Christmas Holiday (1944)

[bunniefuu]

You are now about to become officers

in the Army of the United States.

Some of you will serve in one way,

some in another.

Some by living

some by dying.

But you're all at the beginning of the

greatest moment of your lives.

Congratulations

and good luck to you.

Officers will now step forward

for their commission.

Right face.

Forward march.

Lieutenant Tyler.

Lieutenant Mason.

Attention!

At ease men, at ease.

That's the way it is, Charley,

every outfit has at least one

practical joker.

Look, when we get to New York,

no tricks, huh, Steve?

Oh, don't worry about that.

Ten days of fun, no tricks and no sleep.

When do you get to 'Frisco, Charley?

I get to San Francisco tomorrow morning.

Oh, pardon me. I forgot. San Francisco.

Well, Merry Christmas to you, Charley,

if I don't see you again.

And I'll see you on the

New York train ride, Jerry.

Right, Steve.

Hey, Jerry...

Have I shown you this ring?

Seems to me, you have. Seventeen times

until I stopped counting,

as a matter of fact.

Do you think she'll like it?

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised.

They generally do like a wedding ring

when they're getting married.

Want me to ask you again

when it's going to be?

Day after tomorrow, high noon, St. Thomas' Ferry.

That way we can spend a week in Coronado

with New Year's Eve and New Year's day

and I can still get back here in time.

We'll all be shipping out as soon as

we get back from our leaves.

That's what everybody says.

That's why Mona and I decided...

Lieutenant Mason?

Yes.

Oh, thank you.

That's why we decided to get married

right away, Mona and I.

We wanted to make it

tomorrow, Christmas Day,

but that may have been cutting

plane connections a bit too fine.

This way with the extra day...

JUST MARRIED FRANK FABIAN.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME

AND WISH ME HAPPINESS

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I

WISH YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

ALWAYS, MONA.

What's the matter?

What are you going to do?

First thing, of course, we better cancel

your plane reservations.

There'd be no sense in your

making that long trip.

No, I...

I'm going to San Francisco all the same.

They're not going to get away with this.

Charley, why don't you come

to New York with me?

We'd have a wonderful time.

We could run up to Lake Placid

for New Year's.

You said yourself you've never really

seen snow.

There'd be skiing, the bobsled run.

I want to see you on snowshoes.

They look simple at first but...

Oh, Charley...

If a girl is capable of a thing

like this,

it's better to find out about now

than later on.

Forget it.

Sure.

It's happened.

That's all there is to it.

You're not going to make

a fool of yourself just because this...

I've been made a fool of.

As a favor to me, Charley,

we've become pretty good pals,

don't go back, please.

You better hurry if you're going

to get that early train.

Well, I suppose you know

what you're doing.

That's right.

So long and have

a good time in New York.

Jerry, let's get going.

Right away.

Merry Christmas, Jerry.

Thanks.

Louise, we're going to have to

go to our alternate airport

at Harding Field, New Orleans.

We're going to make an alternate landing

right outside of New Orleans.

Nothing wrong, just unfavorable

weather ahead.

Fasten your safety belts, please.

Please fasten your safety belts.

Your attention, please,

We've got a bus outside and we're

taking you to

the Hotel Samarkand for the night.

We hope we can resume the flight

in the morning.

Can't we go on by train if we want to?

I don't think there's a chance. They're

sold out weeks in advance.

Ladies and gentlemen, you all have your

room numbers.

I'll call you as soon as

I know anything.

I hope we can get out soon.

We'll let you know as soon as

the weather changes. Good night.

Beg your pardon, lieutenant.

Yeah?

I'm Simon Fenimore of the

Evening Inquirer.

You're one of the parties that made

the emergency landing, aren't you?

Yeah.

-Anything happen?

No.

-Nobody hurt?

No.

-I was afraid of that.

Lieutenant Mason?

-Yeah.

We're putting you in 1012.

Follow me.

If my paper calls up, I'll be

in the bar.

Right, Mr. Fenimore.

Thanks. Would you send me up

a sandwich and a bottle of beer?

Room service on Christmas Eve?

They'll probably fix you a sandwich

in the bar.

Merry Christmas, lieutenant.

-Thanks.

What's the matter, lieutenant? Christmas

kind of getting you down?

Yeah, I know how it is.

Christmas is only for kids.

It's not for us.

You mind if I sit down?

If you don't mind.

You'd rather I didn't. How about

a drink or something?

No thanks.

-You're the doctor.

The way I look at it is,

the one thing you don't drink, you could

drink, you never get even from then on.

You get it?

Steve.

Yes, Mr. Fenimore.

-Double scotch, straight.

Sure you won't change your mind,

lieutenant?

Just a plain, old fashioned

chatterbox, aren't you?

Look, I don't want to seem

rude, Mr., uh...

Fenimore, Simon Fenimore.

Look, I'll leave as soon as

I finish my drink.

Thanks, Steve.

Toast, lieutenant.

A Merry Christmas.

Oh, wrong toast, eh?

Look, you can't fool your uncle,

Simon Fenimore.

Something's wrong.Something's on your

mind. What is it? Fess up.

I'll bet you I can tell you.

You figured on being in San Francisco

bright and early

Christmas morning and here you are,

trapped like a rat in New Orleans.

Well, I had something planned.

I thought so. Well, it's a pretty tough

nut to crack.

Planes are all grounded, trains won't

do you any good and you're

too big for me to carry piggy-back.

Wait a minute, I've got it.

You don't think so?

Well, frankly...

Well, maybe I can't fix it myself

but if anyone can fix it,

I know the one who can

and we're going there tonight.

What are you talking about?

-The Maison Lafitte.

Valerie De Merode. She's the greatest

fixer south of Chicago.

Come on.

I don't get it. What? Where?

Like I was telling you...

The Maison Lafitte.

It's uh...

Let's face it. It's kind of a joint.

A little way out of town.

I'm the, uh, public relations counsel.

Press agent.

The airplane people told me

they'd call me the minute

they had any news.

We can leave word at the desk

where you've gone.

You think that's safe?

-Why, of course.

Besides, what have you got to lose?

Believe me, they don't roll second

lieutenants at the Maison Lafitte.

They don't generally have more

than a couple of bucks on them

and a picture of a sweater girl.

Come on.

Wait here, lieutenant,

I'll try to find Valerie.

Spring will be a little late this year,

a little late arriving

in my lonely world over here.

For you have left me,

and where is our April of old?

You have left me

and winter continues cold,

as if to say Spring will be

a little slow to start

a little slow reviving

music it made in my heart.

Yes time heals all things

so I needn't cling to this fear

It's merely that Spring will be

a little late this year.

Jackie, come here.

He's over there, Valerie. I wish you'd

help him

if you can. He seems like

an awful nice kid.

Looks like a lieutenant to me.

Hey, wait a minute.

How many times have I told you?

I wish I could figure out what it is

about you, Simon.

You get a few drinks under your belt

and you got to start playing

Good Samarytan.

Samaritan from the French,

meaning Samaritan.

You and your education.

Oh, allow me. This is our hostess,

Valerie De Merode.

This is Lieutenant Mason.

-How do you do?

Please sit down, lieutenant.

Won't you sit down too, Simon?

Thank you very much, I will.

You haven't waited to be asked

to sit down since I met you.

Like I was telling you, Valerie,

the lieutenant planned to fly straight

to San Francisco only his plane

was grounded.

Oh, that's a shame, lieutenant.

And the way it looks now, he won't

be able to take off

for another 24 hours.

he can't possibly get a train so

I thought that maybe you'd be able to

think of a way for him to get out.

Simon's got a heart as big as

all outdoors, lieutenant.

Whenever he meets anyone

with any kind of trouble like yours,

Say, he decides to help them out.

If I can do it.

Oh, now wait a minute.

Since we're telling the truth, Valerie

likes to pretend that she's tough.

Never does anything for anybody.

As a matter of fact, Valerie,

how about it?

Do you think you can help speed

the armed forces on their way?

I really would appreciate it.

Somebody else asked me that

same thing earlier tonight.

He's got a week-old baby

he's never even seen.

His furlough's up three days from now.

I tried everything I know but...

Are you much of a swimmer, lieutenant?

Thanks anyway.

Well, we gave it a good try. Joe!

Some more of that tiger milk over her.

As a matter of fact, Valerie,

now that I'm here,

I know it isn't due

till next Monday, but

how about retiring to your sanctum

and giving me my weekly honorarium.

You know, my...

30 bucks?

Minus the ten spot I gave you

the other night.

Well, at least you owe me 20 bucks.

And added to what I got, that makes 22.

I'll be able to carry on...

Would you mind excusing us, lieutenant,

just for a moment?

Would you like a drink, lieutenant?

Oh, no, no, he doesn't drink.

It's an election bet or something.

Look, Valerie, do you think

you could arrange it

so the lieutenant wouldn't be

lonely for a minute or two?

Let him hear the sound of a human voice?

Oh, no, really I...

What about Jackie?

OK.

Joe, ask Jackie to join us for a moment.

Yes, ma'am.

Jackie's the star

of our little entertainment.

Hello.

How are you doing?

-Lieutenant, this is Jackie.

Sit down, Jackie.

The lieutenant's what you might call

an unexpected pleasure, Jackie.

His plane had to make a forced landing.

Isn't that the way things

always happen, Jackie?

You're getting along all right

and all of a sudden, boom.

You have to make a forced landing.

Well, we've got other fish to fry.

Get the joke, Valerie?

Sure. You're fried.

Well, see you later, lieutenant.

Excuse me. You won't find Jackie

hard to talk to, lieutenant.

He's quite drunk, isn't he?

Not for him.

He's been drinking himself into

the gutter for a long time.

They're running out of gutters.

It's a shame.

I don't think so.

First trip to New Orleans, lieutenant?

Yeah.

Do you want to dance?

If you like.

I'm not a very good dancer, I'm afraid.

Oh, would you rather sit down

and have a drink?

Whatever you say.

Bill?

-Yes, miss.

Scotch and soda.

The usual.

-Yes, ma'am.

Merry Christmas.

Having fun?

-Oh, yes, thank you.

Well, our friend, Simon, passed out.

He talked me into

one more drink in the office.

But don't worry, he had you on his mind.

With the compliments of Mr. Fenimore.

Midnight Mass at the

St. Louis Cathedral.

Take me with you, lieutenant. Will you?

I don't think I'm....

Please.

I mean I'd be glad to take you only

I'm not sure I'm going myself.

It'd be a great favor. It really would.

I want to go...terrribly.

Looks to me, like

you're on the spot, lieutenant.

Oh, It's not that. I...

Please.

All right.

Thanks. Thanks very much.

Won't take me five minutes

to change, lieutenant.

Is it all right?

She's really a very nice girl.

She deserves a break.

I'm sure she does.

Now if you'll tell me what I owe you

for the car back to the hotel.

That's all right.

It's on the house. It's Christmas.

Of course, if you'd like giving Jackie

a little tip or something.

Well, see you later, lieutenant.

Would you like to leave?

We'll have to leave now.

I'm sorry, lieutenant.

Would you like me to take you home?

I'd like something to eat first.

Do you mind?

Why, no, not at all.

Ready?

Uh huh.

I've never cried like that before

in my whole life.

Not even...

And I didn't cry for the reason

you think.

I didn't think anything.

Simon Fenimore didn't tell you

anything about me, huh?

No.

At the Maison Lafitte,

I thought that if I went to mass

with you, I'd become part of it.

Share something with all

those people, some feelings...

Praying, forgetting...

You had a good cry.

That's supposed to help.

I've been alone

as long as I can remember.

I was born in Vermont.

Lived there till I was 16

then I came here.

You sure Simon didn't tell you anything?

Not a thing.

Well...

My name isn't Jackie.

Jackie Lamont.

It's Abigail.

Abigail Manette.

I thought it best to change it

after the trial.

You see, I'm the wife of Robert Manette.

I'm Mrs. Robert Manette.

Oh.

Three years ago Robert Manette,

my husband,

m*rder*d a bookmaker named Teddy Jordan.

He was convicted, sentenced to death and

that was changed to life imprisonment.

Right now he's at the state prison

at Angola.

Robert and I had only been married

for six months.

I don't think it's possible

for anyone to have a happier

six months than we had.

Maybe I mean than I had.

They wanted me to divorce Robert

after he was convicted.

They said I'd stood by him long enough.

They told me I was crazy when I said

that whatever he did,

I'd keep on loving him.

They said it was shameful that

I should love him.

As if I could stop loving him

because it's shameful to love him.

I didn't know it at the time

but Robert had m*rder*d

Teddy Jordan that night,

less than an hour before

he came home to our room.

Robert!

It's so late.

I do keep terrible hours, don't I?

But you see,

a) There was a fellow I couldn't meet

until about 1 o'clock in a restaurant.

b) I didn't know how late it was or I

would have postponed

meeting him until tomorrow.

c) I couldn't get a taxi

and I had to wait about an hour

for a streetcar.

d) I've got a wife who

never gets really angry

if I stay out late.

So I keep on taking advantage

of her trusting nature.

And e) ...

I'll never, never do it again.

Devil!

Good morning, Mother.

-Good morning, Abigail.

I'm sorry we overslept but

Robert didn't get home till late.

Yes, I heard him.

He saw my light was on and stopped

to talk to me for a while.

Didn't he tell you?

-No.

Is he still asleep?

Uh huh.

I wish you could see him, Mother.

He's so wonderful.

I'm going to press his suit for him.

Have it all ready when he wakes.

Oh.

What is it?

There's a stain on his trousers.

It's his new suit. He'll be furious.

Take Robert up his coffee, Abigail.

It's time he woke.

Oh, but he likes to have it here

with me. He'll be down in a minute.

Take Robert up his coffee.

All right, Mother.

Good morning, Mrs. Manette.

Good morning, Mrs. Manette.

Where's the morning paper, Mother?

There's nothing in it.

Just sixteen pages of blank paper?

You know what I mean.

There's nothing.

Nothing?

You're sure?

Absolutely sure.

What's this nothing? Nothing what?

Oh, nothing, nothing, nothing, Abigail.

You should know Mother by now. If she

says there's nothing,

there's nothing.

Oh, you'll have to wear

your blue suit today, Robert.

You've got a stain on your trousers.

You really should be more careful.

We are trying to economize.

He will be more careful, Mother.

I'm sure of it.

Thank you, darling.

What are you doing?

You're not to go through my pockets.

Robert, where did you get

all that money?

Robert.

Well, I'll tell you. I hit

a long shot yesterday.

A sleeper.

They've been keeping it

undercover for months.

I was going to tell you but I...

You promised not to gamble again.

I couldn't miss. It was like

money in the bank.

Less than a month ago

you swore to me and your mother.

Oh, Robert.

I won't do it again. I swear I won't.

I tell you what. You hold on

to this money for me.

If I keep it, it will just

slip through my fingers.

But if you keep it...

-No!

Look, Mother...

I know you mean well. Believe me, I do.

But I'm capable

of handling my own affairs.

Robert!

Go and do your room, Abigail.

We can't leave the rooms

unmade all day, Abigail.

Please go.

Mother.

What's it all about?

What's what all about, Abigail?

This morning about there being

nothing in the paper.

Nothing about what?

And Robert's trousers.

You burned them in the incinerator. Why?

I burned Robert's trousers

in the incinerator?

Now I know what you're talking about.

Remember that old

blue velvet dress of mine?

I'm sorry but I just couldn't stand

to look at it another minute.

Robert's trousers.

I'll go, Mother.

Good evening, lady.

Is this the residence of uh...

Mr. Robert Manette?

I'd like to talk to him, please.

He's not home.

-What is it?

I'm sorry to disturb you, lady.

He wants to see Robert.

What about?

-Nothing important?

I'm his mother.

Anything I can tell him?

You ask him if he has time tomorrow to

call the third precinct station and ask

for Mr. Goulding.

Has anything happened to him?

Has he had an accident?

Lady, if anything had happened to him,

I wouldn't ask him

to give us a ring, would I?

Good night.

Sorry I had to disturb you.

What's he supposed to call up about?

Oh, routine thing.

Don't let it worry you.

Good night.

Why aren't you asleep?

I've been worried about you.

I wish people would stop

worrying about me.

What is it now?

There was a policeman here

to see you right after dinner.

What did he want?

He said it was just a routine thing.

They want you to call the police station

anytime tomorrow.

And ask for Mr. Goulding.

OK.

Robert.

What are you trying to keep from me?

It's nothing.

But Robert, I...

Please, Abigail, it's nothing.

If there's anything wrong.

-Shut up!

Robert.

I didn't want to wake you, darling.

If it's about last night, I, I...

I don't have to tell you

how sorry I am, do I?

You know there isn't anybody that...

Please say you forgive me.

That money.

Where did you really get that money?

Money?

You didn't win it at the races.

You're right.

I didn't win it at the races.

You know how silly Mother is

about banks and

all that cash she keeps in her room..

Well, I got into a jam last week and

there was just no other way

to get out of it.

I see.

Sweetheart...

I know I said it a hundred times

before but this time I mean it.

You'll see. Everything's going to be

different from now on.

Abigail, after all, those people

had to be paid.

I don't believe you.

What about that policeman?

What about those trousers?

Well I...

Mother couldn't get the stain

out of them.

I put on the extra pair.

I took the others to the cleaners.

Robert, I saw your mother burn those

trousers yesterday in the incinerator.

Anybody asks you, I got those trousers

dirty cleaning the car for a friend.

Mother gave them away to a tr*mp

the day before yesterday.

That's what she's going to say.

And about the money,

if anybody asks you, anybody...

You never saw me with that money.

You never knew I had it.

My life may depend upon it.

Abigail...

If you ever loved me...

I'll always love you.

It must have been awful.

If there's anything I can do.

No. Thank you.

You're a nice guy, lieutenant.

Thanks.

You better get back

to your hotel, it's late.

How are you going to get home?

Nights like this, I don't.

I stay here or some other restaurant

until the buses

start running again at 7.

I'm not going to let you

stay here alone.

I won't be alone.

There's Al and people keep dropping in.

You run along, lieutenant.

I'll get you a room at my hotel.

Not a chance.

They might let me stay in the lobby but

this is every bit as good.

I'll get you a room.

Good night, Al.

-Good night, Jackie.

Well, this is your room here.

Thanks.

Where are you going to sleep?

In there.

No.

You use the bedroom. It's your suite.

I really wish you wouldn't

argue about it.

I'm not.

I suppose you have a pillow

and some kind of a blanket.

Look, I'm tired.

-So am I.

I'm very tired.

This is much nicer than sitting up

all night in a coffee shop.

I'm really grateful to you.

I still think you ought to

sleep in there.

Look, lieutenant...

In my own little way, I'm just as much a

gentleman as you are.

Please let me stay here.

All right.

Hello.

Yes, this is Lieutenant Mason speaking.

Oh, I see.

Well, suppose it clears up.

Do you think there's a chance

that sometime today...

Thank you.

Yes, I'll stay right by the phone.

Thanks.

Good morning, lieutenant.

Good morning.

Sleep well?

I slept like a log.

It was a good idea ordering breakfast.

I always think it's a nice way to begin

a morning myself.

Do you think it will ever stop raining?

They have an answer for that in Vermont.

"It always has", they say.

I guess.

What's she like?

Huh?

This other guy. Where did she meet him?

Who?

Mona.

I hope she knows what she's doing.

I doubt it.

What are you talking about?

You shouldn't leave telegrams around

if you don't expect other people

to read them, lieutenant.

You don't want to talk about it, huh?

It's something I'll have to

take care of myself

when I get back to San Francisco.

Look lieutenant, you don't want

to do anything foolish.

I'm not going to do anything foolish.

What is there about pacing

back and forth

like a caged lion that makes a man

feel better.

I tried it myself once. It didn't

do me any good.

But anytime Robert was worried

about something

he just kept pacing back and forth.

Back and forth for hours.

I sometimes think that's

the hardest part for him.

Where he is now with no space.

Three or four steps at the most.

He always loved to move around.

Hardly ever sat down except

when he was absorbed.

Or forgot all about himself.

Listening to music or...

That's where I first met him.

At a concert.

Those days, anytime I had half a dollar,

that didn't belong to the

butcher, the landlady,

or the streetcar company,

I'd go to a concert.

Oh, excuse me, I...

I guess I just didn't realize

it was over.

You know...

Sometimes when a concert's over I get

a feeling I left myself for a long time.

Of course, you wouldn't know it but...

It's the greatest thing

that could happen to me.

I'm the most wonderful person

in the world to leave.

Excuse me, please.

Unfortunately, you can't make a living

out of being absorbed in music.

You know...

Sometimes when I listen to it,

I feel that

there's nothing man is capable of

that I can't do.

And it stops

and it's over.

-Oh, not for me.

When I hear the music, I feel

I feel as if something has been added

to my life that wasn't there before.

I'd like that.

Think you could teach me?

Look...

I'm sorry I...I should have

told you about me.

I just go along talking to

everybody I meet and...

...that I like.

Then after a minute I

say something silly and...

...that's that.

Thanks for the minute.

Do you

do you come here often?

Why not?

They charge admission.

Oh.

I know what you mean.

Believe me, I know.

Look, uh...

There's an all Beethoven program

here next Sunday.

If you'd meet me out front we'll

Well I know the fellow who

handles the advertising here

and he generally gets me

a pass for two for the gallery.

How about it?

Thank you very much.

Is this the pass for the gallery

your advertising friend gets for you?

No, I bought these seats.

You shouldn't have.

-I know.

You'd be surprised. You can get used

to sitting downstairs at a concert.

I know some people who tried sitting

downstairs just once

and now there's no way

you could ever get them...

All right. I'll shh.

Listen, Abigail.

I'm listening.

-You know what that tune is?

Always.

The first song we heard together.

Romantic, ain't I?

Let's dance.

Why won't you stay downtown

and have dinner with me?

I told you. I have a stack of envelopes

at home that high

and I have to have them all

stamped by tomorrow morning.

Why?

So I get paid so I can eat.

Well...

You've got something there.

I told you I worked

in a broker's office, didn't I?

Yes.

Just to show you that

I tell you everything,

the broker's office is foolish enough to

think they can get along without me.

Silly of them, don't you think?

Oh, I'm awfully sorry.

Oh, that's all right.

I get fired quite a bit.

No, I didn't know.

You don't know much about me anyhow.

I think i do.

I'm warning you. You don't.

Just that my name is Robert Manette and

that I work in a broker's office.

For two more weeks.

That's not really a complete picture.

That's one we walked down.

You haven't heard

the name Manette before, have you?

Isn't there a Manette Park

down by the river?

Yes, and there used to be

a Manette Library.

That's before there was

a public library.

And there used to be a Manette Mansion

and there used to be a...

My great great grandfather was

the governor general of Louisiana

long before there was

a United States of America.

In 150 years there hasn't been anything

important going on around here.

There hasn't been anything important in

the whole South that a Manette...

Are you wondering what I'm getting at?

Go on.

My mother hasn't forgotten

for a moment that a Manette...

You know what I mean.

She does.

There's nothing wrong with

being proud of

of your own people.

I wish I had...

Oh, it does something to you.

From the time you're able to see

pretty near you get standards

set for you and ideals

and ambitions that...

Well, you know you're

just not up to them.

I do what I can but

I don't seem to be able to...

It's just that so much is expected

of you because you're a Manette...

You don't understand, do you?

Oh, yes I do.

If you do, you're a genius.

I don't.

Anyway, now you know why

I'm the way I am.

What's the matter with the way you are?

If you think I'm going to tell you,

you're wrong.

You haven't caught on

to a very important thing.

I'm doing my best to get you to like me.

But I do like you.

Very much.

Come on, let's dance.

Oh, I go to work again on Monday.

Oh, that's wonderful.

I know how worried you've been.

Have I seemed worried?

Or trying to pretend you weren't.

I couldn't fool you, huh?

I guess maybe I don't fool

as many people as I think.

I wouldn't be surprised

if even my mother...

She thinks she knows me

better than I know myself.

She probably does.

Which do you like better,

the person I pretend to be or...

The person you are.

You're making a big mistake.

I don't think so.

If you really don't think so,

that would help an awful lot.

The first time Robert asked me

to call on his mother

with him at their home,

I knew it was an important thing to him.

He'd told me so much about her.

I'd never dared imagine

he could be in love with me.

I knew I loved him soon after I met him.

But the most I ever hoped for was

that he wouldn't catch on too soon that

I really didn't belong in his world.

He was so g*y, so charming.

So different.

When it was all over, a psychoanalyst

said that Robert's

relations with his mother

were pathological.

All I know is that Robert was the only

thing in the world that she cared about.

He wasn't just her son.

He was...

He was her everything.

I wanted so much for her to like me.

I suppose it was really funny.

Because all the time, there was

only one thing she wanted.

To be able to like me.

To approve of me.

Because I was her last chance to...

...to save Robert.

I've often wondered

what would have happened

if she'd told me

all she knew about Robert

that first afternoon.

Mother, this is Miss Martin.

Miss Martin, my mother.

It comes out even, doesn't it?

I'm very happy to

see you here, Miss Martin.

I'm glad Robert asked me to come.

You may be excused

for a few moments, Robert.

I'd like to talk to Miss Martin alone.

Mother.

All right, I was going.

I think about ten minutes

will do nicely.

Ten minutes it is.

If Mother gets out

the family album, Abigail...

Please don't let her show you

that picture of me as

the naked baby on a bear rug.

I tore up one like that of myself.

So you can count on me.

Thank you, mademoiselle.

Won't you sit down

next to me, Miss Martin?

Thank you.

Robert hasn't been able to talk

of anything but you

since he met you.

Do you always have that effect

on young men?

I really don't know.

He's the first young man

I've ever known.

I've met other men but I...

I do hope you'll forgive me,

Miss Martin, if I...

If it weren't so terribly important,

I wouldn't dare.

Tell me...

Are you in love with my son?

Yes.

This may seem a little silly to you.

Very often it seems silly to me.

But ours is an old fashioned family.

And I'm an old fashioned woman and...

Well.

Robert wouldn't think of marrying

without my consent.

He has it now.

You mean he wants to marry me?

With all his heart...and mine.

Just one last thing.

I want to be completely honest with you.

There are...

There are certain traits in Robert

that you may not

They're nothing really evil, believe me.

He just sometimes forgets

his sense of responsibility, that's all.

And that's why I'm so glad that

you're the kind of person you are.

Between us

we will make him strong.

I can't believe he's really so very...

He isn't at all. It's just...

I won't stay out of this room

another second.

You want to know I drank four glasses

of water in the kitchen.

That's enough water for anybody.

We had a very nice talk

Abigail and I

Your mother's been warning me

against you.

Oh, that. I can tell you much worse

things about me than she can.

You see, I know more about the subject.

What I do want to know is,

is there any hope for me?

I think if I were you, I'd throw

myself on the mercy of the court.

What's the verdict, your honor?

That wasn't such an ordeal, was it?

An ordeal? Why...

I had the most pleasant afternoon

I've ever known.

I have an idea Mother will say

about the same thing.

I wish you'd do me a favor.

There's something very important

I think I ought to do.

Right now. A place I ought to go to.

I'd like you to go with me.

It's a cafe.

Not a very shabby place really.

Just a cafe but...

Somehow I'd like to go there

for the last time with you.

To say good bye to everything

it stands for.

Will you go with me?

To say good bye?

With pleasure.

It's kind of a hangout for gamblers.

Bookmakers and such.

Bookmakers?

You don't know what a bookmaker is?

This is one for Ripley.

A bookmaker is a fellow who

takes your bets on the races.

When I think of the things

they didn't tell me in Vermont.

Do we go?

Yes.

Your horse was disqualified.

This is really getting me down.

I've already got 14 losers.

Well, now you've seen the worst.

This is the den of iniquity I used to

spend such a lot of time in.

But why do they have to make it

so uncomfortable for themselves?

Why does it have to be so full of smoke?

-It's a law.

Don't ask me why but it's a law.

I suppose I'll learn.

You don't have to for my sake.

I'm through with it.

You do believe me, don't you?

I do.

Because I really am.

Look, there's Teddy Jordan.

Teddy Jordan, one of the fellows

I was telling you about.

Oh, the bookmaker.

The fellow who takes your bets on the...

I've seen him lose as much as twenty

thousand in one afternoon.

I've seen him lose as much as

thirty thousand in one afternoon

at the fairgrounds.

I guess I do get a little too excited

over something that I

doesn't mean anything to me anymore.

Just the same, you ought to

take a look at this Jordan.

He's quite an important character.

Which one is he? The little fellow

sitting down?

Oh no, that's a jockey that got

ruled off years ago.

The other one, the big fellow.

Oh, I see.

So that's what a bookmaker looks like.

That's what that bookmaker looks like.

Well, well, well, if it isn't

Mr. Manette.

Mr. Robert Manette himself in person.

How are you, Robert?

Hello, Simon.

Everything all right? No complaints?

Everything satisfactory?

We aim to please.

-Everything's all right, thanks.

You haven't been honoring us

with your presence lately.

But now that you've found

your way back, all is forgiven.

To err is human, to forgive divine.

Isn't that right, Miss uh...

Miss Martin. Mr. Fenimore.

How do you do, Miss Martin.

They tell me our friends, the gambaleers

are arranging on of those sucker traps

at the race track tomorrow.

You know anything about it?

-No, no.

If a fellow was sure, he could clean up.

But that's the trouble with those

dirty crooks. You never know

when they're on the level

with their crookedness.

Isn't that right, Miss Martin?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Maybe Robert can explain it to you.

I don't think I know anybody who can

explain things more clearly

to a beautiful woman than Robert.

Would you excuse us please, Simon?

You mean you want me to leave?

Is that it?

That's it.

I have to get back to the paper anyway.

Lot of good stories to write.

Fire of mysterious origin,

bad boy meets good girl

damage estimated at ten thousand dollars

You'd be surprised what an

interesting life a reporter leads.

Why don't you run along?

I'll walk if you don't mind.

I got to hand it to you, Robert.

You certainly know how to pick them.

You're getting way out of line, Simon.

I didn't mean anything.

See you later. Good bye Miss Martin.

I'm sorry I...

He isn't really

a friend of yours, is he?

No, he's just one of those fellows I've

been getting myself mixed up with.

That's why I've made up my mind.

You do believe me, don't you,

that I'm through with all this?

I do.

I'll never forget how excited

she was that day.

She was

She was radiant.

The first six months we were married

were so sweet

and gentle and happy.

We kept completely to ourselves.

Robert, his mother and me.

We didn't need anybody else.

For the longest while

I'd forget to smile

then I met you

Now that my blue days have passed

Now that I've found you at last

I'll be loving you always

With a love that's true always.

When the things you've planned

need a helping hand

I will understand

always.

Days may not be fair

always

That's when I'll be there

always

Not for just an hour

Not for just a day

Not for just a year

But always.

Poor thing. She thought all her worries

about Robert were over.

And then, actually, overnight

everything changed.

Just two days after I'd seen her

burn the trousers

I saw her go up the stairs to her room.

Robert had been arrested

and was held without bail.

Charged with m*rder.

She knew then that there was

nothing to do but

fight back with all available means.

To start with, there was the money.

Nobody must ever be able to find it.

The following day, Mrs. Manette

came home very late.

She'd gone to see a lawyer to make

arrangements for Robert's defense.

And in her absence

two detectives came to the house

with a search warrant.

Mother.

There's some men here who

have been searching the house.

Mother, I...

What is the meaning of this?

Sorry, lady, but we've got a warrant;

a search warrant.

What are you searching for?

Different things.

We don't like to do this any more than

you like it, Mrs. Manette.

We've got our orders.

Why don't you look

in those portieres, Jim.

Women sometimes like to

hide things there.

OK.

Nothing there.

Nothing here. Come on, Joe.

Sorry to have bothered you,

Mrs. Manette. Good night.

I burned the money, Mother.

Abigail.

I swear to you by all my love

for him and for you

Robert did not k*ll Teddy Jordan.

You know and I know, Mother,

that he did.

Are you going to turn against him too?

From the day you married him,

I think now from the day you met him,

You've closed your eyes

to what it was all about.

To what he was all about, selfishly.

Just so you could be happy.

He needed your strength.

That's why I let him marry you.

And all you gave him back

was his own weakness.

But I didn't know.

There was no way for me to know.

You should have known.

You weren't blind because you had to be.

You wanted to be.

It might have hurt to know that

Robert is what he is.

But if you had been willing

to be hurt for his sake,

you could have helped him.

I love Robert.

-No, you don't.

It's I who love him.

Because I'm willing to know all about

him and keep on loving him.

But you...

I tried to make him strong myself.

I couldn't alone so I relied on you.

You have failed.

Be seated and come to order, please.

Gentlemen of the jury,

have you reached a verdict?

We have, your honor.

Mr. Clerk, please receive the verdict

from the jury.

We, the jury, find the defendant

guilty as charged

in Information No. 674532

State of Louisiana vs. Robert Manette.

And find the defendant guilty of m*rder.

Gentlemen of the jury,

is this your verdict?

It is.

Mr. Clerk, please record the verdict.

May it please the court, I should like

to have the jury polled.

Mr. Clerk, please poll the jury.

Mr. Ward.

-Guilty.

Mr. Elliot.

-Guilty

Mr. Allen.

-Guilty

Mr. Dodd.

-Guilty.

Mr. Tyler.

-Guilty.

Mr. Galt.

-Guilty.

Sentence will be pronounced

on Tuesday, the 21st at 10 AM.

The jury is discharged,

court is adjourned.

Any comment to make?

Sorry.

I was only trying to do my job.

You k*lled him.

Whatever became of Mrs. Manette?

The last I heard, she was in New York.

Housekeeper for some wealthy family.

But that was a year ago.

And nothing ever made you feel

any different about him?

I guess maybe there's some other

meaning to love than

than what I was taught.

Why do you say that?

I just don't think that I could keep on

loving somebody...

You're still in love

with Mona, aren't you?

Yes, I...

I think so.

Hello.

Lieutenant Mason?

I have some good news

for you, lieutenant.

We're resuming all flights at midnight.

That's fine.

Yes, thank you very much.

It looks like I'm going to be

on my way all right.

Funny, it stopped raining

and I didn't even notice.

Shows how interesting I was.

Yes.

It was nice meeting you, lieutenant.

It was even nicer

having you listen to me.

Good luck.

Thank you and good luck to you.

Thanks for the use of the room.

Hello.

Oh, hello, Fenimore.

Jackie Lamont?

No, she left.

Did she say where she was going?

Yeah, I know she'll be

at the Lafitte later tonight.

What's that?

No.

No, nothing's the matter. Why?

I just wanted to talk to her.

That's all.

I'm sorry to bother you, lieutenant.

Oh, that's swell.

Good luck, lieutenant.

Good bye.

You see, I told you I didn't know

where she is.

You heard me talking to Valerie.

She hasn't seen Jackie.

Abigail. Since last night when she

went to the cathedral

with the young lieutenant.

What's wrong with her going to

Christmas Mass with the lieutenant?

He's a nice young guy.

I met him at the hotel.

What size suit do you wear?

I don't want to get mixed up in this.

Somebody might have seen

you come in here.

If they did, I'm in for an awful mess.

Shut up.

I know the cops are looking for you

all over town.

I want a shave.

I want to look pretty when

I see my wife again.

Clean and pretty.

You can understand that

can't you, Simon?

Yeah. Yeah, I understand.

You'll find everything you want

in the bathroom.

I'll get you a clean towel.

That's mighty nice of you, Simon.

You know, you could have knocked me down

when I saw you standing there

all of a sudden.

I know Angola.

My paper sent me there once.

Must be a pretty tough place

to break out of.

It isn't exactly easy.

Well, I guess you got

everything you want. I'll...

I'll leave you alone.

I forgot to tell you, Simon...

I've got a g*n.

I thought I'd better mention it.

Let's keep the door open.

I like to look at you

when I'm talking to you.

Another thing...

Don't leave this house before

I'm ready to leave.

And I won't be ready to leave

till it's dark.

I haven't much choice, have I?

Very little.

You see, Simon, I went to a lot

of trouble to see my wife.

My beloved, wonderful, faithful wife.

My wife, who works at the Maison Lafitte

while I'm in prison.

I gotta talk thing over with her, Simon.

There's certain things a man

should know about his wife.

You understand that, don't you, Simon?

What are you going to do?

Just straighten out

my family life, that's all.

Everything's OK, lieutenant.

The bus leaves at 11:30.

Or you can get to the airport yourself

if you wish.

I'll take the bus, thank you.

I think I'll take myself a walk.

A little fresh air can't do me any harm.

It has been a long wait, hasn't it?

Do you have any chewing gum?

-Yes, sir.

ROBERT MANNETTE BREAKS JAIL

WARDEN STARTS INVESTIGATION

SPEEDY RECAPTURE PROMISED

Hello, lieutenant.

-How are you.

Jackie's getting ready to do her number.

You heard the news, didn't you?

Yeah, how is she?

Wouldn't you know? Waiting for him.

I thought if I came out here,

maybe I could help.

I don't quite know how but...

You might.

How's about a drink?

You don't think there's a chance

he may come out here, do you?

You never can tell.

Just in case, they've got policemen

all over the place.

Yeah, I saw one

when I got out of the cab.

I hope they catch him, soon.

You don't really

know Jackie, lieutenant.

I think I do.

I like that crazy kid.

I like that one man look in her eyes.

I only wish it was

a different kind of guy.

I told her she could go home

but she wants to do her job.

Didn't she tell me your plane

goes out tonight?

Yeah, I've got a cab waiting outside..

He's going to take me right

to the airport.

You'll be in San Francisco

in the morning, huh?

I'm not going to San Francisco.

Oh?

No, I'm going back to camp.

You know...

I've learned a hundred years worth

of life in the last 24 hours.

I found out that you

just don't do things

because other people have done

the same things the same way.

The important thing is

being honest with yourself.

Whatever you feel, whatever you are.

That's why I said I think I know Jackie

better than you think I do.

Or maybe I mean

I know Abigail.

You're all right, lieutenant.

There she is.

I'll be loving you

always

with a love that's true

always

When the things you planned

need a helping hand

I will understand

always

Days may not be fair

always.

That's when I'll be there

always.

Get in and close the door.

Look at you.

You look well, Abigail.

Abigail. No one's called me that since..

Oh, that's right. You're Jackie now,

aren't you?

Robert, we can't stay here.

There are police all over this place.

She's right, Manette.

I told you that all along.

Those cops aren't so smart. They've got

a man out front and another out back.

Have they forgot I wouldn't come in the

front or the back just to please them?

I'll go out the same way.

We'll have to hurry.

Let me see. We'll need some money.

Wait a minute.

You mean you want to come along with me?

Why?

I kind of had the idea the last

two and a half years

you'd gotten used to

getting along without me.

At least it looked like it.

Didn't it, Simon?

Robert.

I'll get the money.

You must think I'm a fool.

You thought I'd rot in jail

and you could do whatever you wanted

and probably I'd never know.

Even if I did, it wouldn't

make any difference.

There'd be nothing I could

do about it anyway.

Whatever made you think

you could get away with it?

I love you, Robert.

The way you say it,

I could almost believe it.

Say it a little louder. I'd like Simon

to hear it.

There hasn't been a second

I didn't love you.

Sure.

Right here at the Maison Lafitte.

There's only one reason why

I've been working here. Only one.

When it was all over,

the trial and everything

I saw that your mother was right.

I should have kept you from

the things you were doing.

I'm as much to blame as anybody.

I can still hear them call you guilty.

Guilty, Guilty. And every time they

said it I knew it was meant for me too.

I wanted to die.

But you were in prison alive.

That's why I had to live.

To live like you. To suffer like you.

The people I met her had

nothing but contempt for me.

That's what I wanted.

This is my prison, Robert, but

I'm not as strong as you are.

I can't break out without you.

I need you.

I've been

holding on for you all the time.

I love you.

You know what I think?

Anybody that loves as much as you do

is entitled to a reward.

That's what I think.

-Manette, don't!

You've never loved anybody

but me, Abigail

Isn't that right? Nobody else but me.

People don't understand.

People never do.

There might even be somebody

who thought that didn't love me.

That you enjoyed your life out here.

And maybe that's true.

Maybe people are right.

Maybe you are the way

they say you are. Cheap!

Who's in here?

-Stop it, Robert!

What's going on here?

-Get away from that light.

Close the door.

Get up against the wall, both of you.

You ought to know how easy one of

these things can go off, soldier.

If you've any sense at all,

you'd put that g*n down.

I promise the police won't

try any rough stuff if you do.

Shut up.

They're right, Manette.

Why don't you get smart, Manette?

Keep out of this.

Put that g*n back

in your pocket, Manette.

You k*lled a man once

and you didn't get away with it.

This time they're going to hang you.

-Shut up!

You're not going to

k*ll anybody here, Manette.

I know you better than that.

-Shut up!

You're not going to sh**t me because

you'll have to wait till I turn my back.

Only I'm not going to turn

my back on you, see? Manette!

You can let go now, Abigail.

You heard what he said.