01x02 - The Frenchman

[bunniefuu]

ANNOUNCER: Previously

on Elkhorn

Well, you’re

Assemblyman Roosevelt?

Not anymore.

Time to treat, Pumpkin-lily.

[PUNCH]

MARQUIS: I am the

Marquis de Mores.

If you are to

become a cattleman,

we will soon be in league.

ROOSEVELT: Bill,

you’re a fine partner,

but we need managers.

COWBOY: New to town,

boys? [g*nsh*t]

I ain’t decided

whether I’m staying

not til you tell me what we’re

doing here Mr. Roosevelt.

We are here to make cattle

ranching our business.

We’ll build it here.

This will be Elkhorn Ranch.

O’DONALD: What say we

pick up the pace, Riley?

Yeah, wanna be home by supper.

Let alone the first snow.

LUFFSEY: You know what

your problem is, O’Donald?

You don’t appreciate leisure.

What’s the harm in taking

things a little slow?

[g*nf*re]

[g*nf*re] [GROANING]

[GROANING]

[GRUNTING]

[CLICKING TONGUE]

MARQUIS: Monsieur Luffsey.

Of what use is an empty g*n?

Ah

So then

have you given any

thought to my offer?

There’s no deal to

make with men like you.

[SPITS]

Au contraire.

I am nothing

if not a dealmaker.

Allow me to show you.

Come now.

Let us close our final deal

and conclude our business.

[g*nsh*t]

[c*ck g*n]

No, no, no. Paddock,

wait, I- - Stop.

But he’s a witness.

Amongst three others.

I-I-I won’t tell a soul.

I-I swear. I swear.

On the contrary.

I want you to tell everyone.

This is a mistake.

The only mistake

is violence without purpose.

Then, we are no better

than the beasts.

Are we, Paddock?

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

[BELL RINGING]

Joe?

As punctual as

ever, Mr. Roosevelt.

Well, if only our mail

carriage would be as kind.

I’ve gone too many days

without a word of my daughter.

Today’s your day.

I can feel it.

Well, you’ve said that

every day this week, Joe.

JOE: But today I mean it.

I’ll just check and see if

the carriage has arrived.

MEDORA: Seems I’ve caught

the gentleman staring.

My apologies,

ma’am. It was your

purchase that caught my eye.

Is your husband an avid hunter?

Who said these were

for my husband?

May I?

I had it custom

made in New York.

Hmm.

It’s exquisite,

but a bit of a paradox,

isn’t it?

A thing of beauty

made to draw blood.

JOE: What did I tell

you, Mr. Roosevelt?

Today’s your day.

Thank you, Joe.

This isn’t from New York.

It’s from the Marquis.

JOE: Ma’am. MEDORA: Joe.

JOE: Anything else

for you today?

MEDORA: No thank you.

What the devil?

MEDORA: Mr. Roosevelt,

your paradox.

Ah, yes.

Thank you, Miss.

I’m sorry. I don’t

believe I know your name.

Don’t be silly.

Of course you do.

ROOSEVELT: Who does the

Marquis think he is?

I’ve never read such a

ridiculous thing in all my life.

How can one claim land

from the grazing of sheep?

Sheep that have not set foot

there in an entire year.

I don’t think validity

is the point, sir.

Bleeding idiots. Sheep!

Why no rancher with an

ounce of self-respect

would ever consider raising

such a ridiculous stock!

With respect, sir, the

Marquis de Morés is not a man

to be trifled with.

Oh, I can deal with bullies.

It’s one of the first things

my father ever taught me

and I dealt with my fair

share in the state assembly.

The Marquis is not bound by

the rules of a politician.

Nor has he the power of a king.

You’re right.

He’s not a king.

He’s a titan

of industry, that is.

With millions invested here

and millions more in reserves.

Heck, he owns practically

every building in this town,

including this one.

And when money is no object,

what more is there to

fight for but power?

I wonder,

if you wouldn’t mind sending

a message to your landlord.

What about?

A meeting.

Just the two of us.

ARTHUR: There was

a similar dispute,

not that long ago.

The Marquis had begun

putting up fences

which is not to be done

here on the open range.

Putting up fences on

Riley Luffsey’s land and

Mr. Luffsey kept

taking them down.

The dispute turned

ugly and well-

If the Marquis k*lled Luffsey,

why has he not been

brought to justice?

Marshals launched two

separate inquiries.

The Marquis walked away

from them both and-

I just don’t want you to

have any illusions about

who it is you’re dealing with.

This is just a manuscript.

You never published it.

There are always consequences

here, Mr. Roosevelt.

Even for the published word.

Perhaps I just

wasn’t ready to bear it.

I’ll set up your meeting,

under one condition.

You don’t wear a g*n.

And leave myself defenseless?

That is preposterous.

Why don’t we step

outside, Mr. Roosevelt?

ARTHUR: Hey, Jones!

BILL: What do you want, Packard?

ARTHUR: How about

a demonstration?

[g*nshots]

ARTHUR: Much obliged, Bill.

You see, Hell-Roaring

Bill Jones,

he’s good.

But the Marquis?

Well he may be the best shot

in the entire territory.

Out here,

you wear a g*n,

there’s some men that are

going to make you use it.

Now if you think you can

outgun the Marquis, well,

by all means go ahead.

But if not,

maybe you should try using

something other than force

to topple a titan.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

MERRIFIELD: You know,

you needn’t have asked Arthur.

sh**t, every soul

for a hundred miles

knows what happened to Luffsey.

And now here we are.

Walking headfirst

into a range-w*r

with his executioner.

SEWALL: Well, we have to

draw a line somewhere.

Arthur has set up a parlay with the

Marquis this evening at his estate.

In the meantime, I’ve commissioned

Hell-Roaring Bill Jones

to search the ground for

sheep in case any remain.

SEWALL: Roarin’ who?

- I just need to know

if the claim holds

any kernel of truth.

SEWALL: Let me go with

you Mr. Roosevelt.

No. That’ll be alright Bill.

MERRIFIELD:

Mr. Roosevelt, look.

You know I ain’t

afraid of no fight,

but in a situation like this,

we should consider

sending word to Mandan.

Maybe get their

sheriff involved.

Can’t speak for your

back-country boys here.

No offense gentlemen,

but in Dakota,

in this territory, it

ain’t exactly good practice

to just walk right

into the wolves’ den,

and that’s exactly

what you will be doing.

DOW: I say we keep

it our business here.

We let that Frenchman

come and try something.

Enough.

All of you.

I am going tonight,

I am going alone.

And until this affair is settled

there will be no more building.

Which will give you boys

some time for the saddle.

[SIGH] SEWALL: Mr. Roosevelt-

If you’re going to be cowboys,

you need to at least

start mastering the horse.

[CHUCKLING]

I’d love to see that.

Oh, well.

Splendid you said so.

Because you are to

teach them, Merrifield.

Wait a minute. That wasn’t

a part of our agreement.

Ah, we have all

our tasks at hand.

Ah, the rewards of a hardy life.

[OMINOUS MUSIC] ♪

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

♪[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

PADDOCK: Mr. Roosevelt.

Pleasure to see you again.

Paddock, was it?

A shame you won’t be joining us.

PADDOCK: Oh, don’t worry.

I’ll keep myself busy.

You enjoy the grub, now.

Bit fancy for my taste.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

[DRAMATIC MUSIC] ♪

MARQUIS: Monsieur Roosevelt.

Marquis de Mores.

I trust I am not

interrupting.

Au contraire.

You are just in time.

I’ve prepared a little

target practice.

sh**ting.

Just for sport.

Will you join me?

[HOOFBEATS]

MERRIFIELD: Gentleman

this here is Jezebel

Sounds swee don’t it

Make no mistake, she’s a bronc.

Still half wild.

Heck I’m the only one

that’s been able to saddle her.

[HORSE NICKERS]

Till now.

[HORSE NICKERS]

Don’t everybody get up at once.

What? Do I gotta make you

wood-hicks draw straws?

SEWALL: Till you come

up with a sensible idea.

We ain’t here to break broncos.

MERRIFIELD: No, Sewall.

You’re here to manage a ranch.

And come fall, that’ll

include beef round up.

We’ll be wrangling

cattle from across

the whole range to

sell for winter.

Hopefully earn our keep.

You’ll be in that saddle

for weeks, maybe more.

Now, it’d be ideal,

if one beautiful horse, like

Jezebel could do that, but

she can’t. It takes

a string of ponies,

swapping them out.

Typically ten per cowboy.

Nine out of ten are easy.

That’s why we always

train for the tenth horse.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

Let’s go. Daylight’s

a burning.

Come on.

Good boy.

MERRIFIELD: Hey,

hold up there cowboy.

You wanna mount that horse?

You gotta earn it.

Good luck.

Let’s see what you got.

DOW: Easy. Easy.

MERRIFIELD: Let’s

see what you got.

SEWALL: Let’s go

Will. Come on.

MERRIFIELD: Nice try.

Whoa, whoa.

SEWALL: Come on.

Come on.

- Come on now, come on.

Come on!

Let’s go Will.

You got it boy. You got it.

MERRIFIELD: Okay, easy now.

Easy girl.

Come on, Dow. Get up!

Easy.

Reel her in, Dow.

That’s it.

Okay, grab that saddle.

Throw it on up. Nice.

SEWALL: Let’s go!

MERRIFIELD: Let’s go!

SEWALL: Get up there! Come on!

There it is.

MERRIFIELD: Easy.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

There she goes.

DOW: Whoa, whoa!

SEWALL: Come on, kid. MERRIFIELD:

Don’t get too comfortable.

[DOW WHOOPING] MERRIFIELD:

There she goes.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

Whoa! Whoa. SEWALL: Will!

Come on!

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Anything broke?

No, it’s just my pride, Uncle.

Just my pride.

MERRIFIELD: Lesson

one for your pride,

you gotta hang on.

She’ll tire herself out.

Okay? But you gotta hang on.

Nice work.

[g*nsh*t]

Forgive me, Monsieur Roosevelt.

I’m the curious sort.

How is the territory

on your health?

Seems an unkind place

for an asthmatic.

A doctor once told

me I shouldn’t

run up a flight of steps

much less brave the outdoors.

A year later, I

climbed the Matterhorn.

Throw!

[g*nsh*t]

MARQUIS: Ah, the Alps.

Some journey,

yet somehow I find that

this place has more

effective ways of testing men.

You’ve done well

for yourself here.

MARQUIS: Some men

pass the tests.

I thrive on vision,

Monsieur Roosevelt,

and the will to execute it.

Dakota will soon be a state

and Medora

its capital.

Lance!

[g*nsh*t]

I hear other capitals

are in consideration.

Bismarck, perhaps.

The musings of men who

whisper the future

with their lips

but do nothing to build

it with their own blood.

Or money.

As a Roosevelt would

surely appreciate,

your grandfather, one of

the richest men in New York,

was he not?

And your father, well,

the profits he must have made

after the great fire in Chicago.

My father rebuilt that city

after an unthinkable tragedy.

He was a noble man.

We are here to

discuss our business,

are we not?

Namely the $400 I paid

for the Elkhorn

property, which legally-

MARQUIS: Lance!

[g*nsh*t]

Another miss.

Are you not a hunter?

A darn good one,

given half the chance.

I always find that the

best hunters anticipate,

know what their prey will do

even before it does.

Another shot, if you please.

Certainement.

And for sport,

if you make this one,

we will call the match even.

Up there, towards the sky.

Throw!

[g*nsh*t]

I’ve always found

the best hunters

adapt.

Now, I may not have

the best sight,

but I’ve always known

when to position myself

for the best shot.

Now.

Shall we discuss business?

Of course.

Over supper.

Supper?

MERRIFIELD: Well,

boys gave it a go.

That first ride is

always the worst of it.

[CHUCKLING]

[HOOFBEATS]

SEWALL: Nope.

Worst is still to come.

Home sweet home.

That’s a mighty

fine piece of work.

Always fancied one similar

for myself one day.

You build that, Woodsman?

For a one, Theodore Roosevelt.

PADDOCK: Well,

I’ll consider keeping you on

once we move him off our land.

Heck,

you could build my outhouse.

[LAUGHTER]

It’s time for you

to be going, friend.

Cool your heels, kid.

PADDOCK: You got it wrong

more ways than one.

I certainly ain’t your friend.

And it’s you who

ought to be leaving!

This here is our property!

DOW: Not yet it ain’t.

SEWALL: Everyone

just calm down!

Long ride over I’m guessing.

Fellas must be hungry.

Why not join us for a bite?

We can talk things over.

Well, now that you mention it

I am rather peckish.

MARQUIS: Napoleon Bonaparte.

A great man.

He certainly thought so.

S’il vous plaîît.

Sit.

MAID: Auriez vous besoin

d’autres choses, messieurs?

No. Pas pour l’instant. Merci.

MARQUIS: Imported from Paris.

The champagne

and the servants.

Merci.

Monsieur, I forget myself.

You prefer not to drink.

Ah, I merely prefer

to keep a clear head

but when in Rome.

MARQUIS: Ah, Rome.

Hmm.

Napoleon held it

for only a year.

Then he returned

it to its people,

and they were so grateful.

Ah, Monsieur Roosevelt,

you must partake.

[CLEARING THROAT]

And?

[CLEARING THROAT]

It’s-

it’s delightful.

MARQUIS: Hmm,

then you must take

some with you.

It’s a

recent invention of mine.

Uh a gift of sorts

for the French army.

Can last for months

on the frontline and

still maintain its flavor.

ROOSEVELT: Well,

it certainly tastes

long lasting.

Tres bien.

Now, Sir.

We have a matter at hand.

So direct, you Americans.

No appreciation for

polite conversation.

Very well

regarding my land.

I believe you mean

my ranch.

If the cabin does not claim it,

the receipt of purchase

certainly shall.

MARQUIS: You could have

a hundred receipts.

It would change nothing.

We are all squatters

in the Badlands

until your government

says otherwise.

And I don’t write

laws, like you,

but I do understand

them quite well.

And out here, it comes down

to something very simple.

Who got there first?

And in that regard, the

grazing rights of my sheep,

predate your claim,

I’m afraid.

I’m afraid the grazing

days of your sheep

are well behind them.

That ain’t half bad.

Famous to Maine and back.

PADDOCK: I’ve reconsidered.

Forget the outhouse,

how bout you work

my kitchen instead?

Ah, it’s a big territory.

One might think we could

settle on being neighbors.

That ain’t up to men like us.

We follow the dollar.

I follow my friend.

PADDOCK: I used to have the

run of the lot here, you know,

before all this

beef bonanza talk.

Then the Frenchman showed up.

Money like that, well,

it’ll make your

problems disappear

or at least hire men

to make them disappear.

Men like you?

He’s a tornado.

You don’t beat a

tornado. You join it.

Get to the center.

Enjoy the peace in

the eye of the storm

while everyone

else is blown away.

But tornadoes pass,

and when it does,

I’ll still be holding on.

GUNSLINGER: You lookin’

for trouble, kid?

Found you, didn’t I?

Hey, hey! Hey!

[g*nsh*t]

Now. Now.

There’ll be no violence

without purpose.

Then we’re no better

than the beasts, are we?

That’s why we’ll

make a wager of it.

What are you talking about?

Your man against mine.

He wins,

we’ll clear out.

If we lose?

PADDOCK: Then we’re gonna

get real comfortable here.

DOW: I ain’t gonna lose. You

let me at this guy right now.

Not him.

Him.

Bones won’t hold your claim.

Though you strike me as a man who’d

prefer to hold it with blood instead.

Some things can only

be held with blood,

I’m afraid.

The front lines of Algeria

for example.

You never served your country,

did you?

I served in the statehouse.

[MARQUIS LAUGHS]

A politician

is no substitute

for a soldier.

As your father could

certainly attest.

See, I once heard the

most terrible rumor.

That when it came time to

serve in your Civil w*r,

your father

paid a replacement

to fight in his stead.

That’s enough.

Forgive me, but I’m

the curious sort.

What was it like

to be raised

by a coward?

Take it back! This instant!

MARQUIS: Or what,

Monsieur Roosevelt?

Or I’ll-

Everything all right, my love?

Just a spirited debate.

Mr. Roosevelt,

allow me to introduce my wife,

Madame de Vallambrosa,

la Marquise de Mores.

Medora.

Just Medora.

Medora.

See, I told you that

you knew my name.

It wasn’t my idea to name

the town, I assure you.

My husband is a

hopeless romantic.

You deserve nothing less, cheri.

Our conversation before

was so brief, sir,

that I didn’t get to

offer my condolences

for your recent losses.

My father attended the funeral,

a moving affair, he said.

To lose one’s wife and

mother on the same day

and Valentine’s day no less.

My heart breaks for

you, Mr. Roosevelt.

Thank you,

madam.

Oh, did you bring your dagger?

You must show my husband.

It’s quite the paradox.

Yes,

a thing of beauty

made to draw blood.

I’m afraid I left it at home.

Ah, shame.

Wait Medora,

would your maiden name be

Van Hoffman

as in the daughter

of Louis Van Hoffman,

the banker?

Indeed.

My father has been

most supportive

of our western venture.

Well,

how kind of you to

invest in your husband’s

fanciful

ideas.

Have you tried the soup?

[MEDORA GIGGLES]

[MARQUIS CLEARS HIS THROAT]

I’ve interrupted.

You two had a

business matter to resolve,

hmm?

I’m afraid our guest is proving

intractable.

MEDORA: Well,

I trust you will find

an agreeable path forward.

I merely seek to

find a better path

than those you’ve dealt with.

Forgive me, Marquis,

but I am the curious sort.

Whatever happened to a man

by the name of Luffsey?

Tragic circumstances

befitting of a fool,

I’m afraid.

I was fair in all

dealings with him.

[MEDORA CLEARS HER THROAT]

[MEDORA CLINKS HER GLASS]

We’re here as dealmakers,

are we not?

So, let’s make a deal.

DOW: I don’t know Uncle.

I think I might have really

stepped in it this time.

SEWALL: He was the first

one in my beans. He’s big,

short-breathed.

Hey

you can take him.

He’s a bronc, kid.

Break him.

Let’s go.

[FIGHTING]

[MEN TALKING]

[FIGHTING]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

- Take him down.

- Get back in there.

[YELLING]

[GRUNTING]

Stay on your feet.

[MEN TALKING]

[GRUNTING]

[FIGHTING]

[MAN SHOUTING]

- PADDOCK: Stay down, boy.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[GRUNTING]

[PANTING]

Get up.

Okay. Okay.

[PANTING]

[YELLING IN EXERTION]

[PUNCH] [COUGHING]

Ah!

[PUNCH] [COUGHING]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[PUNCH]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[STRUGGLING]

[STRUGGLING] [MEN SHOUTING]

[COUGHING]

[YELLING]

[PUNCH]

MERRIFIELD: That’s it!

[c*ck g*n]

Oh! Hey! [g*nsh*t]

SEWALL: All that excitement,

it’s a mighty good

time to arm yourselves.

Wouldn’t you agree, sir?

Suppose, I would agree.

Let’s go boys.

[WHISTLES]

You’re welcome for the beans!

Now, you were right, Merrifield.

Someone ought to

teach these boys

not to walk into wolves’ dens.

SERVANT: Merci, Monsieur.

- Merci.

MEDORA: This business

is only good to those

with the stomach to endure.

MARQUIS: Very well.

A compromise then.

I will revoke my claim

on your little ranch.

And in return?

And in return,

you will make me

sole distributor of your stock.

You will sell exclusively to me,

at my prescribed price

with cattle to be delivered

after the beef round up.

Shall we be partners

then Roosevelt?

What do you think?

I think

this feels like a

silly little game

and to even consider playing it

would be to lose.

What are you doing?

Thank you

for your hospitality.

Ma’am.

[OMINOUS MUSIC] ♪

That should have been easy.

[TENSE MUSIC] ♪

[TENSE MUSIC] ♪

SEWALL: They’ll

be back, you know?

You may have just

made it even worse.

You know, I didn’t come

here to make enemies.

SEWALL: You’re provin’

darn good at making them.

Might I have a word?

You left in such a hurry

that you missed dessert.

I appreciate you coming

all the way out here but.

I’d like you to reconsider

my husband’s offer.

That was not an offer.

That was an ultimatum.

You are well acquainted

with the tenement slums

in New York, yes?

I- beg your pardon?

MEDORA: In your

duties as a reformer,

I mean.

The immigrants were working

themselves to the bone,

and you became their champion.

Well,

someone had to.

Then as champions for the poor,

we must work together.

Would it surprise you

that it’s our distribution

that makes beef affordable for

those very same constituents,

but

doing so requires

us to bypass Chicago

and their corrupt industry.

You and my husband are reformers

in your own ways.

No. The Marquis and I

have nothing in common.

But you do.

Right down to your stubbornness

not to see your commonalities.

You men may think that

you can tame the west,

but it is us women who will

make it a place worth living.

I will guarantee

six cents a pound.

Anyone worth their

salt can tell you,

that’s a generous offer.

You have yourself a deal.

Enjoy your ranch, Theodore.

And your cake as well.

It seems Mr. Packard has

been prying into our affairs.

See to it that is

never published.

[OMINOUS MUSIC] ♪

[DOOR CLOSES]

[OMINOUS MUSIC] ♪

[SALOON MUSIC] ♪

[SLAMS DOOR OPEN]

Paddock?

Can I help you?

Got something that

belongs to you, Arthur.

[OMINOUS MUSIC] ♪

ARTHUR: Paddock. Don’t. Don’t

[PUNCHING] [GROANING]