04x04 - Shadow of the Past

[bunniefuu]

MOSE: Morning, Slim!

Wow. [ chuckles ]
What happened to you?

Nothing happened to me.

I got cleaned up for the company
meeting in Cheyenne.

Well,
I see you got room for me.

Got nothing else but.

Well, thanks, Mike.

MOSE: Morning, Miss Daisy!

Good morning, Mose.
Take good care
of Slim now.

I sure will, ma'am.

Pretty as he is,
I wouldn't think
of messing him up.

JESS: So long, pard.
Hey, Mose, you let me know

if they'd put him in jail
in Cheyenne for being
all duded up.

I'll come bail him out.

Don't tell me that
they deputized you again.

Yeah.
Sheriff called me
in a weak moment

when he was taking
that prisoner to Cedar Bend.I darn near forget.

Here's a billy-do for you.

Nice looking young lady
gave it to me at the depot.

You two stop gossiping
and start driving this thing.

What did she look like,
Mose?Well, now let me--

Mose!

[ chuckles ]

I reckon you'll have
to find out for yourself, Jess.

I've got a restless dude
riding with me this morning.

So long.

Hyah!

Hyah! Hai!

What is it?

It's from Francie,
from my sister Francie.

But, Jess,
you told me...

I know, Daisy.

But it's her handwriting.

Whoever wrote this letter
is waiting for me in town.

Daisy...

Francie's been
dead for 4 years.

Fred.

Yeah?

Mose said a woman
gave him this letter for me.

Have you seen her?

Not in the last
few minutes, Jess,

but she's still around here,
that's for sure.

Just a good thing
you got back.

What do you mean?

Oh, that woman,

she's causing
all kinds of trouble.

Trying to get her husband
buried in our graveyard.

Her husband?

Yeah.

Ben McKittrick, the g*nman.

Some folks is
over at Mr. Elbee's

right now
arguing with her.

Be there myself only
I've got to get this shipment

ready for the next stage.

Thanks, Fred.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

But, why, this could
ruin my business.

There are towns that
don't care, Mrs. McKittrick.

Why don't you go to them?

I'm still gonna wait.

Jess Harper
can't do you any good, lady.

He's working
for the people of Laramie.

He feels the same as we do,
take my word for him.

I'll do my own talking.

I'm sure glad you
got here, Jess.

We got us a real problem.

You got to set
this woman straight,

tell her we don't take
in g*nman dead or alive.

We don't want
to be hard, Jess,

but we've got loved ones
to think about.

You see, Jess,
it's like this...

I thought you were dead.

Jess, I'm so sorry.

I didn't even know

where you were
till the other day.

We'll talk it out later.

The important thing is
that you're here.

Jess...

I've got to tell you
something.

Wait.

This is my sister.

JESS: Francie.

From what I hear...

you don't want her to bury
her husband in Laramie,

is that right?

Well, yes, Jess.
But...

do you know who her husband is--
uh, uh, was?

I know who he was.

And if my sister married him,
he's worth burying here
or anyplace else.

Now just a minute, Jess.
I can't help but feel sorry
for any woman

who's lost her husband,
no matter what he was.

But my Jim is
in the graveyard

and I don't feel right
about having Ben McKittrick

laid to rest nearby.

She's right now, Jess.

And there are lots of folks
that feel the same way.

I'm flat against it

and I've got
to protect my business.

We'd have folks
coming from all over

just to see his headstone,

strangers walking over
our own families.

Have you all had your say?

I'm glad I heard it.

I reckon one day you'll be
putting me in Boot Hill.

I guess I won't quite
make the one here in Laramie.

I've had to use a g*n
a few times

for the law or otherwise.

Now, Jess,
we don't mean you.

What makes me any different
than Ben McKittrick?

A man's dead,
Mr. Elbee, dead!

And I'm gonna see
he gets buried

whether you like it or not.

Jess...

It's all right, Francie.

Move over.

We're going
to the sheriff's office,

get this done
according to the law.

Now, Jess,
don't go doing something

you're gonna be sorry for.

Sheriff Cory--

I'm sorry already.

Sorry you people can go on
hating a man who's dead.

Why'd you think
I was dead, Jess?

I got a letter from a friend
of mine at Galveston.

He said he saw your name
in the paper,

was listed among the dead.

Some kind of sickness.

It was diphtheria.

And I wrote the sheriff there
three or four times

before I found out that...

all those that had died
were buried in the bay.

And I couldn't even go
visit your grave.

Jess, I'm so sorry.

I really was sick.

Ben got me
out of Galveston...

he nursed me,

took care of me
night and day.

I guess I loved him
right from the start.

Well, seems to me you got
to let your little brother know

what was happening to you.

And just how did you
expect me to do that?

That little brother
of mine's

been gallivanting
all over creation

since he was 16 years old.

Yeah,
you're Francie, all right.

Here I am caught
in a cookie jar again.

That's true, you never
were much of a hand to write.

Even if you had been,
we got out of Galveston so fast

we didn't stop to think
about mail or anything else.

We didn't even
take our belongings.

How'd you find me now?

I saw Laramie newspaper,

somebody had
left in a stagecoach...

and your name
and your picture in it.

Oh, yeah, I remember.

They made me
put on a white shirt

and a tie for that.

It was another time

I was filling
in for the sheriff.

Made me
awful proud to see that.

Did you come to Laramie
right away?

Yeah, we were...

we're just leaving
Leavenworth,

then we changed
our plans and came here.

You and McKittrick?

Mm-hmm.

Well, I better
get the facts.

Leavenworth, huh?

Yeah, he...

served 3 years there
and I waited for him.

Then when he got out,

we bought a wagon,
we started west.

I know it's hard
to talk about, Francie,

but we got to.

No, I know it.

It's not that,
Jess, it's just...

Go on,
you were gonna say.

I was gonna say
he got sick and died

right outside of Cheyenne.

But don't put that town,

not yet, now that
you know the truth.

I can't lie to you, Jess.

I had to lie
to those people out there

and I had to do
just what I've done

because it's the only thing
that's gonna save us.

What's this about,
Francie?

Ben's not dead.

He's hurt
but he's alive.

He's waiting for me
in a trapper's cabin.

He's been shot.

What's in that coffin?

Just some sacks
full of sand.

See it's the only way
I could do it,

some men are after him

and they won't let him
lay down his g*n.

They never will
until they think

Ben McKittrick is dead.

And you figured by burying
that coffin they would?

Was it his idea?

No, it was mine.

He can't even move.

He didn't want me to do it,

but I just couldn't face this
for the rest of my life.

I just wanted a grave for him
with his name on it

so that Ben McKittrick,
the g*nman, will be dead

and all this
hunting would stop.

I can see now it's...

it's not gonna work.

It's asking too much.

I'll just go back and face it
the way he wants me to.

I better get back to him.

Now wait a minute.

If he's hurt,
we'll be bring him back here.

If anybody's after him,
I'll handle 'em.

No,
it's not your problem--

Don't talk like that,
Francie, please.

You got as much
right to a peaceful life

as anybody does.

So does McKittrick
if he squared things.

It just seems to me
you went about it the wrong way

even though you thought
it was a good idea.

[ knocking on door ]

Excuse me, Jess.

I hated to bother you but...

well, there is something
that just has to be said.

Seems to me
you and the others

spoke your minds
pretty clear.

Yes, and I'm sorry.

We talked it over again

and they all asked me
to come over

and tell you that
they were just plain wrong.

Now it can't be unsaid

but we would be
happy to be of service

to you
and your sister and--

and her husband.

Thank you, Mr. Elbee,
and the others too.

I was hoping
you'd see it that way.

We'll talk about it later,
huh?

Anytime, Jess, anytime.

Thank you.

See,
they're good people,

but like me they make
mistakes sometimes.

I had some pretty
crazy ideas myself.

Maybe, maybe not.

Let's just say
we did bury that coffin,

and put a marker up
with McKittrick's name on it,

what's to stop them
from digging it up someday?

I guess I never even
thought that far ahead.

Oh, no.

It's those men,
Jess, the Keefers.

Know I'm here now.

You stay out of sight.

Let me handle it.

Listen, they're K*llers,
Jess, be careful.

Don't you worry.

Nothing's gonna
happen to me

when you and I get a chance
to have a nice long talk.

Something
I can do for you?

Oh, I reckon so, deputy.

We're looking for a party
named Ben McKittrick.

You're a little late.

He's dead.

That's what we heard.

We'll claim the body then,
for the bounty.

Well, I don't know.

This poster
looks a little old.

If there is a price on his head,
his wife gets it.

She brought him in, not you.

Oh?

Did she put that
.44 slug in him?

Whole town of Red Rock
will bear witness

that we shot it out
with McKittrick 4 days ago.

Let me see that, Jess.

Sorry about this, ma'am.

It is an old poster.

Ben went to Leavenworth
on that charge.

They changed it
to manslaughter at the trial.

We wouldn't know about that.

You can find out about it
easy enough, by telegraph.

And you can wait
for an answer,

but I doubt
if it'll do you any good.

Well,
now just a minute there, deputy.

Now could be the lady's
right about that bounty,

we don't aim to push for
something we ain't entitled to.

That's good, mister.

But...

that brings it down to something
a little more personal.

You see our name's Keefer.

I'm Frank.

This is Carl.

That's Will.

There was a nut
by the name of Tony.

McKittrick k*lled him.

So?

So?

Begging your pardon,
ma'am.

We just kind of like
to view the remains.

You see it'd set us to rest
knowing the hunt was finished.

Now you can understand
a thing like that,

now can't you, deputy?

I reckon.

But I also know,
to view the remains,

you have to have
the next of kin's permission.

No.

You got your answer.

Come on, Francie.

I don't like it.

She's got the law
on her side.

Yeah.

And it's three of us.

Let's find out
what they're hiding.

We will.

We'll let them
make the move first.

That deputy...

he's running kind of scared.

Why don't we set
a spell, hmm?

Looks like they're gonna
try and wait us out.

Why don't you just let me
try and get out of town

without them seeing me?

Oh, they'd just trail you
wherever you went.

I think
there's a better way.

How?

We're gonna
bury Ben McKittrick,

out in the country
somewhere

under a nice big tree.

They'd still follow us.

Mm-mmm.

Not if they're in jail,
they won't.

Mr. Keefer,

Mrs. McKittrick and I
are gonna bury her husband

outside of town,
it'll be better that way.

Folks around here
got a bad feeling

about having a g*nman
buried in their graveyard.

Well, maybe
we'll just ride along

and help you
and the little lady out.

Seeing a reason
why we shouldn't, deputy?

Don't try it!

Get their g*ns, Ed.

Oh, you won't be
riding with us,

'cause you're gonna be
sitting in jail, inside.

On what charge?

Suspicion.

Of what?

You name it.
m*rder maybe.

Four of you
gunned McKittrick,

m*rder's a good possibility.

Now wait a minute.

Sheriff at Red Rock
will tell you what happened.

If and when he does,
I'll turn you loose.

Inside.

Move!

You know, you and me's
got something to settle, deputy.

I'll be glad
to accommodate you,

but don't count
on the same kind of head start.

Listen, you--

Save it, Will.

You're making trouble
for yourself, deputy.

Kind you might
not get over it.

How long you figure
you can keep us in here?

Depends on
what the sheriff

in Red Rock says
in his telegram.

When he gonna send it?

When the telegraph operator
gets back from supper.

Oh, when that will be?

Hard to tell.

He eats a lot.

Thanks.

You better get some rest.

Oh, I wouldn't sleep.

The cabin's not
very far from here.

How bad is he hurt?

He's lost
quite a bit of blood.

It's hard to tell with Ben,
he doesn't complain very much.

That b*llet...

hit him in the side
right on the ribs

and went clear through.

All he said was
he was lucky

they didn't stop
to take time to aim.

A wound like that can
flatten a man good.

He must be pretty strong.

He is.

I think
you're gonna like him.

[ horse neighing ]

Behind the wagon
and stay down.

Oh...

Francie?

Ben.

Ben.

Is this Jess?

Yeah.

Glad to know you.

Get him.

Why didn't you stay put?

I was worried
about you, honey.

Bad idea...

I should never
have let you do it.

You sure got
a stubborn sister.

We got to get you
to a doctor fast.

Ah, I just don't
want to move fast

anywhere for a while.

All the men ride
quick now.

You two get me
buried all right?

What's the matter, honey?

It'll keep.

No, it won't.

Jess?

The Keefers showed up,

they want
to look in your coffin.

It's all right!

I've got them in jail.

Makes no difference, Jess.

They get out.

Keefers don't think
any more k*lling

than some folks do eating.

I'll worry about them
tomorrow, right now--

No,
it's my problem, I got...

We got to get him
to the ranch.

Help me get him
in the wagon.

Francie.

It's all right, Ben.

Just get some rest now.

Thanks, doc.

I'll see you
when you get back.

Jess.

Morning, Ed.

Prisoners give you
any trouble last night?

No.

I got supper for them
from the diner.

They sure eat a lot.

I put the bill
on the sheriff's desk.

All right, thanks.

Hey, a couple of telegrams
came in for you.

Yeah?

One from Fort Leavenworth,

says McKittrick
served his time all right,

ain't wanted anywhere
as far as they know.

What about the sheriff
in Red Rock?

What did he say?

No, the Keefers
ain't wanted either.

Guess that gunfight
was a fair one.

Yeah, I'll bet it was,
four against one.

Remind me never
to go to Red Rock.

Jess, they ain't
leaving town until they--

Yeah, I know
they're not, Ed.

Just let me handle it
my way, huh?

Thanks for your help.

Outside.

You can load your g*ns
on your way out of town.

We got no hard feelings
about you locking us up, deputy.

Chow was good.

Lunch was comfortable.

I'm real glad.

Now do you mind telling us
where you buried Ben McKittrick?

Yeah, I mind.

I don't figure
it's any of your business

where my deceased
relatives are buried.

Oh.

His widow is my sister.

Well, that's too bad.

Of course,
that don't change things none.

We won't believe
McKittrick's dead

till we see his body.

And we won't be
leaving town

till you tell us
where to find it.

See you around, deputy.

Yeah, I know, but how long
do you say it would take?

Well, there's no way
of telling that, Ben.

It just depends on
how fast you heal.

Well, in that case I...

Oh...

You keep that up

and it's gonna take you twice
as long to get up.

I'm worried about
your brother, Francie.

Those Keefers, they--

Don't worry about Jess,
Mr. McKittrick.

He can take care of himself
pretty good.

I'm sure about
that, Mike, but...

Well Francie, if they find
out where I am,

they're likely to come here.

There's you,
Mike, Mrs. Cooper.

I talked to the doctor

and nobody's going
to tell 'em where you are.

Now you just get some rest.

I'm gonna fix you
something to eat.

Come on.

You see?

Lock's busted.

Look here.

Here, look at this.

Did you ever see
such a mess?

Eh, kerosene
all over it, it's ruined,

it's a complete loss.

When did this happen,
Mr. Jones?

Well, some time today.

It wasn't like this,
this morning.

Jess.

Better come over
to the livery.

Somebody stole a saddle
and some gear.

I'll be back
as soon as I can.

You know for a small town,

this place sure does
keep that deputy busy.

You really think
this is gonna do it, pal?

I think you'll get the idea.

We'll bee-sting him
into making the move.

Uh...

you, gentlemen, mind
if I ask you something?

You go right ahead.

How long are you
planning to stay?

Well, now how do you figure
that's any business of yours?

CARL:
Easy now, Will.

Man wants answers,
not questions.

I guess no secret

we're trying
to get some information.

Plan to stay here
till we get it.

There's another saloon right
across the street, you know?

It's a nice, clean place.

We like it here.

What the man
is trying to say is,

Will, is he thinks
we're bad for business.

Is that right?

That's right.

Huh.

Why is that?

Well, now you men
figure on getting

into a g*n fight
sooner or later.

At least that's
what everybody thinks.

And they just want to be
somewhere else

when it happens.

Far as I know,
the only shots been fired

since we come here
was by that deputy.

In fact, well, we don't mean
anybody any harm whatever.

Of course now...

self-defense is
something else again.

I mean,
if we get shot at.

We're just liable
to start sh**ting back.

Yeah.

You know,
we're getting low on money.

We might have
to go back to work.

Nah.

Another day or two,

they'll be taking up
a collection for us.

How much do you suppose

we ought to collect
to leave this town?

I ain't leaving
till I see McKittrick dead.

Will boy, what happened
to your sense of humor?

It won't be long now, Will.

That deputy is getting
pretty close to the edge.

Another push or two
and we go right on over.

You know...

he sure does have a dirty mirror
in this whiskey mill.

I swear, Jess,
I don't know how it happened.

I went back to the barn
where I keep the hearse

to polish up the brass
and there she was,

red paint on her
from one end to the other!

I got a rag
and I started wiping it off

and before
I knew that I was...

well, look.

I can see, Mr. Elbee.

Was your barn locked?

Oh, yes.

Why, that's a valuable
piece of equipment.

The lock was smashed.

You should see her.

Now what if I get
a hurry-up call for a funeral?

Can you imagine it?

A red hearse.

JESS:
No, sir, I can't.

Why don't
we face up to it?

I'll give you odds,

it's those three
in my saloon right now.

Sure, it's them.

They stole my saddle

and that gear
just to spite you, Jess.

Who else would have
ruined by grain shed?

They didn't steal anything.

No, just plain vandalism.

Jess, I hope you have
in your mind

to do something about this.

I'd like to, Mr. Elbee.

Can you identify them

as the ones that
broke into your barn?

Well, no, but who else
could have done it?

What about you, Ed?

Did you see 'em
steal your saddle?

Well, of course not,
they're too smart.

I suppose you didn't see
anything either.

Well, no, but...
but I still think they did it.

Well, thinking isn't enough
to lock 'em up on.

Well, then,
just get 'em out of my saloon.

Are they makin' trouble?

Well, it's a good a name
for as anything I can think of.

Hasn't been a customer
near since they sat down.

As long as they pay,

there is nothing
I can do about it.

Now listen all of you.

If you can get a witness
to make a positive
identification,

I'll lock 'em up.

Otherwise?

Otherwise nothing.

Jess, you know you can
do this town a big favor.

Up to now
we've all been hurt a little

and business is bad.

But it could get worse,
a lot worse.

We're not trying to force you
into anything, Jess.

We just want
a peaceful town.

The women folks won't let
the kids out on the street.

Listen, Jess,
why don't you show 'em

what they want to see
and then they'll go?

[ c*ck g*n ]

Let's go.

This was on the barn.

The place is a mess.

You let me know
if you see 'em.

"Gone to stretch our legs.

Tell the deputy
we'll be back.

Signed, the Keefers."

Well, we ought
to get a little action

for too long now.

Buy you boys a drink?

MOSE: Jess.

Hey, Jess.

Got any messages
for Miss Daisy?

Jess!

Well,
what happened to you?

I fell down, Mose.

Fell down what,
Pikes Peak?

Very funny, Mose.

Very funny.

Maybe it was them
three Keefer brothers, huh?

I said I fell down.

Ain't you got a stage
going out this morning?

Yeah.

I stopped to find out

if you had any messages
for Miss Daisy.

Or for Slim,
he got back from his trip.

No.

You sure about that, huh?

Sure, I'm sure.

Mose, do me a favor?

Sure.

Don't say anything
about me falling down.

I get enough kidding as it is
about having two left feet.

Whatever you say, Jess.

Where are they?

I don't know, but they said
they'd be back, Jess.

They still in town?

I don't think so.

Any of you know
where they are?

They left a message.

They said they weren't gonna
have anything to do with you

'cause they didn't want
to have to sh**t you.

Go on.

Well, they said that
you could leave the information

they wanted with me,
or with anybody else here.

They'd pick it up
when they come back

and be on their way.

When do you
expect them back?

They said around 12:00.

Thanks.

Jess.

There's three of them.

Ed's right.

You loan me a g*n

and I'll stand up with you
if you want.

Only, well, you better
take me up on it quick

before my knees
start buckling.

Thank you, Mr. Elbee.

I appreciate that very much.

But I can't let you do it.

Jess, we were hoping
you'd see things our way

and do what those gunmen
want you to do but...

well, since you got
personal reasons

for not doing it,

we want you to know,
we're on your side anyway.

This whole town
knows you too much

for everybody to go hide
when you got trouble.

Yeah.

Tell us what you
want us to do, Jess,

and we'll do our...

or we'll try anyway.

I'm mighty
grateful to you all.

Hearing that makes me
feel about 9 feet tall.

Big enough to take care
of the Keefers anyway.

But I want you
to stay out of it.

This is my personal problem,
not yours.

It's not
the law's problem either.

Mose,
you're driving so fast.

You're here
half an hour early.

Something the matter?

Slim didn't get back
on the west-bound

this morning
by any chance, did he?

No, he didn't.

DAISY: What is it?

Mose, tell us.

Well, Jess gave me
strict orders not to say.

He got banged up last night.

Oh, he said he fell down.

Didn't look like that to me.

Is he hurt bad?

Mose, tell us
everything you know.

Well, yesterday there was
all kinds of trouble in town.

Folks thought that
the Keefers was behind it.

Now as per Jess...

You reckon the Keefers
beat up on Jess?

Who are you, mister?

My name is Ben McKittrick.

And I'd be obliged
if you'd answer my question.

Well, I think so, yeah.

He wasn't shot though
as far as I could see.

Jess worked over good.

The Keefers had been
wondering all along

if you was really dead.

I guess they had reason to.

Looks that way, doesn't it?

Yeah.

Ben?

Ben,
you're not healed yet.

Look, if...

if Jess gets
k*lled on my account,

do you think I could live
with myself or with you?

I don't know what to think.

I'll be in much better shape
if I ride to town a buckboard.

You start getting it ready

and I'll be right
out to help you.

I'll drive you.

No!Yes.

Francie!

Don't you worry
about Jess, son.

He's not gonna be
in this thing long.

[ windows rattling ]

Anything doing out there?

Yeah, he's still sitting
on that saloon porch.

He's the only one in sight.

All right,
take your spots.

All right.

[ wagon approaching ]

That's McKittrick
coming down the street!

Ben.
Look out!

[ g*nshots ]

Well,
it's sure not easy to leave.

You don't have to, Ben.

Plenty of farmland
around here

for you and Francie
to settle in.

Yeah, I know, but...

Francie's got her heart
set on the West Coast,
and I do too.

I think it's better
for both of us

to get as far away
from my troubles as we can.

Up to you.

You could still
do what the people
around here want you to--

change your name,
we'll put up a headstone.

Outside of a few people
who wouldn't say anything,
nobody'd know.

Well, it sure was
nice of 'em to offer.

But I'm Ben McKittrick
and I'm gonna stay that way.

Trouble comes,
I'll meet on its own terms.

You know something, Jess?

I think you'd do
the same thing in my place.

Thank you, Daisy.

Slim.

Bye-bye, Mike.

Bye, Francie.Bye, Francie.

You probably won't ever write,
but would you come and see us?

Well, now I don't know.

This place might fall apart
without me here to run it.

Francie, you can have him
anytime you want him.

Now too soon?

No,
I think I'm gonna wait

and he can come
visit his nephew,

maybe even his niece.

I'll tell you one thing,

if you're gonna
make me an uncle,

you're not gonna do it
by standing around here.

Let's go, Ben.

So long, Jess.

So long, Ben.

Let's go.

ANNOUNCER:
Produced in association

with the
NBC Television Network.