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Why'd you have to hire her, Cliff?

It shoves her right in the middle of a feud she never even heard of.

You on the one side, Gerry Winslow on the other.

Her boss against her husband.

She can't win no matter how she plays it.

Happy birthday, darling.

Well... I uh,

I guess some days a girl just doesn't have it.

Don't give me that.

- Just call him. - What?

Oh, little Miss Innocence, you don't know what I'm talking about?

Gerry, when you act this way I'm not sure I even want to know.

Whatever it is, I'm sorry.

I'm sure you are.

Black lace, huh?

How much extra did that get you?

- Gerry, I... - It all comes back to you now, doesn't it?

Listen, you call him.

Gerry, be reasonable.

We talked about my going to work.

Yeah, we talked about what I think of Cliff Kane, too.

Gerry, it's only a job.

A temporary job.

Temporary, like a marriage?

What can I say to him?

Oh Gerry, I just can't.

Yes, you can.

Alright.

Oh Gerry, please.

The bills, the bank,

there's an overdraft. I had to borrow from Ruth to cover it.

You know, it's great the way you blab all our business to her.

What am I supposed to do? The bills aren't gonna take care of themselves.

A man makes twenty thousand a year.

- That oughta be enough to take care of two... - Gerry, that was just one year.

You wanna throw that in my face?

No, I don't mean to, but I...

Look, is that what it's gonna take? Throwing it at you?

Two years ago, twenty thousand dollars.

Last year, six. This year, who knows.

Damn it, I said call him.

Kane, please.

This is Cliff Kane.

Oh, yes Ms. Winslow.

Oh no.

No, I understand. If you can't, you can't.

But uh, if anything changes you let me know, huh?

I'm sorry, too.

Anyhow, thanks for calling. Bye.

That no good freak.

Joe, I wonder how far Winslow will try to push his wife.

Better look this boy up and have a little talk with him.

Ellen.

The music stopped.

It's nice. I like the record.

Only this birthday is sort of special.

I'm treating myself to a divorce.

A divorce?

You heard me.

But Gerry I... I called him.

I quit the job.

But you took it, didn't you, before you quit.

A man makes twenty thousand dollars a year,

there's only one reason his wife goes to work for Cliff Kane.

Gerry, that's not true.

I love you. I love you.

You don't even know what the word means.

- I do! - Look at you, worthless little...

Keep your hands off me.

Gerry.

You heard me. Who needs you, a cheap tramp like you.

- Stop. - Some two-bit big shot

comes along and gives you a line of bull

- about a fancy job and you flip. - Gerry, stop.

No matter how worthless he is

just so it makes you feel a little less like dirt.

Gerry, stop it!

Where do you think you're going? I'm not even warmed up yet.

Let me go, let me go!

Cool off, dear.

Gerry...

Why?

Why are you doing this to me?

Oh, with a tramp like you, who needs a reason?

Damn you!

Kicking's just about your speed.

Me, anytime I have to knock anybody around

you'll know you've finally dragged me down to your level.

Don't do it, Cliff.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Look,

you've got this Interlude deal in your pocket right now

if you play your cards right.

Poke Gerry Winslow in the nose,

that's the end of it.

He shouldn't have kicked her out, Joe.

How do you know what happened? You don't.

Yesterday they split,

today you can't wait to take a poke at him.

Over a woman you hardly know to say hello to.

Doesn't matter what I know. He shouldn't have done it.

I thought that's what you wanted.

Nice messy breakup.

Oh, come on Joe. You know it wasn't.

You could've fooled me.

Alright, alright. Then that's what I wanted.

You know Cliff,

there's just one thing wrong with you when it comes to this kind of deal.

You don't like to see little people get hurt.

Bad handicap.

I'll take my chances.

I'll just bet you will.

You act like you were about ten years old.

Oh Kane, long time no see.

You know why I came over here.

What's this business with your wife?

You know, you must be quite a boss.

You lose a new girl before you even sign her on.

- Why did I lose her? - Who knows?

She went cold on your deal, that's all.

You're sure you didn't twist her arm?

Oh no, why should I bother?

You know Kane, you're about as transparent as this bourbon.

You hired Ellen just to needle me.

Well, if you want her you take her,

because I'm through with her.

You two-bit cotton picker.

Go ahead. Throw it.

You'll have thirty days to feel good about it.

Case for counsel, Ms. Roger speaking.

This is Ellen.

Ellen. Where have you been?

There's a call here for you, from Gerry's office.

Mr. Nedwin wants to see you right away.

Well, I'll go by.

Ruth, you were right.

I can't just live on hope and wait for Gerry to do something.

Not with all those bills on my mind.

I've gotta have some money.

All I can do is take the job

and hope that someday that he'll understand.

But...

like you said...

I do feel guilty.

I just feel so guilty.

Oh hello, Mrs. Winslow.

Mr. Nedwin, Mrs. Winslow's here.

Send her in.

Well Ellen, we are honored.

I got your message that you wanted to see me, Mr. Nedwin.

Yes. Sit down.

Nothing's the matter, is there?

Have you seen this?

No, I don't think I have.

No need to read it.

It just says Gerry's taking four weeks off without notice.

You mean you don't know about it?

No, I didn't.

Ellen, ordinarily I'd fire him out on the spot

for a trick like this.

But, for your sake I'm reserving judgment.

You two have been having trouble, haven't you?

Yes.

Straighten it out.

Look, Mr. Nedwin, I can't, I...

I just don't know where Gerry is.

That's your problem.

He'd better be back here Monday morning,

if he wants to go on with Omex.

Ruth, where'd you get this?

Gerry's office.

What?

Social workers got their second cousins were detective.

Receptionist over at Omex let me prowl Gerry's desk.

This was in his phonebook.

First name, address. Well, it might just be worth a try.

Well...

let's hope so.

No, you don't!

Not until you tell me about this Cliff Kane business.

Is he married?

His wife died three years ago.

He's trying to line up a contract

to do some drilling for Pemex in Mexico.

Where did you come in?

The pay's fabulous and I work around the clock.

By the way, he's gonna come by tonight,

he's got some papers and he wants me to study.

So you promptly go off hunting for Gerry.

Ruth, what choice do I have?

If I don't find Gerry, he's gonna lose his job.

Well, hi.

Hi.

Um, I'm looking for Gerry Winslow.

Gerry? Oh...

I haven't seen him in months.

- But, you do know him? - Know him?

All the way from Quehada.

Quehada?

Sure. Lived in the same block with him.

Couple doors down, big brick house, you know.

No.

You don't know, do you?

Hey, who are you anyway?

I'm um... I'm Ellen Winslow.

I'm Gerry's wife.

Be damned.

Well, come on in.

Little party.

Here.

Hey, new stuff huh?

Here, let me get you a real drink.

Oh, get lost.

They all are real whole Southern gentlemen, honey.

Right out to Bacaro.

And did you say Quehada?

Quehada?

Oh, hometown, that's all.

It's where we came from.

- Me and Gerry. - But, Gerry's from Pennsylvania.

Who you kidding?

- Well I... - Why,

You don't have to take my word for it.

Ask anybody.

Go see Harvey Suggett.

- Harvey Suggett? - Sure.

Don't tell me Gerry ain't told you about Harvey?

Quehada's pride.

You sure you're Gerry's wife?

Yes, I am.

- Now who... - Harvey?

He's just Gerry's best friend, that's all.

Gerry's best friend?

Sure.

Yours too, if you give him half the chance.

Less than half.

- Look, where can I find him? - Harvey?

No. I wouldn't.

Look, I mean it.

Don't go looking after Harvey.

Hey Liz. Hey, come here.

I'll be right back. You wait just a sec, doll.

Could I pour you a drink of vodka?

Uh, no thanks.

Like with the AA? Gotcha.

What's the matter?

I got two heads or something?

No, I just...

You!

Leave the lady alone.

Listen, dog eater...

Dog eater!

How do you like that, big mouth?

You dog eater.

You stick with me, baby.

Nobody bug you when Chief's around you.

Stick around, baby.

You're strong, aren't you?

Strong? Sure, strong.

Chief half-Pawnee, half-Modoc, strong races!

Please, let go.

Stop it, please.

What's the matter, baby?

Too much light in here, huh?

Hey Chief, what'd you throw the bottle for?

Chief, are you alright?

Get her!

Take it easy.

What's the matter boy? Got a little trouble there?

Where's your car?

- It's right there. - Go on.

Okay boys, the party's over.

Did you hear me?

Thanks, Cliff.

Don't thank me. Thank your friend Ruth.

She was so scared, I had no choice but to come.

I'm sorry.

Well you oughta be, going into a rat trap like that.

It's a foolish thing to do.

You going home now?

I guess.

I don't know.

- I don't know what I'd take Ruth, not right now. - Take it easy.

Maybe I can help you.

I'm gonna get my car, you follow me.

I think you'll be alright here.

The people that run this place are friends of mine.

Here's your key.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Oh uh,

if you come to work five minutes early tomorrow morning, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

- Oh, I'm sorry, but I... - What's up now?

I'd just forgotten that something's come up and I...

You mean, you're not coming to work?

Well, it'll only be for a couple of days, I...

I just have to find Gerry.

You know, it seems to me that you care a lot more for him than he does for you.

Don't you think that's getting a little personal, Mr. Kane?

I feel pretty personal about it.

I have to get started right away.

It won't go unless I'm zeroed in on the fifteenth.

Well then, maybe you'd just better find yourself another secretary.

Well, maybe I better.

Must be some woman around who don't beg for a beating.

Yeah. I'm sure there are.

Goodnight, Mr. Kane.

Goodnight.

Anything goes wrong, it's gotta be your fault. Always.

You know, it seems to me that you care a lot more about him than he does about you.

You're punishing yourself, Ellen.

You're sicker than he is even.

Cheap little tramp.

Suppose they're right.

Suppose they're right.

Who are you?

I'm sorry, but I can't see you.

That's alright. I can see you.

I'm Ellen Winslow. I'm looking for...

a many by the name of Harvey Suggett.

He finds enough women on his own without them coming after him.

Well, this isn't quite that way.

Uh,

are you Mrs. Suggett?

What if I am?

Well, I thought maybe you might know my husband,

uh, Gerry Winslow.

Gerald?

Yes.

He's the reason I want to get a hold of your husband.

They used to be friends.

Never know who'll come in on ya, I never take any chances.

What do you want with Harvey?

Well, I'm trying to locate Gerry.

He was called on business down this way only

something's come up and I wanna get in touch with him right away.

I thought maybe your husband might have heard from him.

Well, maybe.

Well, you haven't seen him, have you?

No, not since he left here.

He's a good boy, though.

Good to his ma. I knew her real well.

Well look, maybe your husband...

Look, where can I find him, Mrs. Suggett?

He's out working stock. Won't be in till late.

I see. You have a ranch?

Seven miles out the old river road.

Guessing he's there.

Well, if you do hear from Gerry, here's my address.

Never know about that Harvey.

Always some woman.

He won't believe me, but one of these days

I'm gonna catch him and I'm gonna kill him.

Him and whoever's with him.

You bear that in mind, young woman.

I won't take it forever.

Some day it'll be just once too often.

Howdy.

Are you Mr. Suggett?

Friends call me Harvey.

- Friends like Gerry Winslow? - Just might be.

- Might make you that his wife, too? - Yes, that's right.

Well now, I like that fine.

You and me needs to get acquainted.

- Look, I need your help, Mr. Suggett. - Harvey.

Oh, Harvey.

- You see, Gerry's disappeared. - Trouble between you?

I thought maybe you might have seen him?

You don't know where he is, do you?

It's been years, Miss uh, what'd you say your name was?

- Ellen. - Mighty pretty name, Ellen.

Favorite of mine.

Uh yeah. Well, about Gerry...

Sure wish I could help.

You know how it is though...

Gerry's long gone ever since back when his ma died.

Look, Mr. Suggett... I mean Harvey...

You might as well know. You see,

Gerry never told me about you or anyone here.

He never even told me that he came from Quehada.

Figures. Gerry always was a stranger.

But why?

I mean, we've been married for three years.

Why would he keep where he came from a secret?

It stumps you, don't it?

Yes, it does.

Well, maybe I could help a little.

Oh, could you?

Well see, two o'clock now...

Tell you what. I got a lot of work to do around here.

Meet you at the graveyard about six. Does that suit you?

- The graveyard? - Mhmm.

Well, couldn't you just tell me here, right now?

- Can't. - Why?

Ain't the kind of thing you can tell. You gotta see it.

- I don't understand. - You will. Six o'clock?

Alright. Six o'clock.

Nice, huh?

Only graveyard in these parts

that's got a Comanche dance ground next door.

Ain't you never been to a stomp dance?

You don't know what you're missing.

Go on. Over here is what we've come to see.

Just a second.

All this talk... what'd you bring me out here for?

Well now, why would a man

bring a good looking woman like you out here?

I mean, after all honey...

I see. Look,

I can see what your wife meant.

Zelda? Yeah.

One of these days that old gal just plain out gonna get me.

Shoot me dead for sure.

Especially after I tell her about this.

Wait a minute.

I'm just an old kidder.

Well, my sense of humor is just out of order.

Don't you wanna see what you came for?

Right here.

His mother.

And my name.

Gerry feels things.

I mean really feels it.

Here, look.

First ever month there's still fresh flowers put here.

Standing order.

Old lady was a hellion.

Worse than that toward the end.

Way she rode Gerry, I thought sure he'd kill her sometime.

- He didn't... - Kill her? No.

Just coddled her more.

- But then when she died... - He left.

Never came back.

First ever month

fresh flowers, that's all anybody ever hears.

Guess he just

hurts too much to ever wanna see the place again.

Or ever talk about it.

Even to me.

If I'd only known this.

Nobody knows Gerry.

We used to talk.

And all he'd say was words.

Never knew what was really going on inside his head.

Not unless he wanted you to.

Time we was getting back toward town.

Wouldn't want Zelda to come hunting me, would ya?

Hey...

how about that stomp dance tonight?

I could use a drinking buddy.

Look, don't you understand English, Mr. Suggett?

No.

Don't fret about it.

Woman never oughta bounce a man too hard anyhow.

He might get her next time.

Howdy Ellen.

Good old Harvey got that bottle.

- Mr. Suggett... - Harvey.

Look, Mr. Suggett, I'm not gonna drink with you now or ever, is that clear?

Don't leave much room for doubt.

Well then, you won't have to bother me anymore, will you?

Gerry!

You didn't think you could get away with coming here, did you?

Gerry, I've been looking for you.

Sure, snoop, pry, start rumors,

smear me and my mother, that's all you did. Why, why did you do it?

Gerry, I wasn't snooping.

- Mr. Nedwin told me... - Dirt, that's what you were looking for.

Just something to smear me.

He told me you were gonna lose your job if I didn't find you.

Look Gerry, please.

Let's stop all this.

I don't want a divorce.

So to prove it, you sneak on down here to my hometown,

go out to the cemetery for graveside services

with Harvey Suggett.

- Gerry, you don't believe that. - Believe it, I know it.

- You little tramp, I'm not gonna let you get away with it. - Gerry.

You're leaving town right now.

First it was Kane and now Harvey.

The Comanches know how to deal with your kind.

Did you ever see a woman with her nose cut off?

Alright. Stay right where you are.

Say,

ain't you the woman who's around town today

claiming to be Gerry Winslow's wife?

Yeah.

Well, what do you need?

Breaking into old Wall's place?

Oh, well, I was scared and I thought I...

That ain't no answer.

Woman, you'd better come along with me.

Howdy, Tom.

See you got my little girl.

Good deed. Here, have a drink.

Oh, not now.

Later then, after you're off.

Alright gal, let's go.

Wait a minute.

This woman's my prisoner.

Just for being a little high?

Come on now, Tom.

You and the JP can't be that hard up for fee.

Who said anything about being high?

She broke into Wall's place.

Well, ain't that proof enough?

Who'd wanna break into that rat's nest sober? Let's go, Ellen.

Damn it, I said wait.

You're a stubborn old fool, Tom.

Here. Here's five.

Have Alec come over in the morning.

Fix the latch, okay?

Well, okay.

Ellen.

The way I see it

some women just shouldn't know how to drink.

But boy, ain't you glad some of them do?

- Get in. - No.

You know, jail is full of rats and cockroaches.

Nobody's gonna send me to jail, and you know it.

Why don't you tell Tom that back there, you really believe it?

You're stuck. No car, no purse.

One wrong word out of you, you end up in jail.

One wrong word, like the one you sent Gerry?

Gerry's an old friend.

A man can't let his friends down, can he?

- Stop it! - The hell, get in there.

I ain't gonna hurt you.

I just want company.

Have you back here in time for the 10:40 bus to Oklahoma City.

- Buy your ticket myself. - No!

You yell, I'll bust you.

The thing you city folks gotta learn talk's cheap.

But it takes money to buy with.

Get in there!

You and me is going to a stomp dance.

Drink up, gal.

Drink up!

Waste my good whiskey, will ya.

We'll get another bottle.

No!

Don't stall me, damn you.

Bite me! I'll teach you.

No!

Damn little sleuth.

Come down here to spy on Gerry.

Stop!

Stop it!

Bus tickets costs money.

You ride, you gotta pay!

No.

Please, no!

Feeling any better?

A little.

Whoever hurt you like this?

Ellen, when you called me last night

to come down to that awful little town,

you were shook, girl.

How inadequate can words be?

Sure you don't wanna tell me about it?

No.

I don't wanna tell you about it.

I'd like to speak to Mr. Cliff Kane, please.

Yes, that's right.

Mr. Kane,

this is Ellen Winslow.

Things have changed for me and

I can come to work any time you say.

Yes, today after lunch.

Yes, that'll be just fine.

Thank you.

Ellen Winslow, have you gone stark staring mad?

You're in no shape to go to work today.

I'm in worse shape staying here.

If I'm alone, if I start to think...

Ruth, I've got to work.

I'm gonna work so hard and I'm just so

tired I can't remember, I can't...

Was it Gerald?

No.

Well, but you did talk to him, you did see him?

Oh yes, I saw him.

He comes from there.

- From Quehada? - That's right.

- But I thought he said he came from... - I know.

He lied.

I don't even think he ever lived in Pennsylvania.

A lie like that!

You know, Ellen, I'm beginning to get the picture now.

And it makes some things so much clearer.

But... don't go overboard.

What are you getting at?

Well, this is the first time Gerry's ever made sense to me.

You know, that town's his soul spot.

Something happened to him down there.

Really? I thought it was just my guilt feelings.

Go ahead, stick in the needle.

I'm not sticking in the needle. It's just that I

I'm trying to set a whole new pattern without Gerry.

Look, I'm sorry Ruth, but I...

I really have to get ready and go to work.

I'm sorry, too.

Because if you would listen a minute

you might learn a few things.

Like, why cooky old maid social workers don't marry.

- Ruth, you don't have to... - He was wonderful.

A Porter, Oklahoma.

Only we had a fight.

I don't even remember what it was about now.

Anyway, I was...

I was too proud to make the first move.

It was like I was sorry.

First thing I knew, he'd gone off to the El Paso Times.

Once I almost flew down to see him. Try to work things out.

But, single woman doesn't chase a man across country, does she?

So, that's the end of it.

I'm sorry.

Oh Ellen, don't let that happen to you.

I wouldn't ever tell you to go back to Gerry, but...

don't be so proud you end up living alone like me.

Ruth look, you don't understand. It's not my pride.

It's just that I...

I don't want to have to think.

I want to keep busy.

I don't want to think about anything that happened to Quehada, that's all.

That's why I have to get ready, and that's why I have to go to work.

Oh boy.

Well, that's it.

Don't count your chickens too soon.

We still have that little meeting up in Eureka Springs.

You never know...

You never know what's gonna happen at a contract meeting.

We'll have those contracts typed up first thing in the morning.

We should be on location by the 15th.

Alright gentlemen, that does it. Thank you.

Now if you'll join me in the other room, we have some refreshments for you.

Nice going, Ellen.

Thanks, Joe.

My pleasure.

Got a proposition for you.

Cliff's headed south,

two full years out of the States.

You'll need a new job.

- Job? - How's about working for Interlude?

No, uh-huh.

I haven't thought about anything past today and I'm not going to.

That's a good story.

- You calling me a liar? - Mhmm.

Don't blame you a bit, though.

Man's always bigger game than a job for a woman.

Joe, honestly.

Look, I'm not so young anymore.

But, I'm not blind yet.

You're good for Cliff.

He shines like a polished rod when he's around you.

He's a good man.

Fired boiler for me on my first rig

down at Joiner Texas, back when he was just a scrawny kid.

He doesn't talk about those days very much.

Man's got a right to his privacy.

That, I wholly believe.

One thing I'll say though,

anything Cliff's got, he got the hard way. Straight.

No cards off the bottom.

Well, that sounds just like what some little girl in Mexico

might be looking for, Joe.

You got first dibs.

Course, you know how it is. Easy to get carried away.

Aren't you trying to tell me that little Ellen better keep her head on straight, right?

Okay, Joe.

I'll try.

Well Joe, we made it.

Glad for you, Cliff.

- Congratulations. - You're the one that cinched it.

How do you thank somebody?

Save it, save it.

For some day I don't have a date with the bartender downstairs.

Maybe we'll join you later, huh?

See ya.

You all worn out?

Well, it won't catch up with me till tomorrow.

Then I'm just gonna die.

Maybe I'd better do something about you right now.

Come here a minute.

Nice?

Nice.

Game for a trip downtown?

It's only a thousand feet.

Are you kidding?

Give me two minutes to change my shoes?

You're on. I'll give you a minute and a half.

Wait a minute. I want you to see something.

It's just a place they call the Narrows. Come on.

I used to go fishing in that river when I was a kid.

Worth the climb?

Oh Cliff, it's just wonderful.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I'm sorry. I guess I just jumped to a conclusion.

It's not you. It's me.

Cliff, a woman...

I mean...

Look, I didn't come to Eureka just to work.

Look, don't laugh at me. Please, don't laugh at me.

I wanted you to kiss me, but...

I just don't feel that I've got the right.

Right?

It doesn't make any difference to you?

Does it matter to you?

I don't know.

We're both here.

Wait a minute.

Every time I think about that ring, I remember you're married.

And you're not the kind of girl that can brush something like this off.

You're gonna feel smeared every time you look at me or any other man.

- I'm sorry. - Cliff, look,

I was married when you hired me.

What difference does it make now?

Maybe I didn't know until now...

how much I loved you.

You love me?

Can you think of any other reason I'd stop?

Oh, Cliff.

I feel like the whole world is singing.

That rough?

Weren't doing nothing.

I'm gonna tell you, these last two weeks

since Cliff and I got back from Eureka Springs,

I never knew you could cram in so much work.

Go on this way you're gonna fade away to a grease spot.

Well, somebody's gotta make things move.

Oh, who am I kidding.

I wanna spend as much time with Cliff as I can

until he leaves tomorrow night.

You're laying yourself open for some mighty lonely nights.

Maybe not.

- A passport? - Mhmm.

Unlike Gerry, my birthday's coming up.

A divorce may not be as much of a present as you think.

Well, I'm gonna take my chances.

A man get pretty lonesome

working out a two year deal south of Mexico.

Ellen, don't count too much on Cliff.

What's the matter? I thought you liked him.

Liking has nothing to do with it.

But, why hasn't he asked you to marry him?

Because I'm married already, remember?

You're getting a divorce, aren't you?

Ruth, are you trying to say that Cliff doesn't really wanna marry me?

Worse than that.

What do you mean, worse?

Why was he so eager to hire you?

Why wouldn't he be? He needed help.

It was more than that. Gerry saw it even.

- Gerry. - He blew up.

Of course he blew up. We got trouble before.

Ellen, I asked around.

Cliff and Gerry worked together years ago.

- They worked together? - Mm.

They had trouble.

Cliff hired you just to get back at Gerry.

What?

I'm sorry. But it's true.

Joe Vincent let it slip to a friend of mine.

And I thought you oughta know before things went any further.

I'm sorry Ellen. I wish it wasn't this way.

I don't want sympathy. I want the truth.

Did Cliff and Gerry ever have trouble?

Well, I don't know that you'd quite call it that.

Look, did they or didn't they?

They both wanted the same job once.

- Only Gerry got it? - 'Fraid so.

I meant what I said about Cliff.

Anything he's come by he earned the hard way.

Cost him years losing out to Gerry.

- You also said that he played straight. - I still do.

And that Gerry didn't.

You know how it is in business.

Yeah.

I see.

Cliff and Gerry.

My boss and my husband.

They hate each other but nobody says anything.

Of course, a man has a right to his privacy.

Now, you wholly believe that, don't you?

- Ellen, girl, I don't blame... - Well, I blame you.

I know how you must feel.

Stay away from me, Joe Vincent.

As far as I'm concerned, you and Cliff Kane are two of a kind.

Ellen.

What's the matter?

I've been drinking.

I've been drinking all afternoon.

I'm drunk.

For the first time in my life, I'm drunk.

And it's because I'm a

no good little tramp like Gerry said.

What do you mean?

- Come on, let's get some black coffee in you. - It isn't gonna do me any good, Ruth.

Not when you've done what I've done.

What have you done?

I betrayed Gerry, that's what I did.

You know, girl, sometimes I wonder about you.

Have you forgotten all the bad things he's done to you?

He's the one hot for a divorce, remember?

I deserve that.

Oh now, that's a switch.

I do.

I took that job with Cliff!

I went snooping around Quehada.

Well, you wouldn't had he told the truth in the first place.

Oh Ruth, you don't understand.

After all, a man's got his pride.

Pride schmide, he lied through his teeth.

Poor Gerry...

He loved his mother so much.

Wonder about that.

About what?

His mother love fixation.

Don't you get it, Ellen?

The old lady was a hellion.

That's what the ones who knew her told you.

Ruth, he loved her.

He didn't love her. He hated her.

She just had a buffaloed, that's all.

Couldn't face up to how he really felt, not even to himself.

Like he hates all women.

You especially.

Oh, you're back to psychology, aren't you.

You know what you are, Ruth? You're a snoopy old maid.

You know?

You just dig and dig deep until it hurts.

It's because, I guess nobody ever loved you until you...

so you're jealous that somebody loved me.

Alright.

Have it your way.

But what comes next?

What do you think you should do about it?

I just wanna find him. I just wanna tell him...

that I'm sorry, and I just want to

ask him if he'd just please forgive me.

Stupid guilt feelings.

Punishing yourself again

over the things your father thought was wrong with you.

I feel like I feel.

Alright, call Gerry. Be a fool.

What do you think I've been doing, Ruth?

Can't you find him?

No, I can't.

- What's Cliff say? - What about Cliff?

Might be surprised what Cliff might know.

Well, he's gone.

They're all gone and missing.

All my men are missing.

Oh, I hope that's Cliff.

I just hope that's Cliff.

Really hope that's Cliff.

This is my last night here.

How about you gals having a couple of free steaks with me?

That's right, isn't it?

A dinner's supposed to do it, isn't it?

What is this, riddle night? A dinner's supposed to do what?

That's right, you don't know, do you?

- No. - Alright. I'll give you a riddle.

What kind of scum is it that hires a woman

just to make her husband look cheap?

What are you talking about? What the hell's that supposed to mean?

You know what it means.

You hired me to get back at Gerry.

To get back at Gerry?

- I don't think he's worth the bother. - Then why did you hire me, Cliff?

Because you needed a job.

Okay.

But, you never told me about Gerry, did you?

All those fights you had. You never told me.

And all these years you've hated him.

But you never let me know about it, did you?

Aw Ellen, you're not reading it right.

I'm sorry, I know I should've told you but

once the whole thing got started I...

I just simply didn't know how, it was, you know, awkward.

Oh yeah, I can see that.

I mean, after all, the truth is always pretty awkward, isn't it?

It wasn't that way. Believe me.

It's always that way when a man is trying to steal another man's wife.

If I thought for a minute you meant that.

I want to tell you something.

I never meant anything more in my life, Cliff Kane.

I think you're a wife stealer!

Really?

Well...

I wouldn't call it stealing.

Not when the wife acted the way you did up at the Narrows.

What?

You heard me.

You want your husband back?

You really want him back?

The boys say he's down at Packingtown.

At the El Nora motel.

Unit 14.

I'll get it.

Yes?

Gerry.

Oh, it's my ever-loving wife.

I've got to see you. I've got to.

Sure honey, sure. But uh,

maybe I don't gotta see you, you know?

Well yeah, you could come up.

Well, just anytime.

Course, it might be a little embarrassing, you know,

in case I had some little blonde in here for company.

But you could come.

Listen you, can't you get it through your thick skull

that I don't want to see you now or ever?

Just steer clear of me.

Go down to Mexico and get yourself a divorce if you want,

but don't mess around me anymore.

What's that?

- Ellen. - Ellen?

She's coming out.

Mm?

Yeah, if I know her, she's coming out.

Look, Harvey,

brush her off for me, will you? I just don't want to see her.

Yeah, but...

Hit her on the head, stomp on her, anything.

Just so you run her off.

Unless you'd rather come with me.

Zelda, prowling around down there

at the Antlers hotel just waiting for me to show my face,

you're kidding.

What, you scared of her?

- You ever see Zelda shoot? - No.

Taught her myself.

You just go ahead. I'll stick right here.

Hello, I want to get a message through to Cliff Kane, fast.

Can do? Okay, here's the message.

Ellen Winslow wants him to meet her right away.

Unit 14, El Nora motel out on South Agnew.

You got it?

And hurry it up.

And tell Kane to hurry too, because it's urgent.

Hello, will you ring Mrs. Harvey Suggett's room, please?

Hello, Mrs. Suggett?

You don't know me, but I know where your husband is.

He's with a woman right now.

Unit 14, El Nora motel out on South Agnew.

If you hurry up, you can catch him.

That's unit 14, El Nora motel.

Let go!

- Where's Gerry? - He ain't here. Will I do?

Let go of me, Mr. Suggett,

or do you want me to tell the police what happened in Quehada?

You mean about you breaking into Wall's place?

You know what I mean.

You really think they'll listen to you.

Rape is a word that gets attention.

Ain't no such thing as rape.

- Ask anybody. - You dragged me out there.

- Come here of your own free will just now. - You already know I came here to see Gerry.

The room's in my name.

You so much as look crosseyed at me, I'll smear you.

Smear you good.

I'll get it.

I dropped by to get Ellen's signature. Some insurance papers.

You... get out of here.

Get out.

Well, that's a welcome.

Either you leave, or I call the police.

Ruth.

I'd like to talk to Gerry.

Alone if I may.

Girl, have you taken leave of your senses?

Ruth, please.

I'm sorry I missed seeing you down at the motel.

Oh, you're not sorry for anything, Gerry.

You know, there's a name for people like you.

Sadist.

- Oh, listen... - I know you came here to gloat.

Only you pushed me too far tonight.

And so, for the first time you're gonna see yourself the way I've come to see you.

- You're not making any sense. - Why don't ask me what a sadist is, Gerry?

I'll tell you.

It's a man who pretends to love his wife when he really hates her!

It's a pervert!

A man so sick

he makes a career of figuring out ways to hurt people.

Shut up!

Shut up or you'll hit me, is that it, Gerry?

Oh no, you've never hit me.

You never knocked me around unless I dragged you down to my level.

That's what you told me.

Is that why you married me in the first place, Gerry?

Oh, it wasn't for a wife.

Is it because you're not up to fighting like a real man fights?

Or is it because you hate women?

All women.

That's really it, isn't it?

That fits the pattern, doesn't it, sadist?

What are you stopping for, Gerry?

What's the matter?

Don't I look enough like your mother?

Ellen?

Ellen.

Stop it, you're gonna kill him.

You can't kill a man like that.

He'll just go on and on, messing up other people's lives.

Ellen.

My plane leaves in three hours.

I want you to go with me.

Oh Cliff.

Ellen, when I was waiting out there in the street

to see if Gerry was gonna come back here or not I,

honey, I know I played it all wrong but

I love you, Ellen. I want you.

Have it your way, I don't care. I want you.

I can't.

I can't.

You're not gonna stick with him. He's no good.

It's not him! It's me.

Don't you remember what you said back there at the Narrows?

Something about you felt so good the whole world was singing.

Don't you remember?

Yes, I do remember that.

But you don't understand. Everything's changed.

I'm not the same as I was...

Don't you understand I'm asking you to marry me?

Please don't ask me that. Just go away!

Just leave me alone and get on that plane and leave!

Alright, Ellen.

Alright.

That's it.

Wasn't that Cliff who just went out?

Feeding you a lie, is he?

Oh, Ellen Winslow.

How can you be such a fool?

You haven't done anything wrong.

There's no reason for you to feel guilty.

What you need's a good stiff drink.

I'm all through drinking.

I'm all through running away, too.

Okay. Dealer's choice.

What was Gerry doing in El Paso?

El Paso.

I got my start in life rolling drunks.

Gerry out cold in the hall,

I thought I'd better search him.

I didn't find any insurance stuff,

but I did find these in his pocket.

I don't read Spanish.

Neither do I.

But all of a sudden, I may have something that

just might turn out to be an idea.

Operator, this is Ruth Rogers,

Jackson 5-3-5-6-5.

Yes, I'd like to place a long distance call, please.

Person to person.

Mr. Fred Burke.

He's at the El Paso Times in El Paso, Texas.

- Ruth, whatever it is... - Whatever it is, it's my call,

so go sit in the corner and bite your fingernails.

Fred?

Remember Ruth Rogers?

Well, you doll.

Well then, maybe you won't mind doing me a favor

if it doesn't cost too much, huh?

Now, wait a minute.

That's a favor for you, not me.

Look Fred, seriously.

Somebody around your paper

must keep a list of Americans who get Mexican divorces

across the way in Juarez, right?

Yeah. Just within the past two or three weeks.

Hey, you think so.

It covers things for out of town papers always checks.

Yeah Fred, you got it?

Gerald Winslow, Quehada, Oklahoma. That's right.

Ellen Winslow, defendant.

Oh, thanks Fred. You're a love.

Look, I don't have time to talk now, but um...

I won't forget this.

Okay.

Okay. Bye.

Well.

Thank God for old boyfriends.

And just for the record, you're no longer Mrs. Gerald Winslow.

Whatever happened at Quehada,

Gerry was so hot to ditch you he couldn't wait for an Oklahoma divorce.

Gerry divorced me?

Well, after a fashion.

Used to forge power of attorney, of course.

But yes, he divorced you.

Well, come on, girl.

The Juarez thing isn't worth the paper it's written on.

But, Gerry got it.

That means he can't make any more trouble for you.

He's left without a leg to stand on.

Well, don't you understand?

You're free, you can go with Cliff.

I can't.

You're a fool.

You're rid of Gerry at last, and now with Cliff...

- What more could you ask for? - Look, Ruth,

I think Cliff deserves more than just half a woman.

Half?

Then it isn't Gerry. It's you.

It's what's happening inside you. Is that it?

Are you going to throw away your chance for happiness?

Just because you think you're saddling Cliff with the wrong wife?

I don't know, I'm all mixed up.

- Mixed up about what? - I don't know!

I just don't feel right about it. I, I...

I failed Gerry, didn't I.

I couldn't stand to have that happen to Cliff.

- But Gerry was no good! - I know he's no good, Ruth.

I realize that.

But maybe he's that way because of the way I am.

The old guilt feelings again.

But you haven't anything to feel guilty about!

Or have you?

You've never said what happened at Quehada.

What was it, Ellen?

Something about Gerry and his mother?

No.

What was it? You said something.

You talked about and you lied.

I ran away.

You ran... you ran away from what?

I ran away from Gerry.

He wanted me to leave Quehada, but I...

I got scared.

It was so funny...

he said such strange things and...

and then he grabbed me, and so I ran and I hid.

I just ran!

And then Harvey.

And you think all this wouldn't have happened

if you'd stayed with Gerry.

You think Gerry would've saved you. Is that it?

You know, Ellen...

whatever goes wrong, it's your fault.

It's got to be Ellen's fault.

There's something funny about feelings, Ellen.

They don't change easy.

Not when they've been frozen into a lifetime.

When that happens you have to fight a lifetime.

A thousand battles.

And it hurts every time.

But if you can just win that first one...

We're gonna go for broke.

I've come up with another snake for you.

Let's see if you can stomp it.

Do you remember this bra, Ellen?

I don't know what it means, but I found it just now in Gerry's pocket.

All torn...

and caked with dirt and dried blood.

He was there.

He was there.

God, he was there.

Flight 27 non-stop for Mexico City

may now be boarded at gate four.

Flight instruments.

Rudder trim?

Rudder trim is set.

It's on operating, set for takeoff...

Flight instruments have power and they're set.

Flight 27 for Mexico City.

I'll call.

Flight 27, hold for late passenger.

Okay. Got it.

Ruth, I don't know how to thank you for this.

Who said I had anything to do with it?

- Your ticket, ma'am. - Oh, thank you.

Ruth, you're impossible!

Wait.

American Airlines Flight 27

now leaving for Mexico City.

- Yes, ma'am? - How much...

How much is a one-way ticket to El Paso?