The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds

Lieutenant Johnson, beverage department

- Brother, how are you? - Hi.

We've been expecting you, won't you come in?

Thanks.

- Well, you ready for your trip? - Yeah.

Johnson.

I've told Lieutenant Dreyer here from the Florida beverage department

that I feel under these circumstances

you're the only man we have really qualified for this assignement.

Well, thanks for the road.

You were brought up with these type of people.

Daddy ran a still, didn't he?

Got killed by this kind, ain't that right?

Yeah.

Hear you've been harbourin' a vendetta

- A vendetta? - It's true isn't it?

A vendetta? Well, well not exactly.

Look.

I'm not against it.

In fact the more prejudice in these circumstances, the safer.

They're mean! Just about the lowest type of criminal there is.

You gotta be careful.

Have you ever seen the mosquitos in the glade?

They're like dive bombers. They start from the top, zzzz

Man you better watch out, because they got the longest, pointiest dinger you ever saw.

Then there's the gators. And the snakes.

You know, sometimes I feel more than most men.

What am I telling you all this garbage for?

The things that I'll regret the most.

Is leaving my little,

my dear Pat behind.

I swear, she's more than most.

I don't know why you put up with me.

Why do you?

I don't know.

I ask myself that, too.

Then maybe I better not come back.

Don't you talk like that.

Luke. Do you love-

Look out!

Doc!

Doc!

Doc!

Johnson's a cop!

What?

What!

What, a cop?

Yeah Doc, he's gone, left.

I didn't do anything, I just found out myself.

A cop?

I rushed right over.

You've always wanted his job.

Yeah!

You want his job!

- Don't you Slim? - I'm thinking of you.

I stock the operation.

Yeah, I want his job.

Me?

Us?

How did he know?

How'd in hell did Mark know?

He said-he said he recognised him.

But he couldn't- he couldn't place him.

That's a laugh. I didn't buy that.

- I don't see no laugh. - I called him!

A month or so ago. We gonna do Johnson's pants.

He said he was goin' to wash 'em.

Yeah, I bet he knew then.

And I bet he wasn't going to wash 'em.

Steal?

Now why'd he tell Johnson?

Look! I'm no fink.

Why should I? I didn't care. It weren't my pimps.

Look, Doc!

Mark's a lying crumb.

He let that cop get away. I told ya! I came and told ya!

What are you mad at me for?

For not finding out sooner!

For being a creep! Now get outta my way!

Wait 'til I get my hands on that Mark.

I'll teach him! And I'll kill that damn cop!

I'll rip him apart with my bare hands!

You skunk!

You lousy yellow skunk! You let a cop get away, will you?

You skunk!

Slim?

You take this punk out to wail, and bring him to.

Go get Mark, I want that skunk with us!

Get up we gotta drag over here.

Toward that way.

Behind, is really my only regret.

Not being able to touch her,

having her near me, the warmth of her.

Her tenderness. Yes, her kisses.

That's the thing I'll regret the most.

That wild little sparkle she gets in her eyes when I look at other girls.

Y'know, new years Eve everybody, well they were just kissing everybody else.

And this cute little blonde, well she,

she come up to me and she planted the biggest, big kiss,

well, you oughta seen Pat, ha!

Ooh, that little wildcat, she almost tore 'em apart.

That's the thing I'll regret most of all.

My name's Harold.

Can't remember when we've had a guest at this hotel.

A long time.

Come to think of it, I'm gonna have to sign you in.

That is, if you're going to stay here.

You are going to stay here aren't you?

Looks to me like you'll have to.

It's the law y'know

sign in at the hotel your staying at, I mean.

Here, this'll make you feel better.

I brought your breakfast.

It's getting cold!

Eat it all.

I don't want to see a single thing left on your plate.

Yes, Mom.

I'll send Harold in for the dirty dishes.

I don't think I could stand seeing you again tonight.

I'm Mrs Pratt.

You are our guest here, and I want you to remember this.

That is, as long as I allow you to stay on.

Is that understood?

Is that understood!

Yes, yes ma'am.

- I was, excuse me. - What is your name?

Whatever brought you to this island?

And what is your business here?

- Where do you come from anyway? - Hey!

- I want to know why you are here on this- - Just a minute!

Hey wait!

Let me answer this first one!

Before I forget what it was.

Well-

my name's Johnson, and I'm a-

- well sort of a tourist. - Out here?

Oh I know it sounds crazy, but

I came here to hunt and fish.

- It seems I got lost. - Got lost?

That doesn't seem likely or make sense.

Well it would if you were me ma'am.

Searchin' channel after channel,

lookin' for a way out.

Rippin' the bottom outta your brand new boat.

One you'd saved for. That was a blow!

Saved and saved for.

And then losing everything else besides. Guns, fishing gear, the whole damn works.

Man!

Didn't you have a compass?

Nobody goes into the glades without a compass!

Why are you lying to me?

Woman, what would I be lyin' to you for? Of course I had a compass!

It slipped overboard.

Got a little excited when I was trying to shoot.

Shoot-a, a stinking little cat.

It was too far away anyhow, shouldn't a tried that.

Got over anxious, excited.

Shouldn't a tried that.

What do you want outta me?

Alright-

alright, I'll accept that explanation. For now.

Accept it, for now?

What would I be lyin' to you for?

I mean, look-

look at the help you've given me. You've done me a favour.

I wanna be friends, lady.

Y'know, you're an attractive woman.

You look, a little like my sister.

Oh, could you imagine a hillbilly becoming an actress?

Well that's just what she is.

Eight months of grammar school.

And works all the time, seems to be just what they wanted.

Some people seem to have all the luck without even half tryin'.

Works all the time.

Well of course, she doesn't have big parts yet.

But works all the time.

It's excitin'.

I used to be in show business.

That's how I met my first husband.

Yeah, I could see you

must have been something, real special

in your day ma'am.

The belle of the ball, I'd say.

Oh you would!

You must pray young man! You must pray!

We have a chapel here! And even our guests must pray!

Hi!

Can I give you a hand with that? I'm pretty good with that kinda stuff.

Thanks, just about have it fixed. How do you feel?

Like a new man.

Sure I can't help you with that?

No! As I said, its fixed!

- Ok! - I like it right there.

- Ok. - You didn't eat your sandwich.

Guess not. Though I could eat a horse now.

Took the others their dinner a while back.