Paladin, Chapter 19

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Later that night, PALADIN walks the streets of Windfall.

INT. STABLE - NIGHT

Finally, PALADIN enters stable to check on his horse.  Its seems well cared for.  The stable owner, an old man named SMITTY, is the only person there.  PALADIN notices another horse, well lathered, must have recently arrived in the stable.  

PALADIN: SMITTY, who brought this horse here?

SMITTY: POLLYANNA, BIG DAN's wife.  Bout ten minutes ago.  She must a bin in a hurry, I figer.  

PALADIN: Did you see where she went?

SMITTY: No.  I was too busy with her horse.  But, sometimes she takes a room at the hotel, I hear.  Pretty strange for a missus, if ya ask me.

PALADIN: Thanks.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

PALADIN leaves stable and heads to hotel.  Half-way there he see a man walking in the dark also walking towards hotel.  PALADIN rushes to cut him off.  It is CHARLES.

PALADIN: Good evening, CHARLES

CHARLES: (surprised) What?

PALADIN: Going my way?

CHARLES: Where?

PALADIN: The hotel.

CHARLES: Ah, no, just out for a walk.

PALADIN steps in front of CHARLES, preventing him from proceeding to the hotel.

PALADIN: I think we should have a talk.

CHARLES: Can this wait till tomorrow?

PALADIN: No.  We need to talk now.

CHARLES: What's this about that's so important?

PALADIN: Your wife.

CHARLES: My wife?  My wife is no concern of yours.

PALADIN: Well, sir, the way you're acting, she is no concern of yours either.  So, somebody has to be concerned.  And I am taking on that responsibility.

CHARLES: What are you talking about?

PALADIN: Sir, I know exactly where you are heading and who is waiting for you there.  And such a meeting is not in the best interest of Grace.  

CHARLES: I still don't know what you're talking about.  And you, sir, are not in charge of what is in the best interest of my wife.

PALADIN: I strongly suggest you turn around and go back home.

CHARLES: I'm sure I will in good time.  I don't need you to tell me this.  Am I violating any law at present?

PALADIN: No law of man, but perhaps a law of ethics and God.

CHARLES tries to push past PALADIN, but fails because of the impairment of his right arm.

CHARLES: You have me at a disadvantage, sir.  I'm asking you as a gentleman to let me pass.

PALADIN: If I let you pass, will you act as a gentleman and go home?

CHARLES: I'll do as you ask, but next time we meet, I'll be better prepared to confront you, sir.  

PALADIN:  As will I.

CHARLES retreats to his home.  PALADIN waits for some time to make sure CHARLES does go home and then PALADIN continues to the hotel. 

Dr. Richard R. Beeman

Please note the following from Dr. Richard R. Beeman, John Welsh Centennial Professor of History Emeritus, Department of History, University of Pennsylvania: 

“There is no question but that the thirteen American colonies, when they declared their independence (July 4, 1776), considered themselves "united States" in that common cause, but NOT The United States.    

And the Articles of Confederation reinforced that notion of thirteen independent and sovereign states--making it clear that the states, not the "central government," was supreme.  

Indeed, the Articles of Confederation are properly considered more of a "treaty" among those sovereign states than America's first Constitution.    

The drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution was an important step in creating the United States, but, in fact, if you look in the public press during the period between 1789 and 1865, most of the references to the central government are spelled "united States," not "United States."  

It is only after the Civil War, when the notion of a perpetual union is enforced by force of arms, that the American nation is regularly referred to as the "United States.””

Bay of Pigs

 At midnight on April 17, 1961 (65 years ago), the two LCIs (Landing Craft Infantry) each with a CIA operations officer and an Underwater Demolition Team of five frogmen entered the Bay of Pigs, Cuba. They headed an invasion force of four transport ships carrying about 1,400 Cuban exile ground troops plus M41 tanks and other vehicles in the landing craft.

I once heard a history professor say that a revolution always leads to a counter-revolution.  Bay of Pigs was the counter-revolution to the one led by Fidel Castro.    

The unloading of troops at night was delayed because of engine failures and boats damaged by unseen coral reefs.  As the frogmen came in, they were shocked to discover that Red Beach was lit with floodlights, which led to the location of the landing being hastily changed.  

As the frogmen landed, a firefight broke out when a Jeep carrying Cuban Militia happened by.  The few militias in the area succeeded in warning Cuban Armed Forces via radio soon after the first landing, before the invaders overcame their token resistance.  

Fidel Castro was awakened at about 03:15 to be informed of the landings, which led him to put all militia units in the area on the highest state of alert and to order airstrikes.  Castro departed personally to lead his forces into battle against the invaders.

The invasion failed.

Sixty-seven Cuban exiles were killed in action. Additionally, 10 more were executed by firing squad; 10 lost their lives on the boat Celia trying to escape; nine died in a sealed truck container on the way to Havana; four died by accident; two in prison; and four American aviators also died, for a total of 106 deaths.

The final toll for Cuban armed forces during the conflict was 176 killed in action.  This figure includes only the Cuban Army and it is estimated that about 2,000 militiamen were killed or wounded during the fighting.  Other Cuban forces casualties were between 500 and 4,000.  The airfield attacks on April 15 left 7 Cubans dead and 53 wounded.

On December 21, 1962, Castro and James B. Donovan, a U.S. lawyer aided by Milan C. Miskovsky, a CIA legal officer, signed an agreement to exchange 1,113 prisoners for US$53 million in food and medicine, sourced from private donations and from companies expecting tax concessions. 

On December 24, 1962, some prisoners were flown to Miami, others following on by ship, plus about 1,000 family members also allowed to leave Cuba. 

On December 29, 1962, President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline (speaking Spanish) attended a "welcome back" ceremony at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida for the Cuban veterans of the Bay of Pigs invasion returning from Cuba.

Mother's Day

 Today is Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, my mother, Margaret Lasky, died 31 years ago in January 1995 at the age of 88.

She lived most of her life during a period when it was not common to express your emotions.  But, I knew she loved me.  Actions speak louder than words.

I remember the freshly squeezed orange juice sitting on the table next to my bed.

I remember the slice of bread with jelly handed to me as I left home on my way to school in the morning.

I remember the bowl of sliced apples she would bring me while I sat and watched a sporting event by myself in our family den.

I remember her insisting I practice driving her car when I got home from school prior to my road test.  It paid off, especially parallel parking.

In her old age, my mother told me she read an article in a magazine which said it was important to tell your loved ones you loved them.  So she started telling me she loved me.  I knew she did but it was nice to hear the words come out of her mouth.

Once, when I was still living at home, my mother and I spent many happy hours together converting a large quantity of fresh strawberries into frozen ones we would enjoy the following winter.  That is my favorite memory of her.  

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  

  

The Tall T

The Tall T is a 1957 American Western film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott, Richard Boone, and Maureen O'Sullivan.  It was adapted from the 1955 short story "The Captives" by Elmore Leonard, which I recently read.

Brennan (Scott), without a horse, manages to get a lift from a stagecoach driver, who has been hired specially to transport the newlyweds Willard and Doretta Mims (O'Sullivan). Doretta is a plain woman, but the daughter of a rich copper mine owner. 

When they stop at the way-station, they are mistaken for the regular stage by three outlaws, led by Frank Usher (Boone), who have already killed the station manager and his son. 

Terrified of sharing the same fate, Willard suggests to the outlaws that ransoming his wife would be far more profitable than robbing the stage. Frank likes the idea. He also immediately recognizes, and is disgusted by, the groom's clear lack of devotion to his bride.

While waiting for the ransom to arrive, Brennan and Doretta plot to stay alive while confronting their three kidnappers.

I remember as a 12 year-old feeling some sympathy for Usher (a likable villain?), despite him being sinister (put murdered victims in a well).  He some how made a connection with me.  I hoped for his survival.

While the film was being made, negotiations were ongoing for the creation of a new TV series called Have Gun Will Travel.  Scott was the first choice to portray Paladin, but he was too old (59 years-old) and too rich to commit to the project.  Instead, he recommended Boone (40 years-old).  The rest, as they say, is history.