to talk about them boys.

Where are you going?

What's it to you?

I told you not to touch me.

Don't leave this place sore like this.

Look, if anybody leaves, it's me.

I'm not staying.

I'll go outside for a while.

If nothing will do you but going, you take the car.

You know where the money is.

LAMBERT: Hiya, Mr Vine.

Sorry we had a little trouble here while you were gone.

Did you have a good trip?

I got you Rudy here. He'll fix you up in no time.

In there, Rudy.

Busted pipes, eh?

First it freezes, then it thaws.

I should be used to it by this time.

He's the best plumber around.

The only plumber around.

Yeah, that's right.

Say, you don't happen to have a cigarette, do you?

Somebody cleaned out the office machine with slugs. Thanks.

You know what we always say?

When pigs go around with sticks in their mouths,

they'll be a blue norther in Texas.

I heard a peafowl howling. That means rain.

Yeah.

Sure busted one of the pipes.

Well, merry Christmas.

Come on, Alvin.

I've got to change my shoes.

Me, too?

Yeah. Come on.

Merry Christmas.

You said you weren't here when the pipes bust?

Where were you?

I asked you where you were.

Seeing a doctor.

About what?

The baby we're going to have.

That's just fine. That's all I need.

You don't see me knitting anything, do you?

I-I need my other tools.

Look.

TRUCK STARTS

Get your coat quick.

Ah, leave everything else.

Bowie.

Yeah?

You wouldn't have let me go, would you?

You'd have made me stay, wouldn't you?

I'm good for you.

I do help you a whole lot, don't I?

Bowie, no matter what,

you want me with you.

If you want to.

I want to.

I'd like to get in a big city.

Chickamaw was always talking about them cities.

He said people don't big-eye you so much.

I guess Alvin won't get his sweater for Christmas.

I left it on the radio.

He'll find it.

Bowie...

I'm going to have our baby.

No matter what, I'm going to have it.

That's right.

He'll just have to take his chances,

the same as us.

Bowie...

What, honey?

Try and sleep.

Sure, sure.

TRAIN CHUGS

Take it easy.

Honey.

What's that? What's wrong?

Look.

What is it?

It's the Mississippi.

We're almost there.

It's a big river,

isn't it?

It's the biggest.

Someday, I'd like to see some of this country

we've been travelling through.

By daylight, you mean?

That'd be nice.

Won't be long now.

You want me to drive?

Nah. You go back to sleep.

It's good to wake up

and see the sun for a change.

Good morning, darling.

I like opening my eyes and seeing you.

How do you feel?

Every time I wake up, I feel just like a cat.

You're like a little kitten...

Mm-hmm.

So warm.

And you purr, too.

Do I?

You don't mean snore, do you?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes?

It's me - Mrs Havilland.

Just a second.

I thought you might like some breakfast.

I made some sweet potato pie.

I know you'd mostly rather sleep than breakfast.

I'm glad you thought of us.

Then I'm glad, too.

Thank you.

Say, honey, you're sure getting chubby.

Don't you like it?

You could get as big as the side of a barn,

and I'd like it.

Sweet potato pie?

Yeah.

How would you like to get out

and really make a day of it, eat someplace fine?

With music and all that, just like other people?

Mm-hmm.

Bowie, that's just what I would like.

I'll wear my grey flannel suit.

I'll strut out my double-breasted.

So start strutting.

Ain't that some way to ride,

bobbing your bottom up and down like that?

Uh-huh.

Why do they do it? They're not going anyplace.

I guess they got nothing else to do.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of time.

These trees are so old, they're growing whiskers.

That's something else I never could figure,

how anybody could get interested

in patting a little ball around.

If they stood on their heads, it wouldn't bother me,

if they were having a good time.

People sure do act funny, though.

HE CHUCKLES

Are you having a good time?

Such a good time, Bowie.

SWING MUSIC PLAYS

I don't see anything to that dancing out there, do you?

I never did care much for dancing.

Look at them. I think it's silly

switching around like that, getting all het up.

You didn't think it was so silly

when that Mexican girl was dancing.

Me? What did I do?

You didn't even find time to light my cigarette.

Oh, I don't remember that.

Want to try something a little stronger?

No. Are you having a good time?

Wonderful. You?

# Your business is your red wagon

# What's in it is all your own

# So don't load it up with troubles

# Cos you're dragging it all alone

# If you stick your nose

# Someplace it don't belong

# Don't you come to me

# If things go wrong

# That's your red wagon

# That's your red wagon

# So just keep draggin'

# Your red wagon along

# If you want to play horses and blow your dough

# Don't you run to me... #

You know, the more I think about Mexico...

And those Mexican girls?

The more I think of Mexico, the more I like it.

Remember the gent who married us?

I remember. It wasn't that long ago.

There was another one who was that way about Mexico.

You and me, honey, with what we got solid away,

we can live down there like a couple of real people.

Maybe in a little while, I could get lined up

with one of the big mining companies,

and maybe we...

# ..that you'll get burned

# When you play with fire

# Don't come running to me

# You can't use me for your spare tyre

# If you didn't have love songs

# To fit my key, baby

# Please don't sing those blues to me

# That's your red wagon

# That's your red wagon

# So just keep draggin'... #

KEECHIE: No trouble, Bowie. Come on!

Come on!