The Great Silence (1968)
Vonetta McGee: Pauline Middleton
Photos
Quotes
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Pauline : Once, my husband told me of this man. He avenges our wrongs. And the bounty killers sure do tremble when he appears. They call him "Silence." Because wherever he goes, the silence of death follows.
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Sheriff Burnett : You ain't by some chance one of them no-good bounty hunters, are ya?
[Silence doesn't respond]
Sheriff Burnett : I asked you a question, so answer. I'm a sheriff. Well? Where you come from? How long you intend to stay?
[annoyed]
Sheriff Burnett : If you think you're bein' smart, just watch yourself. Now then, stranger, let's have it...
[grabs him by the arm]
Pauline : He can't answer, sheriff. He's a mute.
Sheriff Burnett : [turns to Silence, embarrased] Well... I'll be. At least you coulda told me. I mean... you coulda let me know, ya know what I mean?
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Pollicut : Pauline. A pleasure to see you. What can I do for you? Is there something you wanna buy?
Pauline : I didn't come to buy. I came to sell.
Pollicut : And what are you sellin'?
Pauline : Our house. It cost at least five thousand dollars. I'll give it to you for a thousand... 'cause you like cheap things.
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Pauline : [to Silence] My husband was a good man. They forced him to steal, to give me a decent life. Because... Pollicut could put a price on his head. He thought if I became his mistress... well, he thought wrong.
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[Silence has been waiting for Pauline]
Pauline : There wasn't time! I'm sorry. I tried... but that Loco had captured 'em. He'd taken them all as hostages to the saloon. He wants to shoot it out with you, just you and him. He said to tell you... if you don't, he'll kill every one of them!
[Silence prepares to leave]
Pauline : But... you can't, Silence! You're hurt real bad. Besides - I'm certain it's a trap. You can't trust him. Don't get involved. You're just one man. Please don't go. Let's run for it. There must be some place we can go. They're gonna kill 'em either way, they're all gonna die! I don't want you dead. I love you.
[Silence walks out of the barn]
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[Pauline has tried to sell her house to Pollicut, only for him to try and forcefully seduce her]
Pauline : [to Silence] I didn't get the money... but I still want my revenge. I don't want you to work for nothing. There is one who'd give me the money, right away... if I wanted to... do what he wants. Well... what he wants in exchange is too high a price for me to pay... but I'm willing to pay you. Now, before, after, whenever.
[Silence leaves for the saloon]
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Pauline : [pours Silence a drink] I sent for you 'cause I want you to kill a man. How much do you want for him?
[Silence drinks, but doesn't answer. He pours another drink]
Pauline : You could at least answer me! Well? Can't you talk?
[Silence pauses, then pulls back his scarf, revealing a long scar]
Pauline : Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't know. Please excuse me.
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Pollicut : [with a wad of cash in hand] May I ask what you need this for? It's a pretty good sum.
Pauline : No.
Pollicut : I shouldn't have brought it up. Just the same... is this to pay a man for a certain crime?
Pauline : That's my business. Just tell me "yes" or "no"? Are you interested in my offer?
Pollicut : Not really. You know you shouldn't crawl for money like this. I wouldn't take advantage of your situation for a thousand dollars. I want you to have it...
[He hands the money to Pauline and forcefully kisses her. She pushes him off her, spits at him and discards the money]
Pauline : I wish it were poison!
