Willie the Actor
Page 26
Bill’s face broke into a grin. ‘But how can there be any doubt I’m not the same William Sutton?’
The lawyer shrugged and offered Bill a light. Bill leant forward and drew on the cigarette. The tobacco seemed mild compared to what he was used to, and he stared at the filter.
‘These days people are saying they’re healthier,’ explained the lawyer.
Bill raised his cigarette and examined it. ‘Maybe I’ll get used to it.’
‘Anyway,’ continued the lawyer, ‘the law has to be absolutely sure. After all, when you escaped from Holmesburg, you were pretty keen to deny you were William Sutton. So now the onus is on the DA to prove you are who you are. When you go before the judge, he’ll ask you if you’re the same William Sutton. You can either admit it or deny it. Or you can remain silent, and we can tell them the burden of proof is on the State. ‘
‘This is crazy,’ said Bill. ‘What the hell would I gain by denying it or remaining silent?’
‘Well, you’d maybe gain an extra two or three weeks at Long Island Jail. ‘
Bill blew out a cloud of smoke like a sigh. ‘Did you know Warden Klein has postponed his vacation twice because of me?’
Herz looked puzzled. ‘What’s that got to do with it?’
‘He’s treated me fairly. And he worries about me escaping. Why don’t I just admit everything, then the warden can get a good night’s sleep and get to Florida?’
‘Are you sure that’s what you want?’
Bill nodded. ‘I’m certain. ‘
‘Okay. But please don’t forfeit any of your rights because of the warden’s vacation. ‘
‘Why should I deny I’m the William Sutton who broke out of Sing Sing and Holmesburg? Three years ago, the papers pinned the Brinks robbery on me. If they want me to admit to that one, they can go to hell. ‘
‘Somehow I don’t think they will. They’ve got enough on you to. . . ‘ Herz stopped speaking, and inhaled deeply on his cigarette.
‘To put me away for life?’ Bill said, finishing the sentence for him.
His lawyer stood. ‘Oh, I think you should know: loads of young kids hero worship you. You’re a popular guy. And church leaders are saying how worried they are that some of these kids will try to be like you. ‘
Herz saw the twisted expression of pain on Bill’s face and he almost wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
‘That’s terrible,’ Bill said, after a pause. ‘I wouldn’t want that to happen. If I write a statement for the newspapers, can you see it gets to them?’
‘Sure. I’ll have a word with the warden. ‘
The following day, Warden Klein came to see Bill. He was carrying a newspaper, and looked worried.
‘I didn’t upset you by making that statement, did I, Warden?’ said Bill.
The warden shook his head emphatically. ‘Of course not. I wholeheartedly approve. But your lawyer told me that you intend forfeiting your rights because of my vacation. I find that a little disturbing. ‘
Bill smiled. ‘I’m not giving anything up, Warden. Go ahead with your reservation. Going anywhere special in Florida?’
‘Wife and I’d like to see the Everglades. ‘
‘Well, I’m sure you’ll have a good time. ‘
The warden stared at Bill for a moment, as if he was trying to work him out, then handed him a copy of the New York Times.
‘Here’s what they printed. ‘
Bill took the paper and began to read.
CRIME DOESN’T PAY ADMITS SUTTON
William Sutton, the self-confessed bank robber known as Willie the Actor, yesterday admitted to a lifetime of failure. “They said I was the best,” he said. “But what is the result? I’m 50, I’ve spent most of my adult life in prison or in hiding, and now I’m penniless. Many people think I have a great deal of money stashed away, but this simply isn’t true. Even if it were true, what good would it do me? If I take into account the prison sentences still outstanding, then I’ll probably spend the rest of my life in prison. The press have named me Willie the Actor, but Willie the Failure would be more appropriate. At 50 what have I got to look forward to, except the rest of my life behind bars?”
Sutton, throughout his trial for the Sunnyside bank robbery, claimed he was innocent, but a jury reached a unanimous verdict in less than five hours and he was found guilty. He is due for sentencing tomorrow and is likely to face the prospect of another 20 -30 years added to his original sentences.
While Bill read the story, Warden Klein said, ‘I can’t figure you out. With your reputation I expected plenty of trouble, but you’ve been the best behaved prisoner we’ve ever had. You’ve abided by all the regulations and I’ve never once heard you complain. ‘
Bill looked up from the paper. ‘You know, Warden, when I came here I didn’t think you’d put me outside to cut the hedge. ‘
The warden gave a deep-throated chuckle. ‘You’re a paradoxical guy, Sutton. I think if you gave me your word not to escape, I think I could trust you to cut the hedge on the outside. ‘
‘Yes, you could, Warden,’ Bill agreed, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘but you know I’d never give you my word not to escape. ‘
During the sentencing, Bill admitted he was the same William Sutton who had robbed the Rosenthal Jewelry Store and the Philadelphia Bank, and was the same William Sutton who had escaped from Sing Sing and Holmesburg Prison. The idea of denying it, or throwing down the gauntlet and challenging the DA to prove it, struck him as absurd. And now he had nothing to lose, his sense of humor seemed to go into overdrive, and he viewed the proceedings with a sort of detached amusement
Judge Farrell sentenced him thirty years to life. Running concurrently with his other sentences, it meant he would be due for parole somewhere towards the latter part of the next millennium. As Bill worked this out, a wry smile spread across his face, which Judge Farrell noticed.
‘You find something amusing in this, Sutton?’
‘Yes, your honor. ‘
‘Well you won’t be so amused if I sentence you for contempt of court. ‘
Bill was stunned. What difference could another six months added to his sentence make? Hearty laughter from the court reporters caused the judge to blush scarlet as he recognized his blunder. He quickly cleared the court.
After weeks of time crawling slowly, now the flow speeded up. Everything was done and dusted and they wanted Bill out of the way. The newspapers rounded off his life with news of his sentence. And that was that. Now he’d be yesterday’s news. A forgotten man. With one exception. At least now he had a loyal and loving daughter who intended visiting him as often as she could.
That same day, handcuffed to a guard, he found himself on his way back to Sing Sing. In the stifling atmosphere of the meat-wagon, Bill attempted conversation with the taciturn guard.
‘This will be my third visit to Sing Sing. ‘
The guard grunted.
‘You were supposed to say,’ said Bill, ‘and your last. ‘
As soon as they arrived at Sing Sing, and Bill stepped down from the meat-wagon, a guard came forward and greeted him.
‘Hello, Sutton, welcome to your new home for the next hundred and thirty years. ‘
‘I’ll try to live up to it,’ said Bill. But he could tell by the guard’s expression that he didn’t get it.
From somewhere deep inside the prison, he heard the slam of a metal door.
Epilogue
1976
One of the guards patted Bill warmly on the back. ‘Good luck, Bill. Any plans?’
‘Just take each day at a time. ‘
‘Best way. ‘
The gate opened and suddenly, for the first time in 26 years, he was staring at the outside world. He blinked, as though he’d been deprived of daylight, and his eyes watered. U
p on the hill, silhouetted against the late afternoon sun, Jenny’s distant figure swam into focus. She was leaning against the door of her car. She waved to him, and he waved back Then, without once looking back at the penitentiary, he began walking up the hill. His knee joints ached and his chest wheezed, but apart from that he was reasonably fit and felt it was good to be alive. As he got closer to her, his stomach fluttered with excitement. Although she had been true to her word, and had visited him regularly for the past 26 years, somehow seeing her in the real world was like dream. Like someone else’s dream. He couldn’t quite believe it was happening to him.
When they told him he was being paroled, he had wept tears of relief. The pent up tears of 26 long years. And during all that time she had been the most loyal daughter any father could wish for. She had brought her husband on occasional visits. Then her two little girls when they were a bit older. Now they were grown up and might soon have families of their own, and he would become a great grandfather. The thought caused him to speculate about the rest of his life. How much of it was left? He brushed the thought from his mind. He had promised himself that he was not going to look to the future. It was the enjoyment of the present that was important. The here and the now. And as he got closer to Jenny, and saw her face, radiant with happiness, he knew this was a moment that would live with him for however long he had left.
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