Original subtitles

Catch your breath, and I'll ask you something.

I got my breath.

Who lives in that house?

Old-lady Brentman.

- Who else? - Nobody else.

- There's something for your piggy-bank. - Hey, thanks!

I'm savin' to buy myself a hotrod.

I'm afraid there's nothing I really need.

I'm not selling anything, Mrs Brentman.

What is it?

No, no, Scoot...no!

He thinks he's a watchdog!

I wanted to see the house.

Why, did you think it was for sale?

No...when I was a kid, I ran away from this house...

I'd just like to see it again...

I wondered if it had changed much.

Well, you can come in...

Most young people nowadays, forget home too quickly.

I always remembered mine.

We bought the house through the agent...

The people who DID own it were named Hale.

- Is YOUR name Hale? - Yes, Hale.

There was a boy, I seem to remember...

Now what WAS his name?

I think it was Chris!

That's right...Chris Hale.

We bought the furniture with it, John and I did.

John was my husband... he's dead now.

You must have been away a LONG time.

Yes.

You can see upstairs, if you want to.

I know...you want to see your old room.

It's the same one that Sammy had.

There always seems to be one room of the house...

...that's just made for the boy of the family.

The one with the most windows for its size...

...and looks out over the yard...

The Foldgers live next door...

Did they live here, when you were here?

I think so.

This is yours... wasn't it?

This is Sammy's room.

Sammy?

That's him...he died in the war.

This I remember.

Probably the only honest thing I ever won in my life.

Would you like to be here alone a little while?

I could go down and get you a cup of tea...

Would you like that?

Thank you.

It's all ready, Mr Hale.

I'll take it into the front room.

Let's have it in here.

Oh...alright..

Sammy always liked it here.

I'll bet you were in the war, too.

You can always tell from our men's faces.

Sit down... I'll get some cookies.

My Sammy's buried in the army cemetery in Virginia.

Someday I want to go back there and sit beside his grave

and think all about it.

See if I understand it better.

See if I can see clearly why it had to be.

Goodness!...I shouldn't be taking like that to you.

- That's alright. - Sugar? - No thank you.

- Cream? - No.

Your folks still living?

No, they aren't.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Thank you.

I WAS thinking of selling this house...

Then again, I might take in boarders.

So hard to know what's best.

What kind of work do you do?

Nothing.

Why, you shouldn't talk like that...

Young man like you!

Why, you could do anything you want to learn.

I can't learn anything I want to do!

Say...Mr Morgan... He lives across the street...

He's a foreman at the Corelli factory, and a friend of mine.

Would you like me to speak to him about you?

That'd be fine!

Well, I'll do it first thing tomorrow.

Would you like some more tea, Mr Hale?

No, thank you. You better call me Chris...

The man out of work is never a "Mister."

Besides...I may be your first boarder.

Thank you very much, Mrs Brentman.

Say...would you really like to come back and stay in your old room?

You don't want me back in that room.

Yes I do.

I want someone in there.

Alright...

I'll bring my things in.

Is that all you do around here... Skate up and down?

No...I caddy down at the golf club.

Like my dad did...

It was nothing but a 9-hole cow pasture.

What did THAT get him?

Plenty.

You're Elaine Corelli.

I'm Chris Hale.

Are you?

Doesn't mean anything to you?

Never did.

Do you mind?

Would it make a difference if I did?

Not much.

When I was 15, I took a paper route...

...just so I could deliver papers to YOUR house.

Once in the schoolyard, I fought a guy named Murphy...

...because he called you a rich snob.

Did you win?

You can't beat an Irishman, unless you kill him!

Murphy lived.

When I left town on a boxcar...

...leaving you was the worst part of it... But I knew I'd see you again, somewhere.

Did you?

-Yes. - Where?

Once in Monte Carlo.

Once at a club in Florida...

...when you threw 14 straight passes at the dice table.

I see pictures in the paper.

I read about you... You did alright.

What happened to all those men who used to hang around you?

Elaine... Excuse me, sir...

Father...this is Mr Hale.

He used to be our newspaper boy.

Mr Hale was telling me how he was in love with me once.

How long ago was it, Mr Hale?

About 100 years!

I that case, you're in good hands.

[Italian]

- Are you winning? - 65 cents.

Then I'll stay a while.

Alright.

What got you into that?

Didn't you read about that, too?

Guess I caught everything but the meaning of that.

I made a ski-jump at St Moritz.

I had bad luck.

You always did run around too much, anyway.

I won't any more.

Now, do you want to go back inside?

I was never in there... just got into town.

I used to caddy here, when it was just a 9-hole cow pasture.

From carrying papers to caddying, to what?

Oh...went to work in your old man's factory.

What HAVE you been doing?

For 100 years?

Had a few falls myself.

The war?

You know, some girls are born ugly... turn out to be knockouts...

Whatever happened to you?

You were always beautiful.

A nice pitch... You still haven't answered my question.

Try it again.

I asked you what you'd done.

The gamblers call me a sucker...

...and the suckers call me a gambler.

Now are you going to reform?

I tried everything.

So did I.

You want to go back inside?

Why?

Make the old man quit, while he's out in front.

Should he?

I don't know...I never could.

Goodnight.

Pardon me...I'm looking for Mr Morgan.

I'm Morgan.

Come in.

My name's Hale... I'm a neighbour of yours....

I know all about you.

You certainly have an admirer in Mrs Brentman.

You really didn't win the war yourself, did you?!

I didn't win it... I lost it.

Well...feel that way...

A man never loses anything important until he loses his nerve.

What can you do around a shoe plant?

Nothing.

Well, you came to the right department...

...No brain...no skill... How's that?

- Shoe fits. - Good...I can start you today.

I went to the First World War as a private...

How do you think I came out?

- Private. - Right.

Ray...meet Chris Hale...

Ray Healy.

Hale's going to work with us.

Show him all you know.

That should take at least 5 minutes.

This is about YOU here...

The big boss wants to see you.

- The Old Man himself. - Why?

He don't confide in ME.

You better take him up.

See you later.

That guy's doin' alright...

I've been here 6 years and never spoken to the Old man yet!

Shall we get back to work...

...or do you want to chew the fat for a while?

Yessir.

My name's Hale...

Does that carry any weight around here?

You can go right in, Mr Hale.

Come in, Mr Hale.

No calls, please.

Mr Hale...the reason I asked Personnel to find you...

Elaine talked about you...

She mentioned that you were going to look for work here.

- Where did they find you? - Morgan's office.

My daughter seemed very interested in you.

Your future.

We had a short conversation about it.

I want to do something for you...

I thought maybe Sales, or Advertising Department.

Mr Morgan IS doing something for me... I think I better stick with HIM.

You're doing something for your daughter.

You're right.

I'm doing something for my daughter.

And there isn't ANYTHING I wouldn't do for her.

If it would help her...

...I would get out from behind that desk, and put YOU there.

Even if it broke me.

It would.

Last night was the first time in a long time...

...I've seen her display interest in anything.

Then, something you've said...

...somebody who you are...

...something interested her.

I don't know how to tell you how grateful I am.

You don't have to.

You're a stranger to me, Hale.

I'm telling you this so you can imagine how much it means to me.

How useless it makes all that out there.

Do you understand me?

I think I do.

What job do you want?

The one Mr Morgan gave me.

Can't tell her that.

Want me to?

Will you?

Sure.

And then what?

Thank you.

Well, that was very nice of Elaine Corelli... trying to help you get a job.

Wasn't it?

Yes it was.

You mustn't forget to thank her for it.

No, I won't.

But you know everything that goes on around here...

What sort of poker does this Morgan play?

Oh! He invited you?

The trap's set!

Very nice of Mr Morgan...

...One way.

Is there some other way?

Mr Morgan always wins...

Nobody ever remembers Mr Morgan losing.

He's a wonderful player...

He has a poker...expression?

Yeah..."expression"!

Maybe you better not go.

Here, you keep that for me... and then I can only lose 4 bucks.

Want me to wipe te dishes?

I certainly do not!

Good...I'll see you later.

If you lose early...you might go up and call on HER.

You're a smooth and stubborn old woman!

That the way you cut 'em, Mr Morgan?

Jacks or better, gentlemen.

I'm glad to get it over with...

...Guess I never should 've called.

All I had was a flush.

Well...shouldn't send a boy to do a man's work.

Shouldn't expect him to go all through life...

...wondering whether it was good.

Somehow I ended...with a missed three.

I'll open...2 bits.

Call.

I'm out.

Raise...10 cents.

Naturally!...Hale?

Oh...I'm in.

- Call. - Fold.

- Card? - 3 cards.

Mr Morgan?

I'll play these.

4 to the dealer.

Check.

4 bits.

Naturally!

4 bits...

...and 4 bits.

Call!

2 ladies.

Good as gold.

Nice to have done business with you.

It's early yet... Have some more chips.

Put 'em on the cuff.

I'll try again next week.

I'll show you the door.

You've shown me just about everything else tonight...

Let me find the door myself.

Goodnight, chumps!

Do you like that music?

I know very little about music.

You can like stars, without knowing anything about astronomy.

Then I like it.

You just don't want to get into any argument.

Not with somebody with this many books.

You don't read very much.

When I have the time... I don't seem to have a book.

Buy a book...

But I'm a special case.

I can loaf around the world again, without my wheelchair...

And read the love stories, without having to live them anymore.

Do you want anything to drink?

Anything.

Why didn't you come in the front door?

I wasn't sure that I'd be IN the front door.

Besides...that's where I used to deliver the papers.

In the winter, when it was dark...

...I used to come around the side and stand out there.

I stood out there one Christmas...

...watching you jump around the biggest tree in town.

Wishing I could give you a present.

Why didn't you?

All my life, I've been busted at Christmas.

Yes, Miss Elaine?

This is Miss Thompson, our housekeeper.

Mr Hale is a footpad friend of mine.

He slipped in through the window.

Indeed?!

He would like something to drink...

I believe he said he'd drink anything

Very well.

This afternoon you made my father feel like a failure.

You mean the Sales and Advertising Department.

You know what I mean.

Well...explain it!...

After I went to some trouble.

So did "Grandma"...

...My landlady...she has pull with the shipping foreman.

What do you expect to get out of the Shipping Department?

$48 a week.

You don't expect much out of life!

I've got my own room, a job... $48...is that bad?

If that's all you want...

...my trying to help you must seem like a very poor joke.

Everything's a joke...

I should find one thing that nobody'll laugh at...

I never could.

Never?

I'd find a few things that I couldn't laugh at myself...

Then some other guy always laughed.

I see.

Like your bad spill you took at St Moritz.

Must have looked pretty funny to somebody else.

I guess I did.

We were both failures.

Your legs...and my life.

Except that something can be done about your life.

You've been reading too many books.

I promised your father I'd explain about the job.

Thanks for the milk... and the conversation.

Wouldn't you like to go out the front door?

Old gamblers' superstition...

...Get out the same way you got in.

- Goodnight Mr Hale. - Goodnight

I saw your light on and I'd heated these fresh towels.

What are you doing? Writing?

No...drawing... plans of a house.

Oh...a house?!

What did you see?

- Nothing. - Sure?

I haven't got my glasses.

I want this to be a surprise.

My!...You startled me!

Sorry. I'm glad you came in though... I want to talk to you.

I'm getting up early in the morning.

Tomorrow? I didn't know you worked Saturdays.

I'm going out of town for a day or two... but I'll be back.

A friend of mine's in trouble.

Oh, that's too bad.

Serious trouble?

No...it's just that he can't make a living...

...his way anymore.

What's he do?

He's a card-sharp.

Like Mr Morgan.

Not exactly.

My friend wins by cheating.

Now, that's no way to be!

I have a plan...

If it works, he'll never have to live that way again.

Chris, that's fine.

You're always doing something nice for people.

You'd better go to bed.

Goodnight, Chris.

You got 11 cards.

I just hope you haven't.

Where you been, Steve?

Several spots around the country.

Do any good?

No good...They know me in most of the lush places...

Ran me out of California.

Yeah...I heard you got the road-gang in Florida.

What about Europe's so busted?

You're not the Lend-Lease type.

What you need's a new racket.

Might go legitimate.

The trouble with the "straight and narrow", it's...

Too narrow.

Wise guy.

Another blitz, Jake.

No wonder they tag you in those sucker joints.

You just can't let yourself lose.

If you could pass up a little action now and then...

...you could make it look good.

But YOU gotta steal it all!

Even the luxury tax.

You can't help it...CAN you?

Even for peanuts... you gotta give me the business.

Call it even.

I didn't know if you were gonna show.

Nobody's seen you for weeks.

Did you get "30 days" or something?

I said I'd be here.

Do everything the way I told you?

Yeah...Doorman's fixed... We walk right in.

Here's the plan of the house.

We go straight to the office...

I'll stick a gun in Bowen's ribs...

And we walk him out with us... that's all.

That's all? We don't go up?

That's all.

- You got a light? - I never said it was a cinch.

I didn't say I had to have a cinch.

I just never went this far before.

Neither did I.

We've run out of suckers.

Where do we go from here?

I guess we stick up a gambling joint.

Sure...that's why we're pulling this caper tonight...

And then we get out... all the way out.

We heist a gambler who can't stand to call the police.

Got a car?

Yep...borrow it.

- What else? - You're a fool.

Looks like you had a good take tonight, Bowen.

Just like YOU did.

Alright, Bowen...let's walk.

Your car, Bowen.

You drive.

Isn't this a sucker's play?

Take your time.

This is as far as you go, Bowen.

How far do you think YOU'll go?

Here's something for a cab, when you get to a house.

I'll try to pay you back.

Any time.

If you've gone this far with it...

Maybe you'd be smarter to go all the way.

Not me...I'm just a thief.

Don't forget you owe me a sawbuck.

I won't forget.

We won't make the mistake of trying this again.

- Not for a long time. - Not forever.

Salt it away and be smart.

Like you said...I'll get lost.

I'll say it again... Get lost and stay lost.

Pick a town, move in it, and stay in it.

Get another name and be another guy.

That's what I did and that's what you're going to do.

And don't ever think you're safe...

...and get careless and forget about tonight...

...because Bowen won't.

You think he's that tough?

It's the only way he IS tough.

Where are YOU going?

OK! OK!...

I was just wondering if I'd ever see you again.

I've heard there MAY be a life after this one.

If it's true, I might see you down there.

I owe you 4 hours.

Why don't you wait till payday.

You may nick me again on payday...

I want to get this off my conscience.

If you're that way, maybe you were a bad boy over the weekend.

Why?

Healy was looking for you Sunday.

Mrs Brentman said you left early Saturday.

Yeah, I drove over to West Virginia, lookin' around...

I got back late last night.

What did Healy want?

What does Healy ever want?

Say, I been lookin' all over for you.

You found me.

Are you doing anything tonight.

Say yes!

I got something nice lined up for you.

Real nice.

That something "real nice" is his girl's buddy.

Let's go where we can talk...

...without this guy who KNOWS everything.

Pay no attention to Morgan...

Except for one night a week for poker...

...he's spent every evening for the last 20 years with his wife.

So he thinks all women are fat, and sleepy at 10 o'clock.

This girl's name is Gwen...

I've been giving you a real good build-up, for 2 days.

We take one look at this girl, and if you're not interested...

...we'll switch it to a movie and blank her out.

- Is that fair enough? - Fair enough.

Gives me a break with Mabel.

We take 'em to dinner?

What'd you do over the weekend... Rob a bank?

No...wasn't a bank...

We'll dance 'em around, buy 'em a few drinks...

...then we'll run into an Up-Dough.

Any way you want it.

I'll pick you up at 8 o'clock.

Be right back, ma'am.

You look nice with roses...

You should always carry them.

Going on a date.

She'll be very pleasantly surprised.

I hope so.

Do I know her?

Not as well as you think you do.

Who IS this lucky girl?

You.

When you're not around, I sometimes wonder...

...if you aren't the strangest man I ever met.

When you ARE around...

...I'm absolutely sure of it.

Is this the brush-off?

You don't believe that any girl in her right mind...

...could turn you down... do you?

Not in her right mind.

I'm not quite sure how to take that.

Oh...nothing personal.

Go ahead, Brown.

What time shall I drop in?

Oh, any time...just climb in through the window.

Oh, my, how beautiful!

Shall I put them in water for you?

I don't care what you do with them, they're yours.

Now don't take it so big...

...I'm just trying to get in solid with you.

Don't think you're getting them for nothing.

Ray Healy's coming by for me...

Tell him I couldn't make it...

Something important came up.

I have...brought you the paper, instead.

Like you did when you were a little boy?

Yeah...like I did when I was a little boy.

Where's your coat?

Why?

We're going out.

I don't go out.

You do tonight... You've got a date with ME.

You don't expect me to sit here all evening...

...and be stared at by these books, do you?

Yes, Miss Elaine?

Oh, bring Miss Elaine's coat.

One of the minks.

There are only 3 things in world, could keep me in a room that long...

Sleep...a jailer...a deck of cards.

Don't misunderstand me...

I appreciate this little act.

But I wouldn't do this to myself, much less to you.

This is my fault, for saying you could come here.

I don't want either pity, or this humane bravado.

So, now we understand each other...

...you can go and have fun...

...without staying in any room too long.

Tell me on the way.

I just don't want to make a fool of you.

Oh, that's been done before.

By experts.

No, Chris.

You're not ashamed to be seen with me?

That's not what you're getting at, is it?

You don't think that.

I said it.

After all, you ARE Elaine Corelli...

You're a million-dollar chip off the social block.

I might have something, at that.

The FRONT door, if you don't mind.

Now...first thing...

Stop looking like a diamond tiara at a 10-cent store....

These are my people...

Want to talk us into champagne?

Beg your pardon, sir?

- I'll have a coffee. - Two coffees.

Cream...sugar...please...the works!

Look who's here, Gwen...

Elaine Corelli...in the flesh.

Where?

Mink coat in the wheelchair.

Who's the "man-of-distinction" type with her?

Might be from the factory... don't you know him?

I've seen him around. Do you want some more beer, Gwen?

How have I missed HIM?!

He's...he's new.

- Mabel...beer. - Who is he?! What's his name?

Come on...who is it?!

Hale.

Is that the big build-up you've been giving us?

That's right...it's the same guy.

THAT's the business he had!

Do you want to dance, Gwen?

Ray...stop her, do something... dance with her!

You know I don't rumba.

They tell me you're Mr Hale.

Too late to deny that, now.

Well, Mr Hale...

I'm returnin' the call you didn't make.

And for your information, Mr Hale...

...I'm not accustomed to being stood up by any kind of date...

...blind or dumb or deaf... by any kind of...

This is my dance! Come on Gwen!

I've got to finish what I've got to say.

Have you got a brain in your head?

I work for that girl's father.

You get involved with such a variety of women!

Ridiculous...isn't it?

Want to leave?

Not until you've done something I think you should do.

What should I do?

Go and apologise to that girl.

- You want me to? - Yes.

And if she's foolish enough to let you take her out...

Dance with her.

Why do you think she won't?

I'm sure of it.

For what small token wager?

- The check. - You're down.

I want to tell you how sorry I am about this...

Actually, it couldn't be avoided.

But if I'd seen a picture of you, it couldn't have happened.

You kinda pour it on, don't you?!

Anybody can say he's sorry...

So what do you want to do about it?

Neither of us is leaving town...

Well...how about a dance?

I'll say this much... You've got your nerve!

Well, do you want to dance, or not?

- Waiter...the check. - Yes ma'am.

Thank you, ma'am.

Goodnight.

Have some fun?

"Fun"?

Just a word...throw it away.

I guess I like it because the girls still look at me

...and remember me the way I was.

When I could walk and dance...

And live like that girl tonight.

You could fool yourself... and almost fool me, too...

But it's a dream... and I have to forget it.

So do you.

Always telling me what I have to do!

A dream is alright.

It's an island...everybody can sail to.

But YOU can't stay on it...

Or make a life on it...

Or walk on it.

Your hand's cold.

And why don't you listen?

Because I know what you're going to say.

You're going to tell me that this is the end of us...

That you're like the dead, and you're going to crawl away alone...

...till you fall off the edge of the world.

You're going to tell me that we're a big thing, you and I...

Somebody cares, which way we go...

Some star will drop from the sky...

Some clock will stop...

...because of anything that happens to US.

That ISN'T what I mean.

I know what you mean...

But I don't care.

I want you take me in now.

I'm sorry, Chris...

What else can I say or do?

You can kiss me goodbye.

Can't you walk in the door without knocking? You always do.

You shouldn't frighten me like that.

You're not afraid of any man on Earth.

Not anymore.

I told you that you couldn't beat the races.

I can beat this one.

- Where? - Florida.

What do you think of 'Silver Belle'?

Too much weight for it.

Well how about 'Starlit Sky'?

That's a crazy horse...

Send 3 vets and a psychiatrist.

It's a beautiful name.

Know anything about 'Stumpy'?

Very solid.

I couldn't do it.

I couldn't bet on a horse, with a name like 'Stumpy'!

Take 'Starlit Sky'...I'll book it.

I had a postal card today...

It says..."Having rotten time... Glad you're not here."

She says she won't be back until March...

She might go up to New York, and look at the new plays.

That's what SHE thinks she'll do.

What do YOU think?

I think NOTHING can keep her away that long.

Not even ME?

I wouldn't know...

No more romance in me than there is in a refrigerator.

Still, you have to bet on a horse named 'Starlit Sky'?

- How do you want it? - On the nose!

- How else? - Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Oh, my-oh-my, what a pretty tree!

Where shall I put it?

In there, in front of the window.

Chris...the most wonderful news!

Who do you think's back in town?

Hold that.

- What is it? - It's a Christmas present...

...for an old gossip I know.

Oh, for me...oh Chris... you shouldn't have done that!

Put it away somewhere she can't pry into it.

Aren't you curious?

In case YOU are... there's a bathrobe in there.

Aren't you going to help me trim the tree?

Certainly not... I'm going over to Elaine's...

...with a pocketful of mistletoe.

Oh...you knew!

You like it, Miss Elaine?

It's very nice, Thompson.

Been rather hurried...

Nobody expected you home from Florida until March.

It wouldn't be Christmas without a tree...would it?

I like this season... I always have.

Have you seen Mr Hale?

Several times.

He came here one evening, to his sorrow, I might add...

I was asleep, and I heard music coming from this room...

So I came to investigate.

THIS room?

Yes...he had come in as usual...

Said he was looking for a book.

He was sitting in that chair...reading.

Reading?!

A book of poems, as a matter of fact.

And you called the police?

No! We played gin-rummy for a time.

Mr Hale lost $4!

If I'm not in...

Yes, Miss Elaine?

What book did he take?

Truthfully...Mr Hale carried on so about losing the 4 bucks...

...dollars, I mean...

...that he forgot to take it.

I don't think he's a very good thief.

Hello, Thompson.

Is Miss Elaine in?

No, Mr Hale, I'm sorry... She's not in.

Well...Merry Christmas anyway!

Thompson had the cutest grin.

We're always seeing each other after a long time.

I don't seem welcome.

Merry Christmas.

I thought we understood that, before I left.

I thought so, too.

Didn't it make sense?

Yes.

That's ALL it made.

What brought you back?

The holidays...naturally.

Naturally.

Sherry, Miss Elaine?

Sherry, Mr Hale?

Thank you.

To Mrs Thompson.

So it DID make sense?!

Oh, I told old Brentman about it...

You can be old and ignorant...

But you can't be old and stupid.

What did you tell her?

I told her how you were tied to the wheelchair...

How I was tied to YOU...

How you thought it was no good... and so blew town.

And what did she say?

She asked me if I loved you.

And YOU said?

I went all the way with it... I said "yes".

Did you really tell her that?

This is good.

What?

I shall smell lilac in Connecticut, no doubt, before I die...

or see the clean white reticent small churches of my youth...

the gardens full of phlox and mignonette...

the pasture-bars I broke to run away.

Do you like poetry?

Never learned but one poem in my life.

What was that?

I'll play any man from any land, any game that he can name...

for any amount that he can count.

That's just doggerel.

What's this?

"John Brown's Body".

John Brown? Don't know him.

He was hanged.

Then I ought to know him.

What do you want Santa Claus to bring you?

Chris...

I made a bargain with myself...

And I want to keep it.

I didn't come back for Christmas.

I wanted to see YOU.

I thought I wouldn't feel quite so bad.

But I haven't changed my mind.

Now I'm here, I know it's still no good.

Want me to go.

Goodbye.

Let's go out and take candy canes.

...around loud singing...

Tidings of great joy are bringing...

Shepherds the chorus come and swell...

Sing Noel, O sing Noel!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly...

Fa la la la la la la la la...

'Tis the season to be jolly...

Fa la la la la la la la la...

Don we now our gay apparel...

Fa la la la la la la la la...

Troll the ancient yuletide carol...

Fa la la la la la la la la.

You aren't thinking again?!

Only that it's been such a beautiful Christmas.

The best!

You really mean it?

The best...you know why?

Because we got along so fine.

That's why we shouldn't let this Christmas go.

What should we do with it?

Take it with us.

Where?

Could you go to that ski-jump again... and look it square in the eye?

I think so.

I might even laugh.

Where would YOU go?

For me, we'd stop at Monte Carlo... they owe me something.

I was there once, and put my last 200 francs on No.30 and came up empty.

Were you playing your system?

But 30 was my birthday... and I WAS 30.

But I'll be luckier with you.

Where would you like to go the most?

- Anywhere in the world? - Name it.

Well...I thought the south island of New Zealand was lovely.

And there is a place I read about once...

Where women grow younger and more beautiful, as they grow older.

But it would probably be crowded with women...

..and I might not like having you with me.

Alright, we'll pass that by.

Where else?

A place I never saw, but always wanted to go...

Perhaps just because of the name...

What's that?

The Windward Islands.

What's there?

Copra, sugar, cassava, spices.

We'll go there.

With you?

Happy new year!

Happy new life!

- I haven't... - Ssh!

- I had to find you. - How?

- I'm in trouble. - How did you find me?

You left me your matches.

That night in the hotel.

I told you to get lost.

I DID, Steve.

Chris...Chris Hale.

Chris.

I dropped out of sight, clear down to a town near Memphis.

Like you said, I went into business...

- But I got in a jam. - What kind of business?

I put up a gambling spot... I tried to sneak it.

But I had to get out of there.

The little dough I had left... I went to Vegas.

You're a fool.

I just wanted to make...

I just wanted to make one more play, and get out.

And now you're broke.

But that isn't all.

Got a drink around?

No.

I'm cold, waitin' for you.

So, that wasn't all.

No.

Someone saw me.

- They tried to kill me. - Who?

Couldn't have been anyone, except someone from Bowen.

- You remember that doorman we fixed... - YOU fixed.

He was found dead...

In an alley.

The law's been waiting a long time now, for Bowen to make a slip.

Maybe you'll be his first mistake.

In which case, you will have benefitted society, not merely by your departure...

I had a bit of hard luck.

I moved into a town like you said...

I went crazy in it!

Maybe you can stand it... I can't stand it.

You were seen in Vegas.. They could've followed you.

Just tell me what you did... not how smart you were.

Well, I finally headed for here.

I didn't panic... I was careful.

I double-backed... I took buses...

I even hitch-hiked.

I spent Christmas in a boxcar.

Don't break my heart.

Maybe they messed you... with scaring you.

What for?

Maybe to scare you back to me.

Yeah.

You hate my guts for this, don't you?!

You look scared.

Scared?...No... Just cold.

So cope against the cold.

You're scared.

- The old lady's up. - Who?

The landlady...now go along with anything I say.

Sure...I'll be alright.

Happy new year!

Happy new year...

Excuse me...I didn't know you had company, or I wouldn't have come down.

Oh, please, Mrs Brentman... this is Mr Lake.

How do you do!? Happy new year!

Mrs Brentman is old society.

Don't you believe him... You probably won't.

- Did you make fresh coffee? - No.

I'd better make some.

Oh. no...please...

He shouldn't have too much... he's been nervous.

Oh, that's too bad.

In fact, I was thinking of asking him to stay here...

Is that alright?

Why, that's a fine idea!

I'll fix the other room right away.

I got a hotel room...

I'm sure Mr Lake would rather stay with us.

Of course...you wouldn't get any rest or care at the hotel.

I'll fix the room before you can say 'Jack Robinson'.

Are you worried about me gettin' killed?

Stay here...you're sick.

You're nerves are shot.

It ought to be easy for you.

You don't leave this house... You go nowhere.

Not even to the barbershop.

Not even on the front lawn.

You remember when Guido had all the rackets sewed up?

Someone asked him once... "What more do you want?"

And Guido said... "A lawn I can mow..."

"...without getting mowed myself!"

Very funny.

How long will it be?

Till I can get rid of you.

What's that mean?

Till I can get rid of you.

Jack Robinson!

That's you...your room's ready.

Go ahead.

Hey...how about a beer?

No time.

Hey, Gwen's been asking about you...

...ever since that night you left her swinging.

Say hello.

Are you gonna play poker at Johnson's tonight?

Pass.

You don't play any more... something wrong?

Why?

I don't know...I just asked...

We haven't seen you since New Year's.

Well, so long.

No, Scoot...no!

What do you think you're doing?

I'm doing none of your business.

What did you say?!

Maybe it IS some of your business...

Did Chris ever give you something?

He certainly did.

He gave me a beautiful bathrobe for Christmas...

And he's sending me east to visit my son's grave.

Listen, you blabbering old crow...

Don't you speak like that to me!

I didn't mean it...

It's just that...

He's keepin' somethin' for me... and I wanna find it.

He never gave you anything to put away, did he?

Some kind of package?

I don't know what in the world you're talking about.

But if you wanted to find something, you should have asked Chris.

Look at the mess you've made!

If I thought you were lyin', I'd...

If you've lost something... I think it's your mind.

Now you leave everything of Chris's exactly as it was!

He does nothing but stare out of the window for days.

Turn's the house inside out as if it were a dresser drawer.

What's the matter?

I know he's not himself, but...

I didn't even know he was in the house.

If he's not in the house... where else could he be?

Oh...he didn't want you to know...

He goes for a walk every afternoon.

Since when?

Oh..for a week, more or less.

Find it?

Why'd you bring the old woman into it?

She stuck her own nose in.

She did?

She drives me nuts.

Follows me all day... every day...

Like that yapping dog!

Does she follow you downtown, afternoons...

...when I told you to stay in the house!

I can't wait here.

I'm not like YOU.

I got blood in my veins.

More threat than waiting.

What is it?

Alright...want me to say it?

I'll say it.

You've got a pretty good thing goin' here...

I heard all about it from the old woman.

You did?

A lot bigger than the heist of a crummy gambling joint.

You're on the move in the real plush now.

All you gotta do is push that wheel chair around...

and you go anywhere you want.

You're thinking about yourself...

...whether you've got onto...

I don't see where I'd fit.

You don't.

OK Steve...

Now I know how I stand.

I know what you been figuring...

Like you figure everything.

Like a piece of arithmetic.

You've been figurin' how you can get rid o' me...

How you can murder me...

Because that'd clear it all up.

For you!... Then I can never talk.

That's why you want the old woman to visit that grave.

Let me go, Steve...

I don't mean what I say... I can't think any more.

Let me go!

Just give me somethin' to get out with.

I knew you didn't read much.

You mean I can take some?

All, or any part.

Where are you going... your plane leaves in 20 minutes.

I thought I'd get a sandwich and an orange for lunch.

You'll have lunch on the plane.

I don't want to be any trouble to the airplane people.

I put the money back in the book.

I'm glad you changed your mind.

I got wound up...

I came apart like a dollar watch.

The Venner girl's in every morning to clean...

Would you keep an eye on her...

She'll turn on the radio and dance with a broom.

The old woman's going, eh?

She'll be gone for 10 days.

Better this way.

Whatever you say.

That's what I said.

We'll straighten it all out, after she's gone.

Goodbye, Scoot!

Now you behave yourself, and don't you tear the house inside out...

...neither one of you!

Goodbye, Mr Lake.

Goodbye, Mrs Brentman.

For two pins, I'd go back to the house.

You always wanted to visit his grave.

Yes, I did.

I don't know what good it does the living, now...

...and what good it does the dead.

On your way...and stop worrying!

I guess I'm just worrying about you being able to afford it.

I can afford it.

Your plane is just coming in now.

Chris...is something wrong?

What about?

I don't know.

You mean about Whitey?

I don't know what I mean... I only know the way I feel.

Nothing's wrong.

If it'd do any good, you could tell me... Whatever it is.

You're trying to say...

It might make a great deal of difference to someone else.

You know who I mean.

Yes.

If there WAS something, you should tell her.

I think you'd better do it.

Your plane is ready for boarding.

- Don't be afraid. - Don't you worry!

I won't, now that I've said it.

What are you waiting for?... A kiss?

I want you to look after yourself.

I always have.

Goodbye.

Thompson?

This is Chris Hale... May I speak to Miss Elaine, please.

Telephone, Miss Elaine.

Mr Hale.

Chris?

Yeah...I lost my car, and found a little trouble.

Will you have your driver pick me up in front of the Bruce Drugstore.

I have to see you.

You're very mysterious.

Then, you always are.

Anyhow, I'll send him.

Yes, right away.

Will you send Gordon to the Bruce Drugstore to pick up Mr Hale.

Bring him in here, when he arrives.

You don't bring Mr Hale, Miss Elaine... He walks right in!

- Let's move. - Yessir!

When you phoned, I thought you might be joking.

Now I see you're not.

The kind of joke some other guy laughs at.

What's wrong?

Do you know what I was, before I came here?

I've made some guesses.

I was a lot of things.

I was a gambler, a cardsharp, a dice hustler...

...and a phoney.

You've said part of that before.

There's one thing I didn't say...

I was also a thief.

I left here one day and stole $100,000 from a gambling joint.

Another guy and I.

Why?!

Well...

I didn't know then I could get honestly, the things I wanted.

Now I think I've been found.

Is this why you've been avoiding me since New Year's?

The only reason.

I thought I could square myself.

I played it wrong.

Chris...

If you hadn't been found... would you ever have told me the truth?

I think so.

You know you lied to me once.

You said you loved me when I was a little girl here in this town.

I never came here, until I was 18.

Well...I would've loved you.

Was that true that we could have gone to all those places?

The Windward Islands?

We could've stayed.

I never knew what it was...

But I felt you'd made a mistake...

As I did.

Not like YOU to.

What's the difference between mistakes, if they're both from you?

Lot of difference.

Do you have the money now?

My share.

Do you want it?

No.

Since when?

Since you.

And couldn't you take it back?

That's what I'm going to do.

That's what I came here to tell you.

I love you, Chris.

I said it to myself a thousand times.

This is the first time I can say it out loud...

...and not feel ashamed.

Now it's really alive.

Keep it with you.

I'll keep it.

It's my life.

I was dead, until you gave it to me.

I want to know what happens.

I'll let you know.

How?

You'll know.

Be lucky, Chris.

Whitey!

- How long you been around here? - All the time.

See anybody leave the house?

Sure...they took the man out of the house.

Who took him out?

Four of the men did...he was sick... They had to help him walk to the car.

What kind of car?

That one over there.

How'd you like to make some money?

How much?

Sit there on the porch until I come out...

...and I'll pay you a dollar a minute.

Why?...Boy!

58...59...

Four dollars!

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8....

How long?

You know Mrs Breucht down the street?

Sure thing.

There's an extra buck...

Two bucks...

Tell her to take care of Mrs Brentman's dog.

Scoop?

Yeah...Scoop.

Feel better, Mr Bowen?

I never felt better...

I like to keep my neck in shape.

I stick it out so often.

You never did have good taste.

You were always stubborn.

Why don't you sit down?!

I wouldn't sit on your deathbed.

That's a pleasure you'll never have.

After you.

I owe you 10 bucks.

Remember?...You gave me $10 one night, I was in some trouble.

Keep it, and buy a policeman.

You played high... You have to lose big.

That Corelli dame...

You really had something going there for yourself.

Something real good.

The best.

Just about a million bucks.

Do you want to talk to me about it?

No.

Chris...

You're a 'dead-even thing'.

I've been trying to see you for weeks.

I wasn't worth seeing.

Are you alright, Chris?

I'll be alright as long as the wires hold me together.

Is it necessary to go to prison?

All my life I've taken things without paying for them.

First time I picked up a cold deck...

Not that it matters.

It matters to me.

You'll change.

I'll never change.

It'll always be the same, and I'll always say it, as long as I live.

Come back and see.

You want me to come back?

I went away from you once...

...because I knew you would not have been happy...

...tied down to a cripple.

Now you're going away.

And when you come back, YOU'll be changed.

You'll be hurt, too.

Then, maybe you'll need me.

In whatever life you try to find...

...please find ME, too.

Because I belong to you, Chris...

...and I'll never hide it again...

So, never feel you have nothing left...

...or that you are unloved.

I won't.

And I'll do anything I can.

Just do one thing...

Belong to me.

Subtitles by FatPlank for KG.