Ride the Pink Horse (1947)

[bunniefuu]

Where's the La Fonda Hotel?

Hotel? All? est?.

- Over where?

- All? est?.

Thanks.

Los caballitos est?n listos.

Monten-se para dar la vuelta.

Solamente diez centavos,

diez centavos no m?s.

Enseguida, que v?mos a salir!

Diez centavos, solamente diez

centavos no m?s.

Vengan, vengan, a lo m?s lindo

de los paseos.

Lo mejor de toda la fiesta.

Solamente diez centavos no m?s.

Nunca hemos estado aqu? adelante

de la fer?a, no?

Nunca han estado?

No sabes lo que te pierdes.

Una vuelta en el Tio Vivo

e tus ojos se llenar?n de estrellas.

Y ver?s,

te sentir?s en la gloria.

Ahora, antes que sea t*rd.

- Anda, elija tu caballo!

- No, Mariana, me busco un... un hombre.

- You talk English?

- Yes.

Where's the La Fonda Hotel?

What's the matter, doesn't anybody know?

It's over there by the stores.

S?, way over there.

No, not over there.

What's the name of the street?

What's the matter with you?

What are you looking at?

You, I'm talking to.

Who are you looking at?

I show you... the... the hotel.

Why don't you look

where you're going?

Okay, Sitting Bull, pick up your feet,

get going, come on.

There is the hotel.

Thanks.

Please...

You take this.

Put it in your pocket.

Don't lose it.

Her name is Ishtam.

My grandmother gave it to me when

I come to the city so I not be run over.

No, I'm not buying

any souvenirs.

No, no, you don't buy it,

you keep it.

It protect you.

From what?

Hello.

No, ma'am, not at all, ma'am,

positively nothing.

I'm very sorry.

Thank you, ma'am. If anything turns up,

I have your name.

Room and bath for one, please.

Nothing available, sir,

absolutely nothing available.

No mail, Mrs. Eustace.

You might try the El Capit?n

down the street, sir...

but I know they have nothing either there,

simply nothing available.

My name is Blane. I reserved

rooms for four with bath.

Oh, yes, Mr. Blane,

I received your wire.

Hey, Bud.

- Yes, sir?

- Check that for me, will you?

Be glad to, sir. You wait here,

I'll bring your check right away.

Yeah.

If you'd checked out by 3:00, sir, we wouldn't

have charged you for an extra day. Sorry.

Not a thing, sir, we don't

have a thing.

Yeah, I know. Will you put that

in Mr. Frank Hugo's box?

Oh, yes, sir. Would you

like me to call his room?

No, just put it in his box.

Yes, sir.

Here is the check

for your bag, sir.

- Keep the change.

- Oh, thank your, sir.

Yes?

I want to see Frank Hugo.

Had you telephoned from downstairs

as is customary,

you'd have found that

Mr. Hugo's not in.

Is there anything further?

Not that I can think of.

Then if you'll allow me,

I'll close the...

I told you Mr. Hugo's not in!

You his barber?

I'm M. Hugo's private secretary.

That's too bad, I was going

to ask you for a shave.

You can't wait

in Mr. Hugo's room.

Where is he?

If you have no appointment

you'll have to wait downstairs.

I don't like it downstairs.

When will he be back?

I said you'll have to

wait downstairs.

Now look, if you don't leave this room

at once, I'll have to call the manager.

I wouldn't do that.

Then get out!

Excuse it, please.

Oh...

Hello.

Is Frank in?

No.

Did, uh...

Did you do that?

- He'll be all right.

- Oh, I wasn't worried.

A lot of people will be

very grateful to you.

Jonathan can be awfully stuffy.

Yeah, I noticed.

Do you mind my asking

what you're doing here?

Waiting for Frank Hugo.

He ought to be here

in a few minutes.

I'm having dinner with him.

Do you expect to join us?

Look, why don't you just

sit down and stop pumping, huh?

I was just curious.

You don't intend

sh**ting me, do you?

Did you really expect

to find a g*n?

Good heavens, you really did.

You must lead a fascinating life.

You're not through

with me, are you?

Aren't you going to frisk me?

No.

- May I have a light?

- Sure.

There's one right

there on the table.

- Shall I answer that?

- No, I'll get it.

Hello.

No.

No, Jonathan's not here.

Yeah, this is Mr. Hugo's room.

Oh, hello, Mr. Hugo.

No, there's nobody here.

This is the bellboy speaking.

I just brought some ice.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yeah, I see.

Yes, I will.

That was Frank?

Frank himself.

The police, call the police.

I don't think this gentleman

would approve of that.

Your boss just telephoned.

He said he wouldn't

be back until tomorrow.

Well, that's being stood

up rather thoroughly.

- You're not leaving?

- Yeah.

We could have dinner in the room.

Frank's already ordered it.

- No, thanks.

- I'm sorry.

I'll be seeing Frank early.

Who shall I say called?

Just tell him Shorty's pal called...

...and will call again.

Hello there, Mr. Gagin.

How about some lunch?

The grill's open.

- Who are you?

- My name's Retz.

R-E-T-Z, Retz.

- I don't know you.

- Well, come along inside.

We'll have a cup of coffee,

get acquainted, Gagin.

- Got my name, huh?

- Oh, I got a lot of things.

For instance?

Well, you come in on the 4:00 bus.

sat up all the way

from Washington D.C.

That was a cute little trick you pulled...

...with your note for Frank Hugo

to find his room number.

You went up there and waited till he

phoned he wasn't coming till tomorrow.

Also, you haven't had any lunch.

Neither have I.

How about a bite?

I'll have a cup of coffee and some

Danish pastry.

- Yes, sir.

- What are you having, Gagin?

- Not a thing.

- That'll be all, then.

I guess you know you're not going

to find a room in this town.

The fiesta's got her filled up

to her ears.

It starts tomorrow night.

Lots of excitement.

Floats, dancing in the streets...

The indians put on a special show.

You a cop?

That's about right.

Washington?

Government cop.

My, my.

How come you're

tailing me, Uncle Sam?

Oh, thank you, ma'am.

Um, excuse me.

Oh, I'm not tailing you.

I got in yesterday ahead of you.

Come for the fiesta, huh?

I didn't know about the fiesta.

You and the fiesta are both gravy.

Who's going to ask

the questions, me or you?

Go ahead.

- I'm not used to pumping cops.

- Oh, I don't mind.

- How come you know me?

- Saw you in Washington...

...at Shorty Thompson's inquest.

Some inquest that was, huh?

You testified you had no idea

who k*lled your pal.

Yeah, the cops and I

were equally baffled.

I spotted you at the desk here.

Checked on your arrival.

That's the whole mystery, upon my end.

Except what you're doing here.

I'm tailing Mr. Hugo.

I thought you knew that.

I don't know anything.

I've been watching him

for six months.

You don't watch him

very close, do you?

You mean you think

he k*lled Shorty?

I'll leave the thinking

to you, Uncle Sam.

All right.

This is what I think.

You're here to square things for Shorty

by knocking off Hugo, right?

Go on.

Also, you are

as dumb as they come.

I am, huh?

Why, Mr. Hugo's a big man

in this part of the world.

He's got lots of friends

in this state.

He's too tough for you.

Maybe.

Why don't you smart up?

Leave him to us, we'll get him.

Anything else on your mind?

Oh, don't rush off.

You know, I wouldn't like it a minute

if Mr. Hugo got you.

Why, you're not a bad fellow.

You're like the rest of the boys,

all cussed up because you

fought a w*r for three years...

and got nothing out of it

but a dangle of ribbons.

Why don't you let your Uncle Samuel

take care of him?

- How long you been after him?

- A long time.

Too long to let anything

happen to it now.

Yeah.

Would be a shame,

wouldn't it?

Thanks for the advice, Uncle.

Maybe I sized you

up all wrong.

Maybe you're after

something else.

And maybe you're working for Hugo.

I told you I worked

for the government.

Doesn't the government

work for Hugo?

It did all during the w*r.

Well, if it isn't Jonathan's friend.

He sends you his love.

- Mr. Locke, mister...

- Gagin.

Mr. Gagin.

How do you do?

Care to have a drink with us?

If I was thirsty.

Maybe he could use a little company.

He looks lonely.

I'm a friend of Frank Hugo.

I told Mr. Locke

about your message.

He's going to talk on the phone

with Frank in an hour.

We thought you might

care to expand it.

No, I don't.

Anything you have to say to Hugo

you can say to me, Mr. Gagin.

Please, join us. You can hold your drink

in your hand if you're not thirsty.

No, thanks.

If your business is important,

I could tell it to Frank and, uh...

...expedite matters, perhaps.

No, I don't think so.

I'm afraid Mr. Gagin

can't be seduced.

See you again, Gagin.

Did you find anything?

No, se?or, I've been to all the hotels,

they don't have nothing.

No room single, double, nothing

empty in San Pablo tonight.

- Okay, here.

- Oh, gracias, muchas gracias, se?or.

Maybe you try Tres Violetas,

you find something there.

- What's that, a hotel?

- No, saloon.

Or maybe some Indian or Mexican

have room in his house.

Pretty crowded them houses, but give

them a few bucks, maybe they move.

What is this... whatchamacallit?

What's that?

The Tres Violetas.

I take you.

Uh, here is the Tres Violetas, se?or.

- Thanks.

- Oh, gracias, muchas gracias.

Oh... you.

What are you doing here?

I was waiting.

I'm glad to see you again.

You don't say.

I... I thought I would

never see you anymore.

Look, do you know

where I can get a room?

A room. Why?

- To sleep in!

- Oh.

Mama Mia has a room.

- Do you know her?

- Yes.

- Where's she live?

- I don't know, I'm lost.

I thought you knew this town.

I knew where the La Fonda hotel was

because I passed it before.

I never been to San Pablo before.

I live in San Melo, 75 miles, very far away.

Okay, okay.

What do you want?

My two friends went

away and left me.

- Where'd they go?

- Inside, looking for muchachos.

- For what?

- Boys.

Oh.

Do they know where

Mama Mia lives?

- I don't know what they know.

- Thanks.

Se?or, maybe I go with you?

No, not tonight, Sitting Bull.

You will need me, se?or.

What, there's something going on inside

your head, what's going on in there, huh?

Nothing, se?or, nothing.

Only I...

I don't know what to do tonight.

Why don't you get yourself a muchacho,

like your girlfriends?

I don't know how.

You're telling me.

Excuse me.

Oh, es el amigo de Pila.

Yeah, I was talking to your

friend outside.

Pila? Oh, all night she will

be outside.

She's crazy.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised

She said something about Mama Mia.

Do you know where she lives?

Oh, s?, I know where she live.

I take you.

She don't know nothing

about Mama Mia.

Excuse me.

Whiskey.

S?, se?or, s?, tequila.

No, I want a big whiskey.

Big one, big one.

S?, se?or, s?.

S?, s?.

Tequila, eh?

No change, se?or.

Too big, too big, no change.

- That's the smallest thing I got.

- No change.

Qu? hombre, se toma mi tequila e me da este

billete e no tengo el vuelto. Qu? voy hacer?

- ?Cu?nto es?

- Veinte pesos.

Viene aqu?, toma un trago

e me da este billete.

Qu? cree que es aqu?,

el Banco de Mexico?

- Si yo tuviera todo este dinero...

- Oh, espera, hermano!

No te apures.

Pancho te ayudar?.

?Cu?nto cambio tienes?

Diez pesos, pero no tengo

suficiente para veinte.

- Qui?n creem que soy yo?

- Silencio, silencio!

Se?or, my name is Pancho.

I would like to help you.

I will be your friend.

I tell you what I going to do.

D?melo.

Is 20 pesos.

Is your 20, huh?

Yeah.

He can change only ten, eh?

Yeah.

So we drink ten,

and everybody is happy, eh?

You want to make

everybody happy, s??

Yeah, sure, let's make everybody happy.

Otra botella, tequila para todos!

Ah, gordito, h? conquistado el hombre.

Make mine whiskey, I don't want

to burn a hole in my neck.

S?, se?or, s?, whiskey, whiskey.

Amigo, you are

the blood of my heart.

You are true friend.

To you.

- Salud!

- Salud, buena suerte, se?or.

Down the hatch.

Otro.

Vasco, la m?sica, la m?sica!

Manito, fill up my friend's glass.

Full! Big!

The big drinks is most best.

Hey, listen.

You know why that man

sing, mi amigo?

He sings because tomorrow

we burn Zozobra.

He's god of bad luck.

He's got face more worse than me.

Tomorrow we burn Zozobra...

and we have fiesta.

No more Zozobra, no more bad luck.

- Viva la fiesta!

- Viva!

Big drink for everybody.

No, Panchito, ya se ha bebido

toda la feria.

Oh, qu? dise?

So quick we drink up

all the change.

There's a lot more

where it came from.

No, no, mi amigo.

When I see you, I say, "This is kind of fellow

more proud than you, Pancho."

Pancho very proud man.

Oye, Chato, give everybody drink.

Big drink for everybody.

Pancho is buying!

Yeah, you lend me ten dollars,

I pay you tomorrow, eh?

Amigo, my beautiful amigo!

You got kind of face I like.

You come in here for something.

You tell Panchito what you look for,

he get it for you, huh?

Yeah, you tell Panchito.

I'm looking for

a place to sleep in.

- What, you got no place for sleep?

- No.

Oye, muchachos, el amigo de Pancho

no tiene donde dormir.

That's the kind of man I like.

The man with no place.

I will give you the most fine place

to sleep in all San Pablo.

I'm your man!

Fill 'em up!

Hey, what's the matter?

You don't feel good?

You drink whole bottle

and don't feel good? That's bad.

- Amigo, I feel fine.

- No, something is wrong.

I sing and something

says, "Pancho, shut up."

- That's you.

- I didn't tell you to shut up.

Your heart tells me. What's the matter,

you're not Pancho's friend?

I'm nobody's friend.

Hey!

- What's the matter?

- Somebody follow us.

I don't hear nobody.

Somebody walk soft.

Ah, it's a girl.

Oh, she no good... too skinny.

I told you once

before tonight, no dice!

- Oh, she your girl, eh?

- I don't know her.

That's all right,

you can tell Pancho.

I don't know her, I tell you,

and I don't want to know her!

Now, go on home and play

with your buffalos. Beat it!

Hey, that's right.

She too skinny... no good.

Ah, them kids.

The fiesta bring them like honey.

They come for sing, for dance,

for get fellow, have a good time,

then go home and pull

the plow for a year.

That one pretty skinny. You get much

better more later on, eh?

Hey, ski...

Oh, she gone.

My goodness where she go, eh?

Hey!

- Where we going?

- I show you.

Where's the house?

The house, se?or.

- You're drunk.

- Is possible.

But never too drunk

for know my own house.

Have a look.

The palace of Pancho!

That's a fine ceiling,

that's good walls.

Beautiful landlord.

Momentito.

Especial for you.

Yeah, give me the bottle.

How you like my house, amigo?

I've been in worse houses.

Who owns that outfit?

Tio Vivo?

She is mine.

I own everything.

Twelve beautiful horses...

Three beautiful chariots,

whole beautiful orchestra...

All Pancho's.

Hey, you drink pretty

good for a gringo.

Yeah, some peoples happy

when they got money.

Me, I'm only happy

when I got nothing.

Nothing and a friend.

So long as Pancho got somebody

he can tell...

"Amigo, I love you!", that's enough.

They can keep everything else.

Keep the whole world.

Give Pancho... only Pancho.

Buenas noches, mi amigo.

What do you want, huh?

You want a ride?

Yes.

Wait a minute,

I'll wake up fatso.

Hey, Pancho.

- You got a customer.

- All closed, no more customers.

Come on, come on, get up.

I told you, she too skinny.

Lots more better ma?ana.

Come on, Pancho, she wants a ride.

Turn it, will you?

No, no ride.

Is late, Tio Vivo closed.

- Music wake the peoples.

- Okay, no music, but turn it, huh?

I don't give no free ride, is rule.

Break the rule.

Diez centavos... ten centavos, one ride.

Okay, here.

Muchas gracias, se?or. Bien...

Did you ever ride on

one of them before?

No.

Well, go on, get going, go on.

Which one?

Try the pink one.

Okay, Sitting Bull, why don't you

give us a w*r whoop?

You know...

That's all. Diez centavos,

ten cents, one ride.

Ishtam, the good goddess.

What's she good for?

To keep away death. Very fine charm.

I got a better charm.

Soldier g*n.

- Why?

- Best charm in the world.

Keeps away the bogeyman.

Someone is here.

What?

Someone is here.

- Who's here?

- Someone is hiding out there.

- Gagin?

- Yeah.

Sorry to wake you up, but I got to thinking

maybe we ought to have a little talk.

We had a talk, Uncle Sam.

Sure, but another one.

I got a couple of new ideas.

Oh...

Go on, beat it, scrambo.

Go on over there, wait over there.

I told you I didn't want you

removing Mr. Hugo from the scene.

But I'm not worrying about that anymore,

not the way you're handling it.

Walking in there and telling him Shorty's

pal is looking for him!

Playing it tough, huh?

They've got a couple of bad boys

out looking for you.

- This interest you?

- Yeah... kinda.

Those mugs that Mr. Locke put on you will be

around to the Three Violetas when it opens.

They'll find out

the same lead I did.

- What time does it open?

- Around nine.

I got an extra bed in my room.

You'll be a little more

comfortable there.

No.

I'll stay here.

Kind of figured

I was wasting my time.

- Hey, Retz.

- Yeah?

- Thanks.

- Don't mention it.

Say, fine beautiful morning, mi amigo.

- How you feel?

- Fine.

How you sleep in Pancho's palace, eh?

Like a baby, eh?

Yeah, like a baby.

Where'd you get this razor?

It's a very fine razor.

I shaved with it myself once.

What time is it?

- About ten minutes past seven.

- Oh!

I have a fine dream last night.

I dream all my horses is alive and we all

riding on desert for hunting lions.

And I am young again.

Ai, la flaquita!

Service, eh?

Where you get that new bucket?

I find it.

That's very fine bucket.

Is sign of good luck when

you find new bucket.

Yeah?

I got a looking glass, small one.

I don't need it.

I'm all through.

Why do you have to look like that?

Like what?

Like you come out of a sideshow.

What's a sideshow?

A place where they keep freaks.

- I look like a freak?

- You look like zip-what-is-it?

Why do I look like that?

Well, I don't know.

Maybe it's the dress.

This is my grandmother's dress.

She gave it to me when

I come to the fiesta.

I never had a dress

so nice as this.

Well, it might be all right if you took

some of them spangles off it.

I take them off.

You might also comb your hair.

My hair?

- Is not right?

- All right for mice to sleep in.

Give me my coat.

Here.

Go get yourself a permanent

wave or something.

Maybe a manicure, huh?

No, I can't take the money.

Why not?

Is too much.

You can count, that's something, huh?

Go on, take it, make

yourself look human.

You like me if I look human?

Look, Sitting Bull, I'm not buying

any trouble this trip.

I got other things on my mind.

Go on now, beat it.

Ten dollar?

Mi amigo, you crazy for waste

time on a stick.

Fellow like you can

get princess, fat one.

Yeah, I've had princesses,

all kinds.

I got one now back East.

That's crazy. Why don't you bring

her to the fiesta?

She's busy...

...with another guy.

I don't think I like

him, that other guy.

Ah, don't say that, he's okay.

- He's got what it takes.

- Huh?

Dough.

Mr. Hugo in?

- I said is Mr. Hugo in?

- Who is it?

- The man who was here yesterday.

- Oh, Shorty's pal, let him in.

Mr. Hugo will see you.

You want me to come back for

the shampoo, se?or?

- I'll call you later.

- Gracias, se?or.

Mr. Locke in his room?

No, Mr. Hugo,

he left ten minutes ago.

- Wait downstairs.

- Yes, sir.

- You want me in, boss?

- No, out.

Now, Mr. Gagin, what can I do for you?

Yes, this is Mr. Hugo.

No, I can't talk to him now.

No more calls till I let you know.

We're alone, or would you like

to look around?

I don't mind company.

Sit down.

I'm glad to see you, Mr. Gagin.

How's our friend, Mr. Retz?

He's okay.

I hear you been talking to him.

What would I have to

talk to him about?

I don't know.

Comrade in arms, you're both sh**ting

at the same target, aren't you?

- He's no pal of mine.

- Good for you.

Cigar?

No, thanks.

- So you're Shorty's pal.

- That's right.

Shorty was a nice guy.

Yeah, he was.

Say, weren't you in the same

outfit together, Pacific area?

I got a soft spot for ex-servicemen,

tried to get in myself.

Too bad they had to turn you down.

I gave Shorty a job

when he got out, a good job.

Yeah, I know.

Hundred a week just to see that

people didn't bother me too much.

Should have solved

all his postwar problems.

Too bad your pal Shorty turned

out to be a crook.

Got himself all crumbed up

reaching for easy money.

That's kind of funny talk

coming from a guy who's...

...done rather well out of the government.

Kind of like spitting in my own face,

that's what you're thinking, isn't it, Gagin?

I'm thinking.

Our friend Shorty was the kind of a

crook that nobody likes, not even me,

who am rather broad-minded

about such things.

I'll lay it on the line, Gagin.

Shorty took something from me

and tried to sell it back.

I don't like blackmailers. Nor would you

if you were in my business.

They constitute a very bad

industrial hazard.

I wanted what Shorty had, he refused

to give it to me, there was a fight.

Your pal Shorty wasn't as

tough as he thought he was.

So you had him k*lled.

Let's put it that he lost the argument.

To three guys with blackjacks.

- Were there three?

- And three pretty stupid guys, too.

- Stupid?

- Yeah.

They didn't get what they were after.

- They didn't?

- No, I got it.

A canceled check for a hundred grand

on a Mexican bank, signed by you.

And made out to a guy who was

making patriotic speeches...

...about the time I was getting a tan

in a place called New Guinea.

You sound like a disillusioned patriot.

The number of the check is 6431.

You've got me convinced.

It wouldn't be

on you, would it?

No, of course not,

you wouldn't be that dumb.

All right, Mr. Gagin,

how much do you want?

Thirty grand?

Shorty only wanted 15.

The extra 15 is on account of Shorty.

A real friend.

Don't kid yourself you're doing

it for Shorty,

you're doing it for you

just like I did what I did for me.

Look, do I get the 30 grand

or do I turn the check over to Mr. Retz?

So that's the way

it's gonna be.

That's the way it's gonna be.

Look, Gagin, let's hit it on the nose.

You and me, we, eat out

of the same dish.

You used to think if you were

a square guy, worked hard,

played on the level,

things would come your way.

You found out you were wrong.

All you get is pushed around.

You found that people are interested

in only one thing, the payoff.

- That's all I'm interested in.

- That's the idea.

You know, Gagin, I like you.

There are two kinds of people

in this world:

ones that fiddle around worrying

whether things are right or wrong...

and guys like us.

Do I get the 30 grand

or do I drop it on you?

It's gonna be a pretty hot 30 grand,

are you sure you want it?

I'm sure.

You know the spot you're putting me in.

I'd be a dope to pay blackmail.

What'll you be if you don't?

The blackmailer might be a photostatic copy

of the check. Then you'd have to pay again.

Or he may remember the check number and

the bank and give that information to Retz.

I'd be buying practically nothing

for my 30 grand but a headache.

Twenty years in the jug for stealing

from the government is also a headache.

Yeah, that's worth

thinking about.

You know, I'm getting kinda tired of

having that check haunt me.

I think I'll take a chance on you

being a square blackmailer.

- I'll give you 15 grand.

- Thirty!

Well, I came down here to enjoy the fiesta.

I'll charge it up to pleasure.

- You'll want it in cash, naturally.

- Right here in my hand.

I don't carry that

kind of money with me.

It'll take me a few hours to get it.

- Where can I reach you?

- Here.

I'd rather you didn't

clutter up my rooms.

I'll have the money around, say, 7:00.

See you then?

- Couldn't we find someplace more public?

- More public?

Yeah, it's a sensible precaution.

You know where

the Tip Top cafe is?

- I'll find it.

- And you'll have that little item.

You'll get the check

when I get the dough.

That's me too. I don't even trust

my mother.

And I guess a blackmailer

can't be too careful.

Must be an exciting way to make a living.

I'll have to try it sometime.

I'll see you at the Tip Top cafe.

At 7:00.

Good morning.

Waiting for you friend?

Known him long?

Yesterday.

You like him?

Well, why don't you help him?

He's in trouble.

I know.

You mean you know the

kind of trouble he's in?

Yes.

What kind of trouble

would you say it is?

He will die, maybe.

Yeah? When?

- Soon.

- How soon?

Before long.

How do you get that?

I saw.

What did you see?

I saw him dead.

Beats me how you get that.

You saw him dead?

Oh, you mean you dreamed it.

No, I saw it.

Yesterday when he came

to the merry-go-round.

I saw his face.

Dead.

His eyes were closed,

the skin was white.

- He was dead.

- Not a bad hunch.

I don't see things like that,

but I got it figured my way.

Listen, I'm trying to help him.

Do you believe that?

If he tells me.

Hiya, Retz.

Well, hello there.

I just been talking to your friend.

How'd you like to take a walk?

Lots of fiesta doings starting now.

No, I'm not here for

the fiesta either.

That's what I figured.

You didn't come for the show,

you come for the money.

You know, I been a little slow on

the pickup, I don't know why.

I just didn't figure you

for a shakedown job.

I'm after Hugo.

You've got some evidence

that can help me send him up.

But I haven't any idea

what it is.

You're trying to sell it to him,

but the chances are ten to one...

you'll wind up like Shorty.

I'm asking you for that

evidence, officially.

See, I'm not talking for myself.

I'm talking, like you say,

for Uncle Sam.

You tell Uncle Sam to go

take a walk for himself.

And look, Copper,

don't wave any flags at me.

I've seen enough flags.

Well, I've spoken my piece.

And I've heard enough pieces too.

They don't register anymore.

Okay... soldier.

- I'll be seeing you around.

- I'll be around.

What happened to you?

Do you like?

Do I look human?

- Oh, brother.

- What else should I do?

Well, you can't do anything

else, you've done everything.

- Are you hungry?

- I ate an apple.

No, no, no, I mean food.

Come on, it's a little early,

but we'll have some lunch, huh?

Where?

- In the restaurant.

- Oh, no, I can't.

Why not?

What's the matter, don't

you answer questions?

Aw, you don't have to be

afraid of a restaurant.

It's not gonna bite you or scalp you.

All you have to do is walk in, sit down

and pretend you're a human being.

- This way, please.

- Yeah, I want to sit over there.

Hey.

See anything you want?

Look, if you can't read, say so.

I can read.

Go ahead and read it.

See if there's anything

you want to eat.

I'm not hungry.

Uh... two fruit c*ck,

two trout with au gratin potatoes,

two orders of salad,

Thousand Island dressing.

- Got that?

- Yes, sir.

- We'll order dessert later.

- Yes, sir.

- Where you been living, in a barrel?

- I live in San Melo.

You know, it's kinda funny.

For a minute I thought I was

back in New Guinea, again.

Only in New Guinea they're darker.

- Who is?

- Girls.

You like them darker?

You going to laugh at me,

I'll go away.

Nobody's laughing at you.

What a goon.

Lot of different kinds

of fruit, all chopped up.

Go ahead, eat it, it's good.

That smells very good.

That's to keep it cold,

that's very nice.

In San Melo ice is

very hard to get.

We put everything

down the well by string and...

I must talk to you, Mr. Gagin.

It's very important

and I've only got a few minutes.

Frank's coming down.

You said you put things

down the well with a string, huh?

Please, couldn't we

go to another table?

No, we couldn't. Can't you see

we're having lunch?

But I must talk to you alone.

I'm terribly sorry.

Please, Mr. Gagin, I'm only

asking three minutes,

but they're very important

minutes, for both of us.

Okay.

You go on over and sit at another table.

Over there. I'll call you.

You will excuse us

for a moment, won't you?

What's on your mind?

Frank just told me what you're doing,

and I rushed right down

here hoping to find you.

You don't know me.

You have no reason to

believe anything I say,

but you can't lose

anything by listening.

- All right, I'm listening.

- He's very clever, Frankie.

He's seen to it that I have

everything except money,

But I could get out... with money.

I know what you're thinking.

What's she up to?

Why do I even listen to her?

You said it, sister.

You're such a fool

asking for only $30,000.

Do you know what he'd

have asked for, in your place?

A million, and gotten it. If you let me

do it, I'll get you twice as much.

And get what I want too.

How?

- Will you let me?

- I asked you how.

Don't give him the check.

Give it o a lawyer in Tulsa or anyplace else,

New York, Chicago, some honest lawyer.

Put it in a sealed envelope and pay

him a thousand-dollar fee.

And tell him that if anything

happens to either you or me,

he's to send the envelope to the F.B.I.

Then you go to Frank and tell him

what you've done...

and ask for $100,000.

And when that's gone, you ask

for another $100,000

and we become sort of...

partners with Frankie.

I've learned this sort of high finance

from Frankie himself.

Too rich for me.

But don't you see

it's more than the money?

It's only way you can keep alive.

You don't think Frank's gonna let you

enjoy it even if he gives it to you.

I'll enjoy it.

All right, I know you're not afraid.

But why not get more? It's so simple.

- No, I don't play.

- But why?

I don't trust that lawyer, the one

who clips us for a grand.

I said we'd find an honest one.

Hugo buys them all,

even the honest ones.

But he won't know who he is.

You'll know.

Oh, I see...

And of course

you can't trust me.

Right.

Then do it yourself.

I'll trust you.

Too many angles.

Please, it's tremendous

if you do it right.

He has millions.

You're a smart cookie,

aren't you?

- But I'll do it my way.

- But it's stupid, so stupid.

Maybe.

I found out something though.

There are a lot of people in this world

smarter than me.

And they aren't sitting up nights

figuring out how to help me either.

But I'll buy you a drink.

What'll you have?

Nothing, thank you.

Hey, come on back.

- Um, what's your name?

- Pila.

Pila? Yeah.

Pila, I want you to meet

Miss Marjorie Lundeen.

How do you do? I'm terribly sorry

about intruding like this.

This must be a dull town

after the fiesta.

Dusty and hot and full of flies.

I'm glad I don't live here.

Because I like bright lights and

nightspots and lots of people.

I'm afraid I wasn't cut out for...

I'll try to see you later.

Please think over what I told you.

It was nice meeting you.

Does she make you feel bad?

I guess you're not used to

her kind of ladies, huh?

- She's very beautiful.

- Yeah.

They usually are.

She has very nice

clothes, and diamonds.

Diamonds... and a dead fish

where her heart ought to be.

- I known a lot of them babies.

- She's not a baby.

Babies is what you call dames,

do you understand that?

No.

- Do you understand what a human being is?

- Yes.

Well, they're not human beings.

They're dead fish with

a lot of perfume on them.

You touch them and you always

get stung. You always lose.

You do not like?

No.

My friend Maria is like that.

Jos? bought her a new pair of shoes and

she wouldn't wear them in front of him.

But tonight at a dance she's going

to wear them in front of other men...

and I told her she shouldn't be like that

because Jos? bought them for her and...

she should wear them for him

because a man doesn't like...

...for a girl always to go barefoot.

Go on, eat your lunch.

I got some business

I got to attend to.

- Sounds like the fiesta's started.

- No, not till eight.

They're taking old Zozobra to

the plaza for the big burning.

We still have plenty of time.

- Who ordered squab?

- I did.

- There's not much there.

- I'm not very hungry.

- Bring the wine now, will you?

- Yes, sir.

- How is everything, Mr. Hugo?

- What's that?

Well, look who's here.

- Must be 7:00.

- On the nose.

Nothing like being on time.

- I said how is everything?

- Oh.

You'll have to hang around

for a few minutes.

The bank messenger is coming from Tulsa.

You all set with your end of it?

Yeah.

He's scared stiff I'll stand him up.

The messenger phoned

he'd be a little late.

Why don't you wait at the bar,

I'll let you know when he comes.

Why wait at the bar? Pull up a chair,

there's plenty of room.

- I prefer Mr. Gagin at the bar.

- Don't be silly, Frank.

I feel like dancing.

After all, it is a fiesta.

- Your squab will get cold.

- Keep it warm for me, will you, Frank?

Mind?

Dancing will be better

than sitting at the bar.

I've been furious

at you all day.

You've cost me $50,000

by your bullheadedness.

Fifty thousand and freedom and fun.

I don't know why I feel

this way about you.

Oh, I'm not making a pass at you,

I'm just being stupid.

- What's on your mind?

- You.

What are we waiting for?

He's watching us. I'm afraid to talk.

Come with me.

He isn't going to

give you the money.

No?

He's figured out one

of his typical tricks.

What?

Is he watching us?

No.

Have you got a cigarette?

I shouldn't be telling you this.

You certainly haven't done

anything to deserve it.

But there isn't any bank

messenger coming.

There's someone else.

- Who?

- I don't know.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Don't I know you?

I don't know. Do you?

Everyone knows everyone

on fiesta night.

- Are you dancing?

- Not so you'd notice.

- Where's Gagin?

- He stopped to talk to someone.

It's a good orchestra,

isn't it? Dance?

Some other time.

- More wine?

- No, thank you.

- Double bourbon.

- Yes, sir.

Squab! You should've had a steak.

There's a couple of

your friends outside.

You better go have a look.

What friends?

So they aren't your friends.

But you oughta have a look anyway.

You oughta have know better than to send

a couple of knife fighters against Gagin.

I don't know anything about Gagin.

Maybe you don't, but your friends

don't look so good out there.

Mr. Retz, I'm having my dinner,

you're giving me indigestion.

I don't care what kind

of a badge you're wearing.

Sore, ain't you?

Glad to see it.

You wouldn't be sore if you'd got

what you wanted from Gagin.

I'm grateful to you,

Mr. Hugo. Thanks.

Take Miss Santoya to

the fiesta, will you, Jim?

Come along, my dear.

- I'll be at the hotel.

- Call you there.

- Beat it.

- Yes, sir.

- What happened?

- They got him, I saw it.

But he got away.

Take her to the fiesta.

And keep your eyes open for him.

He's crawling around someplace.

Bring him back to the hotel.

- What about the cops?

- What about them?

I'm worried.

I'm not worried about a thing.

- Who are you?

- I phoned you.

I heard you were in town.

Where are they?

Right over here.

Broke this baby's arm.

- This one looks a little dead.

- Couldn't be deader. Neat job.

Hey, here's a lot of blood.

This character's missing his knife.

- Must have left it in the other guy.

- If he had a knife.

- Winnikey?

- He always carried a knife.

Pretty bad boy and plenty tough, too.

That guy can't be far.

Maybe we can run him down

with all that blood out of him.

Let's look in the cars.

Get... get the knife out.

I will stop the bleeding.

Tighter.

Pull it tighter.

The police are there.

- It is safe.

- Has the bleeding stopped?

Yes.

Help me get out of here.

- What's that?

- The fiesta.

Walk slow...

...and keep in the dark.

Does it hurt?

Yeah, it hurts.

Venga, pronto.

Qu? es, qu? pasa?

Est?s llena de sangre.

- El esta all?.

- Qui?n?

- Su amigo.

- El americano?

S?!

Como est??

El camin? hasta aqu?.

- Mi amigo, how is it?

- I... I need a little help.

Oh, I fix you.

What kind of hurt?

- Knife.

- Where?

In the back.

Knife is good.

Is more easy to fix.

I got knife three times.

When you're young, everybody

sticks knife in you.

Now, lie still, take big drink, and pretty

soon you're more better than before.

Sit down, ni?a.

Hold his head.

First you take big drink, eh?

Drink long time.

Ai, qu? l?stima.

- Hey, you fix this, eh?

- S?.

Eh, that's a good kid.

I leave it alone

but I make more tighter.

How you feel now, mi amigo?

Give me...

- Give me a little more of that.

- Sure, sure.

Somebody else was hurt?

Yes, two.

One is dead.

Ay, good.

Bueno, bueno, bueno.

Your cut is pretty bad.

I don't think we can fix him.

Give me... give me that... wallet.

The inside pocket.

She's here, all right.

Get my g*n.

- No, no, she's gone, this g*n.

- No...

Right hand pocket.

No g*n, mi amigo.

You don't need g*n,

you got Pancho now.

- I'll be all right.

- Sure.

I'll be all right in a few minutes.

- Stick around.

- Sure, sure.

I don't like them two guys.

They look bad.

What they come to Pancho for?

They are after him.

Quick. Help me, we hide him.

Be careful.

In... easy.

No, no, no.

Ni?os, stay on.

Everybody, free ride.

Stay on, stay on, stay on.

Free ride, free ride.

You want to get on?

Diez centavos, ten cents.

Next ride right away.

- Come over here.

- What do you want?

I said, come over here.

What's the matter, you looking

for something?

We're looking for

a guy named Pancho.

You find him, that's me.

- Where's Gagin?

- Gagin? Who's he?

The fellow you met in the

saloon last night.

Oh... him. He's Gagin?

He don't told me his name.

- Where is he?

- How I should know? Why you ask Pancho?

- I don't know nothing.

- Where'd you take him last night?

Last night I am drunk.

All I know is I wake up,

I'm still drunk.

- What do you fellows want?

- Why...

- Where's Gagin?

- Please... I don't know nothing.

I don't know.

If I know, I tell you.

Now, cut the lying.

Where is he?

Oh, why... you hurt Panchito?

- You think he's holding out?

- Not that fat slob.

He don't know from nothing.

It's all right.

It's all right now.

They gone.

A couple of fellows

just tell me your name.

Pleased to know you,

Mr. Gagin.

They want to know where is Gagin.

I don't know. Boom in the nose.

I don't know.

Boom in the mouth. I don't know.

I fall down,

but I don't know.

I told you Pancho

very proud man.

I'm going to cut you in, Pancho.

Cut me in?

On what, mi amigo?

Five grand.

Grand?

- Five thousand bucks.

- You got that much money?

I'm going to get it.

There are lots of people gonna get

lots of things but they don't.

- You ain't got it yet?

- Not yet.

We're going to get it.

We got to get going...

No, no, not now, you are sick.

I'm not going to get any better

if those guys come back.

He's right, he goes away.

Maybe they come back.

Fiesta come here, dances here.

Somebody see him, they find him.

And they're not gonna stop looking.

I'll be all right as soon

as I get my punch back.

- We will go to San Melo.

- Where's that?

- Two hours by bus.

- Are you sure there's a bus?

Si, it leaves at 10:00.

We got an hour

and a half to wait.

We can't wait

in that bus station.

You go to the Three Violetas.

You Pancho's friend, they remember.

Here, take him.

Hurry, quick.

Adi?s, mi amigo.

Hey, listen.

They burn Zozobra, god of bad luck.

Too bad they don't

burn him hour ago.

Hurry.

Es el amigo de Pancho.

Tu amigo Pancho.

Ah, un buen amigo, lo recuerdo de anoche.

- Est? malo?

- Si, est? enfermo.

You not feel good, se?or?

- Whose sombrero?

- Is mine.

I want to borrow it, how much?

Nada, nada, you will bring it

back sometime.

Take him back there.

Nobody see you.

- Big fight?

- S?.

- Pancho help?

- S?.

- How is he?

- He's all right.

We will stay here.

Then we will go to the bus.

S?, s?, est? bien.

Si vien alg?n desconocido, yo le aviso.

How do you feel now?

Yeah, you ought to know

what's going on.

I know.

They try to k*ll you.

And you want to know...why?

Because they are bad.

And I'm good, huh?

Yes. I will take care of you.

You're just...

you're just like Shorty.

No brains.

Don't talk.

Is the hurt better now?

It's hot in here.

Hot in the... in the jungle, too.

The rains turns to steam.

Please don't go to sleep.

Okay.

Okay, Shorty.

Okay.

I got something for you.

Here...

Put that in your shirt.

Hang onto it.

Don't let nobody touch it.

Nobody.

Nobody...

That a boy, Shorty.

That a boy.

Acaba de entrar un desconocido.

Mr. Gagin.

Mr. Gagin, quick, they're coming.

Where is the ticket seller?

Next bus don't leave till 10 o'clock.

Where is the ticket seller?

Oh, he's gone down the street

to watch the fiesta.

San Pablo, San Pablo.

La... La Fonda hotel?

What?

Hotel.

Over there, se?or.

I didn't order a drink.

Never mind, Leave it there!

- Close those windows.

- Yes, sir.

That's better.

I'll get it.

Yeah.

What's that?

I can't hear you.

Yeah?

They didn't... What's the matter with you?

Don't call me unless

you've got something to tell me!

A donde se fu??

El hombre con sangre en la mano?

- S?!

- Se fu? para all?.

Mr. Gagin!

Mr. Gagin.

Mr. Gagin, please.

Which...

Which one of you...

is Frank Hugo?

I'm Hugo.

Put that thing away.

Don't you see he's out on his feet?

See if anyone else

is with him.

Nobody.

Bring him in and shut the door.

Sit him down.

Who's the girl?

What's the matter with him?

He cannot remember. He's hurt.

Better see if he has a g*n.

What did you want

to talk to me about?

- Shorty.

- Yeah, you're his pal.

- You got Shorty.

- But I was pretty dumb.

I didn't get what I was after.

What was I after?

A check.

You want to sell it to me.

How much do you want for it?

Fif...

- Thirty grand.

- It's a deal. I'll pay it in cash.

You got the check with you?

- Money.

- Right here in my hand.

Can't you find it?

There's no check in here.

What'd you do with it?

Come on, where is it?

What did you do with it?

I don't know.

What do you know about it?

- I don't know nothing.

- Where'd you pick him up?

At Tio Vivo. He was hurt.

He came there.

- Where'd he go then?

- I don't know.

You don't know! You were with him!

What were you doing with him?

He's sick.

Please, he is sick.

Gagin...

Wake up, Gagin.

I got the money right here.

Now, where's the check?

Try and think... the check, Shorty's check.

What did yo do with it?

I want to see... Frank Hugo.

Can I take him away now?

Get him a drink.

That's the stuff.

You feel better

now, don't you?

You remember where

the check is.

You hid it someplace because you

ere afraid you wouldn't get the money.

But here's the money,

now where's the check?

- I don't know.

- Sure you do.

You put it someplace,

now where did you put it?

- I don't remember.

- You're gonna remember.

It was in your wallet.

- Yeah.

- But you took it out.

- I took it out.

- Where did you put it?

I... I don't remember.

- Maybe I can help him remember.

- Yeah, go ahead.

Where is it?

He don't know! He lost it.

He lost it, huh?

Where'd he lose it?

- I don't know.

- Then how do you know he lost it?

Maybe she'll talk for you, Tommy.

Where is it?

Come on, you know

where it is.

- She don't know where it is, boss.

- She knows all right.

Go on, keep it up.

Why don't you help him,

Mr. Hugo, sir?

You're the one knows

how to treat a lady.

Who let you in?

Maybe you don't like

knocking on doors.

Maybe you're like this guy over here.

His line is blackmail.

One of these haywire veterans.

Trying to put the bite on me

for thirty grand.

What's your bite, mister, is it...

Gagin.

Gagin, get up, boy.

Get over there!

Wake up, son.

It's all right, miss.

You can come over here now.

It's all right.

I been following you, Gagin, ever since

you left the merry-go-round.

Sorry to use you as bait,

but I wanted to be in on it...

...when he tried to wrangle

that check out of you.

Stay behind me, son.

Stay behind me.

Need it bad for evidence.

Could have got it, too, if I'd waited

another five minutes.

But I guess I just couldn't wait

Ain't nice seeing folks get

pushed around.

We're in bad company here.

Come on.

Go ahead, Gagin, be a sucker.

Walk out on yourself.

Come here to pick up some easy money,

just as it's in your pocket, you walk out.

This guy makes me laugh.

His idea of big money.

He's got me right where it hurts

and all he asks for is 30 grand.

Guys like you work all their lives

breaking their backs...

...trying to earn meat and potatoes.

You end up borrowing enough money to pay

for a hole in the ground to get buried in.

Then when you get a chance to make

some real scratch, what do you do,

Mice like you and Shorty?

You ask for peanuts!

You know what's going to happen

when you get out of here?

He's going to give you a lot of gas

about duty and honor.

Fill you with fancy words

like "responsibility", "patriotism".

That's how he's going

to get that check.

And what're you gonna

have? Nothing!

Sure maybe I'll get sent to the pen.

A lot of bucks that'll put in your pocket.

I don't know why I talk

to a lug like you. Small fry.

All your life you waste time worrying

about small -fry things,

about a job, about a two-buck raise,

about getting a pension.

Why don't you ask

for 300 grand?

300,000 bucks, Gagin!

It'll set you up

for the rest of your life!

Give me...

Give me that check.

Here, Retz.

Now you're talking!

He can't hear you, Gagin.

His tin ear's busted.

Maybe he can hear this.

Like to eat with my hands.

It gets me closer to the food.

What's the matter, eggs cold?

Coffee stale?

Toast burned?

I'm not hungry.

Huh! Funny thing. Every time I fret,

I can't eat.

What makes you thing

I'm fretting?

Two bucks worth of

breakfast gone to pot.

It ain't the five grand you promised

Pancho, is it?

No. He never expected

to get that anyway.

Couldn't be that 300,000

you turned down the other night.

Fat chance I'd have of collecting that

with you around.

Is it the kid?

What kid?

That little mouse with the big eyes.

You wouldn't be fretting about

her, now, would you?

Why should I worry about her?

All I got to do is just say goodbye

and that's the end of it.

She don't worry me none.

No, she don't worry you at all.

All you got to do is say goodbye

and that's it.

You certainly are one hungry man.

Shucks, I've got nobody

to say goodbye to.

Any particular way

you going to tell her?

I'll tell her.

Sure, but what'll you say?

That's my department.

I'll see you at the bus station.

I check your bags on the bus, se?or.

Oh...

- Thanks.

- Gracias, se?or, gracias.

Hope you don't mind if I kind of hang

around see how you handle the situation.

Never been very smart

with the women myself.

Maybe you can learn me

a thing or two.

All you got to do is say goodbye.

Yeah, just say, "so long, kid",

and that's the end of it.

Maybe she won't even be here.

Then you won't have to say nothing.

That'll make you happy jack.

You think maybe she won't, huh?

Nah, you don't know dames.

You don't know what they like.

They like to get their hooks in you.

You don't know what kind

of a fuss they make.

I'll fix it.

Well, looks like this is your

lucky day.

I don't see her around.

Hey, Mr. Gagin, my friend.

Buenos dias. Howdy.

- Glad to see you.

- How are you, Pancho?

I just came over to say so long.

So long? Oh, is sad word.

But you make me happy

if it's not too long.

Yeah.

- Uh, about that money...

- Oh, forget it.

My horses give me

all the bucks I want.

We all same kind of peoples.

We all born for be broke.

I don't let you go home in the bus.

I take you Pony Express.

But you see how it is, they all busy.

- Pancho! Pancho, anda!

- Momento, momentito.

Paciencia, ni?os!

Aorita vamos.

Hey, Pancho, do me a favor,

will you?

Oh, sure, se?or, anything, anything.

- If Pila shows up, will you tell her that...

- Pila! Pila!

You tell her yourself, se?or.

Ei, anda, anda, caballitos, vamos!

Hello.

You remember me?

Did you have a good time

at the fiesta?

I just stopped over to thank, uh...

Pancho.

Swell fellow, Pancho.

Also, I wanted to thank...

Uh, what's-her-name.

Remember me to your grandmother.

She'll be glad to see you.

Lot of people will be

glad to see you.

What I...

What I'm trying to say...

What I... mean...

Goodbye, se?or.

Well, say goodbye to the lady.

Pilita, cuenta-nos, qu? pas? contigo

y el americano?

S?, s?, di-me, muero por saber!

El pregunt?, "Which way to

the La Fonda hotel?"

Le dije,

"I will show you the hotel."

El d?a siguiente me di? dinero...

..e me fui a peinar de otro modo,

para ver se si a*s? le gustava m?s.

Pero e los malos?

Tambi?n el hombre que vino a la cantina.

Pero a el le pegu? la cabeza

con una botella...

a*s?!