Nightmare Alley Edit

A doctor. How about that?

A golden handbag.

A great day.

A man after my own heart.

A man of your talents.

A matter of the utmost importance has arisen, sir.

A message has come through.

A natural connection, if you will, to the ether.

A patient of mine.

A real alkie, a two bottle a day fool, see?

A saintly woman.

A small pistol.

A toast, then. To your success.

A woman.

A word in my office, gentlemen.

ABIGAIL: Madam Zeena.

Abigail? Is that your name, dear?

About 20 miles down the road.

About us being reunited with Julian.

Absolutely.

After your bath.

Ah, it wasn't yours originally, was it?

Ah, she blew it. That goddamn tomato.

Ah, yes.

Ah. Held over four weeks.

Ah...

Ah... (SPEAKS FRENCH)

Ain't that the truth?

Ain't we virtuous?

All of a sudden, little guy comes shufflin' out

All right, don't look at anybody else's.

All right, fellas, on the count of three.

All right, we got a storm coming through.

All right, well, what are those cards then?

All right.

All right.

All right. Truth.

All right. Well, you're not gonna get an answer then.

All that Bible talk.

All that suffering that he had,

All the while you're talking, he's thinking about sobering up,

All we do is rehearse it, and you still fluff it.

Always gotta have something new these days.

Always selling his tall tales about Jesus and a happy afterlife.

Always with the knees.

Am I powerful enough for you now, Stan?

An amulet, a memento.

An apparent murder suicide that has baffled the town.

An Electra complex, is it?

An electric chair, and they put you in it.

An only child.

An urgent choice.

And "maybes"...

And $20 says I can beat any of you yahoos

And an out.

And an out. You happy?

And answer questions? No!

And anything else liable to come along, but I do sense a childhood

And as long as you just keep it here,

And boom, you got them, they're back on their heels.

And don't lie.

And empty your pockets.

And every card after that, you understand?

And every day is Christmas after that.

And hang 'em over the chair there, nice and neat.

And he had a lift in his right shoe.

And he's gonna call back?

And I bet you he had polio or something as a kid.

And I had to use a trick to ease the crowd.

And I know now it'll never be enough.

And I know that 'cause...

And I know you'll always look after me, right?

And I sense a curio of some kind.

And I think every time they tell it, it'll just get better and better,

And I think you're gonna wanna hear it, but not in front of these kind folks.

And I want you to know that.

And I'm gonna make him pray.

And I've seen her here before.

And if not, I'll keep it.

And if you're smart,

And intensely private.

And it makes you, uh,

And it worked with Judge Kimball.

And it... it...

And live entirely on the atmosphere.

And lo and behold, the Lord blessed us.

And maybe in time you'll need it too.

And on your down time, maybe Pete can show you a trick or two.

And people get hurt. Good, God fearing people.

And put your hands in there.

And she wants you to know this, sir.

And since you like pretty things, nickel plated, ivory handle.

And take them over to that stage over there.

And tell her.

And that boy. That baby boy.

And that gun, that gun in your purse, well,

And that number leads you to a different word.

And that's the position.

And the audience is going, "What's going on here?"

And then you lie. You lie.

And then you're gonna save the day,

And there'll never be enough.

And this medal,

And to everybody?

And to get a rise out of the audience,

And usually for a boy, it's the old man.

And we can cut it, we can style it just like that.

And what happens if I fail?

And what I'm going to do if this goes on much longer.

And when he closes his eyes,

And when the lies end, there it is.

And where would we go?

And who might that be?

And why did you keep on her, then?

And yes, you couldn't serve your country on foreign soil,

And you get that raw.

And you lifted it with your left, no wedding ring.

And you like to read.

And you think you could buy that?

And you turned it into a goddamn spook show.

And you walk off.

And you, young lady.

And you're gonna push it forward, two hands.

And you're gonna tell her now.

And you're on now?

And your name on a card inside the envelope.

And, uh, hot water.

And, uh, I'm going to see about getting some breakfast.

And, uh, tarot.

And, uh, this is none of my business

And... and you,

Anderson!

Anderson! Anderson!

ANNOUNCER: (ON PA) Call for Stanton Carlisle.

ANNOUNCER: Next show's in 30 minutes. Thanks, everyone.

ANNOUNCER: You can pick it up on house phone.

Answer me this, you brought him straight from the club.

Anytime.

Are you familiar with those cards?

Are you gonna sit out in the snow?

Are you recording this?

Are you sure that she can play the lady in question?

Are your initials "CK"?

As far as I can tell,

As if you're going to pluck something out of the air.

As they will course through my body.

As to procure me a pint of the sugarcane?

Asking for something specific.

At 8:00, Molly.

At the same time entertaining all these folks.

Attaboy.

Au revoir, ma cherie.

Aw, jeez, is he dead?

Ba bum!

Ba bum.

BARKER: (ON LOUDSPEAKER) Step right up and get a prize!

BARKER: (ON LOUDSPEAKER) Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,

BARKER: Come on, fellas. I need help. Chop chop.

BARKER: One last chance to witness this supreme oddity.

BARKER: Sin and salvation. Heaven and Hell.

Be quiet, child.

Because I don't.

Because I know that you are capable of handling your own affairs

Because I'm done hearing

Because my father wasn't man enough to hold on to her, all right?

Because now he believes it's all true.

Because of Pete?

Because you didn't want me to do the spook show.

Because you have a handle on him.

Because you have a slight movement. Compulsory movement.

Before we go on, there's a...

Before you close for the winter?

Behold, the beauties of the Orient,

Between Japan and the United States, a British announcement is expected soon.

Bible spouting hypocrite.

Bigger and bigger.

Blood. She'll need blood on her hands and dress.

Blue box,

Both as your mistress and your mother.

Bought it off an old ten in one that's folded.

Brass, not gold.

Brief as you can, what is your name?

Brief.

Brother Ezra, she...

BRUNO: He's working on his disappearing act right now.

BRUNO: Hey!

BRUNO: Make way.

BRUNO: Yeah. You know,

BRUNO: Zeena!

BUS DRIVER: All right, folks. Last stop. End of the line.

But also fiercely loyal.

But also the man you claimed to have killed at the carnival.

But also to see the way you held your clutch.

But as much as the truth hurts, I need it.

But before?

But have we met anywhere other than this office?

But he wants you to know that he was in no pain.

But I am not wearing this, I tell you that.

But I assume you like to go to lower places, too, don't you?

But I do have an act

But I fight it, Molly, I fight it.

But I got an idea for your act.

But I see him.

But I think we should go back inside.

But I'd just try and tell myself not to feel it, you know?

But I'll tell you this,

But it means everything to you, doesn't it?

But it seems you've made a transference to me.

But it was always really clear to me when I couldn't take it anymore.

But it's full of meaning...

But it's not a dollar, not 50 cent, but a quarter.

But once I copped the warrant off that deputy,

But these two areas are gonna have sparks.

But what if you showed them something?

But you assume yourself to be a lady, so not a big pipe.

But you can still choose, Stan.

But you made it a point of pride.

But you must be warned to keep your distance,

But you protect us here at home.

But you said, "No. Not me. I never drink."

But you should've seen 'em.

But you talked about my mother.

But you're certainly not fucking me anymore!

But you're in luck because tonight we're going to feed him one last time.

But you're not as hard to read as you think, lady.

But younger?

But, oh...

But...

Buy me some time.

Can I see your watch?

Can we go dancing?

Can you feel it?

Can you feel it?

Can you read minds?

Can you still do it?

Can you watch my tie, please?

Can't go back to the hotel.

Can't leave him in the rain.

Certainly do.

Charles wanted my opinion before engaging you.

CHARLES: Thank you, Mr. Carlisle. Miss.

CHARLES: Thank you. Mr. Carlisle, thank you.

CHARLES: This is my home.

CHARLES: Yes.

Charles.

Charles...

Cheap.

Choose your fate or the color of your curtains...

Christ almighty, throat's sore as a bull's ass in fly time.

Circle. "A prophecy fulfilled."

Clearly, before, he did, if you knew what White Ribbon meant.

Clem asked me to deliver this to you.

Clem is breaking in a new geek.

Clem, huh?

CLEM: (ON LOUDSPEAKER) Spine chilling rides!

CLEM: Folks will pay good money just to make themselves feel better.

CLEM: In the back.

CLEM: Whoopsie daisy. (GRUNTS)

Close it, yeah...

Close to your heart, where our Lord Jesus Christ resides,

Coat, hat, and gloves on the counter.

Color.

Come immediately!

Come on in. Come on in and find out.

Come on in. Have a cup of coffee first.

Come on, I'm not gonna hurt you.

Come on, sit.

Come on, Stan.

Come on! Steak and eggs, on me.

Come on. I need a hand.

Cut it out. What are you doing?

Daddy issues, too.

Dealings with Grindle have consequences.

Death and the wish of death.

Death.

Defend yourself, but... (SMACKS LIPS)

Desperate to be seen.

Despite all that.

Did he pass?

Did I oversell it?

Did Pete teach you things?

Did she drink?

Did she play the piano?

Did what? Tell me.

Did you ever stutter as a child?

Did your father drink?

Didn't we, George?

Didn't you notice my clutch was heavy?

Died today of gunshot wounds.

Do any other details come to you?

Do you have a few hours?

Do you have any idea what would be required

Do you remember the old gag?

Do you remember?

Do you think you all might come to visit us

Do you understand?

Doctor.

Doctor.

Doctor.

Don't be bashful, folks.

Don't bend down to talk to me.

Don't break the circle. This takes patience.

Don't do the spook show.

Don't leave me, please.

Don't pretend you give a shit with me.

Don't try to pull that legal stuff.

Don't worry. I'll figure it out.

Don't worry. They'll never trace it back to you.

Don't write anything down.

Don't you understand? I'm leaving with him!

Don't. Don't make me, please.

Dorrie? Dorrie, is it?

Dorrie.

Dorrie.

Dorrie. (SNIFFLES)

Dorrie. Oh, Dorrie...

Dorrie...

Downfall.

Dry place to sleep. Shot now and then.

Each word has a number,

Easy.

Easy.

Eh...

Eight, "trust."

Elaborate.

Elbow bent forward, clutch was heavy.

Emphasis on "concentrate" means that it is old and worn down.

Emphasizing cruelty to both animal and man.

Enoch.

Enoch.

Enoch.

Entrez.

Even for those in close proximity.

Even though you didn't see eye to eye from time to time.

Everybody knows you're the one I've been pining after.

Everybody, back off!

Everybody's horrified.

Everything I earn feels hollow.

Eye follows you around like 'em portraits.

Ezra Grindle, for example.

Ezra, you did the work. Now, that's far enough.

Ezra, you have to keep the circle.

Face him the other way, he's shy.

Feel hemmed in by it, trapped, even to this day.

Fever won't come down.

Find out what it feels like right here on Earth.

Find out what they want.

Find out what they're afraid of and sell it back to them.

Fine. Then you do it.

First few times I did it, my muscles would cramp for days.

Flies got to it.

Flopped around for a couple of days, brayin' like a calf.

Folks here,

Folks know to come to me for it.

For something like that to occur?

For this entertainment carries with it the danger of electrocution,

Four, "tell." Nine, "complete."

Friend of my father's.

From the East Coast to the West Coast.

Fuck.

Fun for all ages!

Games of chance, games of skill.

GEEK: (SOFTLY) I'm not like this.

GEEK: (WEAKLY) I'm not like this.

Get away! I love him! I'm leaving!

Getting the crawling shakes, the screaming, the terrors.

Girls always take after their daddies.

Give away your secrets. (CHUCKLES)

Give Zeena an article. Any article.

Go away.

Go on, beat it.

Go on, go on, around the corner.

Go to the car.

Gold.

Gonna be helping Clem out a bit.

Good for picklin', bad for drinkin'.

Good.

Got him hooked real good.

Got the radio, too.

Got to keep my beauties pickled fresh.

Gotta have a gun at home,

Gotta leave money to get money.

Grab your belongings and head off the bus.

Grind some chicken gristle.

Grindle was a patient of mine for a brief time.

GRINDLE: Because I would've been ruined.

GRINDLE: But by that, you mean she could?

GRINDLE: I am alone.

GRINDLE: I couldn't claim her body.

GRINDLE: I wanna see her now, I wanna talk to her.

GRINDLE: May, 1901.

GRINDLE: So I wanted to know what impression you got from her.

GRINDLE: Uh, Ezra, please.

GRINDLE: You fine tuned it incorrectly?

Guy named Humphries.

Half a plug a quart.

Half bent, parallel to your thumb.

Hands down by your side, with your palms open.

Hands up.

Hardly a day went by

Hated you.

Have a good day.

Have one of mine.

Have you ever been in analysis?

Have you not heard?

Have you suffered a loss? A dear one, not long ago?

He a patient of yours?

He ain't moving.

He can go for weeks with neither food nor drink

He can unburden his soul and he can forgive himself.

He could charm his way out of anything.

He didn't say, but I'm considering it.

He died suddenly.

He had his fair shake, he just blew it.

He just invaded Poland!

He killed... He killed... He killed his mother at birth.

He loved that watch.

He loved you so very, very much.

He pulls this lever, and they get real scared.

He says that you should know with absolute certainty

He says, "Ain't I doing okay?"

He tanked up on wood alky and he kicked off.

He wants to see you.

He wants you to know how proud he is of you. And how...

He wants you to know that

He was a friend of my folks. He was in Vaudeville.

He was alive and smiling in the dream.

He was old enough to be your father.

He was older, wasn't he?

He went White Ribbon when I was 10.

He'll geek.

He'll stay put.

He's got quite an operation.

He's got shuteye.

He's gotta be half out of his mind by now.

He's jus peddling applesauce.

He's real deep on the spook dodge.

He's unstable. Unpredictable.

Health, wealth, love.

Hell.

Hello, Stan.

Her family never got to see.

Her shadow looms large and close, too close for comfort.

Here you go.

Hey, Clem, we got a problem!

Hey, hepcat.

Hey, Molly?

Hey, pal, everybody's looking for ya.

Hey, Pete.

Hey, you. Radio Flyer, come here.

Hey, you're gonna kill him. Jesus, kid!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey! Hey!

Hey! No more mooching.

Hey. Let's go. Get your stuff.

His hand is on your shoulder.

His hand is resting on your right shoulder.

His mother's name's Mary.

His wife is a patient of mine.

Hmm?

Hmm? Tarot?

Hmm.

Holding out on him.

Hostilities exist.

How could he know that? How?

How did Pete get the alcohol?

How did you know I had a pistol?

How did you know it was me?

How do you ever get a guy to geek?

How is he fixed for dough?

How long you staying?

How old was the man at the carnival? The one who died?

How they move and talk, dress.

How'd you know about my father, though?

Humphries took my mother away

Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Hurry! Hurry, hurry.

Hurt that girl, you get 'em all.

I ain't none of your thieving southern police

I am closing you down.

I am not like...

I am nothing like my old man, and I never will be.

I am now able to withstand thousands...

I am sure. We are out of time.

I am The Major!

I believe it saved their marriage.

I believe we can provide that for you.

I believe you know to whom I'm speaking now, do you not?

I bet it's that frozen faced bitch you were so impressed with.

I bet she seems like class to you.

I better be on my way.

I bought those for you in Paris.

I can sense it.

I can sense that so clearly.

I can work with that.

I can't remember.

I can't.

I could materialize you in a seance.

I could tell by the look in his eyes.

I crossed it, I know that now.

I did everything I could,

I did.

I didn't like the way it smelled, was all.

I didn't mean any harm by it, Pete. I was just curious.

I didn't say. I didn't think I said...

I didn't see her.

I didn't... I...

I do love you, Stan.

I do not know.

I do, my love.

I do.

I don't believe you.

I don't have a 5:00.

I don't hire no boozers. Now beat it.

I don't know about all your gobbledygook,

I don't know how you do it, Pete.

I don't know who you're seeing on the side,

I don't know why he bothers with you.

I don't know why you don't keep it going for her.

I don't know why.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't like mentalism.

I don't need no shooflies in here, Clem. Get him out of here.

I don't need to, 'cause I get an impression right here.

I don't need you, Molly!

I don't need you!

I don't really like to smile, but I'd sure as hell smile for him.

I don't think this is necessary.

I don't think you have a problem.

I don't want Molly to know about it anyway.

I don't... I don't...

I feel lost.

I felt his hand.

I figured.

I fixed it.

I fixed it.

I gave it to him.

I gave you the initials of that watch

I give you a little information and you tell me the truth.

I got it out of him, Saint Christopher medal,

I got shuteye.

I gotta go get everything ready.

I gotta load out fast. I'm short a few guys.

I had a dream. I couldn't go back to sleep.

I had tried to avert a serious upset.

I have hurt many young women.

I have in my hand, Professor.

I have to go, but I miss you all.

I haven't done that.

I haven't rigged this yet,

I hurt them.

I hurt them.

I invited them. Are you mad?

I just got a couple of minutes before Zeena starts.

I just happened to think of something.

I just wanna talk about it for a second, okay?

I knew him really good.

I knew it was a lead pipe cinch.

I know it, I know it.

I know that, uh, you like chocolates,

I know what the fuck...

I know you are, Stan. (CHUCKLES)

I know, I'm sorry.

I know...

I left real money on the table.

I love you.

I love you. (KISSES)

I mean, this guy's, uh,

I mean, we give them mentalism and they treat it

I might have one job that you could take a crack at.

I must ask you, however, to remember that this exhibit

I named him on account of the Bible.

I need an incentive, son.

I need you...

I need your watch and your ring.

I never let any man do it to me all the way before.

I never touch the stuff.

I owe him a lot.

I place no blame on you

I promised him I'd take care of the girl, and I'm gonna.

I promised Zeena.

I read your letter, I understand.

I remember.

I removed the blindfold both for dramatic effect

I saw that chain around his neck,

I saw the marshal's name.

I saw the way you went after her and then the man.

I see.

I still got five good pounds of meat and bone right here.

I think George and I will sleep below tonight.

I think he really loved her, Stan.

I think he's onto something.

I think I'll just sit, if that's okay.

I think I'm ready.

I think Mr. Carlisle wants an apology.

I think they'll be talking about that the rest of his life.

I think we've done enough.

I think you do it because it makes you feel powerful.

I think you do it because you like it.

I think you pitied him.

I thought, well, he must know somebody named Mary.

I understand if you don't wanna

I understand.

I used to win all of them, but I don't know, I just...

I wanna see... (VOICE BREAKS)

I wanna show you something. You have a second?

I want you to... (SNIFFLES) Uh...

I warned you, didn't I?

I was hoping to engage you for a private consultation.

I was seeking you in them,

I was seeking...

I was so close. (SNIFFLES)

I was thinking you and I can make a dent in this town.

I was thinking you and I can make a pretty big dent in this town.

I was turned into this sorrowful shape, for I disobeyed my parents.

I will double your nightly rate.

I will if you let me.

I will take this to Clem.

I won't bite.

I won't do what you want me to.

I would like to apologize for my appearance.

I wouldn't know about that.

I wouldn't know what to talk about.

I wrote most of the word system on that tour.

I, uh...

I... (SIGHS) I don't know.

I'd love to learn anything that you'd wanna teach me.

I'd say he's very desperate.

I'd say that's a fair description.

I'd say your mother had a lot of hard work...

I'll be there at 8:00 and I'll do what you need me to do.

I'll be there.

I'll bet you he was handsome, wasn't he?

I'll do it.

I'll give you five for the radio.

I'll give you something.

I'll give you the five, plus a nice hot meal when we get there.

I'll go.

I'll know if you're lying.

I'll let you in.

I'll make it worth your while.

I'll meet you on the other side.

I'll oblige.

I'll see what I can do.

I'll stage it at night.

I'll stash him.

I'll tell them everything we did.

I'll tell you what, you got a safe?

I'm a hustler and I know it.

I'm always on, Doctor.

I'm aware.

I'm Charles Kimball.

I'm dying in here, Stan.

I'm Ezra Grindle.

I'm fine. Really, I am. Everything's Jake, Bruno.

I'm gonna run a bath. You better hurry up before it gets cold.

I'm gonna... I'm gonna destroy you.

I'm not like this.

I'm not sure about this, Stan.

I'm on the make and I know it. Get it?

I'm ready, Stan.

I'm scared every day of my life.

I'm scared, Stan.

I'm so scared sometimes I can't even breathe.

I'm sorry, Molly.

I'm sorry, Mr. Carlisle,

I'm sure that he does.

I'm talking about an act that would get us headlining

I'm the only one who could've given you that information.

I'm too hard on us.

I'm very wary of appearing in public,

I've been thinking about

I've been thinking about what you said, Stan.

I've done things that I've never told anyone about.

I've given you a fortune!

I've had enough.

I've loved you the best I can, as much as I can,

I've never touched them. Never read them.

I've, uh, fallen onto some hard times of late.

If I could just have a minute of your time.

If I want mud on my skirt, I can find it.

If I'm so easy to read, why come see me then?

If it's not good enough for me, sure ain't good enough for you.

If there's any of you that have a question for me,

If you change your mind, we'll spilt it 50 50.

If you displease the right people,

If you even wanna have the chance to see or sense her.

If you just permit us, sir, you can judge in a fair manner

If you let me, I wanna give you the world and everything in it.

If you see him, don't take him on your own.

If you see him, push him through.

If you're good at reading people,

If you're lucky,

If your foot slips,

Impending danger.

In a wrestling match.

In exchange for the truth.

In the biggest hotels and showrooms

In which she didn't crush you down in small ways.

Index, middle finger,

Initials "R" or "S."

Is being presented solely in the interest of science and education.

Is he here?

Is he here? Can I speak to him?

Is he man or beast?

Is it him?

Is it me? Do you wanna communicate with me?

Is it so bad to give her hope?

Is she gonna live or die? It's going back and forth.

Is she with me?

Is she with you?

Is that a warrant? What's that for?

Is that it?

Is that so?

Is that what this is?

Is that why she called you?

Is that why you're here?

It ain't hope if it's a lie, Stan.

It ain't much and I'm not begging you to take it, but it's a job.

It ain't much, but it's a job, right?

It doesn't make any sense.

It hurt.

It hurts him so very, very much

It really hurt bad.

It seems that I have failed.

It sure is not me.

It was a boy?

It was a dollar

It was a good show. You ought to give me that.

It was about my dad.

It was just a trick.

It'll keep you in coffee and cakes.

It's a "Black Rainbow."

It's a decree.

It's a female presence.

It's a guy that I knew.

It's all here.

It's all right, Stanton. Answer me.

It's all there.

It's gonna protect you in the future.

It's hard to accept it,

It's hard work.

It's me.

It's mostly because you learned as a child,

It's only by being merciful to others that a man has true power.

It's Pete. He finally did it to himself.

It's that word again.