Odd Man Out Page #6

- I don't know.

- Don't you?

- Then I'll break your little neck.

- Lukey, let go of me.

- Yes or no?

- I want to think over me plans...

I said, yes or no?

Well...yes.

If you don't bring him here,

I'll hit you hard where it hurts.

Yes.

But if you do bring him here, then I may,

I may find some good in you after all.

Now look, I'll have everything ready.

You dirty little...!

Shell!

I'm not running any risks for the fun

of putting up models for you, my boy!

Are there faces in the fire, Lukey?

Hundreds of them, Tober.

Beautiful ones, ugly ones.

Smiling...glaring at me.

Men and women, one after another,

telling me things,

shedding tears.

But they don't stay.

Oh, Tober, dear, if I could only get

just one of them...

Go and get yourself a drink, Lukey.

Oh, thank you, Tober.

Johnny.

Johnny, Johnny,

I've fixed it for you.

Johnny. Johnny?

Johnny!

Look out where you're going!

Shell!

Have a drink, Shell. Have a drink.

- How's business?

- My best bird has flew.

- Too bad, too bad.

- Aye. I'm looking for him.

- What sort of bird is he?

- Mr Fencie, he's hurted.

In the left wing.

Do you think you'll find him

on a wild night like this?

I'm halfway to him already.

- Is that so?

- I know where he is at this minute.

- Why don't you catch him then?

- No hurry. No hurry.

He's in a corner. Can't get out.

What would you do if you had him?

I'd sell him. He's a prize creature,

wounded or sound.

Suppose, now...just suppose, like,

you didn't find him at all,

what would you do then?

I'd go to the police, Mr Fencie.

I see.

I wish you luck.

Would you give me a hand

to get him away?

Wait here a minute.

Look out.

- Large whisky.

- Hello, Lukey. How's the art?

Listen to them all yap yap

about a man who committed a murder.

The police want him

but you're all afraid of him but I'm not.

- I'd look into his eyes.

- Then what?

I'd paint him

and the truth of life and death.

- Like those of yours up there?

- That muck? Beer money.

Hold on! Who are you!

What do you want?

What are these people doing here?

- I wouldn't interfere with that.

- He needs the hospital.

Didn't I bring you through the police

cordon in my cab? Come on, get out!

You all right, chum?

Oh, you're tight.

- Who are these people?

- I'll wait for you, Johnny...

There's that little rat!

Time, gentlemen, please! Time!

Let me get at him!

Let me get my hands on the wretch!

You...!

That's enough. Get out of there.

Get out!

Night, ladies.

Good night, good night.

- Good night, good night.

- Good night.

- Give me a couple of those.

- Where's the money?

Put it on my account.

You must be feeling a bit tired

after all your exertions.

The damage will amount

to about 25 quid, I think.

- What suggestions have you got?

- I have no money.

No! But plenty of talent

for smashing up the place!

It's the police for you this time.

The last time you had a small

artistic difference, I forgave you -

this time, it's a little more serious.

- I must send for the police.

- 25. I'm a painter, not a publican.

- Pay up or go to prison.

- I'm pinched financially.

- Then it's six months in jug.

- Have your revenge.

I've got a proposition to make.

Yes. A couple of my pictures

will square it.

- No. An alternative.

- What?

You'll see.

The police or my proposition?

I'm too busy for six months' holiday

in prison.

- Then it is my proposition?

- Yes.

Joe, tell Bill to bring his cab here.

Over here.

- Sam, give us a hand.

- What a picture you've painted.

He's going to make good

that mischief.

But it's Johnny.

- Yes. It's him all right.

- How are you?

I've ordered a cab.

The driver won't ask any questions.

- What do you want me to do?

- Get rid of him.

Tip him out somewhere away from here.

Here's ten bob for the cab.

Make up your mind.

Get out of here. Sam, give us a hand.

- It'll be ten years if we're caught.

- He's for the road.

There's only one road for him.

Wait here.

- The street's empty, the cab is here.

- My bottles. My beer.

See if the police are about.

- But, Mr Fencie...

- Shut up!

- If the police see us...

- Shut up. Open that door.

Thank you.

Lukey, come on, outside.

Come on, come on.

- A little brandy for the journey?

- Outside. Go on, go on.

Come on. Get him in there. Go on.

- Be careful with him.

- Then give us a hand. Get in.

Hurry up.

- Take it away.

- Stop! Have you no manners?

Go on!

When I get you home,

I'll give you a drink.

And a friend of mine,

he'll fix your arm for you.

Tober...

Oh, Tober.

Tober? Tober, is this serious?

When you were a student

in that university in London,

did you learn about things like this?

Am I hurt bad, eh?

No.

I thought I might have been.

Fish and chips.

Good nourishing food, Tober.

Ne'er one for poor Shell.

I'm desperate hungry.

You're a decent man, Tober.

Tober.

Tober, a bad thing has happened.

You won't be cross if I tell yer?

You won't, will yer?

- Lukey was terrible cross.

- Well?

Well, I...I found where Johnny McQueen

was hiding.

- Go on.

- And I...

I took and I went to Father Tom.

- To get your dirty bit of profit?

- I have to live.

- Shell, you are foul.

- Father Tom never said so.

He was decent.

I told him that I had to live

and he sort of agreed with me.

Of course, he has no fortune

but he hinted he had something else.

It's faith, precious particle -

something he has by him.

That's where I've lost.

It might have glorified

your miserable soul.

Tober...what does it mean? Faith?

I knew one man had it.

I wonder how Father Tom

would have given me a bit of it.

- What is it, Tober?

- It's life.

I've got him. It's Johnny.

- Put him over by the fire.

- Oh, no.

It's his shoulder.

He's in a bad way.

Boil up some water quickly.

Bring a clean bowl

and a piece of carbolic soap.

- Bring that case from my room.

- I know. All them silver scissors.

- What's this you're up to?

- Look at him.

All the people I've painted were living

but he's different.

He's near death. He sees it.

He's dying. I don't need to be told that.

There are wonderful thoughts

in his eyes.

- You madman.

- Won't take long.

After I've fixed him up,

he's going to hospital.

You know who he is.

If he gets there soon, he might live.

- His life is lost already.

- Not my concern.

Patching up his body

so he can be tried and executed.

I can't help that.

There's more to be considered

than the body.

That may be dying

but the soul is still alive.

Tober, are you going to operate?

Bring the hot water,

fetch a clean towel.

Have you got the stuff

that makes the hospital smell?

Get those things.

You'll keep out of the light,

won't you, Tober?

Why do you want to do this?

Because there's something to be said

about him before he dies.

- And about all of us.

- I can see it, Tober.

You might find something you don't

understand that'll frighten you.

- I understand what I see in him.

- What is it?

- It's the truth about us all.

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