Bright Leaf (1950) - full transcript

Major Singleton.

Major Singleton isn't home
this afternoon.

Does you
desire to enter?

Guess you're going in?

Not yet, boy.

I ain't allowed.

Major Singleton will
skin me for sure.

* Saturday market day.. **

- Howdy.
- Hi.

Nice animal.

He'll need currying
and some feet.



Say, don't I know
you from some place?

I've never been there.

'Brenda, Frieda, honey.
I'll be back in a minute.'

'This one..'

Say, I couldn't be
wrong, could I?

It's six, seven years,
but ain't you..

There'll be a hot time
in the old town tonight

or I ain't the corn
drinking fool I am.

You know who that was?

Brant Royle.

Say, ain't you
the fella...

Where's Calhoun's office?

- Lawyer Calhoun?
- Yeah.

He's in the cotton and
mercantile building



down the street a piece,
at the corner of..

I'll reckon you remember.

Send a boy out
and tell him I'm here.

I'm sorry.

- I'm going out.
- Brant Royle.

Who would've thought
he'd ever come back?

I'm going out.

That is, I won't be here.

I expect to be back early,
before dinner, if I can.

And I think I can.

Oh, if anyone asks,
Ill be at Major Singleton's.

What, Mr. Barton?

I'm going out.

- Oh.
- Yes.

Brant Royle..

Careful over there, now.

Come in.

You're Calhoun.

It's been a long time.
But I recognized you, Brant.

You favor your pa a lot.

I'm right glad
to see you back.

You're no more glad
than I am to see you.

Really, now, Brant.
I declare.

You wrote me about my uncle
dying. I came immediately.

Well, son, he left
everything to you.

That is, the cigarette factory.

'What became of the rest?'

The warehouses, well,
your uncle lost them.

Major Singleton took them
over right after..

Right after he ran me
and my father out of town.

You're not fixing
to get upset.

Coming into town, I stopped
at my father's place.

Nobody's lived there
since we got kicked out

by the look of it.

Singleton didn't
really want the place.

He hasn't used it.

Nobody's been farming it.

He was set on getting rid of
the Royle's, it appeared like.

Me, in particular.

We all felt pretty bad
about your trouble.

Yeah, I bet you cried
hour after hour. That's enough.

My father worked
that land up from nothing.

Sweated over it 14,
15 hours a day.

I know because
I used to help him.

Nobody in the whole valley grew
better bright leaf tobacco.

Then just when it
started to pay off

the major stepped in.

It was a nice
little farm once.

Here.
Keep the change.

Brant, I hope you don't blame
any of what happened on me.

I know exactly who to blame.
I'd do the same thing to him.

Maybe more.

Well, I wont intrude
on you any longer.

You can look over
these statements.

And here are
the keys to the factory.

Is the factory worth
anything at all?

Well, it's pretty run down.

A couple of thousand, maybe.

Sell it, I need the money.

Well, that might
not be so easy.

Singleton again?

That's about
the size of it.

Well, I've gotta
be getting back.

Hope everything else
is alright with you.

How'd you leave the family?

I heard your pa
was poorly.

- Not anymore.
- That's a blessing.

- Glad to hear he's recovered.
- He's dead.

I hadn't heard.

Your father gone,
now your uncle?

Why, that leave only..

Only me.

Yeah.

Well, good luck.

Come one, come all
to the free show.

See the mysteries
of the Orient.

See the giant fire eater
of the Oronoco.

It's entertaining, thrilling

and an education for men,
women and children.

'Twelve exciting acts, twelve.'

'Free, it's all free.'

Brant.

Mademoiselle Sonia,
come back. Come back.

You cannot be
seen like this.

Get me a pencil,
my pocket book. Hurry.

- Fauntleroy. Fauntleroy.
- Yes, Ms. Sonia?

That man who just
walked by, go look.

The man with the
walking stick, Miss Sonia?

Yes, I want you to
take him a message.

- Here.
- Yes, ma'am.

Hurry up, please.

Margaret, isn't that..

Of course, it is.

Afternoon,
Ms. Singleton.

I don't like you hurting
his mouth that way.

You can let go now.

You're welcome, I'm sure.

I should've said "Thank you."

But I'm able to handle
animals without help.

Thank you, just the same.

- 'Will you let go?'
- I guess, you've forgotten me.

I guess, maybe I have.

'Is there something
special about you?'

My name is Royle.

We had a farm not far
from your place.

You used to come
and visit me in the fields.

I don't remember
any such thing.

And If I did, I wouldn't expect
anybody to refer to it.

I was just recalling
myself to you.

I kissed you.

Your father saw.
He broke his cane on me.

'Maybe you'll remember now.'

Young man,
you've been drinking.

Why don't you shut up?

Oh, I do remember you now.

You're that bad mannered,
gangly farmer boy

that used to pester me.

'The one I used to
laugh about so hard.'

You're wearing shoes now.

And your pants don't need fixing
like they always did then.

But you haven't
changed much otherwise.

You have, ma'am.

You remind me of
your father now.

Let go of my horse.

Mister?

I'm very grateful to you,
Major Singleton

for the opportunity
of coming out here.

Your letter said something
about an invention.

I'm afraid I didn't read
it all, to tell you the truth.

'Would you care for some
refreshments, Mr. Barton?'

No, thank you.
I don't believe so.

'In this heat,
of course, you will.'

- 'It'll cool you off.'
- Well, I never touch it, sir.

John Barton,
cigarette machine?

Yes, sir,
here are the plans.

What's that? What's that?
Speak up, speak up.

Here are the plans for
my cigarette machine.

Now I think I can save
you a lot of trouble.

- I'm not interested.
- But..

I'm afraid I don't
believe in cigarettes.

Much less a machine
for making them.

It turns my stomach, sir,
every time I witness someone

poking one of those vile
concoctions into their face.

I deal in cigars, sir.
Nothing less.

Let me tell you,
for more than a hundred years.

Singleton's have
been growing, smoking

living and thinking tobacco.

They were cigar
smokers to a man.

I'm too old a horse
to change my gate.

Why don't you at least
let me tell you how it works?

- Maybe you'd see your mistake.
- What's that? Mistake?

Uh, if you let me explain
how that machine works..

I'm just not interested
in a cigarette machine.

Uh, I, uh..

Well, speak up, man,
don't mumble.

I believe I'll have
a drink, after all, sir.

Well, that's a mighty
fine decision.

Here we are.

No offence meant.

It's just that I think you've
been sent on a wild goose chase.

I don't suppose Mr. Pendleton

and the others would be
interested.

By all means, try them.

But I'm afraid we're
all cigar men down here.

Now, Margaret,
it doesn't mean that...

Margaret.

Margaret, I want you
to meet someone.

I swear I don't know
what's come over her.

Get me more smelling salts.
I'm gonna need..

James, you've gotta
do something, instantly.

It's intolerable.

- I, oh..
- Tabitha, this is Mr. Barton.

Mr. Barton, my cousin,
Tabitha Singleton.

- How do you do?
- Now what's all the fuss?

I think I'd better
be going, sir.

- I'll have Simon drive you.
- No, thank you.

Oh, to the hotel, at least.

- Thank you, I'd rather walk.
- Oh, just as you say.

Call and see me when you get
over this fool notion of yours.

Now then, Tabi, what is it?

Now, James, you know what the
doctor said about getting upset?

I'm not upset.

I won't have you stirring
yourself up like this.

He spoke to Margaret
but that doesn't mean anything.

There's nothing
to get excited about.

Just like anybody else in town,
passing the time of day.

I'm sure he didn't mean
to be suggestive.

It's just that,
that uncouth manner of his.

Anyhow, there's no point
in you flying of the handle.

He's back and that's that.

We just have to make
the best of it.

Now I am upset.

What are you talking about?
Who's back?

Brant Royle.
We saw him in town.

Brant..

'Margaret.'

Come in.

What was the extent of your
conversation with him?

Conversation?
With whom, father?

There's no need to protect him,
I'm referring to Brant Royle.

You shouldn't have
told him.

Well, I..

What did he say to you?

He only passed
the time of day.

- 'It was perfectly harmless.'
- Harmless?

I don't see why
you're getting upset.

I've no intention of permitting
my daughter to be the object

of that man's attentions.

I forbid you to ever
speak to him again.

Don't be so
old fashioned father.

This is 1894.

I'm a modern girl
and I'll do what I like.

And if what I like happens
to be conversing

with Brant Royle,
that's what I'll do.

James, Margaret, please.

I'm sorry, father.

I didn't mean to upset you.

I'm all mixed up, for a fact.

I don't wonder.

Being accosted on
a public thoroughfare

by such riff-raff as Royle..

The world
is certainly changing.

In my day, the man
wouldn't have dared.

Oh, I don't mind him
talking to me.

I was just not expecting to see
him that gave me such a startle.

As a matter of fact
it was sort of exciting.

I declare, it was.

All I could think of
was remembering

how it felt that time
he kissed me.

Why, Margaret!

The fact that you can talk
like this shows I've reason

to worry where Brant Royle
is concerned.

Maybe you have.

I don't reckon he's any better
than he ought to be.

I know a young lady should blush
at the very thought of it.

But I'll say one thing
for Brant Royle.

When he looks at me,
I know I'm a woman.

It isn't my ruffles
that charm him

or the way I crook my finger
when I hold a cup of tea.

And you'd be surprised just
how much that means to me.

What are you going to do?

I ran Brant Royle
out of town once before.

I'm not too old
to do it again.

Father, don't.

I guess Mr. Brant Royle
will think twice

the next time he feels like
passing remarks.

You deliberately made trouble.
Deliberately.

'Course I did.

There hasn't been any excitement
around here in months.

You're a strange girl.

I wish I could understand you.

Then I'd do something else
so you wouldn't.

Undo me, Tab.

You can't go on like this.

Stirring up trouble just
because you're bored.

You're never satisfied,
never know what you want..

I know what I want.
Sure, I do.

I wake up at night sometimes
with my heart pounding.

Listenin', waitin'
for something to happen.

But everything is so heavy
and quiet all around.

All you can hear is
the dogs barking way off.

Suddenly it's gone, whatever
it was that woke me up.

You really think there'll be
trouble in town?

Will they fight?

- Oh, I wish I could see it.
- Margaret.

Close that door.
Hurry, close it.

Excuse me, gentlemen, please.

He's on his way down.

You wanted to see me?

That's a pleasure
I could've denied myself.

I wish you had.
What's on your mind?

Only one thing.

How long do you intend
to remain Kingsmont?

I haven't decided yet,
have you?

Possibly I have.

You seem to have
prospered somewhat.

I own a good horse,
a good suit of clothes.

I've got $40 in pocket

that's more than I had the last
time we saw each other.

I'm informed so that you're here
to settle your uncles estate.

May I suggest that you do so
as quickly as possible?

I don't care much for doing
things in a hurry.

You need money?

Purely in the interest
of making your stay with us

as brief as possible.

I'm willing to buy whatever
property your uncle left you.

Seems to me every time we have
a conversation, it winds up

with you inviting me
to leave town.

If you cross me Royle, I'll make
it my personal business to see

that you wind up your
visit here without a penny.

We need some fresh air.

It's beginning to stink in here.

Thank you.

Hello, Major Singleton.

The years haven't
changed you, Royle.

You're still what you've
always been.

Trash, sir.

Common white trash.

Too bad you're an old man,
Major, or I'd break..

Clumsy fool.

Oh, come now, Major,
you mustn't loose your dignity.

I'm warning you, Royle.

Get out and don't come back.

I'll leave Kingsmont when I'm
ready and not a day before.

That makes it twice, Major,
this is getting monotonous.

Anybody else think it's funny?

Bourbon.

I'll pour it.

Mr. Royle, my name's
Barton, John Barton that is.

Uh, I couldn't help overhearing

uh, seeing that as
I was out in the lobby.

Mr. Royle, I gather you
and Mr. Singleton

aren't very friendly.

I mean, Major Singleton.

I can't get used
to the titles everybody..

You see, I'm from Connecticut.
Up North, that is.

I haven't been here
very long..

Uh, what I came
down here for..

Mr. Royle..

Suppose I could show you
how to make a fortune?

Have a drink, Mr. Barton.

Thank you.

Please excuse
my persistence, Mr. Royle.

Uh, but this is an invention
of mine, I've worked on it

up in Connecticut that is.

I was born there.

And uh... I got into
this business

and I always figured there must
be someway it could work.

And there is.

Uh, that is, I found it.

Doesn't seem possible, I think
you're trying to sell something.

Yes, sir. A machine
for manufacturing cigarettes.

Now, wait a minute, you mean
you got a machine

that'll roll cigarettes?
Put the paper on 'em?

And package them, too,
all in the same operation.

Anything like that would
make an awful lot of money.

How come you haven't been able
to peddle it yet?

Well, I have to find
someone who agrees

with my idea well enough
to build it, that is.

Singletonwouldn't?

Singleton won't touch it,
nobody else will.

I guess everybody does
what Singleton does.

Looks to me like everybody
is afraid to cross him.

That's why when I saw you
and the major, I..

Whatever else, the Major's
supposed to be

pretty smart about tobacco.

Are the Dukes smart?
Reynolds?

They've been trying to
develop a cigarette machine

for a long time.

My machine works right now.

It'll make cigarettes
fast and cheap.

How fast and how cheap?

'How much does it cost
to hand roll 1000 cigarettes?'

You Yankees always answer
an important question

by askin' one.

Ninety cents a thousand, that's
what they cost hand rolled.

This 15 cents a thousand

makes cigarette smoking the
cheapest habit in America.

And you're looking
for somebody with money?

- 'Yes, sir.'
- To go partners with you.

'Exactly right.'

Well, you haven't found him yet.
I'm flat on my uppers.

How long will it take
to build and install

one of your machines?

Well, if I could get
the parts on time

and the money,
about two months.

If I get the money, I want first
rights on a partnership basis.

'That's agreeable
with me, certainly.'

Well, I just might be
able to get you the money.

You've had enough.

'Please, no applause.'

This is a solemn moment,
my friends.

I bring to you that
marvelous boon to mankind.

Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine.

I'll take some.

Well, give the little lady
some of the Simon remedy.

Thank you, thank you kindly.

Gathered by laughing Indonesians
in the forest leaves

of far off Cathay

and brought directly here by
camel and caravan

to this delightful
little city of uh..

Kingsmont.

You're the fella.

I am the fella who can cure
what ails you. Now..

You're the fella
that killed my mule.

Another satisfied user of
Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine.

You say your wife was sickly,
near death's door

till you used the magic potion.
Thank you, my friend.

Get away.

Well, we're lettin' down
the bars a little, I see.

What you doing
back in Kingsmont?

Couldn't stay away
from you another day.

You always meant so much to me.
And my grandfather.

Brant.

I've been waiting
all afternoon.

Waitin' never killed anybody.

Oh, you're still sweet tempered
as a July mule.

Barton, ma'am.
John Barton, that is.

You must excuse me.

This is Sonia Kovac,
my mother.

Argh!

Delighted, ma'am.

Business deal
from New England.

Oh!

Hope I'm not intruding,
Mr. Royle insisted.

Oh. Uh..

We're having a little party,
I'd like you to meet everybody.

Mr. business deal.

I'm very fond of parties.
Very..

Mr. Barton, ladies.

- How do you do?
- Mr. Barton, my cousin Emily.

- How do you do, sir?
- Charmed.

Over here is my cousin Pearl.

- Hey, there.
- Charmed.

Come, now.

Mr. Barton,
this is Cousin Louise.

- Oh, man.
- Charmed.

Come on.

Cousin Rose.

- Hmph!
- Charmed.

And over here, Mr. Barton,
is cousin Theodora.

- Just call me Teddy.
- Charmed.

Come here, Mr. Barton.

- This is...
- Cousin Arthur.

Now, you come right over here
and sit down and enjoy yourself.

Oh-ho!

I declare, Brant.

You could've knocked me down
with a feather when I saw you.

I nearly fainted dead,
just like a lady.

I would've run after you, but I,
I didn't have much clothes on.

I, uh, I heard
you're doing alright.

Say, when did
all this happen?

Last time I saw you, you didn't
have a pot to put flowers in.

About three years ago. My mother
died and left me the place.

I fixed it up and made
a rooming house out of it.

Mm, some get-up.

Latest thing up North.

Is that where you've been?

They've been teaching
me the business

at the tobacco exchange
in Boston.

Learn anything?

Come here, I'll show you.

I said, come here.

If you learned that in Boston,
I'm going North.

There's nothing
like you in Boston.

- You still my girl?
- Don't bet on it.

You think all you have to do
is snap your finger at me.

All these years,
not even a letter.

Wasn't anything
to write about.

I could've been dead.

Then what good
will a letter be?

Where'd you get that?

Uh, shaving.

Liar!

How about Singleton
found you sniffing

around his daughter again?

Been back in town only 10
minutes before you

yawling under her window.

- Easy, Sonia...
- Just the way it used to be.

You can't touch her,
so you come to me.

Like you were using me
to forget something.

Don't be so modest.

Come, you're a good girl.

Oh, Brant.

You're crazy.

Leave me alone.

Alright, I'll leave you alone.

Pay attention to me,
you, you..

Hey, hmm.

You've done alright
for yourself, carpet-bagger.

Or I guess your pa knew
what he was doing

when he brought you Yankees
down from New York, huh?

Pittsburgh. You Johnny Rebs
ought to get over the idea

there's only one city
North of the line.

You always were smart but I

I didn't remember you
being so pretty.

If I had, I might've
written you at that.

Don't make fun of me.

I love you, Brant.

I'm glad you came back.

I didn't know
where to find you

or I would've been
there long ago.

- Let's not get in an uproar.
- I know, I know.

I'm not fooling myself.

But you're it as far as
I'm concerned.

When you're a kid you wonder
what it's like being in love.

Any girl wonders
and thinks about it.

I stopped thinking
when you came along.

Now I'm just glad
you're back.

You going to stay this time?

Uh, that depends.

On what?

Sonia..

Roll me a cigarette the way you
used to at my uncles factory.

With you breathing down
the back of my neck.

I remember.

Hey.

Your father's watch. First
present you ever gave me.

You deserved it.

Still goes slow.

Reminds me of you.

Well, I get there eventually.

How about that coffin nail?

You're the best little
cigarette girl I ever saw.

Still are.

Light it.

You know, Sonia,
one of these days

they'll make cigarettes
all by machinery.

There'll be a fortune in it for
anybody smart who gets in early.

This town's sound asleep, the
whole South's been on its knees

ever since the war.

Everybody is scared
to take hold and make it gold.

Except me.

You and your uppity notions.

A man with guts
and a workable cigarette machine

could make this valley
belch fire.

'Course, it would
take money to start.

- I said...
- Brant.

Why did you
come here tonight?

Be honest.

How honest?

You want money, don't you?

You heard I was making out
alright, so

you came here to climb
aboard the gravy train.

Uh, Mr. Business Deal?

Yeah.

He's invented
a cigarette machine.

I need money
to get it started.

It'll make us a fortune.

I, uh, I thought
I'd ask you first.

Sure, why not ask me?

I've got it.

All you have to do is ask.
I won't mind.

I haven't got any feelings.

Just money.
Never mind where it came from

or what it makes you
for taking it.

Just ask me
and I'll hand it over.

Is that all I mean
to you, Brant?

Do you know where
all this came from?

Do you know what it means after
working in a cigarette shack?

I've given up a lot
of things to get this.

And I've waited a long time for
you to get good and ready

to come back.

It was worth it,
I thought. Hmph!

Get out, Brant.

Take your business deal
with you.

Why don't you stop
acting like a woman?

He killed my mule!

Come on, hit him!
Bust him one!

Stop it, Brant.

Hit him, honey. Hit him!

Charmed.

I don't know
how you got my side.

Stay there, friend.

What's your name?

Dr. Monaco.

- Should we operate, doc?
- Why not?

Police!
Poli..

The wagon.

Boys, beat it. The paddy wagon.

You're still a chump.

It's none of your business.

Anyhow, I haven't decided, yet.

Maybe I'll go
and maybe I won't.

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

Well, I can't
let him stay in jail.

Why not? If a man looked natural
in jail on a Sunday morning.

Brant Royle's him.

Rose.

You know a lot about men.

My father was one.

What would you do?

You know how I feel about Brant.

I can't help it.

What should I do?

Well, add it up.

He's no good. He never
will be any good, he's broke.

All he wanted from you
is money.

If you give it to him

he'll throw it away
on that cigarette machine.

It'll be no good, he'll go away
and you'll lose him.

Or it'll be a success, then
he'll take up with that snip.

And you'll lose him.

I need another hand.

All them things against him.
More, even worse.

And what can you
say about him that's good?

I love him.

Get into your dress.

Thank you, Sonia.

It's alright.

Uh, what about Barton?

Oh!

Here.

And, and the doctor?

Let's not leave
anybody behind.

Here.

You're a good kid, Sonia.

Sure.

Lovable, that's me.

Just like a sister.

A rip sister.

What's that mean?

Means you get
what you want as usual.

I'll do it, you knew I would.

You can have the money
for that machine.

I want everything in writing.

And I'll expect my investment
to pay plenty.

Oh, Sonia..

Business isn't love, Brant.

I never kiss a partner.

Ma'am.

I consider you a rare gem
in the diadem of womanhood.

Charming.

I see the clear light of
freedom, shall we partake?

Thank you
for your hospitality.

Get in, we'll drop
you at the hotel.

- What day is it?
- Sunday.

You'll feel better
in a week.

- I beg your pardon.
- Thank you.

For a minute, I thought
I might have to walk.

Many thanks for liberating me
from durance vile.

In all my odysseys,
you shall be remembered.

Let's go.

You, uh, is your
name really Monaco?

Christopher Malley. Why?

Back there in jail you said
something I like.

I was talkin' about Royle
cigarettes, you said

they should be "fit for a king."

I like that.
I can use it as a slogan.

What do you know
about tobacco?

My particular
field of knowledge

is the science of extracting
blood from turnips.

That's all you have to know
about tobacco. You want a job?

- Seriously, I need a job.
- You've got one.

You start building that machine.
We have the money.

"The Royle cigarette
company. Fit for a king."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!
Come see the Royle cigarette.

Fit for a king."

They found the trouble here.

The first one.

'Look at it, Brant!'

We made it, Brant!

One for the ages, madam.
Try a Royle cigarette.

Fit for a king
or even a princess.

Cures lumps, warts,
eliminates hang-nails

and makes
a pleasure.

'Buy a Royle cigarette,
fit for a king.'

I know what you're gonna say.

Only fast women smoke,
but that's not true anymore.

So, you needn't
start yelling at me.

Everybody's doin' it.
So why shouldn't I?

It's getting
to be very fashionable.

'Course, you're so
far behind the times

you wouldn't know that.

Alright, go ahead.

Tell me I'm wicked
and sinful and lost to mercy.

Just because I occasionally do
something you men think

nothin' of doin'
all the time.

James.

"In God, we trust."

Same girl we have
on the $10 ones

but she's so much
prettier in 20.

Yeah.

We're even now.

You paid back everything
you borrowed.

Anything you get out of your
investments now, that is

what you've put in, I mean.
From now on it's all profit.

I'm just crazy about profits.

There's something about money
that brings out the beast in me.

I love it so much
I hate to fold it.

- We're doin' alright.
- We're doing fine.

- Here's to us.
- Here's to us.

To us.

This, uh, being a celebration,
do you suppose I could kiss you?

Not if you have to ask first.

Charming.

Sold to Royle.

It's incredible.
Really incredible.

Has never been anything
like this, never.

I don't know what
they'll say in Savannah.

The board's probably
going crazy.

Fifteen cents
a pound for tobacco.

And here, nine, nine..
Hold it, can I get a ten, ten.

Hold on, hold on.
Sold to Royle.

Hold on. Sold to Royle.

We're being given over
to the hounds and the dogs, sir.

We're being ruined
by cigarettes.

Now, don't wait for me,
it's likely to take a while.

Just do your shopping,
my dear.

Be careful, papa. Brant Royle
knows what he's doing.

But the man's
mentally incompetent.

This merely proves it.

Royle is trying
to corner tobacco, sir.

He's taking anything
at any price.

He's bid me down three times.

'Sold to Royle.'

Let's see if Mr. Royle
can bid me down.

We're breaking a lot
from the Sado plantations.

Select choice, bright leaf
and premium dark.

What's the highest price
that's been paid today?

Why, it's an
all time record, major.

Fifteen cents.

Open the bidding
on this lot.

Uh, gentlemen,
what are my bids on this?

Twenty five cents.

I have 25..

I have 30..

How high are you
prepared to go, sir?

You'll know
when I stop biddin', major.

I have 35..

You're done?
Sold, Singleton.

Brant, those prices
you've been paying.

I've never interfered
with the business end.

Don't start now.

Get up!

You keep this up, Margaret,
one of these days

I'll get discouraged,
or I'll get run over.

You saw me coming.

If you was going to drive away,
that was the time to do it.

Not after I got here.

How do you know
that's what I was up to?

Maybe I wanted to
talk to you.

Maybe I just waited until
I was sure you'd notice me

and then made out I was going
to drive away.

So you wouldn't be
too sure of yourself.

Neither my father
nor you can afford

those kind of prices
for cigar tobacco.

I don't make cigars,
your father does.

Every farmer in a hundred miles
from here is home right now

or gettin' there
as quick as he can.

Strippin' his fields to get
his tobacco bag here

at prices I've been paying
before I'm dragged away.

That shouldn't be long from now.

I'm happy to inform you
that by tomorrow

I'll come to my senses and
they'll be giving tobacco away.

All except cigar
tobacco, that is.

My father won't like you
any better for this.

That worries me.

Tell Mr. Malley to let
Major James Singleton buy

all the tobacco he
wants at this price.

Uh, at this price?

They say you've become
a very dangerous man.

Are you dangerous, Mr. Royle?

I get what I want, if that's
what you call being dangerous.

All the time you've been back,
it's only the second time

I've seen you.

Both times, almost by accident.

'Well, you weren't exactly
cordial last time we met.'

No, I wasn't.

I was upset, seeing you again.

My father was real upset.

He tried to run me out of town.

Oh, I'm mighty
surprised to hear that.

Excuse me, they're getting
ready to close inside, Brant.

See a delightful shade
of purple, take a look

at Singleton, no offense,
it looks good on him.

In a minute.

There's something else you
might've forgotten, we're going

shopping this afternoon
and, uh, company's coming.

I haven't forgotten.

Good afternoon.

By the way, I've been
a little curious...

Uh, excuse me.

That girl, the one I saw you
with in a carriage

is she a friend of yours?

That's what he was
talking about, alright.

- What's her name?
- Sonia.

Huh, that's a pretty name.
She's pretty, too.

You like the type.

I suppose you do.

Is she what he meant by company?

It's her birthday next Thursday,
I promised to buy her a present.

Thursday? Well, that's ballsy.

I was gonna say, I just happened
to be home Thursday evening.

- Oh, but I don't suppose..
- May I call you, Ms. Singleton?

I don't want you to disappoint
Ms. What's-her-name.

Yes, you do.

- 8 o'clock.
- I'll be looking forward to it.

So will I.

Now, maybe I'll find out
if you're really dangerous.

Brant.

Started again,
has it, you and her?

It never stopped.

What does that make me?

Am I supposed to wait around for
you to make up your mind?

Louder, there's a couple of
people here that don't

hear so good, I wouldn't
want 'em to miss this.

Oh, Brant, Brant, for a smart
man, you're such a fool.

What you want doesn't exist.
That girl isn't real.

- You've invented her.
- She said you were pretty.

If it'd make you think
I was honest

I'd say she was beautiful.

She is beautiful.

Am I an old hag of 80?

If this is your idea of
a pleasant afternoon,

you're wrong.

Why don't we sell tickets, hmm?

I'm just tryin' to find out
what makes her so great.

- She's a lady.
- Ah.

No woman who wants
something is a lady.

If she is, she doesn't get it.

- I guess you'd know.
- Why, you..

Would you let me finish up?
We'll go out and buy you

the most expensive
present in town.

Something with ostrich
feathers all over.

Ostrich feathers?

I'm getting tired of this.
I won't take much more.

Nobody asked you to.

You're a good girl, Sonia, but
I never made you any promises.

I've always been honest
with you, especially about her.

Don't ride me for it now.

If there's one thing about Brant
success hasn't changed

him a bit, he's still blind.

You're much pretty than all
this tobacco around here.

They'll wanna auction you off
next. I can hear 'em now.

* I got blah-blah-blah-blah *

Here, may I?

- I'll tell you what.
- Chris I don't know what to do.

I'm losing him.

If I ever had him at all,
I'm losing him now.

I don't know
what to do about it.

I can't say,
" Look at me, I'm the one.

I'm what you're looking for."

I guess I'm boring you.

That's alright, I want you to.

Look, what you need
is a good laugh.

Alright, say something funny.

I love you.

Oh, you are a fool.

I guess I am.

Singleton Company will go on
dealing in the finest of tobacco

and not an ounce
of it in cigarettes.

I'll see that man running hinges

before I change
to his kind of business.

Major Singleton
doesn't receive any.

I'm not here to see
Major Singleton.

- Take these to Ms. Margaret.
- Yes sir.

I don't recall
inviting you, Royle.

I'm callin' on Ms. Margaret.

You're mistaken, my daughter
is not at home to you.

- You're not welcome here.
- One moment, Royle.

While you're here, there's
something we can discuss.

'The operations of your company
have become troublesome'

to the tobacco industries.

I believe I can persuade these
gentlemen to form a syndicate

with me and buy you out, surely
to remove the nuisance.

Quite so, quite so.

That doesn't excite me much,
Pendleton, I'll tell you what

I'll do for you and the others,
I'll buy all three of you.

I have no further
wish to see you, Royle.

You'll see me
the next time I come here.

Major, why not
listen to reason?

- 'We'll have to deal with it.'
- 'I will not deal with Royle.'

That's final.

'If we're going to have
trouble him, let it start now.'

Brant.

That was a fine idea you had
about me callin' on you.

Your father kept hounds,
they'd be chewing

on me right this minute.

He's upset about the other day,
I told you he'd be.

They are sitting on the edge
of a mighty sharp plank.

I'm the boy to run them to right
out of the tobacco business.

Tobacco, tobacco, tobacco,
that's all I hear.

You might as well
get it straight.

If I don't cut your father
back, he'll do it to me.

If you do, if you ever hurt him,
I'll make you sorry for it.

My family's been in tobacco
for a hundred years.

Nobody's gonna change it.

Tobacco, tobacco, tobacco.
Huh, you're a Singleton alright.

For a second there, you could
have been your daddy himself.

Huh, I'll go along.

I'm much prettier than he is.

Most anybody is.

You know, after all this time
you and I could meet

like this and just talk
like people should.

Most of my life
I've been backed in of a corner.

When we happened to meet,
you got tangled in my fight.

You're always fightin'
about somethin'.

Now you're rich and powerful,
you can have anything you want.

Anything at all.

Oh, wait.

I didn't mean
to carry on like that.

I guess I've been to busy
to learn parlor manners.

Isn't this amusing?

All my life I've been hearing
about rakes and I never met one.

It appears I'm not going
to, not tonight anyway.

You treat me like a lady,
the same as the others.

You'd be surprised at how sick I
am of being treated like a lady.

I have better things
to do with my time, thank you.

Not so fast, let's get
something settled right now.

I didn't come callin'
on you just to play games.

If I wanted to pass
the time away, I wouldn't have

to come this far from town.

Why did you come so far then?

I thought you knew.

You've always meant something
pretty important to me.

That's why all these
years, I've..

When the time comes, I'm
intending to ask you to..

Well, I,
I thought you knew that.

Marriage?

What makes you
think I'd marry you?

Is something wrong with me?

Well, you're not
exactly a gentleman.

Of course, I don't mind that.
You do dress a little loud.

And you talk talk
like a field hand.

Anything else?

Mostly what would prevent it is
the kind of friends you have.

I don't approve of your friends.

You mean Sonia?

Tell me something.

Do you apologize to her for
kissing her like you did to me?

You do kiss her, don't you?

And she kisses you.

And then, you touch her..

Very gently or are
you rough with her?

Yes, I think
you're rough, maybe.

I don't like her.

I won't pretend I do.

When she's gone, I might
think about marrying you.

- Margaret...
- Mind now, I don't promise.

Oh, well, we can talk
about it again.

After you get rid of her.

She helped me
when I needed help.

Oh.

Then don't forget to thank
her when you say goodbye.

* You had a dream *

* Well I had one too *

* I know mine's best because..*

The best of birthday
parties I was ever at.

Absolutely.

What became of all
the gentlemen?

The men start playing cards.

Show a man a deck of cards,
it wouldn't matter if he had

a figure like Venus.

You don't have to worry.

I've had a better figure
than yours since the gold rush.

Evening, Mr. Brant.

You missed the party.

I wouldn't go near
Sonia if I were you.

If you were me,
I'd kill myself.

'You know, Sonia, I feel
lucky tonight.'

'That's good.'

'Well, I finally
won a hand.'

'Don't forget
the chips and go home'

Give me another one, will you?

Deal me in blind while
I have a place down a little.

We lost to him.

You got a long nose, Frank,
you'll look funny without it.

Deal in.

You aren't going to be
here long enough.

I thought I was invited
to a birthday party.

I cancelled the invitation
when you didn't show up.

I'm sorry, I was late,
I, it couldn't be helped.

You're apologizing?

- You?
- Yeah.

Me.

I wonder what you've been up to.

You didn't come here just
to wish me a happy birthday.

What's on your mind?

Smart, aren't you?

I know you
like the palm of my hand.

It's Margaret, isn't it?

Sonia, you got an ace
showin' it's been raised.

It's alright, Marty,
she raises back.

You and Margaret are alike.

You're both greedy,
you want something.

For you, it's her,
but she wants something else.

Power like her father.

As far as she's concerned,
you're just a way of getting it.

Get a new record, I'm tired
of hearing it over and over.

Alright, forget it.

I don't want to forget
it, I told you before

don't talk about her.

I said, "alright",
I said, "forget it".

Let it go.

One of these days you'll get so
smart, you'll outsmart yourself.

Maybe you have already.

You're looking
for a quarrel, aren't you?

Tryin' to work yourself
up to tell me something.

I'm going to marry her.

Give me a cigarette.

I don't like to put
things off, I wanna be honest.

Sure, let's be honest.

I could've told you
in a different way but

things just didn't
work out that way.

What're you using for tobacco
these days, corn silk?

This is off.

We've known
each other a long time

since you were
a kid in pigtails.

I always liked you.

But, there wasn't anymore
than that for either of us.

You're not in love with me

it won't break your heart
to see the last of me.

Of course, not.

Why should I care
if you walk out on me?

The only reason you've hung
around this long is because

you're so much fun.

It's a laugh a minute,
when you're around.

Just one big joke.

Hey, I never saw
you cry before.

You didn't think
I knew how, did you?

Well, you've taught me.

- Now, get out of here.
- Sonia.

No lies, no excuses, just get
out of here and get married.

And never come near me again.

What happened that last deal?

You had three aces,
but you lost to him straight.

Three aces and I lost,
I must be lucky in love.

Deal.

Take care of yourself.

Bye, dear.

And take care of yourselves.

He won't be here, you know that.

I know. Goodbye, Chris,
take care of things.

We never fail.

If it gets you down,
why don't you try.

Dr. Monaco's miracle medicine?

That'll cure what ails you.

What is Dr. Monaco's
miracle medicine?

- Dr. Monaco.
- I'll remember.

Bye, Chris.

Goodbye.

Hmm.

- Anything wrong, Mr. Royle?
- No, I'm satisfied.

He's satisfied.

- Ellery, how much do you make?
- How much do I make?

Twenty dollars a week, sir.

You can afford hard sole shoes,
make a little noise

goin' and comin' to hear you.

I always have that feeling
you're about to arrest me.

- Stop creepin'.
- "Stop creepin'", yes.

Not bad.

Not bad?

- You've got a gift for...
- Understatement.

Thank you, next time I'm stuck
for words, I'll send for you.

- Get me the singleton file.
- Yes, sir.

You and the architect wondered
why I insisted on having

my office right here.

"Bad light", the architect said.

I want to be able
to sit here and see that house.

'Singleton's place.'

'When I was a kid,
kickin' along the dust'

'I used to promise myself I'd
have a place like it someday'

and everything
that goes with it.

Brant, I've been into
the kiln with all the others.

Had a little fellow
I played Hatchet man so much

I can go into the routine on
cue. I know all the sob stories

my strength is the strength of
ten because my heart's impure.

You want me to go with you?

Not this time. I've waited
a long time for this.

I've saved up for it,
this one is mine.

Oh, uh, Brant,
about that packaging machine

I've another idea.

- Tell him.
- Well, it occurs to me that..

Come on in, Edison,
you can sell it to me, I'm weak.

Mr. Singleton sir, there's
a gentleman to see you.

Mr. Brant Royle.

Excuse me.

Will you sit down, Royle?

No, thank you,
this isn't a social call.

I didn't think it was.

I usually conduct business
at my office, however.

So do I.

I didn't want to embarrass
you by sending for you

like some dub ahoy shopkeeper.

I see that your changing fortune
hasn't extended to your manners.

I'd appreciate you stating your
business as briefly as possible.

I brought you something, major.

Singleton Company

locked, stocking barely

with it you've been
borrowing money on.

I bought all
your paper cheap.

'You all did everything you
could to knock me down'

'I've eaten you
all alive, one by one.'

Now, I'm pretty high on the hog,
major, I've gotten to you.

If I were to call your credit
tomorrow, you'd be ruined man.

If it weren't for Margaret..

As it is I'll let you out.

Call it a wedding present.

Wedding present?

What are you trying
to tell me, sir?

We're gonna be married,
with or without your approval.

That's not true.

Ask her.

Tell him, Margaret,
tell him he's a liar.

Don't go gettin'
yourself upset, father.

Get out of my house,
I'm not for sale.

- You can't buy any part of me.
- I'm not tryin'.

I told you before,
if it weren't for Margaret...

My daughter,
don't have to stop you.

If she marries you,
I've no wish to see her.

Father.

Now, will you leave, Royle?

I may not be a gentleman, but
I've tried to go easy with you.

I've done my best, Margaret.

- I'll see you to the door.
- No, thank you.

- Father, try to understand.
- It's true, isn't it?

You've been seeing
him all this time.

You've made some sort of an
arrangement about marriage.

We have to
face facts, father..

We can't afford
pride anymore.

The world's gone mad.

Everything I ever thought of as
beautiful has been swallowed up

by that man.

Even you.

Don't say anything
you'll be sorry for.

You're tired, upset.

Naturally anybody would be.

Give yourself time
to think about it.

He'll wait,
he's just fool enough.

What you suggesting?

Ask him for few days.

That'll give us time to make
plans. We can see people.

Maybe we can save something.

If we can't, then it's
time enough to consider

what he'll have to do
if he wants me to marry him.

I'll go to him myself,
if you want me to.

He'll do it for me.

He's done this to you.

He has infected
you with his own rot.

What do you expect me to do?

Stand here and watch
you lose everything

because you're too proud
to admit you're beaten?

What about me?

What am I suppose to do
when all this is gone?

You made me a Singleton.

That's all I'm good for.

That's all I know.
How to behave like a Singleton.

No Singleton ever
worked the like of you.

Now, look.

- Mr. Royle.
- Major.

I've come to do something
I should've done years ago.

What's that, major?

They were my fathers, I think
you'll find them satisfactory.

- I'll be late for dinner.
- Do you mind dropping me off?

- Have a good evening, Royle.
- Evening.

There are laws against
dueling now, major.

I'm prepared to take the risk.

What makes you think I am?

I'll ask you as a gentleman,
will you give me satisfaction?

I wouldn't enjoy
killing you, major and

if you'd have killed me, why,
I wouldn't enjoy that either.

To intent forcing me
to question your courage?

Go ahead, question all you like,
it won't change things.

You're a coward.

Dirty yellow-bellied coward.

Go home, major. I don't
want to hang for killing you.

I intend to see you dead.

I know how much
that'd mean to you.

But I don't find the prospect
particularly attractive.

No, major. Taking it all, I
don't see what I'd gain by it.

I could lose a great deal.

I won't duel with you.

Turn around, Royle.

You've come down a long way,
haven't you?

Defend yourself or I'll
kill you where you stand.

No, you won't.

I might, if I were in your shoes.

But you haven't got
the kind of courage

it takes to shoot
an unarmed man.

'You're a gentleman.'

'You live by the code that
doesn't permit such things.'

That's all you've got left,
your gentleman's code.

- Royle.
- Royle.

Leave me alone,
I'm alright. Get away.

Now there's nothing left.

Let him go.

'Ms. Margaret.'

'Ms. Margaret!'

I know it's a hard
thing to consider

but we must be realistic.

The Singleton stock, that you've
inherited is largely worthless.

The factory was mortgaged
and so is the house.

This house?

Singleton house?

Mortgaged?

Of course, it could be sold.

You'd be bound to
clear little from it.

I'll not do that, Mr. Calhoun.

I'm in complete sympathy
with your natural reluctant

to face such a prospect.
But we must look at the facts.

Yes indeed.

- The fact...
- Mr. Calhoun.

I'm not selling
my father's house.

But there's no way!

I'll find a way.

Brant Royle.

- Where?
- In the library.

- It's the most...
- Go along, I'll be right there.

I was born in this house.

My father and his
father were born here.

I'll sell anything.

But not Singleton house.

Will you excuse me?

Just like your
daddy would have.

Tell him what
we think of him here.

In my day, a dozen men would've
considered that an honor

and pleasure to horse
with him through the gates.

Tell him, Margaret.

I heard her.

I don't blame her,
the way she feels.

Maybe I shouldn't
have come so soon.

I waited for you.

I wanted you to know
what really happened.

I know how people are,
these things get exaggerated.

My father is dead.

He was no exaggeration.

I did everything I could
to prevent any trouble.

We don't have
to talk about it.

My father was
a very proud man.

What he did.

What happened was inevitable.

Blame myself for not
seeing it from the star.

There's anything we could've
done differently.

Whatever hatred there was,
was in him.

It's over.

We can be honest with
each other at last.

Leave me alone.

I'm being honest with you,
if that's what you want.

Stay away from me now.

Margaret, what makes me sure
only my worst side to you?

What makes me hurt you
when I don't wanna hurt you?

All I want,
all I ever wanted is you.

All the time, I was making a
place in the world to show you.

Now you can have it.

It's yours, all of it.

- Brant, I have to see you.
- Not now.

But it-it's urgent this time.
I-I've been trying to..

We can begin now,
this shouldn't take long.

Gentlemen, it used to be 100
companies in this valley.

Today, there is only
one Royle Incorporate.

Mr. Royle is tobacco
in this neck of the woods.

Mr. Royle considers you
gentlemen as the best.

They want you to have
the subsidiary companies

of the corporations act as
member of board of directors.

You'll have a free hand in the
company assigned after a point.

We have no intension interfering
with your conduct of business.

We expect nothing from you
except a substantial profit.

Are there any questions?

Help a Royle cigarette.

Don't like 'em.

Have these scores
that we've given you contain

the financial details
of the particular company

each of you'll operate.

Now, nominations are in order
for the chairman of the board.

I have the pleasure of
nominating Mr. Brant Royle.

- Second.
- Nominations are closed.

Those who're in favor of
Mr. Royle will kindly say "aye".

Aye.

Mr. Royle's elected.
I move we adjourn. Second?

All in favor, gentlemen,
we are adjourned.

Went pretty well.

Why not?
What choice do they have?

Tell Mr. Barton, he can come in
now and ask Hillary come in too.

Today's clippings Mr. Royle
on the Savannah Market.

What's Barton so upset about?

He wasn't invited to be on the
board of directors. He, uh

has ideas
how to run the company.

That's why he wasn't invited.
I'm getting tired of Mr. Barton.

Go easy, Brant.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, Brant.

I don't like the...

Sit down.

The European Tobacco Syndicates
still hasn't shown

any signs of letting us in,
have they?

What you doing about it?

Next week there'll be a man at
every tobacco shop in Europe

giving away Royle cigarettes.

Of course it'll take quite a bit
money for about three months.

- After that the market's ours.
- Good.

What don't you like?

I don't like
the way I'm treated.

I-I don't have anything
to say around here.

I don't have anything
to do with the adminis...

Cable my broker in London.

Beginning next Monday and start
selling European Tobacco.

Syndicate short at a 1000
shares a day until I say stop.

- Stop.
- Take care of this.

- Right away.
- Right away.

In less than five years,
I've made you wealthy

and now complain.

I'm not complaining.

It's only... I happened to know
some of the thing you've done.

- I can't say that I have proof.
- Who asked you to?

I'm merely suggesting.

Downstairs in the
factory there's box

labeled suggestions, anything
you have to say put it in there.

- Brant.
- What?

Never mind.

'I don't wanna do this.'

'I've put it all from time to
time but I have had enough.'

I'm leaving, Brant.

Where to?

We're going to Detroit,
maybe you've read about it.

They started to manufacture
horseless carriages.

I think there's money in it.

That's your idea
of business, is it?

Automobiles, gadgets
for millionaires.

You aren't leaving.
Read your contract.

I may tell you to get
out but you can't quit.

Unless.

Just how much does going
to Detroit mean to you?

What are your terms Mr. Royle?

What do you want to let me go?

All your stock and remaining
rights in the cigarette machine

I'll buy it out that for you.

I see.

- You're way ahead of me.
- Always have been.

You know I can't beat you in the
first place because I thought

you had more imagination
and courage and the others.

I guess I deserve everything
you've done to me.

I've learnt a great
deal from you, Brant.

If I weren't an honest man,
I might be able to use it.

Find out everything there
is to know about automobile.

Get one, I want to see
what they look like.

Well, it's piling up.

Everything you've done
to get where you are.

A little fund of hatred
you've created.

What's the matter with you?

This past few months I've seen
something in your face and eyes

I've never saw before.
Greed I thought, arrogance.

Now I know what it is.
Brant..

You're a man
with a sickness.

Kingsmont.

In the car.

- Sonia.
- Chris.

Ah, it's so good to see you.

Is that Paris dress you got on?

- You getting fat.
- What do you mean, fat?

Not really, just nice.

Isn't Brant with you?

He doesn't know you're back,
I-I wanted to see you first.

Tell me.
How was Europe?

- Big.
- London, Paris, Vienna.

I'll take Kingsmont
for excitement.

Oh, you've heard
about Singleton.

Brant badly hurt?

He takes a lot of killing.

Some luggage for
a bachelor girl.

It's wonderful being where
a town goes crazy about it.

The nicest part of being
rich is having so much money.

Really fancy.

Oh, it's nothing.

Aw, how wonderful.

We hoped you like it,
we worked hard on it.

Good, it's beautiful.

Brant did it?

No, I did.

I should have known.

Well, you haven't even, eh..

Ah!

I can't believe it.

Oh, Chris, it's really
beautiful.

Think nothing of it,
only cost a fortune.

Everything else may
have changed but not you.

You're still the same.

Sorry to hear that.

Oh, Chris, you thought of
everything, even initials.

The years too.

I remembered you often, Chris.

How kind you always were.

Meant a lot to
me remembering that.

That makes it easier to say
something that's on my mind.

I saw everything in my time,
I've lied, cheated

and talked my way in and out
of every jail in this country.

No matter what happen,
I always thought I..

I remember once I sold
a bottle of hair-restorer

to a sheriff's wife
who had lost her hair

using the first
bottle I sold her.

But, uh..

I can't seem
to sell myself.

Sonia.

You may not believe this but..

I've been trying
to ask you to marry me.

Oh, Chris.

We get along together, we like
the same things, why not?

I'd be much nicer to
you than Brant ever was.

I see.

You're rescuing me
from the dragon.

I've always liked you, Chris.

Right now more than ever.

But don't worry about me.

I don't believe
in dragons anymore.

Alright.

But it wasn't
just a rescue act.

I was thinking of myself too,
remember that, will you?

It's going to be different now.
Brant and me.

I was in Paris when
I read about Singleton.

And you thought that Brant
and Margaret would be through.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I think..

Chris, you're not leaving?
What about your tea?

I hate that darn stuff.

Anyway I..

I couldn't stand
to seeing you cry.

Chris, what is it?

Sonia, Brant
isn't really bad.

The thing you've to remember
about him is that..

He started tough because
he had to be, to get anywhere.

Now it's become
a habit with him.

He's like a horse
with blinders on.

He sees what's right
in front of him.

He puts one foot
in front of the other

until he gets
what thinks is going.

The trouble is he..

He doesn't
know where he's going.

You haven't seen
the morning paper.

Here.

Good afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon, Simon.

Well, the gentlemen are waiting
in the library, Mr. Malley.

Mr. Royle with them?

He hasn't
come down yet.

- Shall I announce your...
- Not yet.

I'd like to talk
to Mr. Royle first.

- Have you seen him?
- No.

- Does he know about the AG?
- I don't think so.

Royle stocks dropped
seven points...

I expected it to
go even lower.

Gentlemen, let's make an effort
to be calm shall we? Sit down.

Now, Mr. Malley, I...

I cabled Mr. Royle

some months ago when I first
heard about the monopoly suit.

- We were never informed of it.
- I assumed he could handle it.

I might add that the monopoly
suit comes as no surprise to us.

It's a surprise to all of us.

We're done battling the past
biding by our decisions

lets assume the future
would be every bit as bright.

Mr. Royle knows
we're here, why..

- Hello, Brant.
- Hello.

Everybody's
in the library.

- What?
- They're all in the library.

- Who is?
- Our board of directors.

Gentlemen,
I-I...

Brant, we have
got to do something.

If we don't answer this suit

they'll chop us up into
four or five companies.

Nass did a cartoon
of you as octopus.

When the word got out, the
market went down seven points.

- When I started working for...
- Who are you?

Johnson, Vice President
in-charge of lumberjack tobacco.

I appointed him to
the board when you were away.

What do you all want?

It's about the monopoly suit

I sent you all
the details, didn't I?

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

I-I can't make any decisions
now, I'm not interested at...

But we have to make
some decision now.

- I said I'm not interested.
- Brant?

Get them outta here,
get rid of them.

Gentlemen,
I'm sure you understand.

Mr. Royle's had a very difficult
journey, in a..

Few days, when he's rested..

We'll have another meeting.

Without me, Royle is big
but he isn't that big.

I'll tell him
you said so.

They all resigned.

Get a new set, the woods
are full of vice presidents.

I'll try to find
some with thicker skins.

- Did you have a nice trip?
- No.

Glad to hear.

Brant, this thing
in Washington is serious.

Monopoly is getting
to be an ugly word.

We haven't
broken any laws.

Some of 'em
are trifle bent.

But that is not
what worries me.

Where is the Attorney General
getting his information?

Have you heard from
John Barton lately?

I think it's Barton myself,
but we have to be sure.

Let me call
in the Piggegons.

No detectives,
when you hire detectives

you have to tell them what
they're looking for and why.

They won't find anything
we don't know already.

But they'll know
why it's important.

I'll see you
at the office.

Brant..

What's the matter?

What makes you think
it's any of your business?

If we weren't friends
I'd keep my mouth shut.

There's something
that's eating you.

Gone for a year, I'm trying
to bring you up to date

you haven't heard half
of what I've said.

You seem to have
something on your mind and..

I've got a pretty,
good idea what it is.

I've seen marriages before where
the wife didn't like the idea...

I don't need you pokin'
into my private affairs.

Alright,
forget it.

You looked like a man who
could use a little friendship.

I should've
known better.

By the way,
I almost forgot..

Welcome home, Brant.

- Finished?
- Finished.

- That much?
- That much, not any less.

If Mr. Royle
finds out I did this...

- He won't, I'll take the blame.
- You'll take the blame for it?

Must be the paneling, there
seems to be an echo in here.

If that's more about
the monopoly suit...

No, no this
is something else.

You're not gonna like
this, it's personal.

There are your
private accounts.

These are
the stock market records.

It's all down there.

Right now there's
only a fraction of our net worth

but stock holders can ask some
very embarrassing questions it.

Don't bother
me with this.

And I've been thinkin'
you knew about it.

Here.
You cabled me from London.

Your wife's Singleton company
stock in equal paces

with Royle share for share.

I objected your remember?

You cabled that
it was all in the family.

There that's
the drawing account

that you placed
in Mrs. Royle's disposal.

Take a good look at it.

You'll find some
of the items are rather heavy.

According to these
reports from NYSE.

Mrs. Royle no longer
owns any of our shares.

She's been selling steadily
for the past seven months.

It isn't in
the family anymore.

What're you
drivin' at?

I've added it
up for ya.

There it is.

Your wife has dug into this
company for two million dollars.

Not exactly
a love match.

You can't buy me out
at the market price.

I'm getting out,
Brant, I've had enough of.

First, it was Sonia,
then Barton and the others..

It had to be
my turn sooner or later.

I'll head our office
at New York if you want but..

I'm leaving here.

You're not gettin' out,
you're not goin' anywhere.

You'll stay here,
just like you always have

only from now on you'll take
orders same as the others.

No way you
can hold me.

You make one
move to sell out

and I'll dump so many
Royle shares on the market

they'll be buyin'
'em with cigar coupons.

After all the others
break in, you'll be easy.

Alright.

I'll hang around a while
just out of curiosity.

Wanna find out
what happens to ya.

I think that
might be interesting.

Good evening, Mr. Royle.

Ask Mrs. Royle if she
could see me in the library.

She went out
this afternoon.

She left this
for you, sir.

Shall we keep
dinner waiting?

No, Mrs. Royle's going to
Ms. Tabitha's for Christmas.

- I'll eat alone.
- Yes, sir.

- Ms. Sonia's asleep.
- Open this door, let me in.

Go away,
Ms. Sonia's asleep.

Ms. Sonia!

Shall I call
the police, Ms. Sonia?

No.

Mr. Royle is just here
to wish me a merry Christmas

in his own
charming way.

Is it alright?
Hadn't I better call the police?

No, Queenie,
I can handle him.

'I've had
enough practice.'

Come here.

I said,
come here.

I feel
sorry for you.

You're my girl, you always
were and always will be.

You haven't forgotten me,
don't pretend you have.

Isn't this
a little silly?

Sonia, it's-it's Christmas.

You're not getting
any presents from me.

I haven't seen you
in a while I thought...

I know what you thought.
Now get out.

I always thought that if there
was one person I could depend on

it was you.

That was
a long time ago.

You've never been
beaten before have you?

Now you're beginning to
find out how it feels.

I know what you're
talking about.

I'm talking
about you.

Your marriage and that
life you live in the house

you couldn't wait to own.

You made your bed but it
isn't soft and comfortable.

It's a cold bed
isn't it?

I got what I wanted, I don't
need you, I don't need anybody.

That's why you come visiting
me in the middle of the night.

Now get out
and don't come back.

Next time there'll be
a bigger chain on the door.

I didn't expect
this, not from you

not after all
I've done for ya.

What have you
ever done for me?

I made you rich.

Who are you, Brant?

How can you live with
a world with people

and a heart all
choked up with money?

It's in you
like a stone.

Go back to your mansion,
where you can buy anything.

Except the way I loved you once.

Go back to Margaret.

You deserve each other.

Merry Christmas, Sonia.

- Happy New Year.
- Thank you.

I didn't know you were
still here, Mr. Royle.

- I've been goin' over these.
- Over these?

Oh yes,
those... those.

You knew about. Mrs. Royle too,
why didn't you tell me?

Tell you, I-I'm afraid,
I was afraid.

Mr. Malley's still here too,
he's with a detective.

- Detective?
- Detective.

I would've dropped this
advocate at that point

but your orders
were very explicit.

That'll be all,
thanks for coming in.

Who is this?

Mr. Norman. He's applying
for a position in the company.

- Application blank?
- Mr. Royle I'd like to...

You're a detective,
you were hired to find out

the intel sources of the AG
about the Royles company

that's your report, read it!

Let it go, Brant. There's
nothing in it that matters.

Then why not
let him read it?

It's Barton,
just as you thought.

Facts and figures, it
all came from Barton.

Where did Barton get it? I
bought him out over a year ago.

There's one name that could
possibly be on that report

that might explain a great deal.

Assuming there is one such name,
do you know how important it is?

What name is that?

- What name?
- Mrs. Margaret Royle.

Going somewhere?

Savannah.

I've been invited
to the Governor's ball.

I'll only
be gone a week.

Only a week
this time?

Before that only
two weeks at Ms. Tabby's.

It's nice of you
to come home at all.

No quarrels please.
I have a headache.

I've had a headache ever
since we were married.

She bought this in Paris,
on our honeymoon.

'Very daring,
you could see through it.'

Brant!

Tabby doesn't mind.

She knows everything
there is to know about us.

Maybe even more than I do,
huh Tabby?

How much
do you know?

How much, Tabby!

I mind my own
business.

I wonder.

Gee, look at this.

Beautiful, you wouldn't
think anything so beautiful

would be a lie.

How's my old friend,
Barton these days?

Did you see
him in Washington?

I thought you
were in on it.

Whose idea was it?
Yours or Barton's?

Mine.

I wondered how long it
would be before you found out

what I was doing.

First I was nervous.

I thought surely you'd
suspect right away.

But you were so sure
of yourself, that made it easy.

Never in your mind
that something was wrong.

Until now.

I have lied to myself
from the beginning.

After a while
that's all there was

you lyin' to me
and me lying to myself.

When did it start?

When my father died.

The day he was buried
I thought of nothin' else.

How to destroy you..

Had to make you
suffer as he did.

And I have,
haven't I?

Now I want a divorce.

That's one humiliation
I won't stand for.

You're not gonna drag me
through a divorce court.

What else
is there?

You gonna
forgive me?

You'll willing to
forget all I've done?

Darling, you are ridiculous.

Where are all those people
who were so afraid of you?

In your factories
in Kingsmont..

What would they say if
they could see you like this?

Like an ol' hand dog
that comes crawlin' back

after you've kicked it..

Scrammin' in the dirt
right up to your feet

so you can kick him again.

I've never seen you before
the way you really are.

This is what I've been
driving myself to get, is it?

I feel like I've been
wallowing in filth.

If that's what you wanted
I hope it's made you happy.

Now, get out of here.

I will.

But you'll never forget me.

With all of
your wealth and power

there won't be a day or an hour

that you'll get me
out of your mind.

Till the day you die,
you'll remember the Singletons.

What they've
done to you.

You're insane
like your father.

You're out of your mind
with pride and arrogance.

You'd like to believe
that wouldn't you?

You like to comfort yourself

thinkin' that anybody
dare stand up to the high

and mighty Brant Royle
is crazy-mad.

I knew exactly what I
was doing all this time.

Remember that, Brant.

You know what kept me going?

What made it possible
for me to bear you?

I was thinking of this..

This moment.

The look on your face.

'The way you'd feel
when you found out.'

'I lived for it.'

Now it's over.

And I'll forget it.

See if you can.

Dirty, rotten!

Don't come back to this valley,
never come back!

Take what you've got
and get out with it.

'Goodbye to you Singletons
and good riddance!'

You wanted Singleton house,
you've always wanted it.

It's your now.

You've paid
enough for it.

Stop!

Let it burn!

Stop it!

I said let it burn!

I want to see it burnt.

Don't you understand?

I told you not
to come here again.

It's the 20th century, Brant,
let's start it right.

With you leaving me... alone.

I came to say goodbye.

You're hurt.

Seems like I always come
to you when I'm hurt.

Margaret's left me.

Singleton house,
burnt out last night.

There's nothing
left of it.

It meant a lot to me once,
it meant everything.

I stood there
and watched it burn and..

It meant nothing at all.

Wasn't anything saved?

- Couldn't they...
- I let it burn.

They could've
stopped it maybe.

I wouldn't let 'em try,
I wanted it to burn.

Whatever it was, it's been
eatin' in me all these years

seemed to burn out with it.

I'm glad to be rid off it,
I came here to tell you that.

Somehow after all this time
I've found... peace, I guess.

I don't have to bull
my way through anymore.

I'm leaving
Kingsmont, Sonia.

But you're business,
this monopoly suit?

Malley will
take care of it.

Royle Incorporated is so
big now it doesn't even need me.

Anyhow, it's just a way of
getting what I thought I wanted.

You've got
everything you wanted

everything there was.

And I lost
everything worth having.

Including you.

If you're asking me something,
Brant, you're late with it.

Years late.

I figured it
that way.

Sonia..

I'm sorry.

I don't remember sayin' that
to anybody ever in my life.

It isn't easy for me to say it,
but I owe you that.

I'm sorry.

You fool,
you stubborn fool.

Why did it have to take all
these years to teach you?

Go ahead,
I've got it comin'.

You had something in you
once I loved. It's gone now.

I've watched
you kill it.

That hungry wildness, it's dead.

Beaten out of you

because you wouldn't listen.

You had to do
everything the hard way.

Till there's nothing left of
the Brant Royle, I loved once.

I helped you get started..

But if I had to do
it all over again..

And you came
and asked me for money..

I wouldn't give you
one red cent.

If we had to do it all
over again, I wouldn't ask.

Goodbye, carpetbagger.

If it means
anything to you now..

The worst mistake I made..

Was you.