Winterset (1936) - full transcript

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A small manufacturing town
near New York. 1920

Papa Mio?
- Yes?

Papa mio!
- We're working.

The car...
some men just took it.

Police?
- I don't know, they wore no uniforms.

They just drove the car away.

Maria Mia, you will pack bags
for you and the little one.

You'll go to New York.
Now... tonight.

It is perhaps dangerous that you should remain here.

I want to stay with you, Daddy.



Ademio, wash the face, wash it good.

Then you ride the train to New York.

You'll come too, Daddy?
- Yes, Mio. tomorrow.

Papa Mio, why be afraid?
- The pamphiets, the papers...

everything for the meeting
tonight in the car.

Oh, my poor Mio.
- For myself I do not mind.

But if they arrest me, what will
happen to you and the little one?

Sometimes I wish you could be
like other men,

working only for yourself,
for me, for the baby.

It is for him that I work, Maria,
for his future.

???????
?????? ? ???????

Leavin' a little early, Tommy?
- Ah, a little bit.

Thanks.

They got the paymaster!
- Why, he's dead.



Who did it?
- Did you see them?

Went around the corner.
I got his number, it's 93567.

The people of this Commonwealth

against Batalamio Romagna,
murder in the first degree.

Yas, sir, I got the license
number as the car drove away.

We found the car, abandoned,
up on Macey's Hill.

The revolver and the empty
pouch were in the front seat.

The back of the car was filled
with radical pamphlets.

There's no question
the paymaster was killed

by a bullet fired from this gun.

He worked at the factory
for two years.

He would know exactly what
time the paymaster come on.

He owes me $40 for printing
all for pamphlets.

He couldn't have done it!

He was home with me.

Daddy didn't kill the man.

Batalamio Romagna, stand up.

Have you anything to say why
the sentence of death

should not be passed upon you?

In all my life, I have never stole

and I have never killed.

I am an innocent man.

Everyone who knows me
knows this.

And you, Mr. Judge, you know this, too.

You will send me to my death
and should be sorry for me.

But really, it is me who is sorry for you.

In the dark night, I will be before you,

and you will know you
have done wrong.

You will be afraid... of me.
I am not afraid.

It is not me who goes to death, Mr. Judge.
It is you.

A living walking death,

with my face and my voice
following you everywhere.

And I'm sorry for you.

There is only one thing left for
this court to do.

It is not a matter of discretion,

it is a matter of the law

that is to pronounce sentence.

Therefore, it is considered
and ordered by the court

that you, Batalamio Romagna,

suffer the punishment of death

by a current electricity through your body

within the week beginning on Sunday,
the 20th of November,

in this year of our Lord 1920.

They've done it.
You saw tham, Mio.

You saw them murder your father.

An Eastern Law School - 1936

It is the custom of this University

to give to the graduating
class each year

some noteworthy case to analyze.

From the evidence, from the
attendant circumstances,

and with the perspective that
comes with time.

This year you will consider
the case of Batalamio Romagna,

who, 16 years ago, died in the
electric chair for the murder

of a paymaster he was accused
of robbing.

Atlantic University
Examination Book

Name Lucius Croxton
Subject Romagna Case

Date June 8
Findings Not Guilty

His own lawyer
did nothing for him.

Subject Romagna Case
Findings Not Guilty

There wasn't one witness who
could actually identify him

as participating in the whole thing.

Subject Romagna Case
Findings Not Guilty

There wasn't a shred of direct
evidence against him.

Alright.
Yes, sir, I'll tell him.

Yes?
- I'm from "The Daily Globe".

Dean Liggett's talking to the press.
Go right in.

Thanks.

One hundred and eighty-four
candidates for the bar.

Every one of them agreed that
there was no cause

for Romagna's conviction
beyond mob hysteria.

This is the first time

that such a unanimously
dissenting opinion

has been presented by
such a body.

Beyond that, they discovered
some new evidence.

Shortly after the murder,
the police arrested,

on information, a boy named Garth Estress,

who was suspected of being
implicated in the holdup

in which the murder occured.

If this was so, his testimony would
either have cleared Romagna,

or once and for all, have convicted him.

But his testimony was never given,
for the simple reason

that he never called upon to testify.

LAW CLASS ATTACKS
ROMAGNA EXECUTION

LIGGETT BLAMES HYSTERIA
FOR ROMAGNA CONVICTION

ROMAGNA COMVICTION
BRANDED UNFAIR

DEAN LIGGETT DEMANDS
REHEARING

PAROLED

Trock Estrella. Convicted two
years ago of narcotic violation,

Trock Estrella was released
last night after serving

twenty months of a five
year sentence.

Paroled.

Where's Shadow?
- He's downstairs.

He should be here any minute.

Alright, that's enough.
Scram.

Sir, the guard of honor
is all complete.

Still cracking, huh?

Some day you'll learn
things ain't so funny.

Okay, chief, anything you say.

Any boys from headquarters
been around looking for me?

You know, chief, prison ain't
agreed with you.

You're developing into a worrier.

They've got nothing on you.

They got what they might have.
It's not a year this time, no nor ten.

It's screwed down under a lid.

I can die quick enough without help.

Oh, what are you talking about?

You're the skinny kind
tat lives forever.

Yeah?

He gave me a half of year...
the doctor at the jail.

Six months I get...
and the rest, dirt.

Six feet...
- No kiddin'... on the level?

Look, chief, I'm... I'm sorry.
- But before that happens,

many of these boys
will know what it's like

to breathe and have no place to put air.

They will learn it from me.

Call 'em in.
Let's get going.

What's the hurry?
- I got work to do.

Some college professor
with nothing better to do

started yapping about the
Romagna case again.

Oh, that... you got
nothing to worry about.

That's what I'm going to find out.

If Garth Estress has talked...

Use your brains.
Why should he talk?

He's in it too, ain't he?
He can't talk.

It's only dead men that can't talk.

It might be safer if Garth was...
- Yeah... you won't be happy

until you've bumped off
everybody you ever knew.

That ain't a bad idea.

Nobody cares about Romagna anymore.

He had no friends, no family.

There was a son...
- Sure.

Off somewhere, hoping nobody will ever find him.

You don't suppose he wants it known his
old man was burned for murder. do you?

Just the same,
I'd like to know where hi is.

What brought you east?
- I heard something.

Same old business?
- Yeah.

There's a college professor
turned up some new evidence.

I couldn't find anything he
had writtenq so I beat it east.

I found this Professor Liggett's report.

I think he has something.

Sorry, boys, the soup's all gone.

Madam, your story's an old one.
We've heard it before.

Yeah, soup's been gone
in Seattle, in Los Angeles,

in Tacoma, in Detroit.

It'd be hard to mention a city

in which at one time or another
soup hadn't been all gone.

That's that.
- Yeah.

Where now?

To look for a man on an empty stomach.

Who?

Garth Estress.

Garth.

The glue lets go.
It's the steam. It splits your hair.

Can it be mended?
- I can't mend it.

Someone, somewhere would
gladly mend it for a dollar.

I'm glad to do it
if I had a dollar.

Got a dollar?
No, I thought not.

Garth, what did that lawyer mean
that wrote to you?

What lawyer?
- I found this letter in your room.

I thought I burned it.
- What about this murder?

Will you shut up little fool?
- But if it's true what they say

you knew all the time
Romagna wasn't guilty

and could have said so if they'd asked

So far as I know,
they'd never heard of me.

You're a good kid, Miriame,

but got too much imagination.

I wasn't mixed up in any murder.

If you hoped I had some criminal,
romantic past,

you'll have to look again.

You'll excuse me for not knocking.

Garth's home, I see.

He might not have been here
if I knocked.

How are ya, Trock?

I guess you can see how I am.

Who's the girl?
- My sister.

Happy to meet you.

Step inside a minute.
We have something to talk about.

No.

When I say "go out", ya go.

Go on.

If you listen, I'll riddle that door.

I just got out, see,
and I pay my first call on you.

Who started looking this up?

You know as much as I do.

It wasn't you turning
state's evidence?

The case was closed.
They burned Romagna for it.

Why should I look for
trouble and get burned?

I don't know, I thought I'd find out.

Who wants to go on trial again,
except the papers?

We won't talk, and unless we did,
there's nothing to take to court.

You forget the judge.
Where's the judge?

What judge?
- Read that paper.

Judge gaunt's gone nuts.

He's been going around proving
to everybody Romagna was guilty,

stopping people in the
street to prove it.

Nobody knows where he is.
- Why don't they know?

Because he's on those somewhere.

They got the police of
three cities looking for.

Well, why should that worry you?

He's crazy, ain't he?

And even if he wasn't,
he's arguing on your side.

You're jittery, chief.
You got the jitters.

They'll give you away sometime.

Now, don't jump the gun.

I've got pockets in my clothes, too.

Alright, take it easy.

Maybe you're lying to me.
Maybe you're not.

Stay at home for a few days.
- Sure thing, why not?

When I say "stay home,"
I mean stay home.

If I have to go looking for you,

you'll stay a long time
wherever I find you.

Be seeing you.

My son, who are they?

Let's not stay here.

I thought he'd come for
something horrible.

Is he coming back, Garth?
- I don't know.

Who is he?
- Who is he, Garth?

He'd kill me if I told
you who he was.

Then don't say it.
- Yes, I'll say it.

If I'm killed, you'll know who did it.

He'll not get away with killing me.

They'll pay for it.

Promise and remember,

I was with a gang one time
that robbed a payroll.

I saw a murder done
and Trock Estrella did it.

Remember that.

Trock shot the paymaster. If that
got out, we'd go to the chair.

That's why he came.
- But that's not true.

That's why you've kept silent.
- Well, I'm not silent now.

I won't sit here forever
looking at that door,

waiting for Trock and his submachine gun,

waiting for the police with a warrant.

And what I'm thinking is,
Romagna dead for the murder.

Dead... while I sit here dying inside.

Dead for the thing Trock did while I looked on.

I could have saved him, but
I let him die instead of me

because I wanted to live.

Well, it's no life...
- It can't be true...

My son, you're mad.
Someone will hear...

Well, let them hear. I've
lived with ghosts too long...

Oh, son, be silent.

Don't take this last thing from me.

It was little to keep even before,

but now, my son...
- Don't worry,

I'll be quiet and live.

I'll live even if I have to crawl.

Is it better... to tell a lie and live?

Yes, child, it is better.

Pardon me, sir...

but perhaps you could tell
me the name of this street?

This ain't no street.

There, where the street lamp is?

Oh that... that's the alley.
- Thank you.

It has a name, no doubt?
- No, it's just the alley.

I see.

You wonder why I ask, I dare say?

I'm... I'm a stranger here.
- Yes, sir.

There's nothing you can do.

Your old man was a radical and a...

dangerous man.

I don't like to say it...
- You're right, Carr.

He was a dangerous man.

Think of it, he believed that children
shouldn't be forced to go to work,

that a man should only work a
reasonable number of hours a day.

And when he was injured, he should
have care and medical attention.

That if he got too old to work, he should
be cared for and not starve to death.

Hey, have you gone crazy?
Those things are the law.

I know.

And my father died 16 years ago.

What's the matter, kid?

Nothing.
- Wait a minute.

Yes?

I'm sorry.

I thought you were someone else.

It's alright.

Why do you look at me?

You're unhappy.
- It doesn't matter.

You're unhappy, too.

How did you know.

Just looked at you.

Can I help?
- Thank you.

In all the miles i've traveled,
you're the first to offer me that.

I mean it.

Who are you?

Nobody.

Just a girl you saw among the tenements.

Seems as if maybe we've met before.

And maybe we'll meet again.

Kind of cute.

Just a kid.
- That's just as well.

The homely ones are bad enough,
but the lookers are fatal.

You exaggerate, Carr.

Now look... come here.

Somewhere in that deserted
and forgotten corner

of this highly advertised city

may lie the answer to all my questions.

Why don't you forget it, Mio?

I said I'd follow the trail to the end.

This may be it.

You'll only get yourself in trouble.

Lay off it.
- I can't lay off.

This thing didn't happen to you.

It left you your name.

It left me one thing only

and that's to be my
father's voice crying up out

of the earth in the quick lime
where they stuck him.

And my mother...

I tell you these county burials are swift,

cheap, run for profit.

Out of the house and into the ground,

wait a minuteq there's
some Romagna spawn left.

Something crawls there,
something they called a son.

Ease him out of town, boys,
ease him out,

not too gentle or he'll come back.

I will go back.

Maybe I can sleep then or even live.

Come in, my daughter.
It's cold here. A storm coming.

Soon, father, I'm just waiting.

What's his name?

Whose name?

Why, when you are young and listen for a step,

the step should have a name.

It's the way you make your living.

They've got no right to stop ya.

No more music, I tell the cop.

I've got to put him away, that's all.

Then you'll have to go on relief,
if there is any more relief.

Relief, I don't know,
but I can't play no more music.

The policeman says no.
Tomorrow I start.

How about a tune, Tony?
- Bet it won't play.

Sure, she's a good little machine.

Cost plenty money,
and two new records.

I only played twice, see?

Come on, give it to me.

Come on, I want to see you dance.

Yeah, let's see you.

Come on, shake 'em up.

Dance, kid?

Dance?

Go on, do your glides?
- Please.

They're gonna get married, honest.

Ain't it the most romantic
thing you ever heard?

Come on, let's dance.

Tell me your name.
- Mio.

What's yours?
- Miriamne.

There's no such name.

But there's no such nane as Mio.

M- i-o?

That's no name.
- For Batalamio...

Well, my mother's name was Miriam,
so they called me Miriamne.

Meaning little Miriam?

Come on, little Miriam.

Hey, you!
Hey... you!

What do you want?
- Sign off.

You mean I gotta go off the street?
- Sign off!

Hey, what's the matter
with the music, Captain?

Not a thing, Admiral.

We had a little party going here.
- I'll say ya did.

Please officer, we want to dance.
- Oh, go ahead, dance.

We want music.
- Sorry, I can't help you.

There you have it.

A perfect example of oppression

in the land where music should
be as free as air.

and the arts should be encouraged.

A uniformed dominion
of the intelligente steps in

and puts the limits of the
innocent enjoyment of the poor.

We don't go to theaters.
Why not?

We can't afford it.

We don't go to night clubs
where the women dance naked

and the music drips from saxophones
and leaks out from crooners.

We can't afford that, either.

But at least we can dance
on the riverbank

to the strains of an organ.

Bravo!

You ain't making a speech.
You're coming down.

Please I have my rights!
- No speeches.

You take hands off me!
- You want to get run in?

For what?
I haven't done anything.

One moment, officer.

There is some difference of opinion,
even on the bench,

as to the elasticity of police power

when applied in minor emergencies
to preserve civil order.

Say, who are you?

Sir, I'm not accustomed to
answer that question.

Get down off your high horse.
Who are you?

What are you doing here?

I'm a judge of some standing
not in your city, it is true,

but in another where there
are similar statutes.

My name...

My name...

That's strange.

I knew it only a moment ago.

I'll think of it again.
- Why, you fool, you're crazy.

Whatever they may have said or done,

let them disperse in peace.

It is better that they go softly,

lest when they are dead,
you see their eyes pleading

and their outstretched
hands touch you,

fingering cold on your heart.

I have been harsher than you.
- Lay off, I tell ya.

What have I done to be ashamed of?

Tread on them! Tread down
the aged and the infirm!

Yeah, that's right. You don't
have to step on the guy.

What's the matter? I haven't
stepped on anybody.

There seems to be an opportunity
for an ambitious young man.

Wait a minute!

Give the badge a chance.

He's doing his job,
what he gets paid to do,

same as any of ya.

Why, they're all picked men,
these metropolitan police.

They're handpicked for loyalty

and a fine upstanding pair
of shoulders on their legs.

It's not so easy to represent the law.

Think what he does stamping out crime.

Do you want to be robbed
and murdered in your beds?

Hey, what's eating you?
- He must be a capitalist.

That's enough out of you, too, professor.

I think you've handled the whole situation

rather badly from the beginning.
- You may not.

For that remark I'll be satisfied with nothing less

than an unconditional apology.
- Oh, you want an apology, hey?

You'll get one where you don't like it.

Get out of my way!
Come on!

Don't stop me!
- What are you trying to do...

Get out of here!

Wait for me.

Get out of here.

Get him inside, quick.
- Who, son?

It's the judge, judge Gaunt.

Get him inside.

Let us go inside.
This is sleet that's falling.

You will understand, sir.

We old men know how softly we
must proceed with such things.

I'm telling you, I saw him
with my own eyes.

It's the judge,
goofy as a bed bug.

I guess you thought I meant it
about waiting here to meet me.

No, I'd forgotten about it till I got
that slap of winter across the face.

You'd better go in.

I'm not your kind.

I'm nobody's kind but my own.

I'm just waiting for this
to blow over.

Wait a minute.

I lied. I meant it.

Yeah, I meant it when I said it.

There is too much hate in me
for any girl to know.

Whay hurts you so, Mio?
- I'm alone, that's what.

I'll go with you.

Where?
- Where you go.

You little fool,
what made you say that?

I don't know.

If you have a home, stay in it.

I ask for nothing.

I've schooled myself
to ask for nothing.

I take what I get and get along.
- Wherever you go, I'll go.

Oh, Mio, take me with you and let
them look for us, but we'll be away.

Where?

I have no house, no home,
no love of life, fear or death.

Why do you say that?

Miriamne, when I was child,

we climbed through an iron gate, my mother and I,

to see my father in prison.

He stood in a death cell

and he put his hand
through the bars and said,

"My Mio, I have only this to leave you,

that I love you and I'll love you after I die.

"Love me then, Mio,
when this hard thing comes on you

which you must live a man
despised for your father. "

Lie still and rest, my father.
I've not forgotten.

When I forget, may I lie blind as you.

What was his name?

Your father's name?

Batalamio Romagna.
I'm not ashamed of it.

Mio, why are you here?
- Well, I can't tell you that.

No, but there's someone lives here,
lives not far,

and you mean to see him,
you... you mean to ask him.

Who told you that?
- His name is garth... Garth Estress.

Were you sent to say this?

You must go before you
are seen or spoken to.

Why?
Will you tell me why?

Because I live you.

I... I can't tell you.

Miriamne!

Where will I find you
when I want you?

Never.
I'll bring you death!

Hey, you!

Why are you still around here?

Garth...
- You'll wake him.

You're not safe here.
- What of it?

If you slipped away and take a place
somewhere where we can find you.

Using what for money?

Why do you suppose
I've sat here so long?

That I love my home so much?

If I stepped around the corner,
it would be my last step.

But Trock will come again,
and if you're here, he'll find you.

Child, we can do nothing.

The old fool, she's waked him up.

I'm looking for a family by
the name of estress.

You will imagine how much
more than galling I feel it

to ask my way home,
and where I am.

This is New York City,
or part of it.

Well, sir, I shall lie under the deepest obligation

if you can set an old man on his path.

I'll put you on your way.

Only you'd be wiser to wait awhile,
if I'm any judge.

It happens I'm the judge

in more ways than one.

Can I sleep under the pipes tonight?
Can I, please?

No, not tonight.

There won't be any more
nights if I don't get warm.

Come in.

Thanks.

I must go.
They'll be worried.

You shall be well rewarded
for your kindness.

But at the moment, I'm low in funds.

Your name, sir?

My na,e is Estress
and This is my son, Garth.

Estress...

Estress...

Now, I know.

Liggett, that's the name.

He wrote some trash about you.

I came to tell you it is purely
fabrication, lacking fact.

It's true I could have called you,
but the case was clear.

Romagna was known guilty
and there was nothing to add.

Don't worry, I'll say nothing.
- Nor any of us.

You understand, if there were
any just end to be served

by speaking out, I'd speak it.

But there's none.

Bear that in mind.
- We'll be silent.

Excuse me, but I'm looking for a
man name of Estress, Garth Estress.

Do you know him?
- Estress, sure.

Down there, on the corner.

Thank you.

It's Trock.
- No, he wouldn't knock.

May I come in?
- Yes, sir.

What is it you want?
It's late.

I might say that I was trying to earn my
tuition fee by peddling magazines.

I could say that or collecting
old newspapers paying cash.

Highest rates.
No questions asked.

We've got nothing to sell.

You're fine, gentlemen.

My business is not an ordinary kind

and felt the need of a slight introduction

if I might get my bearings.

Your name is Estress, or so they tell me.
- What about it?

I'll be quick and brief.

A man died many years
ago for payroll robbery.

You have some knowledge of this crime.

Your testimony, if given,

would clear him of any share in the murder.

You may not know if he's guilty or not.
You may not care, but I do care.

I care deeply.
I'm asking you face-to-face.

To ask what?
- What do you know about it?

This man Romagna did he have a son?
- Yes, sir.

This man Romagna as you
choose to call him had a son,

and I'm that son and proud.
- Forgive me.

If my son can help, he will.
At the moment we are busy.

Tomorrow...
- What I have to say won't take long.

Tell me in a word what you know.
Is it for him or against him?

My son knows nothing.

I knew some members of the gang there,

and after the murder, they picked me up

because I looked like someone
that was seen in the murder car.

They held me for awahile,
but they couldn't identify me

for the most excellent reason I wasn't
there when the thing occurred.

That's all I know.
I wish I could tell you more.

That the whole story?
- The whole story.

Well, I've come 3000 miles
for this dead end.

You liar.
I won't believe it.

My boy, if he was innocent,
and you know him so, believe it,

and let the others believe what they like.

If you mean to say Batalamio
Romagna was innocent,

you're wrong.
He was guilty.

You lie whoever you are.

My father was murdered.

Romagna was found guilty
by all due process of law

and given his chance
to prove his innocence.

But who are you?
How do you know?

I've searched the records through
the trial and what came after.

And in all that million words, I found
one unprejudiced argument

to fix the crime on him.

And you yourself,
were you unprejudiced?

Who are you?

A face in a dream.

The judge.

The judge in the trial was younger,

but he had your face.

Could it be that

yes... the jury judge.

I sat there as a child I heard that voice.

I watched that mouth. I knew even
then, that you meant no good to him.

Are you Judge Gaunt?

I am.

Why are you here?

Because I'm an upright
judge and want the truth.

I've searched and compared and
verified the transcripts of the trial.

Without prejudice, no doubt.

It was never in your mind to
prove that you've been right.

I'm conscious of that, too

that that might be my purpose

and still, I found no error.

I watched all modern comment

and saw it centered finally on one fact

Garth Estress was not called.

This is Garth Estress and
you have heard him.

Would his deposition have
justified a new trial?

It would not.

My boy, can it not be and
I ask this quite honestly,

that the great injustice
was on your side, not on mine?

Can it not be true that you,

who were touched closest by the tragedy,

may not have lost perspective?
- Do you think I'm crazy?

Is that what you mean to say?

Is it not true that wherever you walked,

he's still walking by your side,

sleeping only when you sleep, a shadow

not your own follows,

praying and holding out his hands
to be delivered from shame?

How do you know that?
I don't know.

Because one specter haunted you and me,

and haunts you still.

But for me, it's laid at rest,

now that my mind is satisfied.

He died justly and not by errer.

Do you know that you've come
near to death,

that there is murder in me.

There was murder in your father.
It is to be expected.

Yeah, you'd like to have me kill ya.

It would prove your case.

But you won't get that from me.

You go home and die in your bed.

My boy,

I have read some things your father said,

and you are a man fortunate in your father,

whatever the verdict of the world.

Come, judge, you'd better be going.

I'll lend you my coat.

A little rain shouldn't matter to me.

It is freezing as it falls and
you have a long way to go.

Thank you, I'll manage.

Well...

Let me stay here a minute?
Sure sleep here, too.

You can have the whole row
at the end of the pipes.

You're going to thank me for
keeping you out of this.

I've seen men get that way,

thinking they had to plug some guys

and then a few more to cover it up,
and then maybe more.

You can't kill all witnesses 'cause
everyone you put away's got friends.

I said "alright. "
I said "fine. "

They're going to find that judge,

and if they find him dead, it's too bad.

I don't want to know about it
and you don't either.

You all through?

Sure, I'm through.

Alright.

We're through, too, ya know.
- Oh, yeah?

Yeah.
We're through.

I heard that before, and
afterwards somebody died.

Is that what you mean?

You can go.
- Sure, I'll go.

Maybe you don't mind if I find
out what you've got on you.

Before I turn my back, I'd like to know.

Not that I distrust you,
but you know how it is.

So long, Gart.
- So long.

I won't talk, you can be sure of that.

I know you won't.

Mio.

How did you get here?
- I live here.

My name is Estress.
Garth is my brother.

The walls are thin. I heard what was said.

This is no place for me.
- What place could be better?

I don't know.
It's better to go... just to go.

But they can take away
so little with all their words.

It was bad enough that he
should have died innocently.

If he were guilty, what's my life?

I tell you, I've lived by his innocence.

I've lived to see that flash blind them all.

But the truth, I wanted truth.

Not the lies you tell yourself and
tell a woman and a woman tells you.

That judge may have told the truth.
I may be mad.

You must never believe them, Mio.

It's truth that I believe in you.
I love you.

But you've never said you love me.

Why wouldn't I love you?
You're clean and sweet.

I've seen nothing clean
or sweet all these years.

I love you.

I'll leave you that for what
good it may do you.

Than kiss me.

Goodbye, Miriamne.
You won't forget?

I won't forget.

Excuse the interruption.

I wouldn't want to cause
inconvenience to any of ya,

especially the judge.

What's all this here?
Who's that?

He's a poor half-wit that
sometimes sleeps there.

Come out.

Come out, whoever you are.

What's your name?
- They mostly call me Oak.

What do you know?
- No, sir.

What do you pump?
- I've got a piece of bread.

Get out!

But it's cold out there.
- Get out.

Who are you?

I'm a half-wit, too.

The difference is got no piece of bread.

Another comic, huh?

Who's he?
- His name's Romagna. He's the son.

What's he doing here?
You said you were on the level.

We didn't ask him. He walked in on
account of the stuff in the papers.

We are together.

If we had Shadow, we'd all be here.

Who's Shadow?

Oh, so now you're putting questions.

Shadow is just nobody, see.
He blew away.

It might happen to anyone.

Yeah... anyone at all.

Why do you keep your hand in your pocket?

Because I'm cold, mug.

Because I've been outside
and it's cold as a tomb.

Listen, there's a car waiting up
the street to take the judge home.

No way, Trock, he's harmless.
That's not necessary.

I say it is.
- I want no hand in this.

Anything happens to me
happens to you, too, musician.

I know that, Trock.
- Keep your mouth out of it then.

You better keep the mug here
tonight, just for luck.

Come on, Judge... your carriage.

It would seem that you and the
judge know each other.

I've been around.

Maybe you met before?

Maybe we have.
- Will you tell me where?

How long do you want to live?
How long?

I got big ideas about that.
- I thought so.

So far I've got nothing against
you but your name, see?

You keep it that way.

Keep your hands where they belong, Trock.

I'm clean.
You've got my gun.

You said the doctor gave
you six months to live.

That's what you said.
Six months...

Well, I don't give you that much.

Don't let him do it.
Don't let him!

Why, you rat, you put three holes in me

and I'm back from the grave, Trock.

Back to take you with me.

Where are you?
Trock, say something.

Speak to me. I can hear you
even if I can't see you.

I get this far and now I can't see.

The blood runs out too fast.
Too fast.

When you've got three holes
clean through you...

Tell me where he is, you fools!

Tell me where he is!

Take him out of here!
Take him out, I say!

He was dead.
He's out of his grave.

Can't they keep a man underground?

No, he won't stay underground.

He won't stay under water.
Why did you have him killed?

I didn't!

Now, you can't keep
them down these dead men.

Stay away!
- Because of you my father died.

Keep away from me!
- Wasn't it? Look at me!

What do you want from me?
- You killed the paymaster!

You killed the paymaster!
- You lie.

It was Shadow killed him.

It was not Romagna?

It was not Romagna.

There were three men involved in
this crime for which my father died.

Shadow and Trock,
principals in the murder,

Garth as witness,
and whu are they here?

You, the judge, why are you here?

Because you were afraid,
and drew together out of fear,

to arrange a story to tell.

This is I've hunted all over
the earth to find out.

I'd be blind if I missed it now.

Alright, I'm talking.

You'll get your father I guess.

Will you see to that?
- Yes.

Me and some others.

Maybe I lost my grip, there,
just for a minute.

That's alright.

Good evening.

We are looking for someone
who might be here.

There's the one I mean.

Come on...

There he is.

What do you think?

You should've known him
from his pictures.

Come along, Judge, you're going home.

Thank you.

I'm afraid...
some sanity in my own silly way,

but... I don't remember.

Well, if it isn't Trock Estrella.

How ya, Trock?
- Pretty good, thanks.

Hear ya got out yesterday.
- That's right.

You know we got orders
to watch you pretty close.

Be good now baby or back you go.
- Sure.

If we find any stiffs on the riverbank,
we know who to look for.

Look in the other room, then.

I accuse that man of murder.
Trock Estrella he' a murderer.

Oh, I remember you.
- What, Martin?

Oh, sorry, the boy's a
professional cheater.

Took me over about a half an hour ago.

Tips the police and then ducks out.

Oh, yeah?
- I'm not kidding now.

You'll find a dead man there in the
next room and Estrella killed him.

Take a look.

Listen, boy,

you stood out there and put the booby
sign on me and then ran away.

Don't try twice.

Any corpses here?
- No, no.

Not that I know of.
- I know there's no one there.

Think up a better one.

Have I got to drag 'em out
where you can see 'em?

He's kidding you, Sarge.
If the cadaver's here, I don't see it.

He was in there.

Trock shot him and they
brought him in here.

Sixteen years ago, Trock killed a man.
- Wait a minute, son.

When you make a charge of murder,
it's better to have a corpus delicti.

He puts in fire alarms to see the engines.

What have you done with him?
- I don't know what you mean.

What's he talking about?
- I wish I could tell you, I don't know.

You better watch yourself, chump.

They're in it together all of them.

Is it you?

You've dreamed something,
that isn't truth.

You have dreamed something,
but truly, there was no one there.

Do you want me to say it?

Yes, I was dreaming it.

I was dreaming it.

I'll say you was.
Let's get going.

Come along, Judge.

And if I hear anymore
out of you, I'll run ya in.

Got a coat?
I'll lend you mine.

'Night, folks.

Where's Shadow?
- In the river.

Is he out this time, or still around?

He's dead.
- That's perfect.

Keep the mug here a few minutes,
then let him go.

I have plans to make.

Stay in the alley, out of sight.

I'll watch up on the bridge.

If he tries to pass,
I'll give you a signal then shoot.

That's the same by me.

A shout would bring the cops
and there's no way out.

I'll be cornered.
You got a silencer, ain't you?

No cop will be able to hear.

The noise won't even
carry to the square.

Suppose he goes out the other alley.

Louie knows him.

He needs no identification there.

Remember, when I signal you, shoot.

What signal?
- Something you can see.

A light.

Look, I'll light a coffin nail... like this.

And shoot to kill or you may find
yourself swimming beside Shadow.

They're climbing up the bridge.
You must go.

Hurry, while it's still safe.
- You heard what Trock said. He stays here.

What do you mean?
He means to kill him. You know that.

No doubt Master Romagna
can run his own campaign.

But he'll be killed.
- That's his business.

No, no, it's mine.

Where have you two met?

We danced together.

Then the dance is over, I think.

Garth, I've always loved
you and I've tried to help you.

You've been kind.

Don't spoil it now.
- Spoil it now?

I love him.
- Why did you lie?

He's my brother, Mio.
I couldn't give them my brother.

No... you couldn't.

It had to be you... my sister,
whom I love...

I didn't know it would happen,
but...

But we met and the world's all
changed for me.

Garth... you brought this to
nothing I wanted done.

Let him go, Garth, for me.

Go ahead.

Go tell your story.

Only, watch your step.

I warn you Trock's out gunning
and you won't walk far.

My son, this Trock deserves to die.

No one defends him.

But his crime, this same crime that
has dogged yoy, has dogged us.

If there is lower to go, he'll go
there when you've told your story.

Oh, my Mio, you said you loved me,
but he's my brother whom I love.

Bright, tyrannical gods.

What fun they have in heaven.

When a man prays hard for
any gift, they give it to him,

then one more to boot
that makes us useless.

You might have picked some
other stranger to dance with.

I know.

Chosen some other evening
to sit outside in the rain.

It had to be this.

All my life, I've wanted
only one thing.

And now you thrust
a girl's face between me

and the rights I've sworn
the dead, you'll have 'em.

You ask too much.

Your brother can take his chance.

That parts us.

I shall say what I have to say.

Mio!

Wait for me!
Don't you go without me!

It may be that I won't go at all.

This kinda takes me off
my high horse.

I was nearer right than I thought

when I said I'd come to a dead end.

You must go inside, Mio.
- No.

I know you don't trust me,
and I haven't earned your trust,

but I'll call the police
to get you safely off.

When the police come, they'll ask questions,

and when they're answered,
they'll ask more.

But before they're done,
your son will be implicated.

Must he be?
- I shall not keep quiet.

I make no truce.
- Still, I'll go.

I could love your father.

Miriamne, if you love me, change me
from what I am and have been

till I learn to live like a man.

Teach me how to forgive
and forget to hate.

He would have forgiven.
- He?

Your father.

My father?
Yes...

You may think it strange,
I've never remembered that.

I tried, but he won't let me past.

He kicked me back three times.

I swear, I did what I could.

He's waiting for you.
Child, save yourself if you can.

There might be some way up through
the house and out across the roof.

Come in, and let me look.
- I'll stay here.

Once inside,
I'm a rat in a dead corner.

You look for me, if you don't mind.
- Then watch for me.

You two get inside.
No and be cornered like a rat?

No, thank you.
- I'll silence him.

I'll get you safely through.
- He'll kill you, Garth.

Forget it, Miriamne.

Now I'm not afraid to die
not if Trock dies, too.

I'm tired of hiding out in ratholes,

and when I'm gone,
you may have a chance.

Maybe with him you'll get some place.

He seems determined enough.
- No!

I heard a sound, like a slap.

Wait here.

Garth?

Trock thinks of everything.
A silencer.

That's why we heard nothing.

Strange...

I should feel sad and cry
and yet I don't.

The shadow hovered over him so long.

His death mustn't be in vain.

Mio, you must get through!
- I know.

How long to climb?
- The stairs are steep.

Should I follow him?
- Wait.

He waves you to go back...

not to go in.
- There's some way out.

We can't be cornered here.
You go inside.

You'll be safe there.

Now, all you silent powers
that make the sleet and rain,

but never yet have spoken
give us a sign.

...yet calls for mercy with the rain.

We're two lovers here in
your night and we wish to live.

We made our prayer to the gods,
Miriamne, but they wouldn't listen.

Why didn't they answer?

They have!

They sent us this!

Mio!

Alright, young feller.
You started something once too often.

I warned you about that herdie-gerdie.

Now, you're history.
- Those heard our prayers.

They sent us a sign.

Welcome, messenger of the gods!
You are the sign.

Oh, the kiddin's gonna start again, huh?
- Officer, he's...

Arrest me. Take me to a station
hose, where a man can talk out loud.

Call out the guards,
get more of your sturdy cards.

I want a guard of honor
on this momentous trip.

You're going to get it!