Hard Times Page #2

You really put the Jesse James to me.

You wait here.

How long will you be?

I won't sit here all day.

- Don't complain.

- Don't get caught up in any kind of game.

It's business.

- Hello, Speed.

- Good seeing you, Chick.

- How's my personal pigeon?

- Just stopped by to pay off my money.

That's all right. We all make mistakes.

- Guess you heard about my new hitter?

- Yes, word gets around.

He's good.

Might even work him up with the ape man.

There's no mystery about it.

It's my standard deal, but...

You do have to have $1,000 upfront.

Are you making an offer?

My man is just starting out.

He's good, but I have to have long odds.

Assuming you did have the money,

what kind of odds are you talking about?

- Five to one.

- Three to one.

Deal.

- Did somebody die and leave it to you?

- Three to one. Money's on the table.

I don't like being hustled.

You're not getting in that cheap.

The pot bet just went up to $3,000...

You come back when you get that rich.

- So, we don't have a deal?

- Not for $1,000.

I'll see you soon, Dempsey.

I'm feeling quite fine, Mr Pettibon.

We've got a boy

who can make an interesting contest.

That's quite a bit of money.

I don't know if he's up to it.

He's just starting out, he's green.

Nobody takes advantage of you bayou

people. We'll be there, Mr Pettibon.

I told you it would be a fat one.

- How high?

- 2,000 George Washingtons.

It'll pay some bills.

The dun at the door, the wolf

at the gates shall be held in abeyance.

You're that sure of Mr Chaney?

Does a goose go barefoot?

I'll get some cigars.

- Mr Pettibon, good to see you again.

- Look what we did for your little visit.

- Mighty fine.

- I knew you'd like it.

This is my fiance,

Miss Gayleen Schoonover.

- You remember Mr Poe here?

- Sure, nice seeing you again.

That's Chaney. He doesn't say much.

If things go as planned,

he won't say much at all later.

- It's your plan, Mr Pettibon, not ours.

- You said he was green.

Third time out.

He doesn't look unpicked to me.

I'll let my man be the judge of that.

That's him right over there.

He looks like he's up to the mark.

He'd better be.

Goddamn!

Very pretty, very nice.

- You'd better get the money.

- You don't have to ask me to do that.

That's how it's done, Mr Pettibon.

I guess it just wasn't your day, was it?

Damn small question about that.

What the hell are you doing?

This has been a big set-back for us.

I didn't think anybody could do that.

- That was your error of judgement.

- It was too damn easy.

There are no rules about that,

except who wins. That money's ours.

Something wrong, Speed?

We've got a problem. You're a ringer.

You give us our goddamn money now!

You want that money? Take it.

Somebody always shows up with a gun.

- Goddamn sack of country sh*t.

- Steady on, these boys are not refined.

I think you folks better

get in your car and drive home.

I think that's pretty good advice...

He isn't going to pay.

Next time I come back

to this coon-ass place, I'll bring a gun!

You do that. Make sure it's a big one.

Now, get on out!

That's how it's done.

A sorry spectacle. Very poor example of

southern sportsmanship.

All this driving for nothing.

My God, it breaks your heart.

Breaks my butt, that's what it breaks.

Why don't we take it easy, drive down

the country roads and see the sights?

- What the hell are you talking about?

- Business.

They went away just like that,

nothing to it.

- Now I've got the gun.

- I guess you do.

Anybody else?

What about you?

I don't think you want to use it.

That's one way.

You want to see another?

Gayleen!

Is this your place, Pettibon?

Is this where you live?

- I'll see you in a couple of days.

- You know who we're going after next.

If this isn't your place,

who's the lucky lady?

Have a real big time now, you hear.

- Who is it?

- Chaney.

- What do you want?

- I thought you might like to come out.

- You treat me to a champagne breakfast?

- Whatever you feel like.

It's 5 am.

Christ, I barely know you.

But would you like to?

I guess I can make you some coffee.

You haven't gotten around to

telling me what you do.

It's something people generally ask.

- Worried I can't pay the check?

- No.

I'm worried because

you never answer any questions.

Now, tell me. How do you make money?

I knock people down.

- You mean like a prize-fighter?

- No, they're pick-up fights.

The money is made on bets.

It's something I do just for a while.

Funny way to make a living.

Better than working at the bus station

changing tyres for two bucks a day.

What does it feel like

to knock somebody down?

It makes me feel a hell of a lot better

than it does him.

That's a reason?

There's no reason about it.

Just money.

Hello Chick! Good to see you.

This is a private gathering.

You're not invited.

You remember Mr Poe...

This'll only take one minute.

You remember those special numbers

you quoted me on that three to one?

- I'll take you up on that bet.

- First you have to have $3,000.

Otherwise it's just

an academic question.

You want to count it?

Okay, you're on.

- Hello, Doty.

- Speed.

- We haven't seen you around town.

- I've been busy.

You're doing anything in the eighth?

A man who can afford a shoeshine

ought to be able to pay his debts.

I have to keep up appearances.

The way we figure it, you're overdue.

Overdue for what? You're pushing me?

You'll get your money.

Sure we will.

I've got $200 I'll lay on you right now.

Steal it.

Sell your sister. Borrow it.

Get it all. Now!

I need some time, a couple of days.

Two days and everything's working.

Come on, two days.

- That had better be a promise.

- You can bank on that.

Quite a few unfortunate fighters busted

their knuckles on that hard head of his.

That's it. Time. All bets in.

Hey, old man. I'll end it for you.

Keep smiling while you still have lips.

- When he's done, I'm coming after you.

- You'll only be coming after a doctor.

Jesus. $9,000 in the man's hand...

Enough to take your breath away.

Get them going.

We're ready over here.

Come on, Chaney, goddammit.

You're pretty good.

My, my, look at that,

lying there like a dead man.

Should we call for an ambulance or a

hearse? No, let's get a wheel barrow.

You've always had

an unfortunate way of putting things.

Nothing personal, Chick.

Look at that.

I got a message from Chick Gandil.

He wants a drink with us.

- You handle it, I'm not interested.

- No, he said us.

It never hurt anybody to be polite.

- I saw you out there. Real smooth.

- Thank you, it's all in the partner.

I would like to propose a toast.

I propose a toast to

the best man I know.

To the Napoleon of southern sports.

Me.

Come on, Gayleen. Let's get with those

galloping dominoes. We'll see you later.

I assume you realize the blood of Edgar

Allan Poe courses through my veins.

No, but it sure sounds like

I'll hear about it.

"Hear the sledges with the bells.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote