When the Clock Strikes (1961) - full transcript
A condemned criminal's acquaintances gather at a remote lodge on the eve of his execution to search for hidden money.
♪ ♪
Good morning, teacher.
Oh, I'm not a teacher.
Oh, and I'm not a duck.
I'm the worst cat
in seven states.
Look, my car is over there.
I... I stalled it.
I must've dampened the motor
when I hit a puddle.
Would you mind
giving me a push?
That wouldn't be safe
on a stormy night like this.
Look...
Look, er... If I can't
get a push, would you mind
giving me a lift?
Sure.
The heat feels good.
And your car, it...
was pointing
in the other direction.
Too bad, isn't it?
Excuse me, but...
If your car was heading down,
it seems odd that
you would take a
lift from a stranger
heading up.
Am I supposed to mind
which way I'm going,
up or down?
Were you lost or something?
Aren't we all?
What was that?
A tree fell down behind us.
Phew.
Was a close one.
Now we can't turn back
if we wanted to.
Oh, they'll clear the tree
off the road pretty soon.
Why does that frighten you?
A tree down behind us,
and...
Ten miles ahead,
this road dwindles off
and ends.
It's like a door closing
behind you.
And you have to go on
all the way.
The tree missed us.
Everything misses you
if you're moving fast enough.
You don't mind moving fast?
I always have.
It saves time.
I guess so.
'Course, there's other things
people can use more than time.
-What?
-Money.
You can't do much
without money, no matter
how much time you have.
You can't do anything
without time.
You sound like a guy heading
for the electric chair.
Aren't we?
You tryin' to give me
the creeps?
I'm sorry.
State prison's around here
somewhere. I was just
trying to make a joke.
Well, it touched
close to home.
Where is the prison?
Back, past that tree
that fell.
You tryin'
to find the prison?
No.
The warden's house.
The warden's house
is up ahead, about a mile
past Cady's Lodge.
Why are you going
to the warden's house?
On a Friday night?
For no reason that I know of.
You believe that?
Look, I'd like to stick around
and find out that reason, Sam,
but, uh...
There're lights up ahead, I...
Yeah, it's Cady's Lodge.
I'll get out there.
[THUNDER CLAPPING]
You'll find
the warden's estate
about a mile up the road.
It's the only thing up there.
You can't miss it.
I hope I'll be
bumming you for a cigarette.
Mine got slightly wet.
You know, a while ago,
you thought it was strange,
a girl heading down the road,
accepting a ride
from a stranger
heading back up.
Yeah.
Yeah, I did.
But there's always a reason
for everything.
You see, I'm staying here
at Cady's Lodge.
So you brought me home,
you see. It all
make sense.
Yeah, sure.
Except you.
Me?
Going to the warden's house.
Not knowing why.
On a Friday night.
At eight o'clock.
Four hours before they hang
Frankie Pierce.
So long, stranger.
[THUNDER CLAPPING]
Well?
I didn't expect you back
so soon.
My car stalled.
You didn't get too wet.
Walk far?
-A man gave me a lift.
-Where'd he go?
Well, how should I know?
He was in a hurry.
Get me a double
scotch on the rocks,
will you?
Enjoyed the beer, Cady.
I can always depend on you,
Sheriff. Rain or shine,
one glass of beer.
No, cheer up.
You can always make
a living off the specs.
[CHUCKLING]
-Sure quiet up here.
-You're the only one
staying here.
No one stays here
in the winter.
-I mean, it's quiet for a...
-I know what you mean.
Quiet for a Friday night.
Quiet for an execution night.
Incidentally, the name
you signed on the register...
Ellie Pierce.
That's not your real name,
is it?
That's the name I put down,
buster. Take it or leave it.
But you can't be his wife,
or his sister,
or even a cousin.
You don't act like a relative.
Well, can I help it
if my name happens to be
Ellie Pierce?
It's a funny coincidence.
Frankie Pierce is the one
they're hanging tonight.
Yeah, it's a funny
coincidence. Let's just have
a good laugh, hmm?
You know...
Sometimes, I can't figure
the ones who come here
on such Friday nights.
Take the man
who gave you the lift.
Why is he heading north?
There's nothing there
but the warden's place.
Maybe he wants
to see the warden.
SAM: Is it open up there?
I don't see any lights
past the gate.
Mister, that's
the warden's house.
Warden of the state prison.
Now who're you?
I'm Sam Morgan.
I wanna see him.
Well, I'm Sheriff Mitchell,
and I can tell you right now,
you won't be able to see him.
Not on Friday night.
Well, I tried to phone him.
Well, I'll tell you again,
you won't be able to see him.
'Cause he's already
left for the prison.
Well, there's a tree down
across the road below.
He couldn't get to the prison.
Well, in that case,
he'll probably stop
at Cady's lodge
and phone a hand and have it
cleared away. He's gotta
get to the prison tonight!
-Cady's lodge?
-Yeah, back up and follow me,
I'll show you.
♪ ♪
You've got the weirdest set
of records on that jukebox.
I don't get much call
for that cheery stuff up here.
You've come a long way
to get to this
neck of the woods.
A long ways.
Just for laughs?
Some gag.
You don't act like a spec.
[DOOR OPENING]
CADY: Hello, warden.
Can you call
the highway patrol for me,
please?
CADY: Certainly.
Wet night out.
Real wet.
Yeah.
-Good evening, warden.
-Hello, Mitch.
This is Sam Morgan.
He wants to talk to you.
The phone is dead,
Warden.
Warden...
I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan.
I have no time.
No time at all.
I've got to get back
to my office at the prison.
I'll get out where the tree's
over the road,
and I'll have to walk
the rest of the way.
That's right, you've got
to be there tonight.
Tonight, I do.
-Any chance of a reprieve?
-No, no, none at all.
But Pierce might
tell me something.
Something vitally important.
SAM: Warden?
SAM: Then, uh...
I don't suppose
there's a chance
for a stay of execution.
You have a reason?
Well, uh...
Not exactly.
Well, if you had one,
you should've called
the district attorney
or Pierce's lawyer,
or the governor. I'm just
a servant of the state.
Yeah...
That's a good excuse.
That was an unkind thing
to say.
I didn't mean
to be unkind, sir...
I meant nothing at all, I...
I guess I have
nothing more to say.
Then what did you
want to see me about,
Mr. Morgan?
Well, sir, my...
My reason sounds
pretty weak but...
You mean to tell me,
you drove all the way up here
in this storm?
Yes, sir.
Well, who are you?
I'm a grocer, and I have a...
It's an odd hour.
But I have a feeling that...
That Pierce isn't guilty.
No, sir.
He's guilty, all right.
Maybe.
Maybe?
What is it, Mr. Morgan?
You're Sam Morgan!
Now I understand,
of course.
Yes, sir, I'm Sam Morgan.
I remember now,
you're the one that gave
the testimony.
WARDEN: What is it, Sam?
I don't know exactly how
to say it.
Maybe I can say it for you.
You're a man
with a conscience.
There aren't many left.
SHERIFF: Your testimony
closed the door
on Frankie Pierce,
and closed it permanently.
That's what that paper said!
WARDEN: No doubts left, Sam?
No, sir...
I, I, I...
I told them what I saw.
On the stand, I said,
"I thought the man I saw
running from the robbery,
"looked like
Frankie Pierce."
SAM: And that's all
I could say!
And that's all I said.
I said, "Yes, sir.
I thought the man I saw
running away,
"looked like Frankie Pierce,
but I'm not sure."
WARDEN: And you
told the truth.
SHERIFF: Uh, excuse me,
warden. If you're going
to walk far
in this storm,
we better get started.
WARDEN: One moment, please.
You still feel the same, Sam?
Yes...
I still think he looked like
Frankie Pierce.
But I've never been sure.
Well, sure or not, you've
closed the door on Frankie
and closed it tight.
The lawyers,
they took my words, and...
They twisted them
all around!
I, I, uh...
They seemed to think
my opinion was
better than it was.
All my life, nobody ever
believed what I said, but
until this trial.
Then they said, well,
"This is an honest
and reliable businessman,
this Sam Morgan.
"His opinion
is good and valid."
Then, you're not reliable
and honest.
I am, sir.
But...
No more than
anybody else.
I just said that
I thought the man
escaping, looked like
Frankie Pierce.
Then exactly what
do you want to see me about,
Sam?
Just that I'm not sure.
I've never been sure.
I never said I was sure.
SAM: The lawyers
took my words, and
twisted them all around.
They took my opinion
like I was a...
A big shot, or something.
You're a man
with a conscience.
Warden...
Will you see him...
-before they do it to him?
-I will.
Would you...
Yes, Sam?
Would you tell him something
from me?
Would you tell him
that I'm sorry?
Well, there was
a lot of testimony.
WARDEN: I don't think
he'll even remember
who you are.
Just let him
remember that...
Somebody's sorry.
Good night, Sam Morgan.
SAM: Good night, sir.
Looks to me like
you've just got
a clear case of witness-itis.
But it's not unusual
for witnesses
to feel like this on...
SHERIFF: execution night.
Mind if I give you
a little advice?
Don't stay around here.
Why?
The owner here's
a fanatic about
his clock.
We all set our watches
according to Cady's clock.
SHERIFF: He keeps it
exact.
Exact.
Well, I can't
very well get out with a
tree down on a road.
You wanna know exactly when
Frankie Pierce gets it?
Cady's clock will tell ya.
You wanna know?
Yes.
And I wanna know why.
You'll find out.
So you came all the way up
from the city?
When are you go back?
I don't know...
With a tree down on the road,
looks like there won't be
anymore specs tonight.
Specs?
Spectators.
Speculators.
The ones that come here
on Friday nights
and stay until twelve.
Twelve, they drop the trap
over at the death house.
And my customers get up
and leave.
[CLOCK CHIMING]
Don't be alarmed.
It only strikes 11 times.
This time.
Well, it looks like
there won't be anymore
customers tonight.
I guess Frankie Pierce
just didn't have enough
relatives or friends to come.
Don't be startled.
That was for 11:30.
On the house.
"Morgan testimony clinches
Pierce case."
Well, you're a new one.
Usually, it's friends or
relatives, or
even enemies that
come up here on Friday nights.
Sometimes, even a cop
hoping to learn something
from the condemned, so he can
come up with
another condemned, later on.
But you're the first witness.
Can you beat it?
He's not even
related to the guy.
Just the witness
that set him up.
What are you here for?
A couple of quiet drinks.
You wouldn't have
much longer to wait.
Sam, what really
is your reason
for coming up here?
Is it that you think
he's not guilty?
They judged him guilty!
The only thing I'm not sure of
is my identification of him.
I was never sure.
I never said I was sure.
Then what are you here for,
Morgan?
Did you come here to see
the warden change
your testimony?
What if they hanged
an innocent one tonight?
And what if we knew it?
Cady, will you give us
a moment's peace?
I'd guess you were
Pierce's wife.
If you weren't
taking it this way.
Will you please go?
Are you Mrs. Frankie Pierce?
Do I look like
the grieving wife?
No.
Do I look like
anybody's wife?
Well...
I guess not.
Well, I am.
I am his wife.
For another 26 minutes.
I guess there's nothing we
or anyone can do now.
Why...
Why do they do it this way?
You know why
they do it this way?
Can it do any good?
They say it makes a man
think twice.
Yet, in the last war,
ten million died.
Who thought twice?
Who cares?
Who does care?
Sam...
Do you wanna wait outside?
-Ellie!
-Oh, Sam, stop it!
You can't stop it.
Telephone!
CADY: The wires are down.
I did it.
I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez...
I killed the policeman.
Frankie Pierce is innocent!
MARTINEZ:
He is innocent.
MARTINEZ: I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez.
MARTINEZ:
It was I who did it.
Frankie Pierce is innocent.
I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez.
I tried...
to call the warden.
I tried everything.
I get no reply.
I try.
MARTINEZ:
Oh, I try.
Madre de Dios mio,
kill me.
I did it.
That dying man is innocent.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
Nine.
Ten.
CADY: 11.
CADY: 12.
MARTINEZ: Oh, D ios mio!
Did you put the tree
down across the road
before me.
Why?
Why, Dios mio,
why?
Morning, Cady.
Ah, I guess the rain's over.
It's cleared up.
-Mrs. Pierce in?
-No, sheriff.
Well, I better leave
this here for her then.
This is the last
of Frankie Pierce,
even includes his clothes.
They're getting him all laid
out up there in a new suit
furnished by the state.
Yeah, that's the least
the state could do.
Too bad Martinez
didn't get there on time.
Well, he tried,
I'll say that for him.
Uh, got him locked up
in a cell down there now,
he's takin' it real hard.
Sam Morgan's taking it
real hard, too.
-He's still here?
-Yes, he took a room
last night.
He's been drinking
quite a bit.
Oh, that figures, I guess.
Man with a conscience.
I don't blame Morgan.
Terrible thing that happened.
Yeah.
One in a million.
Why didn't Martinez
call the prison?
Oh, he'd had plenty of time
to get to the warden's house,
if it hadn't been
for the tree across the road.
Like I said, he tried,
and you've gotta
give him credit for it.
Could he have confessed
to save Frankie Pierce?
No, not a chance.
Could he be a crank?
No, I wish he was.
But he proved that he did it.
Pierce died innocent.
Put another drink
for my bill, Cady.
CADY: Help yourself,
Morgan.
Morning, Sam.
Where to?
To the bar, sheriff.
To the bar.
And, after that?
Home.
SHERIFF: Home?
Home to what?
Oh, nothin'.
I heard you had
a grocery store.
Did you?
Mm-hmm.
Sam, now cut it out.
There's no sense
in you taking it so hard.
Mistakes will be made,
as long as there's
men on earth here to make 'em.
So...
We're all human.
How's Mrs. Pierce taking it?
SAM: How do you think
she's taken it?
Sam...
What do you know about
Mrs. Pierce?
Nothing, why should I?
You're gonna burn
your fingers.
She came all the way up
from Jordan to Mexico.
That's a lot of miles.
And yet, she doesn't seem
to be taking it
as hard as you are.
How do you think she feels,
learning he was innocent,
hmm?
Sam, I'm gonna tell you
something for your own good.
Frankie Pierce was no angel.
He's given the police
nothing but trouble
for the last 15 years.
That's the reason
they executes him.
SHERIFF: No, but he'd
have made the rope
sooner or later, anyhow.
SHERIFF: You sent him
in that direction.
Without any help?
Sam, Frankie Pierce
was a known criminal.
And there's one thing
I can't forgive him for.
Two years ago,
he took the bank
for $160,000.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
You know.
We all know.
I'm only telling you this
to ease your conscience.
The warden went to him
five minutes before
execution time, and he said,
"Frankie, there's nothing
that can save you now.
SHERIFF: "So why don't you
tell us where the money
is hidden?
"It's the least you can do,
and it might wipe some
of those black marks
"off your soul,
before we hang you."
SHERIFF: You think he'd do it?
SHERIFF: No.
SHERIFF: Frankie Pierce
had to stay just what he was
right up to the end,
a mean, vicious,
contemptible criminal!
Here he was,
a man about to die...
But still, he'd let that money
rot someplace, just
for sheer meanness and spite!
So you see,
he deserved...
To be killed for a crime
he didn't commit.
SHERIFF: I didn't say that.
But that money
belonged to the bank.
And I could never forgive
Frankie Pierce for dying
and not telling us
where it was hidden.
That's the kind of a rat
he was.
So stop blaming yourself.
You did the state a service,
believe me.
-Good morning, Mrs. Pierce.
-Good morning, Sheriff.
I just now brought
the things you requested.
Uh, Cady?
Mrs. Pierce's suitcase?
CADY: Here it is, sheriff.
Thank you.
You said you were going
for a walk.
I thought I'd bring it up
to you when you came in.
I thought
you had checked out.
You look like you've been
walking with four knights
with your conscience.
Ah, Ellie, I want to talk
to you.
Later, Sam.
I'm in kind of a hurry now,
huh?
Well, what happened?
A cyclone hit?
Oh, I get it.
Frankie Pierce's stuff.
Yes, and I'm Mrs. Pierce,
remember? I've got a right
to go through his things.
You're only looking
for the money, too.
What do you mean, "too?"
Who else is looking for it?
I was talking to the sheriff.
That's all he talked about.
-The money.
-What's wrong with money?
SAM: Nothing.
Did the, um...
Sheriff say anything else?
Nope.
I suppose you wanna
help look too...
for a cut.
No, if you don't mind,
I'll just watch.
No, I don't want
to look for it.
You might as well
let me watch.
From now on,
any sort of a secret's
safe with me.
Yep.
The law and
Sam Morgan'll never be
on speaking terms again.
The trouble with you, Sam,
is the minute
you stuck your nose
outta that grocery store and
into the world,
you got it clobbered.
Will you rip these up
for me?
The world wasn't ready
for your kind of conscience,
and you weren't ready for it.
He must've left
some kind of a clue.
It'll take the scissors
to open the seams on this one.
[SIGHING]
Cigarette?
No, not one of his!
When a man has so much money
hidden, and not leave a clue
as to where it is!
Is that the only reason
you came up here
Friday night?
For the money?
If that bothers you,
you can walk outta here
right now.
Don't look at me like that.
Just because they hanged
the man who didn't deserve
hanging, and it...
It hit you like
a dish of cold spaghetti.
Don't expect me to fall apart
because of it.
Get this straight, Sam.
I'm the lovely lady
from Play Girl's Paradise.
It's a two-bit chip joint
right down on Delgado Street,
just off Skip Road.
What's so funny?
You're going into this
big line,
that's what's so funny.
SAM: Say, uh...
What if I tell you
where the money is?
Cut it out, Sam.
Well, I have to put through
a phone call.
I'd better be from my room.
You comin'?
ELLIE: Sam, you mean it?
We'll split fifty-fifty,
Ellie.
ELLIE: Man, you catch on fast.
Okay.
Let's go.
Well, this brand
of cigarettes,
these Carnivals,
were discontinued
two years ago.
The factory stopped
making 'em. I used
to sell 'em in my store.
Two years ago. And that
was when Frankie Pierce
robbed that bank.
So what?
Well...
Between the wrappings here...
I found this key.
Well, it could've
dropped in there,
like a coin or something.
It had to be put there
before this brand
was discontinued.
-Then it was hidden there.
-Yes.
Two years ago,
when Frankie Pierce
got away with $160,000.
It's a post office box key.
Sam, there must be
a million post of...
office boxes.
How about the one
in Jordan, New Mexico?
Cady? Get me outside,
the operator.
Operator?
I want to put
a long-distance call through.
To the post office
in Jordan, New Mexico.
Shakin' like a leaf.
Hello?
Uh, I'd like some information
about my post office box
there, please.
Yes, I have a key right here,
it's number 311.
Um...
Uh, there was a package
to be sent to me there...
Would you mind looking in 311
and see if it's there?
Somehow, I've got him
make him tell me the name
of that box holder.
Yes?
Yes, uh, it's there?
Yes, I know it's been there
a long time, that's why
I wanted to ask you about...
Would you check and
see if my box rental
has been paid up?
My secretary
may have forgotten.
Yes, number 311.
[WHISPERING]
It's a package.
It's been there a long time.
But how are we
going to find out
the name he used?
I gotta make him say it.
It's the only way.
If he doesn't come back
to the phone and say,
"Yes, Mr. Jones,"
"No, Mr. Smith,"
or...
Yes?
Yes, of course this is
Frederick Freebuger.
I see.
Then she must've paid
the box rental.
Can you forward
the package to me?
Yes, uh, I will pay
the forwarding postage.
Air mail, special delivery.
It should be here
in about two days?
Three at the most.
Yes. To Frederick Freebuger.
Care of Sam Morgan.
Cady's lodge.
Route Two.
Well, I'll be closing up shop.
It's early.
Just eleven.
There won't be any more
customers tonight, not this
time of the winter.
What about us?
Help yourselves.
Just put it on the bill,
I trust you.
Oh, and if the sheriff
comes in for his
one glass of beer,
would you mind
giving it to him?
Sure.
Sam, are you gon...
Are you sure you're not gonna
wanna get out of this
at the last minute?
I mean, forget you even
heard about the money?
No, I won't wanna get out.
This is as close as
I'll ever be
to that much money.
-Come on, let's get
the suitcase.
-No, wait.
We don't dare
bring it down yet.
Not until we're sure
the sheriff won't come in.
You know, uh...
We talked too much about me.
Never about you.
You told me quite a little bit
about you this afternoon when
you hit the ceiling.
I'd like to hear more
about this, uh...
Delgado Street Playhouse,
or whatever it was.
You know, there's also
a Delgado Street in New York.
What do you mean, also?
I thought you were
from Jordan, New Mexico.
Oh, well, uh...
Delgado Street is, uh...
There is a Delgado Street
in Jordan.
It's a Mexican word, and...
I didn't know there was one
in New York, too.
Although, I've been
to New York.
Sam, uh...
How'd you lose your store?
Just went broke.
Lost my capital.
Was only $1,800,
but it cost me the store.
How can you lose your store
on a crummy 1,800 bucks?
Forget it.
I just went broke.
Businesses go broke.
Not after 20 years.
Come on over and
sit down, and
tell me all about
how you lost your capital.
Well...
When they started
twisting my words
at the trial,
I gave your husband's lawyer
my money...
To help him.
But, it didn't help.
And, first thing I knew,
all the bills
came due at once,
and I lost the store.
After 20 years.
This must sound
pretty dumb to you.
Oh, no, Sam.
No, it doesn't sound dumb.
Now, we're going to
have money. A ton of it.
And all we have to do is
sit here and wait
for them to deliver it
smack into our laps.
Air mail, special delivery.
Now would you like
to tell me more about you?
I will tell you that
once upon a time,
I thought I was
doing all right alone.
Until now.
I never knew what it was
to trust a man, or
to share with anybody.
Or to have someone with you.
With you all the way.
What're you trying to tell me?
That I like you, Sam.
Very much.
You look tired.
You wanna take a nap?
I'll watch for the sheriff.
No, I don't think
he'll be by for his beer
tonight, anyway.
Look, we'd better get the
suitcase down here, before
that fire gags up.
All right.
Don't make any noise
to wake Cady.
I'll lock the main door.
Oh, I'd like a room, please.
Oh, Mr. Cady's retired
for the night.
Oh? Well, how do I call him?
Well, uh...
I don't think we ought
to disturb him.
I'll take care of it for you.
I'll show you to your room,
Mrs...
Mrs. Frank Pierce,
Georgia...
Is anything wrong?
-Mrs. Frank Pierce?
-Yes?
Are you all right?
MRS. PIERCE: Oh, excuse me,
but I thought I saw
your hand shaking.
I know who you are!
Your picture in the paper...
You're the man who
testified against him.
Yes.
Oh.
I feel I was sorry for you.
It seems to be troubling you.
You can come out now,
"Mrs. Pierce."
Do you have to
keep calling me
Mrs. Pierce?
Maybe I shouldn't.
I wanna get Cady away
from the desk.
This ought to do it.
Stand near the window,
and watch for the mailman.
But Sam, he's not bringing
the package until tomorrow!
Or maybe even the day after.
Just watch for him.
Let me know when he's coming.
I wanna go down and
let him know I'm a friend
of Frederick Freebuger's.
-Sam?
-Yeah?
What about after
we leave here?
We'll have to lay low until
we're sure it's blown over.
ELLIE: What about my name?
You'll leave it like it is,
of course.
And when Cady realizes
I'm the wrong Mrs. Pierce,
or...
Or the sheriff realizes it?
SAM: Well, I'm afraid of Cady.
You wanna know
whom I'm afraid of?
-Who?
-Mrs. Frankie Pierce.
Yeah.
Say... Invite her
to dinner tonight.
Tell her the food here
is no good.
We'll take her
into town for dinner.
[CAR HONKING]
Here come's the postman.
Now, look. Call Cady.
Get him up here to fix
that pipe I loosened.
Keep him up here
for two or three minutes.
Okay.
I'm Sam Morgan.
-Oh, sorry. Nothing for you.
-Well, I'm expecting a package
but, not for a day or two.
Well, there's nothing yet.
It'll be sent for my friend,
Frederick Freebuger,
but sent care of me.
Well, uh...
It'll be along.
Do you usually get here
about the same time each day?
Yeah. Unless it's raining,
of course.
Well, I just thought
maybe I'd plan to be here
to sign for it, and
pay the postage due. You see,
it's being forwarded on,
and there'll be postage due.
Oh, well, the hotel
can pay for it,
and collect it from you.
Well, in any event,
I just thought
I'd plan to be here
if you get around here
about the same time
each today.
Yeah.
Unless it's stormy.
It's a little late for dinner,
but I guess it was
worth waiting for.
-Would you like
some more coffee?
-No, thank you.
Well, it was certainly nice
of you two to invite me
for dinner.
Well, Sam thought
with the three of us staying
at the lodge,
maybe we ought
to stick together.
You came quite a distance,
Mrs. Pierce.
Now I'd have thought
they could've sent you
his things.
That's why you came,
of course.
To get his things.
No.
I thought, maybe you came
to pick up his clothes
and luggage, and all.
No.
Okay, you came because of me.
Well, why do you say that?
Well, there's no reason
the cards can't lay face up
on the table.
Well, what do you mean?
Well, surely, Cady's told you
I've been staying at the lodge
a week
telling everybody
I was Frankie Pierce's wife.
Mr. Cady is a strange man.
Why?
Because he didn't tell me
any such thing.
Maybe you're
a strange woman, too.
You know, I knew Frankie.
Used to come into a joint
where I worked in New York.
We got friendly.
So why am I here?
I just dropped in to say
goodbye to my friend,
Frankie Pierce,
before they hanged him.
Only, they wouldn't let me in.
So I told them that
I was his wife.
So I'd make them
let me in to say goodbye.
It's as simple as that.
What isn't so simple is you
taking it so calm.
Aren't you jealous,
or anything?
No.
And you didn't come up here
to get his things?
No.
Sure. There can be
only be one reason
why she came this distance.
For his funeral tomorrow.
Of course.
Of course!
Look, I'm sorry.
There's nothing
to be sorry for.
Well, that is why
you came up here, though.
The funeral.
No.
Shall we go?
Check, please.
You folks going to be
staying here much longer?
No.
Gonna be here
next Friday?
Cady, isn't it about time
you got lost?
Yeah, you usually
go to bed early.
Yes.
I think I will, it's late.
Nice of you to check in
Mrs. Pierce last night,
Morgan.
So what?
So business seems to be
picking up around here.
I checked in another guest
tonight while you were out
to dinner.
Another Mrs. Pierce?
No, a detective from the city.
Turn down the lights when
you're through,
and whatever you drink,
just put it on your bills.
Sam, I'm scared
if he is a detective...
Frederic Freebuger,
New York City.
Sam, now we've got to get out
of here. We've got to get out
of here fast!
SAM: Ellie!
Look, you never even cared
about the money
until after what they did
to Frankie Pierce!
We don't even need it now!
You're getting panicky.
Get a hold of yourself!
I'm shaking like a leaf!
Listen to me.
When that package
gets here,
it will be put
in Freebuger's mailbox.
It's addressed to him.
Care of me, but to him.
What do we do?
The postman knows me.
All I have to do,
is get to him before...
Before he gets it to Cady,
'cause Cady would just
hand it over to Freebuger.
And who is the detective?
Why doesn't he show himself?
And why is he here?
I wish you had
the shakes I've got.
I wish you'd
get out of here with me!
Ellie!
I can't get out.
They changed me.
They changed me good.
[ELLIE SIGHS]
Sam, give me a cigarette.
You know something?
-I don't think there is
a detective here.
-What do you mean?
It can all be explained
if the man in 219
isn't a detective.
-Man in 219?
-Freebuger.
If he is a cop...
That means, he knows that
Frankie used the name
of Freebuger
to hide the money.
Well, then,
who is Freebuger?
I think we'll find
that he's a former friend
of Frankie's.
A New York hood, maybe.
Somebody who's
after the money.
Somebody who knew
that Frankie used the name
Freebuger.
And who couldn't get into
the post office box
down in Jordan
simply because
he didn't have the key!
They could've phoned him
like you did.
Now, who would think of it?
And who would realize
that they would forward
a package like that?
Well, you thought of asking.
Just a shot in the dark.
Maybe the man in 219 phoned,
and they told him
they were
already forwarding it to him.
Maybe.
Why doesn't he show himself?
I dunno.
That's the part I don't like.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
-Hi, Cady.
-CADY: Hi, Sheriff.
Rain or shine,
one glass of beer, regularly
as clockwork, eh, Sheriff?
Yeah.
-Sam, the sheriff usually
comes by at night!
-Take it easy.
Maybe he just dropped by
to get out of the rain.
I still wanna get out of here
in on piece.
Not until that package comes.
Sam, he's taking off
his slicker.
He's finished his beer,
but he's staying!
What if he's waiting for
the postman, too?
Get a hold of yourself.
That money's coming here.
Until it gets here,
we can't get out.
I better have another.
SAM: Another one?
Sure, why not?
I heard Cady say that you have
one beer only, rain or shine.
Well, that's usually the case,
but, uh...
I just thought, maybe,
Mrs. Pierce and I can talk
a little better over a drink.
-Talk? Me?
-That's what I'm here for.
I don't understand, sheriff.
You and me, talk?
Well, now, don't tell me
I drove all the way out here
in the rain
and broke a habit, and
had two beers, and no talk.
What do you mean?
Well, I have
a three o'clock appointment
with Mrs. Pierce.
What appointment?
Don't tell me you didn't call
and ask me to meet you here!
Sheriff, I have the least idea
what you're talking about.
Well, how do you like that?
Woman called, and said,
"This is Mrs. Frankie Pierce.
"Meet me at Cady's lodge
at three o'clock.
It's urgent."
SHERIFF: Here I am.
Maybe it was the other
Mrs. Pierce, Sheriff.
The other Mrs. Frankie Pierce?
CADY: That's right, sheriff.
I guess.
But it's only 2:30 now.
Maybe you'd better wait
until three.
Ah, there goes the postman.
Guess there's nothing
for us today.
-You two, uh, care to
join me in a drink?
-No, thanks, Sheriff.
Here's something I can't
figure out, Cady.
-Sam Morgan?
-And Mrs. Frankie Pierce!
It's going to
get harder to figure.
You just sit tight, let 'em
grab their best hole, and see
what they do about it.
Sam, can we talk
in your room?
What's wrong with yours?
Now what?
All ready to get out?
A day early?
Why?
Cady asked me to change rooms.
Well, that doesn't
sound right.
-But he did!
-Why?
Cady had a very good reason
for asking me to change rooms,
Sam.
He has to call a new plumber
to repair the pipes
that you wrecked yesterday.
Funny what $160,000
can do to a man.
Ellie...
I'm sorry.
Sam, did you think
I'd want it all?
Sam, there's uh...
Something I want
you to do for me.
What?
Go down to Mrs. Pierce's room
and find out why she wanted
to see the sheriff.
Please, I want you to.
-Can't stop being afraid,
can you?
-Sam, please go see her!
Sure.
And... Sam, while
you're there, tell her, uh...
Tell her not to get me into
anymore trouble?
Tell her, that's all
I've known since
I was a kid, huh?
Now, what else do you think
I might ask her?
Well, uh...
A girl that I'm in love with,
uh...
She has her false ideas.
But, like a lot
of other people...
She was interested
in the money your husband took
from that bank.
My goodness, Mr. Morgan.
I'm afraid I would have
to forgive anyone
for almost anything
if all that money
was their goal.
-Well, you have an appointment
with Sheriff Mitchell.
-Yes.
I'd like to ask you a favor.
Please don't
get my girl into trouble.
I'll level with you.
She used your name,
posed as Mrs. Frankie Pierce,
to try to find out
where he hid that money.
To try and get it.
Now, when we got hold
of his things...
This is all the money
we found on him.
All of it.
You're a kind man.
No, here, take it.
It's rightfully yours.
Please, Mr. Morgan.
Don't give me your money.
It isn't necessary.
But it...
My girl and I...
We tried to find out
where he hid the money.
You're a very kind man,
trying to help me.
-Is that
what you really think?
-Yes.
And I won't
get your girl in trouble.
Now I have that appointment
with the sheriff.
SAM: Excuse me.
-Where's Ellie?
-Gone.
What do you mean, gone?
Checked out.
She was afraid.
She didn't look afraid,
she just checked out.
Didn't she give you
that package?
-What package?
-A package came for you.
But you said the postman
had passed.
Oh, I was wrong, it was a car
that looked like his.
No, he brought the package.
She was here when it came.
Said she'd seen the postman
through the window.
Paid the postage due...
And she said
she'd take it up to you.
Came down a minute later,
and checked out.
-The package.
-Sure.
What's wrong?
SHERIFF: Sam?
Could you come over here
a minute?
I want you to hear this.
Sit down.
Mr. Morgan.
As I told you, I did not
come up here to get
my husband's things
or for the funeral.
I had to find out for sure
whether Martinez
was telling the truth
when he confessed.
And, the sheriff has
convinced me
beyond any doubt that
Martinez was guilty.
And, accordingly,
that your husband
was innocent.
What's changed?
Well, after Frank
hid the money...
He was afraid
to have any money.
Afraid even to earn it.
Or, to spend it...
Any money, whatever...
For fear that the police
would be sure that
he robbed the bank.
You see, his plan was
to stay broke.
Penniless.
I mean, even hungry,
just anything to play this
part of a poor man.
So he and Mrs. Pierce
moved in with his father.
Oh, my.
He and my father
quarreled all the time.
Frank hated my father.
One night, he threatened
to kill him.
MRS. PIERCE: And then,
the very next morning, he
seemed to be trying
to patch it up
by offering to go on a
deer-hunting trip
with my father.
Now, you listen to this, Sam.
You listen.
Well, they left for that trip.
And, uh...
Several days later,
we found my father's body.
He'd been shot...
It was a bullet
from Frank's rifle.
You mean, uh...
It was no accident.
He was murdered.
Frank murdered my father.
The police proved it.
They had the motive
and everything, until...
Well, the whole case
just suddenly collapsed.
Because, Frankie Pierce
was picked up in New York
and jailed for murder.
Tried and convicted.
So this is not a case
of an innocent man
being executed.
Well, I've got to get up
and tell the warden.
How do you feel now, Sam?
Right back where I started.
Yeah, we were wrong,
but only in a technicality.
Where there's smoke,
there's fire.
I've gotta hurry along here,
gotta drive slow in the storm.
Mr. Morgan?
You seemed so worried
and afraid last night
at dinner.
But there's nothing
to be afraid of now,
is there?
No.
Mr. Morgan.
I heard the good news.
You have sharp ears, Cady.
I suppose you'll be
leaving us soon.
-You sound anxious.
-Not at all.
You didn't answer my question.
Get my bill ready.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
I know it's only six o'clock,
but it's dark out already.
I don't mean to bother you
so often, it's just that
I'm expecting a package.
I wanna know if the postman
is likely to knock off early
and finish tomorrow.
Good.
I thought a rural carrier
might want to get in
out of the rain.
Thank you.
CADY: Well.
Took you quite a while.
Are you in a hurry
for me to leave, Cady?
CADY: It's just that
check out time
is four o'clock.
I should charge you for
an extra day, but I think
we'll overlook it this time.
$18 for rent.
$22 for beverages.
I'm about $10 short.
Why don't you write out
a check?
Ah, you see, when I decided
to come here, I drew out
all my money.
"Paid in full."
Let's just call it square, eh?
There's your receipt,
paid in full.
-Fair enough?
-Thanks.
Cady...
Uh, when Ellie left,
did she say anything?
Just checked out.
-She left no message?
-No message.
Goodbye, Morgan.
Can you breathe
through that gag?
I can remove it now,
your boyfriend's gone.
Too bad you two
didn't scare away.
-Where is he?
-He's gone, checked out.
CADY: I'll see you later,
when the money comes.
Why don't you
kill me now?
If it doesn't come,
or if it isn't that package,
I might wanna persuade you
to tell me what went wrong.
-And if it comes?
-If it comes, your troubles
will be over.
CADY: Yes?
I, uh, forgot
something in my room.
-You better hurry.
-Why?
Stormy again.
You're liable to find
another tree down across
the road behind you.
I happened to notice
what you wrote on my bill.
-Paid in full, Morgan.
-Yeah.
But it's in the same
handwriting Freebuger used
when he registered.
Well, you see, I had
to check him in.
There was a big fire,
and the poor guy burned
both his hands.
That's why he hasn't been down
for his meals or drinks.
I hope you'll find
what you left in 216.
Mr. Morgan!
I see you've changed rooms.
No, it's Mr. Freebuger's room.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
-No such man.
-Well, how do you
account for it?
I made a phone call once.
Cady must've listened then.
Mr. Morgan, what's wrong?
Can I help you?
I'm beginning to think
maybe I haven't lost my girl!
Ellie! Ellie!
[TAPPING ON DOOR]
All my customers checked out,
and I thought
I'd close shop early.
Unless you were coming down
for your one glass of beer.
You can't?
Too many this afternoon,
eh, Sheriff?
That ought to teach you
to stick to just
one glass of beer.
One glass of beer,
rain or shine.
Mr. Cady, what's wrong?
That gun!
This is your room,
Mrs. Pierce.
In here.
Ellie!
Ellie!
Sam, in here!
Sam, Cady knew the money
was coming. He's been trying
to frighten us away!
-Yeah!
-CADY: Yes.
It would've been better
had I succeeded.
Now I'll have to kill you
before the postman
gets here.
[GASPING]
SAM: He's a hunter.
He must have other guns!
SAM: The bar!
It's been laying out
in the mud in the rain.
Do you suppose it'll fire?
[GUN CLICKING]
[GUN CLICKING]
SAM: It works now.
There's a car
pulling up outside.
ELLIE: It's the postman!
Get over behind the desk.
Go on!
SAM:
Get behind the desk, Cady.
SAM: And don't show any sign
that anything's wrong here.
POSTMAN: I got that package
for Freebuger, and it's
in your care, Mr. Morgan.
Uh, Cady, will you pay
the postage due for me?
Uh, put it on my bill.
POSTMAN: Sign right here.
Oh, uh, can Cady sign for me?
I burned my hand.
Oh, sure, sure.
That's uh, $2.80 due.
Pay the man, Cady.
Thank you.
Good night.
Good night!
Rip a little
of the paper away.
The money, Sam.
You'd better listen, Morgan.
You can't win. As soon as
you walk out that door,
I'll call the sheriff.
[CAR DRIVING AWAY]
You think he'd believe that
an honest grocer,
a man with a conscience,
would steal?
And what if he does?
We're willing to run for it.
So what, Cady?
Sometimes, even
an honest grocer
can commit murder.
What do you mean?
Mrs. Pierce is
upstairs in her room, dead.
Her neck is broken.
CADY: Now listen to me good.
How will it sound
in court, when I pit my word
against yours?
You were the one running with
the money. Your girl posed
as Mrs. Pierce.
I'll tell the cops,
when the real Mrs. Pierce
appeared unexpectedly,
what could you do
but eliminate her?
They'll all be after you
for murder.
You know, it's really funny.
CADY: For if ever two innocent
people were headed
to the gallows,
I'm looking at them now.
Nothing can save you
except me.
One thing can save us, Cady.
What's that, grocer?
The simplest thing
in the world...
Honesty.
Ellie...
Phone the sheriff.
Tell him everything,
tell him the truth.
We're giving him the money.
It's the answer.
You're sure that's
what you want, Sam?
Yes.
Lemme think on it a minute.
Think hard,
it answers everything.
How it hangs Cady...
And how it turns us free
to be married.
It answers everything.
Honesty.
I don't have to think, Sam.
[ELLIE DIALING]
Mrs. Pierce was my friend.
A kind, gentle woman.
You know, I'm coming up here
on a certain Friday night.
And I'm going to drink one.
Not to your health,
but to the law.
And the rope that hangs you.
And when I come up on that
certain Friday night, and
the clock strikes twelve...
I'm not gonna hate.
Not this time.
Not when they hang you.
Hello, Sheriff?
You better get over
to Cady's Lodge right away.
There's been a murder.
And we have the money.
The money
Frankie Pierce stole.
You had us, Cady.
You had us dead.
But you forgot...
And I did, too, for a minute,
one little word that can
clean a man
of all his troubles.
Truth.
Sam, that's where my car
hit the puddle and stalled.
Yeah.
Where we met.
Up until that puddle, my life
was just like that night.
One, big, lousy,
continuing storm.
Ellie, things still aren't
going to be easy.
Oh, I don't want them
to be easy, Sam.
I just want them
to be worth the trouble.
You make them worth it.
Good morning, teacher.
Oh, I'm not a teacher.
Oh, and I'm not a duck.
I'm the worst cat
in seven states.
Look, my car is over there.
I... I stalled it.
I must've dampened the motor
when I hit a puddle.
Would you mind
giving me a push?
That wouldn't be safe
on a stormy night like this.
Look...
Look, er... If I can't
get a push, would you mind
giving me a lift?
Sure.
The heat feels good.
And your car, it...
was pointing
in the other direction.
Too bad, isn't it?
Excuse me, but...
If your car was heading down,
it seems odd that
you would take a
lift from a stranger
heading up.
Am I supposed to mind
which way I'm going,
up or down?
Were you lost or something?
Aren't we all?
What was that?
A tree fell down behind us.
Phew.
Was a close one.
Now we can't turn back
if we wanted to.
Oh, they'll clear the tree
off the road pretty soon.
Why does that frighten you?
A tree down behind us,
and...
Ten miles ahead,
this road dwindles off
and ends.
It's like a door closing
behind you.
And you have to go on
all the way.
The tree missed us.
Everything misses you
if you're moving fast enough.
You don't mind moving fast?
I always have.
It saves time.
I guess so.
'Course, there's other things
people can use more than time.
-What?
-Money.
You can't do much
without money, no matter
how much time you have.
You can't do anything
without time.
You sound like a guy heading
for the electric chair.
Aren't we?
You tryin' to give me
the creeps?
I'm sorry.
State prison's around here
somewhere. I was just
trying to make a joke.
Well, it touched
close to home.
Where is the prison?
Back, past that tree
that fell.
You tryin'
to find the prison?
No.
The warden's house.
The warden's house
is up ahead, about a mile
past Cady's Lodge.
Why are you going
to the warden's house?
On a Friday night?
For no reason that I know of.
You believe that?
Look, I'd like to stick around
and find out that reason, Sam,
but, uh...
There're lights up ahead, I...
Yeah, it's Cady's Lodge.
I'll get out there.
[THUNDER CLAPPING]
You'll find
the warden's estate
about a mile up the road.
It's the only thing up there.
You can't miss it.
I hope I'll be
bumming you for a cigarette.
Mine got slightly wet.
You know, a while ago,
you thought it was strange,
a girl heading down the road,
accepting a ride
from a stranger
heading back up.
Yeah.
Yeah, I did.
But there's always a reason
for everything.
You see, I'm staying here
at Cady's Lodge.
So you brought me home,
you see. It all
make sense.
Yeah, sure.
Except you.
Me?
Going to the warden's house.
Not knowing why.
On a Friday night.
At eight o'clock.
Four hours before they hang
Frankie Pierce.
So long, stranger.
[THUNDER CLAPPING]
Well?
I didn't expect you back
so soon.
My car stalled.
You didn't get too wet.
Walk far?
-A man gave me a lift.
-Where'd he go?
Well, how should I know?
He was in a hurry.
Get me a double
scotch on the rocks,
will you?
Enjoyed the beer, Cady.
I can always depend on you,
Sheriff. Rain or shine,
one glass of beer.
No, cheer up.
You can always make
a living off the specs.
[CHUCKLING]
-Sure quiet up here.
-You're the only one
staying here.
No one stays here
in the winter.
-I mean, it's quiet for a...
-I know what you mean.
Quiet for a Friday night.
Quiet for an execution night.
Incidentally, the name
you signed on the register...
Ellie Pierce.
That's not your real name,
is it?
That's the name I put down,
buster. Take it or leave it.
But you can't be his wife,
or his sister,
or even a cousin.
You don't act like a relative.
Well, can I help it
if my name happens to be
Ellie Pierce?
It's a funny coincidence.
Frankie Pierce is the one
they're hanging tonight.
Yeah, it's a funny
coincidence. Let's just have
a good laugh, hmm?
You know...
Sometimes, I can't figure
the ones who come here
on such Friday nights.
Take the man
who gave you the lift.
Why is he heading north?
There's nothing there
but the warden's place.
Maybe he wants
to see the warden.
SAM: Is it open up there?
I don't see any lights
past the gate.
Mister, that's
the warden's house.
Warden of the state prison.
Now who're you?
I'm Sam Morgan.
I wanna see him.
Well, I'm Sheriff Mitchell,
and I can tell you right now,
you won't be able to see him.
Not on Friday night.
Well, I tried to phone him.
Well, I'll tell you again,
you won't be able to see him.
'Cause he's already
left for the prison.
Well, there's a tree down
across the road below.
He couldn't get to the prison.
Well, in that case,
he'll probably stop
at Cady's lodge
and phone a hand and have it
cleared away. He's gotta
get to the prison tonight!
-Cady's lodge?
-Yeah, back up and follow me,
I'll show you.
♪ ♪
You've got the weirdest set
of records on that jukebox.
I don't get much call
for that cheery stuff up here.
You've come a long way
to get to this
neck of the woods.
A long ways.
Just for laughs?
Some gag.
You don't act like a spec.
[DOOR OPENING]
CADY: Hello, warden.
Can you call
the highway patrol for me,
please?
CADY: Certainly.
Wet night out.
Real wet.
Yeah.
-Good evening, warden.
-Hello, Mitch.
This is Sam Morgan.
He wants to talk to you.
The phone is dead,
Warden.
Warden...
I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan.
I have no time.
No time at all.
I've got to get back
to my office at the prison.
I'll get out where the tree's
over the road,
and I'll have to walk
the rest of the way.
That's right, you've got
to be there tonight.
Tonight, I do.
-Any chance of a reprieve?
-No, no, none at all.
But Pierce might
tell me something.
Something vitally important.
SAM: Warden?
SAM: Then, uh...
I don't suppose
there's a chance
for a stay of execution.
You have a reason?
Well, uh...
Not exactly.
Well, if you had one,
you should've called
the district attorney
or Pierce's lawyer,
or the governor. I'm just
a servant of the state.
Yeah...
That's a good excuse.
That was an unkind thing
to say.
I didn't mean
to be unkind, sir...
I meant nothing at all, I...
I guess I have
nothing more to say.
Then what did you
want to see me about,
Mr. Morgan?
Well, sir, my...
My reason sounds
pretty weak but...
You mean to tell me,
you drove all the way up here
in this storm?
Yes, sir.
Well, who are you?
I'm a grocer, and I have a...
It's an odd hour.
But I have a feeling that...
That Pierce isn't guilty.
No, sir.
He's guilty, all right.
Maybe.
Maybe?
What is it, Mr. Morgan?
You're Sam Morgan!
Now I understand,
of course.
Yes, sir, I'm Sam Morgan.
I remember now,
you're the one that gave
the testimony.
WARDEN: What is it, Sam?
I don't know exactly how
to say it.
Maybe I can say it for you.
You're a man
with a conscience.
There aren't many left.
SHERIFF: Your testimony
closed the door
on Frankie Pierce,
and closed it permanently.
That's what that paper said!
WARDEN: No doubts left, Sam?
No, sir...
I, I, I...
I told them what I saw.
On the stand, I said,
"I thought the man I saw
running from the robbery,
"looked like
Frankie Pierce."
SAM: And that's all
I could say!
And that's all I said.
I said, "Yes, sir.
I thought the man I saw
running away,
"looked like Frankie Pierce,
but I'm not sure."
WARDEN: And you
told the truth.
SHERIFF: Uh, excuse me,
warden. If you're going
to walk far
in this storm,
we better get started.
WARDEN: One moment, please.
You still feel the same, Sam?
Yes...
I still think he looked like
Frankie Pierce.
But I've never been sure.
Well, sure or not, you've
closed the door on Frankie
and closed it tight.
The lawyers,
they took my words, and...
They twisted them
all around!
I, I, uh...
They seemed to think
my opinion was
better than it was.
All my life, nobody ever
believed what I said, but
until this trial.
Then they said, well,
"This is an honest
and reliable businessman,
this Sam Morgan.
"His opinion
is good and valid."
Then, you're not reliable
and honest.
I am, sir.
But...
No more than
anybody else.
I just said that
I thought the man
escaping, looked like
Frankie Pierce.
Then exactly what
do you want to see me about,
Sam?
Just that I'm not sure.
I've never been sure.
I never said I was sure.
SAM: The lawyers
took my words, and
twisted them all around.
They took my opinion
like I was a...
A big shot, or something.
You're a man
with a conscience.
Warden...
Will you see him...
-before they do it to him?
-I will.
Would you...
Yes, Sam?
Would you tell him something
from me?
Would you tell him
that I'm sorry?
Well, there was
a lot of testimony.
WARDEN: I don't think
he'll even remember
who you are.
Just let him
remember that...
Somebody's sorry.
Good night, Sam Morgan.
SAM: Good night, sir.
Looks to me like
you've just got
a clear case of witness-itis.
But it's not unusual
for witnesses
to feel like this on...
SHERIFF: execution night.
Mind if I give you
a little advice?
Don't stay around here.
Why?
The owner here's
a fanatic about
his clock.
We all set our watches
according to Cady's clock.
SHERIFF: He keeps it
exact.
Exact.
Well, I can't
very well get out with a
tree down on a road.
You wanna know exactly when
Frankie Pierce gets it?
Cady's clock will tell ya.
You wanna know?
Yes.
And I wanna know why.
You'll find out.
So you came all the way up
from the city?
When are you go back?
I don't know...
With a tree down on the road,
looks like there won't be
anymore specs tonight.
Specs?
Spectators.
Speculators.
The ones that come here
on Friday nights
and stay until twelve.
Twelve, they drop the trap
over at the death house.
And my customers get up
and leave.
[CLOCK CHIMING]
Don't be alarmed.
It only strikes 11 times.
This time.
Well, it looks like
there won't be anymore
customers tonight.
I guess Frankie Pierce
just didn't have enough
relatives or friends to come.
Don't be startled.
That was for 11:30.
On the house.
"Morgan testimony clinches
Pierce case."
Well, you're a new one.
Usually, it's friends or
relatives, or
even enemies that
come up here on Friday nights.
Sometimes, even a cop
hoping to learn something
from the condemned, so he can
come up with
another condemned, later on.
But you're the first witness.
Can you beat it?
He's not even
related to the guy.
Just the witness
that set him up.
What are you here for?
A couple of quiet drinks.
You wouldn't have
much longer to wait.
Sam, what really
is your reason
for coming up here?
Is it that you think
he's not guilty?
They judged him guilty!
The only thing I'm not sure of
is my identification of him.
I was never sure.
I never said I was sure.
Then what are you here for,
Morgan?
Did you come here to see
the warden change
your testimony?
What if they hanged
an innocent one tonight?
And what if we knew it?
Cady, will you give us
a moment's peace?
I'd guess you were
Pierce's wife.
If you weren't
taking it this way.
Will you please go?
Are you Mrs. Frankie Pierce?
Do I look like
the grieving wife?
No.
Do I look like
anybody's wife?
Well...
I guess not.
Well, I am.
I am his wife.
For another 26 minutes.
I guess there's nothing we
or anyone can do now.
Why...
Why do they do it this way?
You know why
they do it this way?
Can it do any good?
They say it makes a man
think twice.
Yet, in the last war,
ten million died.
Who thought twice?
Who cares?
Who does care?
Sam...
Do you wanna wait outside?
-Ellie!
-Oh, Sam, stop it!
You can't stop it.
Telephone!
CADY: The wires are down.
I did it.
I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez...
I killed the policeman.
Frankie Pierce is innocent!
MARTINEZ:
He is innocent.
MARTINEZ: I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez.
MARTINEZ:
It was I who did it.
Frankie Pierce is innocent.
I did it.
I, Paulo Martinez.
I tried...
to call the warden.
I tried everything.
I get no reply.
I try.
MARTINEZ:
Oh, I try.
Madre de Dios mio,
kill me.
I did it.
That dying man is innocent.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
Nine.
Ten.
CADY: 11.
CADY: 12.
MARTINEZ: Oh, D ios mio!
Did you put the tree
down across the road
before me.
Why?
Why, Dios mio,
why?
Morning, Cady.
Ah, I guess the rain's over.
It's cleared up.
-Mrs. Pierce in?
-No, sheriff.
Well, I better leave
this here for her then.
This is the last
of Frankie Pierce,
even includes his clothes.
They're getting him all laid
out up there in a new suit
furnished by the state.
Yeah, that's the least
the state could do.
Too bad Martinez
didn't get there on time.
Well, he tried,
I'll say that for him.
Uh, got him locked up
in a cell down there now,
he's takin' it real hard.
Sam Morgan's taking it
real hard, too.
-He's still here?
-Yes, he took a room
last night.
He's been drinking
quite a bit.
Oh, that figures, I guess.
Man with a conscience.
I don't blame Morgan.
Terrible thing that happened.
Yeah.
One in a million.
Why didn't Martinez
call the prison?
Oh, he'd had plenty of time
to get to the warden's house,
if it hadn't been
for the tree across the road.
Like I said, he tried,
and you've gotta
give him credit for it.
Could he have confessed
to save Frankie Pierce?
No, not a chance.
Could he be a crank?
No, I wish he was.
But he proved that he did it.
Pierce died innocent.
Put another drink
for my bill, Cady.
CADY: Help yourself,
Morgan.
Morning, Sam.
Where to?
To the bar, sheriff.
To the bar.
And, after that?
Home.
SHERIFF: Home?
Home to what?
Oh, nothin'.
I heard you had
a grocery store.
Did you?
Mm-hmm.
Sam, now cut it out.
There's no sense
in you taking it so hard.
Mistakes will be made,
as long as there's
men on earth here to make 'em.
So...
We're all human.
How's Mrs. Pierce taking it?
SAM: How do you think
she's taken it?
Sam...
What do you know about
Mrs. Pierce?
Nothing, why should I?
You're gonna burn
your fingers.
She came all the way up
from Jordan to Mexico.
That's a lot of miles.
And yet, she doesn't seem
to be taking it
as hard as you are.
How do you think she feels,
learning he was innocent,
hmm?
Sam, I'm gonna tell you
something for your own good.
Frankie Pierce was no angel.
He's given the police
nothing but trouble
for the last 15 years.
That's the reason
they executes him.
SHERIFF: No, but he'd
have made the rope
sooner or later, anyhow.
SHERIFF: You sent him
in that direction.
Without any help?
Sam, Frankie Pierce
was a known criminal.
And there's one thing
I can't forgive him for.
Two years ago,
he took the bank
for $160,000.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
You know.
We all know.
I'm only telling you this
to ease your conscience.
The warden went to him
five minutes before
execution time, and he said,
"Frankie, there's nothing
that can save you now.
SHERIFF: "So why don't you
tell us where the money
is hidden?
"It's the least you can do,
and it might wipe some
of those black marks
"off your soul,
before we hang you."
SHERIFF: You think he'd do it?
SHERIFF: No.
SHERIFF: Frankie Pierce
had to stay just what he was
right up to the end,
a mean, vicious,
contemptible criminal!
Here he was,
a man about to die...
But still, he'd let that money
rot someplace, just
for sheer meanness and spite!
So you see,
he deserved...
To be killed for a crime
he didn't commit.
SHERIFF: I didn't say that.
But that money
belonged to the bank.
And I could never forgive
Frankie Pierce for dying
and not telling us
where it was hidden.
That's the kind of a rat
he was.
So stop blaming yourself.
You did the state a service,
believe me.
-Good morning, Mrs. Pierce.
-Good morning, Sheriff.
I just now brought
the things you requested.
Uh, Cady?
Mrs. Pierce's suitcase?
CADY: Here it is, sheriff.
Thank you.
You said you were going
for a walk.
I thought I'd bring it up
to you when you came in.
I thought
you had checked out.
You look like you've been
walking with four knights
with your conscience.
Ah, Ellie, I want to talk
to you.
Later, Sam.
I'm in kind of a hurry now,
huh?
Well, what happened?
A cyclone hit?
Oh, I get it.
Frankie Pierce's stuff.
Yes, and I'm Mrs. Pierce,
remember? I've got a right
to go through his things.
You're only looking
for the money, too.
What do you mean, "too?"
Who else is looking for it?
I was talking to the sheriff.
That's all he talked about.
-The money.
-What's wrong with money?
SAM: Nothing.
Did the, um...
Sheriff say anything else?
Nope.
I suppose you wanna
help look too...
for a cut.
No, if you don't mind,
I'll just watch.
No, I don't want
to look for it.
You might as well
let me watch.
From now on,
any sort of a secret's
safe with me.
Yep.
The law and
Sam Morgan'll never be
on speaking terms again.
The trouble with you, Sam,
is the minute
you stuck your nose
outta that grocery store and
into the world,
you got it clobbered.
Will you rip these up
for me?
The world wasn't ready
for your kind of conscience,
and you weren't ready for it.
He must've left
some kind of a clue.
It'll take the scissors
to open the seams on this one.
[SIGHING]
Cigarette?
No, not one of his!
When a man has so much money
hidden, and not leave a clue
as to where it is!
Is that the only reason
you came up here
Friday night?
For the money?
If that bothers you,
you can walk outta here
right now.
Don't look at me like that.
Just because they hanged
the man who didn't deserve
hanging, and it...
It hit you like
a dish of cold spaghetti.
Don't expect me to fall apart
because of it.
Get this straight, Sam.
I'm the lovely lady
from Play Girl's Paradise.
It's a two-bit chip joint
right down on Delgado Street,
just off Skip Road.
What's so funny?
You're going into this
big line,
that's what's so funny.
SAM: Say, uh...
What if I tell you
where the money is?
Cut it out, Sam.
Well, I have to put through
a phone call.
I'd better be from my room.
You comin'?
ELLIE: Sam, you mean it?
We'll split fifty-fifty,
Ellie.
ELLIE: Man, you catch on fast.
Okay.
Let's go.
Well, this brand
of cigarettes,
these Carnivals,
were discontinued
two years ago.
The factory stopped
making 'em. I used
to sell 'em in my store.
Two years ago. And that
was when Frankie Pierce
robbed that bank.
So what?
Well...
Between the wrappings here...
I found this key.
Well, it could've
dropped in there,
like a coin or something.
It had to be put there
before this brand
was discontinued.
-Then it was hidden there.
-Yes.
Two years ago,
when Frankie Pierce
got away with $160,000.
It's a post office box key.
Sam, there must be
a million post of...
office boxes.
How about the one
in Jordan, New Mexico?
Cady? Get me outside,
the operator.
Operator?
I want to put
a long-distance call through.
To the post office
in Jordan, New Mexico.
Shakin' like a leaf.
Hello?
Uh, I'd like some information
about my post office box
there, please.
Yes, I have a key right here,
it's number 311.
Um...
Uh, there was a package
to be sent to me there...
Would you mind looking in 311
and see if it's there?
Somehow, I've got him
make him tell me the name
of that box holder.
Yes?
Yes, uh, it's there?
Yes, I know it's been there
a long time, that's why
I wanted to ask you about...
Would you check and
see if my box rental
has been paid up?
My secretary
may have forgotten.
Yes, number 311.
[WHISPERING]
It's a package.
It's been there a long time.
But how are we
going to find out
the name he used?
I gotta make him say it.
It's the only way.
If he doesn't come back
to the phone and say,
"Yes, Mr. Jones,"
"No, Mr. Smith,"
or...
Yes?
Yes, of course this is
Frederick Freebuger.
I see.
Then she must've paid
the box rental.
Can you forward
the package to me?
Yes, uh, I will pay
the forwarding postage.
Air mail, special delivery.
It should be here
in about two days?
Three at the most.
Yes. To Frederick Freebuger.
Care of Sam Morgan.
Cady's lodge.
Route Two.
Well, I'll be closing up shop.
It's early.
Just eleven.
There won't be any more
customers tonight, not this
time of the winter.
What about us?
Help yourselves.
Just put it on the bill,
I trust you.
Oh, and if the sheriff
comes in for his
one glass of beer,
would you mind
giving it to him?
Sure.
Sam, are you gon...
Are you sure you're not gonna
wanna get out of this
at the last minute?
I mean, forget you even
heard about the money?
No, I won't wanna get out.
This is as close as
I'll ever be
to that much money.
-Come on, let's get
the suitcase.
-No, wait.
We don't dare
bring it down yet.
Not until we're sure
the sheriff won't come in.
You know, uh...
We talked too much about me.
Never about you.
You told me quite a little bit
about you this afternoon when
you hit the ceiling.
I'd like to hear more
about this, uh...
Delgado Street Playhouse,
or whatever it was.
You know, there's also
a Delgado Street in New York.
What do you mean, also?
I thought you were
from Jordan, New Mexico.
Oh, well, uh...
Delgado Street is, uh...
There is a Delgado Street
in Jordan.
It's a Mexican word, and...
I didn't know there was one
in New York, too.
Although, I've been
to New York.
Sam, uh...
How'd you lose your store?
Just went broke.
Lost my capital.
Was only $1,800,
but it cost me the store.
How can you lose your store
on a crummy 1,800 bucks?
Forget it.
I just went broke.
Businesses go broke.
Not after 20 years.
Come on over and
sit down, and
tell me all about
how you lost your capital.
Well...
When they started
twisting my words
at the trial,
I gave your husband's lawyer
my money...
To help him.
But, it didn't help.
And, first thing I knew,
all the bills
came due at once,
and I lost the store.
After 20 years.
This must sound
pretty dumb to you.
Oh, no, Sam.
No, it doesn't sound dumb.
Now, we're going to
have money. A ton of it.
And all we have to do is
sit here and wait
for them to deliver it
smack into our laps.
Air mail, special delivery.
Now would you like
to tell me more about you?
I will tell you that
once upon a time,
I thought I was
doing all right alone.
Until now.
I never knew what it was
to trust a man, or
to share with anybody.
Or to have someone with you.
With you all the way.
What're you trying to tell me?
That I like you, Sam.
Very much.
You look tired.
You wanna take a nap?
I'll watch for the sheriff.
No, I don't think
he'll be by for his beer
tonight, anyway.
Look, we'd better get the
suitcase down here, before
that fire gags up.
All right.
Don't make any noise
to wake Cady.
I'll lock the main door.
Oh, I'd like a room, please.
Oh, Mr. Cady's retired
for the night.
Oh? Well, how do I call him?
Well, uh...
I don't think we ought
to disturb him.
I'll take care of it for you.
I'll show you to your room,
Mrs...
Mrs. Frank Pierce,
Georgia...
Is anything wrong?
-Mrs. Frank Pierce?
-Yes?
Are you all right?
MRS. PIERCE: Oh, excuse me,
but I thought I saw
your hand shaking.
I know who you are!
Your picture in the paper...
You're the man who
testified against him.
Yes.
Oh.
I feel I was sorry for you.
It seems to be troubling you.
You can come out now,
"Mrs. Pierce."
Do you have to
keep calling me
Mrs. Pierce?
Maybe I shouldn't.
I wanna get Cady away
from the desk.
This ought to do it.
Stand near the window,
and watch for the mailman.
But Sam, he's not bringing
the package until tomorrow!
Or maybe even the day after.
Just watch for him.
Let me know when he's coming.
I wanna go down and
let him know I'm a friend
of Frederick Freebuger's.
-Sam?
-Yeah?
What about after
we leave here?
We'll have to lay low until
we're sure it's blown over.
ELLIE: What about my name?
You'll leave it like it is,
of course.
And when Cady realizes
I'm the wrong Mrs. Pierce,
or...
Or the sheriff realizes it?
SAM: Well, I'm afraid of Cady.
You wanna know
whom I'm afraid of?
-Who?
-Mrs. Frankie Pierce.
Yeah.
Say... Invite her
to dinner tonight.
Tell her the food here
is no good.
We'll take her
into town for dinner.
[CAR HONKING]
Here come's the postman.
Now, look. Call Cady.
Get him up here to fix
that pipe I loosened.
Keep him up here
for two or three minutes.
Okay.
I'm Sam Morgan.
-Oh, sorry. Nothing for you.
-Well, I'm expecting a package
but, not for a day or two.
Well, there's nothing yet.
It'll be sent for my friend,
Frederick Freebuger,
but sent care of me.
Well, uh...
It'll be along.
Do you usually get here
about the same time each day?
Yeah. Unless it's raining,
of course.
Well, I just thought
maybe I'd plan to be here
to sign for it, and
pay the postage due. You see,
it's being forwarded on,
and there'll be postage due.
Oh, well, the hotel
can pay for it,
and collect it from you.
Well, in any event,
I just thought
I'd plan to be here
if you get around here
about the same time
each today.
Yeah.
Unless it's stormy.
It's a little late for dinner,
but I guess it was
worth waiting for.
-Would you like
some more coffee?
-No, thank you.
Well, it was certainly nice
of you two to invite me
for dinner.
Well, Sam thought
with the three of us staying
at the lodge,
maybe we ought
to stick together.
You came quite a distance,
Mrs. Pierce.
Now I'd have thought
they could've sent you
his things.
That's why you came,
of course.
To get his things.
No.
I thought, maybe you came
to pick up his clothes
and luggage, and all.
No.
Okay, you came because of me.
Well, why do you say that?
Well, there's no reason
the cards can't lay face up
on the table.
Well, what do you mean?
Well, surely, Cady's told you
I've been staying at the lodge
a week
telling everybody
I was Frankie Pierce's wife.
Mr. Cady is a strange man.
Why?
Because he didn't tell me
any such thing.
Maybe you're
a strange woman, too.
You know, I knew Frankie.
Used to come into a joint
where I worked in New York.
We got friendly.
So why am I here?
I just dropped in to say
goodbye to my friend,
Frankie Pierce,
before they hanged him.
Only, they wouldn't let me in.
So I told them that
I was his wife.
So I'd make them
let me in to say goodbye.
It's as simple as that.
What isn't so simple is you
taking it so calm.
Aren't you jealous,
or anything?
No.
And you didn't come up here
to get his things?
No.
Sure. There can be
only be one reason
why she came this distance.
For his funeral tomorrow.
Of course.
Of course!
Look, I'm sorry.
There's nothing
to be sorry for.
Well, that is why
you came up here, though.
The funeral.
No.
Shall we go?
Check, please.
You folks going to be
staying here much longer?
No.
Gonna be here
next Friday?
Cady, isn't it about time
you got lost?
Yeah, you usually
go to bed early.
Yes.
I think I will, it's late.
Nice of you to check in
Mrs. Pierce last night,
Morgan.
So what?
So business seems to be
picking up around here.
I checked in another guest
tonight while you were out
to dinner.
Another Mrs. Pierce?
No, a detective from the city.
Turn down the lights when
you're through,
and whatever you drink,
just put it on your bills.
Sam, I'm scared
if he is a detective...
Frederic Freebuger,
New York City.
Sam, now we've got to get out
of here. We've got to get out
of here fast!
SAM: Ellie!
Look, you never even cared
about the money
until after what they did
to Frankie Pierce!
We don't even need it now!
You're getting panicky.
Get a hold of yourself!
I'm shaking like a leaf!
Listen to me.
When that package
gets here,
it will be put
in Freebuger's mailbox.
It's addressed to him.
Care of me, but to him.
What do we do?
The postman knows me.
All I have to do,
is get to him before...
Before he gets it to Cady,
'cause Cady would just
hand it over to Freebuger.
And who is the detective?
Why doesn't he show himself?
And why is he here?
I wish you had
the shakes I've got.
I wish you'd
get out of here with me!
Ellie!
I can't get out.
They changed me.
They changed me good.
[ELLIE SIGHS]
Sam, give me a cigarette.
You know something?
-I don't think there is
a detective here.
-What do you mean?
It can all be explained
if the man in 219
isn't a detective.
-Man in 219?
-Freebuger.
If he is a cop...
That means, he knows that
Frankie used the name
of Freebuger
to hide the money.
Well, then,
who is Freebuger?
I think we'll find
that he's a former friend
of Frankie's.
A New York hood, maybe.
Somebody who's
after the money.
Somebody who knew
that Frankie used the name
Freebuger.
And who couldn't get into
the post office box
down in Jordan
simply because
he didn't have the key!
They could've phoned him
like you did.
Now, who would think of it?
And who would realize
that they would forward
a package like that?
Well, you thought of asking.
Just a shot in the dark.
Maybe the man in 219 phoned,
and they told him
they were
already forwarding it to him.
Maybe.
Why doesn't he show himself?
I dunno.
That's the part I don't like.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
-Hi, Cady.
-CADY: Hi, Sheriff.
Rain or shine,
one glass of beer, regularly
as clockwork, eh, Sheriff?
Yeah.
-Sam, the sheriff usually
comes by at night!
-Take it easy.
Maybe he just dropped by
to get out of the rain.
I still wanna get out of here
in on piece.
Not until that package comes.
Sam, he's taking off
his slicker.
He's finished his beer,
but he's staying!
What if he's waiting for
the postman, too?
Get a hold of yourself.
That money's coming here.
Until it gets here,
we can't get out.
I better have another.
SAM: Another one?
Sure, why not?
I heard Cady say that you have
one beer only, rain or shine.
Well, that's usually the case,
but, uh...
I just thought, maybe,
Mrs. Pierce and I can talk
a little better over a drink.
-Talk? Me?
-That's what I'm here for.
I don't understand, sheriff.
You and me, talk?
Well, now, don't tell me
I drove all the way out here
in the rain
and broke a habit, and
had two beers, and no talk.
What do you mean?
Well, I have
a three o'clock appointment
with Mrs. Pierce.
What appointment?
Don't tell me you didn't call
and ask me to meet you here!
Sheriff, I have the least idea
what you're talking about.
Well, how do you like that?
Woman called, and said,
"This is Mrs. Frankie Pierce.
"Meet me at Cady's lodge
at three o'clock.
It's urgent."
SHERIFF: Here I am.
Maybe it was the other
Mrs. Pierce, Sheriff.
The other Mrs. Frankie Pierce?
CADY: That's right, sheriff.
I guess.
But it's only 2:30 now.
Maybe you'd better wait
until three.
Ah, there goes the postman.
Guess there's nothing
for us today.
-You two, uh, care to
join me in a drink?
-No, thanks, Sheriff.
Here's something I can't
figure out, Cady.
-Sam Morgan?
-And Mrs. Frankie Pierce!
It's going to
get harder to figure.
You just sit tight, let 'em
grab their best hole, and see
what they do about it.
Sam, can we talk
in your room?
What's wrong with yours?
Now what?
All ready to get out?
A day early?
Why?
Cady asked me to change rooms.
Well, that doesn't
sound right.
-But he did!
-Why?
Cady had a very good reason
for asking me to change rooms,
Sam.
He has to call a new plumber
to repair the pipes
that you wrecked yesterday.
Funny what $160,000
can do to a man.
Ellie...
I'm sorry.
Sam, did you think
I'd want it all?
Sam, there's uh...
Something I want
you to do for me.
What?
Go down to Mrs. Pierce's room
and find out why she wanted
to see the sheriff.
Please, I want you to.
-Can't stop being afraid,
can you?
-Sam, please go see her!
Sure.
And... Sam, while
you're there, tell her, uh...
Tell her not to get me into
anymore trouble?
Tell her, that's all
I've known since
I was a kid, huh?
Now, what else do you think
I might ask her?
Well, uh...
A girl that I'm in love with,
uh...
She has her false ideas.
But, like a lot
of other people...
She was interested
in the money your husband took
from that bank.
My goodness, Mr. Morgan.
I'm afraid I would have
to forgive anyone
for almost anything
if all that money
was their goal.
-Well, you have an appointment
with Sheriff Mitchell.
-Yes.
I'd like to ask you a favor.
Please don't
get my girl into trouble.
I'll level with you.
She used your name,
posed as Mrs. Frankie Pierce,
to try to find out
where he hid that money.
To try and get it.
Now, when we got hold
of his things...
This is all the money
we found on him.
All of it.
You're a kind man.
No, here, take it.
It's rightfully yours.
Please, Mr. Morgan.
Don't give me your money.
It isn't necessary.
But it...
My girl and I...
We tried to find out
where he hid the money.
You're a very kind man,
trying to help me.
-Is that
what you really think?
-Yes.
And I won't
get your girl in trouble.
Now I have that appointment
with the sheriff.
SAM: Excuse me.
-Where's Ellie?
-Gone.
What do you mean, gone?
Checked out.
She was afraid.
She didn't look afraid,
she just checked out.
Didn't she give you
that package?
-What package?
-A package came for you.
But you said the postman
had passed.
Oh, I was wrong, it was a car
that looked like his.
No, he brought the package.
She was here when it came.
Said she'd seen the postman
through the window.
Paid the postage due...
And she said
she'd take it up to you.
Came down a minute later,
and checked out.
-The package.
-Sure.
What's wrong?
SHERIFF: Sam?
Could you come over here
a minute?
I want you to hear this.
Sit down.
Mr. Morgan.
As I told you, I did not
come up here to get
my husband's things
or for the funeral.
I had to find out for sure
whether Martinez
was telling the truth
when he confessed.
And, the sheriff has
convinced me
beyond any doubt that
Martinez was guilty.
And, accordingly,
that your husband
was innocent.
What's changed?
Well, after Frank
hid the money...
He was afraid
to have any money.
Afraid even to earn it.
Or, to spend it...
Any money, whatever...
For fear that the police
would be sure that
he robbed the bank.
You see, his plan was
to stay broke.
Penniless.
I mean, even hungry,
just anything to play this
part of a poor man.
So he and Mrs. Pierce
moved in with his father.
Oh, my.
He and my father
quarreled all the time.
Frank hated my father.
One night, he threatened
to kill him.
MRS. PIERCE: And then,
the very next morning, he
seemed to be trying
to patch it up
by offering to go on a
deer-hunting trip
with my father.
Now, you listen to this, Sam.
You listen.
Well, they left for that trip.
And, uh...
Several days later,
we found my father's body.
He'd been shot...
It was a bullet
from Frank's rifle.
You mean, uh...
It was no accident.
He was murdered.
Frank murdered my father.
The police proved it.
They had the motive
and everything, until...
Well, the whole case
just suddenly collapsed.
Because, Frankie Pierce
was picked up in New York
and jailed for murder.
Tried and convicted.
So this is not a case
of an innocent man
being executed.
Well, I've got to get up
and tell the warden.
How do you feel now, Sam?
Right back where I started.
Yeah, we were wrong,
but only in a technicality.
Where there's smoke,
there's fire.
I've gotta hurry along here,
gotta drive slow in the storm.
Mr. Morgan?
You seemed so worried
and afraid last night
at dinner.
But there's nothing
to be afraid of now,
is there?
No.
Mr. Morgan.
I heard the good news.
You have sharp ears, Cady.
I suppose you'll be
leaving us soon.
-You sound anxious.
-Not at all.
You didn't answer my question.
Get my bill ready.
[CLOCK CHIMES]
I know it's only six o'clock,
but it's dark out already.
I don't mean to bother you
so often, it's just that
I'm expecting a package.
I wanna know if the postman
is likely to knock off early
and finish tomorrow.
Good.
I thought a rural carrier
might want to get in
out of the rain.
Thank you.
CADY: Well.
Took you quite a while.
Are you in a hurry
for me to leave, Cady?
CADY: It's just that
check out time
is four o'clock.
I should charge you for
an extra day, but I think
we'll overlook it this time.
$18 for rent.
$22 for beverages.
I'm about $10 short.
Why don't you write out
a check?
Ah, you see, when I decided
to come here, I drew out
all my money.
"Paid in full."
Let's just call it square, eh?
There's your receipt,
paid in full.
-Fair enough?
-Thanks.
Cady...
Uh, when Ellie left,
did she say anything?
Just checked out.
-She left no message?
-No message.
Goodbye, Morgan.
Can you breathe
through that gag?
I can remove it now,
your boyfriend's gone.
Too bad you two
didn't scare away.
-Where is he?
-He's gone, checked out.
CADY: I'll see you later,
when the money comes.
Why don't you
kill me now?
If it doesn't come,
or if it isn't that package,
I might wanna persuade you
to tell me what went wrong.
-And if it comes?
-If it comes, your troubles
will be over.
CADY: Yes?
I, uh, forgot
something in my room.
-You better hurry.
-Why?
Stormy again.
You're liable to find
another tree down across
the road behind you.
I happened to notice
what you wrote on my bill.
-Paid in full, Morgan.
-Yeah.
But it's in the same
handwriting Freebuger used
when he registered.
Well, you see, I had
to check him in.
There was a big fire,
and the poor guy burned
both his hands.
That's why he hasn't been down
for his meals or drinks.
I hope you'll find
what you left in 216.
Mr. Morgan!
I see you've changed rooms.
No, it's Mr. Freebuger's room.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
-No such man.
-Well, how do you
account for it?
I made a phone call once.
Cady must've listened then.
Mr. Morgan, what's wrong?
Can I help you?
I'm beginning to think
maybe I haven't lost my girl!
Ellie! Ellie!
[TAPPING ON DOOR]
All my customers checked out,
and I thought
I'd close shop early.
Unless you were coming down
for your one glass of beer.
You can't?
Too many this afternoon,
eh, Sheriff?
That ought to teach you
to stick to just
one glass of beer.
One glass of beer,
rain or shine.
Mr. Cady, what's wrong?
That gun!
This is your room,
Mrs. Pierce.
In here.
Ellie!
Ellie!
Sam, in here!
Sam, Cady knew the money
was coming. He's been trying
to frighten us away!
-Yeah!
-CADY: Yes.
It would've been better
had I succeeded.
Now I'll have to kill you
before the postman
gets here.
[GASPING]
SAM: He's a hunter.
He must have other guns!
SAM: The bar!
It's been laying out
in the mud in the rain.
Do you suppose it'll fire?
[GUN CLICKING]
[GUN CLICKING]
SAM: It works now.
There's a car
pulling up outside.
ELLIE: It's the postman!
Get over behind the desk.
Go on!
SAM:
Get behind the desk, Cady.
SAM: And don't show any sign
that anything's wrong here.
POSTMAN: I got that package
for Freebuger, and it's
in your care, Mr. Morgan.
Uh, Cady, will you pay
the postage due for me?
Uh, put it on my bill.
POSTMAN: Sign right here.
Oh, uh, can Cady sign for me?
I burned my hand.
Oh, sure, sure.
That's uh, $2.80 due.
Pay the man, Cady.
Thank you.
Good night.
Good night!
Rip a little
of the paper away.
The money, Sam.
You'd better listen, Morgan.
You can't win. As soon as
you walk out that door,
I'll call the sheriff.
[CAR DRIVING AWAY]
You think he'd believe that
an honest grocer,
a man with a conscience,
would steal?
And what if he does?
We're willing to run for it.
So what, Cady?
Sometimes, even
an honest grocer
can commit murder.
What do you mean?
Mrs. Pierce is
upstairs in her room, dead.
Her neck is broken.
CADY: Now listen to me good.
How will it sound
in court, when I pit my word
against yours?
You were the one running with
the money. Your girl posed
as Mrs. Pierce.
I'll tell the cops,
when the real Mrs. Pierce
appeared unexpectedly,
what could you do
but eliminate her?
They'll all be after you
for murder.
You know, it's really funny.
CADY: For if ever two innocent
people were headed
to the gallows,
I'm looking at them now.
Nothing can save you
except me.
One thing can save us, Cady.
What's that, grocer?
The simplest thing
in the world...
Honesty.
Ellie...
Phone the sheriff.
Tell him everything,
tell him the truth.
We're giving him the money.
It's the answer.
You're sure that's
what you want, Sam?
Yes.
Lemme think on it a minute.
Think hard,
it answers everything.
How it hangs Cady...
And how it turns us free
to be married.
It answers everything.
Honesty.
I don't have to think, Sam.
[ELLIE DIALING]
Mrs. Pierce was my friend.
A kind, gentle woman.
You know, I'm coming up here
on a certain Friday night.
And I'm going to drink one.
Not to your health,
but to the law.
And the rope that hangs you.
And when I come up on that
certain Friday night, and
the clock strikes twelve...
I'm not gonna hate.
Not this time.
Not when they hang you.
Hello, Sheriff?
You better get over
to Cady's Lodge right away.
There's been a murder.
And we have the money.
The money
Frankie Pierce stole.
You had us, Cady.
You had us dead.
But you forgot...
And I did, too, for a minute,
one little word that can
clean a man
of all his troubles.
Truth.
Sam, that's where my car
hit the puddle and stalled.
Yeah.
Where we met.
Up until that puddle, my life
was just like that night.
One, big, lousy,
continuing storm.
Ellie, things still aren't
going to be easy.
Oh, I don't want them
to be easy, Sam.
I just want them
to be worth the trouble.
You make them worth it.