04x24 - The Sometime Gambler

[bunniefuu]

Hi, Jess.

Werner.

Put her away, Clem.

He-ya!

Hiya, Jess.

Hello, Mort.

Five'll get you ten
he heads south.

Ten what?

Nickels, dimes, dollars,
you name it, boy.

I'll cover it.

Let me change--

Oh, no. No, no.

No change in the rules
once the bet is made.

- Go on, boy,
run along home.
- But you bet me.

Go on, go on,
get out of here.

Still welching
out on bets, Irv?

What do you want
with me?

Talk some business.

Not with me,
you don't.

We owe you a favor, Irv.

Last favor you did me
cost me 5 years in prison.

This one will pay off
in green paper.

We've been tracing the payroll
for the Janberg mine.

Stage just pulled
it up to the bank.

We're favoring you
by cutting you in.

You've been here over a year
so you can favor us

with everything you know
about that nice
little bank out there.

No, not this time.

I'm clean.

I'm staying that way.

[ frog croaking ]

Your big gambling friend
is kind of busy now, kid.

Get yourself and that
bug-eyed jumper some candy.

Thanks.

Just like old times,
me paying your gambling debt.

I spent 5 years
in prison for you.

What more do you want?

That's why
we cut you in, Irv.

From what you told us
it will be featherbed easy.

Set this in your minds now,

Reeves at the head
of the street,

Griffin back with the mounts,

I'm here with Marty.

We go in right after Irv.

You don't need me.

You said you knew the teller.

If he sees someone
he knows, he won't worry.

If it's a stranger
he might slam the safe shut,

and there
could be trouble.

You wouldn't want that,
now, would you?

I'm straight now.
I've been going straight
for over a year.

I-- I've told you all I know,
now count me out.

You better think
of your daughter, Irv.

I've got no daughter.

Oh, yes, you do.

She's in Cheyenne.

Ellen's in Cheyenne?

I don't start somethin'
without I know all the angles.

She's been there for sometime,
works in a cafe.

Been looking for her
ever since I got out.

You sure?

You wouldn't want something

to happen to her, now,
would you?

Especially now,
when you know where she is.

Sorry you had to make

that long trip
for nothing, Jess.

Well, it couldn't be
helped, Mort.

It'd probably be


before they can get
a stage through from the north.

Floods are really
that bad, huh?

Well, all the low country


south of the Hunter
is under water.

Well, I reckon nobody's
knowing the payroll's coming.

Have some supper
with me.

No, thanks, Mort,
I think I can make it

back to the ranch in time.

Oh, you like Daisy's cooking
better than mine, huh?

Sure, don't you?

I'll see you, Mort.
So long, Mr. Werner.

So long.

It says
bank on the outside.

Why, there's less money
in there

than there is
in the Sunday collection plate.

Well, at least
I'll get some sleep tonight

without having
to worry about that payroll.

Another rough trip,
Harper?

Not bad, not good.

You, uh...

You don't always
ride shotgun, do you?

Nope.

Let me give you
a hand with that.

Hey, about that stage run
you just made...

Look, Richards,
as far as I know,

you've been keeping out
of trouble.

You go asking about
stage shipments,

Mort's gonna get
to wonder.

I'm trying
to tell you something--

This bridle needs mending.
You give me a hand, huh?

Oh, sure,
be right with you.

There's something
you want to tell me?

Uh, yeah, Harper, you know,
your horse hasn't been
ridden in a couple of days,

so don't push him
too hard right off.

You trying to tell me
how to handle my own horse?

No, I'm just reminding you,
that's all.

That's something
you shouldn't try again.

He won't.

We'll just stay with him
tonight to make sure.

Not a bad place to bed down.

Not bad at all.

All right, Irv,
it's about time.

Now remember,
you try to sell him

the saddlebags
after he's got the safe open.

We see you go in,
we'll be right behind you.

All right, now.

What do you want
at this hour, Richards?

Well, I thought you might
like to buy

a couple of
saddlebags, Werner.

I'll give you
a good price on them.

I won them in a game.

Knowing you, you more than
likely stole them.

Mr. Werner, shut the safe,
there's gonna be trouble.

What's got into you?

I mean it.

It's not me.
This time I can't stop them.

What are you
trying to pull, jailbird?

It's not me, it's them.

They need you inside.

The payroll's gone.

Where's Richards?

He's out back.

[ horse whinnying ]

You got him clean.

Forget Richards,
We want those saddlebags.

Hey, Aunt Daisy, look.

Oh, no, ma'am,
please, no.

I-- I'm kind of shot up.

You and the boy
better just keep moving along.

But if you're hurt,
we can help you.

Our ranch isn't
far from here.

They tried to k*ll me.
They'll--

They'll still be
looking for me

to finish off this job now.

Don't you get mixed up in this,
just leave me be.

And leave you here like this?

Why, we'd be just as guilty
as the ones who shot you.

Now if you can get
in the buckboard--

No.

We'll cover you
with a tarpaulin.
We'll make it to the ranch.

All right, ma'am,
I'll try.

Good.

Dr. Losk is over
at the Carrolls'.

Mike can ride over
and get him.

Now come on,
there's no time to waste.

What can I do
for him now, doctor?

Keep him in bed,
shouldn't be moved
for 3 or 4 days,

a week if possible.

Thank goodness
Mike got you here in time.

I'm not sure he did.

Even though
we got the b*llet out,

his insides are
torn up pretty bad.

If he can last more than


He has no chance at all?

Oh, he'll recover
fast enough,

but how long he hangs together,
that's something else again.

I've done
all I could for him.

Goodbye, Mrs. Cooper.

Goodbye, doctor,
and thank you.

[ coughing ]

That posse is getting
too close to be healthy.

I think we lost them,
at least for now.

Mm-hmm.
What next?

We just sit tight
until we're sure

they've given up
looking for us.

Then we're gonna locate
Mr. Irv Richards.

He couldn't have gone far
with a b*llet hole in him.

Well, that payroll
wasn't in his saddlebag.

What did he do with it?

I don't know where he got to
or where he hid that money.

We're gonna make it
a point to find out.

- MIKE: Hi!
- Hi, Mike.

Sure glad this day is over.

If I had to brand
another steer,
I think I'd grow horns myself.

That goes for me, too.

Hi, Jess.

Hello, partner.

What are you looking
so bright-eyed
and bushy-tailed about?

Guess what happened
to Daisy and me today?

We found a man...

- Where is he now?
- In the house.

In the house?

Yeah.

Daisy, you know what kind
of a man Irv Richards is?

Well, not exactly.

Well, he's a cheap gambler,

the kind that'd put his
own soul in the pot

if he thought
he could make a few dollars.

Really?

He got mixed up with an outlaw
called Wilkerson.

Was sent up to prison
for 5 years.

He's been working
at the livery in town

ever since he got out,
living on next to nothing.

And after all of that
he'd still rather

cut high card
than eat.

It isn't much
of a life, is it?

He dug his own hole, Daisy,
and nobody shoved him in.

We can't let a tinhorn
like that stay here.

Being shot,
the kind of
trouble he's in,

could rub off
on you and Mike.

Slim,
you're absolutely right.

Well, I'm glad
you can see it my way.

Oh, I can,
but I don't know quite

what to do about Dr. Losk.

What's the doc
got to do with it?

Well, he said
that Mr. Richards

shouldn't be moved
in less than a week.

It might be fatal
if he were.

Anyone moving him would have
to take that responsibility.

It's that bad, huh?

I'm afraid it is, Slim.

I helped the doctor
remove the b*llet,

but I know how you feel.

Chicken
and dumplings, huh?

Uh, cooking chicken
that way

would make a pretty
good broth, wouldn't it?

I mean, you know,
for a man who was sick.

You did what you
had to do, Daisy.

Don't worry about it.

You--

You don't have to fuss
over me like this, ma'am.

I'm not that bad off.

I can only go by
what the doctor says.

He thinks you shouldn't be
moved for several days.

Several day--

Oh, no.

No, no, ma'am.

I got to get to Cheyenne.

Oh, why is that?

See, I-- I just found out
my daughter is there.

She might need me,
my wife, she's dead now,

she left me sometime ago
'cause of my gambling.

I haven't seen Ellen,

that's my daughter,
for 6 years.

You know, Mr. Richards,
I think you're strong enough

to talk to Slim and Jess.

Maybe if you tell them
more than you told me,

they could help.

[ horse approaching ]

Look, don't--
don't let anybody in.

Mr. Richards is worried about
who's out there.

With him in there,
we feel the same way.

[ knocking on door ]

Who's there?

Mort Cory.

Doc Losk said
Richards was here.

Is he still around?

Sure is, in there.

You figure Richards
is in there, huh?

When we seen that sheriff
talking to that doc

and hightailin' here,

and with Richards wounded,
it adds up.

You get Marty and Griff,
I'll keep an eye on the place.

I tried to warn him.

I told him
to shut the safe, I did.

Well, ask Werner,
he can tell you.

I wish I could,
Werner is dead.

And every man in that hold-up
is responsible for his death.

I didn't even have a g*n.

I tried to tell him. I--

Harper, I tried
to tell you last evening

in the stable,
don't you remember?

Then Reeves come along,

he wanted me to fix
the bridle for him.

I remember
you asking me something

about that stage run
I made.

I don't recall
no warning.

Reeves stopped me.

He had a g*n on me
all night.

With a dead man
your only witness,

what you're claiming
will be hard to prove.

How come they shot you?

Don't you see,
I ran out on them.

I wouldn't go through with it.

So then they grabbed
the payroll,

they lit out after me.

And Wilkerson
isn't the kind of man

you can run out on.

You said
they got the payroll?

Sure, they must have,
safe was open.

Richards, I'm putting you
under arrest.

You admit you were with them

this morning
when Werner was k*lled.

Till you can prove
your side of it,

I've got to hold you.

Prove it.

If I was to tell everybody
in Laramie

the sun's coming up
tomorrow morning,

I doubt if anybody
would believe--

believe me.

You're gonna take me in now,
like this?

No, I guess I can't.

Doc told me
your wound is pretty bad.

We don't want to tire
him out too much.

Let's go in the other room.

If you have any ideas
of causing any trouble here,

forget them.

Well, what do you
make of it, Mort?

Well, if Richards
still thinks

that Jess delivered
that payroll yesterday,

Wilkerson and his g*ng
have got the same idea.

Yeah, but do you believe
the story, Mort,

about running out of the bank
before Werner was shot?

Well, it would explain
why they're after him.

They got a few hundred dollars
from the bank,

but couldn't find
the big money.

So they figured he took it.

You're not going
to move him?

Oh, no, ma'am,
not right away.

From what Doc Losk,
told me even if he's guilty,

he may not live long enough
to stand trial.

He told me that, too.

I haven't found any way
to tell Mr. Richards.

I hate to ask this,
but if you boys will act

as my deputies tonight,

I can head back to town
and get that posse together,

and be out here
the first thing in the morning.

You still think that
Richards' men are around, huh?

Oh, they'll be
looking for him, all right.

I doubt if they know
where he is.

They've been
holed up most of the day.

Will you do it?

Well, I can't think
of a way to say no, Mort.

Thanks.

Consider yourselves
deputized.
I'd better ride.

We'll see you
tomorrow then, huh, Mort?

I'll be glad to warm up
some supper for you, Mort.

Oh, no, no, don't bother,
Miss Daisy.

It's been a bad day
all around.

If I'd only known
I was headed this way sooner,

you bet your bottom dollar
I'd have timed

supper right on the dot.
Good night.

Good night.

Oh, my goodness,
I'm wiping the pattern

right off this plate.

Well, Slim, I wish
I could be as sure as Mort

is that there'll be
no trouble tonight.

Yeah.

One of us can sleep
in there with him,

and the other one
better stay out here awake.

That's what I was thinking.

I'll go out and see
if the stock's bedded down.

Saw some coyote tracks
this morning.

It's very
generous of you, Mike,

but I don't think
I should take your fine book.

Oh, that's all right.

I've read it
through lots of times.

I thought maybe
you'd like to, too.

Everything's quiet outside.

How do you want
to work the watch?

I'm not too sleepy.

I'll take the first watch
if it's okay with you.

Suits me.

Uh, Jess, not yet,
Mike's in there.

- Alone with Richards?
- Yeah.

Well, you think
that's such a good idea?

Well, he wanted
to give him something,

you know, that little
prayer book of his.

Daisy and I figured
he heard us

talking about how Richards
may not live so long.

Yes, I should've
read it sooner...



Aunt Daisy says
it's never too late to start.

At least that's what she keeps
telling Slim and Jess.

All right,
thanks, Mike.

You're welcome.

[ horses whinnying ]

Jess...

something's spooking
the horses out there,

might be those
coyotes again.

I'm gonna take a check.

Yeah. Make sure
it ain't the two-legged kind.

[ creaking ]

REEVES: More g*ns are
on you, mister.

Put yours down, easy.

I won't say it again.

Jess!

I heard a yell.

That was Slim, Daisy.
Something's happened out there.

When I go outside, you lock
the door after me.

Keep Mike inside.

Mike.

Mike, wake up.
Wake up, hurry up.

Come on,
we have to get out.

Now don't you stir out
of this closet, you understand?

Hold it right
where you are.

Jam that r*fle barrel
in the dirt
and stand easy.

[ banging on door ]

[ glass shattering ]

I'll watch them,
take a look around.

Richards is in here, boss.

I got to hand it to you, Irv.

You're so good at complaining
and crying, you 'bout had
me fooled.

Let's save us all a lot of time
and trouble.

Where did you hide
the payroll?

I swear I never saw
the payroll.

Eh, come on now, Irv,

you shouldn't try this with me.

We got away with
the chicken feed in that safe,

but you got
the big money.

Mister, you're looking
for a payroll

that never came in.

I was riding shotgun
on that stage,

and we couldn't get through
because of the floods.

You'll have to do
better than that.

They in it with you?

Oh, of course not,
how could they be?

Miss Cooper
and the boy found me

by the side of the road
and got the doc.

They'd all be a lot happier
if I wasn't around.

I don't believe you, Irv.

Maybe they aren't in on it...

but if you don't lead us
to the payroll,

we're taking this place apart
and everyone in it.

You're wasting
your time, mister.

What you're looking for
isn't within 100 miles of here.

Where do we start, Irv?

All right,
I'll take you there.

It's near
where they found me.

I'll take you there
on one condition.

You leave them alone.

And if I don't?

You'll never see that payroll.

Might not see it anyway

if these two come
riding after us,

and with the sheriff.

Oh, no. Now you could
tie them up, leave them here.

By the time
anybody found them

or they worked themselves loose,
you'd be long gone.

What have
we got to lose?

If he's lying, we can still
come back here.

All right,
three of you, tie 'em good.

I'll see if I can get Irv here
on a horse.

It'd be a shame
if he had to walk.

Thanks, Miss Cooper,
for everything.

Come.

Does that sound like
five horses to you?

How would I know?

You must have
an even temper.

I'm too mad to count.

He did it for us and Mike.

Sure did.

Hey, listen,
did they do as
good a job on you

as they did on me?

I can get out of it,
all right,

but not in time to do
Richards any good.

Where's Mike?

I hid him in the closet.

Mike!

Mike!

Mike!

Mike, wake up.

Let me try.
Mike, breakfast.

Good boy, tiger.

Get a knife
and cut us loose, Mike.

It's all right, Mike,
we need your help.

Well, partner,
go in the kitchen

and get a knife
and cut us loose.

Isn't breakfast ready?

You don't think I can get it
with my hands

tied, do you?

No, I guess not.

Well...

This isn't gonna be easy,
you know.

I was just about half alive
when they found me.

You'd have to be dead
to forget hiding that much

in greenbacks.

You just start remembering it,
and quick.

It's hard
to tell in the dark...

but it seems to me I remember
those rocks over there.

Hold up, Jess.

You know, Daisy's right.

They must have found Richards
not more than a mile from here.

Yeah, we could cut
across that ridge,

save some time, might stand

a better chance of moving up
on them quietly.

Right.

Ah, he's bluffing.

Never was
very good at them.

Give him a few minutes more,

then we'll start
to work him over.

Get those horses!
I'll watch him.

Hold it!

[ g*nshots ]

Put him on my horse, Jess.

I should have known
the two of them
were in it with him.

It'll be light soon,
we can trail them easy.

Gather up the horses.

He's passed out.

His wound's
opened up again.

We better hole up in these rocks
and see how he is.

They'll be coming as soon as
they round up their horses.

Yeah, I know.

Daisy and Mike are in town.

Maybe we can hold them off
until Mort gets here
with the posse.

Maybe,
but I wouldn't bet on it.

Settle back,
you're just making it worse.

We have to keep moving.

We figure
you're in the clear now.

Why do you want
to go to Cheyenne?

My daughter,
I've got to get to her.

I've got to get to her
before Wilkerson does.

And what happens
if you don't?

He's threatened
to k*ll her.

And I think
he's in a pretty good position

to carry out that threat.

I guess you better know
the truth.

Doc Losk patched you up
as best he could,

but he didn't figure
your chances

were very good at the start.

Being out here
is not helping any.

I kind of figured
that way myself.

It's funny how you can know

some things without
even being told.

Well, we're closer to Cheyenne
than we are Laramie.

Still be a gamble for you to
ride that far, though.

More of a gamble
than the two of you

fixing to stay here and hold off
the four of them?

The odds might
be more with us

than they are
with you right now.

No, all my life I've gambled on
penny-ante nothings.

This might be
my chance to be dealt in

on something big.

And--

Well, if you boys are
willing, I'd like to ride.

This may not be
the right place,

but at least they'd
know where she is.

I'll see if I can locate
Marshal Ives.

[ sighing ]

You want me to go in first?

No, but I'd like
you to go in with me.

I got to do this just right.

Pull myself together.

There was four of them
trailing us, marshal.

Brushing out our tracks
might have slowed them down
some, but that's about all.

Maybe we ought to ride
to the edge of town.

I'd just as soon keep 'em
out of here, Jess.

It'd suit me if they never
showed up at all.

But they will.
Let's go.

Ellen...

it's good to see you.

Is it, Pa?

Yes, daughter.

You see, I-- I've been
trying to find you

ever since
I got out of prison.

I wanted to see you...

I wanted to tell you,
Ellen, I'm--

I'm all through
what I used to be.

I don't believe you.

And I don't even want
to believe you now.

I used to pray
you'd mean that

when Ma was alive,
but not now.

Ellen, honey,
you don't understand.

I'm trying to tell you
I'm gonna try to make up

for all the wrongs I've done.

Well, there's just no need
for you to trouble yourself.

I'm married now.

I have been for about 2 years.

Me and John run this place,
we're doing just fine.

I'm proud to hear that.

I'd like to meet your husband.
Is he around?

He's--

He's out buying
from farmers for the cafe.

I don't think he'd like it
if he found you here.

He's come a long way
to see you, ma'am.

That's all right,
Mr. Sherman.

I-- I really can't blame her.

Oh, I don't like
being this way.

But I've got John
to think about now...

and the baby.

Baby?

He's upstairs asleep.

Me...

being a grandpa?

Huh?

Now who would
have thought that?

Ellen, could I--
could I take a look at him?

Just a short look at him,
and then I-- I'll be on my way.

Just for a minute, Pa.

I don't want
to wake him up.

Well, I'll find him.

I know it
must sound hard to you.

You don't know what me and Ma
went through with him.

No, I guess not.

But there is something
you ought to know.

I don't want
to know anything.

He's probably in trouble again.
I can't afford to get him out.

You know,
his kind doesn't change.

He's...

Blood?

Now will you listen?

Maybe they got cold feet.

Well, maybe.
Could be they're trying
another way in, too.

Don't you start
squawkin', young fella.

We're both gonna
be in trouble.

You know, you might
not be able to come

to your grandpa
for much advice.

It might be
a good thing, too.

I'd probably tell you,

never draw to
an inside straight.

Something I've been
doing all my life.

You probably
won't remember this,

but I'm gonna
tell you anyway.

Never be in too much
of a hurry.

See, man comes up
out of nowhere.

First thing you know,
his time on earth is done.

So just take it easy, enjoy it.

Grow up and make your mom
and pop proud of you.

Hold your fire, boys.

Irv's got something
he wants to tell us.

Don't you, Irv?

Nope.
I'm not runnin' anymore.

You can't k*ll a man
who's already dead.

Drop it.

No, don't.

Don't bother, Sherman.

I-- I went in with
a bust hand anyway.

Why'd you try
to go it alone?

Had to.

All my life I've been
leaning on others.

I've got no regrets now.

Pa...

Pa, you shouldn't
have done it.

Don't, baby, don't,
don't you feel bad, hmm?

I made my last gamble.

Some might say I lost,
but I say I won.

There's not many men
can waste their life...

end up with nothing,

then one day make up
for most of it.

Find out
he had everything.

Sorry, Slim.

Guess we were too late.

I don't think so, Jess.

Not really.

[ Mike laughing ]

Higher!

Higher!

Up.

Up.

Slim, Jess.

You stop it, stop it.

Stop it, I say.

That is a fine way
to air my blanket.

We were just getting
the dust out of Mike, Daisy.

Would you like to be next?

I suppose you think
I couldn't do it anymore.

Daisy, is there something
in your past you've been
keeping from us?

Just don't think you know

everything about me,
Jess Harper.

What you got
there, tiger?

Oh, nothing.

Just I haven't seen this
blanket in a long time,

since Daisy washed it.

What's so special about it,
partner?

This is the blanket
that was on Slim's bed

when Mr. Richards was here.

I sure feel sorry for him,

getting dead and all after
all he went through.

I felt the same way, Mike,

until I got
to thinking about it.

Listen to this.

Suppose there was a bird
that had to live in a cage

ever since he was hatched.

And as long
as he could remember,

he wanted to fly,
but he didn't have the room.

He hated that cage,
and one day he got out...

and he flew.

He flew high and wide,

and saw everything
he wanted to.

And one day he died,
but he sure was happy.

Now would you feel
sorry for him?

No, I guess not, 'cause
I'd like to fly, too.

Now, come, come.

The only thing that's going
to fly around here today

is the dust out
of my blankets.

And I suggest
you get busy at them.

Oh, Daisy.

What?

- It's your turn.
- No, no, Slim.

No, no! No!