The Ghost Ship (1943)
Russell Wade: Tom Merriam
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Quotes
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Will Stone : [pulling a revolver on him having just caught Merriam getting into the arsenal locker] Hold it! Move, and you'll get a bullet through the abdomen. Not a pleasant or quick death, either. Perhaps you've never seen a man die that way? But I want you to live! I want you to learn the great lesson that I thought I'd taught you: authority *cannot* be questioned!
Tom Merriam : That's crazy talk.
Will Stone : Well, I've never felt more sane in my life than I do at this moment... Who's crazy? You, who defied me and are helpless? Or I, who control your destiny and the destiny of the Altair and all the lives on board?
Tom Merriam : I wish Bounds... I wish the crew could see what I see now, could hear you talk.
Will Stone : You think I'm insane?
Tom Merriam : Yes, and they would too if they could see you now, raving and ranting...
Will Stone : I'm captain. As long as I wear these stripes there isn't a man in the crew that'll believe you or help you. You'll find them too lazy, too cowardly, too disinterested... That's what I want you to learn, Merriam! Men are worthless cattle! And a few men are given authority to drive them.
Tom Merriam : You can't prove that to me, even with a gun, Captain. I know people aren't that way. They're good, kind. They help each other. It's only hard to get them to understand.
Will Stone : I'll give you a chance to make them understand. You go out there. Go any place you want on board ship. Talk to them. *See* if you can get them to help you. *See* if they'll stand up with you against authority. Even your friend Sparks won't help you. Go ahead, get out! *Try* and get help against me! Try! Try! Try!
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Tom Merriam : [Approaches Jim, busy working on the railing] But Jim, can't you understand what I'm trying to tell you?
Tom Merriam : [Jim ignores him, keeps on working] But Louie was your pal - the best friend you had on board. How do you think your pal was caught in the chain locker? Do you think that door closed itself?
Jim Lorne : If you'll take my advice, you'll quit trying to start trouble around here.
Tom Merriam : [the Boatswain's Mate approaches them] Boats, you're a sensible man...
Boats : Listen, kid, quit tryin' to stir up trouble with the crew against the Old Man. They don't like it. They don't like YOU. And what's more, did you ever hear about mutiny?
[Merriam drops the whole conversation and walks off]
