Original subtitles

Good evening.

How do you do? I find myself here as the result of a misunderstanding.

I thought I was going to bathe in champagne, but find myself stomping

grapes instead.

I did have a partner working with me, but a short time ago he sank without

trace.

There is one consolation to drowning in wine.

He had a smile on his face as he went under.

However, I'm not complaining.

I always wanted to have my tennis shoes dyed, though I didn't plan on having

burgundy-coloured feet as well.

But life must go on.

Tonight's story is about a man called Perry and begins after a minute called

Tedious.

Thank you.

All right, boy.

Let's go.

Unless you'd rather stay here.

He don't look so dangerous to me, Cap.

Where'd you find him?

Oh, taking a dip in the lake.

Can't blame you, boy.

Sure is a pretty day for it.

You should have found out about our hospitality before you came here robbing

our banks, boy.

It'll be a long time waiting to spend all that money.

Is it true what the papers say?

Nine banks between here and Boston?

Close to half a million cool, crinkly dollars?

Your partner must be having one sweet time spending his share.

Now, there's a way out of here for you, a smart way.

Tell me who your partner is.

Tell me who he is and where he is.

And return the money.

Think about it.

I'd never want that kind of money.

It's just the way I feel.

All any man needs is a decent home and a steady job.

Things our boy here couldn't appreciate.

Appreciate.

Appreciate what?

The next 10 years of mush, beans, and sow belly?

Get in the truck.

You trustees sure live easy as a hound dog on a porch.

What are you doing, Doc?

Planting some fresh stuff in your garden? Well, I find myself in

difficulties here, Captain.

I turned my back and the deceased or the grave or both of them started spitting

around, around, around. Now I can't tell a head from a foot.

Well, either way, he isn't going to complain.

Tell him what I'll do for you, Doc.

I'll give you a hand setting that marker, if you give me a shot of that

clinic jersey of yours.

Something that Doc, isn't he?

Never saw a man hate to bury people much as he.

Just can't keep away from that bottle on burial day.

I guess the puny heart of his needs it.

Good thing for him that he and the captain are such close friends.

That is a prodigious shot, my friend.

Having you around is like dying of thirst. That stuff hits like four sticks

of dynamite.

Why don't you try easing that pure grain with a little water, Doc?

Now,

how are

you going to tell a head from the foot? You tell me that.

That's north.

All heads point north.

You have the wisdom of Solomon, my friend. I bow to you.

This place is full of holes.

It's perilous to life and limb.

You all right, Doc?

Of course I'm all right. You sure? Sure, I'm all right.

I stopped by to tell you about your granddaughter, but...

Maybe I better wait till tomorrow. Elisa, what happened? Tell me, Captain.

What happened? Nothing happened, Doc. Nothing but good.

Judge Benson was over for dinner last night.

Said it looked like maybe Elisa might be taken into the county hospital.

She'll be a fortunate girl if she is.

You think so, Captain? No, you really think so. What are you saying, Doc?

This is just what you've been wanting yourself for years. You know that. Of

course I think so.

It'll be the best thing all around. For you, for Bart.

Especially for Elisa. You know that.

I guess you're right, Captain. Yeah, I guess you're right. Sure I am.

She'll be looked after. She'll be well taken care of.

Now, let's get this marker in place.

All right.

You better start back for camp, Doc.

And keep your nose out of that jar.

Alcohol and a weak heart don't mix.

I don't want to spend the rest of my night looking around for a place for

you. In there with the rest of your friends. Now, don't you worry about my

heart.

It's hitting on all cylinders. And if it does stop, I've got my own place picked

out. In that corner right over there.

Well, let's not rush it, huh?

I did enough running around for one day.

Looking for this boy.

Why? To do something?

Try.

He's got to break out of every prison they put him into. A matter of

reputation. But he's learning fast.

Only reputation means anything around here is mine.

You try beating it out of here just one more time and you'll finish your

sentence right in there.

No supper for him, no smokes.

Nothing.

You know, you're real simple.

No one ever got away from Tolman.

Ever.

Step up here.

Get him shackled and make sure it's a good job.

Permanent.

Get two hours' work out of him every hour.

Take some of that steam out of him.

He's got a dozen warrants waiting for him and thinks he's a pretty sharp boy.

Thinks he can outsmart us and beat it out of here.

Keep an eye on him and don't lose him.

All right.

That'll help him.

Come in.

Get right up there.

Hold your arms.

Perhaps if I refresh your memory, you'll have a better understanding of the

purpose of this meeting.

You've had experience enough to know that attempting to break out of prison

is a felony.

Last night I made out a complaint charging you with just such a felony. My

duty, of course, is de facto a warden of this camp.

Now, perhaps you recognize the existence of law.

Perhaps you even further recognize that the law extends its protection to

your kind as well as to...

Honest, respectable men.

What do you want from me, Captain?

Patience. Patience, Mr. Perry. We have time.

As I was saying, you're entitled to a fair trial.

Impartial.

You can avail yourself of this legal right.

As a matter of fact, under ordinary circumstances, I'd urge you to do just

that. But your luck holds strong, Mr. Paul Perry.

From the district attorney's office.

Let's see.

Here we are.

Should the defendant agree to waive trial by entering a plea of guilty, the

county will be saved considerable court expenses, and the defendant will profit

in terms of a greatly reduced sentence.

Now, suppose you insist on going to trial.

You... found guilty of attempted escape, of course.

That means five years on top of the ten years you're already serving. Do you

understand? Fifteen.

That's a lot of years.

However, if the defendant

pleads guilty to the charges, the district attorney's office guarantees a

sentence of one year.

It's nice to have a free choice.

Well, as your legal guardian and friend, I hope your choice is the one I'd make

for you.

One year, huh? That makes 11 all total.

A man can serve 11 years quicker than he can 15, can't he?

Oh, just sign the papers.

You can read them if you want.

You can use my pen.

Wherever you see the X mark.

Yes, sir.

May I go now?

Just one moment, Mr. Perry.

You're now serving 11 years.

With time off for good behavior, you'll be out of here in seven years and four

months, won't you?

That's not too bad.

Now, as a man who's been arrested a number of times and has been in and out

of a number of prisons, I'm sure you realize the fact that...

I'm the one empowered to dispose of your good time off as I see fit.

Well, I see fit to take away all your good time off.

I want you here for at least 11 solid years.

Get him out of here.

All right, take a break.

Hey.

I need somebody to give me a hand down here. All right, Doc.

Here. Right this way.

Well,

fresh as new paint and full of turpentine, too.

Just what we need, huh?

Go along with Doc, you. He's got some chores for you.

Hey, Doc.

If he slacks off, give a yell. I'll be around.

No, I'm going to need six of these.

We make them kind of generous, don't we?

Room for two of me in there.

Well, that comes of having an abundance of cheap lumber and cheap labor and

cheap life.

Well, come on, let's get going. Now, drag it into the morgue, right, that

door, right straight through there. I'll bring the cover.

Take it easy.

Take it easy.

You all right?

Yeah. Can you hear me? Yeah. I'm all right. I'm all right. Take it easy.

Yeah,

that's better.

Okay, give me a cigarette.

Yeah, please.

I'm too old for even light work.

These palpitations got me down.

Better?

Oh, that's good.

See, you're the young fella that tried to escape from here yesterday, aren't

you? You don't look like a desperate criminal to me.

Well, that's what the newspapers called you.

You know what the newspapers are like?

What's your hurry about getting out?

You've hardly been here a week. Yeah, but...

That world out there, Doc, it's got a little more to offer than what I can

find in here.

I suppose it has.

I used to feel that way 29 years ago.

29 years? I mean, what are you waiting for?

Well, now there's a chance.

Now, I might get let out of here legitimately next year, and

I'll stack that pile up there. Sit down.

Take it easy. I'll get it.

We'll bring the rest of those coffins in tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.

Maybe someday you'll be able to help me.

Hello,

Paul.

You're not allowed to have any watch worth more than $10. Now, that's a...

A copy of my offer of restitution.

Won't do you any good, though, Paul. They've already turned this down.

This place is horrible.

Is the rest of it like this?

There ought to be some way of getting me transferred out of here. Look, I want

out. Just calm down, Paul. You get me out of here. Calm down, Paul, and listen

to me.

I can't help you, Paul, if you keep getting into trouble.

The papers are still full of the escape that you tried out of here.

Listen to me. I've done everything that can be done. You know that. I've used

every known device.

Every argument, every offer has been turned down.

We're not quitting, Paul.

You're still a young man.

Things will change.

In the meantime, you just do your work and keep your nose clean.

Above all, let's keep out of trouble, will you?

Paul, Paul, listen to me.

I'll even make an appeal to the governor.

Maybe we'll get some kind of a break.

I've had enough time.

All right, visiting hours are over.

Goodbye, Paul.

as I want to see you for a minute.

Cap?

Come in, Doc.

Not clinical like your juice, but just as mellowing.

You're getting pretty friendly with that Paul Perry fellow, huh?

He ain't no friend of mine.

Now, don't get worried, Doc.

I want you to do me a special favor.

I want you to get friendly with him.

He's looking to use you.

That was the idea behind that paper toy.

He's going to plan another escape.

Encourage him, Doc, and keep me posted.

I never ratted.

You don't have to tell me that.

I'm asking you to do this as a friend who wants to see you free and who wants

to help your family.

Well, if that's the way you want it, Cap.

That's the way I want it.

Look, I need another shot.

Sure, Doc. I was just about to suggest it myself.

I, uh... I saw Judge Benson at church this morning.

He showed me a letter from the county hospital commissioner.

I'm afraid, Doc, it's going to be a long time before they have room for a leaser

at the hospital.

There's a waiting list from here to City Hall, even with pressure.

Everybody's using pressure.

You know, it's a funny thing, Cap.

Elisa's entitled to more than just charity from a county hospital.

Now even that little bit's denied, too.

You see what I mean?

Just don't give up, Doc.

We'll keep on trying.

Money's all Elisa needs.

Money for a specialist.

Money to give her a chance at a healthy, normal life.

You see what I mean, Captain?

It's just as well this thing didn't work out.

Elise is entitled to more than charity from a county hospital.

You'll get over it.

And we're not giving up.

In the meantime, don't forget Paul Perry.

She's got a pretty much maiden here, haven't you, Doc?

Oh, yeah, I guess you could say that.

That's my reward for 29 years of faithful servitude.

You know... That was a pretty nice thing you did for Lisa today, giving her that

little toy.

You see, my son does odd jobs around town.

He hardly gets along.

I earn 12 cents a day in here.

And I need $5,000.

Everybody needs $5,000, Doc.

Yeah, but...

I can earn $5,000 from you.

I can get you out of here.

Now, you write a letter to your pal or your lawyer, and you tell him to send $5

,000 cash to my son, and I'll mail the letter myself.

What are you getting at, Doc?

How do I know you can get me out of here?

Are you trying to set me up, you and your friend Tolman?

I don't have to trust you, Paul, but you've got to trust me.

Because I tell you, I can get you out.

How? A magic wand?

Detachment of Marines?

Look, Doc, with Tallman on my back, how could you get me out? Now,

just suppose something like

this happens.

A con in here dies.

And before the funeral detail arrives, you get right in the coffin with it.

We put the coffin on my truck. We take it out to the cemetery and we bury it.

Then the funeral detail comes back to the prison here. But I stick around

until the grave mark is in place, do you see, Paul?

You want to bury me?

Are you out of your head, Doc? I want out alive.

Sure, I'm going to bury you.

But as soon as that funeral detail's out of sight, I dig the coffin up. I pry

open the lid. You pop out.

And then we refill the grave.

You're on your way. I can even hide you out until the heat's off. You're a place

in the hills.

You're way ahead of me, Doc.

What am I supposed to do while I'm in the coffin? Hold my breath?

There's plenty of air till I get to you, Paul.

You can take my word as a doctor for that.

That doesn't sound right to me, Doc. Too many problems.

How do I get into a coffin with a corpse? How do we get a corpse? How

about frisks?

Too many chances to take before I even get started.

You think of something simple, and you got yourself $5,000.

Simple? Of course it is simple, Paul, if you'll only think about it.

Now, the only problem I see is how you're going to get in the coffin with

the corpse from wherever you are.

The coffin will be right there by the door, waiting to be taken out to the

cemetery.

That's a big gamble. It means escaping inside of a prison in order to escape

outside of a prison.

But I could do it. Sure you could. And don't worry about the frisks. There'll

be no frisks, Paul.

I have complete charge of everything from the time a con dies until a grave

marker's in place.

Tallman just signs a death certificate right on my say-so.

I'm the only person who's sure.

that the right man's being buried.

Does Tolman or one of the other guards check the coffin, check the body? Of

course I told you not.

Everything's all right.

Give me your son's address.

Our story will continue after this.

friendly interruption from your local station.

Be careful about mistaking the iodine for the castor oil.

It would be disastrous to treat cuts and bruises with castor oil.

That'd be a worse disaster to treat indigestion with iodine.

Just visiting around. How about a sip?

Well, I couldn't turn down a fine offer like that now, could I?

One of the guards tells me that Elisa and Bart left town.

Went back east to some fancy hospital.

That's right. I didn't get a chance to talk to you about it.

She's going to have an operation.

Oh, suddenly?

Bart hit it lucky on the stock market?

Why don't you tell me, Doc?

You trying to hide something from her? Of course not.

I borrowed the money from an old school buddy of mine, and now she can afford

the operation.

Old school buddy wouldn't happen to be old jailbird Paul Perry now, would he?

Of course not. He's been avoiding me, I told you that.

Yeah.

The truth is, I suspect you're lying.

When you lie to me, Doc, you're just another con. Remember that.

And remember, I got a ton of shackles.

Every one of them your size.

Hey,

look out!

You bad?

The arm's fractured.

Rib cage is all smashed.

Of course, without x-rays, it's hard to tell just how much damage has been done.

Well, do you want to send him back to the main prison hospital?

No, no, no. You move him, you kill him.

No, everything's being done for him. It can be done.

You make it sound like his clock's about to stop.

Get back to work, you two.

right there fellas

okay

come on now let us out come on

you mean to give us a hand

Rather knock it off with a chisel every time.

Doing it with the trees, doing it the hard way. That's my opinion.

You all done?

Send your opinion to the newspaper. Come on, let's go.

You must be crazy doing a thing like this.

By all the laws of logic, you should have lost your foot.

Why did you take a chance like that?

I take a chance every time I draw a breath.

We all do.

The main thing is I'm here.

I only hope our friend there is as ready as I am.

Well, he's not as lucky as you are.

All his bones are broken. Yours are intact.

With this cast, everybody will think you've got a broken foot.

But don't be too optimistic about walking.

Walking's gonna be more painful than you think.

It'll be some time before you walk normally again.

Well, that's the best news I've heard all day.

It's not that I don't like you, boy. I just don't trust you.

I don't trust you even with a busted foot.

I'm shipping him back to the main prison. He'll be transferred sometime

tomorrow.

How long, Doc?

Hours, maybe.

Minutes, maybe.

He might last until tomorrow.

Boston beans.

Concentrated energy.

Here, you better try and eat some.

It may be a long time before you get your next meal if your luck holds out.

Been four hours, Doc.

How much longer?

Well, that's like I said, I don't know.

It's getting late.

You'll be locked up in another three hours.

If he's not gone by then, I'm finished.

Now, you heard Tallman.

He wants to keep that no escape record of his. He wants to get rid of me.

All we can do is wait.

Unless you like have a drink.

No, no drink.

You lay off that stuff yourself.

Well, Doc, he's going to die anyway.

Couldn't you do something, help him out of his pain?

If you don't have the belly for it, I'll do it. You make one move to kill this

man, and I'll go straight to Tom, and I swear it.

One move.

Killing isn't part of our deal, and killing isn't going to become a part of

our deal.

When this man dies, if he dies, I'll carry out my part of the bargain exactly

like I said I would. But you make one move to kill him, and you kill this

whole deal.

I didn't mean it that way, Doc.

Not the way you're putting it.

Well, let's have a drink.

Doc, get in here.

Take a look at him.

How is he?

I gotta get told.

I gotta get somebody to take him to the morgue.

Last one for the road.

Better lay off the juice, Doc. Still a few details I want to go over. Jess,

don't you worry about my drinking, old buddy.

I can handle it.

I understand everything that's going on just as clear as... Listen, on top of

the coffin you'll find a sheet.

It's a white sheet commonly known as a shroud.

Now, when you get in the coffin, pull that right up over your head. Now,

that's very, very important.

Oh, oh, look here.

I got something for you.

I got your tobacco and matches and chocolate.

It's a gift from my little granddaughter.

Doc! Doc!

Why can't you listen to me just once?

You're drunk.

Doc, you know what you're doing? You're finishing it off for me.

Doc, look. You think I killed that guy? Huh?

Do you understand me? I understand.

Come on.

Come on. Get a hold of yourself.

Go down to your bunk and sleep it off. You understand?

I'll see you in the morning when you dig me up.

Right? Right, right, right. Now, don't forget the shroud.

And there'll be plenty of air.

I'm gonna sleep.

Good luck, old buddy.

All right, let's go.

Show up here as soon as it gets light. You're on the burial date.

Hey, I never met a guy as careless as you in all my life. Leaving half the

sheet on like that. Hey, and that lid ain't even nailed down. I'll fix that.

How come a big, tough, stick-up man like you is scared of a dead man?

You're talking real strong with that guard around.

Ah, get to work, Oliver, and you two stop arguing.

We're not arguing, officer.

We're just exchanging notions.

I don't see what difference the nails make anyway.

Guy inside ain't going anywhere.

All right, let's go.

All right, take it easy on that end. Quit shoving. Come on, come on.

What'd they fill this box with?

Kitchen leftovers?

Oh, the head bone getting unconnected from the elbow.

The elbow getting... Ah, you complaining again.

Man. This guy's been complaining since the time he was born. You know

something? He didn't complain about being sent to prison. Oh, come on, come

on. Let's go.

They took the vitamins out of those beans last night.

I don't feel a thing this morning. Man, you've been using up all your energy

doing too much talking. All right, here we go.

Heave.

Heave.

Heave.

Heave.

All right, let's get the shovels.

Now, come on, let's go.

Now, let's get out of here.

minutes

to move on.

Come on, Doc.

Faster, faster.

Come on, Doc. Hurry.

I promise you, Doc.

I'll give you another $5,000. Another $10,000.

Another $20,000, Doc. Just hurry. Anything you want.

It's my fault.

Why was I so stupid as to trust him?

Captain's friend.

He should have known.

No.

No, I didn't mean that, Doc.

I'm sorry. Forgive me. Forgive me, Doc.

Just hurry.

That concludes this evening's story.

Next week, I hope to bring you another one.

Previews of which follow the next commercial.