1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:28,440 The Armed Forces Radio Service presents The Spend. 2 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:35,240 The Shot, starring Mr. Van Heflin, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 3 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:12,440 Well, a cherry good morning to you, Mr. Tatum. And to all of you other gentlemen. 4 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:17,400 Everyone's here, I see. You're late, Rose. Dawn. A minute or two before and where the other 5 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:22,440 certainly can't make too much difference. Besides, I stopped to pick these. Cherry, anyone? 6 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:28,720 No? They're delicious. For a man who's about to die, you don't seem too concerned. 7 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:33,960 Oh, I am concerned, Peyton. Here's a whole hat full of delicious cherries that certainly 8 00:01:33,960 --> 00:01:39,880 have to be eaten. On the other hand, Peyton, I'm not certain that I have to die. 9 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,840 We'll see about that. Did you bring a weapon? 10 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,600 Mm-hmm. Right here. And I noticed you're all ready. 11 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,520 Let's get on with this. You will draw lots, gentlemen. 12 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:52,960 Of course. It's customary. 13 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:59,800 That's sweet. The papers in this hat are numbered from one to ten. You will each draw a paper. 14 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:04,560 The man who receives the highest number will give the first shot. Is that agreeable? 15 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,680 Yes. Of course, of course. After you, Lieutenant Peyton. 16 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:13,120 And good, good luck, sir. Your draw, sir? 17 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,680 Mm-hmm. Mr. Peyton? 18 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,720 Eight. Oh. 19 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:23,560 Now, it seems I've won the first shot, Peyton. I've drawn a ten. 20 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:29,600 Then it's settled. Back to back. You will pace away until the count is completed. Mr. 21 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:31,600 Rawls has the first shot. Understood? 22 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:35,720 It's understood. Is there anyone present here who finds this 23 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,520 not an honorable way to settle the dispute between these two men? 24 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,880 Are you ready, gentlemen? All ready? 25 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:49,880 I'm ready. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 26 00:02:49,880 --> 00:03:00,880 eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve. Mr. Peyton, are you all right? Are you hit? 27 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,280 Stand back. I'm all right. The bullet went through my hat. 28 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:10,680 It's your shot, Lieutenant Peyton. Yes, I know. 29 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:17,080 Sure is a wonder. Well, you seem so anxious to kill me, sir. 30 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,080 Do I have to remind you that you have a shot at me? 31 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:25,720 I wouldn't want to spoil your breakfast. Don't worry, Peyton. You'll never spoil anything 32 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,880 for me. Go ahead. Take your shot. 33 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:34,480 Well, you're going to shoot, and you understand they're aiming at me. 34 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:41,480 No, not now. Zachary has taken his shot at you. You have 35 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,480 to take your shot at him. Shut up. I don't have to do anything. Not yet. 36 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:48,480 You challenged him to a duel, Zachary. Splat. 37 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:57,480 Would you like to take it from here? No. You don't seem ready for death this morning. 38 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:02,480 Oh, you're wrong again, sir. I'm always ready for death. All life. 39 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,480 You've disappointed me, Peyton. Have I? 40 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:09,880 Or perhaps I've disappointed you. At any rate, all of these gentlemen witnessed that I went 41 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:14,480 through my part of the challenge. You owe me a shot, Peyton. 42 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,480 And if you aren't afraid, I'll always be ready for you to take it any day, any place. 43 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:22,480 I'll remember that, Rawls. Please do, sir. 44 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:31,480 Good day, gentlemen. It's a lovely morning. 45 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:37,480 Zachary, he'll tell everyone about this. You'll be ruined. You can't expect to stay in the regiment now. 46 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,480 What's the use of depriving him of life when he attaches no value to it? 47 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,480 Nevertheless, you entered the duel your way, and it's not an honorable way. 48 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,480 It's not ended. What? 49 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:51,480 I'm still going to take my shot. You hurt him, all of you. He owes me a shot. 50 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:57,480 I'll choose the day, and I'll choose that place. And I'll still see if he wants to eat cherries 51 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:15,480 and laugh down the barrel of my gun. Any day, any place. 52 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:16,480 Are you awake, Mr. Peyton? 53 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,480 Where do you want? 54 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:22,480 I want to speak with you. I've brought your maid. 55 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,480 Well, open the door. 56 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,480 Sit at the end of the table, Mr. Temple. Thank you. 57 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:31,480 Yes, sir. Oh, I didn't know you had a visitor. 58 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,480 Mr. Stockwell, this is Mr. Temple. He's my landlord. 59 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:35,480 How do you do, Mr. Temple? 60 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:37,480 Colonel Stockwell, Virginia Volunteer. 61 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:43,480 Mr. Stockwell now, Mr. Temple, there's no longer Confederate Army or Confederacy. 62 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,480 I forget sometimes, sir. I served under you in the 3rd Volunteers. 63 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:52,480 Mr. Temple had quite a career as a soldier. He's told me about it every day since I took this room. 64 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:56,480 Only thing left to talk about now, Colonel. 65 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,480 Oh, some Yankee. 66 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:00,480 We all know how it is, Willis. 67 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:01,480 Yes. 68 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:02,480 Was there anything else? 69 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:08,480 Huh? Oh, yes. That's a fine pistol, Mr. Peyton. 70 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:09,480 You've told me that before, Mr. Temple. 71 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,480 Don't you think so, Colonel? Mr. Stockwell? 72 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,480 I've already admired Mr. Peyton's firearm. 73 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,480 Would you believe how good Mr. Peyton is with it, Colonel? 74 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:24,480 Why, he lays right here on his bed and fires away the little old playing card stuck on the fence post out there in the back. 75 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:28,480 Hits it every time. Some shooting, I declare. 76 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,480 Oh, Mr. Peyton practices all the time. 77 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:32,480 Do you, Zach? 78 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:36,480 Every day for the last seven years. Is that all, Mr. Temple? 79 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:37,480 Huh? 80 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,480 I ask you if that was all. Is there something else you had to say? 81 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:47,480 Uh, well, I did want to ask, do you have to practice from the window? 82 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,480 I prefer to. You object? 83 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:54,480 Oh, no, no, no. Of course not. It's my wife. I mean Libby don't like it. 84 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:59,480 I keep telling her these are hard times and we sure appreciate getting a man in here who can pay us a little rent. 85 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:05,480 Well, then you tell her that I practice shooting at all kinds of light from all kinds of position. I'll continue to do that. 86 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:06,480 I only ask. 87 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:08,480 Good day, Mr. Temple. 88 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,480 Yes. Well, good day to you both. 89 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:20,480 Jim? 90 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:21,480 No, thanks. 91 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:29,480 You haven't changed too much, Zachary. A little gray. 92 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,480 Well, it's been seven years now. 93 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:37,480 Zach, maybe you have changed. That man who was just here. 94 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:40,480 Scared, shrinking little man. 95 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,480 He's frightened. 96 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,480 If I might comment, Zach, you didn't do anything to alleviate that fright. 97 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:53,480 It's not his wife, that's him. He's a frighten of my gun. He knows what I can do with it. 98 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,480 He means nothing to you, has no bearing on your life. 99 00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:03,480 True, but he knows that a gun that can be pointed at a card stuck on a fence can just as easily be pointed at a heart stuck in a man's chest. 100 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,480 Well, am I right? 101 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:07,480 I suppose you are. 102 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,480 Would you mind putting him in the case? 103 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,480 Are you afraid too, Jim? 104 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,480 Don't treat me like a Willis Temple, Zachary. 105 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:20,480 I'm your friend. I came here to meet you because you asked me to. 106 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:24,480 Better? 107 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,480 Why am I here, Zachary? What do you want of me? 108 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,480 Nothing that'll interfere with your life, Jim. 109 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:38,480 We go, I got a letter from Norfolk, mentioned that an old acquaintance of mine's living here. 110 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,480 A man who was an officer in my regiment. 111 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,480 His name is Benjamin Rawls. 112 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:45,480 Oh. 113 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:46,480 You know him, Jim? 114 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:50,480 Oh, slightly. I've seen him about town, spoken to him once or twice. 115 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,480 Hmm. How's he look these days? 116 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:58,480 Not knowing how he looked when you know him, I'd say he looks mighty fine, Jim. 117 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:02,480 He's in good health, I think. And he's done better than most of us. 118 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,480 Rawls has always wanted to do very well. 119 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:05,480 How do you mean? 120 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:11,480 I understand his family lost all they had at Savannah, but there's an English branch that died off and filled in the inheritance. 121 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:12,480 He's very well off. 122 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,480 I suppose he would be. 123 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,480 He had a great deal of money when I know him. And other things. 124 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:20,480 You mean women? 125 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:25,480 Is he, uh, is he still ambitious and gallant? 126 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:30,480 Well, Marcia Pemberton's considered to be a very, very lucky young lady in these parts. 127 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:31,480 Marcia Pemberton. 128 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:33,480 The girl he married last week. 129 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:34,480 Last week, you say? 130 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:35,480 Yes. 131 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,480 Does he love her? 132 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:38,480 What? 133 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,480 Do you know if he loves this girl he married? 134 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,480 It's apparent to everyone in town that he loves her very much. 135 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:49,480 When he was courting her, folks in town saw them together often. I saw them. 136 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:55,480 I'd say Ben Rawls is in love the way a man loves only once in his life. 137 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:57,480 Is that what you want to know? 138 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,480 Yes. 139 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:04,480 Because I'm your friend, Zachary, I'm talking to you about Ben Rawls, but I'm uncomfortable. 140 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,480 I don't like talking about a man. 141 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:10,480 You see over there? Large White House on the hill? 142 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,480 Mm-hmm. I see it. 143 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,480 That's where Ben lives. He's right there, Zachary. 144 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,480 You can talk to him instead of me. 145 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:18,480 I'd rather talk to you at the moment. 146 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,480 I won't answer any more questions, Zachary. I think I'll be going. 147 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,480 As you will, Jim. 148 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:31,480 Zachary, I've asked no questions of you. May I ask one now? 149 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,480 All right, Jim. 150 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:39,480 Is it the duel? Is that why you want to know these things about Ben Rawls? 151 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:46,480 Yes. I want to satisfy myself that he's at last found something to live for. 152 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:49,480 I see. And you're going to call on him? 153 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:55,480 Tonight. I want to know if he can still laugh down a gun barrel. 154 00:10:55,480 --> 00:11:00,480 I won't let you do this thing, Zachary. There's been enough killing. 155 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:04,480 Jim. 156 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:06,480 Yeah? 157 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:35,480 I'd hate to kill you too. 158 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:36,480 Zachary? 159 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,480 Jim Tocqueville? 160 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:44,480 Yes, it's me, Zach. I've been waiting for you to come out of the house, Zachary. 161 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:48,480 You haven't been waiting alone, Jim. Who are your friends? 162 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:51,480 This is Paul Geiger, Quince of Talbot. 163 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:53,480 We were in the Army together, Zach. 164 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:55,480 I'm glad you're here. 165 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:57,480 I'm glad you're here. 166 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,480 I'm glad you're here. 167 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:01,480 I'm glad you're here. 168 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:06,480 Paul Geiger, Quince of Talbot. We were in the Army together, Zach. 169 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:07,480 I do, Peyton. 170 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:08,480 I do. 171 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:12,480 Tocque and Quince were executive officers for me in the 3rd Cavalry. 172 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:13,480 We served together at Appomattox. 173 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,480 What is it you want, Jim? 174 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,480 You're on your way over to Ben Rawls' house now, is that right, Zach? 175 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:22,480 I told you I was going over there tonight. 176 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:27,480 I want to talk to you about that some more, Zach. Could we go back upstairs to your room? 177 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,480 No, Jim. 178 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:33,480 I'd like to very much, Zachary. That's why we waited here for you. 179 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:36,480 I think it's important we talk about it. 180 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:41,480 It's important enough, Zachary, that I've told Tocque and Quince all you told me. 181 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,480 They're close friends to me now. I've asked them to assist me. 182 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,480 That's right, Captain. Mr. Stockwell's told us everything. 183 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,480 We can talk right here, Jim. 184 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,480 Anything you have to say can be said right here. 185 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,480 Can't we go to the room, Zachary? 186 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,480 You could have come back to the room to talk to me. You didn't want that. 187 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:59,480 You wanted to meet me out here with Tocque and Quincey. 188 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,480 Come on, Jim. Speak up. I'm in a hurry. 189 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:07,480 The war did many things to all of us, Zach. 190 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,480 Everything we thought and lived for is gone now. 191 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:15,480 But we're still men, and we can all recover. 192 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:20,480 Tocque and Quincey and I are the only ones who know what you said to me in that room there. 193 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,480 You want to kill Ben Rawls tonight. 194 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,480 Then this is what the war's done to you, Zach. 195 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,480 This is what I want to talk about. 196 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:34,480 Wanting to kill a man in cold blood, a man you haven't seen for seven years or better, doesn't make sense. 197 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:38,480 And you and Tocque and Quincey are here to see that I don't call on Ben Rawls, is that it? 198 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:42,480 We're here to quietly see that you don't do anything foolish. 199 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,480 I'm your friend, Zachary. I knew your daddy. 200 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:49,480 I want to see what's the matter, what sickness the war gave you. 201 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:51,480 And I want to help you. 202 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,480 Go home, Jim. 203 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,480 Talk, Quincey, this is none of your business. 204 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,480 We can't do that, Zachary. 205 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,480 We can't let you kill a man in cold blood. 206 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:02,480 Let's all go upstairs to your room and talk a bit, Captain. 207 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,480 Quincey's got some fine whiskey. It's came in from England. 208 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:06,480 Haven't you, Quincey? 209 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:08,480 Sure I have, Captain. 210 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,480 Your men I'd be mighty proud to share it with. 211 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:16,480 Uh, Captain, Mr. Stockwell is your friend, and he's thinking of you. 212 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,480 Is Ben Rawls your friend too, Jim? You trying to protect him? 213 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:22,480 What I know of Ben Rawls, I told you this afternoon. 214 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:26,480 But you are my friend, and I won't let you go there and do this thing. 215 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:27,480 Now you get out of my way. 216 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,480 You'll have to kill me first, Zachary. 217 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:31,480 Kill these two boys who've never done you any harm. 218 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,480 But I won't let you go over there. 219 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:34,480 Park! 220 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:35,480 Quincey! 221 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,480 You're a fool, Zachary, a fool. 222 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:38,480 Now stop it! 223 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:41,480 Park, it's the only way. 224 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:42,480 Right, Mr. Stockwell. 225 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,480 Let me down there. 226 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,480 Quincey, hand me that whiskey. 227 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,480 Yes, sir. I'll get us hid, Mr. Stockwell. 228 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:01,480 I'm sorry, Zachary. 229 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,480 Sometimes we all go about things the wrong way. 230 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:08,480 I'm noted for my poor judgment in many matters. 231 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:12,480 You stop me, Jim, for the moment. 232 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:17,480 Ask them to wait over there. 233 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:19,480 All right, Paul, Quincey, over there. 234 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,480 You're sure it's all right, Mr. Stockwell? 235 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,480 Captain Peyton is a man of honor. 236 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:25,480 Come on, Quincey. 237 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,480 He'll be right over by the trees, sir. 238 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,480 I have to kill him, Jim. 239 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,480 I have to before I can ever live again. 240 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:38,480 There was so much killing. Look what it got him. 241 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:39,480 I hate him. 242 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,480 When you've lived with a hater, I've lived with it. 243 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:42,480 There's nothing else you can do. 244 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:43,480 Zachary. 245 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:44,480 Why do you think I resigned my commission 246 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:46,480 before the war was over? 247 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,480 Why do you think I disappeared from the Confederacy? 248 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,480 Why do you think I never returned to my home? 249 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,480 I heard you'd done all those things. 250 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:54,480 I didn't ask any questions, but I know... 251 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:56,480 Ben, Ben is the cause of everything. 252 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,480 Benjamin Rawls. 253 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,480 I know he had a reputation for being a man of honor. 254 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:05,480 I know he had a reputation for being arrogant and slick 255 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,480 when he was an officer, but for underhand... 256 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:09,480 No, no, no. It was nothing underhanded, Jim. 257 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:11,480 It was open-handed. It was a slap. 258 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:13,480 Rawls' slap? 259 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:15,480 Yes, one night in front of a whole regiment. 260 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:17,480 Over what? Why? 261 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:19,480 A girl, just a girl that we both liked. 262 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,480 I don't even remember her name. 263 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,480 Oh, everyone had seen it coming. 264 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:24,480 Until Rawls joined that regiment, 265 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,480 I was the most popular officer with my fellow officers 266 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:28,480 and the ladies... 267 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:30,480 Zachary, that was then. 268 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,480 And this is now, but my life stopped then. 269 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,480 Try to remember how it was then, Jim. 270 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,480 In the early stages when the North was dying, not the South. 271 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,480 It was so fashionable to be young and reckless and brave 272 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,480 and an officer in the Confederate Army. 273 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:46,480 And then to be slapped by a man. 274 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:48,480 More brave, more reckless. 275 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,480 More... more of everything. 276 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,480 It was... it was too much. 277 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,480 Zach, those days are gone. Forget them. 278 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,480 The whole way of life is different now. 279 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:58,480 It's no different for him. 280 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:00,480 And it's no different for me, Jim. 281 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:03,480 You have no right to stop me. You know that. 282 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:05,480 That's true. 283 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:09,480 But Zach, can you kill a man for something that happened then? 284 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,480 I can and I will. 285 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,480 He shot at me once. Now I owe him a shot. 286 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:16,480 Don't I? 287 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,480 Don't I, Jim? 288 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:22,480 Yes, Zachary, you owe him a shot. 289 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:37,480 Go ahead. 290 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,480 Letting him go, Mr. Stopwell? 291 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,480 Yes, I can't stop him. I can see that now. 292 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:44,480 If we can't, then? 293 00:17:44,480 --> 00:18:12,480 It's between him and Ben Rawls now. 294 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,480 I understand you have some business with me, sir. 295 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,480 I don't usually receive people who refuse to give their names to my servants. 296 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:21,480 Hello, Rawls. 297 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:25,480 Well, don't you recognize me? 298 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,480 Peyton. Zachary Peyton. 299 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:29,480 Exactly. 300 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,480 And I do have business with you. 301 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:36,480 What are you doing here? 302 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,480 Well, I owe you a shot, Rawls. 303 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,480 And I've come to pay off. 304 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,480 I see. 305 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,480 Are you ready? 306 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,480 I'm ready. I told you I always would be. 307 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,480 Yes, you did. 308 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,480 And you asked me to remember it. 309 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:57,480 Well, you don't seem quite as certain as you were the last time we met. 310 00:18:57,480 --> 00:18:59,480 What's the matter? Is there something wrong? 311 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:02,480 I believe we were at twelve paces before. 312 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:04,480 Yes. 313 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,480 You mind if I count? 314 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:07,480 I'll count. 315 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,480 As you will, Rawls. 316 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,480 Back to back? 317 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:26,480 One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve. 318 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:29,480 Shoot, man. Shoot and do it quickly. 319 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,480 Well, you seem in a hurry to die, Mr. Rawls. 320 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,480 Marsha, my wife, she'll be coming home any minute. 321 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:42,480 Well, in that case, we'd better get on with it then. 322 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,480 Sure. 323 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:49,480 I apologize, Mr. Rawls, that this pistol isn't loaded with cherry stones. 324 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:54,480 You have no idea how often I've dreamed of cherry stone bullets since last we met. 325 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:58,480 I think they'd be somewhat lighter than lead. 326 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:03,480 Oh, this doesn't seem to me like a duel anymore, but just plain murder. 327 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:07,480 And if I'm anything, I will not be called a murder. 328 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:12,480 You must understand that I've had quite a long lecture on why I shouldn't be doing this. 329 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,480 I don't like shooting an unarmed man. 330 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:16,480 Rawls. 331 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:17,480 What? 332 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:20,480 There's another pistol in my case. It's all loaded. 333 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:24,480 Would you please take it and then we could start over? 334 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:26,480 Will you hesitate, Mr. Rawls? 335 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:30,480 I do not hesitate, sir. 336 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:31,480 I'm ready, sir. 337 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,480 Go ahead, Mr. Rawls, you're shot. 338 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:35,480 What? 339 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:36,480 You may have the first shot. 340 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:40,480 I'm ready. 341 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:46,480 Well, sir, you've broken a candle holder and ruined a picture. 342 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:50,480 Now I truly owe you a shot. 343 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:53,480 Sam, Sam, dear, what is it? What's the matter? 344 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:54,480 Oh, Benny, you're all right. 345 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:56,480 I'm fine, boss, you're fine. Truly I am. 346 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:58,480 But the shot, this man. 347 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:02,480 Now, dear, there's nothing to worry about. Can't you see we're just joking? 348 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:04,480 Don't be so frightened. 349 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:06,480 I'll tell you what. 350 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,480 You go out and find Abram and ask him to bring up some nice wine. 351 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:11,480 And then I'll introduce you to my old friend here. 352 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:15,480 Tell me, sir, is my husband telling the truth? 353 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:17,480 Is it true you're just joking? 354 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:20,480 Oh, he's always joking, Miss Rawls. 355 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,480 Once he slapped me in the face for a joke, 356 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,480 now the time he put a bullet through my cap for a joke. 357 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:29,480 Just now he fired a gun at me and missed. 358 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:32,480 That's another joke. 359 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:36,480 Now I think I'll have my little joke. End joking. 360 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:39,480 It's a dupe. This is the man Peyton you told me about. 361 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:41,480 Marsha, this is between us. Now leave the room. 362 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:45,480 This man has a right to shoot at me. I wouldn't have any honor if I didn't allow it. 363 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:50,480 Oh, shoot Peyton, shoot man and stop making her suffer for me. 364 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,480 Will you fire or not? 365 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:59,480 No. No, I won't fire, Rawls. 366 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,480 I'm satisfied. 367 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:06,480 I've seen you afraid. I forced you to fire at me. That's enough. 368 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:10,480 You'll remember me all of your life, Rawls. 369 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,480 I leave you to your conscience. 370 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:16,480 Oh, as for that shot. 371 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:20,480 Here it is. 372 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:23,480 Goodbye, Mr. Rawls. 373 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:42,480 Zachary. 374 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:44,480 You did it. 375 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,480 You took your shot. 376 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:48,480 Yes. 377 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:53,480 I put it in the picture right next to his shot. 378 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:55,480 Zach. 379 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:57,480 Zachy's alive. 380 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,480 You could have killed him, but he's alive. 381 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:02,480 Oh, he's fine, Jim. 382 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:06,480 And he's still the bravest man I ever met. 383 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:19,480 Let's go, Jim. 384 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,480 Let's go. 385 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:08,480 Let's go. 386 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:45,480 The Span has been a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. 387 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:08,480 The Span. 388 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:38,480 The Span.