The Price of Power (Il prezzo del potere)

The Price of Power

You know where William Wheeler is, so talk.

We haven't done a thing, not Wheeler or me!

Not yet, that's true. But you might!

Talk!

Jack!

The girl lives with him, says she knows where Wheeler's hiding.

She doesn't know anything.

- Where's Bill Wheeler? - She doesn't know.

- Annie, get out of here. - I don't know.

I only said it so I could see Jack.

Then take a good look at him and pray he talks!

Throw her out.

That's a strange way to treat citizens for a representative of the law.

- What do you want? - Jefferson, the Sheriff.

It's pointless, I'll nevertell you!

Go on, tell him. If you don't, I will.

You'd betray your own son?

No, but I'd ratherthey arrested him...

because if anything happens to the President...

Bill couldn't have a better alibi.

If you know where he's hiding why didn't you tell my men?

They talked funny.

They don't look the sort to be walking around with a badge.

I had to recruit volunteers to keep order.

The President arrives tomorrow, don't you know?

He might not make it.

What do you mean?

Someone wants to blow up the train when it's on the bridge.

Someone? Who?

People who want another civil war.

Those two who came to me should know quite a lot about it.

Put them in Jack's place, you might extract some very interesting information.

Wheeler, if what you said is true...

I assure you, you'll have done this country a great service.

Wait.

Do they really want to kill the President?

Yes, that's why it's better if you and Bill are safe.

With your history they might suspect you.

No, why drag up the past again?

Which one of you talked to old Wheeler?

It was him.

I thought he was one of us.

He fought for the south, against his own son.

Warn Wallace. He'll take care of this.

I'll take Wheeler home so he doesn't talk to anyone.

Wait for us to leave. He might see you.

We'd better not mention this to anyone, if you haven't already?

I haven't said a word. Leave Jack alone.

Sure, don't worry.

Put him in a cell and treat him well.

You keep an eye on the negro.

Damn it!

You can die for all I care but Jefferson wants you alive!

Why not send someone else if you're so worried'?

No, I can't, dear. I must be there in person.

I'm scared, I've heard many strange, alarming, things.

Don't believe them, Lucrezia. It's going to be fine, don't worry.

Mr. Arthur McDonald.

I'll prepare the suitcases.

Show him in.

- Is everything ready? - Yes, Mr. President.

But I received another report.

According to the Secret Service the greatest danger is right in Texas.

Your plans for reform have put everyone in the area against us.

Starting with the State Governor himself.

Yes, I know it's dangerous but it doesn't matter.

That's precisely why I must go and speak to the people.

That's important and it's all that matters.

I want to speak to the people who work 14 hours a day.

And I don't need any help from the people who exploit them.

Mr. President, I agree completely but...

I just don't think it's the right time to go to the south.

What should I do? Turn and run'?

You could think of an excuse. A political commitment.

No, McDonald, I can't consider myself the President of the United States...

if I can't visit the entire country freely.

No, the presidential train leaves tonight as planned.

Good day, McDonald.

I'm aware of the situation but this isn't the time to be over-cautious.

You're doing well for yourself.

- You don't need me anymore. - Not that there was any need.

Thanks all the same.

What do you want from me, Wallace?

We were passing by.

So I thought why not pay my old friend Wheeler a visit.

After all, we fought against the north together.

- You should be pleased to see me. - The war's over, and we lost.

The war isn't over.

As long as there are damned northerners and southern traitors around.

We all belong to the same country now.

Forgive us, but we tookthe liberty of pouring ourselves a drink.

There's some for you of course.

To old times and the triumph of our beloved south.

Too late.

Foun

There were four of them.

They killed your father because he found out about the assassination plot.

It's ridiculous, all my ideas have been distorted, they're unrecognisable.

Don't get upset, you never read your speeches, you always say what you want.

Improvise.

All your enemies are in Dallas. You should avoid any delicate subjects.

But that's why I'm going there.

Mr. President, I was born and raised in the south...

and they still think they're the heroes of the Alamo.

They're bound to an ancient concept of virility and they discuss with pistols!

I'm not going to Texas to discuss my ideas, just to clarify them.

And no pistol can stop an idea.

It looks like that negro who bust Slim's jaw.

Then let's finish this, seeing as we're here.

Why waste the lead.

Jack!

It's the same two who told your father about the bridge, I recognise them.

I saw them with the Sheriff.

There were four of you. Who are the others?

Go, I can take care of myself. You have to get to the bridge.

Ifthey wanted to stop us...

it means Sheriff Jefferson's part of the conspiracy!

Hurry, you've got to save the President or your father died in vain!

I'll come back foryou.

- Are we far from Dallas? - No, I don't think so.

We'll be there in about an hour.

Biggle, hurry up! The train arrives in seven minutes!

I'll be finished in two!

Keep your eyes open. I have to go back to the city.

Hey, you!

What happened?

They wanted to dirty your shirt, Colonel.

Watch what you say, kid! That's the President of the United States.

I always know who I'm talking to.

Unlike you. Just keep your eyes open.

- What do you mean? - They wanted to blow up the bridge.

Let him go, I think I've seen him before but I don't remember where.

I'll help you.

Perhaps my face reminds you of those fouryears you made me serve, Colonel.

Four long years but all's forgiven.

As you can see, I saved your life.

But be careful.

Not everyone around here thinks like me.

The delay is worrying.

You know how slow the trains are around here.

A couple of hours late is quite normal.

I've heard some alarming rumours.

It's just talk, Vice President.

There are a few troublemakers but the Sheriff's got it under control.

- Welcome, lady. - Thank you.

Thank you, they're beautiful.

- Why was the train so late? - There was a small incident.

- Are you the sheriff? - Yes. Well?

The bridge was rigged with explosives.

All those responsible must be arrested immediately.

I'll do my best.

Mr. Pinkerton, from the Texas Bank.

- It's great to see you here. - The pleasure's mine.

You see the flowers the Governor's wife gave him? Red roses!

What's so strange?

Around here it means blood.

- Who are you? - It's Bill, let me in.

Okay, I'll be right down.

Help me, Jack's injured.

No, I don't want him here. They're looking for him.

- He escaped from jail. - But he didn't do anything.

He needs a doctor. He's innocent.

Guilty or innocent, what do I care?

He's black, first they'll hang him then they'll see if he's guilty.

Come in, quick.

If anything happens to the President I'll hold you personally responsible.

What's this? Our friend the Vice President, hope of the south...

- is threatening his compatriots. - Careful, Pinkerton.

All the gold in your bank won't save you from the noose.

Besides the banks there's political power.

He's the executive branch. In other words, Texas.

You made a pact with Texas and Texas made you vice president.

- Murder wasn't part of the deal. - Calm down.

What happened at the bridge was an isolated incident.

They all had stars on their chests.

The truth might be the opposite to what it appears.

We can speak freely. Explain yourself.

Four men chosen by me to protect the President died on that bridge.

Killed by a man who spent four years in jail for high treason.

He presented himself as the President's saviour...

but first he killed anyone who could give a different version of events.

Then why haven't you arrested him?

The President's convinced he owes him his life.

It's true.

I made it to vice president of the United States with your support.

At the time I only saw mine and your interests.

But two years of close contact with the President...

have taught me to think about the future of our nation.

It's in the people's interests that nothing happens.

And it's in their interests that the whites are white and negroes, negroes!

Tell your president we want to live our own way.

Without interference from the government in Washington.

You can also tell him we don't want him here...

if he's come to turn our people against us.

Your selfishness blinds you. There was a war for that and we lost.

And now I'm glad we lost.

Seems the climate in Washington has contaminated you.

From now on I suggest you come and see us more often.

We're here to talk about facts not ideas.