Ruthless Page #9

Isn't it logical I should leave

you for the same reason?

Quite.

And you have.

What have you given me in the

five years we've been married?

From the first moment,

you weren't kissing me.

You were kissing 48% of

Delta Bond & Share.

Vic.

Just as a matter of curiosity and

because I happen to like you.

What do you think about our divorce?

I'm sorry it had to happen.

And you never said a word about it.

Not even to Vic.

You just had to lie about it,

didn't you darling.

You poor thing .. you can't help it.

What was the idea?

If I tell her, how many

people know the story?

Yes. I suppose you're right.

She trapped me so

easily, I feel like a fool.

Were they very unpleasant?

Naturally. Don't you think

I have any feelings?

I often wonder.

Horace, since when has McDonald have

to wait outside for four days? McDonald.

Now wait a minute. Don't say his name

as though it were something holy.

He's a businessman who

wants a tremendous loan.

Which we can well afford to give him.

Not without collateral.

Collateral?

That's why I don't want to

see him. What's the point?

Horace, I don't understand you.

Everything in this office.

Every good thing in your life was made

possible by McDonald's faith in you.

In you personally.

It wasn't based on collateral.

He didn't ask for

anything but your word.

He made Vendig Incorporated.

Oh no .. I did.

No. It was McDonald

and Montgomery Trust.

You went to him for help a dozen times.

And each time he gave it to you, freely.

Without question. Without collateral.

Now he's come to you.

Vic. Why don't you

stick to building bridges?

The man wants five million dollars.

Very well secured.

His bank is basically

sound unless he goes under.

If he does, he'll take with him every

small depositor on their books.

I don't know what you've got against

him. But think of those people.

I will when I retire. In the meantime,

I'm thinking only of myself.

Alright. I won't talk to you

as a friend, but as a partner.

A silent one, Vic.

Horace, don't joke while

McDonald is suffering out there.

It's vicious. What you made of anyway?

I'm an adding machine.

And as a result you're so rich

you can afford a conscience.

Well, I'm not that rich.

I still need a lot more.

My job is to protect

my interest and yours.

[ Gunshot! ]

Quite a messy business.

Have they taken him away?

Yeah, just now.

There's complications when a man

dies like that. Questions, questions.

Well, here's to you. Killer.

Cut it out.

Didn't you put that gun to his

head and pull the trigger?

I saved this company five

million hard-earned dollars.

Doesn't the fact the man shot himself

prove a thing to you? He was a weakling.

That's why I couldn't help

him without security.

I can't take your liquor. It chokes me.

Everything about you chokes me.

Why did you pull him down, Horace? Why

pull down everyone who gives you a hand?

Don't be a fool.

What respect can I have for myself?

Watching you at work and letting you get

away with it as I share in the profits!

You aren't a realist. That's all.

That's my department.

Well, let me tell you something.

I don't like the people

in your department.

I don't like what they do. I don't like

what they do to me, so I'm getting out.

I need you.

You don't need anyone.

You're the only friend I have.

And I hate your insides.

I had good reason to

break with you, Horace.

But it wasn't only the McDonald

affair that kept me away so long.

Vic.

This must be very

embarrssing for Mallory.

Will you dance with me, Mallory?

Excuse me.

Certainly.

Vendig .. you've gone very far.

You've been very clever.

No cleverer than most men.

But every time I saw something

I wanted, I did say to myself ..

This I must have.

Yes, I underestimated you, Vendig.

You know, that's the first

tactical error I've ever made.

I'm sorry it had to happen.

And I'm sorry too.

Shall we change places again?

Are you a bible reading man?

Oh, when do I get time to read anything?

"How greatly despised .."

"Pride of thy heart hath deceived you."

"You, whose habitation is

high, who sayeth in his heart .."

"Who shall bring thee

down to the ground?"

"You, who thought

yourself as the eagle."

"And set your nest among the stars."

"Whence, will I bring thee down?"

"Sayeth the Lord."

Mallory.

Oh.

Vic's gone to find my wrap.

We're about to say goodnight.

But I don't want you to say goodnight.

I want you to stay.

But you'll be going away.

Be sailing in a few minutes.

Only if I choose.

Nobody says to me: do this, do that.

A very nice position to be in.

I suppose that's what

you've worked so hard for.

Please don't talk away from the point.

I said I wanted you to stay.

Sorry.

Listen to me.

I want you understand what's been in my

mind ever since I first saw you tonight.

I love you ..

you've got to believe that. I love you.

Please don't ..

Nothing that can ever happen

will add to what I know now.

I've been waiting for you, Mallory.

I've waited ever since I was a boy.

I've allowed myself only one dream.

I didn't know what your name was

in the dream. But it was you.

If you'll believe that Mallory, we have

a life ahead that's beyond dreaming.

I think you do love me. I think you do.

Say it Mallory and come away with me.

Mallory!

It's time we left here. Most of

the other guests have gone.

Stop interfering. Not your business.

Don't be a fool.

This is my business.

That makes it unpleasant,

but it doesn't change things for me.

I know. It never did.

Your baggage is ready, Mr Vendig.

And the few papers you wanted.

I'll go on the small launch.

Open the library safe, and I'll

be there in five minutes.

We haven't much time, Mallory.

Alright, Vic.

You see, I won't be with you.

No.

I don't see anything.

Let's go.

The car's that way.

I know. We're going to the pier.

Why?

I want to see him again.

I want you to see him again.

But we've seen him. We've looked

at him for hours. That's enough.

Vic, I don't know what you're afraid of.

I'm afraid of losing you.

And don't tell me I never

had you to lose. I had.

And he's not going to spoil it for me.

Mr Lambdin and the

young lady are on the pier.

He spoils everything he touches.

He takes the life out of

it and leaves it to rot.

And it's not an obsession

with him. He's made like that.

But he won't see me.

We'll hide if you like.

What do you want to do?

Gape at him, get his autograph?

You're so difficult.

And you're building a wall between

us. Don't you understand that?

Let's go back to the

car and get out of here.

No.

Mallory.

Vic, do you know I can't

because you're so afraid?

I've got to show you that you're wrong.

He has no real hold on me

any more than he has on you.

And if I'm right?

You shouldn't want to keep me back.

I knew I wasn't mistaken.

I thought this was the way you'd go.

Just as you are.

Don't make any plans, Horace.

She came down to

see you off. That's all.

I asked you to stop interfering.

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