03x26 - The Turn of the Wheel

[bunniefuu]

Howdy.

Me and this hayburner here
could use some water

if you got it to spare.

Sure, help yourself.

Don't drink us dry, though.
Laramie stage is due.

I'll save them some.

Much obliged.

You bet.

[ stagecoach approaching ]

h*...

Oh, you missed it
by more than a foot,

Mose, you're losing
your touch.

Oh, no, you don't, Jess,
I seen you move,

that's three you owe me.

All right,
simmer down, I'll pay.

Ten-minute layover,
step out, stretch your legs.

You trying to tell me
you didn't know

this punk kid was waiting
to back-sh**t me?

I don't even know
who he is.

Anytime I'd figure
you're worth six footin'.

I'll do it myself.

Ha.

You really don't know
who he is?

Why should I?

One pretty good reason,
Slim.

Meet Billy O'Neill,
Abbey's kid brother.

He's been dogging my trail
for a week now.

Tried winging me
once before.

Lucky for me,
he can't sh**t very straight.

I won't miss
next time!

Next time?

What makes you think

you're gonna be around
for a next time?

Ease off, boy.

You're getting in
over your head.

I don't care
what happens to me.

I'll k*ll you
for what you did to Abbey.

What happened
to Abbey?

You'll see it for yourself
soon enough.

She's coming to Laramie.

She's coming to pick up
the same dirty life

you drug her into
before.

Yeah,
after I reopen the Nugget,

Abbey and me
are getting married.

Seems like I heard that
about five years ago.

Yeah, I guess you did.

That's what Abbey told you,
wasn't it?

Well, I'd penny
any fraud charge

the federals hung on me,
kind of,

you know,
delayed things a little.

But nothing's gonna
stop us this time.

There, I think
that'll take care of that.

Oh, thank you, ma'am.

It has been a real pleasure
meeting you.

I want to ask you
something.

Yeah?

When you headed
for prison,

Abbey left, too.
Where did she go?

Why, back to Abilene
with her folks.

Where else would a woman go
to wait for a man?

She'd still be there too

if you hadn't sent your
trained baboon after her.

I'll tell Marty that
when he gets here with Abbey.

No, you can tell him.

Now, look, Billy boy,

the law is gonna
keep you out of my hair

until that sister of yours
can talk some sense into you.

I'm taking you in!

And I'll ride along
just to make sure

Billy gets there
in one piece.

Well, suit yourself.

But like I told you, Slim,
Abbey won't be there--yet.

Again, my thanks, ma'am.

I'd feel most honored
if you'd be my guest

when the Nugget opens.

We'll have tables
for ladies

and, of course, you'll want
to hear our Abbey sing.

Slim always did.

You want me
to go to town, Slim?

I don't know
this Frank Mannus,

but I sure
take pleasure

in knocking that smile
off his face.

And that just might be
the reason I'm going, Jess.

And you cause anymore trouble,
I'll crosstie you over a horse

and take you in that way.

Now, get going.

I'll be back
in the late stage.

All right, Mose.

Here's your complaint,
Sheriff.

as*ault with intent to k*ll.

Hold it till Abbey gets here.
If she can straighten him out,

you can tear it up.

Well, boys,
I've got things to do.

This town has changed,
Mannus, for the good.

It sure has--
noticed that coming in.

More buildings,
more people...

more business.

I don't think Mort was trying
to sales-boost the town, Mannus.

I think he had
something else on his mind.

Oh?

Just what did
he have in mind?

You run the Nugget
like you used to

and I'll lock you up
so fast

you won't even hear
the door slam.

Mort, are you trying
to scare me?

Take it
for what it's worth.

Step out of line, and I'll
close you down for keeps.

I've served my time.

I have no desire
to serve any more.

But if you want to keep
wearing that piece of tin,

don't try to hang
anything on me that won't fit.

Oh, uh...

we're gonna have a big opening
celebration in a few days.

You're both invited.
On the house.

Clear night.

Yeah.

You want
to talk about it, Slim,

or do you want let it eat
your insides out?

I guess I am feeling
too sorry for myself.

But it kind of
shakes you up

when you think you got
something hogtied

and staked out
for good and it...

climbs on your back again.

You mean Mannus?

I mean Abbey.

I wanted
to marry her once, Jess.

But I couldn't give her
what Mannus could...

the things a girl like her
should have.

Well, if she turned you down
for him and for that reason,

maybe you're better off.

No,
I was different then.

I was no prize,

just out of the army
after the w*r.

Took me a while
to unwind, and...

and running wild seemed like
the only way to cool off.

That happened
to all of us, I reckon.

Yeah.

But Abbey was special.

She was different.

How many times
has that been said?

You still feel the same,
Slim?

I don't know.

You'll know
when you see her.

Ten-minute layover, folks,
step out, stretch...

Stretch yourselves
and have some refreshments.

Thank you.

There's coffee inside,
ma'am.

I'd like some.

Is this still
the Sherman Ranch?

Yes, ma'am, that's right.

And Slim...

is he here?

Coffee's in the house, mister,
not in the barn.

Never touch it.

Mister.

Marty.

Don't be a fool.

Stay away, Abbey,

I'll make this corral-sitter
eat some dirt.

No, Marty, please.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Get down on your knees,
cowboy,

or you'll be chewing
on the next one.

Now,
let's start over, even!

Ease off, Jess.

Well, I see
you're still an errand boy

for Frank Mannus.

I always did look out after
Frank's property, remember?

Wait in the coach, Marty.

I want my g*n.

You'll get it
when we leave.

I'll change the team.

I'm sorry, Slim.

I didn't want it
to be like this.

How did you want it
to be, Abbey?

We were friends,
I thought.

Can't we still be?

Once you told me

you and Mannus
were gonna get married...

and he told me the same thing
a couple of days ago.

He was here?

Yeah, same time
as your brother.

Billy?

What happened?

Well, they're both all right.

Billy's a poor shot.
The sheriff's holding him.

Well, at least
until you get there.

Things were going
to be so simple,

and now Billy's in it.

And you treat me as if
I were some sort of Jezebel.

What am I supposed
to do, Abbey?

Stick my chin out again?

No, of course not.

But I kind of hoped that I
could look at a crowd
of customers, or...

or walk down the street,
and...

and see a friend,
that's all.

You can, Abbey.

I thought it was gonna be
different when I saw you again.

I guess it isn't.

I'll be around.

Did I hear
someone say coffee?

Yeah, it's inside.

Come on in, I want you
to meet Mrs. Cooper.

h*-yah!

Shh.

Well?

She's a beauty, Slim.

A man would have to be blind
not to like her.

Don't look at me,

nothing wrong
with my eyesight.

Wait'll you you hear her sing--
sounds like a nightingale,

whatever
that sounds like.

Slim, uh, gonna go
into the golden Nugget

when she opens?

I don't think anything
could keep me away, Jess,

including Frank Mannus.

You think that was smart
telling Abbey

you want to give
her kid brother a job?

I think
it's very smart.

That fool Billy's just crazy
enough to try to pull something

that busts things
wide open.

I want him
where we can watch him.

Ah, I don't think so.

Now with her taken up
with Sherman again,

it's gonna get us
into nothing but trouble.

Marty, you'd better
stop thinking.

You're skinning
bark off the wrong tree.

That Sherman's become
a real big man hereabouts.

I want him on our side.

Let Abbey have her fun.
He'll come running...

straight into a wall.

Grow up.

Mannus kept the money coming
all the time he was in prison.

What?

That's right.

He helped to feed you
and buy your clothes.

You owe him
more than you think.

All the more reason
to hate him.

I don't care
what his money did for me.

It still turned you
into a cheap dancehall floozy

that men stare at
and pour over and try to--

Now I know
you can't stop me.

I thought I could
talk you into going home.

Not now, Abbey.

All right.

Then I'm asking
for your help.

I'm not here
to marry Mannus.

Then why are you here?

To make him pay
for what he's done.

k*ll him if I have to.

k*ll him, why?

When I first worked for him
in Wichita,

there was a man,

not much older
than you are now.

He was young and eager,
a rancher.

We were going to be
married, settle down.

It was an accident, they said,
but I'm sure it was Mannus.

I've stuck
with him since, Billy,

because he is going
to pay for it someday.

Abbey, I--I had no idea--

I know.

And I couldn't tell you.

Billy, there's been
no other man,

except maybe Slim
here in Laramie,

but with this hanging
over my head,

it wouldn't be fair
to him even if...

You can stay,
work for Mannus, help me.

Work for Mannus?

He agreed. That way
we'd be close.

I can't tell you anything
more right now,

but he has some
counterfeit plates,

$20 gold certificates.
They're worth a fortune.

If used right...

they can be the end
of Mr. Frank Mannus.

[ indistinct speech ]

Gentlemen,
what do you think?

Hey, you'd never know
the place was shutdown.

Good food, honest tables,
and Abbey singing.

It's a combination
to make a man rich.

Well, just about
everything's free tonight.

What are you gonna do
when they have to start paying?

Well, things might be
a little slow for a while.

You don't build your
trade overnight.

That's why I was hoping
you drop in, Slim.

Oh, you were?

Yeah.
I got a proposition for you.

I need what you might
call a junior partner.

I have a lot of new people
here in town I don't know.

You do.
You could learn this business

in no time, and make a pile
of money at it, too.

Are you on a level?
Me in this saloon business?

You'll think about it.

You'd make big money,
and you'd make it quick.

I think I ought
to warn you, Frank.

I'm not in town
just for the celebration...

You mean Abbey?

Mm-hmm.
I'm back in the running again.

It's a free country.

All the more reason
for you to take me up
on my offer, I'd say.

You really do mean it,
don't you?

Slim, you know me,

I'd never let sentiment
interfere with business.

You chew on it a while,
and let me know.

Time for Abbey
to do the number.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

What do you make of it, Mort?

He's smart.

I think you ought
to take him up on it.

You what?

Can't talk to you in here.
stop by the office later.

All right, gents!
All right.

Now, it is my pleasure
to present the pride

of the Nugget, the beautiful,
the gorgeous...

Miss Abbey O'Neill!

[ whistling ]

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I want you for keep ♪

♪ No more chasing
round the town ♪

♪ No more I feel like a clown ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I need you so bad ♪

♪ No more chasing rainbows ♪

♪ And no more having ♪

♪ To pretend ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I mean all the time ♪

♪ I've made my mind up ♪

♪ That you will wind up ♪

♪ Mine ♪

♪ All mine ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I need you so bad ♪

♪ No more chasing rainbows ♪

♪ No more having to pretend ♪

♪ I want you for my baby ♪

♪ I mean all the time ♪

♪ I've made my mind up ♪

♪ That you will wind up ♪

♪ Mine ♪

♪ All mine ♪

Barkeep, champagne.

Abbey, that was
better than ever.

Yes, ma'am.
I even forgot to eat.

[ laughs ]
Thank you.

Mr. Mannus?

Yeah, well, hey,
where is that champagne?

You better come, sir, there's
been a terrible accident.

Miss O'Neill's brother.

Billy.

Where is he?

Well, I sent him out
in the storeroom

for some more glasses,
and them whiskey barrels

that were stacked up,
they fell on him.

He's dead.

[ crows ]

I'll tell you who gave
little Billy the combination

to the safe, very simple,
just by watching

who gave him the currency
to the cashier's box, you.

Ah--

Don't tell me!

I still think she
gave it to him,

and told him
about the plates.

Marty, how could she give
him when she didn't have?

I told you to quit
trying to think.

Well, somebody told him!

He was looking for the
plates and found them!

Yeah, somebody.

Hey, you know,
that Sheriff Cory's

been awful nice to me.

Could be he got some
kind of word from Denver,

and he's just been
walking easy.

Could have been
even using the kid.

Might have got to him
when he had him locked him up.

You figure he knows the buyers
are coming from out of town?

I don't know.

But if that lawman tries
to tangle with 'em,

he'll never know
what hit him.

Well, we've talked to everyone
we could, Slim.

Without evidence or witness,

Billy O'Neill's death
was an accident.

Yeah.

Abbey had every man
so walleyed in there,

nobody knows
where Marty was or Billy.

Marty took over for him
at the cashier's table,

and the barkeep sends
Billy for some glasses.

Until somebody can
prove it some other way,

that's what I've
got to believe.

Yeah, I know, Mort.

I'm sure glad the doc
gave Abbey a sedative.

It took her pretty hard.

You staying in town?
I mean, for the funeral?

Yeah, that's the least
I can do for her.

Good.

I wanted to talk
you about this.

From the marshal's
office in Denver.

Swell.

That's just what I need.

I know, but I've
got to tell you...

"Frank Mannus
and the counterfeiter

"were cellmates in prison,

"and the man got out three weeks
before Mannus did.

"Marshal was following him,
felt pretty sure

"that he had some plates
for $20 gold notes

"and no one but an expert could
tell that they were counterfeit.

Man was m*rder*d,
plates were never found."

Well, that's one they
can't pin on Mannus,

if he was still
behind bars.

Oh, he was still
in the pen, all right.

Marty Carr was on the loose
in Denver at that time.

Abbey O'Neill was with him.

And you picked a fine time
to hit her with this.

I didn't pick the time, Slim.

When you wear a badge,
there's always a job to do.

Then, you go do it.

You get a warrant, search
the Nugget, Carr and Mannus,

but not Abbey.

I can't do it that way.

There's bigger fish than Abbey
or Carr, or even Mannus.

There's a ring of
counterfeiters from back east

maybe trying
to buy those plates.

If they ever get
a hold of them,

the treasury department's
in for some real trouble.

Then why don't they send
some marshals in to handle it?

They did.

I found out yesterday
that both of them met with...

accidents.

Now, Mannus
and the big g*ns

he's dealing with aren't
playing around, Slim.

So, until someone gets here,

I've got to handle
it as best I can.

That's why I want you to
string along with Mannus.

So I can put a noose
around Abbey, huh?

Maybe so you can
clear her, Slim.

Thank you, Slim.
I'm glad you were there.

I've decided something,
Abbey.

I want to stay
in town for a while,

just in case
you need me.

I'll be all right.

For your own sake,

please don't get
mixed up in my troubles.

Thought you wanted
a friend around?

What happened to Billy
reminded me of something...

I'm bad luck, Slim.

Well, I'm just gonna have
to find that out the hard way.

Can I take you up
to your room?

Don't bother.

I'd just as soon be alone.

Abbey, if you don't feel
like working tonight--

Thanks, Frank, but I'd rather.

That way I won't
have to think.

All right.

What a woman.

Not many like her
these days.

Or any other times.

Fact is, I told her I'm gonna
stay in town for a while.

I'm interested in that offer,
if you're still making it.

Yeah, you want to learn
the trade, huh?

That's right.

Welcome to the Nugget,
partner.

Let's go inside
and talk business.

Now don't ask me
the why for it.

All Slim said was
for you to send him

his best suit and a razor
on the next stage into town.

Well, what's he been doing,

spending all his time
in a saloon?

Yep, he's helping to run it.

Have you been drinking, Mose?

No, I ain't been drinking.

And if you don't want
to take my word for it,

you go and ask him
for yourself.

I've got to get rolling.

h*-yah!

Well, I can understand
his staying in town

for her brother's funeral
but this...

Thought we had to worry
about her moving out here,

not him in there.

But he has every right to bring
the woman of his choice here.

It's his ranch.

I know that, Daisy.
I just hope he remembers it.

What are you going to do?

What Mose said.
Ask Slim.

Marty.Hmm?

I told you he'd come in handy.

Gives the place some class,

and there isn't a man
in this room

who wouldn't trust him
with their last dollar.

And that's exactly what we're
going to get from him.

Good evening, Abbey.

A good house tonight.

I don't get it, Slim.

What are you doing here?

Didn't Frank tell you?

No.

I'm learning the business.

Might even own half
of this place someday.

Did you ever hear of anybody
owning half a headache?

Why'd you want to cut
yourself in on this?

Maybe I'm tired of ranching,

playing nursemaid
to stage teams.

I've got nothing against
money though.

Besides, it seemed like
a pretty good way to see you.

Slim, he's using you.

You're just a front to him,

something to throw away
when the paint wears off.

Billy was sitting
here last night.

Have you forgotten that?

Abbey?

I want to know
something, Frank.

Yeah, what now?

What are you trying
to do to Slim?

Oughtta drop, Abbey,
we got more important
things tonight.

Not as far as I'm concerned.

You're wrong, Abbey.
This was just delivered to us,

The buyers are here.

So soon?

Yeah, so soon.

They're checking
the town first,

then they're coming in.

They want us to be ready.
We better make plans.

They weren't supposed
to be here yet.

I know that. That's the way
they do business,

hard and fast.

Marty, check outside.
Let me know if they come in.

What's it all about, Slim?

I'm gonna ride up
tomorrow and tell you.

Tell me what?

I got a chance to make
some money, Jess,

get into another business.

Just for the money?

All right, there are
some other reasons.

Well, they're personal.

I'd like to get
it settled now.

You don't have
to account for me,

but I think you owe
Mike and Daisy

some consideration.

I'm gonna see them
tomorrow, Jess.

You're in the way.

You work with a mighty
low class of people

in your new business, Slim.

I'll handle this, Marty.

The boss wouldn't like
to have your saddle-bum friends

in here, Sherman.

Mister, I've had just about
enough out of you.

It's not worth it, Jess.

Well, maybe you can
stomach him but I can't!

Now what?

This saddle bum came in
here looking for trouble.

Sherman tried to help him.

I was just keeping you
from kicking him to death.

We've got no room
for troublemakers in here.

Throw him out.

My pleasure.

Now, wait a minute.

You make up your mind.

Is it him or us?

All right, boy.
No rough stuff.
[ chuckles ]

All right, that's all, folks.

Floor show's over,
drinks on the house!

I'm sorry about your friend,
Slim. He was asking for it.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Oh, I thought
I'd change, Frank,

into something
to suit the occasion.

That's a good idea, Abbey.

I'll be in my office.

I've got to see you, Slim.

Come to my room
as soon as you can.

Mort?

All right,
tie them up and gag them.
Sing to the sheriff.

And throw them into
separate cells back there.

We don't want our little
business meeting

with Mr. Mannus
interrupted.

[ knocking on door ]

Yes?

Slim.

Do they know you're here?

Mannus closed up early.

He thinks I'm unpacking
in that room he's letting
me use up here.

Slim, take me away now,
no questions asked.

We've got to hurry.

What are we
running from, Abbey?

Please, no questions I said.

I didn't have a chance
for questions

when you left
five years ago.

Slim, you've got
to believe me.

We're running for our lives.

I'll tell you anything
you want to know...

but later.

What do you want me to do?

Well, I'll finish
packing and change,

you--
you get a surrey.

And where do we go?

Just away from here, for now.

Please, Slim,
if you ever loved me.

Well, then, gentlemen,
before negotiations

for any transaction begin,

I believe that both parties

should indicate their
ability to complete it.

Well, you see the color
of our money.

We'd very much like
to see your plates.

Well, that sounds fair
enough, Mr. Gordon.

And I can assure you,
after you see them,

you'll be willing to pay twice
what we're asking for.

[ chuckles ] Hey, now,
Mr. Mannus, that remains
to be seen, doesn't it?

Oh, incidentally we went
to a great deal of trouble

to get here, including
the disposal

of two federal marshals,
so we wouldn't want anything

to go wrong now,
would we?

Don't worry about that,
Mr. Gordon.

Well, Mr. Mannus?

They're gone.What?

If this is some trick
to up the price,

it won't work,
you know?

It's not any trick--
not on my part, anyhow.

Why isn't Abbey here?

Said she was upstairs
changing her clothes.

Mr. Gordon, I believe
I know who has the plates.

She's upstairs.

I'll get her.

Eh...

You go with him, Fritz.

Now, then, Mr. Mannus,
if we don't get those plates,

we'll get something else.

The hide off your back.

Ooh-ooh.

[ knocking on door ]

Mort.

Mort.

Git up there.

That was Slim, Mort.

What's going on
around here, anyway?

Guys that slugged us--
they're dealing with Mannus,

and we've got to stop 'em.

Well, Slim's dealing
with Mannus, too.

You didn't try
to stop him.

I told Slim to do that.
He's helping me, Jess.

We had no time
to tell you.

Well, this is the fine time
to tell me.

It couldn't be helped.

Yeah, we're still
not out of here yet.

If we make a big enough ruckus,
somebody will hear us.

No, hold it, Jess.

Those gunslingers
might hear us, too.

There's got to be
another way out.

Well, it's your jail.
If you don't know, who would?

Can you see
where the keys are?

Yeah.

[ Abbey screams ]

Abbey: No, don't!

All right, Mannus,
where is she?

I heard her!

Well, well, Miss O'Neill has
quite a following, doesn't she?

Would you care
to see her?

If I don't, you'll be
the first to regret it.

Oh, I don't think
I'm going to regret anything.

Get your hands
off of her!

What do you do
for living?

With you in your own jail,
I might ask you the same thing.

I tell you,
it had to be her!

It was her kid brother
tried taking them once before.

I caught him right there
at the safe!

Then it was no accident
what happened to Billy.

Abbey, you've got
to listen to reason.

If you don't give up
those plates,

they're gonna k*ll me.

That's just what I had
in mind, Frank.

Sure, I took the plates.
That was my plan all along.

Knowing the kind they are,
I was pretty sure

they'd k*ll you for
not being able to deliver.

Oh, you're quite right,
Miss O'Neill,

and I'd be just as willing
to include you, too, you know?

Why, Abbey,
after all I've done for you?

Why?

Do you remember
Bobby Collin?

I loved him, Frank.

That was
no accident either.

You and Marty
k*lled him, too.

I had nothing
to do with it!

It was all Frank's doing!

You crummy liar.

He's just trying
to save his own neck.

I've been waiting
seven years, Frank.

Waiting just
to cut you down for good.

Handing him over to the law
would have done it, Abbey.

No, Slim.

He's too smart.

He made me a part of it.

The law would take me, too.

Poor Billy
didn't know that.

He was trying
to help me.

He was about
to send me to prison.

I wish you'd have
told me this.

I'm sorry.
I couldn't.

Slim, you deserve somebody
better than me.

Few moments ago, you--
you felt different.

Abbey:
It was just a way
to get you away.

Shut up, all of you!

I'm only interested
in one thing.

Now, seemingly,
we can't beat it out of you,

but I'm willing to bet that
you will tell me nevertheless.

Briegel, give me
that knife of yours.

I want to show Miss O'Neill
some fancy carving.

All right.

Good work, Jess.

No, no!

I'll tell you--
I'll tell.

Where do we go
from here?

The Nugget will do
for a start.

I need a six-g*n.

All right, Miss O'Neill,
keep talking.

They're in my bag.

Stop stalling!
We looked there.

Now, come on!
Where are they?

Hold there!

Go on, Jess,
I'm all right.

Cover the door.

Come on, where are--

Slim.

Don't sh**t.

Where's Slim?

Inside.

Watch him, Mort.

[ footsteps approaching ]

Mort's taking care of Mannus
and the others.

Don't worry, Abbey.
We got a good doc.

He's not that good...

The plates, Slim.
Billy's got them.

Hey, forget them,
they'll keep.

I should have forgotten you.
I couldn't.

I didn't want
to cheat you, Slim.

I had to do this.

Sure, sure.

First thing's first.

That slug you got
was meant for me.

I want it back, Abbey.

This is something of yours...

I'm gonna keep.

Oh, Abbey.

Slim, Mort was wondering
about those plates.

Well, she...

she said that
Billy had them.

Thanks, Slim.

You ready to go home,
partner?

You think Daisy and Mike

would have a former
saloon keeper around?

What they don't know
won't hurt 'em.

ANNOUNCER:
Produced in association

with the
NBC Television Network.