02x14 - The Passing of Kuba Smith

[bunniefuu]

Ha! Couldn't hit a barn door
with a bucket of birdshot,
could you, Sheriff?

Could you now?

"Wanted for armed robbery.

Kubba Smith."

Double "B."

Don't even know
how to spell my name right.

You know those dudes
that come through here
the stage,

how they're always saying
how romantic it must be
to own a ranch?
Yeah.

Well, I wish they'd try
keeping the books sometimes.

I've added this column
four times.

What's the matter?
You run out of fingers
and toes to count on?

Very funny.
You want to try it?

No, thanks.
I got a job.

Why don't you take that into
town to Widow Evans

have her sew it for you.

Not on your life.

Widow Evans is looking
for another husband.

She figures
the best way to get one

is by sewing
bachelors' clothes.

Ow!

Might be worth before
you run out of fingers.

What are you
talking about?

Take a look at this.

That's just like new.

Well, almost.

I got some socks for you
to work on next.

You got holes
in your socks,
you marry her.

Besides, I'm getting
right handy with a needle.

I'm too tired for this.

I'll finish it tomorrow.

How're we doing, Slim?

Well, with what I owe the bank
and the price of feed,

I figure if we have
a real good market this fall,

I might be
able to break even.

There must be an easier way
to make a living.

Yeah, well, if you find it,
let me know about it.

You know, the next dude
that tells me

how romantic
owning a ranch is,

I am gonna spit
right in his eye.

I got a better idea.
Sell him the ranch.

Huh. They're dumb,
but they're not thatdumb.

I'll see you
in the morning, Jess.

Hey, how about hot cakes
for breakfast?

All right, you got
my permission to cook 'em.

I'll flip you
to see who cooks 'em.

All right, it's a deal.

Heads, you cook.

And try not to burn 'em.

[ dog barking ]

We'll pick him up later.
Come on.

Did you ever
see him before?

No.

Maybe we can find out
who he is, though.

Well, I know
one thing about him.

He's a lousy horse thief.

Made enough noise to wake
the whole territory.

First time I ever shot a man
in my stocking feet.

Or maybe you got him.

Doesn't make
much difference.

Hey, look at this.

"To Kuba,
with love, Jenny."

That's not much help.

No, but this is.

"Wanted for armed robbery.

Kubba Smith."

Two...
two thousand dollars reward!

Hey, we must have hooked
ourselves a big fish.

If he's the same man.

Well, it's got to be.

The description fits,
and that watch.

Hey, this is our lucky day.

Wonder who Jenny is.

So he had a girl--
what's the difference?

He's still an outlaw
and a horse thief.

If we hadn't have got him,
somebody else would.

Yeah, guess you're right.

Let's get him into town.

Well, I'm all ready
to bury him.

Did they authorize paying you
the reward money yet?

Yeah, sheriff got word
by telegraph.

He's over at the bank
collecting now.

If somebody just dropped
$2,000 in my lap,

I'd look a lot happier
than you do.

Nobody just dropped it
in our laps.

We had to sh**t
a man for it.

Didn't know you were
so squeamish.

I'm not so squeamish.

I just hate to feel like
a bounty hunter.

You ain't a bounty hunter.

You was after a horse thief.

The money's kind of
an extra bonus.

Pretty fancy watch
for a horse thief.

If you was to throw
this in,

I'd give him
a nice big tombstone.

The watch stays here.

Besides, somebody
might claim it someday.

You got a saddle and a horse
for burying him.

That don't rate him
a tombstone.

Pretty name, Jenny.

Makes you think
of blue eyes and brown hair.

Like the song.

Aw, shut up,
will ya?

Hi. Any news yet?

Davis
is at the bank now.

Good.

I made up a list.

Angie said he'd sell us
two bulls for $800.

And I'm gonna get 1,000 foot
of wire for our fencing.

We'll need ten gallons
of red paint for the barn.

Three pounds
of ten-penny nails.

And I'm gonna be me
a new pair of boots

I've had my eyes on
for a couple of months.

Anything else?

Seems like you
thought of everything.

You know, it's kind of
hard to spend $2,000.

You've got
a pretty good start.

If you'd like to provide
a tombstone,

I can make you
a very good deal.

Yeah?

What would you put on it?

Here lies Kuba Smith,
horse thief?

Well, here's
your money, boys.

Nice, fresh new bills.

Two thousand dollars.

Count it.

Feels kind of good.

Any trouble getting it?

Wire came down
just like that.

I just told him

two responsible citizens
brought in the body.

I officially identified it
as Kuba Smith

and that was good enough
for Greg Nolan.

Would you want
to carry it?

I don't care, Jess.

I'll flip you for it.

All right, you call it.

Heads.

Heads it is.

Here, uh...
buy yourself a drink.

Yeah, thanks.

Pick up the supplies,
too, will you?

I'll tell Angie
that deal's set on the bulls.

All right.
Well, thank you,
Sheriff.

Been nice doing
business with you.

Maybe a few flowers?

No flowers.

It's your funeral.

Well, Sheriff,
you'll keep this, huh?

Seems to me that belongs
to you and Jess now.

Well,
Jess has got a watch

and well, I'd hate
to have to look

at that name every time

I wanted to find out
what time it is.

Much obliged,
Sheriff.

Goodbye.

Anytime, Slim.

Oh, say, Doc.

Hello, Slim, I just heard
the good news.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

How's old man Coffey?

I'm on my way
to see him now.

Is he
getting any better?

At his age,
he won't be getting better.

How long has it been
since he's paid you?

Oh, well,
now a doctor's relationship

with his patient
is confidential,

including any
financial transactions

which may or may not
have taken place.

In other words,
he hasn't paid.

Can't get blood
out of a turnip.

He hasn't been able to work
in over two years.

Maybe this will help, Doc.Oh, no.

Now, wait a minute.
You'll be doing me a favor.

Ease my conscience
about how I got it.

Well, thank you, Slim,
but I can't take your money.

Well, why not?

Well, I just eased
Jess's conscience.

Can't collect twice
for the same patient.

Wouldn't be ethical.

So long, boy.

Howdy, gentlemen,
what can I do for you?

My name is Snow.
Deputy from Meeker, Colorado.

This is Jake Riordan.

Welcome to Laramie,
make yourselves at home.

I'm about ready
for even one of thosebeds.

I'm getting too old
for these manhunts.

You fellas looking
for somebody?

Sheriff Linke and us
chased a couple of crooks

out of Meeker
three days ago.

We shot one, but we lost
the trail of the others,

so we split to see
if we could pick it up.

Any luck?

No, not yet.

Sheriff Linke didn't come
through here, huh?

He didn't check in
with me, if he did.

Who's the fellow
you're looking for?

This only lists about half
of what he's wanted for.

Kuba Smith?!Do you know him?

Well, I seen him
less than an hour ago.

Is he still here?

Yes,
he sure is.

Where?

He's in the funeral parlor

if they haven't
planted him yet.

Are you sure of that?

Funeral parlor's
right down the street

if you want to see
for yourselves.

I will.

All these miles

and all we get out of it
is saddle sores.

Did you bring him in?I wish I had.

Come on, I'll show you
how to get there.

I was just closing
it up.

Well, open it.

He's a deputy.

Who got him?

Couple of fellows on a ranch
outside of town.

Slim Sherman
and Jess Harper.

They caught him rustling
one of their horses.

I just paid them
their reward money.

Must say I did the best
I could for the price.

Pressed his coat.

Gave him a shave.

Looks good.
Doesn't he?

Yeah.
Just one thing wrong.

That ain't Kuba Smith.

They k*lled the sheriff.

Oh, you must be wrong.

I read the poster.

I'm not wrong.

I've known Fred Linke
for ten years.

It's Linke, all right.

But the description--
and he had a watch on him

with his name in it.

When you shaved him,

he had a birth mark
right here, didn't he?

That's right.

What kind of town
do you run?

Letting people k*ll a lawman
and palm him off on ya
as a criminal!

Look, I told you.

I checked it
with the poster!

Maybe we better have a talk
with those two fellows,

unless they're already
on their way to the border.

No, no I can vouch for them.

I don't know
how this happened.

But it wasn't their fault.

Are you gonna take us
to them or do we go alone?

I'll see
if they're still in town.

What do I do
with the body?

Should I go ahead
and bury it?

He's dead, ain't he?

Yes, sir...

that's the best-looking
pair of boots in all Wyoming.

Sure a shame to get them
all dusty stringing that wire.

These are
town boots, mister.

Strictly for Saturday night.

Oh.

Oh, there's gonna be
some changes made around here.

Time we get
that money used up,

we're gonna have the fanciest
spread in the territory.

We will, huh?

That money sure is burning

a hole in your pocket,
isn't it?

You know how it is.
Easy come, easy go.

Ah, you know
something, Slim?

This is the most money

I've ever had
in my hand at one time.

I hear you've been
dipping into it.

What do you mean?

I ran into Doc Wilkins.

Oh. How come
he told you?

I don't know, I guess
he's just naturally gabby.

Well, where do you think
we can put this

until we need it
to pay those bills we run up?

Wait a minute, Jess.

You don't have to spend
yours on the ranch.

You can do anything
you want with your share.

I know that, Slim.

Thing about me is
I'm just a big show-off.

Hey, I got just the spot,
behind the fireplace.

SMITH: Don't bother, boy.

Who are you?

That's a good question.

But we can talk better

when you drop
your g*n belts.

On the floor.

Kick 'em over here.

[ g*n belts slide on floor ]

Put the money on the table.

Step back a little.

Paid off real prompt,
didn't they?

I was afraid you
might be the kind of fellas
put your money in the bank.

Then I'd have had to send one
of you clear to town to get it.

This way makes it
real handy all around.

Now which one of you
fellows got my watch?

I put a lot of store
by that watch.

Your watch?That's right.

Well, the sheriff's got it.
But that watch belonged to--

Kuba Smith.

That's me.

You couldn't be.

We k*lled him.

[ laughs ]
Did ya?

Well, if you're Kuba Smith,
who did we k*ll?

You didn't k*ll nobody.

That was Sheriff Linke
you collected on,
but you didn't k*ll him.

I took care of the sheriff
before you got there.

Then I had to come back
and wake you boys up
and take you out there

so's I can make this
little financial arrangement.

Worked out real good.

You mean you planned
this whole thing?

It seemed
like a good idea,

once I'd seen how much
he looked like me.

Besides, who has a better right
to his own reward money?

Well, I could argue
that with you.

[ laughs ] Yeah,
I bet you could.

Now if you boys'll
step out in the barn,

we'll get
some nice strong rope.

Come on, let's go.

Don't feel
too bad, boys.

Probably all turned out
for the best.

How do you figure that?

You know the old saying,
"Money's the root of all evil."

Pretty soon you two'd probably
got to squabblin' over
what to do with the money.

First thing you know,
you'd have been at
each other's throats.

This way
you stay friends.

That's just great.
I feel better already.

There's some other things wrong
with that silver lining, Smith.

What's that?Well, first of all,

we're gonna owe the Great
Northern Railroad $2,000.

Not unless you're stupid enough
to tell it around
that I'm still alive.

The way I see it,
just keep quiet.

Chalk it up
to profit and loss.

Tell your
own grandchildren someday

you knew a feller
collected his own reward.

Ha ha ha!

Anyhow, this belongs
to somebody

who needs it more
than you do.

Yeah, could use
a coat of paint, at that.

Too bad.

Go on.

You try that again, sonny,
I'll blow your head off.

How's it coming?

Getting there.

Well, I'm not.

It's not givin' a bit.

That's 'cause
you got big wrists.

Ow.

How's that head?

It'll feel better
when I get my hands on Smith.

We better get
our hands on that money

before somebody else
finds out about it.

We better get it,
period.

[ horse neighing ]

Where are you
fellows going?

Reward money was stolen.
We brought you the wrong man.

We know that.Smith held us up
and took the money.

We're just going after him.You're not going nowhere.

Get off that horse.Who the devil are you?

We're deputies.

We were trailing Smith
with the man you k*lled.

Now wait a minute.
We didn't k*ll the sheriff.

Kuba Smith did.
He told us.

That's your story.

Look, let's quit
wasting time.

Smith's got an hour
head start on us.

If we're gonna
pick up the trail,

we'd better get started.

Not so fast.

How do we know
you're telling the truth?

You don't, mister.

I think we better
take them into town.

And let Smith get away?

If he was here.

Look, I don't know
who you are, mister,

but don't hold us up
any longer.

Hold it, Snow!

I'm in charge here.

You fellows lead.

We lost him.SHERIFF: So we keep looking.

End of the line,
not a sign of him.

You see anything?

We couldn't have lost him.

You trailed him
from Colorado, didn't you?

Well, you tell us,
how did you keep so close?

Who says we did?

What are we arguing about?

Smith brushed his trail
four miles back.

We've been riding
around in circles.

He's an old China hand,
mister.

Never find him now,
not in these hills.

SLIM: We'll find him.

He's got $2,000
of our money.

Not exactly yours, Slim.

I'm afraid that reward money
has got to be paid back

to the railroad people.

I'm gonna have to notify them,
you're gonna have to raise it.

About that man he k*lled,

what's to be done
about that?

Nobody's holding you boys
for Linke's death.

From what you told us,
it all adds up: Kuba did it.

Well, then,
let's get started.

Not me. I've chased as far
as I'm gonna chase him.

Me too. I got a business
to tend to,

I've been away too long.

He k*lled your sheriff,
didn't he?

Doesn't that mean
anything to you?

Now, I figure
I've done my duty,

I've ridden 100 miles
after him for a dollar a day.

Haven't got as much at stake
as you have. You catch him.

What about you?

You pulling out, too?

I can't leave
Laramie, Jess,

at least not until
I swear in a deputy.

That could be too late.

Well, it looks like
it leaves it up to us.

If you got the stomach.

Might be cheaper
in the long run

just paying back the money
by working for it.

Two thousand dollars?

You could put up
your ranch for it.

It's mortgaged
to the hilt now.

We're not paying
that money out of anything

but Smith's hide.

You coming?

Just one of those things,
mister.

Yeah, sure.

Guess I'd better be
getting back.

Wait a minute, fellows.
Give me the watch.

Now what?Well, give it to me.

You said you've run
across Kuba Smith before?

That's right.Have you ever seen this?

"To Kuba.
With love, Jenny."

Never got that
close to him.

You have any idea
who Jenny is?

Probably some girl
he had once. Let's go.

Hey, wait a minute,
I remember now.

Linke told me once
that Smith came

from a little place
called Prairie Lee,

up on the Feather River.

That was his wife's name.

Now we're
getting somewhere.

I'm afraid it won't do
you much good though,

he hasn't been seen
around there for 10 years.

The word was
he'd rather take a chance

with the law
than see his wife again.

Long way
to the Feather River, Slim.

Two thousand dollars
is a lot of money.

If I know Kuba,
he'll get rid of that money

the first saloon
he hits.

Well, it's all yours.

Good luck.

Sheriff, tell Angie to forget
those two bulls I ordered.

Cancel the rest
of the stuff, too.

Now wait a minute, Jess.

We both can't go,
somebody's got to run the ranch.

If you ask me,
you both better forget it.

The last place he's gonna go
is where he's known.

You got any better ideas?

Suit yourself.

Come on. Come on.

What do you say?

All right, call it.

Heads.

Heads it is.

I go.

Take care
of the ranch, Jess.

Wait a minute, Slim,

let's do it again
with a real coin.

You already lost.

You're gonna have to do
some fast talking

with those railroad people.

Suppose they crowd me
for the money?

Flip 'em. Double or nothing.

Here.

Howdy.
Howdy.

How far to Prairie Lee?

About five miles
the way you're heading.

Thanks.

Yeah, looks like
you've been riding pretty hard.

Yeah, that's right.

And in your
infinite wisdom,

Lord, we pray that Jenny Smith
will find a better life

than the one
she left here on earth.

She was a good woman.

Her daughter
and all of us will miss her.

Amen.

That was a nice service.
Thank you.

My wife and I will be out
to see you before you go.

No, that won't be
necessary.

I'm all packed.

Are you sure
you won't need help?

No, I'd rather be alone,
thank you.

Very well.

Goodbye then,
and good luck.

Goodbye.

Howdy, preacher.

I'm looking for a woman
named Jenny Smith.

You're just too late
for the services.

Oh, so that's who it was.

That's right.

You a friend of hers?

Not exactly.

I'm looking
for her husband.

I'm afraid you have
the wrong woman.

Mrs. Smith was a widow.

Are you sure about that?

I had no reason
to doubt her word.

Or her daughter's.

Well, I didn't mean it
that way. I--

She has a daughter?

She's just driving
away now.

Where does she live?

They have a little farm,
about two miles out.

But I wouldn't disturb her now,
if I were you.

Have you ever heard of a man
named Kuba Smith?

Can't say
that I have, why?

I heard he lived
around here once.

Maybe he was before my time.

I only came here
five years ago.

Well, thank you.

You're welcome.

How did it go?

Give your momma
a good send-off?

There weren't
many people there.

She never was one
to make many friends.

Might as well
finish packing.

I wish you wouldn't take it
this way, honey.

How else can I take it?

You walk out on us
ten years ago

and then come back for the last
five minutes in mother's life.

Then you don't even go
to the funeral.

Well, how could I?

She told everybody
I was dead.

I couldn't make her out
a liar, could I?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't know what to
think.

I know there ain't much

I can say to make up
for ten years,

but maybe when you're older,
you'll understand.

Some people just don't
get along together.

When that happens,
best they go their own ways.

That's the way it was
with your ma and me.

Why did she let me think
all these years you were dead?

Why didn't she tell me
the truth?

Well, she put that story out
to protect her own pride.

She was a mighty
proud woman.

Maybe too proud.

Couldn't even stand to have
her own daughter know the truth.

I come back soon
as I heard she was sick.

How did you find out?

I got ways.

Honey, I know I ain't been
a very good father,

but I'll make it up to you.

With that $2,000 I saved,

we can make a new start
someplace.

California, maybe.

You'd like it there.

People make mistakes, honey--
bad ones.

Try not to hold it
too much against them.

Oh, Pa.

Oh, there, there.

[ horse approaching ]

Get in the other room!

What's the matter?

There's gonna be trouble.

Who is it?
Do you know him?

He's coming after me.

Why?
Why did you do?

That money I gave you,
I won it gambling. From him.

He claims I cheated him.

Pa, you're not gonna
k*ll him?!

That's what he aims
to do to me.

No, I'll get rid of him.
I'll send him away.

He didn't come this far
to let a woman talk him
out of it.

There's only one way
to take care of him.

No, Pa.You keep out of this.

This is between me and him.

Man's got a right
to save his own life.

Not that way.

You said you wanted
to make a new start.

This is no way to begin.

I got no other choice.

Yes, you do.

You got a choice right now.

If you do this,
I'll never see you again.

I mean it.

Now, Pa,
I'll send him away.

I can do it.
I promise I can.

Well, don't you believe
anything he tells you.

He's a liar and a m*rder*r
and he's out to get me!

You get in the attic.

Remember now,
he'll say anythingabout me.

Something I can do
for you, mister?

Howdy, ma'am.

That your horse?

I asked you a question.

Well, you can tell me
if that's your horse.

He's my horse.

Why?

You always ride
an animal that hard?

This one's not
in that kind of shape.

The night my mother died,

I rode 11 miles
to get the doctor.

I haven't had time
to take care of him since.

Does that answer
your question?

Yeah, I guess it does.

Anything else?

I could stand
a drink of water.

Pump's right over there.

My apologies, ma'am.

I didn't mean to sound
so sharp with you.

Well, I got
a lot of work to do.

You can get your water.

I was at the cemetery.

I'm sorry
about your mother.

I didn't see you there.

I talked to the preacher
after the service.

He told me who you were.

You sure do ask
a lot of questions.

It's the only way
to learn.

Just what is it
you're trying to find out?

Where Kuba Smith is.

Never heard of him.

I thought he might be
your father.

My father's been dead
ten years.

That wasn't his name.

Looks like I rode a long ways
for nothin'.

Considering you could
have found that out
from the preacher, yes.

You know, when a man steals
$2,000 from you,

you like to make sure.

As long as it's not
your father I'm after

maybe you'll let me rest up
a minute before I leave.

Well, I'm sorry, but I got
to finish my packing.

That's a mighty big g*n
for a little girl.

Two women living alone
need protection.

Never know
what's gonna drift in.

You're gonna have
mighty hard time getting

that barrel out of here.

Neighbors are gonna
come and help.

You know, I'm kind of glad
I am on the wrong trail.

Man I'm looking for has got
a price on his head.

For taking $2,000
away from you?

For robbing a train
and k*lling the sheriff,

among other things.

This might explain
why I wanted to make sure.

And why I'm glad
I was wrong.

I'm sorry I haven't
been too friendly.

It's been a trying day.

I understand.

Look, I'm tired.

Would you mind?

I'm sorry
I bothered you, ma'am.

Mister...

do you want this man
for the reward?

No, ma'am.

I'm not a bounty hunter.

He just owes me the money.

Good luck.

I heard what you said.
You handled it good.

You lied to me.

What else could I do?

I couldn't come back
and tell you the truth.

Why did you
come back at all?

Now listen, honey, I heard
what he said and it's true.

But that poster
don't tell the whole story.

You know, it ain't
as simple as that.

I told you.

Man makes mistakes.

Once you're
on the outside of the law,

there's no place
else to go.

From then on,
it's your life against theirs.

But one thing you gotta believe,
I never shot a man

who wasn't sh**ting at me.

No matter what I done,
blood's thicker than water.

That's what brought me back.

That's what made you
lie to him,

even after
you knew the truth.

I came back because
I thought you needed me.

Now it looks like it's
the other way around.

Better get packed if we're gonna
leave before sundown.

You won't be sorry, honey.

We're starting
all new right now.

Yeah, Pa.

[ chuckles ]

I wouldn't do that, Kuba.

I should have k*lled you
when I had the chance.

I must be gettin' soft.

Just so you won't
be tempted,

I'll take your r*fle.

Pick it up by the barrel
and hand it to me.

You almost sold me
a bill of goods.

You might have gotten
away with it, too,

if you left this where
I could see it.

Why didn't you take off
the sheriff's initials?

I'll take your p*stol.

I don't have one.

I'll take the money.

I ain't got it!

I don't, either.

I'd hate to have
to search you.

Stuff sure gets around.



I know it.

Thank you, ma'am.

What are you gonna do now?

Well, you saw the poster.

You area bounty hunter.

He knows
better than that.

Look, why don't you
just let him go?

You got your money now,
and you're not a lawman.

What else do you want
from him?

You mean
after all he's done,

you want me to walk
away from it?

He never shot at a man

who didn't try
to k*ll him first.

That's not the way I heard it.

Then you heard wrong.

Guess it wouldn't do no good
to say she's right, would it?

I doubt it.

I believe him.

Well, you're his daughter.

Gonna try
for a new start.

I'm a little old for it,
but I'm sure gonna try.

Of course, if you're gonna
set yourself up

as judge and jury,

I guess this is
the end of the line.

It'll be tough on Jane,
all alone in the world.

Look, mister.

He's an old man.

I'll take care of him.

I'll see he doesn't get
into any trouble.

SNOW: So you found him
after all, huh?

Get the money?Yeah.

Good.

What are you
doing out here?

I thought you said
you had enough.

Oh, I got to thinking
about it.

Struck me
there might be trouble.

I see I was right.

Not anymore.

I've got the money.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Now drop your g*n belt
on the ground.

Drop it!

Ah, you wouldn't let go,
would you?

You had to be a hero.

Snow and I are old friends.

Partners, you might say.

Well, looks like
I underestimated you.

And you, too.

I didn't know.

You mean you've been working
with him all along?

Well, how do you think
he stayed free this long

without me to lead
the posses off his trail?

I'll take that money now.

Looks like fate
just don't want you
to keep that filthy stuff.

Now walk over
into the brush. Slow.

What are you gonna do?

What do you think
I'm gonna do?

Let him go back to town
and sh**t his mouth off?

You're not gonna let him
k*ll him in cold blood?

But, honey,
I just can't stop him.

Everything he said
about you is true,
isn't it?

Well, a man's got
to look after himself.

Let's go.

I've got a partner, too.

And he'll g*n you down

if it takes
the rest of his life.

You're whistling
in the dark.

He won't ever know I was within


Move.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Pa?

Pa.

I tried, honey.

It was the first time
in my life

I ever did anything
for anybody else.

Try to remember.

Hi, Slim!

Did you get him?

Yeah, we got him.

Bring him in?

He's dead.

Well, then, we get
to keep the 2,000.

No, I gave it away.You what?

Come on inside, Jess,
and I'll tell you all about it.

Well, it better be
a good story for $2,000.

It is.