Timberjack Page #3

Brunner ought to have his head examined.

We'll take her to the roundhouse

as soon as I get back.

Just as you figured, Miss Lynne. He's fixing

to steal the train tonight. Brunner'll hear him.

Hello, everybody!

Miss Lynne and Jingles!

We were just driving by and heard

the music. Ja, ja, Miss Lynne.

Jingles, give us some stoosh!

Gentlemen, the Vermilion Belle takes

pleasure in presenting... THE Vermilion Belle!

Riika. Tim. I'm down below.

Can you hear me?

.. Good. Now, listen.

Everything we decided still goes,

but we've got to change our plans.

We'll close the deal tonight.

Yeah. Yeah.

I'll be there with pen and ink!

That's right. And don't forget

to bring the witnesses.

Charlie! You're going to be late for

supper. You're not going to the roundhouse.

Tim Chipman, what are you doing

here? I own half of this line.

I'm taking the engine and half of the

flats. We're heading for Chipman. Let's go!

Mr Brunner, an engine

is highballing for Chipman.

He did it! He stole her!

Get the hand cars out!

That's what you were doing up here, making a lot of

noise so we wouldn't hear the train. That's right.

I suppose you tipped him off

about tomorrow night. Right again.

Lay 'em out on the table, Lynne.

Who are you for? Him or me?

I'm for everybody staying alive, not killing

each other for money. You like money pretty well.

I get mine making people happy.

What am I supposed to do

at the barricade? Blow your whistle.

Maybe he's already tore it down.

Maybe.

There's two of Brunner's men.

No, we're going through. You take her through

alone. I'm unloading. I'm with you, Charlie.

It worked. Don't count your sticks

till they're lumber on the woodpile.

Send two men out to tell us when Brunner's gang

shows up. Pauquette, Veazie, go up on the hogback.

So, you think Brunner's coming?

Yeah. Red Bush saw me leaving.

Oh? We'll stop him.

ALL:
Yeah!

They come! How many? Eight. They'll

be no trouble, monsieur! Come on!

Boss, we're outnumbered two to one.

That's far enough, Brunner. Stay your

side of that line and nobody'll get hurt.

Chipman, did you think you'd get away with

stealing that train? I took what was my legal right.

You've committed armed assault and

robbery. I'll let the authorities decide.

When I take you into court, you'll come

out as naked as the day you were born.

You're too smart for that. You know

that while we'd be in litigation,

the courts would force you to keep this

line open and then I wouldn't be bottled up.

I wouldn't waste my time licking a

Chipman that way. I'll lick 'em MY way.

The best man ain't winning!

That's got him, eh?

Let's get some of that iron, huh?

You're just like your papa.

Best man won! Oh, Jingles,

all I care is they're both alive.

TIMBER!

TIMBER!

TIMBER!

Wire it up!

You're really logging them off. The fellas get a taller

bonus every day we beat the footage. Anyone slacking?

I don't know about that. I don't know.

I'm too busy watching out for Polacks.

You been down the lake? Yes. When do you think the

dam will be finished? Take over. I'll go down and see.

Maybe. And maybe I won't. You don't

think I can handle it? It's not that.

It's too quiet. Your papa always said, when

Brunner's still, you'd better look out for a headache.

Maybe you'd better go to the landing. It's more

important you check the dam. I'll stay here.

Take it easy, Swifty. Take it easy.

A wise, English proverbialist once remarked,

and I render it to you unadulterated,

"Advice comes too late when a thing is done. "

Good Sunday, thou princeling of my private Pullman.

Greetings, my love. Dad, come with me. I need this

badly, Lynne. We'll have one together at dinner.

What happened to upset you? I

learned something that made me wither.

What is it? I cannot disclose it to you. You tell

me everything. This would only cause you anguish.

I haven't been much of a parent to you, but this time

I will protect you. Oh, Dad, you've been wonderful.

When you were little, back in the old country, I

watched your beautiful mother prepare you for slumber

and I resolved that I would achieve something...

not for me, but so that you would be secure.

But what benefit's a dreamer when the clouds

become storms, when the sun turns to darkness?

And the night never-ending? What good is

knowledge, integrity, dignity and truth

when the gods of dishonesty, slime and greed demand

of a weak person the ultimate penalty? My darling...

I have not been a wonderful father.

I have only seemed wonderful

because things I could not give you,

I tried to make up for by substituting the emotions deep in my heart

- love, respect and devotion.

Now I have a small matter to settle with my client.

But Croft isn't at the landing. He will be presently.

You can see him later. Stay with me.

There are six faults a thinking man should avoid

- drowsiness, sloth, idleness, fear, anger...

and an over-loving daughter.

Swifty.

Come down from Talka? I did.

It must have been urgent.

It was and is. You've been drinking.

Not enough to expiate the vile feeling I suffer

because of my association with you. Barrel fever!

Why don't you go home, sleep it off?

I am here to state a simple brief.

I do not underwrite or accept what you've done

to Tim Chipman or what you plan to do to him.

Then pull out, you booze-soaked,

snivelling rum-pot! I'll run Talka.

My purpose here is to discuss with you

intelligence I came across at Talka. Like what?

Your telegram for strong arms from the

outside. Does Lynne know about this?

I am no informer of persons, places

or peccadilloes, great or small.

No sense in burdening her with

information she might slip to Chipman.

I wonder how he got wind of Chilco? It

wasn't Lynne. No, Lynne had no way of knowing.

She thinks you are the most misunderstood

of men. Misjudged and put-upon.

You are an uncut diamond, to her,

who shines with honesty.

This is an opinion

that I do not share with her.

I'm good enough to save you dying hungry,

but not good enough to be your son-in-law?

Lynne has her own life to live.

You've always hated me. I came

to comment as your legal counsel.

I leave you with a line

from Shakespeare's Hamlet -

"Murder, though it have no tongue, will speak with

most miraculous organ. " Now I know who told Chipman.

Croft, in this mood

you are dangerous. Good day, sir.

YOU! You're the fink!

Swifty!

Croft.

Lynne, have you come to call on me?

Where is Dad? Isn't he at the house?

No, he came here. Sure, but he left.

Oh. Then you saw him.

Yes, I found him having a drink. I had one

with him, then he left. I'll walk you home.

Lynne, your pa's old enough to take care of

himself. But he was steamed up about something. What?

He didn't want to tell me. He looked

pretty happy when I saw him.

Dad?

Dad? Oh, is...

He not here.

I'll send the boys out to track him.

He may have gone back to Talka.

On a Sunday he could be 20 places.

Please stop worrying. I guess

you're right. See you later, Croft.

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