[Ragtime music playing]
JESS: I'll get this ear,
and you get on.
Whoa.
JOE: Let me get my seat.
Whoa now.
-You got him?
-I got him.
You got him? All right, go!
JOE: Whoo-haw!
JESS:
Let him know who you are, boy!
Yeah, boy!
You got him,Joe! You got him!
JOE: Whoa,whoa.
JESS: That's it,Joe!
WlLLlS: Kid looks pretty good.
JESS: Well, hell...
Yeah, I taught him
everything he knows.
JESS: Whoo!
WlLLlS: How's the war?
JESS: Well, it was all right.
How's prison?
WlLLlS: Glad to be out.
JESS: I'll bet. Dock still in?
WlLLlS: They might just let him
out of jail some day...
if he'd stop trying to escape.
JESS: You would have done
pretty good there...
if you hadn't pulled leather.
JOE: Like hell I did.
I ain't never touched
a saddle horn in my life.
Howdy,Willis.
WlLLlS: Little brotherJoe done
went and shot up like a weed.
JOE: It happens that way.
You wanna try a ride?
WlLLlS: Hell, no. I leave that
to your big brotherJess here.
Say,what is the going rate
these days...
for getting your brains
beat out on the saddle?
JESS: Same as always.
$1.00 a day, beans, and hay.
JOE: How long you been out?
WlLLlS: About a year.
-Doing what?
-White boy picking cotton.
JOE:
Ma's gonna be happy to see you!
Hey, Ma! Will's home!
WlLLlS: Pa around?
JESS: Oh, no.
I ain't seen him in weeks.
He's off chasing money ponds
andfritter trees, as always.
WlLLlS: That'd be
James W. Newton, all right.
Everybody says he's a good man.
Just can't nobody figure out
what he's goodfor.
[Sizzling]
WlLLlS: Mm-mmm.
I been dreaming about
your squirrel dumplings...
forfour years now.
MA: That's the last one, son.
You almostfinished breaking
that Ferguson colt?
JOE: Yes, ma'am.
He ain't that tough.
I reckon we'll have about
$10 by the end of the week.
JESS: Yeah, he still owes us
fourfrom last week.
MA: You gonna go get it?
JESS: Yeah, I will.
JOE: Willis,you gonna stay on?
You can help me and Jess
break a few horses.
MA: You let Willis
finish his dinner.
WlLLlS: Naw, little brother,
I'm just staying a bit.
Besides, I ain't horse crazy
like you boys.
JESS: It's nice to see
you ain't changed,Willis.
WlLLlS:
You should've seen her, Mom.
We was all set up.
Talking about getting married,
living on the 40 acres...
the whole bit.
And then some old jealous rat
went and told her old man...
that I'd been in a penitentiary,
and that was it.
Ffft. Cut me off,
couldn't see her no more.
Oh, he still wanted me to stay
on and work his crop.
Hell, I was the best
cotton picker he ever had.
Just didn't want
his beautiful daughter...
hooked up with an ex-con.
A man gonna tell me I ain't
good enough for his daughter...
but I'm good enough
to work his crop?
I said the hell with you.
MA: No, it ain'tfair, son.
Maybe you should've stayed on,
tried to work it out.
How?
How, Mom?
What, like I tried to
work it out up in Cottonwood...
when them folks
that known me all my life...
stood up and testified
against me in a court of law...
and I ain't done nothing?
I'm gonna work some things out
all right. You just watch me.
And if it ain'tfair
when it's all said and done...
it's gonna be unfair
on my side of the fence.
[Fiddle music]
GlRLS: [Singing]
Guide us to Thy side, Lord.
Guide us to Thy side.
The pathway of the righteous...
Can have no earthly load.
What good are gold and silver...
When the devil wins your soul?
Guide us to Thy side, Lord.
Guide us to Thy side.
Straight wages
God won't pay you...
His hours,they are long...
But He helps those
that help themselves...
And protects the weak
from strong.
[Slow jazz piano music]
GLASSCOCK: So where do you know
this fella from?
SLlM:
We were in the pen together.
His brother stole some cotton
and drug him down with him.
He didn't do nothing.
The kid's green,
but he's got guts.
This here is
my business associate.
How do you do?
Brentwood Glasscock.
WlLLlS: Willie Reed.
-Nice to meet you.
-You as well.
SLlM: Been a slight change
in plans,fellas.
I went out there
and got it all set up.
Going in at 12:00 noon
instead of 12:00 midnight.
GLASSCOCK: Slim,
I didn't travel 300 miles...
to stick a gun
in someone's face.
You can hold the horses.
A night job
is too much work anyhow.
I ain't afraid of hard work.
SLlM: This'll be a milk run.
-Mr. Glasscock.
-Hmm?
BARTENDER: Chief wanted y'all
to have a drink on him.
It's Napoleon brandy.
GLASSCOCK: Thanks.
Heard they hit another pool
south of town last week.
BARTENDER: They sure did.
WlLLlS: Who's they?
GLASSCOCK: Chief Bakenron.
One of the Osage millionaires.
BARTENDER: Last year,they
wouldn't even let him in here...
but, uh, policy's changed.
WlLLlS: Yeah? Why's that?
GLASSCOCK: He bought the place.
WlLLlS: Oil, huh?
GLASSCOCK: Mm-hmm.
SLlM: To Oklahoma, gentlemen--
the Sooner state.
The sooner we get out of here,
the richer we're gonna be.
You ain't gonna drink that?
WlLLlS: Nah.
SLlM: Ahh. Lordy.
lndians drink anything.
GLASSCOCK:
I prefer to go in at night.
There's more time to do
your work and a lot less people.
SLlM: There's an easy way
to do this and a hard way.
Long as I'm leading this outfit,
we do it my way.
WlLLlS: Which way is that?
SLlM: Why don't y'all relax?
I got this sheriff's pecker
in my pocket.
We just cut him in
on the take,that's all.
GLASSCOCK:
I still prefer nights.
WlLLlAMS: Thanks a lot,Alvin.
See you next year.
ALVlN: Thank you, Mr. Williams.
-Howdy.
-Howdy.
ALVlN: Can I help you, sir?
[Laughs]
This here's a bank robbery,
and I want all your money.
Hands up, everybody.
Come on.
GLASSCOCK: Howdy.
Do us both a favor
and just keep walking.
SLlM: Lock him in that vault
and get that boy out of there.
MAN: Come on! Let's go!
GLASSCOCK:
Why is this happening, Slim?
[Gunshot]
SLlM: Double-crossing bastard!
Damn him to hell!
GLASSCOCK: Hyah! Hyah!
[Gunshot]
Hyah! Come on!
Hyah! Hyah!
WlLLlS: Oh...
[Whinnies]
[Squishy footsteps]
[Knocking lightly]
GLASSCOCK: Yeah?
WlLLlS:
Open up. It's me,Willis.
GLASSCOCK: You all right?
WlLLlS: Yeah.
GLASSCOCK:
Anybody see you come up here?
WlLLlS:
No. I come up the back.
GLASSCOCK: That's my wife.
Avis,this is Will Reed.
WlLLlS: Howdy.
Pleased to meet you, ma'am.
AVlS: Charmed.
WlLLlS:
Sorry to wake you tonight.
Well,they got Slim.
GLASSCOCK: I know.
Newspaper didn't say nothing
about him being dead,though.
WlLLlS: What'd we get?
GLASSCOCK: What'd you get?
WlLLlS:
Nothing. I got out alive.
GLASSCOCK:
Well, if all we got's mine...
it's not a hell of a lot.
Some damn victory bonds.
If we get expenses for Slim...
there's not more than
a few thousand there.
It's not worth
all that aggravation.
WlLLlS: I'm with you
on the idea of these night jobs.
I figure that damn Jesse James
routine we pulled--
hell,that was over with
at the turn of the century.
GLASSCOCK:
I tried to tell that idiot...
there's less risk in night jobs.
Especially if you work
the smaller banks.
WlLLlS: But we're gonna get
the big banks...
'cause that's where
the money's at.
Now,the difference
is we gotta do it right.
Yeah,we gotta scout
our locations.
We gotta get the best cars,
gotta keep new tires on 'em...
and plan our routes.
I can take care of getting in
and getting out.
You got the nitroglycerin,
right?
GLASSCOCK: Oh,yeah.
WlLLlS: So that's where
you keep that stuff?
GLASSCOCK: Yeah.
Avis is ratherfond
of keeping it under the bed.
Aren't you?
These look, uh, promising.
GLASSCOCK:
None of those are traceable.
I suppose
I could give you, uh...
seventy cents on the dollar.
-Ninety.
-Eighty.
And I promise never to tell
anybody where they came from.
GLASSCOCK:
Eighty would be good.
WlLLlS:
Eighty-five would be better.
We promise never to rob
your little bank.
-Deal.
-Deal.
[Chuckling]
BANKER: You know, I'm retiring
next month, and...
I've got
some information here...
that might be valuable
to boys in your line of work.
It's a few square-door safes...
I know about
in this part of the country.
Of course, it'll mean a little
investment on your part.
MAN: Thank you, ma'am.
[Cash register rings]
LOUlSE: Can I help you?
WlLLlS: I like that Red Cross
pin you got there,Avis.
-Thanks.
-You a nurse?
AVlS:
I was. That's how I met Brent.
One day he was just
another patient.
And then I ran off with him...
and here we are casing a bank.
WlLLlS: You know how
he takes all them powders?
He ain't sick or nothing, is he?
AVlS: Nah. It's just him.
I wear this for luck.
WlLLlS: How's she look, Glass?
GLASSCOCK: The list is genuine.
WlLLlS: I knew that old man
was an honest criminal.
GLASSCOCK:
We can punch through the drum.
The box is an old rotten Packer.
WlLLlS: Mm-hmm.
You can blow her
with the grease?
GLASSCOCK: Oh,yeah.
Anything with a square door.
I'll take it off there
in one pop.
WlLLlS: All right.
GLASSCOCK:
What else is on that list?
WlLLlS: We got 41 banks here.
Now I figure we wait...
till these marks are flush
with that harvest money...
and then we take them
one by one.
GLASSCOCK: That's good, huh?
AVlS: Very good.
Who's gonna handle security?
WlLLlS: Now,we need security?
GLASSCOCK:
While we're in the bank...
someone's gotta be outside
and watch our backs.
We'll find somebody.
[Starts engine]
I reckon I know some fellas
we can count on.
JESS: Would you look at this?
JOE: My goodness.
WlLLlS: Welcome to Omaha, boys.
JOE: Howdy,Willis.
WlLLlS:
What do you say, little brother?
JOE: You look good.
WlLLlS: Yeah? Feel good.
JESS:
Look at Willis the city slicker.
WlLLlS: You like that, boy?
JESS: Well,yeah.
WlLLlS: What'd you boys bring
all that horse stuff for?
JOE:
You said you had a job for us.
WlLLlS:
I do have a job for you.
It's just not that type of job.
WlLLlS: What do you think
of Omaha, boys?
JESS: Looks good.
WlLLlS: Everything looks good
from the seat of a Studebaker.
JESS: Oh, my! Hello, darling!
Say good-bye to Daddy there
and say hello to me!
Oh, my goodness.
JOE: Ay.
JESS: I like this town.
JESS: Look out!
[Honks horn]
WlLLlS: Yep. It cost 1,900
off the showroom floor...
but this one's an even two
because of these custom wheels.
Think you can handle
a car like this,Joe?
JOE: Couldn't do no worse.
WlLLlS: Good.
That's part of your job.
Let's get you boys dressed.
JOE: I don't know about this.
JESS: Let's string him along
for a little while.
WlLLlS: You're looking sharp.
Look at him.
Look at him.
CATHERlNE:
What do you do for a living?
JESS:
What do you do for a living?
CATHERlNE: I'm a manicurist.
JESS: You are a manicurist.
Well, all right.
What do you think
of these nails right here?
CATHERlNE: You need to come in.
JESS: Yeah,they need
some help, don't they?
Don't you look all spiffed up.
JOE:
Could say the same about you.
JESS: Let me introduce y'all
to these two fine ladies.
This here is, uh, Catherine,
and this is Madeline.
This is Joe and Willis.
CATHERlNE: So,what business
are you boys in?
JOE:
That's a mighty fine question.
Exactly what kind
of businessman are you,Willis?
WlLLlS: Damn successful.
Now,y'all coming?
JESS: Would you like
to join us for dinner?
-Um, sure.
-OK.
JESS: Well, all righty.
[Light piano music]
JESS: Now, I don't tell
a lot of people this...
but I am goodfriends
with Pancho Villa.
Now, it's the truth. It's true.
He comes into Texas
all the time.
I go down to Mexico.
We drink together.
He's always catching hell
in the papers.
I'm telling you
he's a great man.
Great man, Pancho Villa.
Friend of mine.
You ever had a steak so thick?
Mm-mmm.
No way,Willis.
I ain't never broke the law
in my life.
Saddle's hard,
but at least it's honest.
I ain't never broke the law
in my life, neither...
and they gave me three years
for it.
What about them watermelons
and chickens? That hog?
WlLLlS:
I ain't talking about that.
JOE: You're talking about
taking people's money.
No, not people's money.
The bank's money.
Banks have been dealing
dirt to our people...
since before we was born,
little brother.
It's time we dealt some back.
Farmers got their money
in them banks.
lnsurance companies.
See, all the banks
is insured now.
And that's who takes the loss,
and, hell...
they're the biggest crooks
of them all.
We are just little thieves
stealingfrom the big thieves...
that's all.
[Jess whistling]
JESS:
You turn the little Baptist yet?
We've got two pieces of cake
over there...
and they do have a friend.
Just don'tfigure up to me,
that's all.
JESS: Pa's been doing
his clean-living routine.
It's rubbing off on the kid.
WlLLlS: Yeah.
Well,
if the kid ain't up for it...
It ain't like I'm afraid
or nothing.
JOE: How's it look?
JESS: Pretty dead.
JOE: Yep.
Only an idiot would be out
on a night like this.
[Both chuckling]
JOE: I don't know,Jess.
Somebody comes, I don't think
I can pull this trigger.
JESS: Listen,Joe...
we're gonna do
what we talked about.
We're not gonna kill anybody.
That's why we got these
loaded up with birdshot.
Just gonna get this over with.
Then we'll get back
to that cake.
-All right?
-All right.
JESS: All right.
GLASSCOCK: You light the fuse
right after you pour it.
And you gotta pour it
very steady...
'cause if you get a gap
in that liquid...
it's gonna blow off crooked...
and jam up.
See, dynamite blows out
in all directions.
But nitro...
shoots straight out.
Anything that's not
nailed down in here...
is going right out that door
over there.
WlLLlS:
How long you been doing this?
GLASSCOCK: Too damn long.
According to the odds
and the gods...
you only get to make
one mistake with this...
then they walk around
the edge of the crater.
And if they find a finger
or a toe...
well,that's what they bury.
We should probably leave now.
JOE: What if they
blow themselves up in there?
JESS: Well, I reckon
you'll be the first to know.
WlLLlS: Ha ha ha ha ha!
Whoo!
WOMAN: Stop that noise!
Who are you, and what are you
doing down there?
JESS: Go back to bed, lady.
I got a fire siren up here.
Do you hear me?
JESS: There ain't no fire.
WOMAN: And if you don't
tell me what you're doing...
I'm going to crank it up.
[Scoffs]
JESS: You touch the damn siren,
woman, I'm going to blow--
JOE: Sorry to wake you, ma'am.
We're repairmen.
We're down here
trying to fix a lock.
Oh, no,you're not!
Not at 2:00 in the morning!
JESS: You touch the siren...
I'm going to blow your whole
building to kingdom come!
[Siren]
Hey! I said turn that off!
You're bank robbers,
that's what you are!
Somebody catch these men!
They just robbed the bank!
JESS:
Don't make me come up there!
JOE:
You're mean,you know that?
WOMAN: Somebody stop these men!
They've just robbed the bank!
JESS: The whole town's going
to be down here in a minute.
-Hey!
-What?
WlLLlS: Get in there
and carry that silver.
We're getting it all.
-Whoo! Where?
-Behind the smoke!
WOMAN: Catch them!
They robbed the bank!
That's my money in that bank!
JESS: Well, it's our money now!
WOMAN: No!
JESS: Go back to bed!
All y'all! All is well!
All is well!
[Gunshot]
[Gunshot]
WlLLlS: Come on!
Keep your speed up, boy!
JOE: My leg's shot!
WlLLlS: When I was your age...
I could've passed you running
backwards with that load,Joe.
Get it all?
JOE: There's still
a calendar in there.
JESS: I got them idiots
shooting at each other!
WlLLlS: Hee hee!
GLASSCOCK: It's a hell of a way
to make a living.
[Gunshot]
WlLLlS: Whoo!
[Gunshot]
WlLLlS: Whoo-ha!
I want to ship this back
to Texas, miss.
Well,whatever you say,Tex.
Ain't you a little young
to be running a hotel?
Ain't you a little young
to stay here all by yourseIf?
Yeah.
WlLLlS: Good evening, ma'am.
LOUlSE: What can I getfor you?
WlLLlS:
You got any out-of-town papers?
LOUlSE: Oh, no, sorry.
You might want to try the depot.
WlLLlS:
How about that one right there?
-The Police Gazette?
-Yeah. Sounds good.
WlLLlS:
Let me get thatfor you.
I was going to say only
criminals read the tabloids...
but you don't look like
any criminal I ever met.
WlLLlS:
You'd be right about that.
-Nickel for the paper?
-Yes, please.
WlLLlS: So...
what's fun to do in Omaha?
Well,you could chew gum.
It's been nice chatting,
but I have to close up now.
[Playing]
WlLLlS: Looks like we're going
the same place.
Piece of Wrigley's?
[Louise laughs]
-Hey, Louise.
-Kat, how are you doing?
WlLLlS: Howdy. Will Reed.
Oldfriend of Louise's here.
Hi there.
KAT: So, how do you two
know each other?
LOUlSE: Well...
that is a wild story.
I'll let you tell it.
WlLLlS: Boy,that is
a wild story, isn't it?
[Laughs]
Matter of fact,
it was 16 years ago to the week.
Now, I was frog gigging
down in Gracy Creek.
I come around the corner...
and who do I see bogged
down to her knees in mud...
with a frog stuck
on the end of her gig...
but Miss Louise here?
[Both laugh]
Boy,we got a lot of
catching up to do.
LOUlSE: Yeah, I guess we do.
[Laughter]
WlLLlS: Louise--frog gigging.
[Laughs]
[Jazz music playing]
LOUlSE: Do you want a match?
WlLLlS: No,thank you.
I make it a habit
to stay too busy.
Busy doing what? Giggingfrogs?
No. I'm an oilman.
Really?
You have oil wells and all that?
Yep. Working on one right now.
She's a real wildcat.
You have quite a line, Mr. Reed.
WlLLlS: My friends
call me Willis, Louise.
You ever heard of this place
called the Argosy Ballroom?
LOUlSE: Yeah.
What do you say you and I
get on over there...
on Saturday night?
I have to tell you something.
WlLLlS: What's that?
I have a son.
-Really?
-Yeah.
What's his name?
His name is Lewis.
He's ten years old.
His father died in the war.
Why, I love kids.
Why don't you bring him along?
We'll go
to the picture show instead.
I think he would like that
very much.
And you?
[Footsteps]
ARTHUR: There you are.
Sorry I'm late.
LOUlSE:
Arthur. This is Mr. Reed.
WlLLlS:
Will Reed. Pleased to meet you.
ARTHUR: Arthur Adams.
LOUlSE: Arthur owns
the cigar stand where I work.
ARTHUR: You ready to go?
SlNGER ON RADlO:
Right or wrong...
I'll always love you.
Though you're gone...
I can'tforget.
[Ukulele playing]
[Sniffs]
There's more money in that pile
than Pa made in his whole life.
WlLLlS: You got that right.
JOE: As long as you're telling
Louise you're an oilman...
why don't you just be an oilman?
Hell, I will be soon.
If you boys are smart,
you're going to invest with me.
[Yawns] Oil, huh?
Well...good luck
to the both of you.
Any money I make I'm putting
into stocks and bonds.
ln what?
Silk stockings
and bonded whiskey.
At least till
I get myseIf killed.
You want Avis
to carry your share?
No.
[Knock on door]
Oh.
WlLLlS: Put that thing away.
Nobody knows us around here.
Yeah,who's that?
DOCK: The law.
Lookingfor
a bunch of no-good Newtons.
WlLLlS: So,youfinally wore
them tracking dogs down.
[Both laugh]
JESS: God almighty,
you son of a bitch! Aiee!
[Laughter]
When did they finally
let you out?
DOCK: Let?
Well, hell, I escaped.
WlLLlS:
Goddamn good to see you, Hoss.
DOCK: Good to see you.
JESS: Hee hee hee hee!
DOCK: Well,who's this?
Joe.
-Your brother.
-Joe?
DOCK: Joe, I haven't seen you
in a long time!
JESS: Damned if this
don't call for a celebration.
WlLLlS: Whoo!
DOCK: You weren't lying
in that letter you sent me.
WlLLlS: Hell, no. Got 5,000
in cash and 3,000 in bonds.
DOCK:
To hell with picking cotton.
JOE: Goddamn it,Willis.
JESS:
Oh, "God damn you,Willis."
[All talking at once]
JOE: You got my hair,you--
JESS: Ha ha ha!
Whoo-hoo! Hey!
WlLLlS: What about Willy Hart?
LEWlS: William Hart's good,
but I like Tom Mix better.
WlLLlS: Tom Mix?
Them outfits he wears is
kind of fruity, don't you think?
LEWlS: He can rope and ride
better than any of them.
I want to be a cowboy
when I grow up...
but Mother says
I have to stay in school.
WlLLlS:
Your ma's right about that.
You don't stay in school,
you'll end up picking cotton.
That don't sound like
too much fun, does it?
LEWlS: Nah.
WlLLlS: What's next?
LEWlS:
Could we get a chocolate soda?
LOUlSE: Lewis.
WlLLlS: How about
a triple chocolate soda...
with a big old scoop
of ice cream on the side?
That sound good?
I'll race youfor it.
Ready, set, go.
Watch it. There's your mom.
[Laughs]
JESS: Whoo! I got 'em,Joe!
Looks like a 6-pointer.
JOE: Yeah.
DOCK: Some hunting season
this turned out to be.
WlLLlS:
I'll tell you what, boys.
We hit every bank
on this list...
and I guarantee we going
to make enough to retire.
Then y'all get to do
all the hunting you want.
DOCK: So what do we need
that Glasscock fellow around?
There's enough of us.
WlLLlS: I'll tell you why--
'cause he knows his grease...
and every damn criminal
between Canada and Mexico.
While you two boys
are back there drinking...
him and Avis
are off scouting marks.
JESS: I think we should get
in the booze business.
Everybody knows all big money
is in bootlegging now.
WlLLlS: Yep, and where's
all that money going to end up?
-I don't know.
-ln a bank,that's where.
JOE: Willis thinks it ain't
wrong 'cause banks is insured.
[Laughter]
JESS: You'd think
we were doing them a favor.
See, if nobody ever
robbed a bank...
then all them insurance
companies would go broke...
'cause nobody would need 'em.
WlLLlS: That's right.
I take it you ain't
working today,Jess.
What's she read,Joe?
JOE: 14.6 since the last time.
WlLLlS: This getaway map's
got to be perfect,Joe.
We gotta be able to drive this
with the headlamps off.
When do we get out,Willis?
Where's it end?
When we're millionaires,
that's when.
DOCK: How much
is a million dollars exactly?
WlLLlS:
A million, Hoss? A one...
with that many zeros.
JESS: You got more guns in
the running,you got more crime.
And it just ain't worth it.
JOE: Are you done yet?
JESS: I'm just giving
this fellow my opinion...
of this new Volstead
prohibition business.
JOE: You ain't less of a drunk
now than when hooch was legal.
JESS: That's exactly my point.
That particular law
ain't doing its job.
JOE: Let's go,Jess.
-Have you got a wife?
-Mm-hmm.
-You got kids?
-Mm-hmm.
JESS: All right. Here you go.
If I get arrested,
you've got to bail me out.
-Mm-hmm.
-All right.
JESS: You have a good night.
JOE: Never knew making money
the easy way...
would be so damn much trouble.
DOCK:
It's colder than a bull's balls.
JOE:
Colder than a day-old dumpling.
[Laughs]
JESS: Colder than Pa's ass
at plowing time.
[Laughter]
[Snap]
GLASSCOCK: This may encourage
folks to write more often.
WlLLlS: Well, boys,
it's our lucky night.
JESS: Oh,yeah?
WlLLlS: Yeah. I was
up on that pole thinking...
and I decided we going to get
that other bank,too.
DOCK: Ah, hell,Willis.
I'm tired already.
GLASSCOCK: What are you
talking about, both banks?
WlLLlS: Yeah,
both banks at the same time.
It's so cold out here there
won't even be a dog barking.
Jess,you go with Glass.
Dock,you come with me...
and,Joe,
you're soldiering the street.
All right?
DOCK: Two banks?
WlLLlS: Yeah. What do you say?
-OK.
-All right.
WlLLlS:
Glass,what does your watch say?
GLASSCOCK: Are you positive
you can blow that safe?
JOE: Sure, he can.
DOCK: Why you got to be
questioning everything?
WlLLlS: When that 2:40
freight whistle blows...
you light yourfuse and let's
get the hell out of here...
to someplace
where it's a bit warmer.
Well, let's go, boys.
-Willis?
-Yeah?
DOCK: Do you know the money's
in there?
WlLLlS: It's a bank, ain't it?
Uhh. What?
DOCK: Stand back and let me
show you the two-step method.
[Drops crowbar]
What the hell you talking about?
DOCK: Step one.
Step two.
[Wind blowing]
DOCK: That's an awful big shot
you're pouring.
WlLLlS: Yep.
Like Ma always said...
God hates a coward.
[Distant train whistle blows]
JOE: Whoa, mister.
Whoa, now. You're going
to have to go another way.
MAN: There ain't no other way.
Well,turn around,then.
It ain't safe.
I'm too tiredfor your nonsense.
Get out of my way, boy.
Get up there!
[Neighing]
MAN: Wrong way! Whoa!
Get out of here!
[Yelling]
JESS:
You are a real desperado,Joe.
JOE: I told him it wasn't safe.
[Dog barking]
ALDRlCH: But you said he...
He threatened to--What was it?
Blow up your entire family
with dynamite?
MAN: That was just atfirst.
I can't remember too much,
but he was friendly.
Kind of funny.
You know,we sent out a posse
and that airplane,too.
ALDRlCH: Oh,yeah, I know...
but, believe me,
these fellas are long gone.
Thank you.
MAN: Thank you, Mr. Aldrich.
I'll buy all of that gum.
LOUlSE: Well, hello, stranger.
WlLLlS: Hello, Lou.
Matter of fact, I'll buy
the whole damn cigar stand.
One of my wells just come in.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
Now, I was figuring...
that big-headed boss
of yours in there...
I slip one of these hundreds
in the till over there...
sneak you out,we take
a slow drive in the country.
What do you say?
Willis, I don't know.
Two hundred.
OFFlCER: Will Reed?
MAlD:
That's him. He's one of them.
I'll be back
in just a second, love.
Ma'am, gentlemen,
can I help you with something?
OFFlCER:
Come upstairs with us...
and explain
what we found in your room.
WlLLlS: I don't see how
that's any of your business...
but come to think of it...
it shouldn't be a problem.
What'd they do?
They just searched me,
made me put this on.
-Well, get it off.
-Whatfor?
MAN: That's them, all right.
I know them voices anywhere.
Had on that same red sweater.
OFFlCER:
Thank you very much, sir.
-That's whatfor.
-Take him on back down.
JOE: Lying son of a bitch!
I ain't never seen
that old man in my life!
OFFlCER: Tomorrow,you boys
are going to be indicted...
for robbing the Lyceum
Motion Picture Theater.
If you got a statement to make,
I'll be down the hall.
JOE: I got a statementfor you!
That old man can't even see!
WlLLlS: Settle down,Joe.
JOE: We didn't rob
no damn picture show.
WlLLlS: Settle down! Yelling
ain't going to do us no good.
They got us.
We got to figure out
how to get out of here.
JOE: But we weren't even
500 miles of here that night.
They can't prove
we robbed nothing.
WlLLlS: Hell,they just did.
Hey, don't you get it?
This here's a shakedown.
Congratulations
on yourfirst one.
JOE: They already got
that 2,000 from our room.
WlLLlS: Which is, I'm sure,
three times the amount...
that was stolen
from the picture show.
JOE: Willis.
All the time I was growing up,
you and Dock,you was...
off in the penitentiary,
God knows where else.
I never knew it was like this.
Lord help me, I never knew.
WlLLlS: It is, little brother.
It is.
But don't you worry,though,
'cause we going to get more.
Now I'm about to show you
why we wear...
our savings account.
Jailer! Let me out of here!
I got a confession!
WOMAN: Sweet boy...
Syncopate your mama...
All night long.
With a Dixieland shake...
Play it down...
Then do it again.
Every time...
I hear that tune...
Enough said...
'Cause I'll be with you soon.
That's just why...
I've got
the Milenberg joys.
Take it, boy.
JESS: Oh. I'm sorry.
LOUlSE: So,you're not
an oilman, are you?
WlLLlS:
What do you mean by that?
LOUlSE: Well,you know,
there's talk around the hotel...
and all that money
they found in your room.
WlLLlS: All that money?
Me and my brothers
made that money gambling.
LOUlSE: You're a gambler?
WlLLlS: No.
I am no such thing.
I'm just making my money now
playing high-stakes poker...
so's I can be that oilman.
[Jazz music playing]
JESS: Hey, little darling.
I have a question for you.
WlLLlS: Now,what I am
is a businessman...
just like a lawyer or someone
working in the stock market.
I'm just making a living.
Do youfollow me?
-Yeah, OK.
-Uh-huh.
How about it?
Hmm...
[Jazz music playing]
WOMAN: I thought you boys said
you were oilmen.
DOCK: Oh! Now,that's a lie!
You hear about those two banks
in Hondo,Texas?
JESS: We did that.
He robbed one,
I robbed the other.
We went in there, and I said
let's get 'em both.
Hell,yeah, and
God damn you, Uncle Sam!
-I am a veteran!
-All right, come on.
-I fought them single-handed.
-My brother,the war hero.
-Hell,yeah.
-Never got out of camp--
JESS: Don't interrupt!
I can outdrink, outride...
and outrope any member
of this congregation...
and I'll lick any man
that says different.
And I will lick you
if you say different.
[Music continues]
MAN: 26 to 3,220.
Twenty to me.
Ninety-four, ninety-five.
Well, hell,yeah,
there's a pattern.
One--they've all been robbed...
and two--
my company had to pay out.
ALDRlCH: And now it's
up to the federal government...
to bail you out.
Right?
Square-door safes
blown with precision.
No rough stuff.
Couple of men outside
for security.
And the few watchmen
they've taken...
say they're a bunch of "please
and thank you" country boys.
MAN: If I got that much money
in two years...
I'd say thank you,too.
HaIf these banks are clipping
the association...
for a hell of a lot more
than was stolen.
Damn bankers think
it's a license to steal...
now that they're all insured.
You ought to just double
the premiums...
on any bank that won't
springfor a round safe.
MAN: That's justfine.
ln the meantime...
what is my government
gonna do about this bunch?
We're after 'em...
and when we catch 'em...
we're gonna put 'em away.
JESS: Are we there yet?
JOE:
Go back to sleep. You're next.
So how'd we do anyway?
WlLLlS:
I don't know. We done better.
We'll count it in the morning.
JOE:
All right. Get some sleep.
WlLLlS: Night, boys.
SLlM: Willis Newton.
If it ain't my old partner.
Seems you done all right
after we parted company.
Got yourseIf
a top-notch crew and all.
WlLLlS: No,the only crew
I got's drillingfor oil.
So how the hell are you?
SLlM: Can't complain.
Thought we might talk
a little business.
So where you working
these days?
SLlM: Chicago.
Things are hopping there.
The bigfix is in--
cops, politicians,judges.
Hell,they even bought
the World Series.
Boy,you must be in heaven.
SLlM: Put you boys onto some
sweet business opportunities.
We have a mutual friend--Murray.
One of your laundry fellas.
Well, I tell you, Slim...
those days are pretty much
overfor me...
but I do appreciate the offer.
Yeah.
Well, if for any reason...
things don't turn out
how youfigured...
look me up in Chicago.
[Door closes]
LOUlSE: There was some creep
outside earlier...
who wanted to talk to you.
That's just some old guy
I knew way back when.
What are you doing
sitting in the dark?
Hey,what's the matter?
What's wrong, baby?
LOUlSE:
Willis, do you trust me?
WlLLlS: Whoa,
now tell me what happened.
Did he say something
to upset you?
LOUlSE:
No. I went to the bank today...
to put your business things
in the deposit box.
I didn't want to fold up
the oil lease papers...
but the box was too small
so I opened it up...
and,Willis,there was
so much money in there.
I know you haven't made
any money in oil yet...
and you can't be winning
that kind of money gambling.
And I've seen you sign in
at these hotels...
under all these
different names--
Reed, Rogers.
And I found something
in your jacket...
that said your name was Newton.
Reed isn't your name, is it?
WlLLlS: Why, Lou?
LOUlSE: I don't even know
your real name?
WlLLlS: I don't see
how that matters much.
You know that's just
a part of my business.
LOUlSE: Am I just
a part of your business?
-I didn't say that.
-What is your business?
WlLLlS:
You know what my business is.
LOUlSE: I don't think I do.
Anyway, I put all that money
in a savings account.
WlLLlS: You what?
LOUlSE: It's too much money
to just be put in a box.
WlLLlS: No. No. No.
You really shouldn't
have done that, honey.
LOUlSE: Why not?
The deposit box is in my name.
You put the car in my name.
When it comes to money,
you do what I tell you.
If it's going to be in my name,
I think I have a right.
WlLLlS: I got that money
from a bank robbery.
Are you happy now?
A savings account?
Are you trying to get me
thrown in the pen?
They can track that stuff, Lou!
You're a bank robber?!
My God!
I'm in love with you!
A bank robber!
And a big liar!
Don't act like I'm the only one
telling stories around here.
What?
What? Like Lewis' daddy
being killed in the war.
He's still kicking around
and you're still married.
You don't know anything
about my life.
No, I don't,
and you weren't gonna tell me.
I'm not stealingfrom anyone
or almost getting myseIf killed.
WlLLlS: Goddamn it, Lou.
I was born into nothing...
and nobody ever gave me nothing.
It's real simple.
You do what you gotta do
and I do what I gotta do.
But you're a bank robber.
Yeah.
I rob banks.
That is what I do.
And it's what
I'm gonna keep doing...
until I make enough money
from my oil business.
Louise...
I love you.
I want to be together
all the time.
When I think about us
I am thinking aboutforever.
Then why didn't you tell me?
'Cause I was afraid
you'd leave me if youfound out.
LOUlSE:
I wouldn't have left you.
See, no matter how much money
you have...
you've got nothing if you can't
trust someone close to you.
Yeah.
I'll tell you what.
This next trip
we're going up to Toronto...
and I want you to come with me.
What?
I'm in love with a man,
and I don't even know his name.
-You do,too.
-No, I don't.
Name's Mr. Newton...
and you are my Mrs. Newton.
[Whistle blows]
[Whistle blows]
The guns go down under here.
Put 'em under a douche bag
and Customs won't touch it.
What about the nitroglycerin?
Do you carry that,too?
No.
Do you ever get afraid?
I mean,what if they get caught?
That's not a lucky question.
WOMAN: Ahem.
JOE: Evening, ma'am.
[Train bell ringing]
JESS: [Singing]
Mary had a little lamb.
Daddy killed it dead.
DOCK AND JESS: Now it goes
to school with her...
Between two chunks of bread.
Do do do...
WlLLlS: What?
GLASSCOCK:
Mosler is 11 inches thick.
JESS: She's shabby,
shot, and short,too...
GLASSCOCK: When I started out,
you could punch...
through a vault door
with a jimmy bar.
Could they not sing?
JESS: Lulu lou...
DOCK: Cuckoo coo.
GLASSCOCK: Gonna take a lot
of explosive to blow that.
WlLLlS: That's all right.
We've got
a hell of a lot of explosives.
GLASSCOCK: Can I be brutally
honest with you,Willis?
WlLLlS: Shoot, Glass.
[Jess gargles]
GLASSCOCK: Never mind.
[Explosion]
JESS: Damn.
DOCK: Son of a bitch
looks 11 inches thick to me.
[Coughs]
WlLLlS:
What the hell have we got here?
JOE: How do you get that open?
GLASSCOCK: You don't.
A month ago,
they didn't have a round safe.
These are worthless.
WlLLlS: Don't tell me...
we come all the way
to Canada for this.
GLASSCOCK: You blink your eyes
and everything changes.
Registered goddamn bonds,
controls on explosives...
round-door safe,
cannonball safe!
[Ranting incoherently]
Ohh!
Oh, God,what did I do?
[Laughing]
Ooh, ooh.
LOUlSE: I thought you said
you didn't smoke.
WlLLlS:
I didn't say I didn't smoke.
I said it was a waste of time,
just like this trip to Canada.
LOUlSE:
What about our vacation?
[Brakes squeak]
Come on. Let's get off here.
LOUlSE: I'm glad they're
changing the safes on you.
You said you were done
with all that anyway.
GLASSCOCK: It's right out there
on the street?
WlLLlS: It's the dumbest thing
you ever seen.
These Canucks take
all the currency to one place.
They count it up...
then walk the shit
right back out in the street.
GLASSCOCK: What about guards?
WlLLlS: No guards! Just
two Canucks and a bag of money.
DOCK:
Stick a gun in theirface.
WlLLlS: They drop the bags,
and we'll snatch and run.
JESS: Be just like stealing
old Tobe Roberts' watermelons.
WlLLlS:
Uh-huh. Hey,there, Louise.
Just talking to the boys
about a little business.
How are you, beautiful?
GLASSCOCK: I never thought
we'd be going back...
to this broad daylight
Dalton boys kind of thing.
JESS: What's the matter?
Your stomach bothering you?
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
WlLLlS: This is gonna be
a lead-pipe cinch, boys.
Everybody know what to do?
DOCK: You grab the bag,
and we'll protect you.
JESS: Is this the spot?
JOE: Yeah.
WlLLlS: A little bit more,Joe.
JOE: I thought
it was right back there.
WlLLlS: A little bit more.
WlLLlS: We ain't gonna get
that one bag.
We're getting all them bags.
Go to hell.
That ain't the plan.
Well,the plan just changed,
goddamn it.
DOCK:
Shit. Here they all come.
WlLLlS: Dock, get that one.
Glass and Jess,them two...
and I got this one
coming right at us.
Come on,you sons of bitches.
You want to live forever?
DOCK: Drop the bag, or
I'll blow you straight to hell!
Drop it!
WlLLlS: Drop the bag
and get your hands up!
Let's go!
JESS: Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Give me the bag.
Give me the bag!
OFFlCER: It's a holdup!
JESS: Shit.
WlLLlS: Drop it!
I said drop it, goddamn it.
[Gunshot, screaming]
You stupid sons of bitches.
God--
OFFlCER: Aah!
WlLLlS: Aah!
[People scream]
WlLLlS: Don't move!
MAN: Call the police!
SECOND MAN: They've got guns.
OFFlCER: Hold it right there.
DOCK: What are you doing
with that damn gun?
DOCK: Shit!
Goddamn it!
God!
JESS: Get off me,
you ignorant Canuck bastard!
Get off my leg!
Get the hell out of here,
you son of a bitch!
Get out of here!
Get off my leg!
Goddamn it! Shit!
MAN: They're robbing the bank!
GLASSCOCK: Jesus.
[Clang]
MAN: Let him go!
SECOND MAN: Get out of here!
OFFlCER: Hold it right there!
Drop the goddamn gun!
WlLLlS:
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
Joe!
-Come on! Come on!
-Drive.
WlLLlS: Get Dock on the way.
WlLLlS: Let's go!
JESS: Let's go, come on!
Give me that!
[Gunshots]
WlLLlS: Get down,Jess!
DOCK: While they were
clubbing my ass...
where the hell were you?
GLASSCOCK: Oh, gosh.
JOE: What the hell was that
back there?
You tried to kill us off.
GLASSCOCK: What a fiasco.
Everybody in Toronto saw us.
DOCK: We sure didn't see you.
Where the hell were you,
you yellow bastard?
You didn'tfire a shot.
GLASSCOCK:
Listen to me,you idiot.
I'm not supposed to fire a shot.
You're not supposed
to fire a shot!
We're supposed to be backup,
Willis!
JESS: You back up any further,
you'd be in Chicago.
GLASSCOCK: I am a professional.
I stick to the plan.
-What plan?
-Everybody shut up!
WlLLlS:
It ain't over yet! You got it?
We're gonna see you two
back in the States.
GLASSCOCK: Why didn't you call
and tell 'em we were coming?
There's some windows
you haven't shot out yet.
DOCK: Where the hell was he?
LOUlSE:
I thought you were dead.
They made an announcement
at the racetrack.
Everybody's talking about it.
WlLLlS: I'm fine.
LOUlSE: They said
one of the gang was dead.
WlLLlS: Nobody was hurt.
We got away.
LOUlSE:
We've got to get out of here.
WlLLlS:
I was so stupid today, Lou.
I wanted it all.
I almost got my brothers killed.
I don't know...
how in the hell
we got out alive, Lou.
[Organ music playing]
GLASSCOCK:
Hey, I know that gal.
Went to Sunday school with her.
Yeah, in Parsons.
How much you think
was in those bags?
Whatever it is,
it ain't worth it.
"All four wounded bank employees
have been treated."
WlLLlS: Bunch of stupid,
dick-headed Canucks.
LOUlSE: "Six bandits got away
with an estimated $200,000."
Hell, maybe 80.
Them Canucks are pencil-whipping
the insurance companies,too.
You tell me, Lou,
who's the criminals here?
"They are believed
to be American citizens...
"one of which is thought
to be critically wounded.
"Police are combing hospitals
and doctors' offices...
"hoping to find
a trail of blood...
"leading to the perpetrators
of this shocking crime."
WlLLlS: Wouldn't have been
no shocking crime...
if they'd just dropped them bags
like a regular person.
Lou,you've got a bag.
Out of nowhere comes a gun.
What do you do?
Boom. Drop the bag.
I pick it up, I'm gone.
How hard is that?
Hot damn.
-Willis.
-Mm-hmm.
LOUlSE: You have to promise me
this was the last bank robbery.
WlLLlS: You're damn right
it was the last bank robbery...
'cause from now on
it's oil business and that's it.
LOUlSE: Aah!
You're crazy.
Why don't you tell me
about this oil well?
This oil well?
-It's out in West Texas.
-Yeah?
-I even got a name for it.
-What is it?
WlLLlS:
I'll give you one guess.
MAN: Them big outfits been
using them high-dollar rotaries.
WlLLlS:
I don't care about none of that.
I put everything I got
into this here rig.
Where's my oil?
MAN: Hell, Mr. Wilson...
they done stuck too many straws
in this soda.
There ain't no pressure left.
WlLLlS: Let me see
if I got this straight.
I put your ass in charge.
I've been paying you top dollar
for over a year now.
I show up today and you tell me
I got a chickenshit rig...
I'm getting outdrilled
by the bigwigs...
and you got nothing to show me
but a goddamn dry hole?
MAN: There was oil down there.
They done got it all.
Ain't a damn thing
I can do about it.
Let me just
put it to you simple.
Just like an old sow's belly.
Six tits, seven pigs.
Looks like you're number seven.
DOCK:
Well, so who do we go after?
WlLLlS: Every one of them
sons of bitches right there.
MAN: Yeah, go ahead.
That's Standard Oil over there.
John D. Rockefeller
from New York City.
Right over there is GuIf Oil.
Mr. Mellon.
He's a Northerner,too.
Go on and get him
while you're at it.
Big city boys with deep pockets.
Hell,you ain't even gonna get
enough oil out of that hole...
to part your hair.
[Dock laughs]
WlLLlS:
That goes for all of you!
Every one of you lazy
sons of bitches is fired!
Come on,Joe.
DOCK: Aw,Willis, I wish
you'd have let me do that.
WlLLlS: What you looking at,
Betty Crocker peckerhead?
Either one of you two know
where Jess run off to?
JOE: Got a good idea. Why?
WlLLlS: Let's go get him.
MAN: Ladies and gentlemen,
friends and neighbors...
it's Booger Red's
Wild West Show.
Yes, it's entertainment
for the entire family...
and education for the children.
You'll see
the star-spangled pig.
-What's that?
-First place.
JESS: First place
three times this week.
WlLLlS: That's good, Big Snake.
We got a real job for you.
You ready to go?
JESS:
I got a job doing what I like.
WlLLlS: What,this?
This ain't real,Jess.
It's a damn zoo.
JESS: It is real.
It is real fun.
Ohh!
JOE: We're broke,Jess.
DOCK: Yeah.
JESS:
Well,what are we gonna do?
DOCK:
We're gonna rob something.
JESS: All right.
DOCK: That well was a duster.
JESS:
Oh,well,that explains it.
So you run out of money,
and you need me, huh,Willis?
Look at the big oil man go!
Get off me.
What you doing with my bag?
JESS: So you boys
lost all your money.
At least I know where mine went.
WlLLlS: There's something
I want to ask you boys.
JESS: You never ask us
anything,Willis.
Why don't you just tell us
what you decided?
DOCK: Now settle down.
JESS: All right.
WlLLlS: All right. It's this.
Banks are pretty much
overfor us.
GLASSCOCK: They've all gone
to cannonball safes.
There's hardly
any victory bonds left.
Mostfolks are putting money
in the stock market.
JOE: Or oil wells.
[Laughs]
DOCK: What are we gonna do?
WlLLlS:
I got something in Chicago.
And, boys,this is the big one.
Now, I still gotta
check it out closer...
but I got some fellas
working on the inside.
JOE: I don't know,Willis.
-Hell, Chicago?
-What's wrong with Chicago?
-I don't know.
-"Hell, Chicago"?
WlLLlS: Since when you been
gun-shy about traveling?
JESS:
I don't like the White Sox.
WlLLlS: I'm talking about
getting out of this game.
JOE: We're out of the game.
WlLLlS: I'm talking about
a couple of million dollars.
JESS: Now that's interesting.
That's a lot of money.
DOCK: That is a lot of money.
WlLLlS: It's about our kids
not growing up on dirt.
JOE: We ain't gonna have kids,
we get ourselves killed.
JESS:
Ain't nobody gonna get killed.
JOE: So banks are overfor us.
Are we getting desperate?
That's when it gets dangerous.
You know that,Willis.
WlLLlS: This ain't gonna be
no Toronto,Joe.
I promise you that.
DOCK: I only got one question.
-What's that?
-Do you know the money's there?
Aw,Joe.
DOCK: Joe.
LOUlSE: I can't believe
you lied to me again.
WlLLlS: That's before I got
swindled out of my oil.
Besides, I said
no more bank robberies.
-This here's a train.
-Oh, God!
WlLLlS: I can't quit
while we're busted.
LOUlSE: You said you were
finished with all of that.
WlLLlS: I wanted to be.
I lost almost everything we had
trying to be legitimate.
God don't want me to be legal.
I've tried my whole life and
I keep getting pulled back in.
LOUlSE: But we still have
more money than most people do.
WlLLlS: We ain't most people.
And I owe them boys something.
LOUlSE: They're not the ones
who want the money. You are.
WlLLlS: I'm the one who's
got to take care of everyone.
LOUlSE: Forget everyone else
and think about yourseIf!
What is wrong with you?
Do you think you're the only man
who got a raw deal?
WlLLlS: No. But I'm not
gonna take it lyin' down.
LOUlSE: You see? You're never
gonna get out of this.
You go get your million dollars,
but you're gonna be alone...
starting in about 10 seconds.
WlLLlS: Lou, stop.
Get out of the car.
We're going to my mother's.
Don't you bother us.
-I want to stay with Willis.
-See? See?
[Lively music playing
in background]
MAN: What do you want?
WlLLlS: Willie Rice.
Friend of Murray's.
MAN: Come on in.
-Hey,Willie.
-Murray.
MURRAY: Glad you could make it.
Any trouble finding the place?
-None at all.
-Good. Come on.
MURRAY: Wait'll you hear
about this setup.
It is the sweetest deal
I have ever stumbled over.
[Lively music playing]
I grew up with this bird.
Bill Fahy's the name.
Little punk kid
out back in the stockyards.
Puny little bastard.
Saved his bacon more than once.
Anyway, he goes legit
and becomes a postal inspector.
Then two months ago...
they transfer him from D.C.
back to his old neighborhood.
He likes the girls,
and he likes the ponies.
With the girls,
you pay them enough...
they always finish in the money.
With the ponies--he's in deep
with some serious people.
More than a postal inspector
makes in a lifetime.
Anyway, he comes to me,
and he says--
WlLLlS: I get the picture.
MURRAY: Let me introduce you.
MURRAY:
I want you to meet somebody.
FAHY: Don't tell me your name.
You're a friend of his or
he wouldn't buy the first round.
Chiselin' bastard.
Nice girls, huh?
SLlM: Hey.
This is the man
I was telling you about.
He's gonna help us out.
Details, details.
WlLLlS: Hey, buddy,
details is my middle name.
I want to know everything
about this mail train.
I'll supply the guys,the gas,
the guns, and the guts...
and you boys can sit back
and split even with everybody.
Can you handle that?
FAHY: Yeah, sure.
WlLLlS: Yeah.
The consignments come down
every Thursday on the 57 train.
The Milwaukee registers
are the pay dirt.
Last week, it was 63 bags...
insuredfor3 million.
MURRAY: And sometimes,
the Federal Reserve...
loads extra bags
at the last minute.
I'm gonna check all this out
then do some plannin'.
Afterwards, any laundry work
needs doin' on the bond...
or the new mint money,
you take it atfive percent.
MURRAY: Ten.
WlLLlS: Seven and a haIf.
MURRAY: Done.
GLASSCOCK: It's gonna be dark
out there tonight.
So I think it's a good idea
if we wear these light hats.
So we can identify one another.
JOE: How do we know
we're not being set up?
DOCK: Shit,Joe.
JOE: We're from Texas...
and these fellas must know
plenty of thieves in Chicago.
WlLLlS:
Yep, and the thieves know them.
GLASSCOCK:
Chicago's run by the mob,Joe.
lrish, ltalian,whatever.
If someone makes a score here...
they got to fork
a big chunk of it over.
WlLLlS: Bunch of country boys
do the job and we're gone.
They get no tax
from the big boys.
JOE: Mail train's
a federal offense,Willis.
DOCK: Breakin' the law's
breakin' the law.
JOE: We ain't talkin'
no little robbery here.
WlLLlS: No,we ain't
talkin' no little robbery.
When the heat's on,we got
ourfriend on the inside...
who's gonna be running
the investigation.
DOCK: I just got one question.
WlLLlS:
Hell,yeah,the money's there.
Three million dollars worth.
I just seen it through
a little peephole downtown.
Goddamn it,this is everything
we've been working towards.
If we do it right,
it's the last one.
It's too much money,Willis.
How we gonna get away with that?
It's like killin' someone.
They ain't just gonna let it go.
-We'll be in Mexico.
-You ain't up for it,Joe?
-I ain't sayin' that.
-You want out?
That ain't it, and you know it.
I'm in.
Just askin' are you sure.
Psst.
All right.
Boys...
we fixin' to make history.
WlLLlS: Get up and off, boys.
This here's my train.
MAN: Scram, boys. The bulls!
JESS: Thought we was the law.
How about that?
[Train whistle blows]
GLASSCOCK: Ten-twenty.
JESS: Get your hands up,
or I'll blow your head off!
Get your hands up!
WlLLlS: Stop this train
at the two-mile crossing.
[Train whistle blows]
WlLLlS: Mister, don't make me
blow your guts out.
Get your mitts
on that throttle!
What the hell's wrong with you?
You been kicked
in the head by a mule?
MAN: Hold on!
GLASSCOCK: It's going too far.
Damn.
WlLLlS: Goddamn it!
Now lookit where we are!
Now back it up to where I said
in the first place.
-It's gonna take a minute!
-Better be a quick minute!
JESS: Ain't this a hell
of a way to make a livin'?
JOE:
Everybody in there, come on out!
What in the hell is going on?
JOE: Keep them hands up.
We're robbing this train.
MAN: I was wondering whether
we had hit something.
-Anybody in there?
-No,just me.
All them postal turkeys
is up front.
GLASSCOCK: I'm gonna go see
what's goin' on up there.
JOE: Get down off of there.
We're going up to the crossing.
GLASSCOCK: Where is everybody?
SLlM: I don't know.
Something ain't right.
That big son of a bitch
must have run off.
GLASSCOCK: What the hell's
goin' on with this train?
God.
Hey!
Hey! Drop that goddamn gun!
[Brakes screech loudly]
WlLLlS: See that tree?
That's the crossing.
Can't even park,
stupid rat bastard.
-Comin' down with two!
-Comin' up with one!
Slowly.
SLlM: Remember,
they got guns in there.
WlLLlS: Yeah,well, so do we.
GLASSCOCK: I got 'em,Joe.
-You got 'em?
-It's all right.
WlLLlS: Mail car 2105.
Hey.
All right, everybody,
outside now! Let's go!
MAN: Ham, don't shoot!
We're out here,too!
WlLLlS:
Jackson, get that poison gas!
All right,you silly bastards.
You're about to wish
to God you had come out.
[People yelling]
MAN: Mister, don't let him
kill them in there.
Ain't nobody ever died
from a stink bomb.
JOE:
All right, drop them guns now.
WlLLlS: Come on. Come on.
Get over there.
Hurry up. Let's go.
Who's the head honcho here?
[People coughing]
JESS: All right, move it,
all y'all. ln here.
Come on now.
WlLLlS: Now I'm only after
the registered mail...
and I want every damn sack
of it,you understand me?
MAN: Yes, sir.
WlLLlS: Good.
Let's go.
WlLLlS: Talk to me.
MAN: Milwaukee registers
are all up here.
St. Paul goes back
this way, and...
this section's
going to Minneapolis.
There it is.
All right.
Start helping me toss these out
and get Milwaukee first.
Every single bit of it, honcho.
Let's go!
-Yes, sir.
-Comin' down!
JESS:
Where the hell have you been?
GLASSCOCK: Aw,Jesus.
Some Hoosier was trying
to sneak off the other side.
Had a shotgun.
Goddamn it. I had to shoot
the son of a bitch.
Y'all got anybody over there
on the other side?
MAN:
You got us all here, mister.
JESS: Aw, hell.
Joe,you got all of them.
JOE: All right.
GLASSCOCK: I got him.
Hell, I shot him five times.
No, no.
He's clear down the line.
All right, now every one
of you sissy belles...
is gonna pick up a bag and
lug it over to them two cars.
Grab two. Throw it down here.
SLlM: Put 'em
in that back seat of that car.
Some of you put 'em
in the back of this car.
Some of you put 'em
in the back of this car.
JESS: Shit.
SLlM: Hurry up.
Oh, my God.
You idiot!
You shot Dock!
GLASSCOCK: No! No, I didn't!
That's a Hoosier,Jess!
Sh--
[Jess panting]
Oh,Jesus.
JESS: You shot my brother.
Goddamn it,Willis!
Willis!
Get over here! It's Dock!
WlLLlS: Jackson?
Yeah, go.
MAN:
I think we can take this guy.
You might all could take me
but two or three will die.
Now get back to work.
JESS:
Easy, Dock. Dock, come on.
WlLLlS: No. No.
JESS: He's bleeding to death.
WlLLlS: Goddamn it, Dock.
Oh, shit.
We got to get him to a doctor.
You holding?!
We're gonna get you
out of here, Hoss.
Damn it,you just hang in there.
You hold on, Hoss.
Come on, Dock. Come on now.
Come on.
MURRAY: Did you get it?
Shit.
JOE: Come on!
Easy, come on, come on.
Shh. Get that on him.
Get the hell out of here!
Now!
MURRAY: Jesus, I don't think
he's gonna make it.
-Get us a doctor.
-Out here? Chicago, maybe.
WlLLlS: Then we bring him
to Chicago.
MURRAY: A doctor sees him,
and he'll call the cops.
SLlM: Let's keep our heads.
This could blow the deal.
Why don't we just split
the money and cut our losses?
WlLLlS: This job ain'tfinished
till Dock is taken care of!
-OK, bad idea.
-Take it easy,fellas.
WlLLlS: You know people.
That's why you're in this deal.
I don't give a goddamn how,
but you dig somebody up.
If you don't, I swear
you're not gonna make it.
MURRAY: Calm down.
I know a guy--
Let's go, goddamn it!
WlLLlS: Take Dock with Murray.
We'll stash the money.
Eight shares,
eight different places.
SLlM: I gotta trust you
with our shares?
WlLLlS: We're trusting you
with our brother.
SLlM: Damn.
SLlM: Jesus, Murray.
I don't like this.
Somebody had to see us drag this
bloody son of a bitch up here.
How is it he's not dead, Doc?
DOCTOR: Chest wound alone
should have killed him.
Went in between his heart
and his lungs.
Hmm.
I'll be back tomorrow to work on
the fractures in his arms.
MURRAY: Keep your mouth shut
and don't get seen.
He wants to win a fiddling
contest,that's his problem.
SLlM: It'd be a good idea
if we got out of here,too.
[Door closes]
DOCK: Kill me. Git.
JOE: Hey.
We ain't leavin' you, Dock.
Now,when you wake up,
I'll be sittin' right here.
Don't pass nothin'
till you get to Texas.
Remember, no contactfor a year.
He didn't have a hat on,Willis.
God almighty.
[Baby crying]
Joe.
-God!
-Aah!
OFFlCER:
Visiting hours is over, pal.
MAN: Fan him.
OFFlCER:
Yeah. He's just like the kid.
It's got an anchor on it.
-What's this about?
-What are you doing up here?
They told me I could
buy some beer up here.
MAN: Come a long way
for a drink,Tex.
You got a name, candy boy?
Yeah, I got a name.
Name's Will Reed.
I'm an oilman, goddamn it,
and I'm throwin' a party--
OFFlCER: Party's all over, pal.
MAN:
Got your buddies two hours ago.
That was an awful big score
you guys made last night.
It's too bad haIf the world
saw you guys coming up here.
WlLLlS: I'm just a messenger
boy in this game, all right?
You seem like good old boys.
We could work something out.
OFFlCER: Is that so?
WlLLlS: I ain't got
none of that money.
But I can get my hands
on a nice chunk of it...
if you're interested.
SCHOEMAKER: They say the value
of money is all relative.
This,for instance,
is only ten smackers.
It's nothing compared to
the millions you pinched...
but...
it can pack
a pretty hefty wallop.
Time's relative.
You're what, 22, 23?
You're gonna be 50 years old
before you get out of prison...
if I don't get some answers.
Got plenty of time.
Because...
I need you, Lou.
[Dock gasping in pain]
SCHOEMAKER: Come on, man.
You can tell me, can't ya?
I know this hurts.
DOCK: I hope I die first.
NURSE: Chief Schoemaker,
there's a message for you.
They say it's urgent.
SCHOEMAKER:
Thanks. We'll talk later.
MAN: Time's runnin' out, pal.
Looks like you've been jobbed.
WlLLlS: She'll be here.
OFFlCER: She?
WlLLlS: Yep.
She's a business associate.
She doesn't have any idea
what this is about.
She's just bringing the money.
OFFlCER: Ain't a skirt in
the world I'd trust with 20 Gs.
I'd be worrying about it
every time I let her down.
Every time she caught me
hanging a story on her.
Women never really
forgive youfor that stuff.
MAN: We waited a haIf hour.
She ain't gonna show.
There she is.
I've got the money.
WlLLlS:
Good. You saw the papers?
LOUlSE: Yeah.
WlLLlS: We're just
business associates, Lou.
-You don't know nothin'.
-OK.
WlLLlS:
We're gettin' out of this, Lou.
When the time is right,
we're busting Joe and Dock out.
All right?
Hey, Lou...
OFFlCER: This one's pretty.
You just business associates?
LOUlSE: Back off,flatfoot.
MAN:
It's all here. Let him go.
OFFlCER: Yeah, get lost.
Nice doing business with you,
candy boy.
SCHOEMAKER: Let's have it.
You're in a lot of trouble.
You're comin' with me.
Take her down
to the precinct house.
OFFlCER: Yes, sir.
WlLLlS: Goddamn it!
Backstabbing Yankee bastards!
MAN: Damn!
OFFlCER: Couldn't you have
counted it a little faster?
SCHOEMAKER:
So you're the smart one, right?
I take a bird like you
downtown...
you get a lawyer,
you post bail...
I never see you again.
No, my friend, I'm taking you
up to Rockford...
where my cousin's the sheriff.
He's got a nice solitary box
up on the thirdfloor.
I think you'll like it.
Unless, of course,
you want to tell me where...
that post office loot is hidden?
WlLLlS: So you can go tell
the feds about it?
SCHOEMAKER: Most of it.
WlLLlS: Sorry to disappoint,
but I ain't talking...
unless it's
to the man in charge.
And you ain't him.
ALDRlCH: Yep, biggest one ever.
Makes quite a splash,
this kind of thing.
Well, nobody got hurt
but one of their own.
But all them zeros...
Yeah...public's gonna want
to see blood on this one.
What we got to do here
is put our heads together...
and try to figure out
who the inside man was.
I'm sorry, "inside"?
They knew every consignment
on that train.
Somebody high up on the inside
must have tipped them.
And I'll bet you my paycheck...
it was someone
right in your department.
Huh.
Hmm.
JESS AND DRlVER: [Singing]
Alla en el rancho grande...
Alla donde vivia...
Hay una rancherita...
Que alegre me decia...
Que alegre me decia.
JESS:
Aqui est bien, amigo. Prate.
DRlVER: OK. Aqui.
WlLLlS: Thanks for coming, Lou.
I would have come sooner,
but they wouldn't let me.
WlLLlS: I know.
Schoemaker give you
the long list of bad things...
that are gonna happen to me
if I don't tell what he wants?
He said you could go in
for life,Willis.
Ahh...could, if I don't
play my cards right.
They said you were in solitary?
Yeah.
How can you bear it?
Just sit there thinkin'.
'Bout you, mostly.
Swear it's like
you're there with me, Lou.
I can look into your eyes...
I hear your voice...
I even smell your hair.
I just think about being
in the same room with you, Lou.
Not talkin' or nothin'.
Just knowing you're there.
You have got quite a line,
Mr. Newton.
I suppose I do.
Lou...
you know all them things
I used to tell you I wanted?
All I want now
is to be with you.
FAHY: Mr. Aldrich, I hope this
doesn't take too long.
I told my wife I would try
to make it home for dinner.
ALDRlCH:
No,won't take but a minute.
ln fact, it's right in here.
ALDRlCH: Go ahead,take a peek.
FAHY: Son of a gun.
ALDRlCH:
That's strange, isn't it?
A peephole looking
into the sorting room.
FAHY: Son of a gun.
Anybody could have made this.
ALDRlCH: Oh...
anybody exactly your height?
[Spits]
MAN: Come on now!
[Shouting]
JESS: What did I tell ya?
I ain't never been throwed.
Perfect record.
You owe me 50 Yankee dollars.
HAMER:
Hell of a ride, son. You win.
JESS: That horse wasn't
near as mean as you said.
I come all the way from Mexico
for that?
Oh, not just that,Jess.
I'm Frank Hamer,Texas Rangers.
Folks up in Chicago would like
to have a little word with you.
[Laughs]
JESS: Aw, hell. Sh--
JESS: Frank Hamer.
Frank, how about you let me go,
I let you keep that 50?
[Chuckles]
HAMER: I guess not.
JESS: Uh-huh. You guess not.
Howdy!
[Kicks dirt] Shit.
SCHOEMAKER: Take a good look.
GLASSCOCK:
That light's bugging me.
SCHOEMAKER: Look familiar?
-Yeah, I know 'em.
-ldentify them.
GLASSCOCK: Well, let's see...
this is Rube Waddell.
That's
Tris Speaker, Rogers Hornsby.
lsn't that Ty Cobb?
SCHOEMAKER:
Yeah,that's Ty Cobb.
Unh!
SCHOEMAKER: You know this bird?
JESS: Oh,yeah?
Looks like he was weaned
on a pickle, don't it?
[Laughs]
SCHOEMAKER: Shut up.
Do you know him?
No, I don't,
and I wouldn't care to, neither.
You know,Jess,your brothers
have spilled the whole deal.
Well, great. You don't
need me then, do you?
Sit down!
Look, Chief,you are doing
a hell of a job on this case.
I want to congratulate you
on pulling us all in...
but you can squeeze
me and my brothers...
from now until Judgment Day...
and you ain't gonna get
word number one outta us.
Get outta here.
SCHOEMAKER: We got you.
We got your brothers.
We got Murray.
We got Slim.
We even tracked down
your old pal Glasscock...
at a health spa in Battle Creek.
Still can't help you, sir.
I'm getting sick and tired...
of you stupid closemouthed
country--
ALDRlCH:
Go easy on that stuff, Chief.
SCHOEMAKER: You're either
the smartest or the dumbest...
son of a bitch
I ever dealt with.
ALDRlCH: We've tried it
your way for three months...
and haven'tfound a nickel.
Let's try it mine.
-Hey,Willis. K.P. Aldrich.
-Howdy.
ALDRlCH:
Feel like I know you already.
You met Chief Schoemaker.
WlLLlS: Oh,yeah.
ALDRlCH: Sit, sit.
WlLLlS: So, uh,youfrom
the federal government?
ALDRlCH: That's right.
WlLLlS: All right.
Well, it's about time.
-Uvalde, right?
-Yep.
-I'm from Austin myseIf.
-Pretty country.
That it is.
Look,Willis, I'm gonna
put it to you square.
We got to figure
some way out of this.
WlLLlS: Yeah.
Well, I figure since
it's Joe's first offense--
Willis...
I got a file as thick
as your arm there...
on jobs youfellas pulled
all across the country.
I been following you boys
for a while now...
and I gotta hand it
to you,Willis...
you sure as hell had yourseIf
one hell of a gang.
But I'm sure some people
in the Justice Department...
might be interested
in digging up some old business.
All right.
If I deal, do we walk?
No.
Not right away.
Not on this one.
But I could be
very,very influential...
with the judge who's going
to do the sentencing.
WlLLlS: Gimme details.
You and Dock will get 12.
Should be out in four.
Murray and Slim--
No,them two bastards
got their own money.
They can make their own deal.
What about Joe?
If Joe and Jess make
a good impression in court--
No. Jess didn't have
nothin' to do with this.
He was off runnin' horses.
Willis, got Jess when
he came across the border...
to ride a pony on a bet,
so don't bullshit me, son.
I'm being straight
with you here.
All right.
How much?
They could get off
with a year or so.
Butfor that,
I need all the money back.
And I need you to hand me
that little weasel Bill Fahy.
Hmm.
You know us Newtons do
a lot of things, Mr. Aldrich...
but there are a few things
we don't do.
We don't kill nobody...
we don't steal
from women and children...
and we don't rat.
Somebody's got to,Willis...
or we don't have a deal.
LAWYER: May I approach
the witness,Your Honor?
JUDGE: You may.
LAWYER: Could you identify
for the jurors...
the person in this courtroom...
who actually...
masterminded the robbery?
GLASSCOCK: It's the gentleman
sitting there in the brown suit.
William Fahy.
FAHY: He's a liar! I've never
seen this guy in my life!
I'm being railroaded!
It's not me! It's them!
It's Willis Newton!
He planned the whole thing
with his brothers! It's him!
JUDGE: Order in the court.
Sit down, Mr. Fahy...
or I'll have you removed
from this courtroom.
The Newtons will be dealt with
soon enough...
but since this is your trial...
I suggest you concern yourseIf
with the business at hand.
ALDRlCH: Willis.
You think this is gonna work?
WlLLlS: When it does,
you're gonna be talking...
to an ex-millionaire.
[Chuckles]
JUDGE: You understand
the meaning of a guilty plea?
JESS: Yes, sir,Your Honor.
It means we're guilty.
You caught us with a wetfinger
in the sugar sack, sir.
We're guilty, guilty, guilty...
and awful sorry we put everybody
through all this trouble.
See,we're simple cowboys.
We don't know much about
guns and train-robbin'.
Just sort of
come along on a lark...
if you know what I mean.
Is it true you turned
to the fireman and said...
"Ain't this a hell of a way
to make a living?""
[Laughter]
I guess.
You know, but a fella
has to ask himseIf...
what's right and what's wrong.
What we did was wrong.
I suppose we messed up
that ol' train robbery...
'bout as much
as any outfit could.
Even managed to shoot
our own brother.
[Chuckling]
Naw,Your Honor, I figure
that the Newton boys...
was never cut out
for the wrong side of the law.
-You may sit down, Mr. Newton.
-Thank you,Your Honor.
JUDGE:
Counselor, approach the bench.
WlLLlS:
Hell of a performance,Jess.
JESS:
Folks seemed to appreciate it.
WlLLlS: Yeah. Right.
Tell you what, it's a good thing
we still got that 35,000.
Actually,
we--we don't have that 35,000.
You spent it?
No, I didn't spend it,
I buried it.
I went out one night
with this cab driver--
he was a great guy--
and we found a perfect spot,
we covered it up.
I come back a couple
of days later, it's daylight...
and the whole damn place
looks exactly the same.
All right? I can't tell
one rock from another.
What you're saying
is you got drunk...
and you lost that money.
I probably had a couple,
but that wasn't the thing.
The trouble was this cab driver
was on a serious drunk.
He didn't even know
what road we was on.
He was no help at all.
Goddamn it,Willis, I been
lookingfor that money...
every day until they come
and drag my ass up here.
JUDGE: Would the defendants
please rise?
WlLLlS: I guess
you're right, brotherJess.
Us Newtons ain't cut out
for the wrong side of the law.
REPORTERS: Here they come!
OFFlCER: Back up!
REPORTER: Dock!
[Clapping and laughing]
REPORTERS: Joe!
-Willis!
-Willis!
REPORTER: Willis, any regrets?
JOHNNY CARSON:
My first guest is a gentleman...
who was
one of the Newton brothers.
Would you welcome Joe Newton?
Joe?
[Applause]
-How are you, sir?
-Fine.
CARSON: It's nice to meet you.
I think people thought
I was really joking...
and this was a put-on
or something.
JOE: Nothin' put-on about this.
CARSON: Nothing at all.
This was in 1924.
JOE: Nineteen twenty four.
CARSON: That you robbed
the train. What train was that?
I wasn't around in 1924.
JOE: It's right out of
Roundout, lllinois...
about 30 miles out of Chicago.
The little station
they call a roundout...
that's where they got the name.
It was a mail train
going on west.
CARSON: It says in four years
you robbed eighty banks.
JOE: We robbed a lot of them.
[Laughter]
WlLLlS: No,we didn't rob
all the banks in Texas.
We just robbed 30 or40...
but we robbed plenty
in other states like lllinois...
Arkansas, Missouri...
Kansas,Wisconsin...
North and South Dakota,
and several other states.
We're just like doctors and
lawyers and everybody else.
It was our business to do that.
We never killed anybody,
and we never wanted to.
All we wanted was
the money--to make money.
CARSON: You lived pretty well,
I suppose.
JOE: Oh,yeah. Yeah.
We stayed in the best hotels,
ate at the best cafe...
and drove the best cars
there was them days.
CARSON: A lot of women?
JOE: If you got a good car
and a pocketful of money...
and a young man,yeah.
That'll answer your question.
WlLLlS: Nobody never give me
anything but hell in my life...
and I never done anything
I was ashamed of doing, either.
I've done some things
I'm sorry of.
One thing I was sorry of was
we robbed a bank up in Kansas.
Old boy inside got scared
and run off and left $200,000.
All they had to do was
put it in a handbag.
When I bawled him out about it,
he says, ""Oh,we got enough."
I says, "We never get enough."
When I go in to get anything,
I want to get it all.
From then on, I went inside...
and they was cleaned out
when I come out.
CARSON:
When did they catch you, now?
JOE: Right after that.
One of our men--
it wasn't one of us,
it was one of the men with us--
he got excited--
It had to be excitement.
He went on the other side where
he wasn't supposed to be...
and shot one of my brothers.
-Killed him?
-No, no.
JOE: He shot him
five or six times with a .45.
He should have killed him.
[Laughter]
CARSON:
A .45 is a big-bore weapon.
That should have pretty well--
Your brother
recoveredfrom that?
JOE: He recovered,
lived to be 83 years old.
WlLLlS: My mother was over
in Cottonwood one day...
and she met my schoolteacher...
and I'd quit,
and she asked her why.
My mother said, "His clothes
got so bad, he's ashamed to go."
But she said, "He's the smartest
pupil I ever had in my school...
"and if you give him
an education...
"there's no telling
what he'll make out of hisseIf.
"And if you don't give him
an education...
"there's no telling
what he'll do."
CARSON: How old were you
when you started this?
JOE: Nineteen years old.
When was the first time
you went to jail?
JOE:
Uh,that Roundout train robbery.
CARSON: Yeah.
I thought you were going
to put that on and stick me up.
[Laughter]
JOE: You thought I was gonna...
CARSON: I thought you--Yes.
JOE: You thought
I was reachingfor my pistol?
CARSON: I thought you were
putting your mask on and...
Old habits die hard,
don't they,Joe?
Let me ask you something.
If you had to do it over again,
you wouldn't recommend this.
JOE: No.
We was crazy for doing it.
But you're young then.
Somebody said, "Why didn't
you invest that money?"
I said, "Who wants a better job
than what we already got?"
That's what we thought then.
I need money,
go out and rob another bank.
CARSON:
But you wouldn't recommend that?
JOE: I wouldn't recommend that.
We was crazy for doing it.
WlLLlS: When I first begin
to think of robbing banks...
I never thought
of hurting anybody.
And I knowed
all them bankers was rich...
and they didn't care about
hurtin' us poorfarmers.
So why should I care
about hurting them?
Why shouldn't I steal from 'em?
It's just one thief
a-stealin' from another.