Tess Millay [to Matt]
I asked you before why you were so mad. Is it, is it because your cattle, the cattle Cherry told me about, might run off? Or maybe, maybe you don't like the idea of helping, helping a bunch of women.
Played by Joanne Dru 
Red River (1948) · 73 quotes
Red River (1948) · 73 quotes
4th most-quoted character in Red River (1948): in 10 of its 73 quotes
Most scenes with: Tom Dunson (5), Matt Garth (2)
What are you so mad about? I asked you why you're angry. Is it because - because some of your men might get hurt, killed maybe?
More lines from Tess Millay
2 quotes Tess Millay Tess Millay I'm scared too. That's why I'm talking because it's the best thing to do when you feel that way. Just talk and keep on talking...I talk to myself even if I have to sit in front of a mirror and talk...You can talk to me. I'm right here. It would help. Oh please, you can tell me to mind my own business if you'd like. And if it would help any, you can hit me, like I did you right across the mouth. But it would be good for you to talk, and I'd like to talk to you...Please, I'd really like to talk to ya.
Scenes with Tess Millay
7 scenes Tess Why does he [Dunson] think that way?
Because he got to a place where, see, he'd taken empty land used for nothin', made it the biggest ranch in the state of Texas. Fought to keep it...one bull and one cow, that's all he started with...After he'd done all that, gotten what he'd been after for so long, it wasn't worth anything...So he started this drive. Everybody said, 'you can't make it. You'll never get there.' He was the only one believed we could. He had to believe it. So he started thinking one way, his way. He told men what to do and made 'em do it. Otherwise, we wouldn't have got as far as we did. He started 'em for Missouri and all he knew was he had to get there. I took his herd away from him.
Tess You love him, don't you? He must love you. That wouldn't be hard. [She kisses Matt on the lips] Did you like that?
I've always been kind of slow in making up my mind.
Tess Maybe I can help. [They kiss again]
I don't need any more help but will you do that again? [They kiss again]
Tess I'll take care of Mr. Dunson. [Dunson is surprised she knows his name] I believe it's your beef we're eating.
Who told you that?
Tess The man you promised to kill.
Did he tell you that too?
Tess You're tired, aren't you? Tired, hungry and just a little bit irritable. You'll feel better after you eat. We'll talk then.
Tess I stole it...
So you stole that bracelet. How did you get it?
Tess Would you really like to know, Mr. Dunson?
How'd you get it?
Tess I got it in the rain eight days ago, before he took your herd across that river and left.
I'm wondering whether to believe you.
Tess I don't care whether you do or not.
I believe that.
Tess You wanna hear more?
Go ahead.
Tess It was raining. If it hadn't rained, I wouldn't be here talking to you. He wouldn't be here where you could find him to kill him. You still intend to kill him, don't you?
Nothing you can say is gonna...
Tess I didn't say anything...
So he went off and left ya. I didn't give him that much credit. Are you in love with him?
Tess I thought you'd ask that. Can a woman love a man who'd go off and leave her?
Well, she, she shouldn't...
Tess I wanted to go with him, but he had work to do. He had to get your cattle to market. Said I wasn't strong enough to go and nothing I could do or say to make him change his mind. But I wanted to go with him. I wanted him so much that...
That you felt like you had knives stickin' in ya.
Tess How did you know that? I suppose other people have felt that way before.
They have.
Tess Now will you tell me something, Mr. Dunson?
What?
Tess Why do you want to kill him?
Because he's a thief.
Tess Do you think he thinks that?
He should. I picked him up in the brush leading a cow. That's fourteen years ago. Taught him all I could. He knew what I was planning. Saw what I was building. He knew that someday, it'd all be his. His land, his cattle, the whole thing. Even talked of a woman as men will talk. A strong woman who could bear him sons, a woman like you.
Tess Why did you want him to have a son?
Because I built something. Built it with my own hands. And I can't live forever and live to see it grow. I thought I had a son. But I haven't and I want one.
Tess I'm sorry for you, Mr. Dunson. Very sorry.
What would you say if, if I offered ya half of everything I own for a son?
Tess Your son?
You can have a son, can't ya? That's all that matters.
Tess By Dunson out of Millay? Half of everything you've got.
That's right.
Tess I'll have your son, Mr. Dunson, if you'll stop now. Stop now and go back where you came from. I'll have your son.
Yeah, I thought so.
When did you fall in love with him?
Tess It was under a wagon, in six inches of mud. When did, when did you...when did you fall in love with her?
Who?
Tess The girl you told me about. The one you left, walked out on.
'I told you about'? Did he tell you...?
Tess No, no, you told me. You knew how I felt when he left me. She must have felt the same way when you left her. That's right, isn't it? Or can't you remember?
I can remember.
Tess Oh I, I hope so, because, because I want you to think about it while I ask you something. I want you to think hard.
What?
Tess I want to go on with you.
That won't do any good. Nothing you can say or do...
Tess And though I know you told me that, oh please, I want to go with you. Please.
All right.
Tess Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Tess I know you've only a few hours, but listen for just a minute, that's all, and then I won't talk about it anymore. Just a minute. He hasn't changed his mind, Matthew.
I didn't think he would.
Tess We saw the railroad and I thought, I thought it might make a difference, but it didn't. Nothing would. He's like something you can't move. Even I've gotten to believe it's got to happen - your meeting. I was gonna ask you to run but, no I'm not, I'm not. It wouldn't do any good. You're too much like him. Oh, stop me, Matthew! Stop me! God bless you, Matthew. [He kisses her]
Tess Stop it. Stop it. Stop makin' a holy...Stop it I said. I'm mad, good and mad. And who wouldn't be. You Dunson, pretendin' you're gonna kill him. Why, it's the last thing in the world you...Stay still. I'm mad I told ya. And you Matthew Garth, gettin' your face all beat up and all bloody. You oughta see how, you oughta see how silly you look, like, like somethin' the cat dragged - STAY STILL - What a fool I've been, expectin' trouble for days when, when anybody with half a mind would know you two love each other. [To Dunson] It took somebody else to shoot ya. He wouldn't do it. Are ya hurt?
No, just nicked the...
Tess Then stay still. No, don't stay still. I changed my mind. Go ahead. Beat each other crazy. Maybe it will put the sense in both of ya. Go ahead. Go on. Do it!
