Ruthless

1

It's been a long time. A long time.

But it doesn't seem long enough

for all the things I can remember.

From what you tell me, this man gives

one a lot of things to remember him by.

Look at that gate.

Larger than life, huh?

That's him all over.

Are you sure you are not exaggerating?

Darling it's possible to live so much in

the past that it affects one's judgment.

I've never been able to judge him.

Too near him for too long.

Loved him too much.

And hated him too much.

You mustn't feel this way.

He's only a man.

Yes, but a man who can

twist you and warp you.

I'm glad I'm rid of him.

But you're not.

You've never been rid of him. You've

talked of no-one else since we first met.

Darling, you mustn't let him

have such a hold on you.

Good evening.

If you please, sir. May I

have your invitation card?

Of course.

Thank you.

It's quite alright.

I'll not announce you as

Mr Vendig is speaking.

That way, sir.

Thank you.

I'm afraid we're rather late.

Understanding of, and sympathy for,

divergent cultural patterns ..

Are certainly basic to the

attainment of our goal.

Such a foundation, consequently, might

in its small, human and intimate way ..

Serve the all-important

cause of world peace.

That's Vendig.

My friends, I've enjoyed

the battle of life.

And I've tasted defeat.

I've enjoyed the fruits

of victory to the full.

But after the dread lesson

of the last few years.

I think that all of us are a little

weary of victories and battles.

Whether great or small.

We want peace.

I may assure the Under-Secretary and his

colleagues from the State Department.

I may assure our friends,

the delegates of the United Nations.

That I am not proposing.

To take over, alone and unaided.

The functions of their

great organization.

I can offer only .. the Peace Foundation

which I have described to you.

It will need a home.

Mr Secretary and gentlemen, I ask

your joint acceptance of this house ..

And the 3,000 acres of

ground surrounding it.

The Foundation .. will need funds.

I ask your joint acceptance, of an

endowment fund of 25 million dollars.

Thank you.

Impressed?

It must mean a great

deal to own this house.

I wonder why he wants to give it away.

But you miss the point, young lady.

It's for the cause of peace.

Mr Vendig wants peace.

Hello Lambdin.

Terry.

George says it's taxes.

Yes, being a realist,

I've got it all figured out.

To begin with, take

the taxes on this place.

I happen to know them. They're murder.

Yes, but there is the 25 million.

it still has to do with taxes.

George, you've got to learn

to think on a bigger scale.

This beautiful young lady knows

what I mean in a word .. peace.

It seems to me any effort for peace

should be praised, whatever the motive.

It wasn't peace in the

world I was thinking of.

I was thinking of the peace within.

Within Woodruff Vendig's soul.

Paul, which would you rather say?

Vendig's soul or taxes?

Taxes. Every time.

Besides, if he wanted peace,

what are you doing here?

You are all talking as if he just died

and we're here to criticize the remains.

Vendig is still very much alive.

Be so good as to step into

the study, Mr Lambdin.

Mr Vendig's personal request.

Yes.

This way, sir.

I know the way.

Yes, sir.

They're the first businessmen I've met who

are like what businessmen are meant to be.

George told you he was a realist.

A realist has to question the motives

behind a big gesture as this tonight.

Why?

Why not accept it for what it is?

A man's hope for the future.

Perhaps they know Vendig better.

Possibly, a man can change.

I hope you're right.

Because if you're not, there is a very

grim future in store for this world.

Vic.

When a man believes in

something, and it's a good thing.

It's wonderful how his

past can become his past.

Really.

Those men said Vendig

wanted to save his soul.

Perhaps he could.

If he had your charity.

The handshaking must still be going on.

Oh, it's beautiful.

That's his yacht. The Faraway.

His press agents have

been working overtime.

They'd have you believe that

on the stroke of twelve ..

He leaves the house,

steps aboard and sails away.

Nobody knows where.

But he has to go away.

That's part of his new

life, don't you see?

I thought you weren't coming.

I waited and everybody

else came .. but not you.

I meant to be on time, but ..

I took the wrong road.

I thought you still bore a grudge.

All of this wouldn't have meant very

much if you had held out on me.

Maybe you have.

Isn't taking the wrong road one of those

mistakes that occur when you want it to?

Subconsciously.

Sorry, I haven't analyzed

myself in days.

You don't think I'm sincere?

Let's say I'm reserving judgment.

It sounds kinder.

Vic .. when a man is ambitious for the

kind of success that I dreamed about.

It's inevitable that a lot of

people are going to be hurt.

He doesn't know that.

He's too busy .. he's fighting too hard.

Then he .. reaches the top.

Whatever the top may be for him.

And he has a chance to stop .. think.

That's when the pain of all

those people comes back to him.

He starts to think.

That's when he starts

to be a little afraid.

Mallory. This is

Horace Vendig. Our host.

Horace - Miss Flagg.

How do you do?

I'm so glad to meet Vic's oldest friend.

Mallory is quite a pianist, Horace.

You'd have known her name immediately

if you'd been interested in music.

What's the matter?

You see a resemblance?

She's like ..

Like Martha.

I know.

Are you related to the Burnsides?

There is no relationship

with Martha, Horace.

In a way, I'm sorry.

Vic has told me so many

things about Martha Burnside.

What kind of things?

Just nice things.

What else could I say about Martha?

Of course.

You know, it's funny. I do a great

deal of remembering myself.

But I rarely ever talk about it.

We do go a long way back.

Don't we, Vic?

[ Singing:
]

"Now the moon shines

tonight on pretty Red Wing."

"The breeze is sighing,

the night bird's crying."

"For afar 'neath his star

her brave is sleeping."

"While Red Wing's

weeping her heart away."

It's tough paddling. What

would you say the current is?

Five miles an hour? Six?

About four.

Ha, that's what you'd say If

you were doing the paddling.

Alright. I'll paddle.

Do it downstream.

It's easier.

Come on, that's not fair.

I gave you best at swimming as you're

the best swimmer and we all know it.

But I'm the best with the paddle and

you won't let me show Martha.

Give me that paddle.

Look out! We'll be getting a bath.

Help me! Help me!

Alright, Martha. I'll get you.

Help me ..

Hurry!

Help me!

Help me.

As if I didn't have my hands full. Now

you come in looking like a drowned rat.

You're a "Vendig" alright.

Not caring that I have to work my

fingers to the bone, teaching brats ..

Whose mothers I wouldn't let take

in my washing when I was a girl.

Freddie Attwood, you keep on with

those scales until I tell you to stop.

Look at that suit!

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