A couple of more minutes and we'll be
blowing the suds off some nice Colas.
The desert.
I'd personally give
it back to the Indians.
When you get to the bridge, stop.
Halverston said he'd meet
us in town. Might miss him.
When you get to the bridge, stop.
We shouldn't have come back here.
Mind your own business.
They didn't fix it.
Why don't you take a picture of it?
Shut up.
I've a got picture of it... in my head.
Please, I'm in a hurry.
Back up and let her through.
Did you notice, Johnny?
Yeah... I noticed.
Paula, you're supposed to be...
Where's Fritzi?
At home. Didn't come
down this afternoon.
Does she know that...?
No, and don't you call and tell her.
Hi.
Window shopping?
Yes, but we don't like what we see.
It's too cheap.
I ought to give you a ticket for that.
It would be worth it.
The way they jumped! Like two hens.
You might have killed them.
It was self-defense.
They were throwing knives at me.
There's still one sticking in your back.
Here, I'll pull it out for you.
Glad to see me?
Not particularly.
I'm glad to see you, too.
Let's have a drink.
What's new in Chuckawalla?
Crime or gossip?
Any difference?
Depends on where you're sitting.
Always has.
Why did you come back?
The big city scares me.
I'm a small-town girl.
How long you going to
be this time, Paula?
A long time I think.
What does your mother think?
Give me a cigarette.
I'm a big girl now.
I'm allowed to play with matches.
Hello, Mr Bendix.
Hanson... Tom Hanson.
You remember good.
Some things I remember good.
I don't suppose I'll forget you.
Staying around here?
Halverston ranch.
Business?
Coppers. All the same. Big mouths.
Always asking questions.
I was talking to him.
I'm answering.
Go and find out about Halverston.
Coppers. All the same.
You were saying?
I'm asking if you are here on business.
No, nothing like that. I just
came out to be in a desert.
Oh.
What's your name?
My name is Paula.
Paula Haller.
I'll make it formal.
Paula, meet Mr Bendix.
We've met... on the
bridge coming in to town.
Glad do know you.
Halverston couldn't wait.
He left the keys.
Alright, let's go.
Haller.
Paula Haller.
Who is he?
A very important man. A gambler.
How come you know him?
I met him on the same
bridge a couple of years ago.
He's very handsome.
Depends on where you're sitting.
It always has.
I guess I'd better go see Fritzi.
So long, Tom
So long.
I'll knock your teeth in.
Take it easy, Pat.
Hello, Tom.
A desperate criminal?
One of the railroad whippets. Blew his
dough. Threw a rock in a window.
That's even more serious.
Destruction of public property.
Everything is public in
Chuckawalla, bud.
Everybody owns everything.
Lay off, Tom. This one's stubborn.
He won't tell me his name.
Shush... don't you tell him.
We're in this together. Don't
talk until they get us a lawyer.
I don't know why I put up with you, Tom.
I don't know either.
Only way to handle these tramps is to
kick them about so they know who's boss.
Sure, Pat. I'll put him in the cooler.
Alright.
You try break a pony tomorrow?
Going to try.
You're crazy.
That's me... oh yes, I knew
I came in to tell you something.
Eddie Bendix is in town.
Yeah?
He's staying at the Halverston ranch.
Why?
He didn't say.
Just thought I'd tell you.
Don't you worry about it, Pat.
You've got nothing he wants.
Or have you?
Hello, Miss Haller.
Hello Rosa, how are you?
Your mother wants to see you.
Tell her I'll be right down.
She knows you're here.
Mike called her from the Purple Sage.
Paula.
Paula, come in here.
She told me to send you
the minute you came in.
Paula!
Paula, darling. You were going
upstairs without even saying hello.
Hello, Fritzi. Hello, Judge.
I had a long trip. I was tired.
I thought I'd freshen up.
You look good to me, baby.
Even when you're tired.
Doesn't she, Judge? Don't she look good?
She looks beautiful.
Sit down, baby.
Give me a kiss, honey.
With your permission,
ladies. I'll leave.
No Judge, I want you to stay.
What for? To pass sentence?
Quick, isn't she, Judge?
Quick tempered, quick decisions.
A family trait.
Now Judge, you know me better than that.
I never make quick decisions.
I think about things a long time.
I just act quick.
Alright mother, let's have it.
It was "Fritzi" a minute ago.
An easy, friendly "Fritzi".
Now it's "mother".
If she can't get anything
out of me, it's "mother".
It comes out hard as a rock.
It seems to me there's nothing to
be gained in situations like these.
By anybody losing their temper.
Now, my advice...
Will be exactly what
Fritzi told you to say.
Well, there's truth in that.
You've got a weak character, Judge.
Yes Fritzi, you found that
out a long time ago.
Alright. This time, why?
Same reason.
This is the fifth school.
It wouldn't be different
if it were the fiftieth.
Then it will be fifty.
No, it won't.
Why are you any different
than anybody else?
You mean his daughter?
She was born to go to finishing school.
The little snob.
I just met her on the
street a while ago.
She was with your wife.
They both cut me dead.
I'll talk to her.
What will you tell her, Judge?
That there is really no
difference between us?
That you are one of Fritzi's partners?
That you make money the same way Fritzi
does except you get paid in back alleys?
So that you can stay respectable.
Oh, don't talk like that.
The Judge.
Judge?
Even the title is phony.
He's trying to be nice.
He said he'd talk to her.
He's been talking to her ever
since I was eight years old.
You're not eight years old anymore.
No.
I used to cry when I was eight.
But you don't cry anymore?
No. I'm like you now, Fritzi.
I'm getting more like you every day.
Like mother, like daughter.
Two very charming...
Oh, shut up!
Can I go upstairs now, mother?
Now look, baby. I don't
want to fight with you.
You know I don't want to fight with you.
Is it?
Yes it is.
Pour me a drink.
Fritzi, it may be...
Pour me a drink.
[ Telephone ]
Hello.
It's the Sheriff.
Oh, you talk to him.
Hello Pat. Fritzi doesn't feel too well.
She asked me to talk to you.
Yes.
Alright, Pat.
Pat told me to tell you that
Eddie Bendix is in town.
Eddie Bendix?
Yes.
It seems like he's taken a lease
on the Halverston ranch.
Looks as though he'll be
around for a little while.
Eddie Bendix.
He's an old friend of
yours isn't he, Fritzi?
You say that as though you didn't know.
Did Pat say why he's come here?
He told me to ask you that.
I might have known.
Goodbye, Burl.
I'd like to explain to you about...
Goodbye, Burl.
You haven't taken your drink, Fritzi.
It will keep.
Paula.
Yes, mother.
Come here, baby.
I'm glad you're home. Really I am.
Thanks, Fritzi. Thanks very much.
Tell me, baby.
Why did you leave this time?
The usual reasons.
Where do you come from?
Who are your folks? What do they do?
Do you always tell them?
You don't want me to lie, do you?
Why not?
I'm not ashamed of you.
Do you want me to be?
No.
Fritzi, I'm so much older than they are.
Oh, you just think you are.
They're just babies. They
don't know what they want.
And you do?
Yes.
Mind telling me?
I'm going to stay here.
And do what?
Work with you at the Purple Sage.
Now you listen to me.
If you even go near
that place, and I'll...
Here I go. Blowing up again.
Talk about it later, huh baby?
We'll talk about it now.
Alright, if that's the way you
want it. The answer is "no".
That's not what I have in mind for you.
What do you have in mind for me, Fritzi?
What put the idea in your head?
Tell me, Fritzi.
You tell me!
Alright. Because that's what you do.
I used to work in a silk mill
at Patterson, New Jersey.
I used to make eight bucks a week.
You wouldn't like that.
I had one pair of shoes and one dress.
My father was a drunk and
my mother didn't care.
For me, it was any
way out, but for you...
Fritzi, people come to you.
They do as you say.
And that's for you?
Yes, that's for me.
You're crazy, baby.
You'd come running to me
at the first sign of trouble.
Try it and see.
I don't have to. I know.
Look, if something's eating you,
tell me. I'll handle as I always do.
This is one time you're
not handling anything.
It's my life and I'm going to
work it out in my own way.
Eddie.
Yeah?
You got to cut it out.
You got to get it off your mind.
You know how?
She's probably in the
back. Shall I find her?
There's no hurry. Let's see
what kind of a layout she has.
Place your bets.
No more bets.
Good evening, Mr Bendix.
Well, hello, Mr Bendix.
Hi, Chuck.
Hello, Johnny.
Change the dice.
You're kidding aren't you, Mr Bendix?
Come on, give me the dice.
Eight is the point. The point is eight.
Alright, folks.
Hold it, Mr Bendix.
Sorry, Miss Paula.
It's good money.
Not at this table it isn't.
You don't want to get me fired, do you?
Fritzi won't fire you.
You've got too much on her.
I'm sorry. Those are her orders.
Here you are, Miss Haller.
Shoot for me.
Everybody down and tight.
Alright, coming out, big six and eight.
A six and a two. She made it.
Let it ride. Keep shooting, Miss Haller.
Try your luck again. Here we go.
Everybody down in time. Coming out.
Eleven!
The dice are hot.
It rides again.
You bring me luck.
Coming out. Everybody down.
Coming out. Here we go.
Six!
Six is the point. The point is six.
Coming out again. Everybody in time.
And she made it the, the hard way.
Keep shooting.
Coming out again. Everybody in time.
I didn't know you had the talent, Paula.
It comes quite naturally.
Hello, Fritzi.
Hello, Eddie.
I told her how you felt, Fritzi.
I asked her to shoot for me.
So I was told.
Any objections?
The same old Johnny.
It's a pretty big loss to take.
I can stand it.
Give me the dice, Chuck.
Coming out. Okay,
everybody down in time.
An ace and a deuce. The man missed it.
You're good, aren't you, Mr Bendix?
I'm perfect, Chuck.
You did that deliberately.
Don't be silly. Only a sucker
would do a thing like that.
I'd like a drink and
a little talk with you.
You can have them both in my office.
And I'll see you at home.
So long, Lucky. See you around.
Nice looking place you got here.
Why not? I practically live here.
And a nice-looking daughter.
And a nice-looking daughter.
To what?
The good old days.
What was good about them?
Nothing.
That ain't true. The people
were good. They had guts.
Like your old man.
My old man.
You never got married again, Fritzi?
No. Did you? No.
You did pretty good on your own.
Not much. Small fry.
Miners, railroad workers,
broken-down cowboys.
You're the one that did good.
Yeah.
I did good.
A guy like you figured to.
I just wiped that out of my eye.
That kid of yours... your daughter.
What about her?
She likes to gamble. It's in her blood.
Yeah. Like her old man.
Show her a pair of dice...
She doesn't look like you.
I thought you wanted to talk.
She reminds me of someone I knew.
I thought so too at first,
then I got a better look...
Nobody is asking you.
Alright, now we talk.
I got a visit today from the Sheriff.
Yeah?
I didn't like it.
Nobody likes Sheriffs.
Call him off. Me?
Play straight. Call him off.
Why?
Because I say so.
Well, maybe for old time's sake.
Do I owe you anything from the old days?
No... but I don't want
anybody bothering me.
Take it easy, Eddie. Maybe she's...
Shut up!
What's the matter, Eddie?
I don't like anybody taunting me.
Alright, I sent him.
Oh... excuse me. I thought you'd gone.
I said I'd see you at home.
I was waiting for you.
I want to go home with you.
I'll be outside.
Its alright.
Just one more thing. Did you tell
him to ask me all those questions?
Questions?
About my wife. The accident.
The way she died.
No I didn't. It must have been his idea.
Well this is my idea.
Don't ever do it again. Just don't.
Eddie, you can't blame me.
You blow into town the way you do.
I told that Cop that I
came here to be alone.
The word says you got
squeezed out of Vegas.
Any time Eddie wants to go
to the post, he's tagged.
I don't know how to figure.
I got a pretty good set up here.
Maybe you ought to move in.
Maybe I want to go back
to pitching pennies, too.
I want nothing from you, Fritzi. I want
nothing from nobody. Just be left alone.
The way you left me alone?
That's how he's been, Fritzi.
Ever since...
That's how I've been!
Do like I tell you, Fritzi.
Don't ask for trouble.
Sure she does.
Look at her now.
Like you talk to me, mother.
That's the way he talked to you.
"Do like I tell you, Fritzi."
Go home.
Yes, mother.
Hi, Hank.
Hiya, Paula.
Come on, Tom.
I'm ready, fellahs.
Ride him, Tommy!
Ride him, Tom!
Stay with him, Tom.
Attaboy, Tom. Come on!
You alright?
Okay.
What got broke, Tom?
You or the horse?
A few more tries and
the pony can ride me.
Yeah?
Leave him alone... Paula.
There ain't one of you drugstore cowboys
ever seen a day you could ride with him.
I'm going over to the bunk house.
Leave him alone. When this happens, he
don't want no-one around him, even me.
Is he really that good, Pat?
Ain't he ever told you?
Tom doesn't talk much about himself.
No. He was the best.
What happened to him?
He was wrestling a steer and slipped.
Now he's all busted up inside.
He's not thinking of going
back to the rodeo, is he?
All the time.
I say to him: okay, make a comeback. You
can never be as good as you used to be.
And I say once a man's a champ,
second-best is no good.
He's probably over there with
the pain eating his insides out.
Best thing for a guy like Tom...
Is to get himself a little ranch
like he's always talking about.
I think maybe you could talk to him now.
Thanks, Pat.
Feeling better?
Yeah.
What are you thinking, Tom?
Thinking I just ain't got
what it takes anymore.
I think you have.
You're just saying that. You don't know.
I know you.
Thanks.
Feel like riding?
Do you think you should?
Sure. Fast.
Me too.
A nice view from here.
Yeah, you can see Chuckawalla.
If you want to.
If you want to.
Still mad?
The ride worked it off a little.
Me too.
Fritzi?
We had another fight last
night and she slapped me.
What did you do? Slap her back?
Oh shut up.
I'm shut up.
She really loves me, Tom. She...
Just doesn't understand me.
Me too.
"Me too", what?
Love you.
I know that.
I don't know what I want.
At least, not yet.
I think I know.
You're looking for what I used
to get when I rode in the rodeo.
You keep on having people say...
That's a mighty special person.
I'd like to get that kick again.
Maybe I can get it with
just one person saying it.
A nice view from here.
You can see Chuckawalla.
Yeah. And the snow on the mountain.
And smoke out of the chimney.
That's the Bar-Triangle ranch.
I'd like to buy that place someday.
How far is it from here?
Oh, about eight, ten miles.
Just past Halverston.
Halverstons.
That's where Eddie Bendix is staying.
Yeah.
I saw him again last night.
He came to the Purple Sage.
He's a strange man.
You're building it up.
Did you know his wife?
I only saw her after she was dead. I got
there ten minutes after it happened.
She went right through the
guard-rail. A gory mess.
She...
She what...?
She was a beautiful woman.
I imagined she was.
Such a horrible accident.
Yeah, accident... that's what
it says in the records.
I never could quite figure out why
Bendix was driving another car.
You don't like him.
I think he's no good... for you.
Now you're building it up.
Maybe.
Let's go back.
Sure.
Rosa.
Rosa.
Is she home yet?
No, ma'am.
Take that thing out of here.
I'll have one of the boys send
your car over from the ranch.
So long, Paula.
So long, Tom.
Alright, Fritzi. You win.
I was wrong. I shouldn't
have said what I did.
I don't know why it went that way.
I never slapped you even
when you were a little kid.
Maybe you should have.
Maybe.
I don't know Paula. I can't
seem to get through to you.
I think it's the other way round.
Maybe.
I don't suppose it's any use in talking
to you about going back to school?
No use.
Alright, we won't talk about it.
Who'd you go riding with today?
Tom.
Tom's a nice guy.
I think so.
Do you like him?
I like him.
I have to go to Los Angeles on business.
It might be an idea if you went along.
Bought yourself some new clothes.
I don't need any.
A girl always needs new clothes.
Go ahead. I can afford it.
You can afford anything,
can't you, Fritzi.
Almost anything.
We'll leave in the morning.
What do you say, baby? We'll have fun.
If you promise to tell
the boys I'm your sister.
Too much competition that way.
Your older sister.
Alright, it's a deal.
Run upstairs now and get dressed.
We'll have dinner together.
Get that horsey smell off you.
Use my perfume, and plenty of it.
I can't keep you in a school
or out of the stables.
I like stables.
Hello, Pat... Fritzi.
Tell Tom Hanson to come to the Purple
Sage tonight. I want to talk to him.
Right.
[ Door knocks ]
Yes?
Hello Fritzi.
Hello, Tom. Sit down.
Pat said you wanted to see me.
Would you like a drink?
No, thanks.
Stop acting as though you
were going to be ruined.
Now, if I were ten years younger...
And since I'm not,
you can call me mother.
Okay, ma'am.
Tom Hanson.
You are 28 and you
come from Waco, Texas.
You were a ranch hand.
Then four years of barnstorming
around the country in rodeos.
The doctors say if you ride
again you will be killed.
If it wasn't for Pat giving you this job
as deputy, you'd be on your ear.
If you had the money you'd buy a ranch,
but you're broke. Is that right?
I was vaccinated when I was nine.
They left that out of the report.
I've had a detective agency
on you. Do you mind?
They tell you what happened
the night I got drunk in Cheyenne?
No. They didn't say anything about that.
I hope the report cost you plenty.
It did.
Anything you really want, does.
Meaning what?
I found out you are honest
and you've got guts. I like that.
You're smart and you know the ropes.
When you say you want to settle
here on a ranch, I believe you.
But I'd pay cash to be sure.
So far, it sounds like a bad investment.
That's why I called you up tonight.
To find out.
I suppose you're wondering
why I keep sending Paula away.
I never thought about it.
She's nineteen. A woman.
She hasn't any friends in this town
except my... business associates.
It's not her fault. I guess it's mine.
Anyway, I've got a problem on my hands.
I wondered if you'd noticed.
How would you like to marry Paula?
Now we're getting somewhere.
Is that why you put the
Pinkertons on me?
And I'll protect an investment
with more capital.
Tom, if you marry Paula,
you'll get your ranch.
A bigger one.
Better stocked than any you could buy
if you worked until you were ninety.
And how about Paula?
Oh... she likes cattle, horses.
She likes the desert country.
That's one reason I picked you.
What about the other reasons?
Alright.
We've been here ten years.
The town has never accepted us.
Not that I care. I would never
mix with them anyway.
They have accepted you.
You're one of them.
And if she marries you,
eventually they'll accept Paula.
She'll get her friends.
I see.
Any more?
One thing more.
I've seen you with her.
You are in love with her already.
That about wraps it up... doesn't it.
For me it does.
Where is Paula now?
Home. Why?
I'd like to talk to her.
Okay..
You can drop me off while you're at it.
Paula. Are you awake?
Yes.
Come on down. Tom's with me.
He wants to talk to you.
I'll be right down.
I think I'll go on up to bed. I'm tired.
I want you to stay.
Me... why?
What is it?
Fritzi and I are cooking up
a deal. It concerns you.
Tom.
Paula, how would you like to marry me?
Fritzi just offered me a ranch.
A big one if I'd marry you.
I'd like to know what my chances are.
Paula, I...
What do you say?
Thanks a lot, Tom.
But I don't think I'll be around here
long enough to take you up on that.
Some other time, maybe.
Paula.
Now what made you
do a fool thing like that?
If I want a ranch, I'll get one.
If I want to marry Paula,
it's my business.
You deliberately set her against me.
You're always pushing her around.
One day, you're going to
push her out of your life.
When it comes, it won't be pretty.
She needs me.
I couldn't push her off if I wanted to.
That's why she came home.
She'll never leave me.
Cut that light!
What are you doing out
here alone at night?
What are you doing?
Go on, beat it.
You heard me tell you to beat it.
Yes.
What do you want from me?
Nothing.
It's nice to meet somebody
that doesn't want anything.
This is where it happened, isn't it?
Where what happened?
The accident.
I know all about it.
Who told you?
Tom... I asked him.
Why?
I just wanted to know.
Why didn't you beat it
when I told you to?
Because I wanted to know you better.
You don't pull your punches do you.
I've heard you don't pull yours.
You're alright.
A funny kid, but you're alright.
Thanks.
Can I drop you off anywhere?
Well, that would be a big help. Take
me as far as the Halverston ranch.
Alright.
That Cop you were with today. What did
he tell you when you asked who I was?
Nothing.
Look, I know Cops. What did he say?
He told me not to get interested.
You're not paying much
attention to him, are you.
No.
You know what you're getting into?
Because unless you get out of here
right now, you're going to find out.
Is that you, Eddie?
Get out of that light. I could
pick you off like a clay-pigeon.
Where you been?
I didn't hear you go out.
Oh, I didn't know.
I thought...
Get in the house, Johnny.
Get out of here... leave him alone.
Get in the house.
He's right. Maybe you'd better go.
Maybe you'd better not come back.
Why not?
Because I'm not the kind of guy for you.
You'll get your brains knocked out, kid.
You'll wish you'd never seen me.
You'll remember what I said.
I'll remember.
She carried the bags down to the car,
and when I saw she was really going.
I asked her if there was anything I
could tell you. But she wouldn't answer.
She just got into the car and went.
Alright, Rosa. She'll be back.
Back so soon?
Yes, mother.
You couldn't leave, could you darling.
No, mother.
Yes, mother. No, mother.
What is it, baby?
What is this? Is it the way I
spoke to you before? I'm sorry.
No, it's...
I don't know, Fritzi.
What?
I can't explain it.
I just started to cry. That's all.
It must have been the storm.
When you were a kid, you were afraid of
storms. I would have to sleep with you.
You alright, now?
Yes, I'm alright now.
If you want to, I'll...
No.
I'm alright.
Sure.
We'll do a lot of things tomorrow.
Do some shopping, see a show.
I don't think I want to.
Do you have to go?
Yes. Don't you want me to?
No.
I mean...
I don't know what I mean.
The storm is almost over.
You'll be able to sleep now.
Goodnight, baby.
Goodnight, Fritzi.
Want some more coffee, Eddie?
I'll get it for you.
It's nice out here.
I must be getting old.
Sitting in the sun.
That's what you are supposed to do.
Rest. Sun.
First thing you know,
you'll be ready for anything.
Down to L.A. Pick up the boys.
You must get fed up
playing nursemaid to me.
We've been together a long time.
[ Car horn ]
Hi.
Hello, kid.
Hello.
How about coffee?
Bring three cups, Johnny.
You remember Johnny?
Yes, I remember him.
I'm supposed to apologize to you for
talking to you the way I did last night.
How do you want it?
You've got a funny way of apologizing.
I'm working up to it, gradually.
Just go and get the coffee.
Excuse me.
My manners stink.
You get home alright?
Yes, I got home alright.
Sit down.
Thank you.
What about you?
What do you mean?
How do you live? What do you do?
Nothing much.
Do you like it out here?
I'm used to it.
Mother brought me here when I was a kid.
We come from New Jersey.
My father was a bootlegger.
He was killed. I don't remember him.
I do.
You knew him?
Yeah
We were in the same racket.
Did you know Fritzi?
A long time ago.
She ran a speakeasy after...
After your old man died.
Tell me, what was Fritzi like then?
I didn't know her very well.
You two don't get on together, do you.
Okay, skip it.
It's none of my business.
But it is your business.
Don't make that mistake, kid.
I didn't mean it that way.
I wasn't trying to commit you.
Don't. It won't do you any good.
I didn't come here to do myself
any good or to be told off, either.
Nobody is telling you off.
And nobody's going to.
I don't like your brand
of hospitality, Mr Bendix.
Wait a minute.
Push Johnny around if he likes it.
But I don't. Not from you or anybody.
Take it easy... don't go.
I came here without being asked.
I can leave the same way.
Hello child bride.
Hello, Tom.
Sore at me?
Of course not.
You did the only thing you could.
I'm not so sure.
I always wanted a ranch, only
I don't know about your cooking.
Soda?
Yes, please.
Maybe I should have taken the
offer anyway. Why?
What were you doing at the
Halverston ranch the other night?
I was minding my own business.
I was too.
Cruising the highway
out by the state bridge.
About the time you came out of the
private road and headed for town.
Don't go out there again, Paula.
Now wait a minute, Tom.
I mean what I say, Paula.
When you tangle with
someone like Bendix.
You just don't pick up your jacks
afterwards and go home.
I'm telling you to stay away from there.
But what's it got to do with you?
Or have you changed your
mind about wanting the ranch?
After a crack like that, I ought
to let you jump in over your head.
But first I'll tell you
something you should know.
I can't stop you.
I told you I was detailed to the
Bendix case. So what?
They brought her body down
to us at the county seat. I saw it.
I've a good memory.
Somebody you knew?
No. She was a nobody.
But when I saw you for the first time,
I remembered all over again.
And I tried to tell it
to you at the bridge
You look like her, Paula.
I look...?
Too much like her.
I see.
Thanks, Tom. Thanks
for a very good turn.
The drink is on me.
Hello, Paula.
Hello, Eddie.
I've been waiting for you to come back.
Eddie.
Yeah?
I know something now
that I didn't know before.
I know something too. I've missed you.
I was surprised how much.
Get in.
After the way that you and Johnny
treated me, I don't think I should.
Alright, I was wrong.
I'm sorry. Now get in the car.
I don't think she wants to, bud.
I don't think it's your business.
You know, its a funny thing.
You keep wishing for something to
happen, then it falls in your lap.
Like What?
Busting you on the nose.
Blow.
Get out the car.
Listen, Copper.
Eddie... hold it.
Why don't you ask the girl?
Do you want to go with him, Paula?
Yes.
I'll go fix a fence.
I know why you acted the
way you did the other day.
Why you brushed me off.
Yeah.
I look like here, don't I?
A lot like her.
I don't like smart dames.
Maybe you'd better not stay
long this time, either.
Alright, if you say so.
You can't say so, can you.
Come on in. I'll show you the house.
Who does your housework?
Johnny.
Oh.
Johnny.
A little messy, isn't it?
It's a nice day.
You ought to let it in.
I like sunlight in its place. Outside.
I guess you're right.
It is kind of messy.
Johnny's got behind with the dishes.
Yeah.
A quiet sleeper, aren't you.
You got a sharp eye.
Yeah, I sleep quiet.
I curl up like a kitten.
You might help.
Okay.
Those are loaded clips.
I know it.
I was afraid you were going to
throw them in the fireplace.
You carry a gun?
The carpet-sweeper is in the
kitchen closet if you want it.
It's alright.
You're a strange combination.
You recognize an automatic clip and
you play house like you meant it.
Kinda nice emptying those ashtrays.
It's funny about women.
They never creep up on you until they're
in your house and you watch them tick.
You shouldn't do that, kid.
First thing you know.
I'll be out of a job.
Don't worry about it, Johnny.
I'll see that you get your pension.
Come on Paula. Let's go
outside where the air is fresh.
This is what I like, Eddie.
To be alone in the desert.
The sagebrush and the sky.
Nobody looks down on you here.
Yeah.
It's nice.
You don't like it the way I do.
I can tell by the look on your face.
You're thinking about something else.
What have you been
thinking about, Eddie?
Tenement houses and back alleys.
Eddie... what were you before I met you?
A tough guy.
No. I mean a long time ago
before Johnny even met you.
Oh... a kid. Like you.
Where did you live when you were a kid?
Brooklyn. Ninth ward.
What were you like?
I don't know. Like any other kid.
No.
When did you meet Johnny?
When I was your age. Or a year older.
It was in the automat off Times Square.
2 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday.
I was broke. He had a couple
of dollars. We got to talking.
He ended up paying for my ham and eggs.
And then?
I went home with him that night.
I was locked out.
Didn't have a place to stay.
His old lady ran a boarding house in the
Bronx. There was some vacant rooms.
We were together from then on.
How did you...?
How did I... get into the racket?
What difference does it make?
Until Johnny.
New York and Nevada.
We've been together a long time.
A long, long time.
Where did you meet her?
New York or Nevada?
Angela and I met in Las Vegas.
What's it to you? Nothing.
What do you want to know? Was I
happy with her? Yes.
The way you keep talking about
her you'd think she was still alive.
I'm sorry.
Too much pushing in my life as it is.
I wasn't.
It's alright.
I didn't mean you this time.
Eddie.
Coming in to eat?
Yeah. Set the table for three.
Three?
Sure. You still live here.
I wasn't sure.
He doesn't like me.
It's not his business to like you.
And not his business to pick my friends.
Come on, let's go eat.
Paula.
Paula.
Remember me? I'm your old lady.
Hello, Fritzi.
When did you get back?
Late last night.
I figured you'd be asleep.
Yes, I was asleep.
Well, you don't seem
very glad to see me.
Oh, I'm just surprised. I didn't
expect you back until tomorrow.
You look good, baby.
Nice and fresh and alive.
I like to see you dressed up.
Where you going?
Going?
Oh, I don't know. For a drive.
I might go down to Vegas for the day.
You want some breakfast?
I'm not hungry.
Well, don't go. I haven't seen
you for days. Sit down.
How you been keeping yourself,
what you been doing?
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Goodbye, Fritzi.
Just a minute... Paula.
Hello... yes, Mike?
Well, I'll be down in a little while.
It will keep until then.
How does it come out?
I don't know.
I'll look on the last page.
It has a happy ending.
It always has.
They fall in love. They get married.
This one ends when they fall in love.
Yeah.
They had some sense.
Read it.
"There was no need for words."
"Her eyes told him what
he wanted to know."
"She was in love with him."
"He took her in his arms."
Alright. Close the door.
Pretty bad out there, tonight.
Going to bed?
Yes.
Aren't you afraid the road
might wash out on you?
The storm is easing off.
I don't think we'll have a flood.
It's still raining.
Not in the mountains. That's where
the real water comes from.
There's a few of feet
of water in the river bed.
What's up, Johnny?
Afraid you'll drown?
If the road washes out,
she won't get home tonight.
She can stay here.
Sure she can.
By sunrise, every Cop in the desert
will be pounding the door down.
You talk too much.
I don't talk enough.
You think I'll let you
lose your head over...
The chances are better
of you losing yours.
Where do you think you're going?
Home. Take off your coat.
Johnny's right. If there's a wash...
Johnny's not giving orders here.
Alright, Eddie.
I wasn't trying to give any orders.
Only wanted to keep you out of trouble.
Take off your coat.
You heard what Eddie said.
He wants you to stick around.
You're not like her at all.
Does it matter?
Something was wrong somewhere, kid.
Wrong?
I'm not so sure I can
get along without you.
Have I broken the law?
Nothing the vehicle code covers.
Why did you stop me?
Is it part of your job?
I told you that day in front
of the drugstore, Paula.
I wasn't listening.
What are you going to do about it?
You tell me.
You can always tell Fritzi.
I always thought the best way to gentle
a colt was to put a long rope on her.
But I'm beginning to have my doubts.
I think I've given you
all the rope I'm going to.
You're going to?
Me.
You're getting to be just like Fritzi.
You ought to get together with her.
Maybe I will.
Then you can both try to run my life.
Can you run it, Paula? Do you know
what you're doing? Yes.
I know what I'm doing.
But why?
Because that's the way I feel.
But a guy like Bendix?
A cheap racketeer.
He's no different than Fritzi.
Except he's smarter at it.
And bigger and stronger.
And that's important to you?
To me it is.
Well I guess that's it, then.
Is Fritzi down at the Sage?
Yes. She thinks I went to Vegas.
You better get home. The road is bad
further down. If you follow me, I'll...
Thanks. I can make it home
alright. I know my way.
So long, Tom.
So long.
[ Door knocks ]
Come in.
The wages of sin.
Are very high.
But you wouldn't know.
How are you tonight, sucker?
Wet and thirsty.
Do you drink?
And smoke.
But you don't go with girls.
I don't like getting paid for it.
I like to keep my amateur standing.
Remind me to get you
a hair-shirt for Christmas.
It's against regulations.
I'll fix it with Pat. What's up?
What did you come to see me about?
I'm trying to figure that out myself.
Shall I tell you?
Shoot.
You thought it over.
You'd like me to make the offer again,
but you haven't the nerve to say it.
You're no different than any
of the others in this town.
You want your share, but you
want it tied in a pink ribbon.
So that's why I came here?
Yes.
It could be.
Alright. Then why did you?
I just stopped in to get warm.
You're the sucker, Fritzi.
Tom.
What did you come here for?
Whatever it was,
I'll take care of it myself.
Hello, Johnny.
Eddie up yet?
No. He's still asleep.
You mind if I sit here and watch?
It's alright with me.
Johnny.
Yeah?
What do you want out of life?
Well, everybody wants something.
Money. Love. Travel. Their own business.
What do you want?
Why do you want to know?
Oh, I'm just curious.
You're always with Eddie.
You always seem to be with him.
But there must be some
of you apart from him?
What do you want for yourself?
Why would there be some
of me apart from Eddie?
Two people can't fit into one life.
You seem to think so.
What if he retires? Or if he marries?
He won't retire and he won't marry.
He married once.
It didn't turn out so good.
Did you know her... Angela?
Yeah... I lived with them, too.
I knew Eddie Bendix a long
time before he met Angela.
And I'll know him a
long time afterwards.
And I'll know him a long
time after he leaves here.
Eddie Bendix is wasting his
time in a cactus graveyard.
He wants to be here.
Some guys don't know what they want.
They go a little nuts for a while.
But they get over it.
Sometimes they don't.
I wouldn't count on that.
Someday, he'll leave you. You know it.
He won't leave me.
I come in too handy.
What do you mean?
Why don't you ask him?
Johnny.
Yeah?
Johnny, let's be friends.
Are you kidding?
Hey you two... what's going on?
Just talking.
About what?
You.
Go and get breakfast.
Alright, Eddie.
What's the matter, kid?
Johnny said you'd be
leaving the desert soon.
The two of you.
The squeeze play, huh?
He's pretty good at that.
Are you?
I haven't thought about it.
He's trying to break it up
between us. He hates me.
Forget it.
Eddie.
If you love me, get rid of him.
You can certainly throw
it on the line, can't you.
I didn't draw the line in
the first place. He did.
Eddie, I want you.
I'm in love with you.
Maybe Johnny doesn't belong here.
And you?
I'm beginning to like the desert.
I'm beginning to like
everything about it.
When are we quitting the desert, Eddie?
What's on your mind?
If we don't go back soon. We'll have
trouble to get into the swing of things.
Your name still means something, but...
If you drop out after a bad break...
Go on.
You and me.
We know you weren't scared off.
A bad deal like you got
might happen to anybody.
Some of the boys might get
restless waiting around in L.A.
They might start thinking things like...
Maybe you're nervous
about getting started again.
Like you say, you and me, we know
that isn't true. Sure.
I mention it to remind you how careful
we've got to be of your reputation.
We've been building
it up for fifteen years.
We don't want to throw it all away now.
In a couple of years, we can have the
biggest gambling racket in the country.
You've got everything to do it with.
Looks, personality, contacts.
It's out, Johnny.
All of it is out. I'm quitting.
You mean you're kidding?
No. Quitting!
I want to stay here in the desert.
You are afraid to go
back Eddie, aren't you?
You don't really think so,
do you Johnny?
And me?
You'll be taken care of.
What are you going to do?
Give me a gold watch?
A watch is a nice touch. Hadn't
thought of that. Listen.
I'll give you your cut. You
can leave whenever you like.
Alright, Eddie. Any way you want it.
Only I won't leave either.
I'll stay out here with you.
No dice, Johnny. I want you to go.
Chuckawalla, 2.3.
I thought you'd gone.
Going down to the Sage?
Nope.
Aren't you feeling well?
I feel fine.
I think I'll drive down to the village.
I don't think you will.
You know how to pick them don't you.
Don't you? Answer me!
Yes, Fritzi. I know how to pick them.
Well, is that all you have to say?
What is there for me to say?
Yes, it's true. I don't know how
you found out, but it's true.
Why?
I don't know why I'm in love with him.
You can't be in love with him.
You don't know anything about love.
I don't know anything about
anything according to you.
You don't know anything
about Eddie Bendix.
If you did...
And if I did?
He's no good!
Do you have any idea what I went
through in order to bring you up?
You've told me.
No I didn't.
Do you think I like living here?
Do you think I like Pat and the
Judge and drunken miners?
After your father died and I found I
had bad lungs, I didn't want to live.
But I did.
Only because of you.
Because I wanted to give you something
I never had. And it wasn't Eddie Bendix.
Fritzi, these things happen.
They also stop.
Listen to me, Paula. You're never
going to see Eddie Bendix again.
If you have any ideas about
going out of that door...
You better know I'll pick up the
phone and call the Sheriff's office.
And I'll swear out a
warrant for Bendix's arrest.
On what charge?
Don't you worry your head about that.
Pat will do exactly as
I tell him and so will you.
Fritzi, he expects me.
He's waiting for me.
He'll wait a long time.
He'll come here looking for me.
I hope he does.
Fritzi, let me phone him. You
can't let him wait, not knowing.
He'll know.
And when he does, he'll blow out of
town so fast... No, he wont.
I say he will.
I say you're not to see him, phone him
or contact him in any way whatever.
I'd rather see you dead first.
I believe you would at that.
You needn't swear out a warrant.
I'm going up to my room.
And you'll stay in your room
until he blows out of town.
It's been a couple of days now.
You can't keep her locked up forever.
Hello?
Hello. This is Paula.
Eddie?
Is that you, Eddie?
Is it true, Johnny?
Let me speak to Eddie, please.
This is Paula.
I can't speak long.
Can you hear me?
Get out of here.
Johnny, let me in.
I got to talk to Eddie.
He doesn't want to see you.
Now get away from here or I'll kill you.
So help me, I'll kill you as you stand.
Didn't I hear a car?
Yeah... the wrong house.
Was it?
I was asleep.
Did she call?
No.
I've been in the house all the time.
I've got an awful head.
You've been drinking too much.
Yeah.
She must have called.
Listen, Eddie. Listen to me.
Quit thinking about her.
You're making a fool out of yourself.
We got a job to do in Vegas. A big job.
The smart thing to do is to go back
there now. That's the important thing.
You sure that's what I ought to do?
Yes, I'm sure.
Well I'm not doing it.
I'll go to town to find
out where Paula is.
Are you crazy?
Maybe.
But nobody can make a sucker out of me.
Eddie, forget it. Let it go.
Eddie, you can't go in to town.
Fritzi runs this part of the country.
She'll have the Sheriff on you.
Go on.
You're not giving it to me straight.
What are you talking about?
What did you do to make Paula stay away?
Eddie, you're way off base.
I'll find out in town.
Eddie, don't do it.
How did this get here?
Don't know. A woman here asking for the
wrong house. She must have dropped it.
It's Paula's glove.
The world's full of gloves.
Not with her initials.
Why did she leave?
Why did she leave?
I tell you... Tell me!
I was only trying to...
Well?
Hello, Mr Bendix.
Got your mind set on trouble ain't you.
I'm in hurry. Just give me
a ticket and I'll go.
Get out.
I'll take a ticket. What do you want?
My autograph or just a little cash?
Get out.
Wait a minute.
You're getting out of line.
I know you're anxious to be on your way,
and I'm sorry to have to do this.
You ought to have more
respect for the law, bud.
You don't think nothing
of hurting my feelings.
You'd better come along with
me and we'll talk this over.
Sobered up?
What's that?
When I tell a drunk to get out
of a car... I expect him to get out.
No monkey business.
Who is drunk?
You are.
Go ahead. Walk.
Show me how sober you are.
Look... I got to get out of here.
I don't know what you want.
If it's money, I'll give you.
That sounded like a bribe.
What do you want?
Nothing.
I just like to meet big-shots.
You're burned about Paula.
And taking it out on me.
Shut up!
You chump.
I said shut up.
Throw her in the clink, too.
A way of holding on to her.
I don't need much of an excuse.
You'd better do it quick.
I'm going to her house.
I'm taking her out of here.
Yeah?
Tonight.
She'll go with you? You're sure of that?
I'm sure.
Yes. I guess she will.
Bendix, listen to me and listen good.
This one isn't going to
wind up like other one.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I saw your face that night.
And I remember good, too.
You got away with that one,
because nobody could prove anything.
You could fix things.
But this time around, there
won't be any manner of fixing.
Because no matter where you are,
I'll know, and I'll get you.
Lecture over, Copper?
No!
So you'll remember.
I'll remember.
Well, you went out there anyway.
In spite of what I told you.
Go inside.
You shouldn't have done
that, Paula. Taken my car.
Sit down.
Were you out there all this time?
No, I left about an hour ago.
Where were you then?
Just driving around.
I suppose you know what this means?
I won't see him again.
I'll promise if you like.
He won't get away with it either.
Pat is going to pick
him up in the morning.
Believe me, mother.
I'll do whatever you tell me.
[ Car tires squealing ]
Who's that?
It's Bendix.
What happened to you?
You got a deputy named Hanson?
Yes.
If he's smart he won't be deputy no more.
If you broke the law...
You're slow on the take. Get rid of him!
I want him with no badge.
I want you to get out of my house.
Sure. Quick.
Get your coat. We're getting married.
Eddie. Yes or no?
I'll get my coat.
Arrest him, Pat. Arrest him now.
I've got to have a warrant.
The law is the law.
Well... book him on suspicion.
You told me you could reopen the
case on the death of his wife.
New evidence.
I never said no such thing.
Know when to give up?
No.
He's no chump. He knows who Eddie is.
I can't, Fritzi.
You've done a lot of things you can't.
You'll do one more now.
I'm ready.
Paula.
It's no use.
Paula, baby.
I'm not a child anymore.
I can do what I want to.
Listen to me. He's not for you.
He's just a cheap crook.
A cheap crook!
I'm trying to be nice.
I'm in the family.
Well pick your own kind.
Who, you? Eddie.
She asked for it.
I did?
But it's true, Fritzi, you are his kind.
So am I because I am your daughter.
I'm not a simple little
schoolgirl anymore.
You don't know what it will be like.
How could you know what it's like,
the way I feel when I'm with him.
I know more about it than you think.
Alright, now I'll ask nice.
Leave her alone.
I can't.
Anything you want.
She's what I want.
Look Fritzi, I'll see if I can
make you understand.
A guy is alone. All his life he's alone.
All his life he keeps
looking not to be alone.
Let's go.
Eddie.
Eddie, I want to talk to you alone.
Say what you say in front of me.
Listen Paula, I knew him when
he just started out. He and I...
Yes, Fritzi...?
He used to work for your father.
That was when he started
out to double-cross the world.
How well did you know him?
You think he's big-time,
don't you? Well, he's not.
How well did you know him?
Well enough to know that he's
not good enough for you.
Go ahead Fritzi, tell her.
You don't think I've nerve enough?
It makes no difference. Come on, Paula.
No. Wait a minute.
I want to hear about you and Eddie.
Alright.
He wanted me the way he wants you now.
Yes, he promised to marry me, too.
Well, now you know.
That ought to be enough.
No... no, it's not enough.
Not for me it isn't.
Tell her the rest. How I walked out.
Sure I'll tell her.
He found out I had to come out here.
To the desert.
That meant money and doctors.
A lot of years maybe.
So he ran out on me.
Just the way he'll run out on you the
minute he doesn't need you anymore.
That's her story.
The way that he's run out on everything
in his life. For the same reason.
You don't believe me, do you.
You don't believe a word I've said.
No, I don't.
I don't believe you'd stop at anything
to keep me from going away with him.
Do you want me to tell you why, Fritzi?
No.
Now get out of here. Both of you!
Fritzi, I...
She's gone.
Nineteen years.
I would have done it
for you Fritzi... if I could.
Nineteen years.
Like that.
Where are we going?
Vegas.
We're coming back here afterwards.
I hope I never see the place again.
What made you change your mind?
The town?
Be quiet.
I didn't mean it that way.
I know what you meant.
Don't say that again.
Don't talk to me like that, Eddie.
I'm going to be your wife.
Fight the rest of the world
if you have to, but not me.
I'm sorry, kid. I'm a little jumpy.
That's alright, Eddie.
What about... you and him?
Who?
The Copper. Tom.
I'm here with you, Eddie.
That don't mean nothing.
What have you go in your head?
What are you thinking about?
You're thinking, maybe
you made a mistake?
No, I'm not thinking that.
Nobody walks out on me.
Eddie, look out!
Hey, take me with you.
Get away or I'll chop your hands off.
You can't leave me
out here in the desert.
Go on. Beat it.
At least take me to Vegas.
I'll go nuts out here.
Eddie, take him to where
he can catch a train.
Let's not leave any loose ends behind.
He'd probably set fire to the ranch and
stick me the bill. Hop in, loose end.
I got a bag at the side of the road.
Well, get it!
I hope you never get finished with me.
No?
No. I'd hate to be left alone
on a desert road at night.
I won't hurt you to keep it in mind.
You may as well earn your ride. Drive.
Here. Give me one.
You're out. Stop at the
next place you come to.
I'll be right out.
So you won the grand prize, eh?
Have I, Johnny?
So, you're really going through with it?
You're going to marry him.
He won't quit. You know that.
I know. He told me he was going back.
Nobody listens.
He's angry because he was
beaten up by Tom Hanson.
Yeah.
You see what happens
when I'm not around.
He'll get over it.
You want to bet?
Ah, here they are.
Don't often get a call for that brand.
But I knew I had one somewhere.
What's wrong?
Johnny say something?
A cup of coffee, please.
Yeah, I'm kinda hungry, too.
Look, we'll be here all night.
Alright, we'll take a
couple of hamburgers.
In the back. Come on.
What's the matter buddy?
Ain't we good enough for you?
Hey. Ain't we your type?
I said, ain't we quite your type?
No, you ain't.
I don't like the way you said that.
Sit down and shut up.
Just kidding.
Alright, folks. All aboard.
That was a cruel thing to do.
Nobody asked him to
shoot off his big mouth.
Supposing Johnny didn't have a gun?
Oh, Eddie's always got an ace.
He's got... me.
He's got quite a technique
for cooling off wise guys.
It reminds me of the time a 21 dealer
tried to spring a crooked deck on him.
Remember, Eddie?
A week later his widow got a couple
of thousand bucks. Special delivery.
Did he have any kids, Eddie? I forget.
What are you trying to pull?
True, ain't it?
Get out of here.
Get out of here!
I want him to stay.
Why?
I want him to tell me.
What?
About you.
The way I am? The way you'll take me.
It's the end of the line for Johnny.
Now, we go alone.
No, Eddie.
You've done enough walking out on
me for one night. It's monotonous.
I've been tied to you
too long to be alone.
Knock yourself off.
I don't have to. What you mean?
You're safe as long as I
care what happens to me.
Well, I don't care anymore.
You take me with you or...
Or what?
I'll sing.
About what?
About Angela.
I'll tell them what really happened.
You cheap double-crosser.
Sit down, Eddie.
Sit down I said.
And you.
I'm going to tell you a few
things about Eddie Bendix.
Eddie Bendix and me.
Paula. Whatever he says, he's saying
as he's sore I'm walking out on him.
Go on, Johnny.
I won't tell you again.
You forget, Eddie.
Eddie is a really smart guy.
Good looking and classy.
There is only one thing.
He ain't ever been
able to pay the piper.
That's where I come in. I paid for him.
Fritzi said something like that.
We were going to be big-shots together.
I planned it that way for fifteen years.
You got your end.
More than my end.
I also took the rap.
When there was a rap to take, I took it.
One year on that Federal job.
We agreed.
We agreed. You'd have gone all to pieces
and told them everything they wanted.
Then wash yourself up
with your boys in Nevada.
Paula, listen to me.
I'm listening.
And then there were the Rocko boys.
Remember, Eddie?
I got in the car and drove off fast,
pretending I was you.
You went out the back way.
Then there was the gambling
ship in the Mexican Gulf.
I almost made it until you came along.
I'll bet you think he's
loaded, don't you?
I did think so.
Guys like Eddie don't fall in love.
They're in love with their own hides.
He wanted you as he wanted to get out
of doing what I told him he had to do.
He couldn't quit alone.
He couldn't do anything alone.
Angela found that out.
She was just a dumb
hooker in a dime circuit.
She thought she was
going into the big time.
She wasn't married two months before she
found out. Like you're finding out now.
She wasn't as lucky as you are.
Lucky?
Sure. She couldn't quit.
She found out too much.
Names, dates, places, people.
The kind of a guy Eddie really is.
The work I was doing for him.
The rough stuff.
Johnny the strong-arm boy.
With the loose mouth.
You're the one who told her.
You told me I could trust her.
She was your wife, wasn't she?
Just like I trust this kid here.
Or shouldn't I?
I don't think I want to hear any more.
You'll listen until I'm finished.
Angela was a normal dame. She couldn't
take it any more than you take it now.
It stuck in her throat.
So, she got in her car and
started for Los Angeles.
By the time she knew enough to quit,
she knew too much for us to let her.
We got in the big car
and started after her.
On the bridge at Chuckawalla,
we caught up to her.
It was your fault. You made me.
Sure. I made you do it.
You couldn't even tie
your own shoelaces.
Wait a minute, Johnny. I don't get it.
I'll draw you a picture.
We caught up to her,
and she wouldn't stop.
Eddie went to pieces
and wanted to let her go.
I told him to make her stop.
To force her off the road.
He lost his nerve.
So then I really told him.
I said "turn that wheel"!
And then?
He turned it.
I didn't kill her.
I was only trying to stop her.
It was his idea. You heard him say it.
I heard him.
I didn't kill her. Not me.
Yes, it was.
No. He did it.
You stayed with him.
I had to.
Nobody had to do it.
You don't understand.
It's you who doesn't.
You don't even see it.
That's what's so horrible.
This is it for me, Eddie.
This is where I get off.
No it isn't.
It's no good. It never happened.
Yes, it did happen.
No.
I never really saw you
before as you really are.
Yeah it's funny, ain't it.
People think they see Eddie and all the
years they've been really seeing me.
I'm Eddie Bendix.
Why is it women never
fall in love with me?
Stay here.
I should have figured this.
It's what's been eating
you all these years!
[ Johnny: ]
"By the time she knew enough to get out,
she knew too much for us to let her."
"We got in the big car
and started after her."
"Eddie's never been
able to pay the piper."
"I've always paid for him."
"Angela was just a nice, normal dame."
"She couldn't take it any
more than you can take it now."
"She couldn't quit."
"She found out too much.
Names, dates, places, people."
"Guys like Eddie don't fall in love."
"They're in love with their own hides."
"You told me I could trust her.
She was your wife, wasn't she?"
"Just like I trust this kid here."
"Or shouldn't I?"
"Eddie went all to pieces"
"Lost his nerve."
"So then I really told him."
"Turn that wheel!"
This is Hanson. Rush an ambulance
to the Chuckawalla bridge.
And tell Fritzi Haller to get down here.
You alright, Paula?
Yes, I'm fine.
You'd better say here, Paula.
Hello, Fritzi.
Are you alright?
Yes, I'm alright.
Proud of yourself?
No.
What happened before
the wreck? Did he leave you?
We left each other.
Don't you want to tell me about it?
I'd rather not.
Alright, baby.
You can come and work with
me at the Purple Sage.
The least I can do is teach
you how to earn money.
How to keep it once you've got it.
And how to pick a phony.
No thanks, Fritzi.
I don't think I want it.
Are you still in love with him?
There is no Eddie Bendx.
There never was.
Everything I thought was his,
was really Johnny's.
I had it backwards all the time.
He's dead.
It might have been me
if you hadn't come along.
A long rope, I said.
It's almost too long.
You'd better come home now, baby.
Not now Fritzi. Please.
You won't run away?
I won't run away anymore from anything.
I'll bring her home.
Goodnight, Tom... goodnight, baby.
Goodnight, mother.
She always calls me mother
when she wants something.
I do... I want you to kiss me.
They never fixed it.
They will some day.
Sometimes things can't be fixed.
I don't believe that... neither do you.
Do you, Paula?
I don't know, Tom. I really don't.
That's all I wanted to hear you say.
A nice view from here.
You can see Chuckawalla.
And the Bar-Triangle beyond it.
If you want to.
I want to. It looks good to me.
It depends on where you're sitting.
And who is sitting with you...
T-G