Reap the Wild Wind Page #5

You're stabbing him in the back...

That's enough.

In the first place, you're

not in love with him.

And in the second, I

intend to marry you myself.

- Well, upon my word.

- No. Upon my word.

Do you think after knowing one real

man like Jack Stuart, just one...

that a girl would even look at

a namby-pamby popinjay like you?

For the past month or more...

you haven't seemed to have

found my ways distasteful.

Well, if I played up to you, it was

so you wouldn't break Jack, that's all.

So you'd give him command of the

Southern Cross, and no other reason.

I see.

What are you taking your gloves off for?

I take it you prefer the rough

ways of your Key West pirates.

I'll be leaving now.

I'm sorry to delay you, but there's

something you need very badly.

LOXI:
Don't you put your hands on me!

Steve, stop it! How

dare you! Stop it, I say!

LOXI:
Let me go!

Let me up! Why you!

Oh.

You sorry, insufferable nincompoop.

If I only had a horsewhip.

Excuse me, please.

Loxi, dear child, we've just

heard. I'm so happy for you.

- Congratulations, Miss Loxi.

- That's nice of you.

- We just heard, Loxi.

- When's the wedding?

- You're a very lucky girl.

- Charleston will be green with envy.

I shall be a good loser, Miss Loxi,

and offer Steve my congratulations.

GEORGE:
Mighty clever of you, Tolliver.

STEVE:
Thank you very much, George.

- You're shot with luck.

- You're certainly full of surprises.

Yes, I'm a little surprised myself.

- Steve, it's so romantic.

- Yes, isn't it?

Steve's such a fine catch.

Steve? Why...

[Orchestra playing the waltz]

Please, everyone, listen.

LOXI:
I haven't any idea how all this

started, but it isn't true what you've heard.

You've all been very kind

to me here in Charleston.

But there's a rumour going around this

room that must be stopped right now.

I can't. I won't have

my name linked with a...

You've been very gracious to me...

congratulating me on my

engagement to be married...

and wishing me so much

happiness. I thank you all for it.

MAN 1:
What's come over the child? WOMAN

Yes, I am going to be married.

But I'm gonna marry a real man.

A man that can ride out a

southwester and clew up a topsail.

Not a lace-ruffled

bullying jaybird like...

[Loxi sobbing]

LOXI:
Jack!

Loxi, how could...

MAN 2:
Somebody get some water.

[Loxi sobbing]

The skipper will marry

us before we sail.

MAN 3:
Steve's well rid of her. WOMAN

MAN 4:
A hard pill for Steve to swallow.

MAN 5:
He won't swallow it. Not Steve.

[Crew yelling]

SKIPPER:
Lively with those winches!

SKIPPER:
Put your weight

into it, you bilge rats!

- Skipper, Miss Claiborne.

- How do you do?

- Maum Maria isn't here with my things yet.

- I'm sorry, we haven't...

Not the topsail halyards!

The gaff sail lift!

You lumps of hardtack

weevil! Join hands!

[Boatswain whistles]

Excuse me, ma'am. Join hands.

[Man yelling]

Blood of the devil!

What're you doing up there?

You mangy hunks! Grab that halyard!

Come on, you!

CREW:
Heave!

- Let's get on with it, Skipper.

- But we're on the wrong side.

[Man yelling]

"Dearly beloved, we are

gathered together here..."

It's foul at the block! Did you

never walk a footrope before?

[Gruffly] "I require...

[Softly] "I require

and charge you both..."

- Skip that part.

- All right.

Jack, do you take this woman

for your iawfui wedded wife?

- I do.

- And...

SKIPPER:
What's her name? JACK: Loxi.

Loxi, do you take this man for your lawful

wedded husband? And do you solemnly...

[Horses cantering]

Suffering shadrack, what's that?

CREWMAN 1:
Looks like a runaway!

CREWMAN 2:
Reckon he's boarding us?

CREWMAN 3:
That's what he's doing.

CREWMAN 4:
Let go your fore-back spring!

CREWMAN 5:
Say, ain't that

Mister... SKIPPER: Get back to work!

- Somebody's coming aboard!

- Stop yawing and finish off.

Loxi, do you take this man to

be your lawful wedded husband?

No! She does not.

JACK:
We've got no need of a lawyer.

SKIPPER:
I be striving to get underway.

STEVE:
I'll take you home now,

Loxi. JACK:
Get off this ship.

CREWMAN 6:
Look at that! CREWMAN

- I've taken all I'm gonna take from you.

- Not quite.

CREWMAN 8:
Ain't she a hellcat?

CREWMAN 9:
What's he doing?

You can't go around

bullyragging! Put me down! Jack!

SKIPPER:
Are you crazy,

Stuart? He's the owner!

Jack!

CREWMAN 9:
Watch out,

mate, he'll hogtie you!

CREWMAN 9:
Spit in his eye, mate!

CREWMAN 10:
Look at that one.

Jack!

There you are.

- Shall I set her back, Mr. Tolliver?

- No, keep underway.

SKIPPER:
Aye, sir. STEVE:

I'll come on another ship.

- Don't touch me.

- Put your hand on my shoulder and relax.

CREWMAN 4:
Heave ho the

forestay sail. Heave ho!

- You coward! You irresponsible ruffian.

- The water's warm, isn't it?

What right do you think you've got to

keep me from sailing with my husband?

He's not your husband.

You didn't say "I do."

What? I will right now. Jack! L...

- Jack!

- Oh, come now.

MAN:
Charleston packet sure got

quality folks aboard this trip.

CREWMAN 1:
Let her drop.

CREWMAN 2:
Load it on.

CREWMAN 3:
Give her more slack.

CREWMAN 1:
Steady now. CREWMAN

[People yelling and chattering]

[Cheerful instrumental music]

That's him. There, with the lapdog.

Oh, my goodness, where's Drusilla?

I'll go find her. I

ain't got nothing to do.

There she is, with two red

pennants and her top rigging.

- Loxi dear!

- Mummy! Hello, Mummy.

We'll come ashore as

soon as we find Drusilla.

Dan.

[Slow instrumental music]

[Dan whistles]

Oh, Dan!

Dan, be careful.

Wear this for me tonight.

I reckon I didn't see what I

just seen. Come along, child.

Capt. Phil, I brought you the most...

Where's Jack Stuart, Capt. Phil?

He's out on a diving job. He'll be

back tonight if his hat don't leak.

Drusilla! Wherever have you

been? What a lovely shawl.

That's the only thing I

ain't been asked to carry.

- Have you enjoyed your trip, Mr. Tolliver?

- Yes, very pleasant indeed.

LOXI:
Capt. Phil! PHIL:

Sir, I want to know.

Here, here. It's an epidemic.

Those double topsails get at

least two knots more out of her.

MAN 1:
Hurry with the cargo, boys.

MAN 2:
Easy. Easy there.

She handles much easier, too.

I can see Charleston

in the cut of your jib.

MAN 2:
Hold it.

Steve, look out! Jump!

[All shouting]

[Romulus barking]

Don't faint, child. I'm

as white as a sheet myself.

Romulus, we have arrived.

MAN:
Clear the gangplank. Keep calm.

That molasses came near

being flavoured with Tolliver.

LOXI:
Steve, are you hurt? STEVE:

We've made an impression at last.

- I was only worried about the dog.

- We're both very grateful.

- I hope you found your mother well.

- Look after the dog, will you, Capt. Phil.

That was a close call, my friend.

KING:
Let me congratulate you.

Mr. Tolliver, this

here's Mr. King Cutler.

You two men maybe

heard about one another.

Oh, Tolliver. Well.

As one lawyer to another, let

me welcome you to Key West.

- Thank you, that was quite a welcome.

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