Have Gun, Will Travel

Do you kill for profit, Mr. Tuttle, or pleasure,

or your reputation?

If that's where your vanity hides,

Draw that gun.

You gentlemen tell me where I'll find the room clerk?

We're all filled up, mister.

Another hotel down the road a piece.

The next hotel's a 57-mile ride,

assuming I can get across two flooded arroyos.

Ah!

Throw him out.

Ah.

Before you did that, cowboy,

You should've asked my name.

It's Kovac.

Who?

Kovac. Syd Kovac.

Kovac? Kovac?

Yeah, you're some sort of a minor gunman, huh?

Minor?

I find it good business to study gunfighters.

For instance, Mr. Kovac, I know this about you:

If I hesitated for one instant,

If I took one step backward, you'd draw.

So I'm gonna give you some advice.

Some advice that may save your life.

If you ever have to face a vicious crowd,

Or a bully...!

You hesitate, you get into trouble.

Stop.

This way, you can avoid trouble sometimes.

Stop, stop!

It ain't me that's keeping you from a room.

This place has been reserved for someone.

Who? What's his name? I'd like to meet him.

He works for Tuttle. Sam Tuttle.

You say you know all about guns, mister.

Well it happens I work for the biggest gun of them all, and he's on his way here.

What time's he get here?

That kind of worries you, don't it?

If I was to tell him...

Kovac, I thought I taught you some manners.

Now, I asked you a civil question.

Now look, you ain't laying for him, are you?

What time does he get here?

About nine in the morning. Look, he gave me orders...

I've got to catch a stage for San Antonio. I'll be out of here by 8:00.

Well then. Ain't no use in us fighting.

I mean, as long as you leave early.

Logan, give him a room!

I hope you have nothing foolish in your mind.

Upstairs. First door on your right.

My horse?

I'll be glad to take him to the stable for you.

Make up for all the trouble, you know?

Thanks.

That's my table, sir.

The name is Tuttle.

Paladin.

You arrived early.

Now Mr. Logan was kind enough to send word about Kovac.

Look, I don't blame you for killing Kovac.

I've been tempted a few times myself.

But why in the name of Joseph didn't you leave town last night?

Why? I did everything I could to discourage Kovac.

Don't you understand? Doesn't matter what happened, it's done.

Now, whether I want to or not, I'll have to kill you.

On this day, of all days.

Three long years since I've been able to get back, and now-

Blast that slimy little man.

You know why he was so anxious for me to come back here?

"Step right up, folks. Sam Tuttle's 32nd gun fight."

"Right on this spot! Stand up to the bar and buy drinks, folks."

"And see the actual blood stains."

Well, I suggest you disappoint him.

You suggest that I-?

Do you actually think you can beat me?

Do you have some crazy idea about trying to out shoot me? Is that it?

No.

No, I won't be able to beat you.

But I'm fast enough to hurry your shot.

And I promise you, if your aim's a quarter of an inch off,

my reflexes'll kill you as I go down.

I believe you.

Does that change anything?

It does unless you're a fool.

You come over here and take a look.

Then you show me a way out, if you can.

Call me anything you like.

But take a good close look at them.

A bunch of latter-day savages.

Waiting for the body to be carried out.

If I let you ride out of here,

They'd say I was afraid.

Or that my eyes, or my hand, or something had gone bad.

Then every saddle tramp in the state would start wondering.

Let one man go and I have to fight ten.

I wish I could live another hundred years.

I think they'll all wipe themselves out.

And I'd like to be there laughing when it happens.

Well, that's one way out.

For both of us, go ahead, pull the trigger.

Oh, I was thinking about using the butt on you.

Then I'd have to follow you.

And I don't think you're the kind who can spend the rest of his life hiding,

Any more than you could shoot a man in the back.

Thank you.

I, I know this may sound sort of crazy,

I mean, to a man I have to kill,

But, I wonder if we could just sort of sit down and talk for a spell?

You know, like nothing was gonna happen?

Let's have breakfast.

It ain't cold, Mr. Tuttle,

But if you say you want champagne,

Then here it is.

Ah, Logan?

The people in this town,

What do you think of 'em?

Oh, they're nice people.

Nicest little town in the state, Mr. Tuttle.

A nice town. You saw them.

Don't trust any mother's child out there.

And, uh, what do you think of Paladin here?

Mr. Paladin?

Well, uh...

Ah, you mean, you and him, sir?

It's alright, you can speak your mind.

I'm gonna kill him when we're through here.

Well...

I think you ought to be more careful, Mr. Tuttle.

You mean, he might jump me unexpectedly?

He's the sneaky sort, is that it?

Now that you come to mention it...

Yeah.

I knew I could trust you like a brother.

And, uh, myself, Logan?

Tell us about me.

Well, sir, uh...

I've always said you were a gentleman.

A fine gentleman.

Which means I'm a killer.

I've killed 31 men, Paladin, I'm not fit to-

Get out, will you?

Yes, sir.

Will you get out, or I'll-!

Ha, or I'll kill you.

That's the only way I can think anymore, Paladin.

Sam, the thing that ruins most banquets, is the speeches.

Trouble is, murderers, like me,

Don't usually get a chance to make one.

Well, I'll admit there's a local unfairness there.

On the international scene,

Killings and speeches are practically inseparable.

It's no good.

The best Havana money can buy.

You know what I mean.

The more we talk, the harder it gets.

Sam...

I may know a way.

Don't beg, Paladin.

I have too much respect for you to hear you beg.

Any time you're ready.

Go ahead.

Make your move.

I'll protect myself.

I can't wait you out.

I have important business to take care of this morning.

Draw the gun.

You're wasting my time, too.