ANDY

Sir?

NORTON

It's obvious this fellow Williams is impressed with you. He hears your tale of woe and quite naturally wants to cheer you up. He's young, not terribly bright. Not surprising he didn't know what a state he'd put you in.

ANDY

I think he's telling the truth.

NORTON

Let's say for a moment Blatch does exist. You think he'd just fall to his knees and cry, "Yes, I did it! I confess! By all means, please add a life term to my sentence!"

ANDY

It wouldn't matter. With Tommy's testimony, I can get a new trial.

NORTON

That's assuming Blatch is even still there. Chances are excellent he'd be released by now. Excellent.

ANDY

They'd have his last known address. Names of relatives…

(Norton shakes his head)

Well it's a chance. isn't it? How can you be so obtuse?

NORTON

What? What did you call me?

ANDY

Obtuse! Is it deliberate? The country club will have his old time cards! W-2s with his name on them!

NORTON

(rises)

Dufresne, if you want to indulge this fantasy, that's your business. Don't make it mine. This meeting's over.

ANDY

Look, if it's the squeeze, don't worry. I'd never say what goes on in here. I'd be just as indictable as you for laundering the money!

NORTON

Don't you ever mention money to me again, you sorry son of a bitch! Not in this office, not anywhere!

(slaps intercom)

Get in here! Now!

ANDY

I was just trying to rest your mind at ease, that's all.

NORTON

(as GUARDS enter)

Solitary! A month!

Andy gets dragged away, kicking and screaming:

ANDY

What's the matter with you? It's my chance to get out, don't you see that? It's my life! Don't you understand it's my life?

EXT -- PRISON YARD -- DAY (1966)

Mail call. Men crowd around as names are called out. Red and the boys are parked on the bleachers.

FLOYD

A month in the hole. Longest damn stretch I ever heard of.

TOMMY

It's my fault.

RED

Like hell. You didn't pull the trigger, and you didn't convict him.

HEYWOOD

Red? You saying Andy's innocent? I mean for real innocent?

(Red nods)

Sweet Jesus. How long's he been in here?

RED

Since '47. Going on nineteen years.

MAIL CALLER

Thomas Williams!

Tommy raises his hand. The envelope gets tossed to him. He stares at it. Red peers over his shoulder.

RED

Board of Education.

TOMMY

The son of a bitch mailed it.

RED

Looks that way. You gonna open it or stick your thumb up your butt?

TOMMY

Thumb up my butt sounds better.

He gets hemmed in by the older men. Red snatches the letter.

TOMMY

C'mon, just throw it away. Will you please? Just throw it away?

Red rips it open, scans the letter. Expressionless.

RED

Well, shit.

INT -- VISITOR'S ROOM -- DAY (1966)

Tommy makes his way through the chaos, finds Beth and the baby waiting behind the thick plexi shield. He sits, doesn't pick up the phone. Just stares at Beth. She doesn't know what to make of it.