I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang Page #2

and start a new life, to be free...

and again I find myself under orders.

A drab routine, cramped, mechanical.

Even worse than the Army.

And you, all of you trying your darnedest

to map out my future...

to harness me and lead me around

to do what you think is best for me.

It doesn't occur to you that I've grown...

that I've learned life is more important

than a medal on my chest...

or a stupid, insignificant job.

- Appreciation. Why, you've...

- Clint.

What would you do, son?

Where would you go?

Somewhere. Anywhere, Mom,

just where I can do what I want to.

If that's really in your heart...

I think you certainly should follow it.

I knew you'd understand.

Before we know it,

he'll be leaving us again.

That doesn't matter.

He's got to be happy.

He's got to find himself.

You're a peach, Mom.

I know where there's a lot of construction

going on. Up in New England.

Hey, Allen! Allen!

Calling me?

Yeah, knock off a minute.

I want to see you.

- Well?

- Bad news for you.

We're cutting down

and the new men will have to go. Sorry.

All right.

- You the boss here?

- Yep.

Think you could use a good man?

Last week I could have used you,

but I'm full up now.

- You're new here, ain't you, buddy?

- Yeah.

Just filling in for a couple of days.

Believe me, I'm glad to be working.

It's my first job in four months.

What can I do for you?

How much can you give me

for this Belgian Croix de Guerre?

Come here, mister.

Look.

How about some poker

to see who bums the handout?

No, I'm afraid not.

I'm new in this town

and not on to the ropes.

- Been on the road?

- Yeah.

I took to walking the ties

when my Rolls-Royce broke down.

- What's your name?

- James Allen.

James Allen? That'll do, I guess.

Mine's Pete.

- Glad to know you, Pete.

- Glad to know you, Allen.

I'm hungry.

What would you say to a hamburger?

What would I say to a hamburger?

I'd shake Mr. Hamburger by the hand

and say:

''Pal, I haven't seen you

in a long, long time.''

I think I can mooch a couple

in the lunch wagon down the street.

The guy who runs it is a pretty soft egg.

What do you say?

Boy, I hope you ain't fooling.

How about giving

me and my friend a handout?

I was hoping you'd left town.

No, I've incorporated. Meet my partner.

Say, I've been laying off you

for a couple of days. Come on, be a sport.

All right. You guys sit over there.

What do I owe you?

Fifteen cents.

Business is pretty good?

Yeah, pretty good.

How good?

Hey, what is this?

Put your hands on that counter

and lean over like we're talking.

Get that dough out of the register.

- Listen...

- Go on, do as I say.

Go on.

How much is it?

Around $5.

There ought to be more. Where is it?

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