[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[train horn blaring]
[music continues]
[train horn blaring]
Stopping?
[music continues]
Man, they look woebegone and faraway.
Oh, I'll only be here 24 hours.
In a place like this, it could be a lifetime.
[laughing]
[train horn blares]
- Good luck, Mr. Macreedy. - Thank you. Thanks very much.
You for Black Rock?
- That's right. - There must be some mistake.
I'm Hastings, the telegraph agent.
Nobody told me this train was stopping.
- They didn't? - No.
I just told you they didn't. And they ought to.
What I want to know is why didn't they?
Maybe they didn't think it was important.
Important? It's the first time the streamliner's
stopped here in four years.
Uh, you being met, uh..
You visiting folks or something?
I mean, uh, what do you want?
I want to go to a place called Adobe Flat.
Are there any cabs available?
- Adobe Flat? - Yeah.
No cabs.
Hotel open?
Is the hotel open?
Thank you.
[instrumental music]
[telephone ringing]
[music continues]
[ringing continues]
Pete, now listen.
A man just got off the train
and asked for Adobe Flat.
Afternoon.
Anything I can do for you?
- You run this hotel? - No.
Then there's nothing you can do for me.
Find Smith.
[bell dings]
Hello. Like a room.
Uh, we're all filled up.
Uh, have you any idea where I could...
This is 1945, mister. There's been a war on.
Uh, ended a couple of months ago, didn't it?
Yeah... the OPA lingers on.
- You don't know about the OPA? - No, you tell me.
Well, for establishments with less than 50 rooms..
Hotelkeeper got to report regularly
about-about tenants and, uh... registration.
There are penalties imposed.
You seem to have lots of vacancies.
Well, as I said..
They're every one of them locked up.
Some are showrooms..
For, uh, feed salesmen, cattle buyers.
'The rest, they're spoken for.'
'Rented to cowboys, ranch hands for when they come into town.'
They pay by the month.
We provide for their every wish and comfort.
- Do you understand? - No, not exactly.
But while I'm pondering it
why don't you get a room ready for me?
That will be a good one.
I'd like to have a bath. Where is it?
- At the head of the stairs. - Thank you.
I don't know why you're so interested
but, uh, the name is Macreedy, I..
It's all in the ledger.
You look like you need a hand.
John J. Macreedy, Los Angeles.
I want to know everything he does, Pete.
- Phone calls, mail. - In the meantime?
In the meantime, I crowd him a little.
See if he's got any iron in his blood.
[door opens]
I guess maybe you're in the wrong room.
You think so?
What else you got on your mind?
Why, nothing else, I guess.
If you had half a mind, boy, you would have paid attention
to what Pete downstairs said.
He said these rooms here is for us cowboys.
For our every wish and comfort.
And this one is yours, I guess?
When I'm in town.
And I'm in town, as any fool can see.
You can see that, can't you, boy?
Yes, I guess so.
Uh, would you mind if I sort of got my things together?
Found another room?
Not at all.
But if you really wanted this room we could maybe
settle your claim without all this talk.
I believe a man's nothing unless he stands up
for what's rightfully his.
What do you think?
I guess so.
'You guess so.'
'But you still ain't claiming this room?'
No, I guess not.
You all the time guessing, ain't you, boy?
Don't you know anything?
Well, I know that, uh, ever since I got off the train..
Everybody's been needling me. Why?
I guess I rightfully don't know.
He walks light for a big man, doesn't he?
- Who? - You know who.
What do you think, Doc?
Why ask me? He's no salesman, that's sure.
Unless he's peddling dynamite.
Maybe he's a cop or something.
You ever see a cop with a stiff arm?
Maybe his arm's alright.
Maybe he's just hanging on to something tight
in his pocket.
Like what? A pistol?
A stick of TNT, so he can blow up
the whole mangy, miserable town?
Why are you so interested, Sam?
If I was that interested, I'd..
[door opens]
I'd ask him.
Hey, wait a minute.
Got any cigarettes?
How long you staying?
Where? In my new room? I'm staying.
I mean, in the hotel.
Twenty-four hours, why?
Just asking.
Why? Are you gonna have a convention?
I was just asking.
- Where can I get a car? - I don't know.
Well, now let's put it this way.
Supposing I had a car
and I wanted some gas
where would I go?
But you don't have a car.
You might try the garage down at the end of the street.
Thank you.
[instrumental music]
Here we go again.
This is all I know about him, Mr. Smith.
Sit down, Coley.
- I was only... - Sit down.
Real cool guy.
Doesn't push easy, huh?
Well, that's it. That's just it.
He pushes too easy.
- You know, maybe we ought... - What do you want, Doc?
Nothing, I was just wondering what all you people
are worrying about.
Not that I have the slightest idea.
You wonder too much and you talk too much.
It's a bad parlay, Doc.
I hold no truck with silence. I've got nothing to hide.
- What are you trying to say? - Nothing, man.
It's just that you worry about the stranger
only if you look at him from a certain aspect.
How do you look at him, Doc?
With the innocence of a fresh-laid egg.
Keep it up, Doc. Make bad jokes. Be funny.
Someday I'll have Coley wash your mouth out with lye.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
I called the Circle T.
He ain't got business there
not if they don't know him.
Right, Mr. Smith?
Send a wire to Nick Gandi in Los Angeles.
Tell him to find out everything he can about John J. Macreedy.
What was that?
Nick Gandi, Los Angeles.
'Tell him I wanna know fast.'
- Sign my name. - Who was that?
Nick Gandi. G-A-N-D-I.
Blake Hotel. You get the rest of it?
- Yes, sir. - Alright. Sign my name.
Who's Gandi?
Private detective.
I drive to LA now and then.
This guy Gandi can get us the dope, right?
He can get us anything we want for 20 bucks a day and expenses.
Don't get too nervous too fast, Hector.
It's just that I don't like it.
(Coley) 'Maybe he's just passing through.'
Yeah, don't bet on it. He can mean only trouble.
Hector, you're jumpy as a stall horse.
Well, you oughta see him. Talk to him.
About what? What will I talk to him about?
The birds, the bees, the, uh, crops, the weather?
You tried it. What'd it get you?
It's just, I thought that..
(Reno) You just thought.
Well, what'll we do?
What'll you do? You'll wait.
Just like Pete here. That right, Pete?
And that's all you'll do.
And while you wait, I'll talk to him.
Hey, what do you know?
Mr. Macreedy seems to be heading for the jail.
[dramatic music]
Now, what do you suppose he'd wanna talk
to the sheriff about?
[music continues]
Hold it, friend, hold it.
I ain't hankering to get locked in my own jail.
[laughing] I'm sorry.
I thought you were a guest.
Oh, as it happens, I'm the host.
Ah.
- Snort? - No, thank you.
I don't blame you. It's awful.
[exhales]
- What are you looking at? - You tell me.
I ain't always this bad.
It was just that last night me and my pal
Doc Velie, we did a little celebrating.
Oh, what were you celebrating?
Well, you name it.
What do you want?
My name is Macreedy. I came in on the streamliner.
- You what? - I say, I came in on the...
You ain't from around here.
Are you... up Phoenix way?
Tucson? Mesa?
You ain't selling cattle nor seed corn, nothing like that?
No, no, no, all I want from you is a little information.
I have to go to a place called Adobe Flat.
This ain't no information bureau.
That's one thing about Black Rock
uh, everybody is polite that makes
for a very gracious living.
- Nobody asked you here. - How do you know?
What about Adobe Flat?
I'm looking for a man named Komoko.
Oh-oh-oh. Oh, oh..
- Almost a disaster. - Yeah, a fate worse than death.
You move fast for a Crip..
For a big man.
How about Komoko?
If there are no further questions.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
Mr. Macreedy?
That's the first pleasant word I've heard since I got here.
My name is Smith. I own the Three Bar Ranch.
I want to apologize for some of the people in town.
Act like they're sitting on a keg.
A keg? Of what?
[chuckles] I don't know.
Diamonds? Gunpowder?
Oh, it's nothing like that.
We're suspicious of strangers is all.
Hangover from the old days. The Old West.
I thought the tradition of the Old West was hospitality.
I'm trying to be hospitable, Mr. Macreedy.
- You going to be around long? - Could be.
How'd you like to go hunting tomorrow?
I'd be proud to have you as my guest.
Thanks. I'm afraid I can't.
Because of your arm, I suppose.
I knew a man who lost his arm once in a threshing accident.
He used to hunt all the time. He was quite a man.
He, uh..
Sorry, I mean, if, uh..
'Is there anything I can do while you're around... '
Oh, no, no, no, I was just looking for..
'No, it doesn't matter.'
You were looking for what, Mr. Macreedy?
I was looking for a man named Komoko.
Komoko. Sure, I remember him. Japanese farmer.
- 'Never had a chance.' - Oh?
Got here in '41, just before Pearl Harbor.
Three months later, they shipped him off to a relocation center.
Tough.
Oh.
You don't happen to remember which one
they sent him to, do you?
Who knows?
Why don't you try writing him?
'Glad to help you out.'
No, I'm afraid you'd be wasting your time.
I've already written but they don't forward my letters.
They keep sending them back.
Oh, they do?
[engine revving]
Need any help?
I can manage.
Well, I need a little help. I'd like to rent your jeep.
That'll be two dollars an hour. Gas extra.
Ten dollars for my time.
Why don't you ask him where he wants to go?
He wants to go to Adobe Flat.
Uh, is the road marked well?
Yeah, it's about six-seven miles down.
Fine, fine, then I won't need your time.
I thought you need a little help.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'll get along fine, thank you.
Liz, do you have a license to hire cars?
You might get into trouble.
I won't say a word to the sheriff.
[engine revving]
You shouldn't have done that.
Thought it'd be better if he went out there and got done
with it. What can he find out?
I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, Reno.
You know that.
This is liable to be the hardest ten dollars
you ever earned in your life.
[instrumental music]
[door closes]
[dramatic music]
- What did he want? - He asked about Komoko.
Do you think he'll kick up a storm?
A storm?
- What about? - I don't know.
All I know is that I, I don't want no more
trouble around here.
- Never again. - Trouble?
You don't know anything about Komoko, now, do you?
I do not. That's the point.
The point is, what you don't know won't hurt you.
Maybe there's something that I ought to know.
Maybe there's something that I ought to ask you
before the stranger comes back here
and starts breathing down my neck.
Tim... you're just a lost ball in the high weeds.
I told you a long time ago
nothing happened for you to worry about.
The thing is, I do worry.
Maybe I ain't much else, but I'm sure a worrier.
And I'm still the law.
- Then do your job, Tim. - What is my job, Mr. Smith?
Maybe I'd better find out before Macreedy does it for me.
Macreedy will do nothing.
And neither will you, Tim.
Suppose I decide to try.
That might be dangerous.
Tim, you got the body of a hippo but the brain of a rabbit.
Now, don't overtax it.
Yes, Mr. Smith.
Tim... buy you a cup of coffee?
[telegraph clicking]
- From LA? - 'Yeah.'
From that private detective.
What does he say? Who is this guy, anyway?
Never heard of him, that's what he says.
He checked. There's no John J. Macreedy.
No listing, no record, no information, nothing.
Where does that leave us?
I'll tell you where it leaves us.
I'm sick and..
Now, Coley.
I think Macreedy's a nothing. A nobody.
Is he?
So there's nothing to worry about.
Isn't there?
- You got brains, you have. - What can he find out?
That Komoko..
Suppose he finds out.
A nobody like Macreedy can raise a pretty big stink.
'The point is, who'd miss a nobody like Macreedy'
if he just, uh, say, disappeared?
Who, Coley?
- Coley? - Why don't we wait?
Wait for what?
I mean, maybe he won't find anything.
Maybe he'll just go away.
Not Macreedy. I know those maimed guys.
Their minds get twisted.
They put on hair shirts and act like martyrs.
All of them are do-gooders, freaks, troublemakers.
Let's wait and see. There's no danger yet.
"No danger," he says.
This guy is like a carrier of smallpox.
Since he's arrived, this town has a fever.
An infection.
And it's spreading.
Hastings' in a sick sweat, running around
shooting off his face.
Doc getting snotty with me
for the first time in four years.
And Liz, your sister, acts like a fool.
- She's only a kid. - Kid?
She must have strained every muscle in her head
to get so stupid renting him a jeep.
Tim. Tim, the rumdum..
Suddenly decides he's got to act like a sheriff.
And he says there's no danger.
Of course, uh... if you want to take the chance.
- Not me. - Alright, then.
You're mighty quick to kill. He's not an animal.
Well, listen to little spitfire.
You miserable little toad. I'm saving your neck.
If I don't, who will?
- Well, I... - Tim? Doc?
Your sister with the rocks in her head.
There's one thing about your sister.
She's got twice the guts you have.
You're only fit for running away.
And it's too late for that!
He's in this
and he ain't running no place.
Alright, then.
[dramatic music]
Let Smith find himself a new boy.
I can't take another day.
But if you're a sheriff, they gotta respect you.
Otherwise you can't do your job.
They just laugh.
I don't laugh, Tim.
- Why don't you? - Cut it out, Tim.
You should.
In the name of well-adjusted manhood
get a hold of yourself. Snap out of it.
You're gonna have a complex or something.
Four years ago, if I'd have done my job
if I'd have checked up and found out what happened..
But I didn't. It was just like Smith figured.
Oh, what did you find out?
They told you a story
you had to believe it.
Would you believe it?
Huh?
I don't know.
I live a quiet, contemplative life.
Me, I didn't even try to find out. Don't you understand?
You know, when you wear this badge, you're the law.
And when somebody does something against the law
then you're supposed to do something about it.
Me, I did nothing.
That's what's eating me.
What kind of prescription you got for that?
I don't know.
Haven't found one for myself.
But there's one thing, Tim. Don't quit!
Why not?
Because maybe this fellow Macreedy's got the prescription.
[door closes]
[instrumental music]
[engine revving]
[music continues]
[windmill creaking]
[water splashing]
[intense music]
[engine revving]
[music continues]
[car horn honking]
[honking continues]
[laughing]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
Well, if it's not Macreedy..
The world's champion road hog.
- Yeah, it's a small world. - But such an unfriendly one.
Why'd you wanna crowd me off the road?
I'm sorry if I incurred you displeasure.
Look what you did to my car.
Well, anything I can do to make it up?
You ought to be more careful, man.
All that one-arm driving.
I'll be glad to pay for the damages.
It's a threat to life and limb.
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
You could get yourself killed that way..
Nosing all over the countryside.
Yeah, I guess that's a danger, alright.
That's pretty smart of you.
How long do you intend to keep it up?
I'm pulling out right now.
Still expecting that convention?
What?
If you're expecting any extra cowboys
my room is available.
- Are you checking out? - Hmm.
Any trains leaving tonight?
(Pete) 'Tomorrow morning. The streamliner.'
(Macreedy) 'I know about that.'
'Uh, uh, milk train or freights?'
(Pete) 'Tomorrow, after the streamliner.'
(Macreedy) Buses?
Closest stop is Sand City, 32 miles away.
You're in such a hurry, you should've never got off here.
I'm inclined to agree with you.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
If you're looking for the keys to the jeep, they're not there.
Where would you suggest I look?
The jeep's not for rent.
Why, it was just a few hours ago.
Things change.
Sure do.
And Smith is the kid who changes 'em, isn't he?
Uh, do you mind if I use this?
Well, go ahead.
What's wrong with this town of yours, Miss Wirth?
Nothing's wrong with this town, Mr. Macreedy.
None of your concern.
Why is everybody so concerned about me then?
- Am I concerned? - No, you're not concerned.
- But... - But what?
Well, I have a feeling
you're a little bit too unconcerned.
You're so unconcerned, you won't even rent me a jeep.
I don't own a taxi service. I don't have a license.
Too bad everybody in this town
isn't as scrupulously devoted
to law and order as you are.
I don't want to get involved.
- Involved in what? - Whatever you're up to!
Whatever happens, I've gotta go on living in this town.
These people are my neighbors, my friends.
All of them?
This is my town, Mr. Macreedy.
Like it or not.
Well, if you don't like it, why do you stick around?
My brother Pete, he'd never leave.
Did it ever occur to you that you might leave without him?
You look like a pretty independent young lady.
- Your brother seems to be... - Weak?
I know. That's why I couldn't leave him.
What did your brother do?
What do you care? What do you care about Black Rock?
I don't care anything about Black Rock.
Only it just seems to me that there aren't many towns
like this in America.
But one town like it is enough.
And because I think something kind of
bad happened here, Miss Wirth.
Something they can't quite seem to find a handle to.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Well, I know this much.
The rule of law has left here
and the gorillas have taken over.
[chuckles] Yeah.
Yeah, and you just tried to steal the key to my jeep.
Well, I figured that that was the only way I could get it.
Was I wrong, Miss Wirth?
[intense music]
[instrumental music]
Macreedy..
I'd like to ask you a few questions while you're around.
I'm around, alright.
I guess, probably, you've heard that Miss Wirth is no longer
in the car rental business.
'Good. I wouldn't want to see that girl get into trouble.'
- Wouldn't you? - What with rental permits.
Gas rationing, you know what I mean.
Yeah, I certainly admire your sturdy sense of responsibility.
It's just that... that girl has a future.
Let's talk about my future.
Do you think you have the time?
I don't seem to be going anywhere.
I hear you handle a jeep real well.
Well, yes, I do have a way with jeeps.
A certain familiarity.
I think I understand. You're an army man.
Where'd you get it?
Italy.
That's tough.
I tried to enlist myself the day after those rats
bombed Pearl Harbor.
- 'What stopped you?' - Physical.
They wouldn't take me.
Morning after Pearl, I was the first man in line
at Marine Recruiting in Sand City.
'They wouldn't take me.'
Tough.
'What do you do in Los Angeles, Mr. Macreedy?'
I'm retired.
Well, you might say I was forced into retirement.
What were you looking for in Adobe Flat?
Like I told you, I was looking for a fellow named Komoko.
And like you told me, he wasn't there.
[chuckles]
- What's so funny? - Oh, nothing.
Just I, uh, don't believe you.
I believe a man is as big as what he is seeking.
I believe you're a big man, Mr. Macreedy.
Flattery will get you nowhere.
Why would a man like you be looking for a lousy Jap farmer?
Oh, you can't tell. Maybe I'm not so big.
Oh, yes, you are.
I believe a man is as big as what will make him mad.
Nobody around here seems big enough to get you mad.
- What makes you mad, Mr. Smith? - Me?
- Nothing. Nothing. - Ah..
You're a pretty big man yourself
and yet the, the Japanese make you mad, don't they?
Well, that's different.
After that sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
'Bataan.'
- Komoko made you mad? - The same thing.
Loyal Japanese-Americans. That's a laugh.
They're all mad dogs. What about Corregidor, the death march?
What did Komoko have to do with Corregidor?
He was a Jap, wasn't he?
Look, Mr. Macreedy
there's a law in this county against shooting dogs.
But when I see a mad dog, I don't wait for him to bite me.
I swear, you're beginning to make me mad.
All strangers do.
No, they don't. Not all of them.
Some do when they come around snooping.
- Snooping for what? - I don't know.
Outsiders coming in looking for something.
- Looking for what? - I don't know!
Somebody's always looking for something
in this part of the West.
To the historian, it's the Old West.
To the book writer, it's the Wild West.
To the businessman, it's the Undeveloped West.
They say we're all poor and backward, and I guess we are.
We don't even have enough water.
But to us, this place is our West.
'And I wish they'd leave us alone.'
Leave you alone to do what?
I don't know what you mean.
What happened to Komoko?
He went away. I told you.
Shortly after he left, some kids went out there.
They got fooling around.
They burned his place down. That's how it was.
You know how kids are.
[laughing]
- What's so funny? - Nothing. Nothing.
It's just that I don't believe you
any more than I believed you about the letters.
You don't seem to believe anything I say.
Oh, yes, I believe you about-about, uh..
What you say about the businessmen
being interested in-in Adobe Flat.
'Why?'
Well, I, I would think they would be interested, uh..
Maybe some historian, in all that land lying fallow.
You know, it could be used for some purpose
like, maybe a graveyard.
There's something buried up there, I, uh..
You're wildflowers. That means a grave.
'I suppose you knew that.'
I saw a lot of it, you know, overseas.
Figured it wasn't a human grave because it wasn't marked.
Kind of a mystery, isn't it?
Kind of.
Maybe you can figure it out.
- Maybe. - Why don't you give it a whirl?
It might help you pass the time for a while.
Well, uh, I've got other things to do.
I'm not interested.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
- Hi. - Hello.
- Pull up a chair. - Can I use your phone?
Yeah, help yourself.
You're one of the few people who's been back here
I can say that to.
It's, uh, 4-2-4.
What's 4-2-4?
Well, if I've got you pegged, and I think I have
you're calling the State Police.
But if I was you, and I'm surely glad I'm not
I'd look it up myself.
I wouldn't trust anybody around here.
Including me.
4-2-4, please.
4-2-4?
The lines are all busy.
Don't tell me, I know.
The lines are all busy. Be busy all day.
[chuckles]
You mind not looking at me like that?
- Like what? - Like a potential customer.
[chuckles] Everybody is.
And I get them coming and going.
First, I sell them a piece of land.
Do you think they farm it?
They do not. They dig for gold.
They rip off the topsoil of ten winding hills
then sprint in here all fog-heaved with excitement
lugging nuggets
big, bright and shiny.
Is it gold?
It is not.
Do they quit?
They do not.
Then they decide to farm.
Farm in a country so dry
that you have to prime a man before he can spit.
'Before you can say Fat Sam'
'they're stalled, stranded and starving.'
'They become weevil-brained and-and-and butt-sprung.'
So... I bury 'em.
But why bore you with my triumphs?
Yeah, I got a problem of my own.
You sure have.
They're gonna kill you with no hard feelings.
And you're gonna sit there and let 'em do it.
Don't get waspish with me, mister.
Oh, I'm sorry. I, uh..
Yeah, well, I feel for you.
But I'm consumed with apathy.
Why should I mix in?
I don't know. Maybe to save a life.
I've got enough trouble saving my own.
Look... I try to live right.
I... drink my milk every day.
But mostly I try to mind my own business
'which is something I'd advise you to do.'
Little late for that.
'No, no, you can still get out of town.'
'But you'd better get out like a whisper.'
How?
I've got a... sort of a limousine
at your disposal.
Where is it?
[engine sputtering]
[sputtering continues]
Must be something wrong.
Could be the wiring.
Yeah, it's the wiring.
Now, wasn't that a good guess?
Maybe it can be fixed.
Well, easy.
Except maybe if this wire was
busted or something.
Do the nice little things
like, keep your big, fat nose out of my business.
Yeah, it was the wiring.
I'm sorry.
But you gotta admit, I tried.
And for that, I thank you.
How much time do you think I've got before they, uh..
Well, you've got at least till dark.
They'd be afraid to see each other's faces.
Well, thanks, Doc. I-I can't say that it's been charming...
Where are you going?
Well, I don't know, but I'm going on foot.
That's no good, you stray ten yards off the main street
and you'll be stone-cold dead.
That's the situation in a nut.
Maybe, uh..
Maybe what?
I'll see you later, Doc.
Lemonade?
No, thank you.
It's hot as Billy-be-durned.
Don't you like lemonade?
Never thought much about it.
You notifying the State Police?
That's what it says.
You sure you don't want some lemonade?
It don't have the muzzle velocity of some other drinks
drunk around here, but it's good for what ails you.
What ails you, Mr. Hastings?
Me?
Why are you so upset about this wire?
Me?
Are you afraid, Mr. Hastings?
Uh, Mr. Macreedy, I'm just a good neighbor.
To Smith, you are.
What about to Komoko?
I've never seen Komoko in my life. Honest.
Alright.
Then you'll send that message
and give me the answer, won't you?
Yes, sir.
- What'll you have? - What have you got?
Chili and beans.
- Anything else? - Chili without beans.
If you don't like the flavor there's tomato ketchup for you.
Alright, I'll have it. A cup of coffee.
Well, you still around?
I thought you didn't like this place.
You mean going to or coming from?
Staying put.
No comment.
"No comment," he says.
No comment, and all the time he's got my stool.
This stool ain't comfortable.
I was afraid of that.
I think I'd like the one you're on.
He's as changeable as a prairie fire.
Suppose you tell me where to sit.
I hope that ain't too much.
Your friend's a very argumentative fellow.
Sort of unpredictable too.
Got a temper like a rattlesnake.
That's me all over.
I'm half-horse, half-alligator.
You mess with me and I'll kick a lung out of you.
What do you think of that?
No comment.
You know, talking to you is like pulling teeth.
You'll wear me out.
You're a yellow-bellied Jap lover! Am I right or wrong?
You're not only wrong
you're wrong at the top
of your voice.
You don't like my voice?
I think your friend is trying to start trouble.
Why ever would he want to do that?
Well, I don't know.
Maybe he thinks that if he needles me enough
I might crack, I might even fight back.
And then either he or your other apes sitting over there
could beat me to death and cop a plea of self-defense.
I don't think that'll be necessary.
You're so scared now, you'll probably
drown in your own sweat.
Oh, before that happens
couldn't I pick a fight with you if I tied one hand behind me?
If I tied both hands?
[grunts]
[gasping]
[coughing]
[gasping continues]
[panting]
[grunting]
[yells]
[pants]
[breathing heavily]
[screams]
Wouldn't it have been easier to wait until I turned my back
or are there too many witnesses present?
- You're still in trouble. - You're in trouble.
Whatever happens, you're sunk.
You got things a bit twisted.
You killed Komoko, Smith.
And sooner or later, you're gonna go up for it.
Not because you killed him, because I think in a town
like this you can get away with it.
But because you didn't have the guts enough to do it alone.
You put your trust in guys like this and Hector here.
Not the most dependable of God's creatures.
And one of these days, they're gonna catch on
that you're playing them for a sap
and then what are you gonna do?
Peel them off one by one?
In the meantime, one of them is gonna crack
and when they do, you're gonna go down..
But hard.
Because they got something on you, Smith.
Something to use when the going gets tough.
And it's getting tougher every minute.
Man, man, oh, man.
[machine rattling]
[rattling continues]
- Anything come for me? - Nothing.
- Telegram, nothing? - Nothing.
In case you're interested, Coley will live.
I'm truly sorry to say.
Your friend's pretty tough.
Yeah, he's wicked.
He defends himself when he's attacked.
You gonna sit there and let time run out?
Waiting for an answer from the state cops.
You send it through Hastings?
Just don't expect an answer
if that's the way you sent it.
Oh.
I guess that's probably for me.
Where's my answer?
Do you expect an answer from a wire that was never sent?
- Ha ha ha. - What's so funny?
I just had a thought.
A thought that is dazzling in its purity.
You're in a lot of trouble.
You gave my message to Smith, didn't you?
Why, you little wart. That's a federal offense.
You're in this deep too.
Like I say, it's getting tougher and tougher.
Maybe you'd better do something about this, sheriff.
I reckon that's right, Mr. Smith.
- You're not supposed to... - Don't be a jerk, Tim.
Divulging information? There's a law that says you...
(Smith) 'Tim!'
You're pathetic.
Well, maybe so, but... I'm still sheriff.
That's the point. You're not sheriff anymore.
You're so pathetic, you just lost the job.
Okay, sheriff.
- Take over. - 'You can't do that.'
I can't? Well, I put him in the job.
And now I'm taking him out.
Now, do you wanna register a complaint, boy?
'To register a complaint, you got to have evidence, boy.'
You got evidence?
You got a big mouth, boy.
Making accusations, disturbing the peace.
'We got a law in this county, protecting innocent folks'
from big mouths like you.
- I'd hate that... - Hector!
Never mind, Tim, we're not licked yet.
Ain't we? I am.
There comes a time, Tim, when..
A man has just got to do something.
Not me, I'm useless and I know it.
No man is useless, so long as he's got a friend.
I'm your friend, Tim.
Well, then, why don't you let me alone?
Because he's gonna need you before the night's over.
'And all the useful men are on the other side.'
Leave me alone, I tell you!
I can't let you alone!
I can't let myself alone. Don't you understand that?
Four years ago, something terrible happened here.
We did nothing about it, nothing!
The whole town fell into a sort of settled melancholy
and all the people in it
closed their eyes and held their tongues
and... failed the test with a whimper.
'Now something terrible is going to happen again.'
'And in a way, we're lucky'
'because we've been given a second chance.'
I've got such a headache, I'm bewildered.
I hurt all over.
Yeah, pain is bewildering, I know.
I was bewildered when I came here.
Full of self-pity.
With your friend Smith trying to kill me
it's... strange how a man will cling to the Earth
when he feels he isn't going to see it again.
There's lot of difference between clinging to it
and crawling on the Earth.
Are you going to stand by and watch forever?
I ain't gonna watch.
And I ain't gonna... get into anything.
'I'm getting out.'
I'm sorry, Mr. Macreedy.
You'd be smart to get out too, Doc.
There's too many smart guys around here.
- I'm glad I'm a dummy. - You're a troublesome dummy.
You're liable to end up on your own slab.
I expect to be in a lot more trouble before I die...
Go home, Doc, he's all washed-up.
You think so?
I was washed-up when I got off that train.
- You shouldn't have got off. - I had to.
I had one last duty to perform
before I resigned from the human race.
I thought you were going to Los Angeles.
That hotbed of pomp and vanity.
Is that what you call resigning from the human race?
Good jumping-off a place for South America, the islands.
- Why? - I don't know.
I guess I was just looking for some place to get lost.
Why do you want to get lost?
Because I was afraid I couldn't function any longer.
Luckily, your friend Smith changed my mind.
Yeah, sure, you're a man of action.
You know, I know what your trouble is, son.
You'd like me to die quickly, wouldn't you?
Without wasting too much of your time.
Or quietly, so I won't embarrass you too much.
Or even thankfully.
So your memory of the occasion won't be too unpleasant.
My memories are so pleasant as it is.
It's gonna take an awful lot of whiskey
to wash out your guts.
Go on, go on, swill it!
What is there left for you to do?
You're as dead as Komoko, and you don't know it.
Take it easy now, Macreedy, sit down.
Sit down, why don't you tell me to kneel down
and beg his pardon for bringing up an unpleasant subject?
You don't have to remind me, I've never forgotten.
Well, now, isn't that noble of you?
You haven't forgotten and you're ashamed.
That's really noble of you.
I suppose four years from now, you'll be sitting around here
telling people you haven't forgotten me, either.
That's real progress.
In the meantime, I'll be as dead as a..
Why don't you tell me what happened?
What happened?
Why did you come here, Mr. Macreedy?
Did Komoko have any other family besides his son, Joe?
Son? Nobody around here ever knew he had a son.
Yes, he had a son. He's dead too.
He's buried in Italy.
(Velie) 'I asked you before.'
Why did you come here?
Why, this Komoko boy..
Died trying to save my life.
They gave him a medal.
I came here to give it to his old man.
I figured the least I could do is give him
one day out of my life.
Well, are you gonna tell him or I got to?
I'll tell him.
Smith owned Adobe Flat. He leased it to Komoko.
He figured he-he cheated him
because you gotta have water to raise anything.
There never was any water on Adobe Flat.
Komoko dug a well.
He must have gone down 60 feet.
He got plenty of water.
That made Smith pretty sore.
He, uh, didn't like Japs anyway.
The day after Pearl Harbor..
Smith went to Sand City.
Yeah, he got turned down, trying to enlist.
Well, when he got back, he was pretty sore.
Around 10 o'clock, we all started drinking.
(Macreedy) 'Ten in the morning?'
Yeah.
Smith, Coley, Sam, Hector and... me.
We were all drunk.
Patriotic drunk.
We wanted to go out to scare the Jap a little
and have a little fun.
When we got there, he heard us coming
and-and-and he locked the door.
And then Smith started a fire..
And the Jap, he came running out
his clothes were all burning.
And then, Smith shot him.
I didn't even know he had a gun.
Then you got scared and buried him
and kept your mouth shut, hmm?
Yeah.
Well, go ahead and have your drink now.
You're gonna need it.
Hello, Liz. Pete.
Uh, listen, I'm getting Macreedy out of town.
I would call the police, but all the outside lines are cut.
Well, let him try. I might as well be dead.
Yeah, I told him everything.
'Look, will you never mind about that.'
'I'm asking you because I need your help.'
'You'd be saving two lives, Liz.'
'Macreedy's and mine, if that means anything to you.'
'Alright.'
'Now, here's what I want you to do.'
'Wait till it's dark.'
[intense music]
[music continues]
[howling]
- Hector. - Yeah?
I've been looking for you. Come here.
What do you want?
Macreedy, he went up to bed.
So, you want me to tuck him in?
No, but I-I thought maybe you wanted to tell Smith.
(Hector) 'Smith don't want to be disturbed.'
'He'll be here at midnight, he said.'
'Why are you so nervous?'
(Pete) 'What do you mean? I am, uh, I'm nervous?'
You got a match?
No, I-I got some in the lobby.
[dramatic music]
Oh!
[intense music]
[door closes]
[engine revving]
[music continues]
What did you do to get Pete to change his mind
beat him up?
No, no muscle.
Not with brains either, he's a pushover for a muscleman.
I'm beginning to think it runs in the family.
Well, I'd sure like to have seen you tangle with Reno Smith.
He didn't happen to be there when I left.
Maybe I will yet.
- What's this? - Need water.
[gunshots]
Smitty?
Smitty!
Liz, you fool.
If he gets me, he's gotta get you.
- Smitty? - I'm here, honey.
Just head for the car.
So long, Macreedy.
Just a few more steps, honey.
Get him, get him now.
First things first, honey.
Help me up, Smitty.
You were gonna help me, Liz.
- I did every... - I still need your help.
I did everything you said.
You two started out in the car.
That's the way you're gonna end up.
Over a cliff, burning.
'Blame Macreedy for that, he said I had too many witnesses.'
Why me?
Why start with me?
I gotta start with somebody.
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
[gun cocks]
[gunshots]
[wind whooshing]
[metal clanking]
[howling]
[engine sputtering]
[lighter clicks]
[grunts]
Save me!
[grunting]
Save me, save me!
Save me! Save me!
[Smith groaning]
Am I gonna have trouble with you?
No, but I sure thought the situation
was gonna be, like, reversed.
I, I thought that I was..
Was gonna have trouble with him.
I'll take care of him.
Well, the gang's all here, alright.
Thought I'd take one last whack at my job.
Your sister's out in the car, Pete.
She's dead.
Do you want me to tell you who killed her?
I know who killed her.
About that medal, can we have it?
- Can we have it, who's we? - We, us.
Why?
Guess, maybe we need it.
Maybe give us something to build on.
This town's wrecked, just as though it was bombed out.
Maybe it can come back.
Some towns do and some towns don't, depends on the people.
[train chugging]
That medal would help.
Thanks, Mr. Macreedy. Thanks for everything.
What's all the excitement, what happened?
- A shooting. - Thought it was something.
First time the streamliner's stopped here in four years.
Second time.
[train honking]
[instrumental music]