4 for Texas Page #6

In the altogether, Joe?

Put it any way you want...

If you show them everything,

they may not come back.

That's part of it.

- Good afternoon, Zack.

- Elya, you look absolutely charming.

You've succeeded

in gilding the lily.

And that's

some lily-gilding.

If you will excuse me, I have

so many other lilies to gild.

- May I, Bill?

- Yes, sir.

- When are you planning to open?

- When the workmen are finished.

That's too bad.

We hardly know each other.

There's hardly been time with all

your other interests and... activities.

That's true. We've all been

very busy in our own little way.

Madame. Joe.

May the best man win.

- So far there's no contest.

- So far.

- The game isn't over yet.

- Right.

I hear the northwest

docks might be condemned.

What does he mean, Joe?

He means our customers can't

cross the docks to get to the boat.

- Not cross the docks?

- And it's a shame, too, isn't it?

After spending all of

that nice money.

- But there are other docks.

- Yes, there are other docks.

But they're all controlled by

Mr. Harvey Burden. Right?

Your grasp of the

situation is precise.

Too bad because there isn't

another berth in Galveston.

- I think you might be interested.

- Thank you, Bill.

You'll excuse me.

See you later, darling.

Yes, of course.

- Shall we?

- We shall.

Boss, take a look.

"Consigned and insured by

Mr. Zack Thomas."

So it's an insurance job?

Find out if there are any survivors.

- It says that all are lost.

- Lf I'm right, there's one survivor.

The one who got paid

to pull the plug.

- You go find him.

- Leave it to me. I'll find him.

One gross lot lavender smelling salts,

Ladies' saloon?

That's a mistake. It should have

been "salon," not "saloon."

I'm not so sure.

With these prices,

it'd be cheaper to drink.

Do me a favor, Max? Will you get me

some coffee? Black. Strong.

- Joe?

- Yeah?

- How do you like my new neglige?

- It's fine. You look good in anything.

Max, will you get me

the coffee please?

The galley's so far away

and the fire is probably out.

- I have some brandy in my cabin.

- Yes, sure.

I want coffee.

She wants brandy.

Women. You can see

right through them!

I didn't remodel a boat,

I bought a fleet!

Do you mind spending money

for things you really want?

Not if it's something

I really want. What's money?

I'm glad you feel that way. Men who

worry about little things bore me.

Brandy?

Perhaps you prefer

to have something else?

Oh, no, this is fine.

No, it's fine.

Oh, poor Joe,

you were so thirsty.

You didn't notice what I'm wearing.

- You're wearing something?

- Lf you don't like it...

No. Dear, there's

a draft out there.

You can sit down here.

You can catch a cold.

- I like men who worry about me.

- Don't worry. I'm a great worrier.

Sometimes I worry

for months on end.

After this afternoon, you might think

my gown is too revealing.

Do you think my gown

is too revealing?

No. Too many clothes, you get

overheated. It's unhealthy.

But earlier, at Madame Elya's,

you said they were too revealing.

Oh, I must have been crazy.

Perhaps you feel like most

American men do.

I don't feel any less.

I guarantee you that.

Most American men pretend to dislike

in public what they prefer in private.

I'm not into crowds. But if you

want audience, you go to a saloon.

How do you feel

about marriage, Joe?

Fine, but

who'd have us?

Oh, no, Max. You're not

thinking about marriage?

Of course not. Why should I

think about marriage?

That's why I like you, Max. You got

brains. You think like a man.

I'm glad, Joe. Then it doesn't

bother you that I'm a woman?

With what you got on, I'd be in

trouble if you were a man.

After the boat opens and you're a

success, what'll you do then, Joe?

- Count money.

- It can't be very much fun alone.

There'd be you and me.

- Just the two of us?

- You're talking about a crowd again.

It might be less

drafty in my cabin, Joe.

- I'll go close the windows.

- The windows are already closed.

- I'll go open them. It's healthier.

- Will you do it for me, Joe?

- Open the windows in my cabin?

- Oh, come on, Max.

If I go to that cabin,

we know what's gonna happen.

You'll be thinking

about marriage again.

But I think like a man, Joe.

- You said so.

- You don't look like a man.

- Please, Joe.

- No.

- Joe, please?

- No!

Please, Joe.

I'll be in here, Joe.

I'll wait for you.

- Please, Joe.

- No.

Joe, please.

Why should I be strong?

I found him! Me, Angel.

The sole survivor of the Spindrift.

- The Spindrift?

- Come. I'll take you to him. Let's go!

- Well, you're coming?

- I'm coming.

Oh, men!

- What was that?

- The wind.

There's a hell of a storm coming up.

- Hey, then what's that?

- The storm's getting worse.

Mr. Burden hired me

to scuttle the Spindrift.

- Burden? With or without cotton?

- Without.

Burden made a deal with

a broker, insured the cotton...

...then we left it on the dock

and sailed out empty.

Couple of days later I scuttled

the boat. Came back here.

To collect from Burden.

I collected all right.

A full load in the guts.

I better get him

out of here, Mr. Jarrett.

He won't be much of a witness

without that hole plugged up.

Looks like our witness

just ran out on us.

As far as anyone knows

he's still alive and ready to talk.

Where are they?

- In your office.

- My office? Why my office?

They said it'd be all right.

Come right in. Make yourself at

home. We've been waiting for you.

So I see.

Real cozy place

you got here, Mr. Burden.

Sit down, Mr. Burden.

Mr. Jarrett wishes to talk to you.

Last night we talked with

the owner of that hat.

You couldn't have.

There weren't any survivors.

- Crew's all dead.

- All dead? Not this one.

He's on his way to north Texas,

where he'll be safe.

If you want us to send for him

and bring him back...

I don't understand you, Harvey.

He just plain blackmailed you.

Why did you sign the lease?

Zack, please. I told you I signed

impulsively to... to protect you.

- I was afraid they would hang you.

- Hang me?

Don't be ridiculous! I wouldn't

touch a false insurance claim.

Let alone scuttle a ship

and murder 35 men!

- What gave you the idea he had a case?

- I don't know.

What're we gonna do

about Jarrett and his gambling boat?

You don't leave me much choice.

He now has the dock rights.

But don't worry.

Opening night will be closing night.

I hope so.

I sometimes feel I don't have the

intestinal fortitude for this job.

I think guts is the word, Harv.

What you don't have is guts.

That could well be.

I expect to see you

and the missis at the opening.

We wouldn't want Jarrett to think

we forgot our manners, would we?

No, I guess not.

Good morning,

Madame Carlson.

What's bothering him?

Harvey's not thrilled

about going to the opening.

You're not allowing them

to open that ridiculous boat?

Them or they may be just

a lot brighter than all of us.

And another thing.

You are going to the opening.

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