The Ghost Ship Page #5

I can see it in his face.

I'm not too dumb a guy now, Sparks.

I'm not yellow. I'm not hysterical.

I'm telling you he's gonna kill me,

and I need your help.

That is hogwash.

At least do me one favor.

Send a wireless to Ms. Roberts

in San Sebastin.

I can't do that. Captain's forbidden all

wireless unless he personally okays them.

Don't you see?

That's part of what I meant.

Yeah?

Hold it.

Move and you'll get a bullet

through your abdomen.

Not a pleasant or quick death.

Perhaps you've never seen

a man die that way.

But I want you to live.

I want you to learn the great lesson

that I thought I'd taught you.

Authority cannot be questioned.

That's crazy talk.

I never felt more sane in my life

than I do at this moment.

Who's crazy?

You, who defied me and are helpless...

...or I, who control your destiny

and the destiny of the Altair...

...and all the lives onboard?

- I wish Bowns...

I wish the crew could see

what I see now.

- Could hear you talk.

- You think I'm insane?

Yes. And they would too

if they could see you now.

Raving and ranting.

I am captain.

As long as I wear these stripes...

...there isn't a man in the crew

that'll believe you or help you.

You'll find them too lazy...

...too cowardly...

...too disinterested.

That's what I want you

to learn, Merriam.

Men are worthless cattle.

And a few men...

...are given authority to drive them.

You can't prove that to me

even with a gun, captain.

I know people aren't that way.

They're good, kind.

They help each other.

It's only hard

to get them to understand.

I'll give you a chance

to make them understand.

You go out there.

Go anyplace you want onboard ship.

Talk to them.

See if you can get them to help you.

See if they'll stand up

with you against authority.

Why, even your friend Sparks

won't help you.

Go ahead. Get out.

Try and get help against me.

Try. Try.

Try.

But, Jim, can't you understand

what I'm trying to tell you?

But Louie was your pal.

The best friend you had onboard.

How do you think your pal was caught

in the chain locker?

Do you think that door closed itself?

If you take my advice...

...you'll quit trying to start

trouble around here.

Boats, you're a sensible man.

Quit trying to stir up trouble

with the crew against the old man.

They don't like it. They don't like you.

And did you ever hear about mutiny?

Good morning, Mr. Bowns.

There isn't any lock on my cabin door.

I was wondering if you could put one on.

Since you have no earthly need

of this...

Listen, Tom.

You'll only get anyone

you try to talk to in Dutch.

- Now, why don't you be a good guy...

- Get this.

I'm desperate, Sparks.

- Why is the lock on my...?

- I don't know anything.

There's only one thing

you can do to please me.

And that's staying away from me

and not talking to me.

Seems to me the captain

is being decent...

...after what you...

- But it's true. I've got to convince you.

Or someone.

The captain's a homicidal maniac.

We've got to...

- Get this off right away.

- Yes, sir.

I know this man's trouble.

I've seen the captain's hatred.

I know...

...and I will watch.

I will watch.

Hiya, Tertius. Close the door.

I don't get this.

"Tom Merriam not aboard Altair.

Regards."

Why would the captain

want to send this to Mr. Roberts?

I don't know.

And because I don't know

I'm beginning to believe your story, Tom.

This is a reply to a message

sent by Roberts asking if you're aboard.

The way I figure it, maybe you're right.

Maybe the captain intends

to get rid of you.

- Now you know, are you going to help me?

- Yeah.

I'm gonna take this to Bowns

in the morning.

It'll be enough to get him

to listen to you anyhow.

Meanwhile, you better get some rest.

- So long, Tertius.

- So long, and thanks.

- Do you know how to operate the wireless?

- Yes, sir.

If you don't mind, I'd like you to get up

and send a message for me.

I beg your pardon, sir,

but why can't Sparks send it?

The message I'm asking you to send

will answer that question.

Can you read, Finn?

What do you want the paper for?

I'm ready, sir.

This is a lie. You killed him.

You knew he was gonna help me.

Why, you...

You killed him. I know you killed him.

He killed Sparks. Let me go.

He didn't fall overboard.

Captain Stone killed him.

Just as he killed Louie.

Just as he wants to kill me.

I tell you he's crazy.

Can't you understand? He's crazy.

Mr. Merriam may be giving us a clue

as to what's wrong with him.

- You mean the boy is...?

- It's the captain.

- He's mad.

- I don't know how you describe...

...conduct such as this, Mr. Bowns.

- Let me go. Please let me go.

He killed my friend. He killed Louie.

Maybe we ought to have him restrained

so he won't hurt himself.

Get a rope. Truss him up

and put him in his bunk.

What's all the excitement?

You couldn't be telling.

That's fine, boys. That's enough.

Better give him a sedative.

Here's a needle all made up.

- Think he needs it?

- He looks pretty bad. It might quiet him.

Yes, sir.

No.

Please, Mr. Bowns.

Mr. Bowns, please. No.

Mr. Bowns, please.

No, Mr. Bowns.

Please.

What do you want?

That's an odd message, surely.

Can't make head nor tail of it.

With the boy here and alive.

Maybe the boy is right.

I don't know. Orders is orders.

I had the boy tied up

and gave him a sedative.

Maybe he ain't the crazy one at that.

- You deck officers have your problem.

- Yeah.

It's going to be the problem

with you fellas as well as mine.

After me, you're next in rank,

and you gotta help me...

...if the boy is right.

If the boy is right.

If the boy is right.

If the boy is right.

If the boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

Maybe the boy is right.

Maybe the boy is right.

Maybe the boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

Maybe the boy is right.

Maybe the boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

The boy is right. The boy is right.

Mac, we gotta do

something about this.

We can't let things stay this way.

I don't know.

The boy is safe.

And his belief in men

and men's essential goodness is secure.

He stands beside me in command.

All is well.

Lights are bright, sir.

And we are homeward bound

to San Pedro.

- For luck.

- Thank you, sir.

Being a sailor, you'll need luck.

You're a sailor, all right, sir.

I don't need eyes to tell me

you're a seaman outward bound.

Oh, Mr. Merriam. Mr. Merriam.

Mr. Merriam, my sister Ellen

asked me to meet your ship.

How do you do?

Yes, she told me all about you.

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