Bright Leaf (1950)

[bunniefuu]

Major Singleton.

Major Singleton isn't home

this afternoon.

Does you

desire to enter?

Guess you're going in?

Not yet, boy.

I ain't allowed.

Major Singleton will

skin me for sure.

* Saturday market day.. **

- Howdy.

- Hi.

Nice animal.

He'll need currying

and some feet.

Say, don't I know

you from some place?

I've never been there.

'Brenda, Frieda, honey.

I'll be back in a minute.'

'This one..'

Say, I couldn't be

wrong, could I?

It's six, seven years,

but ain't you..

There'll be a hot time

in the old town tonight

or I ain't the corn

drinking fool I am.

You know who that was?

Brant Royle.

Say, ain't you

the fella...

Where's Calhoun's office?

- Lawyer Calhoun?

- Yeah.

He's in the cotton and

mercantile building

down the street a piece,

at the corner of..

I'll reckon you remember.

Send a boy out

and tell him I'm here.

I'm sorry.

- I'm going out.

- Brant Royle.

Who would've thought

he'd ever come back?

I'm going out.

That is, I won't be here.

I expect to be back early,

before dinner, if I can.

And I think I can.

Oh, if anyone asks,

Ill be at Major Singleton's.

What, Mr. Barton?

I'm going out.

- Oh.

- Yes.

Brant Royle..

Careful over there, now.

Come in.

You're Calhoun.

It's been a long time.

But I recognized you, Brant.

You favor your pa a lot.

I'm right glad

to see you back.

You're no more glad

than I am to see you.

Really, now, Brant.

I declare.

You wrote me about my uncle

dying. I came immediately.

Well, son, he left

everything to you.

That is, the cigarette factory.

'What became of the rest?'

The warehouses, well,

your uncle lost them.

Major Singleton took them

over right after..

Right after he ran me

and my father out of town.

You're not fixing

to get upset.

Coming into town, I stopped

at my father's place.

Nobody's lived there

since we got kicked out

by the look of it.

Singleton didn't

really want the place.

He hasn't used it.

Nobody's been farming it.

He was set on getting rid of

the Royle's, it appeared like.

Me, in particular.

We all felt pretty bad

about your trouble.

Yeah, I bet you cried

hour after hour. That's enough.

My father worked

that land up from nothing.

Sweated over it 14,

15 hours a day.

I know because

I used to help him.

Nobody in the whole valley grew

better bright leaf tobacco.

Then just when it

started to pay off

the major stepped in.

It was a nice

little farm once.

Here.

Keep the change.

Brant, I hope you don't blame

any of what happened on me.

I know exactly who to blame.

I'd do the same thing to him.

Maybe more.

Well, I wont intrude

on you any longer.

You can look over

these statements.

And here are

the keys to the factory.

Is the factory worth

anything at all?

Well, it's pretty run down.

A couple of thousand, maybe.

Sell it, I need the money.

Well, that might

not be so easy.

Singleton again?

That's about

the size of it.

Well, I've gotta

be getting back.

Hope everything else

is alright with you.

How'd you leave the family?

I heard your pa

was poorly.

- Not anymore.

- That's a blessing.

- Glad to hear he's recovered.

- He's dead.

I hadn't heard.

Your father gone,

now your uncle?

Why, that leave only..

Only me.

Yeah.

Well, good luck.

Come one, come all

to the free show.

See the mysteries

of the Orient.

See the giant fire eater

of the Oronoco.

It's entertaining, thrilling

and an education for men,

women and children.

'Twelve exciting acts, twelve.'

'Free, it's all free.'

Brant.

Mademoiselle Sonia,

come back. Come back.

You cannot be

seen like this.

Get me a pencil,

my pocket book. Hurry.

- Fauntleroy. Fauntleroy.

- Yes, Ms. Sonia?

That man who just

walked by, go look.

The man with the

walking stick, Miss Sonia?

Yes, I want you to

take him a message.

- Here.

- Yes, ma'am.

Hurry up, please.

Margaret, isn't that..

Of course, it is.

Afternoon,

Ms. Singleton.

I don't like you hurting

his mouth that way.

You can let go now.

You're welcome, I'm sure.

I should've said "Thank you."

But I'm able to handle

animals without help.

Thank you, just the same.

- 'Will you let go?'

- I guess, you've forgotten me.

I guess, maybe I have.

'Is there something

special about you?'

My name is Royle.

We had a farm not far

from your place.

You used to come

and visit me in the fields.

I don't remember

any such thing.

And If I did, I wouldn't expect

anybody to refer to it.

I was just recalling

myself to you.

I kissed you.

Your father saw.

He broke his cane on me.

'Maybe you'll remember now.'

Young man,

you've been drinking.

Why don't you shut up?

Oh, I do remember you now.

You're that bad mannered,

gangly farmer boy

that used to pester me.

'The one I used to

laugh about so hard.'

You're wearing shoes now.

And your pants don't need fixing

like they always did then.

But you haven't

changed much otherwise.

You have, ma'am.

You remind me of

your father now.

Let go of my horse.

Mister?

I'm very grateful to you,

Major Singleton

for the opportunity

of coming out here.

Your letter said something

about an invention.

I'm afraid I didn't read

it all, to tell you the truth.

'Would you care for some

refreshments, Mr. Barton?'

No, thank you.

I don't believe so.

'In this heat,

of course, you will.'

- 'It'll cool you off.'

- Well, I never touch it, sir.

John Barton,

cigarette machine?

Yes, sir,

here are the plans.

What's that? What's that?

Speak up, speak up.

Here are the plans for

my cigarette machine.

Now I think I can save

you a lot of trouble.

- I'm not interested.

- But..

I'm afraid I don't

believe in cigarettes.

Much less a machine

for making them.

It turns my stomach, sir,

every time I witness someone

poking one of those vile

concoctions into their face.

I deal in cigars, sir.

Nothing less.

Let me tell you,

for more than a hundred years.

Singleton's have

been growing, smoking

living and thinking tobacco.

They were cigar

smokers to a man.

I'm too old a horse

to change my gate.

Why don't you at least

let me tell you how it works?

- Maybe you'd see your mistake.

- What's that? Mistake?

Uh, if you let me explain

how that machine works..

I'm just not interested

in a cigarette machine.

Uh, I, uh..

Well, speak up, man,

don't mumble.

I believe I'll have

a drink, after all, sir.

Well, that's a mighty

fine decision.

Here we are.

No offence meant.

It's just that I think you've

been sent on a wild goose chase.

I don't suppose Mr. Pendleton

and the others would be

interested.

By all means, try them.

But I'm afraid we're

all cigar men down here.

Now, Margaret,

it doesn't mean that...

Margaret.

Margaret, I want you

to meet someone.

I swear I don't know

what's come over her.

Get me more smelling salts.

I'm gonna need..

James, you've gotta

do something, instantly.

It's intolerable.

- I, oh..

- Tabitha, this is Mr. Barton.

Mr. Barton, my cousin,

Tabitha Singleton.

- How do you do?

- Now what's all the fuss?

I think I'd better

be going, sir.

- I'll have Simon drive you.

- No, thank you.

Oh, to the hotel, at least.

- Thank you, I'd rather walk.

- Oh, just as you say.

Call and see me when you get

over this fool notion of yours.

Now then, Tabi, what is it?

Now, James, you know what the

doctor said about getting upset?

I'm not upset.

I won't have you stirring

yourself up like this.

He spoke to Margaret

but that doesn't mean anything.

There's nothing

to get excited about.

Just like anybody else in town,

passing the time of day.

I'm sure he didn't mean

to be suggestive.

It's just that,

that uncouth manner of his.

Anyhow, there's no point

in you flying of the handle.

He's back and that's that.

We just have to make

the best of it.

Now I am upset.

What are you talking about?

Who's back?

Brant Royle.

We saw him in town.

Brant..

'Margaret.'

Come in.

What was the extent of your

conversation with him?

Conversation?

With whom, father?

There's no need to protect him,

I'm referring to Brant Royle.

You shouldn't have

told him.

Well, I..

What did he say to you?

He only passed

the time of day.

- 'It was perfectly harmless.'

- Harmless?

I don't see why

you're getting upset.

I've no intention of permitting

my daughter to be the object

of that man's attentions.

I forbid you to ever

speak to him again.

Don't be so

old fashioned father.

This is 1894.

I'm a modern girl

and I'll do what I like.

And if what I like happens

to be conversing

with Brant Royle,

that's what I'll do.

James, Margaret, please.

I'm sorry, father.

I didn't mean to upset you.

I'm all mixed up, for a fact.

I don't wonder.

Being accosted on

a public thoroughfare

by such riff-raff as Royle..

The world

is certainly changing.

In my day, the man

wouldn't have dared.

Oh, I don't mind him

talking to me.

I was just not expecting to see

him that gave me such a startle.

As a matter of fact

it was sort of exciting.

I declare, it was.

All I could think of

was remembering

how it felt that time

he kissed me.

Why, Margaret!

The fact that you can talk

like this shows I've reason

to worry where Brant Royle

is concerned.

Maybe you have.

I don't reckon he's any better

than he ought to be.

I know a young lady should blush

at the very thought of it.

But I'll say one thing

for Brant Royle.

When he looks at me,

I know I'm a woman.

It isn't my ruffles

that charm him

or the way I crook my finger

when I hold a cup of tea.

And you'd be surprised just

how much that means to me.

What are you going to do?

I ran Brant Royle

out of town once before.

I'm not too old

to do it again.

Father, don't.

I guess Mr. Brant Royle

will think twice

the next time he feels like

passing remarks.

You deliberately made trouble.

Deliberately.

'Course I did.

There hasn't been any excitement

around here in months.

You're a strange girl.

I wish I could understand you.

Then I'd do something else

so you wouldn't.

Undo me, Tab.

You can't go on like this.

Stirring up trouble just

because you're bored.

You're never satisfied,

never know what you want..

I know what I want.

Sure, I do.

I wake up at night sometimes

with my heart pounding.

Listenin', waitin'

for something to happen.

But everything is so heavy

and quiet all around.

All you can hear is

the dogs barking way off.

Suddenly it's gone, whatever

it was that woke me up.

You really think there'll be

trouble in town?

Will they fight?

- Oh, I wish I could see it.

- Margaret.

Close that door.

Hurry, close it.

Excuse me, gentlemen, please.

He's on his way down.

You wanted to see me?

That's a pleasure

I could've denied myself.

I wish you had.

What's on your mind?

Only one thing.

How long do you intend

to remain Kingsmont?

I haven't decided yet,

have you?

Possibly I have.

You seem to have

prospered somewhat.

I own a good horse,

a good suit of clothes.

I've got $40 in pocket

that's more than I had the last

time we saw each other.

I'm informed so that you're here

to settle your uncles estate.

May I suggest that you do so

as quickly as possible?

I don't care much for doing

things in a hurry.

You need money?

Purely in the interest

of making your stay with us

as brief as possible.

I'm willing to buy whatever

property your uncle left you.

Seems to me every time we have

a conversation, it winds up

with you inviting me

to leave town.

If you cross me Royle, I'll make

it my personal business to see

that you wind up your

visit here without a penny.

We need some fresh air.

It's beginning to stink in here.

Thank you.

Hello, Major Singleton.

The years haven't

changed you, Royle.

You're still what you've

always been.

Trash, sir.

Common White Tr*sh.

Too bad you're an old man,

Major, or I'd break..

Clumsy fool.

Oh, come now, Major,

you mustn't loose your dignity.

I'm warning you, Royle.

Get out and don't come back.

I'll leave Kingsmont when I'm

ready and not a day before.

That makes it twice, Major,

this is getting monotonous.

Anybody else think it's funny?

Bourbon.

I'll pour it.

Mr. Royle, my name's

Barton, John Barton that is.

Uh, I couldn't help overhearing

uh, seeing that as

I was out in the lobby.

Mr. Royle, I gather you

and Mr. Singleton

aren't very friendly.

I mean, Major Singleton.

I can't get used

to the titles everybody..

You see, I'm from Connecticut.

Up North, that is.

I haven't been here

very long..

Uh, what I came

down here for..

Mr. Royle..

Suppose I could show you

how to make a fortune?

Have a drink, Mr. Barton.

Thank you.

Please excuse

my persistence, Mr. Royle.

Uh, but this is an invention

of mine, I've worked on it

up in Connecticut that is.

I was born there.

And uh... I got into

this business

and I always figured there must

be someway it could work.

And there is.

Uh, that is, I found it.

Doesn't seem possible, I think

you're trying to sell something.

Yes, sir. A machine

for manufacturing cigarettes.

Now, wait a minute, you mean

you got a machine

that'll roll cigarettes?

Put the paper on 'em?

And package them, too,

all in the same operation.

Anything like that would

make an awful lot of money.

How come you haven't been able

to peddle it yet?

Well, I have to find

someone who agrees

with my idea well enough

to build it, that is.

Singletonwouldn't?

Singleton won't touch it,

nobody else will.

I guess everybody does

what Singleton does.

Looks to me like everybody

is afraid to cross him.

That's why when I saw you

and the major, I..

Whatever else, the Major's

supposed to be

pretty smart about tobacco.

Are the Dukes smart?

Reynolds?

They've been trying to

develop a cigarette machine

for a long time.

My machine works right now.

It'll make cigarettes

fast and cheap.

How fast and how cheap?

'How much does it cost

to hand roll 1000 cigarettes?'

You Yankees always answer

an important question

by askin' one.

Ninety cents a thousand, that's

what they cost hand rolled.

This 15 cents a thousand

makes cigarette smoking the

cheapest habit in America.

And you're looking

for somebody with money?

- 'Yes, sir.'

- To go partners with you.

'Exactly right.'

Well, you haven't found him yet.

I'm flat on my uppers.

How long will it take

to build and install

one of your machines?

Well, if I could get

the parts on time

and the money,

about two months.

If I get the money, I want first

rights on a partnership basis.

'That's agreeable

with me, certainly.'

Well, I just might be

able to get you the money.

You've had enough.

'Please, no applause.'

This is a solemn moment,

my friends.

I bring to you that

marvelous boon to mankind.

Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine.

I'll take some.

Well, give the little lady

some of the Simon remedy.

Thank you, thank you kindly.

Gathered by laughing Indonesians

in the forest leaves

of far off Cathay

and brought directly here by

camel and caravan

to this delightful

little city of uh..

Kingsmont.

You're the fella.

I am the fella who can cure

what ails you. Now..

You're the fella

that k*lled my mule.

Another satisfied user of

Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine.

You say your wife was sickly,

near death's door

till you used the magic potion.

Thank you, my friend.

Get away.

Well, we're lettin' down

the bars a little, I see.

What you doing

back in Kingsmont?

Couldn't stay away

from you another day.

You always meant so much to me.

And my grandfather.

Brant.

I've been waiting

all afternoon.

Waitin' never k*lled anybody.

Oh, you're still sweet tempered

as a July mule.

Barton, ma'am.

John Barton, that is.

You must excuse me.

This is Sonia Kovac,

my mother.

Argh!

Delighted, ma'am.

Business deal

from New England.

Oh!

Hope I'm not intruding,

Mr. Royle insisted.

Oh. Uh..

We're having a little party,

I'd like you to meet everybody.

Mr. business deal.

I'm very fond of parties.

Very..

Mr. Barton, ladies.

- How do you do?

- Mr. Barton, my cousin Emily.

- How do you do, sir?

- Charmed.

Over here is my cousin Pearl.

- Hey, there.

- Charmed.

Come, now.

Mr. Barton,

this is Cousin Louise.

- Oh, man.

- Charmed.

Come on.

Cousin Rose.

- Hmph!

- Charmed.

And over here, Mr. Barton,

is cousin Theodora.

- Just call me Teddy.

- Charmed.

Come here, Mr. Barton.

- This is...

- Cousin Arthur.

Now, you come right over here

and sit down and enjoy yourself.

Oh-h*!

I declare, Brant.

You could've knocked me down

with a feather when I saw you.

I nearly fainted dead,

just like a lady.

I would've run after you, but I,

I didn't have much clothes on.

I, uh, I heard

you're doing alright.

Say, when did

all this happen?

Last time I saw you, you didn't

have a pot to put flowers in.

About three years ago. My mother

died and left me the place.

I fixed it up and made

a rooming house out of it.

Mm, some get-up.

Latest thing up North.

Is that where you've been?

They've been teaching

me the business

at the tobacco exchange

in Boston.

Learn anything?

Come here, I'll show you.

I said, come here.

If you learned that in Boston,

I'm going North.

There's nothing

like you in Boston.

- You still my girl?

- Don't bet on it.

You think all you have to do

is snap your finger at me.

All these years,

not even a letter.

Wasn't anything

to write about.

I could've been dead.

Then what good

will a letter be?

Where'd you get that?

Uh, shaving.

Liar!

How about Singleton

found you sniffing

around his daughter again?

Been back in town only 10

minutes before you

yawling under her window.

- Easy, Sonia...

- Just the way it used to be.

You can't touch her,

so you come to me.

Like you were using me

to forget something.

Don't be so modest.

Come, you're a good girl.

Oh, Brant.

You're crazy.

Leave me alone.

Alright, I'll leave you alone.

Pay attention to me,

you, you..

Hey, hmm.

You've done alright

for yourself, carpet-bagger.

Or I guess your pa knew

what he was doing

when he brought you Yankees

down from New York, huh?

Pittsburgh. You Johnny Rebs

ought to get over the idea

there's only one city

North of the line.

You always were smart but I

I didn't remember you

being so pretty.

If I had, I might've

written you at that.

Don't make fun of me.

I love you, Brant.

I'm glad you came back.

I didn't know

where to find you

or I would've been

there long ago.

- Let's not get in an uproar.

- I know, I know.

I'm not fooling myself.

But you're it as far as

I'm concerned.

When you're a kid you wonder

what it's like being in love.

Any girl wonders

and thinks about it.

I stopped thinking

when you came along.

Now I'm just glad

you're back.

You going to stay this time?

Uh, that depends.

On what?

Sonia..

Roll me a cigarette the way you

used to at my uncles factory.

With you breathing down

the back of my neck.

I remember.

Hey.

Your father's watch. First

present you ever gave me.

You deserved it.

Still goes slow.

Reminds me of you.

Well, I get there eventually.

How about that coffin nail?

You're the best little

cigarette girl I ever saw.

Still are.

Light it.

You know, Sonia,

one of these days

they'll make cigarettes

all by machinery.

There'll be a fortune in it for

anybody smart who gets in early.

This town's sound asleep, the

whole South's been on its knees

ever since the w*r.

Everybody is scared

to take hold and make it gold.

Except me.

You and your uppity notions.

A man with guts

and a workable cigarette machine

could make this valley

belch fire.

'Course, it would

take money to start.

- I said...

- Brant.

Why did you

come here tonight?

Be honest.

How honest?

You want money, don't you?

You heard I was making out

alright, so

you came here to climb

aboard the gravy train.

Uh, Mr. Business Deal?

Yeah.

He's invented

a cigarette machine.

I need money

to get it started.

It'll make us a fortune.

I, uh, I thought

I'd ask you first.

Sure, why not ask me?

I've got it.

All you have to do is ask.

I won't mind.

I haven't got any feelings.

Just money.

Never mind where it came from

or what it makes you

for taking it.

Just ask me

and I'll hand it over.

Is that all I mean

to you, Brant?

Do you know where

all this came from?

Do you know what it means after

working in a cigarette shack?

I've given up a lot

of things to get this.

And I've waited a long time for

you to get good and ready

to come back.

It was worth it,

I thought. Hmph!

Get out, Brant.

Take your business deal

with you.

Why don't you stop

acting like a woman?

He k*lled my mule!

Come on, hit him!

Bust him one!

Stop it, Brant.

Hit him, honey. Hit him!

Charmed.

I don't know

how you got my side.

Stay there, friend.

What's your name?

Dr. Monaco.

- Should we operate, doc?

- Why not?

Police!

Poli..

The wagon.

Boys, beat it. The paddy wagon.

You're still a chump.

It's none of your business.

Anyhow, I haven't decided, yet.

Maybe I'll go

and maybe I won't.

You'll go but he ain't worth it.

Well, I can't

let him stay in jail.

Why not? If a man looked natural

in jail on a Sunday morning.

Brant Royle's him.

Rose.

You know a lot about men.

My father was one.

What would you do?

You know how I feel about Brant.

I can't help it.

What should I do?

Well, add it up.

He's no good. He never

will be any good, he's broke.

All he wanted from you

is money.

If you give it to him

he'll throw it away

on that cigarette machine.

It'll be no good, he'll go away

and you'll lose him.

Or it'll be a success, then

he'll take up with that snip.

And you'll lose him.

I need another hand.

All them things against him.

More, even worse.

And what can you

say about him that's good?

I love him.

Get into your dress.

Thank you, Sonia.

It's alright.

Uh, what about Barton?

Oh!

Here.

And, and the doctor?

Let's not leave

anybody behind.

Here.

You're a good kid, Sonia.

Sure.

Lovable, that's me.

Just like a sister.

A rip sister.

What's that mean?

Means you get

what you want as usual.

I'll do it, you knew I would.

You can have the money

for that machine.

I want everything in writing.

And I'll expect my investment

to pay plenty.

Oh, Sonia..

Business isn't love, Brant.

I never kiss a partner.

Ma'am.

I consider you a rare gem

in the diadem of womanhood.

Charming.

I see the clear light of

freedom, shall we partake?

Thank you

for your hospitality.

Get in, we'll drop

you at the hotel.

- What day is it?

- Sunday.

You'll feel better

in a week.

- I beg your pardon.

- Thank you.

For a minute, I thought

I might have to walk.

Many thanks for liberating me

from durance vile.

In all my odysseys,

you shall be remembered.

Let's go.

You, uh, is your

name really Monaco?

Christopher Malley. Why?

Back there in jail you said

something I like.

I was talkin' about Royle

cigarettes, you said

they should be "fit for a king."

I like that.

I can use it as a slogan.

What do you know

about tobacco?

My particular

field of knowledge

is the science of extracting

blood from turnips.

That's all you have to know

about tobacco. You want a job?

- Seriously, I need a job.

- You've got one.

You start building that machine.

We have the money.

"The Royle cigarette

company. Fit for a king."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Come see the Royle cigarette.

Fit for a king."

They found the trouble here.

The first one.

'Look at it, Brant!'

We made it, Brant!

One for the ages, madam.

Try a Royle cigarette.

Fit for a king

or even a princess.

Cures lumps, warts,

eliminates hang-nails

and makes

a pleasure.

'Buy a Royle cigarette,

fit for a king.'

I know what you're gonna say.

Only fast women smoke,

but that's not true anymore.

So, you needn't

start yelling at me.

Everybody's doin' it.

So why shouldn't I?

It's getting

to be very fashionable.

'Course, you're so

far behind the times

you wouldn't know that.

Alright, go ahead.

Tell me I'm wicked

and sinful and lost to mercy.

Just because I occasionally do

something you men think

nothin' of doin'

all the time.

James.

"In God, we trust."

Same girl we have

on the $10 ones

but she's so much

prettier in 20.

Yeah.

We're even now.

You paid back everything

you borrowed.

Anything you get out of your

investments now, that is

what you've put in, I mean.

From now on it's all profit.

I'm just crazy about profits.

There's something about money

that brings out the beast in me.

I love it so much

I hate to fold it.

- We're doin' alright.

- We're doing fine.

- Here's to us.

- Here's to us.

To us.

This, uh, being a celebration,

do you suppose I could kiss you?

Not if you have to ask first.

Charming.

Sold to Royle.

It's incredible.

Really incredible.

Has never been anything

like this, never.

I don't know what

they'll say in Savannah.

The board's probably

going crazy.

Fifteen cents

a pound for tobacco.

And here, nine, nine..

Hold it, can I get a ten, ten.

Hold on, hold on.

Sold to Royle.

Hold on. Sold to Royle.

We're being given over

to the hounds and the dogs, sir.

We're being ruined

by cigarettes.

Now, don't wait for me,

it's likely to take a while.

Just do your shopping,

my dear.

Be careful, papa. Brant Royle

knows what he's doing.

But the man's

mentally incompetent.

This merely proves it.

Royle is trying

to corner tobacco, sir.

He's taking anything

at any price.

He's bid me down three times.

'Sold to Royle.'

Let's see if Mr. Royle

can bid me down.

We're breaking a lot

from the Sado plantations.

Select choice, bright leaf

and premium dark.

What's the highest price

that's been paid today?

Why, it's an

all time record, major.

Fifteen cents.

Open the bidding

on this lot.

Uh, gentlemen,

what are my bids on this?

Twenty five cents.

I have 25..

I have 30..

How high are you

prepared to go, sir?

You'll know

when I stop biddin', major.

I have 35..

You're done?

Sold, Singleton.

Brant, those prices

you've been paying.

I've never interfered

with the business end.

Don't start now.

Get up!

You keep this up, Margaret,

one of these days

I'll get discouraged,

or I'll get run over.

You saw me coming.

If you was going to drive away,

that was the time to do it.

Not after I got here.

How do you know

that's what I was up to?

Maybe I wanted to

talk to you.

Maybe I just waited until

I was sure you'd notice me

and then made out I was going

to drive away.

So you wouldn't be

too sure of yourself.

Neither my father

nor you can afford

those kind of prices

for cigar tobacco.

I don't make cigars,

your father does.

Every farmer in a hundred miles

from here is home right now

or gettin' there

as quick as he can.

Strippin' his fields to get

his tobacco bag here

at prices I've been paying

before I'm dragged away.

That shouldn't be long from now.

I'm happy to inform you

that by tomorrow

I'll come to my senses and

they'll be giving tobacco away.

All except cigar

tobacco, that is.

My father won't like you

any better for this.

That worries me.

Tell Mr. Malley to let

Major James Singleton buy

all the tobacco he

wants at this price.

Uh, at this price?

They say you've become

a very dangerous man.

Are you dangerous, Mr. Royle?

I get what I want, if that's

what you call being dangerous.

All the time you've been back,

it's only the second time

I've seen you.

Both times, almost by accident.

'Well, you weren't exactly

cordial last time we met.'

No, I wasn't.

I was upset, seeing you again.

My father was real upset.

He tried to run me out of town.

Oh, I'm mighty

surprised to hear that.

Excuse me, they're getting

ready to close inside, Brant.

See a delightful shade

of purple, take a look

at Singleton, no offense,

it looks good on him.

In a minute.

There's something else you

might've forgotten, we're going

shopping this afternoon

and, uh, company's coming.

I haven't forgotten.

Good afternoon.

By the way, I've been

a little curious...

Uh, excuse me.

That girl, the one I saw you

with in a carriage

is she a friend of yours?

That's what he was

talking about, alright.

- What's her name?

- Sonia.

Huh, that's a pretty name.

She's pretty, too.

You like the type.

I suppose you do.

Is she what he meant by company?

It's her birthday next Thursday,

I promised to buy her a present.

Thursday? Well, that's ballsy.

I was gonna say, I just happened

to be home Thursday evening.

- Oh, but I don't suppose..

- May I call you, Ms. Singleton?

I don't want you to disappoint

Ms. What's-her-name.

Yes, you do.

- 8 o'clock.

- I'll be looking forward to it.

So will I.

Now, maybe I'll find out

if you're really dangerous.

Brant.

Started again,

has it, you and her?

It never stopped.

What does that make me?

Am I supposed to wait around for

you to make up your mind?

Louder, there's a couple of

people here that don't

hear so good, I wouldn't

want 'em to miss this.

Oh, Brant, Brant, for a smart

man, you're such a fool.

What you want doesn't exist.

That girl isn't real.

- You've invented her.

- She said you were pretty.

If it'd make you think

I was honest

I'd say she was beautiful.

She is beautiful.

Am I an old hag of 80?

If this is your idea of

a pleasant afternoon,

you're wrong.

Why don't we sell tickets, hmm?

I'm just tryin' to find out

what makes her so great.

- She's a lady.

- Ah.

No woman who wants

something is a lady.

If she is, she doesn't get it.

- I guess you'd know.

- Why, you..

Would you let me finish up?

We'll go out and buy you

the most expensive

present in town.

Something with ostrich

feathers all over.

Ostrich feathers?

I'm getting tired of this.

I won't take much more.

Nobody asked you to.

You're a good girl, Sonia, but

I never made you any promises.

I've always been honest

with you, especially about her.

Don't ride me for it now.

If there's one thing about Brant

success hasn't changed

him a bit, he's still blind.

You're much pretty than all

this tobacco around here.

They'll wanna auction you off

next. I can hear 'em now.

* I got blah-blah-blah-blah *

Here, may I?

- I'll tell you what.

- Chris I don't know what to do.

I'm losing him.

If I ever had him at all,

I'm losing him now.

I don't know

what to do about it.

I can't say,

" Look at me, I'm the one.

I'm what you're looking for."

I guess I'm boring you.

That's alright, I want you to.

Look, what you need

is a good laugh.

Alright, say something funny.

I love you.

Oh, you are a fool.

I guess I am.

Singleton Company will go on

dealing in the finest of tobacco

and not an ounce

of it in cigarettes.

I'll see that man running hinges

before I change

to his kind of business.

Major Singleton

doesn't receive any.

I'm not here to see

Major Singleton.

- Take these to Ms. Margaret.

- Yes sir.

I don't recall

inviting you, Royle.

I'm callin' on Ms. Margaret.

You're mistaken, my daughter

is not at home to you.

- You're not welcome here.

- One moment, Royle.

While you're here, there's

something we can discuss.

'The operations of your company

have become troublesome'

to the tobacco industries.

I believe I can persuade these

gentlemen to form a syndicate

with me and buy you out, surely

to remove the nuisance.

Quite so, quite so.

That doesn't excite me much,

Pendleton, I'll tell you what

I'll do for you and the others,

I'll buy all three of you.

I have no further

wish to see you, Royle.

You'll see me

the next time I come here.

Major, why not

listen to reason?

- 'We'll have to deal with it.'

- 'I will not deal with Royle.'

That's final.

'If we're going to have

trouble him, let it start now.'

Brant.

That was a fine idea you had

about me callin' on you.

Your father kept hounds,

they'd be chewing

on me right this minute.

He's upset about the other day,

I told you he'd be.

They are sitting on the edge

of a mighty sharp plank.

I'm the boy to run them to right

out of the tobacco business.

Tobacco, tobacco, tobacco,

that's all I hear.

You might as well

get it straight.

If I don't cut your father

back, he'll do it to me.

If you do, if you ever hurt him,

I'll make you sorry for it.

My family's been in tobacco

for a hundred years.

Nobody's gonna change it.

Tobacco, tobacco, tobacco.

Huh, you're a Singleton alright.

For a second there, you could

have been your daddy himself.

Huh, I'll go along.

I'm much prettier than he is.

Most anybody is.

You know, after all this time

you and I could meet

like this and just talk

like people should.

Most of my life

I've been backed in of a corner.

When we happened to meet,

you got tangled in my fight.

You're always fightin'

about somethin'.

Now you're rich and powerful,

you can have anything you want.

Anything at all.

Oh, wait.

I didn't mean

to carry on like that.

I guess I've been to busy

to learn parlor manners.

Isn't this amusing?

All my life I've been hearing

about rakes and I never met one.

It appears I'm not going

to, not tonight anyway.

You treat me like a lady,

the same as the others.

You'd be surprised at how sick I

am of being treated like a lady.

I have better things

to do with my time, thank you.

Not so fast, let's get

something settled right now.

I didn't come callin'

on you just to play games.

If I wanted to pass

the time away, I wouldn't have

to come this far from town.

Why did you come so far then?

I thought you knew.

You've always meant something

pretty important to me.

That's why all these

years, I've..

When the time comes, I'm

intending to ask you to..

Well, I,

I thought you knew that.

Marriage?

What makes you

think I'd marry you?

Is something wrong with me?

Well, you're not

exactly a gentleman.

Of course, I don't mind that.

You do dress a little loud.

And you talk talk

like a field hand.

Anything else?

Mostly what would prevent it is

the kind of friends you have.

I don't approve of your friends.

You mean Sonia?

Tell me something.

Do you apologize to her for

kissing her like you did to me?

You do kiss her, don't you?

And she kisses you.

And then, you touch her..

Very gently or are

you rough with her?

Yes, I think

you're rough, maybe.

I don't like her.

I won't pretend I do.

When she's gone, I might

think about marrying you.

- Margaret...

- Mind now, I don't promise.

Oh, well, we can talk

about it again.

After you get rid of her.

She helped me

when I needed help.

Oh.

Then don't forget to thank

her when you say goodbye.

* You had a dream *

* Well I had one too *

* I know mine's best because..*

The best of birthday

parties I was ever at.

Absolutely.

What became of all

the gentlemen?

The men start playing cards.

Show a man a deck of cards,

it wouldn't matter if he had

a figure like Venus.

You don't have to worry.

I've had a better figure

than yours since the gold rush.

Evening, Mr. Brant.

You missed the party.

I wouldn't go near

Sonia if I were you.

If you were me,

I'd k*ll myself.

'You know, Sonia, I feel

lucky tonight.'

'That's good.'

'Well, I finally

won a hand.'

'Don't forget

the chips and go home'

Give me another one, will you?

Deal me in blind while

I have a place down a little.

We lost to him.

You got a long nose, Frank,

you'll look funny without it.

Deal in.

You aren't going to be

here long enough.

I thought I was invited

to a birthday party.

I cancelled the invitation

when you didn't show up.

I'm sorry, I was late,

I, it couldn't be helped.

You're apologizing?

- You?

- Yeah.

Me.

I wonder what you've been up to.

You didn't come here just

to wish me a happy birthday.

What's on your mind?

Smart, aren't you?

I know you

like the palm of my hand.

It's Margaret, isn't it?

Sonia, you got an ace

showin' it's been raised.

It's alright, Marty,

she raises back.

You and Margaret are alike.

You're both greedy,

you want something.

For you, it's her,

but she wants something else.

Power like her father.

As far as she's concerned,

you're just a way of getting it.

Get a new record, I'm tired

of hearing it over and over.

Alright, forget it.

I don't want to forget

it, I told you before

don't talk about her.

I said, "alright",

I said, "forget it".

Let it go.

One of these days you'll get so

smart, you'll outsmart yourself.

Maybe you have already.

You're looking

for a quarrel, aren't you?

Tryin' to work yourself

up to tell me something.

I'm going to marry her.

Give me a cigarette.

I don't like to put

things off, I wanna be honest.

Sure, let's be honest.

I could've told you

in a different way but

things just didn't

work out that way.

What're you using for tobacco

these days, corn silk?

This is off.

We've known

each other a long time

since you were

a kid in pigtails.

I always liked you.

But, there wasn't anymore

than that for either of us.

You're not in love with me

it won't break your heart

to see the last of me.

Of course, not.

Why should I care

if you walk out on me?

The only reason you've hung

around this long is because

you're so much fun.

It's a laugh a minute,

when you're around.

Just one big joke.

Hey, I never saw

you cry before.

You didn't think

I knew how, did you?

Well, you've taught me.

- Now, get out of here.

- Sonia.

No lies, no excuses, just get

out of here and get married.

And never come near me again.

What happened that last deal?

You had three aces,

but you lost to him straight.

Three aces and I lost,

I must be lucky in love.

Deal.

Take care of yourself.

Bye, dear.

And take care of yourselves.

He won't be here, you know that.

I know. Goodbye, Chris,

take care of things.

We never fail.

If it gets you down,

why don't you try.

Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine?

That'll cure what ails you.

What is Dr. Monaco's

miracle medicine?

- Dr. Monaco.

- I'll remember.

Bye, Chris.

Goodbye.

Hmm.

- Anything wrong, Mr. Royle?

- No, I'm satisfied.

He's satisfied.

- Ellery, how much do you make?

- How much do I make?

Twenty dollars a week, sir.

You can afford hard sole shoes,

make a little noise

goin' and comin' to hear you.

I always have that feeling

you're about to arrest me.

- Stop creepin'.

- "Stop creepin'", yes.

Not bad.

Not bad?

- You've got a gift for...

- Understatement.

Thank you, next time I'm stuck

for words, I'll send for you.

- Get me the singleton file.

- Yes, sir.

You and the architect wondered

why I insisted on having

my office right here.

"Bad light", the architect said.

I want to be able

to sit here and see that house.

'Singleton's place.'

'When I was a kid,

kickin' along the dust'

'I used to promise myself I'd

have a place like it someday'

and everything

that goes with it.

Brant, I've been into

the kiln with all the others.

Had a little fellow

I played Hatchet man so much

I can go into the routine on

cue. I know all the sob stories

my strength is the strength of

ten because my heart's impure.

You want me to go with you?

Not this time. I've waited

a long time for this.

I've saved up for it,

this one is mine.

Oh, uh, Brant,

about that packaging machine

I've another idea.

- Tell him.

- Well, it occurs to me that..

Come on in, Edison,

you can sell it to me, I'm weak.

Mr. Singleton sir, there's

a gentleman to see you.

Mr. Brant Royle.

Excuse me.

Will you sit down, Royle?

No, thank you,

this isn't a social call.

I didn't think it was.

I usually conduct business

at my office, however.

So do I.

I didn't want to embarrass

you by sending for you

like some dub ahoy shopkeeper.

I see that your changing fortune

hasn't extended to your manners.

I'd appreciate you stating your

business as briefly as possible.

I brought you something, major.

Singleton Company

locked, stocking barely

with it you've been

borrowing money on.

I bought all

your paper cheap.

'You all did everything you

could to knock me down'

'I've eaten you

all alive, one by one.'

Now, I'm pretty high on the hog,

major, I've gotten to you.

If I were to call your credit

tomorrow, you'd be ruined man.

If it weren't for Margaret..

As it is I'll let you out.

Call it a wedding present.

Wedding present?

What are you trying

to tell me, sir?

We're gonna be married,

with or without your approval.

That's not true.

Ask her.

Tell him, Margaret,

tell him he's a liar.

Don't go gettin'

yourself upset, father.

Get out of my house,

I'm not for sale.

- You can't buy any part of me.

- I'm not tryin'.

I told you before,

if it weren't for Margaret...

My daughter,

don't have to stop you.

If she marries you,

I've no wish to see her.

Father.

Now, will you leave, Royle?

I may not be a gentleman, but

I've tried to go easy with you.

I've done my best, Margaret.

- I'll see you to the door.

- No, thank you.

- Father, try to understand.

- It's true, isn't it?

You've been seeing

him all this time.

You've made some sort of an

arrangement about marriage.

We have to

face facts, father..

We can't afford

pride anymore.

The world's gone mad.

Everything I ever thought of as

beautiful has been swallowed up

by that man.

Even you.

Don't say anything

you'll be sorry for.

You're tired, upset.

Naturally anybody would be.

Give yourself time

to think about it.

He'll wait,

he's just fool enough.

What you suggesting?

Ask him for few days.

That'll give us time to make

plans. We can see people.

Maybe we can save something.

If we can't, then it's

time enough to consider

what he'll have to do

if he wants me to marry him.

I'll go to him myself,

if you want me to.

He'll do it for me.

He's done this to you.

He has infected

you with his own rot.

What do you expect me to do?

Stand here and watch

you lose everything

because you're too proud

to admit you're beaten?

What about me?

What am I suppose to do

when all this is gone?

You made me a Singleton.

That's all I'm good for.

That's all I know.

How to behave like a Singleton.

No Singleton ever

worked the like of you.

Now, look.

- Mr. Royle.

- Major.

I've come to do something

I should've done years ago.

What's that, major?

They were my fathers, I think

you'll find them satisfactory.

- I'll be late for dinner.

- Do you mind dropping me off?

- Have a good evening, Royle.

- Evening.

There are laws against

dueling now, major.

I'm prepared to take the risk.

What makes you think I am?

I'll ask you as a gentleman,

will you give me satisfaction?

I wouldn't enjoy

k*lling you, major and

if you'd have k*lled me, why,

I wouldn't enjoy that either.

To intent forcing me

to question your courage?

Go ahead, question all you like,

it won't change things.

You're a coward.

Dirty yellow-bellied coward.

Go home, major. I don't

want to hang for k*lling you.

I intend to see you dead.

I know how much

that'd mean to you.

But I don't find the prospect

particularly attractive.

No, major. Taking it all, I

don't see what I'd gain by it.

I could lose a great deal.

I won't duel with you.

Turn around, Royle.

You've come down a long way,

haven't you?

Defend yourself or I'll

k*ll you where you stand.

No, you won't.

I might, if I were in your shoes.

But you haven't got

the kind of courage

it takes to sh**t

an unarmed man.

'You're a gentleman.'

'You live by the code that

doesn't permit such things.'

That's all you've got left,

your gentleman's code.

- Royle.

- Royle.

Leave me alone,

I'm alright. Get away.

Now there's nothing left.

Let him go.

'Ms. Margaret.'

'Ms. Margaret!'

I know it's a hard

thing to consider

but we must be realistic.

The Singleton stock, that you've

inherited is largely worthless.

The factory was mortgaged

and so is the house.

This house?

Singleton house?

Mortgaged?

Of course, it could be sold.

You'd be bound to

clear little from it.

I'll not do that, Mr. Calhoun.

I'm in complete sympathy

with your natural reluctant

to face such a prospect.

But we must look at the facts.

Yes indeed.

- The fact...

- Mr. Calhoun.

I'm not selling

my father's house.

But there's no way!

I'll find a way.

Brant Royle.

- Where?

- In the library.

- It's the most...

- Go along, I'll be right there.

I was born in this house.

My father and his

father were born here.

I'll sell anything.

But not Singleton house.

Will you excuse me?

Just like your

daddy would have.

Tell him what

we think of him here.

In my day, a dozen men would've

considered that an honor

and pleasure to horse

with him through the gates.

Tell him, Margaret.

I heard her.

I don't blame her,

the way she feels.

Maybe I shouldn't

have come so soon.

I waited for you.

I wanted you to know

what really happened.

I know how people are,

these things get exaggerated.

My father is dead.

He was no exaggeration.

I did everything I could

to prevent any trouble.

We don't have

to talk about it.

My father was

a very proud man.

What he did.

What happened was inevitable.

Blame myself for not

seeing it from the star.

There's anything we could've

done differently.

Whatever hatred there was,

was in him.

It's over.

We can be honest with

each other at last.

Leave me alone.

I'm being honest with you,

if that's what you want.

Stay away from me now.

Margaret, what makes me sure

only my worst side to you?

What makes me hurt you

when I don't wanna hurt you?

All I want,

all I ever wanted is you.

All the time, I was making a

place in the world to show you.

Now you can have it.

It's yours, all of it.

- Brant, I have to see you.

- Not now.

But it-it's urgent this time.

I-I've been trying to..

We can begin now,

this shouldn't take long.

Gentlemen, it used to be 100

companies in this valley.

Today, there is only

one Royle Incorporate.

Mr. Royle is tobacco

in this neck of the woods.

Mr. Royle considers you

gentlemen as the best.

They want you to have

the subsidiary companies

of the corporations act as

member of board of directors.

You'll have a free hand in the

company assigned after a point.

We have no intension interfering

with your conduct of business.

We expect nothing from you

except a substantial profit.

Are there any questions?

Help a Royle cigarette.

Don't like 'em.

Have these scores

that we've given you contain

the financial details

of the particular company

each of you'll operate.

Now, nominations are in order

for the chairman of the board.

I have the pleasure of

nominating Mr. Brant Royle.

- Second.

- Nominations are closed.

Those who're in favor of

Mr. Royle will kindly say "aye".

Aye.

Mr. Royle's elected.

I move we adjourn. Second?

All in favor, gentlemen,

we are adjourned.

Went pretty well.

Why not?

What choice do they have?

Tell Mr. Barton, he can come in

now and ask Hillary come in too.

Today's clippings Mr. Royle

on the Savannah Market.

What's Barton so upset about?

He wasn't invited to be on the

board of directors. He, uh

has ideas

how to run the company.

That's why he wasn't invited.

I'm getting tired of Mr. Barton.

Go easy, Brant.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, Brant.

I don't like the...

Sit down.

The European Tobacco Syndicates

still hasn't shown

any signs of letting us in,

have they?

What you doing about it?

Next week there'll be a man at

every tobacco shop in Europe

giving away Royle cigarettes.

Of course it'll take quite a bit

money for about three months.

- After that the market's ours.

- Good.

What don't you like?

I don't like

the way I'm treated.

I-I don't have anything

to say around here.

I don't have anything

to do with the adminis...

Cable my broker in London.

Beginning next Monday and start

selling European Tobacco.

Syndicate short at a 1000

shares a day until I say stop.

- Stop.

- Take care of this.

- Right away.

- Right away.

In less than five years,

I've made you wealthy

and now complain.

I'm not complaining.

It's only... I happened to know

some of the thing you've done.

- I can't say that I have proof.

- Who asked you to?

I'm merely suggesting.

Downstairs in the

factory there's box

labeled suggestions, anything

you have to say put it in there.

- Brant.

- What?

Never mind.

'I don't wanna do this.'

'I've put it all from time to

time but I have had enough.'

I'm leaving, Brant.

Where to?

We're going to Detroit,

maybe you've read about it.

They started to manufacture

horseless carriages.

I think there's money in it.

That's your idea

of business, is it?

Automobiles, gadgets

for millionaires.

You aren't leaving.

Read your contract.

I may tell you to get

out but you can't quit.

Unless.

Just how much does going

to Detroit mean to you?

What are your terms Mr. Royle?

What do you want to let me go?

All your stock and remaining

rights in the cigarette machine

I'll buy it out that for you.

I see.

- You're way ahead of me.

- Always have been.

You know I can't beat you in the

first place because I thought

you had more imagination

and courage and the others.

I guess I deserve everything

you've done to me.

I've learnt a great

deal from you, Brant.

If I weren't an honest man,

I might be able to use it.

Find out everything there

is to know about automobile.

Get one, I want to see

what they look like.

Well, it's piling up.

Everything you've done

to get where you are.

A little fund of hatred

you've created.

What's the matter with you?

This past few months I've seen

something in your face and eyes

I've never saw before.

Greed I thought, arrogance.

Now I know what it is.

Brant..

You're a man

with a sickness.

Kingsmont.

In the car.

- Sonia.

- Chris.

Ah, it's so good to see you.

Is that Paris dress you got on?

- You getting fat.

- What do you mean, fat?

Not really, just nice.

Isn't Brant with you?

He doesn't know you're back,

I-I wanted to see you first.

Tell me.

How was Europe?

- Big.

- London, Paris, Vienna.

I'll take Kingsmont

for excitement.

Oh, you've heard

about Singleton.

Brant badly hurt?

He takes a lot of k*lling.

Some luggage for

a bachelor girl.

It's wonderful being where

a town goes crazy about it.

The nicest part of being

rich is having so much money.

Really fancy.

Oh, it's nothing.

Aw, how wonderful.

We hoped you like it,

we worked hard on it.

Good, it's beautiful.

Brant did it?

No, I did.

I should have known.

Well, you haven't even, eh..

Ah!

I can't believe it.

Oh, Chris, it's really

beautiful.

Think nothing of it,

only cost a fortune.

Everything else may

have changed but not you.

You're still the same.

Sorry to hear that.

Oh, Chris, you thought of

everything, even initials.

The years too.

I remembered you often, Chris.

How kind you always were.

Meant a lot to

me remembering that.

That makes it easier to say

something that's on my mind.

I saw everything in my time,

I've lied, cheated

and talked my way in and out

of every jail in this country.

No matter what happen,

I always thought I..

I remember once I sold

a bottle of hair-restorer

to a sheriff's wife

who had lost her hair

using the first

bottle I sold her.

But, uh..

I can't seem

to sell myself.

Sonia.

You may not believe this but..

I've been trying

to ask you to marry me.

Oh, Chris.

We get along together, we like

the same things, why not?

I'd be much nicer to

you than Brant ever was.

I see.

You're rescuing me

from the dragon.

I've always liked you, Chris.

Right now more than ever.

But don't worry about me.

I don't believe

in dragons anymore.

Alright.

But it wasn't

just a rescue act.

I was thinking of myself too,

remember that, will you?

It's going to be different now.

Brant and me.

I was in Paris when

I read about Singleton.

And you thought that Brant

and Margaret would be through.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I think..

Chris, you're not leaving?

What about your tea?

I hate that darn stuff.

Anyway I..

I couldn't stand

to seeing you cry.

Chris, what is it?

Sonia, Brant

isn't really bad.

The thing you've to remember

about him is that..

He started tough because

he had to be, to get anywhere.

Now it's become

a habit with him.

He's like a horse

with blinders on.

He sees what's right

in front of him.

He puts one foot

in front of the other

until he gets

what thinks is going.

The trouble is he..

He doesn't

know where he's going.

You haven't seen

the morning paper.

Here.

Good afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon, Simon.

Well, the gentlemen are waiting

in the library, Mr. Malley.

Mr. Royle with them?

He hasn't

come down yet.

- Shall I announce your...

- Not yet.

I'd like to talk

to Mr. Royle first.

- Have you seen him?

- No.

- Does he know about the AG?

- I don't think so.

Royle stocks dropped

seven points...

I expected it to

go even lower.

Gentlemen, let's make an effort

to be calm shall we? Sit down.

Now, Mr. Malley, I...

I cabled Mr. Royle

some months ago when I first

heard about the monopoly suit.

- We were never informed of it.

- I assumed he could handle it.

I might add that the monopoly

suit comes as no surprise to us.

It's a surprise to all of us.

We're done battling the past

biding by our decisions

lets assume the future

would be every bit as bright.

Mr. Royle knows

we're here, why..

- Hello, Brant.

- Hello.

Everybody's

in the library.

- What?

- They're all in the library.

- Who is?

- Our board of directors.

Gentlemen,

I-I...

Brant, we have

got to do something.

If we don't answer this suit

they'll chop us up into

four or five companies.

Nass did a cartoon

of you as octopus.

When the word got out, the

market went down seven points.

- When I started working for...

- Who are you?

Johnson, Vice President

in-charge of lumberjack tobacco.

I appointed him to

the board when you were away.

What do you all want?

It's about the monopoly suit

I sent you all

the details, didn't I?

- I did, I haven't read it yet.

- What?

I-I can't make any decisions

now, I'm not interested at...

But we have to make

some decision now.

- I said I'm not interested.

- Brant?

Get them outta here,

get rid of them.

Gentlemen,

I'm sure you understand.

Mr. Royle's had a very difficult

journey, in a..

Few days, when he's rested..

We'll have another meeting.

Without me, Royle is big

but he isn't that big.

I'll tell him

you said so.

They all resigned.

Get a new set, the woods

are full of vice presidents.

I'll try to find

some with thicker skins.

- Did you have a nice trip?

- No.

Glad to hear.

Brant, this thing

in Washington is serious.

Monopoly is getting

to be an ugly word.

We haven't

broken any laws.

Some of 'em

are trifle bent.

But that is not

what worries me.

Where is the Attorney General

getting his information?

Have you heard from

John Barton lately?

I think it's Barton myself,

but we have to be sure.

Let me call

in the Piggegons.

No detectives,

when you hire detectives

you have to tell them what

they're looking for and why.

They won't find anything

we don't know already.

But they'll know

why it's important.

I'll see you

at the office.

Brant..

What's the matter?

What makes you think

it's any of your business?

If we weren't friends

I'd keep my mouth shut.

There's something

that's eating you.

Gone for a year, I'm trying

to bring you up to date

you haven't heard half

of what I've said.

You seem to have

something on your mind and..

I've got a pretty,

good idea what it is.

I've seen marriages before where

the wife didn't like the idea...

I don't need you pokin'

into my private affairs.

Alright,

forget it.

You looked like a man who

could use a little friendship.

I should've

known better.

By the way,

I almost forgot..

Welcome home, Brant.

- Finished?

- Finished.

- That much?

- That much, not any less.

If Mr. Royle

finds out I did this...

- He won't, I'll take the blame.

- You'll take the blame for it?

Must be the paneling, there

seems to be an echo in here.

If that's more about

the monopoly suit...

No, no this

is something else.

You're not gonna like

this, it's personal.

There are your

private accounts.

These are

the stock market records.

It's all down there.

Right now there's

only a fraction of our net worth

but stock holders can ask some

very embarrassing questions it.

Don't bother

me with this.

And I've been thinkin'

you knew about it.

Here.

You cabled me from London.

Your wife's Singleton company

stock in equal paces

with Royle share for share.

I objected your remember?

You cabled that

it was all in the family.

There that's

the drawing account

that you placed

in Mrs. Royle's disposal.

Take a good look at it.

You'll find some

of the items are rather heavy.

According to these

reports from NYSE.

Mrs. Royle no longer

owns any of our shares.

She's been selling steadily

for the past seven months.

It isn't in

the family anymore.

What're you

drivin' at?

I've added it

up for ya.

There it is.

Your wife has dug into this

company for two million dollars.

Not exactly

a love match.

You can't buy me out

at the market price.

I'm getting out,

Brant, I've had enough of.

First, it was Sonia,

then Barton and the others..

It had to be

my turn sooner or later.

I'll head our office

at New York if you want but..

I'm leaving here.

You're not gettin' out,

you're not goin' anywhere.

You'll stay here,

just like you always have

only from now on you'll take

orders same as the others.

No way you

can hold me.

You make one

move to sell out

and I'll dump so many

Royle shares on the market

they'll be buyin'

'em with cigar coupons.

After all the others

break in, you'll be easy.

Alright.

I'll hang around a while

just out of curiosity.

Wanna find out

what happens to ya.

I think that

might be interesting.

Good evening, Mr. Royle.

Ask Mrs. Royle if she

could see me in the library.

She went out

this afternoon.

She left this

for you, sir.

Shall we keep

dinner waiting?

No, Mrs. Royle's going to

Ms. Tabitha's for Christmas.

- I'll eat alone.

- Yes, sir.

- Ms. Sonia's asleep.

- Open this door, let me in.

Go away,

Ms. Sonia's asleep.

Ms. Sonia!

Shall I call

the police, Ms. Sonia?

No.

Mr. Royle is just here

to wish me a merry Christmas

in his own

charming way.

Is it alright?

Hadn't I better call the police?

No, Queenie,

I can handle him.

'I've had

enough practice.'

Come here.

I said,

come here.

I feel

sorry for you.

You're my girl, you always

were and always will be.

You haven't forgotten me,

don't pretend you have.

Isn't this

a little silly?

Sonia, it's-it's Christmas.

You're not getting

any presents from me.

I haven't seen you

in a while I thought...

I know what you thought.

Now get out.

I always thought that if there

was one person I could depend on

it was you.

That was

a long time ago.

You've never been

beaten before have you?

Now you're beginning to

find out how it feels.

I know what you're

talking about.

I'm talking

about you.

Your marriage and that

life you live in the house

you couldn't wait to own.

You made your bed but it

isn't soft and comfortable.

It's a cold bed

isn't it?

I got what I wanted, I don't

need you, I don't need anybody.

That's why you come visiting

me in the middle of the night.

Now get out

and don't come back.

Next time there'll be

a bigger chain on the door.

I didn't expect

this, not from you

not after all

I've done for ya.

What have you

ever done for me?

I made you rich.

Who are you, Brant?

How can you live with

a world with people

and a heart all

choked up with money?

It's in you

like a stone.

Go back to your mansion,

where you can buy anything.

Except the way I loved you once.

Go back to Margaret.

You deserve each other.

Merry Christmas, Sonia.

- Happy New Year.

- Thank you.

I didn't know you were

still here, Mr. Royle.

- I've been goin' over these.

- Over these?

Oh yes,

those... those.

You knew about. Mrs. Royle too,

why didn't you tell me?

Tell you, I-I'm afraid,

I was afraid.

Mr. Malley's still here too,

he's with a detective.

- Detective?

- Detective.

I would've dropped this

advocate at that point

but your orders

were very explicit.

That'll be all,

thanks for coming in.

Who is this?

Mr. Norman. He's applying

for a position in the company.

- Application blank?

- Mr. Royle I'd like to...

You're a detective,

you were hired to find out

the intel sources of the AG

about the Royles company

that's your report, read it!

Let it go, Brant. There's

nothing in it that matters.

Then why not

let him read it?

It's Barton,

just as you thought.

Facts and figures, it

all came from Barton.

Where did Barton get it? I

bought him out over a year ago.

There's one name that could

possibly be on that report

that might explain a great deal.

Assuming there is one such name,

do you know how important it is?

What name is that?

- What name?

- Mrs. Margaret Royle.

Going somewhere?

Savannah.

I've been invited

to the Governor's ball.

I'll only

be gone a week.

Only a week

this time?

Before that only

two weeks at Ms. Tabby's.

It's nice of you

to come home at all.

No quarrels please.

I have a headache.

I've had a headache ever

since we were married.

She bought this in Paris,

on our honeymoon.

'Very daring,

you could see through it.'

Brant!

Tabby doesn't mind.

She knows everything

there is to know about us.

Maybe even more than I do,

huh Tabby?

How much

do you know?

How much, Tabby!

I mind my own

business.

I wonder.

Gee, look at this.

Beautiful, you wouldn't

think anything so beautiful

would be a lie.

How's my old friend,

Barton these days?

Did you see

him in Washington?

I thought you

were in on it.

Whose idea was it?

Yours or Barton's?

Mine.

I wondered how long it

would be before you found out

what I was doing.

First I was nervous.

I thought surely you'd

suspect right away.

But you were so sure

of yourself, that made it easy.

Never in your mind

that something was wrong.

Until now.

I have lied to myself

from the beginning.

After a while

that's all there was

you lyin' to me

and me lying to myself.

When did it start?

When my father died.

The day he was buried

I thought of nothin' else.

How to destroy you..

Had to make you

suffer as he did.

And I have,

haven't I?

Now I want a divorce.

That's one humiliation

I won't stand for.

You're not gonna drag me

through a divorce court.

What else

is there?

You gonna

forgive me?

You'll willing to

forget all I've done?

Darling, you are ridiculous.

Where are all those people

who were so afraid of you?

In your factories

in Kingsmont..

What would they say if

they could see you like this?

Like an ol' hand dog

that comes crawlin' back

after you've kicked it..

Scrammin' in the dirt

right up to your feet

so you can kick him again.

I've never seen you before

the way you really are.

This is what I've been

driving myself to get, is it?

I feel like I've been

wallowing in filth.

If that's what you wanted

I hope it's made you happy.

Now, get out of here.

I will.

But you'll never forget me.

With all of

your wealth and power

there won't be a day or an hour

that you'll get me

out of your mind.

Till the day you die,

you'll remember the Singletons.

What they've

done to you.

You're insane

like your father.

You're out of your mind

with pride and arrogance.

You'd like to believe

that wouldn't you?

You like to comfort yourself

thinkin' that anybody

dare stand up to the high

and mighty Brant Royle

is crazy-mad.

I knew exactly what I

was doing all this time.

Remember that, Brant.

You know what kept me going?

What made it possible

for me to bear you?

I was thinking of this..

This moment.

The look on your face.

'The way you'd feel

when you found out.'

'I lived for it.'

Now it's over.

And I'll forget it.

See if you can.

Dirty, rotten!

Don't come back to this valley,

never come back!

Take what you've got

and get out with it.

'Goodbye to you Singletons

and good riddance!'

You wanted Singleton house,

you've always wanted it.

It's your now.

You've paid

enough for it.

Stop!

Let it burn!

Stop it!

I said let it burn!

I want to see it burnt.

Don't you understand?

I told you not

to come here again.

It's the 20th century, Brant,

let's start it right.

With you leaving me... alone.

I came to say goodbye.

You're hurt.

Seems like I always come

to you when I'm hurt.

Margaret's left me.

Singleton house,

burnt out last night.

There's nothing

left of it.

It meant a lot to me once,

it meant everything.

I stood there

and watched it burn and..

It meant nothing at all.

Wasn't anything saved?

- Couldn't they...

- I let it burn.

They could've

stopped it maybe.

I wouldn't let 'em try,

I wanted it to burn.

Whatever it was, it's been

eatin' in me all these years

seemed to burn out with it.

I'm glad to be rid off it,

I came here to tell you that.

Somehow after all this time

I've found... peace, I guess.

I don't have to bull

my way through anymore.

I'm leaving

Kingsmont, Sonia.

But you're business,

this monopoly suit?

Malley will

take care of it.

Royle Incorporated is so

big now it doesn't even need me.

Anyhow, it's just a way of

getting what I thought I wanted.

You've got

everything you wanted

everything there was.

And I lost

everything worth having.

Including you.

If you're asking me something,

Brant, you're late with it.

Years late.

I figured it

that way.

Sonia..

I'm sorry.

I don't remember sayin' that

to anybody ever in my life.

It isn't easy for me to say it,

but I owe you that.

I'm sorry.

You fool,

you stubborn fool.

Why did it have to take all

these years to teach you?

Go ahead,

I've got it comin'.

You had something in you

once I loved. It's gone now.

I've watched

you k*ll it.

That hungry wildness, it's dead.

Beaten out of you

because you wouldn't listen.

You had to do

everything the hard way.

Till there's nothing left of

the Brant Royle, I loved once.

I helped you get started..

But if I had to do

it all over again..

And you came

and asked me for money..

I wouldn't give you

one red cent.

If we had to do it all

over again, I wouldn't ask.

Goodbye, carpetbagger.

If it means

anything to you now..

The worst mistake I made..

Was you.