Well, Charlie?
Well?
You think you know something, don't you? That young fellow told you something.
Yes. Why should he know something about you?
Now look, Charlie, something's come between us. I don't want that to happen. Why, we're old friends. More than that. We're like twins. You said so yourself. [He takes Charlie's hand and she pulls away]
Don't touch me Uncle Charlie.
What did he tell you? What did that boy tell you?
It's got nothing to do with it. I hope he never knows anything about you.
Charlie, you're a pretty understanding sort of girl. You've heard some little things about me. I guess you're a woman of the world enough to overlook them. You're the head of your family, Charlie, anyone can see that. I'm not so old. I've been chasing around the globe since I was sixteen. I guess I've done some pretty foolish things. And some pretty foolish mistakes. Nothing serious, just foolish. [pause] Aw, Charlie now, don't start imagining things.
How could you do such things? You're my uncle, my mother's brother. We thought you were the most wonderful man in the world. The most wonderful and the best.
Charlie, what do you know?
I'm sorry I was so long with these. [places drinks on the table] Whose is it? Ain't it beautiful. I'd just die for a ring like that. Yes sir, for a ring like that, I'd just about die. I love jewelry, real jewelry. You notice I didn't even have to ask if it was real? You can tell...I can.
Bring me another brandy.
Sit down. Sit down. You think you know something, don't you? You think you're the clever little girl who knows something. There's so much you don't know. So much. What do you know, really? You're just an ordinary little girl living in an ordinary little town. You wake up every morning of your life and you know perfectly well that there's nothing in the world to trouble you. You go through your ordinary little day and at night you sleep your untroubled, ordinary little sleep filled with peaceful, stupid dreams. And I brought you nightmares! Or did I, or was it a silly inexpert little lie. You live in a dream. You're a sleepwalker, blind. How do you know what the world is like? Do you know the world is a foul sty? Do you know if you rip the fronts off houses you'd find swine? The world's a hell. What does it matter what happens in it? Wake up, Charlie! Use your wits. Learn something.
Charlie, will you help me?
Help you?
The same blood flows through our veins, Charlie. A week ago, I was at the end of my rope. Oh, I'm so tired, Charlie. There's an end to the running a man can do. You'll never know what it's like to be so tired. I was going to- well, then I got the idea of coming out here. It's my last chance, Charlie. Give it to me! Graham and the other fellow, they don't know. There's a man in the East. They suspect him too. And if they get him, I-- Charlie, give me this last chance.
Take your chance. Go.
I'll go, Charlie, I'll go. Just give me a few days. Think of your mother. It'll kill your mother.
Yes, it would kill my mother. Oh, take your few days. See that you get away from here.
Do you realize what it will mean if they get me? The electric chair. Charlie, you've got to help me. I count on you. You said yourself we're no ordinary uncle and niece, no matter what I've done.
