01x26 - The Desperate Half-Hour

[bunniefuu]

♪ [humming]

♪ Wyatt Earp

♪ Wyatt Earp

♪ Brave, courageous

and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame

♪ And long live his glory

♪ And long may

his story be told ♪

♪ [humming]

[Narrator]

Wyatt Earp, as Marshal

of Wichita in ,

had gone against

hardened K*llers

like Manning Clemens

and John Wesley Harden,

mature men

with a lust for blood

and a quick hand

on the grip of a Colt . .

But there was a group

of desperados,

most of them

or years old,

who styled themselves

Billy the Kid

or the Pecos Kid

or the Comanche Kid.

A few of them were

like young Lonnie McVey,

known as the Kansas Kid,

who found himself

hounded by a reputation

and driven toward death

at the end of

a posse's rope.

[g*nsh*t]

How bad is he?

Ah, not too good.

We better get him

to a doctor.

Anything really new

in the paper?

Well, Times

in New York City

is charging corruption

by Tammany Hall.

The French have asked

President Grant

if he'd like a statue.

Of himself?

No, statue of liberty.

They want to give it

to us,

'cause we're

the first republic.

Oh, I think that's

a very nice idea.

How much

would it cost?

[chuckles]

No, Martha.

That's not the point.

The point is,

that if they gave us--

Lonnie?

Yeah, it's me.

Now, Martha--

Why have you come here?

Used to be my home,

didn't it?

Lonnie, my boy,

it's still your home.

We've missed you so

and waited.

Martha.

There's a posse after me.

That's the only reason

I came back.

A posse?

And you expect us

to hide you here?

I always thought

you were my father.

Oh, now, John--

We told him last time

he mustn't ever

come back.

Oh, I--

You agreed to it!

I know, but--

Why did you come here?

Why is the law after you?

For something I didn't do.

You see, John?

No.

He's a stage robber

and a m*rder*r.

Get out.

Not right now.

Please, John.

He can't expect us to hide

the Kansas Kid

from the law.

Shut up.

I'll hide myself.

I don't want you to do

anything but shut up.

Ain't askin' ya.

I'm tellin' ya.

Lonnie,

not your own father.

You practically

threw me out,

ignored me

when I was a kid.

I don't owe you

a thing.

Far as I'm concerned,

you're just any stranger.

And this

is just any house.

You can't hide here.

Who's stopping me?

Playing common sense

oughta stop ya.

That posse'll report

to Marshal Earp.

This is the first place

he'll search.

He nor any other marshal

don't know my real name.

You're not going

to tell on him, John.

You can't.

He's our son.

He won't tell on me.

He knows what

he'll get if he does.

Turned my horse loose

and made it here

on foot.

I'm dead beat.

I'm going upstairs.

The least you can do

is give me a bed

for the night,

considering you

haven't much choice.

Now, Martha,

we agreed--

Lonnie, what are they

after you for?

They say I k*lled a man.

They aim to hang me.

Marshal Earp, this is

Sheriff Osbourne

from Kingman County.

Oh, howdy.

Mr. Earp,

these are my

two deputies,

Larson, Jones--

Glad to know you.

A long way from home.

Yeah.

They chased

the Kansas Kid

into town,

but he got away.

Oh, how?

The Kid shot

Danny Obert,

just when we

were overtaking him

outside the city limits.

We had to

take care of him.

He's over at

the Doc's now.

Dr. Blake's a good man.

Seemed to know

his business.

Sit down, gentlemen.

And you think

the Kid's holed up

in Wichita, huh?

Oh, he has to be.

Rolled in here

not more than

a half an hour ago.

Now, what's he wanted for

besides wounding

one of your deputies?

Well, he k*lled

a Wells Fargo guard

in a stage hold up

outside of Kingman City.

I'm having some of these

printed up.

The Kansas Kid.

There are a dozen kids

this and that.

What's his real name?

Nobody knows.

Works out of

the bush country.

[groans]

Never comes in

to town, huh?

Hmm. If he has,

he's sure got

sense enough

not to brag

on who he is.

But your men

can identify him?

We got close enough

for that.

He's slender,

brown hair,

brown eyes--

Good-lookin' kid.

[door opens]

Marshal Earp,

we picked up

a stray horse

that was wandering

on cross street

off Douglas Avenue.

I got him outside.

That could be

the Kid's horse.

Let's take a look.

This is the one

right here.

Got the blaze.

Three white stockings.

Belongs to Kid, all right.

Looks like he was

traveling light.

Been a long ride.

Looks like an old

saddle, too,

about or years

I'd say.

Uh-huh.

The saddle-maker's

mark

might give us a lead.

Looks like old man

Gentry's.

Here, in Wichita?

Yeah.

We'll take the horse

on down to his shop.

You and your men

might as well

get some rest

and something to eat.

Any objection

to my going along

with you, Mr. Earp?

It happens there is.

Old man Gentry may not

want to talk

in front of strangers.

Okay, you're the law

in Wichita,

so long as we

get the kid.

If he's here,

you'll get him.

Come on, boy.

[knocking at door]

Who is it?

Your mother.

Where's the old man?

Did he go

to turn me in?

I don't know.

I was born

in this house.

I might as well

die here.

If you're innocent

as you say,

you should give

yourself up.

Stand trial, I suppose.

Yes.

They've tagged me

with enough jobs

to hang me nine times.

We know Marshal Earp.

He's a decent young man.

He goes to our church.

Awful fast with a g*n,

I hear.

He'd treat you fairly.

I'm good with a g*n, too.

g*ns.

That's how it started.

You were smaller

than the boys your age.

You thought you'd be

evened up with g*ns.

I evened up.

Your father would have

stood by you.

[sighs]

The morning you ran away

he'd gone to hire

a lawyer.

What have you done now?

What have you

brought to us?

The old man's

walking around

in the yard.

Guess he can't

make up his mind

to turn me in.

I want you to make up

your own mind.

Go to Marshal Earp

and tell him

you're this,

this Kansas Kid.

Too late, Mom.

It's never too late to--

To go to prison?

I could take that

for stage robbery.

But you don't know

what it's like

to have a reputation

like mine.

They accuse me

of hold ups

I was miles away from,

of sh**ting men

I never saw in my life.

Every crime

that's unsolved,

I did it.

I'm the Kansas Kid.

And proud of it.

Not anymore.

Then go to Marshal Earp.

Tell him what you've

just told me.

Mom, I never could

talk to Poppa,

but I used to

be able to tell

you things.

Tell me now, Lonnie.

All right.

You ever hear

of lynching?

Earp would hand me

over to that posse.

They'd hang me

on the trail.

That your saddle,

Mr. Gentry?

Yeah, I made it.

Remember who bought it?

Forget.

You keep a record

of all your sales,

don't you?

No.

Look, Mr. Gentry,

Wichita is a small town.

The boy that rode that

can't hide here for very long.

Now, if you know who it is,

the kindest thing

you could do is to tell me.

How do you figure that?

Some men from Kingman

County are after him.

I can vouch for

me and my deputies,

but the other crowd

spots him first,

I can't vouch for them.

Your memory improving?

You wouldn't want me

to remember, Wyatt.

Some friends

of mine involved?

Good, decent, people.

Your withholding

information like this

might lead to the arrest

of an outlaw.

You know

what that means?

Jail?

You wouldn't

go that far.

Yes, I would

if I had to.

Come on, you might

as well tell me.

I'm gonna find out

anyway.

Okay, Wyatt.

I tried to protect

a good family.

John McVey

bought if from me.

John McVey?

I'm looking for a kid that's

or years of age.

Does he have any children?

He had a son,

if you must know.

No, I almost wish

I didn't have to know.

He's their sorrow,

Wyatt.

Make it as easy on them

as you can.

Yeah.

I'll be back

for that later.

[knocking at door]

Oh, hello, Wyatt.

Come in.

Evening, John.

Why don't you sit down?

No, thanks.

Is your son at home?

Wyatt?

Look, I know

you want to lie to me.

And I couldn't

blame you much

if you did.

He said he didn't k*ll

the Wells Fargo guard.

Well, maybe he didn't.

I-- I'm not trying

to make excuses for him.

People blamed

his mother and me.

They always blame

the parents

when a boy goes wrong.

Well, they shouldn't

blame his mother.

I'm the one, I guess.

Always on the go.

Ohio to Illinois.

Illinois to Kentuck'

and then out here.

Scratching for a living.

And forgetting, I guess,

that my boy needed

a little "love me."

And every time

he needed me, Wyatt,

I wasn't around.

Ain't much feeling

between us, I guess.

And heavens knows

there oughta be.

I-- I still don't know

the whole answer,

between him and me.

But, Wyatt,

save him for us

if you can.

I'll do what I can,

John.

Now, I have to

arrest him. Where is he?

Well, not alone, Wyatt.

He's got two . 's.

Give Mrs. McVey

a little time.

Perhaps she can

talk him into--

All right,

Marshal Earp,

come and get me.

No, Lonnie.

He's our friend.

No friend of mine.

I'm sorry.

Take it careful,

Earp.

Don't sh**t him.

Aim at me.

Finish what you've

started, Lonnie.

Mom, that was

a crazy thing to do.

I might have pulled

the trigger accidental.

Not so smart of you,

Mr. Earp.

Why didn't you

jerk your g*ns

before you came in?

This is your home, Lonnie.

I didn't think you'd want

to do any sh**ting in here.

My home.

Sure. Ask him.

I want a fair trial

for my son.

You promise that,

Wyatt.

Of course.

Come on, Lonnie.

Before I turn you

over to the posse,

you and I will

have a long talk.

Come on.

Bye, Mom.

You deny you

took any part

in the Wells Fargo

robbery

near Kingman City,

huh?

Yes.

Ah, I used to work

for Wells Fargo.

Think I'd better

get a telegram off

to Ed Beaty in Topeka.

He's their special agent

for Kansas.

What good will that do?

You'll have to

turn me over to

the Kingman County

officers, anyway.

Not tonight, I don't.

Well, give me the rope

as soon as you do.

You think they're

gonna lynch ya?

What makes you

so sure of that?

I know Osbourne.

Now look, you wounded

one of his men.

He's pretty sore about it,

and he's got a right to be.

But that doesn't

make him a lyncher.

Have it your way.

Now, I want you to

give me an honest answer

to one question.

Did you ever k*ll a man?

No.

I shot up several,

but I never k*lled anybody.

All right.

What difference

does it make?

It makes a difference

between a sentence

for armed robbery

and the rope.

That's quite a big

difference to your folks.

They don't care.

They care very much.

More than you deserve.

Oh, sure.

Don't you

play tough with me.

First time you get into

real trouble, you run

for home.

What'd you expect

to find?

Strangers, a mother

and father that hate ya?

I don't know--

You found your parents!

The people that love you

in spite of everything

you've done.

If I didn't think you

were sorry for the

pain you caused 'em,

I wouldn't even waste

the cost for a telegram.

Holly!

You put this prisoner

in a cell by himself.

I'm not gonna book

him yet,

and I don't want any word

going around town about it,

you understand?

I'm gonna go down

to the Eagle office

and send a telegram

by press wire.

I'll be back

in ten minutes.

Soon as I hear from

Wells Fargo, I'll get

word to your folks,

otherwise they won't be

sleeping tonight.

Well, we better

get back to the jail,

see if Earp has

tracked down that

saddle mark.

I don't trust

that Earp fella,

Charlie.

Why didn't he

take you along?

It's his town.

Hey.

You the lawmen

from Kingman City

that's after

the Kansas Kid?

Yeah, you seen him?

No, but Marshal Earp's

with the young fella

in the jail.

Maybe he's pulling

a fast one.

Oh?

I got a good look

at the kid.

Slender, brown hair,

brown eyes?

Yeah, that's him.

You just bought

yourself a drink.

Oh, thanks.

Sit down, boys.

We don't want any

trouble with Earp.

He's against lynching.

Oh?

You aim to swing

the kid?

Just as quick as

we get him away

from Earp

and out of town.

But we're gonna

have to play it smart.

You sure Wyatt won't

turn him over to the posse?

John!

Oh, of course he won't.

Not till he hears

from Wells Fargo.

Is there some legal trick

that could work?

No, Martha.

They're officers

of the law.

Why should they

wanna work some trick?

Because...

I'm going over

to that jail.

Oh, get a hold

of yourself.

Wyatt will think

we don't trust him.

I trust Wyatt.

But, not those

Kingman County men.

Lonnie told me something.

What?

There won't

be a fair trial.

Lonnie says

they'll lynch him.

What's the big

conference?

Well, Wyatt,

there's some wild talk

I think you

oughta know about.

And what's that?

Uh, cowhand in

the Texas bar

is telling it

that the prisoner

is the Kansas Kid.

They can't keep

a cowhand from talking.

Yeah, but, Marshal--

Hear you've made

an arrest.

Fellow told me

he recognized

the prisoner as a boy

who used to live

around here.

That's right,

Mr. Osbourne.

Name of Lonnie McVey.

Well, I guess

I oughta take

a look at him.

Sit down for a second.

Well, Lonnie,

he admits to being

the Kansas Kid.

Say, fast work, Marshal.

Yeah, but he denies

pulling the Wells Fargo

job.

Sure, denying it.

What's he got to lose?

You believe him?

This wire just came

from Ed Beaty.

He's a special agent

for Wells Fargo

in Kansas.

I wired him,

asking if he was positive

the kid pulled the job.

Uh-huh, well all

he says here is

that his men on the case

have some doubt.

Yeah, well I know

Ed Beaty.

He'll check with

the pinkertons.

[chuckles]

You know there's

one point we both forget.

What's that?

McVey claims

to be the Kansas Kid.

But is he?

That's right.

Well, maybe I oughta

take a look at him, anyway,

Just to make sure.

All right.

I kinda hope

he is bragging.

[laughs]

Stand up, Lonnie.

Well?

I don't know.

I'm not sure.

Turn around, son.

You know me,

Osbourne.

I never saw the kid

in good light, close up.

Tell him to turn around.

Look, he's gotta

identify you.

It's important.

All right.

Well, I sure couldn't

swear to it.

Maybe you oughta have

my boys in here,

take a look at him.

They get a better

look at the kid?

Well, Larson did.

You know,

it'd be a long haul

back to Kingman

with the wrong man.

I thought you were

gonna telegraph

Wells Fargo.

I did.

They're checking

with the Pinkertons.

Do you still claim

you're the Kansas Kid?

Osbourne knows I am.

This is just some kind

of a trick.

Maybe you're

the tricky one.

If my boys aren't

any more certain

than I am,

we're wasting time.

Well, it's just

common sense

to have him

identified.

For you're sake,

I gotta be positive.

Go get your boys.

Mrs. McVey is here.

I asked her

to wait in there.

Well, thanks, Holly.

That's very smart thinking.

I'm gonna make a round.

Right.

See you later.

You bet.

Come in, Mrs. McVey.

Sorry to keep you

waiting.

That's quite all right.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

You're not going to

let them take him away?

No.

As a matter of fact,

Mr. Osbourne

is not too sure

that Lonnie is

the Kansas Kid.

Not sure?

He might be bragging?

Well, Lonnie thinks

that Mr. Osbourne

is up to some kind

of a trick.

But he's wrong.

You see--

Earp doesn't suspect

a thing.

There's only him

and the two deputies.

He thinks we're

coming in to

identify McVey.

Now, play it

easy and casual

till I give the word.

Whether Lonnie's

telling the truth or not,

Mr. Osbourne doesn't

act like a hot-head

or a rope slinger to me.

But anyway, I'm not

gonna release the boy

to Mr. Osbourne until

I hear from Wells Fargo.

Oh, God bless you

for that.

His father and I

are so grateful.

Wyatt, Osbourne

and his deputies

are headed up

this way now.

Oh, good.

Mrs. McVey,

would you mind

waiting in the

other room a moment?

I'll be right with you.

Here they are.

I got a hunch

it's just a fool kid

trying to build

himself into

a desperate character.

Could be.

Well, let's take

a look at him.

Hold it.

Looks like

I guessed wrong.

Yeah,

bring him in here.

Go ahead.

Get the keys.

Get 'em.

Go on, Holly.

You're not gonna

make this work,

Osbourne.

It's working.

Lock 'em up.

I told you

about him.

Save your breath, kid.

You're gonna be needing it.

Well, hurry up.

Don't be all day,

Larson.

Come out of there, kid.

What are you gonna

do with me?

You know what we're

gonna do with you.

Hey, let go of me,

what--

Let me go.

Lonnie,

what are they doing?

They're gonna hang me.

Stop it! Turn him loose.

Stop it!

Stop! No!

You woman, get over there.

[sobbing]

Mrs. McVey,

come in here!

Wyatt!

Wyatt,

they've taken him!

Nevermind that.

Just get the other

set of keys.

They're in my desk.

Right hand drawer.

But, Wyatt--

Just get the keys.

[crying]

Ah, the Kansas Kid?

Yeah, they're all alike.

Screaming his head off.

Your marshal caught him.

We're taking him back

to Kingman City.

Now, where is

Marshal Earp?

Oh, he's taking care of

a brawl in some saloon.

Did you hear

which saloon?

No.

I better go check.

They keys,

I can't get it open!

The keys?

What are you doing,

Mrs. McVey?

They've locked

Marshal Earp in there,

and they've taken

my boy,

and I can't find

the keys!

Hurry it up.

Hurry, please.

Mrs. McVey,

you go home

and stay there.

Paul, grab a shotgun.

Right.

There's a good tree

over there.

Let's get this

job done

before Earp butts in.

Larson, be sure

that's tied off good.

What's a matter

with you, Jones?

Let me have that thing.

You don't know

how to do anything.

I never saw

such a guy.

All you gotta do

is get the right place--

Wait a minute! Just--

What?

[g*nshots]

Cut me down!

You dirty--

[choking]

Kind of hate

to let you down,

Mr. Osbourne.

[gagging]

Mr. Earp, I--

We weren't intending

to hang the kid-- Oh!

[groans]

Don't worry too much,

Mrs. McVey.

With the Pinkertons

clearing him of

the m*rder charge,

all he has to face

is a charge for robbery.

That's easy medicine,

Mom.

I can take that.

Dad--

Good luck, son.

♪ Well, he cleaned up

the country ♪

♪ The old Wild West

country ♪

♪ He made law

and order prevail ♪

♪ And none can deny it

♪ The legend of Wyatt

♪ Forever will live

on the trail ♪

♪ Oh, Wyatt Earp

♪ Wyatt Earp

♪ Brave, courageous,

and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame

♪ And long live his glory

♪ And long may

his story be told ♪

♪ Long may his story

♪ Be told

♪ [humming]