Dead Men Page #3

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I said get out!

My God.

I thought you were dead.

Yeah, I should be,

but I'm not.

- I need to find Jake.

- Jake?

Why would you ever

want to speak to him

after what he did to you?

Jake was never

one for courage.

And leaving me for dead,

well, that's something

I won't forget.

But I need his help

to go after Cole.

[exasperated sigh]

I can't be the one

to tell you this.

- Tell me what?

- [sighs]

Sissy, I don't have

time for this. Tell me.

Jake was working

for Cole the whole time.

He set you up.

He made a deal with Cole

in exchange for you.

Ah, damn him.

Where do I find

Cole Roberts?

That is just

asking for trouble

that you don't need.

Jesse...

don't do

anything stupid.

Stupid's the only thing

I got left.

[pickaxes clanging,

indistinct chatter]

[man] See you later,

Guthrie, you a**hole!

[men chattering]

[men laughing]

Hey, Guthrie.

What?

Hey, the boss

wants to see you.

Who the hell are you?

I was just brought on.

Hey, uh, water break?

I'm all right.

[grunts]

Son of a b*tch!

[men chattering]

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Yeah, exactly.

[laughs]

- Hey, I'll show you.

- It's all you.

Give me that damn knife.

You got to know your knife.

Feel the balance

of the blade.

Know how many revolutions

it's gonna take

to stick your target.

- Virgil...

- Enough!

If you do decide

to pull a knife,

you better know

how to use it.

You got to know

your kill shots.

Here,

here, here.

I want you to take this knife,

and I want to see you

practicing with it all day.

You hear me?

Yes, sir.

'Cause I might not be around

to watch your back.

[horse galloping]

[soft grunting]

I'll be damned.

Jesse Struthers.

It's a pleasure to finally

meet you in the flesh.

You earned that cut, son.

I can't afford to

have you blow up my mine.

Cole Roberts.

You're lucky there's

bars between us,

you murdering son of a b*tch.

If I'm not mistaken,

I think there's a warrant out

for your arrest

on those charges, boy.

I ain't afraid of you.

You think you got this town

in your pocket, but you don't.

There's only so many times

you can push a man down

before he fights back,

and when that day happens,

I hope I'm there

to watch you suffer.

[laughs]

They're gonna hang you

first thing in the morning.

I just wanted to stop by

so you could see the man

who took everything from you

before you dangle on the end

of a rope tomorrow.

I swear to you,

you will pay for

the murder of my family,

whether it be in

this life or the next!

You sleep good now.

Oh, that's right.

I forgot.

You're an Indian-lover now.

I tell you what,

I'm gonna sleep

with one eye open...

just in case.

[laughing]

- [folk music playing]

- [chattering]

There's your 50.

And there's another hundred.

Too rich for my blood.

I'm out.

Never understood the phrase

"Too rich for my blood."

What does it mean?

Does my blood have a value?

Is it any more expensive

than, say, yours?

What the hell you

going on about, mister?

You're more drunk than me.

On the contrary.

I'm having what I call

a moment of clarity.

And the name

is Benjamin Brown.

I don't really care

what your name is.

Are you in or you out?

My, my.

Straight to the point.

Do you mind if I impart

a piece of knowledge to you?

Well, it is a free country.

The cards you hold

in your hands

are inconsequential

in a game of poker.

Why, that's some

impressive advice, Benjamin.

[men snicker]

Well, then, let not

another minute go by.

Do show us

that marvelous hand.

Uh, don't be so presumptuous.

You haven't

seen my cards yet.

As I was trying to tell you,

it's no use being enamored

with a beautiful young woman,

unless you are

absolutely certain

she's the most ravishing

creature in the room.

Full house.

You cheated.

I'm bewildered by

the vulgarity of your comment.

One should always

play fairly,

especially when one

has the winning hand.

Play fairly my ass!

There's no way

you could've got that hand.

I can take many things

in this world,

but what I cannot accept is an

assassination of my character.

I leave it up to you.

Just the man I'm looking for.

- What?

- You haven't heard?

They the caught

the vigilante Jesse Struthers

this afternoon.

What the hell are you

talking about?

He tried to blow up my mine.

My foreman caught him and

knocked his ass clean out.

He hangs in the morning.

What's the matter, Jake?

Cat got your tongue?

[laughing]

I've got eyes on him

all night, Mr. Blackwood.

Don't even think about it.

- Do you mind?

- Please.

You're new in town.

How about a friendly

game of poker?

Is that what we are?

Friends?

You have at it.

Would you mind?

Not at all.

- Where are you from?

- Back east.

Oh, a city boy.

What the hell you doing

all the way out here?

You know, adventure.

Hmm.

No limit.

Fine by me.

[man]

What can I do for you, Jake?

Wondering if I could have

a word with the prisoner.

What's your business with him?

It's personal.

Best said between us.

Go on and put

your pistol on the table.

You have five minutes.

And no funny business.

Oh, my.

Must be my lucky day.

Friend, you have

a look on your face

as if you've already won.

[coughs]

$2,000.

You are feeling quite lucky

tonight, aren't you?

Very well, then.

I'll see your 2,000.

Four kings.

What cards do you have?

I think you exactly

what my cards are.

Think I'm gonna have

to call it a night.

What, so soon?

Let me give you a chance

to win your money back.

I'm afraid not.

One must have rules

to live by in life,

otherwise

what's to separate you

from the common animal?

Jesse.

I don't suppose sorry

will cut it this time.

I just thought you being

my brother and all,

you'd be able to...

forgive me.

You asked to speak

to the prisoner,

not your brother.

You ain't sorry.

You just want me to tell you

that everything's okay

between us.

But it's not,

and it never will be.

You're a drunk.

And a coward.

And not worthy

of the name "brother."

I'm done here!

- [piano playing]

- [chattering]

Give me this week's take.

You thieving bastard.

Come in here each week

and steal my money.

Is there a problem here?

There's been a problem ever

since you arrived in this town.

- Careful.

- I'm done paying you.

[chatter continues]

All you people...

[chatter stops]

...you never understand

why you pay me.

[gasps]

Who's to stop someone,

anyone, coming in here

and doing this?

[breathing heavily]

You know what stops them?

Me!

You pay me my money

or suffer the consequences.

[yells]

You're a smart broad.

That's why we keep you around.

Are you all right?

I'm fine, thank you.

I detest physical violence

against women.

It's the lowest form

of humanity there is.

I'm fine, really.

I just need a moment

to fix myself up

and we can get to know

each other better.

I think you misunderstand me.

I don't wish to

misrepresent myself,

but I believe you know

Jake and Jesse Struthers.

We're done here.

[piano continues]

[crowd clamoring]

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