Desert Fury Page #5

Kinda nice emptying those ashtrays.

It's funny about women.

They never creep up on you until they're

in your house and you watch them tick.

You shouldn't do that, kid.

First thing you know.

I'll be out of a job.

Don't worry about it, Johnny.

I'll see that you get your pension.

Come on Paula. Let's go

outside where the air is fresh.

This is what I like, Eddie.

To be alone in the desert.

The sagebrush and the sky.

Nobody looks down on you here.

Yeah.

It's nice.

You don't like it the way I do.

I can tell by the look on your face.

You're thinking about something else.

What have you been

thinking about, Eddie?

Tenement houses and back alleys.

Eddie... what were you before I met you?

A tough guy.

No. I mean a long time ago

before Johnny even met you.

Oh... a kid. Like you.

Where did you live when you were a kid?

Brooklyn. Ninth ward.

What were you like?

I don't know. Like any other kid.

No.

When did you meet Johnny?

When I was your age. Or a year older.

It was in the automat off Times Square.

2 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday.

I was broke. He had a couple

of dollars. We got to talking.

He ended up paying for my ham and eggs.

And then?

I went home with him that night.

I was locked out.

Didn't have a place to stay.

His old lady ran a boarding house in the

Bronx. There was some vacant rooms.

We were together from then on.

How did you...?

How did I... get into the racket?

What difference does it make?

Until Johnny.

New York and Nevada.

We've been together a long time.

A long, long time.

Where did you meet her?

New York or Nevada?

Angela and I met in Las Vegas.

What's it to you? Nothing.

What do you want to know? Was I

happy with her? Yes.

The way you keep talking about

her you'd think she was still alive.

I'm sorry.

Too much pushing in my life as it is.

I wasn't.

It's alright.

I didn't mean you this time.

Eddie.

Coming in to eat?

Yeah. Set the table for three.

Three?

Sure. You still live here.

I wasn't sure.

He doesn't like me.

It's not his business to like you.

And not his business to pick my friends.

Come on, let's go eat.

Paula.

Paula.

Remember me? I'm your old lady.

Hello, Fritzi.

When did you get back?

Late last night.

I figured you'd be asleep.

Yes, I was asleep.

Well, you don't seem

very glad to see me.

Oh, I'm just surprised. I didn't

expect you back until tomorrow.

You look good, baby.

Nice and fresh and alive.

I like to see you dressed up.

Where you going?

Going?

Oh, I don't know. For a drive.

I might go down to Vegas for the day.

You want some breakfast?

I'm not hungry.

Well, don't go. I haven't seen

you for days. Sit down.

How you been keeping yourself,

what you been doing?

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

Goodbye, Fritzi.

Just a minute... Paula.

Hello... yes, Mike?

Well, I'll be down in a little while.

It will keep until then.

How does it come out?

I don't know.

I'll look on the last page.

It has a happy ending.

It always has.

They fall in love. They get married.

This one ends when they fall in love.

Yeah.

They had some sense.

Read it.

"There was no need for words."

"Her eyes told him what

he wanted to know."

"She was in love with him."

"He took her in his arms."

Alright. Close the door.

Pretty bad out there, tonight.

Going to bed?

Yes.

Aren't you afraid the road

might wash out on you?

The storm is easing off.

I don't think we'll have a flood.

It's still raining.

Not in the mountains. That's where

the real water comes from.

There's a few of feet

of water in the river bed.

What's up, Johnny?

Afraid you'll drown?

If the road washes out,

she won't get home tonight.

She can stay here.

Sure she can.

By sunrise, every Cop in the desert

will be pounding the door down.

You talk too much.

I don't talk enough.

You think I'll let you

lose your head over...

The chances are better

of you losing yours.

Where do you think you're going?

Home. Take off your coat.

Johnny's right. If there's a wash...

Johnny's not giving orders here.

Alright, Eddie.

I wasn't trying to give any orders.

Only wanted to keep you out of trouble.

Take off your coat.

You heard what Eddie said.

He wants you to stick around.

You're not like her at all.

Does it matter?

Something was wrong somewhere, kid.

Wrong?

I'm not so sure I can

get along without you.

Have I broken the law?

Nothing the vehicle code covers.

Why did you stop me?

Is it part of your job?

I told you that day in front

of the drugstore, Paula.

I wasn't listening.

What are you going to do about it?

You tell me.

You can always tell Fritzi.

I always thought the best way to gentle

a colt was to put a long rope on her.

But I'm beginning to have my doubts.

I think I've given you

all the rope I'm going to.

You're going to?

Me.

You're getting to be just like Fritzi.

You ought to get together with her.

Maybe I will.

Then you can both try to run my life.

Can you run it, Paula? Do you know

what you're doing? Yes.

I know what I'm doing.

But why?

Because that's the way I feel.

But a guy like Bendix?

A cheap racketeer.

He's no different than Fritzi.

Except he's smarter at it.

And bigger and stronger.

And that's important to you?

To me it is.

Well I guess that's it, then.

Is Fritzi down at the Sage?

Yes. She thinks I went to Vegas.

You better get home. The road is bad

further down. If you follow me, I'll...

Thanks. I can make it home

alright. I know my way.

So long, Tom.

So long.

[ Door knocks ]

Come in.

The wages of sin.

Are very high.

But you wouldn't know.

How are you tonight, sucker?

Wet and thirsty.

Do you drink?

And smoke.

But you don't go with girls.

I don't like getting paid for it.

I like to keep my amateur standing.

Remind me to get you

a hair-shirt for Christmas.

It's against regulations.

I'll fix it with Pat. What's up?

What did you come to see me about?

I'm trying to figure that out myself.

Shall I tell you?

Shoot.

You thought it over.

You'd like me to make the offer again,

but you haven't the nerve to say it.

You're no different than any

of the others in this town.

You want your share, but you

want it tied in a pink ribbon.

So that's why I came here?

Yes.

It could be.

Alright. Then why did you?

I just stopped in to get warm.

You're the sucker, Fritzi.

Tom.

What did you come here for?

Whatever it was,

I'll take care of it myself.

Hello, Johnny.

Eddie up yet?

No. He's still asleep.

You mind if I sit here and watch?

It's alright with me.

Johnny.

Yeah?

What do you want out of life?

Well, everybody wants something.

Money. Love. Travel. Their own business.

What do you want?

Why do you want to know?

Oh, I'm just curious.

You're always with Eddie.

You always seem to be with him.

But there must be some

of you apart from him?

What do you want for yourself?

Why would there be some

of me apart from Eddie?

Two people can't fit into one life.

You seem to think so.

What if he retires? Or if he marries?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes