[Music] on a warm summer's evening on a train bound oh we met up where the GAM we were both too tired to sleep so we took turns staring at the window at the darkness to boredom all over turkish and he began speed he said son I've made a life out of reading people's faces no and what the cards were by the way the hill their eyes so if you don't mind my saying I could see you're out of aces for a taste of whiskey I'll give you some advice so I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a day and the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression said if you're gonna play the game boy you gotta learn to play right you got to do [Music] know when to walk away know when you never count your when you sitting at the table there will be time enough for countin when the dealin's done [Music] when you're certainly mad there [Music] listen partner I've been waiting all morning how much longer i toted son they're still working on the boiler probably be ready anytime you ready any time you said that three hours ago hmm but even the Flies crawl around here [Applause] excuse me ma'am may I sit if you like Hey thank you where are you bound Sacramento not San Francisco no but I get it that's where everybody else is going whoa oh you bet the best poker players in the country will be gathered there are they'll be coming from all over New York Boston Philadelphia Chicago New Orleans do you mean they're going that far just to play poker what's to prove who's the best oh you're a poker player I'm a gambler you're very young yeah I haven't made my full dent yet in San Francisco I will San Francisco that's quite a town I'd be glad to show you around hey sorry What's in Sacramento my husband oh yeah well ma'am that's been real nice thank you good luck to you oh good luck to you too mmm you filters mind of our city take a chair thank you what's the game dealer's choice five cards dead you [Music] like someone to look at from a horse would you're taking the train yep why don't you be back for the horse I'm not back in a week $50 not for me you got the makings of a good poker player boy but you'd better be careful because whatever you're doing you're doing too good hey yeah ready here we go fine $20 see you 20 arrays you another 20 buddy and that's fine gentlemen this little always is gonna cost you $50 were you from boy around what's your name Billy Montana who taught you to cheat like that Billy Montana it's a mighty harsh thing to say mr. Jim that kicks cheatin seems he's not the only one cheating this one don't you two take your game somewhere else accusing me of cheatin oh you were cheatin you're just better at it than they are ain't no wait a minute I'll give you this though damn few deal seconds any better than you do you don't think I can win without cheating you just try me mister with you dealing no thank you all right we'll use an impartial dealer ma'am you know how to handle a deck of cards MA I might how much money you got about $300 this won't take long [Music] she game five-card stud nine that's $20 spades and space-based now sieved $75 [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] pair of eights bits [Music] hundred dollars I don't have that much how much do you have $68 pair of eights that's $68 [Music] [Applause] three eighths [Music] [Music] ochres a trade sign and an honest one fellas like you that give gambling a bad name [ __ ] drunks give drinking consider yourself lucky you were dirty dealing on the Mississippi you'd be at the bottom of the river by now oh yeah never leave a man busted when are we getting out of here a train has been sitting there panting like a big bull for hours we're leaving now boy hell is that mr. stobridge he owns this railroad he the reason we been waiting like I said mr. stobridge owns her arrow [Applause] [Music] champagne caviar and beautiful women [Music] last have you weathered the tops Pam [Music] [Applause] Brady Hawkes [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] well thank you Lily were you from everywhere where are you from doc wherever they play cards honey give me the name of that redhead of green dress back and what was that all about mr. stobridge nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about let's check in on the passengers [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] your pot I know you don't know me my name is Jeremiah and I'm your son I didn't know who my father was till a while back but my mom said you didn't even know there wasn't me I didn't want to bother you none but now I gotta know all the way so I'm writing to let you know the fix were in monami we need your help [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh boy [Music] [Music] let him go I heard you sent off the letter fella that the post office says it went to somewhere in Kansas who's in Kansas ooh Brady hooks it's no law against writing your own father so she told you I kept asking what you tell him in the letter nothing don't know what to find you told me about me yeah you tell me now what you wrote down in that Lennon let him be you put him up to this what you wrote Hawkes a letter I want to know what he said well that's Jeremiah's business not if it brings Hawkes here looking and you'll be it out if I want you if I have to [Applause] [Music] Jeremiah are you alright I hit out down by the creek till it got dark roof did he hurt you hurt me no Jeremiah what did you write in that letter I told him that we needed his help he's coming I know he is you have to leave Jerry Matt I don't know what roof will do Samuel Bosco I can't why if roof thought I was going to meet Brady Hawkes I can do us more good staying here there's a town called santería east of here you take that don't you take the stage tonight you go to mrs. Carlson's rooming house you tell her who you are she'll remember me but what about my father if he's coming he has to come through there you watch every train that comes in and every man that gets off it he's a big man Jeremiah handsome he wears a beard he hurt his leg during the war already uses a cane now you'll know I'm right off and we'll be coming for you no you tell him not to come cuz it'll only get him killed [Music] tell him to take you with her wherever he's gone and you tell him I'll find you understand yes [Music] [Applause] [Music] Brady Hawkes no one up and down the Mississippi and all the way to San Francisco I sure hope you give me another chance to play once we get there I'm not going to San Francisco where are you going now that's none of your business you stung me pretty hard back there mr. Hawkes if I hadn't come along when I did you'd been one hell of a fix right now but one thing for sure you'll have to play your poker straight from now on they'll be playing for big money in San Francisco and I needed a stake so I I bent the rules a little bent the rules of them better words cheated I can play well mr. Hawkes without cheatin and I intend to be the best are you from kid the difference is MA badlands farmer maybe farm boy headed for the lights answers to play your hand in the big city a better off farming that sort of life is short and full of blisters gamblin hmm that's a way to travel and see things I've gambled a lot of towns I've heard a lot of faces gamblin can take hold of a man you got to be able to walk away from it I've done pretty good so far I've been around but not long enough to see what I've seen kid I've seen Cowboys gamble their saddles bloggers are winners wages seen men put up the deeds to their homes and their businesses and their futures seeing those same men blow their brains out after losing everything they own and heaven on earth is a Mississippi riverboat you sure got the favor don't you can't bid any gambler caught cheating better be ready to forfeit is high thanks for the advice still I hope some day we play wouldn't mind taking you down a few notches bottom in of try [Music] [Music] [Applause] see that woman's name was weave John yes mr. stobridge Jennifer read mrs. Jennifer read missus tell her I'd like you to join us yes sir may I propose a toast ladies and gentlemen here's the good luck in San Francisco excuse me ma'am mr. stobridge would like you to join his party I don't know mr. Stonebridge seems he knows you miss mrs. Thomas just rubbish thank you I'm not interested I'm afraid he insists I have a husband I don't think he'd approve but mr. stobridge wants something he usually gets it if I were you I'd do as he asks I told you I'm a married woman my husband is a very influential man make it easy on yourself I don't think she wants to go to your party I'd stay out of it mr. mr. stobridge runs the stream in fact the whole will let's go give me the gun I'm gonna get your head kit I don't think the lady wants to go to your party [Music] [Applause] [Music] you didn't want to go to the party did you [Music] are you feeling I'm okay we're sorry I didn't mean to I know you're just temporary you know sometimes you can get away from me and I so pretty what if Brady discount what never count on that do we see anything I think we built up too much here just to let him come and take it and no no not water stay awake every night looking over my shoulder he shows you can understand that [ __ ] the boy I'm not saying you can beat me into next week I'm not telling you why because she'd hurt him I never sinned admin tract yarder Maya down bring it back here roof if you hurt him you'll have Brady Hawkes down your throat for sure and me too I'll come after you I swear I will [Applause] excuse me mister do you want mrs. Crossley rooming houses I don't know boy I think it's somewhere up here outside the gate [Music] hey over here folks about how we take on some water I doll stay aboard where were you you're not getting off for you I thought I'd just take a little walk around the platform on this is a town I think you could afford to miss well I can't afford to pass it up there's a saloon with a poker sign out there I'd have to give it a try I wouldn't do that all right what kind of people be in a town like this sceptred scratchers and sheep herders right I mean what else could they do just wait for a fella like you to get off the train wish me luck [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] well well well like we just blew in you're looking for company I'm afraid I haven't got the price just yet well you come see me when you do [Music] what could happen to him maybe nothing well you off the train that's right good good not many get off looking for gain uh no just looking around well I best be getting back on the train that's to see you bellboy be an hour for that train pulls out you boys don't mind if this young fellas is in don't fret we'll see you make you training paddy [Music] [Music] [Applause] because you drink the sister bridge yeah that's a glass of Burgundy with me very nice three jacks nice town the only reason anyone comes here is posses running and nobody stays unless he has to interest in town Oh [Applause] yeah all right see you're ten and raise you 20 two jacks sorry Perry's well gentlemen that's much rainy this knife and no charm bracelet son look fellas keep it huh I tell you what you keep the money and divvied up amongst yourselves about yourselves into it's alright yeah I was I was just playing for fun anyway yeah well uh I gotta be going sits nicely beautiful what's the hurry Sam I mean like you said yourself it's a nice town [Music] No No interesting doctor what's holding us up one of the passengers is missing what do you mean missing mrs. Reid he's still in town conductor do you know anything about this yes sir mr. stobridge I said old buck over to look for him he's cornered in the saloon before cut throats they're trying to decide who gets to kill him well didn't anybody warn him he was warned well what are we waiting for let's go I can't just go off and leave him aren't you going to do anything what's all your doing isn't in the first place he wouldn't even garv you hadn't taken all his money he was warned he called it there's nothing he can do conduct him you get this train on the move yes sir stobridge we're not leaving the kid I said there's nothing you can do want a bit mr. Brady Hawkes doc Palmer says you're a mighty fine poker player I suggest you stick to your cards thousand dollars give you five minutes make it team ten it is you don't get them back here by then we're pulling out starting now dogs [Applause] [Music] started without you started what it's a party our dinner give it a man in a drink hey kid hey kid where you been everybody you've been looking for you yeah we've all been missing you they've been saying where is that nice-looking young fella you better come on with me you almost miss that trip we're gonna have one more drink and then we're going into that same mister if I were you I'd go now without the kid certainly there's absolutely no reason for you to be hostile would you like to have [Music] that's an ugly beard she likes me to part it for your real neatly with this little derringer don't do it do what he says get their guns kid roaming the pickle barrel and you move up with the rest of them come on kid I won this money fair and square come on two bullets and it's forward of us every two shots we're gonna cut both you up into fish bait question is which of the two of you're willing to take the bullets so the other two can do the cutting let's go kid [Music] come on ready [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] well this is the second time today you've come to my rescue borrowed it from that nice man of it it seemed you've had enough that's nice man saved enough for all of us about looked like you were in a lot of pain he used to be worse there's a time I couldn't even walk on it some folks thought I never would seem do all right now weren't for you that young man would be dead if it weren't for you I would have never gone in after he he's not strong on brains but he's not short on guts either he'll learn [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] town seems tame enough huh I buy you some breakfast sure you got the price I believe I do No thank you I've got some business to take care of here I'll take you up later though yeah sure figured while I'm here I might as well buy myself that gun it's good thinking [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] yeah what are you doing boy Oh looking for you sir looking for me yes sir Jeremiah well I reckon I'm your father did your mother say why she stays she says she already left one man but I think she's afraid she ever tried to leave yeah a couple of times but he'd find us or she'd go back what is it boy you seem kind of skittish about me up till a couple of days ago I thought it was you who ran out on me she tell you that no she said it was her who ran out on you didn't even know who my father was till a while back well why after all this time did she finally tell you about me coz of Ruth I I guess she thought if I ever needed anybody I know mom ran out on you but why didn't you try and find us didn't you ever wonder what I was like didn't you ever want to see me Jeremiah I didn't even know I had a son till I got your letter and and I'm here you mean mom never told you about me that's right why I figure she had her reasons where is your mother now are you fixing a seer yep she's Dylan Yuma but she doesn't want you to go there why cuz Ruth knee runs the town you've got lots of men working for him wearing guns yes you're still going yep I want to come with you I want you to stay put in the room in half till I get back I got to go son [Music] who's the kid my son you have women strung out all on the rail line D it's one of the reasons this line of work appeals to me [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] let's talk his kid claims you go off to you it does let him go well you know I couldn't let him stay on the train without I'll take care of ya boy I thought I told you to stay put yes [Music] thank you [Music] kid got away from him you think ox is on that train oh yes sir you can bet on it I know all you have to do is just wait for him yeah I want him stopped before he gets here I'm not on your payroll mr. Bennett it's playing the ones that are undoing the job how much I have two men that work with me well hi well we're good well why don't you just name a price [Applause] when we gonna get chiama tomorrow you go to sleep according to the kid they'll know you're on this train it means Bennet and his men will be waiting for you it's about the way I figure it - you're gonna be good now numbered that derringers not gonna do it you pull that trigger twice that little old guns gonna be empty here in a banker's heart there's only so many times you can get away run in that same Bluff all of a sudden you're the old wisdom bringer ste part unless you want to jump in and change him what do you think I am local [Music] [Music] think he's asleep try to sit down it's quite a boy well like his mother yes she was beautiful the way I remember you didn't even know you had a son was in a high-stakes poker game in Kansas and I got this letter wrote out the very same day what are you gonna do when you get there I don't know I just know she's in trouble why she must be something quite special [Applause] mrs. Reid you've been riding this car a long time now Suffolk drafty dusty must be quite uncomfortable since you own the railroad mr. stobridge why don't you do something about it I intend you I'm extending to you my personal invitation to join me in my car you can freshen up join me and my friends for dinner and have some drinks I'm sure you'll find the ride much more comfortable Thank You mr. stobridge I'm doing just fine I insist so do i mm perhaps you don't remember me we met in Sacramento I never met I even remember where it was just leave me alone mr. stobridge I still insist mr. stobridge the lady's with me and I'm within thoughts you do have the habit of involving yourself in other people's affairs but since you're a poker player maybe there's a way to resolve the situation you already have a thousand dollars of my money at least you could do is to give me a chance to get even poker game poker game but not for money for the lady no not for the lady what have you got against playing for money mr. stobridge what was this name is Billy Montana I know I know you never heard of me but you will well mr. Montana I played poker all over the world I played for lots of different stakes I find playing for a beautiful woman rather an intriguing steak steak a damn poker game besides mr. stobridge ladies already with us win or lose what do we stand again except money I say every man sits down for $5,000 you Brady doc Palmer and myself all right my 5,000 against the lady no it's not against the lady Oh Oh mr. Hogg's if you're concerned about the ladies virtual believe me hey you got your game fine fine 15 minutes my god the hell are you doing you realize how much money is floating around up there thousands maybe even a million you've been around that kind of money but I haven't Oh Brady we could walk out of there rich man huh where are you gonna get $5,000 you for me great no Brady you need a friendly face in there they're in there layin for you could get noisy or in a Mexican revolution you know that you do have $10,000 don't you kid I'll tell you what if you don't make it as a gambler you'll do real good spreading fertilizer come on let's go see you wait for me up here I need to talk to the lady I'm sorry for what forget you into this I'm a gambler I'd be missing something I'd have a good time parties like that bring back old times for me those women with him being paid to be there chippies [ __ ] whatever you want to call house one what [Music] Hue's guys I had no choice now I don't three years ago I got married to a man named John Reed he was a hill rat like a thousand others digging for gold but he struck it rich real rich he married the prettiest [ __ ] in town [Music] suddenly there we were mixing with a rich cream of Sacramento society even though he needed it worse than me John thought it I ought to take on a little polish learn to dress and talk like a lady so he sent me off to his st. Louis finishing school [Music] two years I learned everything it takes to make a [ __ ] into a lady [Music] it wasn't easy I am going back to Laney yeah you are I guess the closer I get to Sacramento and Ikes don't beat your pop up once I get off this train it's all gonna change how do you mean back the way it was those people in Sacramento it still just be a [ __ ] hell with them I like what I see [Music] I'll be I guess nice to see you again right on time you gentlemen know each other well love each other before last time was in Chicago Kings hotel big poker doings as I remember but I've never had the pleasure playing against mr. Hawks welcome thank you and this is Montana Billy Montana oh yeah Billy Montana take a seat now gentlemen may I introduce mr. Horace Crown he's gonna be our dealer you know what do you think you are doing it's called reading the room mr. stobridge the game is five-card stud table stakes if that's all right with you gentlemen [Applause] Willy new jack gentlemen [Music] [Music] second deck chair Jack of Hearts through your hearts or under to you mr. Montana [Music] you still check out the wrong kid are you in I fold ace queen beds 200 make it 5 your 300 and 300 Kings would these intent [Music] read em and weep gentlemen read them and weep [Applause] I have a feeling you're gonna be just like your father he's the best you don't like it much gee haven't known him wrong oh I'm told me all about him does she still love him where she talks about him I think she does she shouldn't even left him people don't always do what's best for them do you like my father kind of a question is that I am married do you love your husband you just deal [Music] [Music] [Music] that must be the kid what about hawks I know but let the kids around it can be far enough I'll see you 200 about 200 friend 2000 it's too steep I fall [Music] their forests the diamonds forest bet 150 I raise you two [Music] [Applause] [Music] Queen hi possible straight Queen chicks I bet it all 1,500 well I may not have my straight but I got myself a king pair fours how'd you know you just paid to see the cards boy lessons come extra yeah if you don't mind can I just stick around and watch [Music] what's enough funny I'll leave the game of you gentlemen know doc it's you and me now Aniyah Ace of Diamonds ten of Hearts these bets ace bets 500 pair of aces seven of Hearts pair of aces back Perris bets a thousand five of clubs nine of hearts possible flush pair of aces still bet Aries is bets 2,500 let's make it 5,000 you know even if you got when I'm afraid you got in the hole you still got to catch another one to make it work and I'm also afraid the odds against you that's why they call it gambling three aces Jack of Hearts possible flush possible straight flush very a suspect three aces it's 2,500 why don't I just save us some time winner takes all he's trying to buy it I don't think so how do you know instinct sometimes that's all you have to go on farmer do you realize what the odds are he knows what the odds are play it through that's a fool bet mr. stobridge I am it's my money nope it's my money [Applause] take it off thanks doc my pleasure you're not leaving Hawkes we keep playing that wasn't the deal we keep playing for how long mr. stobridge until you finally win I think George the man won fair mr. stobridge let it go he deserves the utmost courtesy it goes with winning hawks another time maybe San Francisco thanks doc Lily you get him the cash [Music] man who won we did it oh it's wonderful Freddie lilies collect them the money right now barks he's still I guess you know why we're here Griff Bennett that's right seems you're making mr. Bennett a very nervous man take him on now [Music] okay [Music] come on picture on the house everybody come on honey you know so what are we celebrating well you might call it awake twice huh come in come in have a drink I'm afraid I have some bad news for you booth well or speak up these people here my friends Brady's still alive what are you talking about rows and winners have both been shot the half-breed somewhere between here and Benton but nice try roof get these people out of here come out right now [Music] no way around it roof you're gonna have to face him on your own maybe he's still afraid of him aren't you there can be remember the last time you said that biggest showdown poker game in the history of the territory he went on hand by bluffing I should have won I had to an but he beat you you born again then why are you afraid to face him now it's the chance you've been waiting for are you afraid because you've never beaten him at anything [Music] I took his woman in Terry [Music] it's not so much that you love Miro visit [Music] since you hate him [Music] I guess a little of both [Music] [Music] come on it was dicey fault but you know I can help Jeremiah if you really want to help you'll go to Sacramento with Jenny I'll be along as soon as I can I'll take okay ready it's gonna make you like playing a cold deck a good gambler never cheats he doesn't go against the odds either it's good advice yeah just don't see that I have much choice this time I'd stick around to drive the hearse San Francisco is waiting now you're making good sense for a change good luck you too kid I don't want to go to supper minute I'm worried about my dad me too let's go [Music] [Music] is common Oh rain Dixieland I'll take my stand good boy we're closed oh well I'll just give me a little drink first time in Dixieland I'll take my Stanleyville dying c-come on bartender whiskey how you doing hey you old brown well here's looking at you partner oh so sorry I'm sorry all right gentlemen gun belts out on the table it means you too partner that's right you not from behind come on oh the outfit come on come on get up what join your friends [Applause] who are you that leaves you too now the odds are even read the room for you [Music] been a long time ready long time you know this is not your fight it is you still carry that derringer and I recall you never you never liked to use it [Music] [Music] I hope you tried you'll run another bluff ready that derringer is empty I sure I heard both shots nice all at holes I reloaded you didn't have time she brought me a long time ago over not now not again call me calling me move you lose again you come with us not now we heard about your mine he needs to be with you for a while you ought to get to know him [Music] you'd be okay yeah goodbye Eliza [Music] I [Applause] [Music] [Applause] where to now I don't know kid San Francisco huh come on you and me make a good team I got a son to think about man no what's wrong with San Francisco ocean air will do him some good as a matter of fact I'll do us both some good I don't want to raise my son around Salinas send him to a nice school besides pokers all you know and what else is a gambler with a gimpy leg you didn't have time to read I mean I heard the front ferrule lose them and it wasn't time to load the second one either it was it was there let's just say I ran half a bluff [Laughter] [Music] there'll be time enough when the deal is done you got no window till when to walk away and know when to run you never count your money when you sit in that table there'll be time enough captain when the deal is done you gotta know when to walk away [Music] when the deal [Music]
