Men of Boys Town Page #2

somebody wants to give you, would it?

A poor boy accused of manslaughter

up in Marysport.

Manslaughter! I'm surprised

I'm not accused of murder.

$200,000.

Now, Dave, you'll have plenty of time

to think that over while I'm away.

Somebody else should think, Eddie,

not me. Include me out.

There aren't enough troubles

around here...

you've got to go a 1,000 miles

to find more.

The Judge thinks maybe I can help.

Hey, what are you doing? Get out of there.

- I ain't doing nothing.

- I know it. But you can't hang around here.

- I thought this place is for homeless kids.

- It is, but it's jam-pack full.

What about all them buildings?

As soon as they're open, there'll be room.

Look, there's kids come around here

all the time. Dozens every night.

But we just can't take care of them yet.

It's tough luck, that's all.

- What right you got to kick us out?

- I'm the mayor of Boys Town.

Mayor or no mayor,

we want to see Father Flanagan.

- You can't.

- Why not? He's the headman. Ain't he?

I'll get you some grub, that's all I can do.

But if you talk to him,

he's liable to give up his own bed to you.

Wait a minute, boys.

Whitey, that's a good idea of yours.

Have the housekeeper put the boys

in my room till I get back.

And give them my supper, too.

No sense in wasting food.

- Thanks, Father.

- Thanks a lot.

This way, fellows.

Whitey, introduce them

to the washroom, too.

Now I'm sure I'm home.

Never a dull moment.

Got any money for your railroad fare?

- Good thing you reminded me.

- Yeah.

- Here.

- Thanks, Dave.

I'll stop by the bank in the morning

and have a talk with Gorton.

- Maybe we can do something.

- I'm sure you'll do whatever you can.

I go away a year for a rest.

In one hour I'm back with you and already

I've got another nervous breakdown.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have.

The jury will rise

and look upon the accused.

The defendant will...

The defendant will face the jury.

In the case of the

People v. Theodore Martley...

how says the jury, guilty or not guilty?

Guilty of murder in the second degree,

Your Honor.

And if it please Your Honor, the jury

earnestly recommends mercy.

The court will take

your recommendation into account.

I realize that the members of the jury

have performed a highly distasteful duty...

as good and earnest citizens.

Because of the onerous nature

of your service...

I will release you from further jury duty.

If there is any reason at this time why

a sentence should not be pronounced...

Ted, there must be something you can say

that will help me.

There must be some reason why

you killed that guard at the reformatory.

Tell me why you did it.

Ted, can't you see that the court

is trying to help you?

I hate to think you committed this crime

without some reason.

Theodore Martley, you've been found

guilty of murder in the second degree.

According to the laws of this state,

I have no alternative...

but to sentence you

to imprisonment in the penitentiary...

for a term of not less than 10 years.

No more than 20 years.

But I will suspend execution of sentence...

pending consultation with

Father Flanagan and Mrs. Maitland...

Chairman of the State Parole Board.

Court will recess.

Ted, I want to be your friend.

I've come here to help you.

I've come over a 1,000 miles

just to see you.

Then go on back there!

I will after you talk to me, not before.

You know, there are other boys who are

waiting for me to come back to them.

I'm neglecting my job to be here with you.

And I'm going right on neglecting it

until you let me help you.

I don't want your help!

I don't want anybody's help!

Well, I can wait just as long as you can.

But you're going to let me help you.

Don't be afraid, boy.

You know, Ted, you've got beautiful eyes.

Why don't you look up

and let the world see how nice they are?

What good is helping me now?

Why didn't somebody help me when that

drunken guard broke my back...

with a two-by-four?

Why didn't somebody help me

when he beat me so I couldn't walk?

Why didn't somebody help me

when that doctor cut me up?

And now, I can't move my legs at all!

Why didn't somebody help me then?

So that's why you shot the guard?

He beat you, broke your back?

Sure. That's why! And I'd kill him again.

Do you hear that? Any time.

- I'd kill him again.

- No, you wouldn't, Ted.

What you've done,

no matter what the provocation...

will rest heavily upon you

for a long time to come.

I'm going to tell the Judge about this.

He should know.

I didn't tell you anything!

I didn't say anything.

What are you afraid of?

I didn't tell you anything, you hear me?

You can't say I did because I didn't!

It'd only get those other kids

at the reform school in trouble...

- with the guards.

- I see.

Ted, how would you like to go to a place

where there are no guards? No walls?

There isn't any such place.

You said you wanted to help me.

Well, if you do, prove it.

Promise me you won't say anything.

I won't say a word to anybody

until you tell me I may.

That's the boy, Ted. Have a good cry.

That's the first step back.

I'm not crying.

I'm just tired, that's all.

Just tired.

Sure. Sure you are.

Take Ted into the anteroom.

I thought he was as hard as granite.

No boy is.

I hate to shift the natural burdens

of society to you, Father.

But you can see what I'm up against.

I can either parole him in your custody,

or send him to state's prison.

Maybe this is a judgment.

The only empty bed in Boys Town

is in the infirmary.

Where are the guards?

I told you, Ted, there were

no guards here and no walls.

Any boy is free to leave here

any time he wants to.

How would I leave? Roller skate?

Well, you might roller skate sometime

if a really fine doctor looked you over.

Doctors! I won't have any part of them.

All they do is cut you up and hurt you.

They never do you any good.

I knew you had some racket

getting me here. Them doctors again.

Well, you can have them, all the doctors!

Don't you worry, Ted. You'll never see

a doctor unless you want to.

You sent for us, Father?

- Yes.

- Hello, Mr. Morris.

Hello, Whitey, Pee Wee.

Hello, Mr. Morris.

Pee Wee, were you a good boy

while I was away?

- Yes, Father.

- Okay, go.

You're cold, Pee Wee.

Whitey, if you had something

to work out, you couldn't quite do it...

but you had a good friend,

what would you do?

Why, I'd ask my friend to help me.

Getting warm now, Pee Wee.

- Well, I know that you're my friend.

- You bet I am.

You're hot now, Pee Wee.

You're getting very hot.

Whitey, I've got a problem.

I want you to help me.

The boy that came here in the ambulance?

Yes.

Oh, you're hot now.

You're hot as a firecracker.

You're burning up.

Well, go on. Take a piece for every day

you were a good boy.

That makes six pieces, doesn't it?

Whitey...

what you do for this boy may determine...

whether he's going to be a cripple

for the rest of his life, or not.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes