04x10 - Bad Blood

[bunniefuu]

Driver, you said the Sherman
way station wasn't much further.

She's getting worse.

Look, son,
if you keep stopping me,
we'll never get there.

It's just over the ridge.
Do the best you can.

The way they keep stopping,
she must be pretty bad off.

Maybe we better
go down there

and find out what we got
to know before it's too late.

Risk losing that 5,000?
Not a chance.

She's just as anxious
to get to him as we are.

And this is one bounty
we're gonna collect.

Come on, boy.

Your ma not only saved my life,
she saved my hands and my feet.

I'd been wandering around
in that blizzard for 5 days

before she found me.

I don't remember you.

Ah, you were too young,
Skip.

Annie was just
taking care of you.

She was keeping the fire
burning in that little cabin

and nursing me
back to health.

Now when she needs me, there...
there's nothing I can do.

Well, couldn't we be
getting a doctor sooner?

The stage will get to
town just as fast as we could.

If the doc's there,
the driver will send him up.

She's quieted down now, Jess,
she'd like to talk to you.

Skip, your mother would like
some things out of the luggage.

Will you help me
find them?

Annie.

Jess.

Just rest easy now.

I feel like such a fool.

When I wrote you, I was sure
I could make the trip

without falling apart
this way.

Boy said you've been sick
for a long time.

You must have wanted
to get out here awful bad.

Skip's father is out here.

Even though we've been
separated 10 years,

he's got to provide for the boy
now that I can't.

You were taking
the boy to him?

You know the McCall Ranch?

No.

It's about 40 miles
north of Butte Point.

Why didn't your husband
meet you here?

Ted McCall and I are just
barely on speaking terms.

But he promised
to provide for the boy

if I'd take Skip to see him.

Will you help me do that?

You know I will.
I'll do you one better.

You can stay here in bed and
I'll take the boy to him myself.

Oh,
you don't understand.

I have to go,
it's the only way.

All right, you rest for
a few days and then we'll see.

There's no time, Jess.
Tomorrow.

Annie, you know
I'd do anything for you.

I'd walk off a cliff.

I've got to see
this thing done

while there's still time,
please.

If that's the way you want it,
that's the way it'll be.

Thanks.

ANNIE: Skip?

[ gasping ]

Skip?

I can't get my breath.

I'll get somebody.

No, wait.

If anything happens to me--

Don't talk like that, Ma.

Skip, you listen.

If something happens to me,
you're not to go to your father.

Your aunt in Denver,
you go there.

But I want to see Pa.No.

No, you tell Jess
he's not to take you.

You promise?

You hear me?

You're not to go.

Promise?

All right, I promise.

Harper,
you better come quick.

Ma is worse.

Get Daisy.

Mrs. Cooper, it's Ma.

[ rooster crowing ]

Well, it looks like they
just buried our pot of gold.

There's still the kid.

Waste of time.

We might as well
forget about the 5,000

the old man
would have brought us.

We'll never see it.

Quit now,
after what we've been through?

Not on your life.

We've put too much time
and work into this.

We'll stay with the kid
and see where he goes.

Slim said he'd be back
by noon, Daisy.

You tell him what happened.

Slim will understand.

Taking the boy is all you can do
for her now, Jess.

Yeah, I reckon so.

Tiger, do you think you can
take care of things around here

until Slim gets back?

You can count on me, Jess.

Good boy.

About ready to go, Skip?

We're leaving now?

Yeah.

Your ma brought you out here
to take you to your pa.

The sooner we get there,
the better.

It's what your mother
wanted, Skip.

Yes, ma'am.

Bye, Daisy.

Goodbye, Jess.

Bye.

Easy to get rid
of that cowpoke.

Kid's bound to know
what direction they're heading.

Let them get on their way.

The longer we wait, the closer
we'll be to what we want.

Pull up in that clearing,
we'll noon here.

Yeah, okay.

Didn't know
I was so hungry.

Well, we didn't feel much
like eating this morning.

Figure we both needed
something sticking to our ribs.

[ horse neighing ]

Sounds like we might be
having company.

Indians?

No.

Most likely some prospectors
or trappers spotted our fire.

We better save
some coffee.

Still could be Indians.

Maybe you should teach me
how to use a g*n.

That's up to your pa, Skip.

No, I suppose you think I'm not
old enough to handle a g*n.

No such thing.

Learning how to handle
a g*n is not too hard.

But who and what to aim it at,
now that's something else.

Too many men use a g*n
instead of their head.

Whoever it is,
shouldn't he be here by now?

I better take a look-see.

You start cleaning up, huh?

Well, we're getting
pretty close to the camp now.

You come in from the other side
and keep your eyes open.

Did you see anything?

You carrying anything
that might interest two gunmen?

No, not me.

You think they mean us harm?

If a man means you well,
he's got no cause

to come sneaking up on you
with a r*fle.

You think they
want to k*ll us?

Why?
What do they want?

I don't know, Skip.

You, me, our horses,
I don't know.

This doesn't work out right,

I want you to head straight
for your pa's place,
understand me?

You remember
the directions I gave you?

I remember.

With luck, it shouldn't be
more than a two days' ride.

Now it's desert
most of the way.

You better take both canteens,
you're gonna need them.

Where are you going?

I don't like sitting around
here waiting to be dry gulched,

if that's what
they're up to.

Better get those horses
under cover.

You be careful, huh, Jess.

Look, Skip,
you hear any sh**ting,

wait 10 minutes.

If I don't come back,
you take off, stay out of sight.

Now get moving.

What's your hurry, boy?

Who are you?

Me? Why, I'm
a friend of your pa's.

I figured you could
help me find him.

If you're a friend of his,

how come you don't know
where he is?

Don't be figuring on
your friend coming back, boy.

Someone's
taken care of him.

I ain't playing games, kid.

Now where's your pa?

You're not gonna
find out from me.

Now I got no time
to waste on you, boy.

Where is your pa?

Ease off, mister,
ease off.

I'll do that when you tell me
what you're after.

Why were you trailing us?

He wanted to know
where my father is.

There's $5,000 in it.

$2,500 for each of us.

The kid's old man
is an outlaw.

You're a liar.

You ever hear of Leo McCall?

Who hasn't?

That's
the kid's old man.

Looks like you made
a mistake, mister.

That's not his name.

Sure it is.
Leo McCall, the k*ller.

Wanted for
everything in the book

for a dozen years or more.

So that's what Ma meant.

I thought you said
you never saw him before.

We had some old pictures.
That's him.

Reckon from the sh**ting
I heard that my friend
Connolly ain't with us no more.

But you and me,
now we can take McCall

and split the reward money.

You're right about
your friend, mister.

He's down the trail.

And you can bury him
on your way back to Laramie,

but you're wrong about me.

How about my g*n?

You got a long walk.

You don't need
the extra weight.

And if you're figuring

on getting your friend's irons,
forget it.

I threw 'em clear
into the next county.

You think of everything,
don't you, mister?

What I'm thinking
right now

could get you buried
awful quick.

Move!

Now that poster
explains a lot of things
I've been wondering about.

Yeah.

Why Ma left him
in the first place,

and why she told me
not to go to him without her.

When did she tell you that?
Last night?

Yeah.

She was feeling so bad,
I had to promise her.

But wouldn't you want to see
your own pa, Jess?

If you never had
a chance to before?

I reckon I would, Skip.

But I got to do
what Annie wanted.

Now where were you
supposed to go?

To my aunt's in Denver.

Well, if that's the way
your mother wanted it,

that's the way
it's got to be.

I'm going to my pa.

No, you're not.

You heard
what that bounty hunter said.

Your pa is an outlaw.

If he is Leo McCall,
he's the worst kind.

Annie knew that.
She knew she was
gonna die too.

She just wanted
to provide for you,

you weren't gonna
stay with him.

I'm gonna get to him
someday.

Maybe so,
but not by me taking you there.

Mount up.
We're heading for Laramie.

We're going a different way
than when we came.

What we know now, there's
no telling what can happen.

Howdy.

What's your business, mister?

Doing a little prospecting.

Looks like you're putting
something in the ground,

not taking it out.

Look at that, boss.

This is what comes from
telling Annie too much

about where to find us.

A fella carries one of these
around usually has a reason.

Are you prospecting
for a bounty?

Now hold it, mister.

I got something to swap.

Better have more worth
than your hide.

I know where your boy is.

So do we.

We're gonna meet him
and his mother right now.

She's dead.

Last night
at the relay station.

What about the boy?

If I tell you,
you'll let me go?

Well, you tell me.

If you smile hard enough,
I'll think about it.

I saw him over there
less than an hour ago.

He and a cowboy are on their way
back to Laramie right now.

Now wait a minute, mister.

You didn't smile, friend.

It's kind of steep here.
I'll take it first.

Let your horse
pick his own way.

Skip!

Skip!

Don't be a fool, Skip,
ease off.

You better get
some sense, boy.

You're going back
to Laramie with me.

You got no right
to do this.

Oh, no?

Just watch.

Boy, you better get
some sense now.

Now will you hold still
and listen to me, Skip?

Hold it, both of you.

Get his g*ns.

Turn around, slow.

Pa?

That you, Skipper?

Yeah. Yeah, Pa.

Well.

We're not strangers
anymore.

Come on over here, boy.
Let me have a good look at you.

Well, now.

Well, now,
ain't that something?

My own flesh and blood
standing right there
two feet in front of me.

Looks like Annie brought you
along first rate.

She passed on last night.

Yes, I heard that.

And I'm right sorry.

I'll just bet you are.

Now you were saying.

He was looking after me, Pa.
Ma asked him to.

He's got a peculiar idea
of looking after you,

pulling you
out of the saddle.

Turnin' you every
way but loose.

He was only doing
what Ma wanted.

He saved me
from a beating, Pa.

There was a bounty hunter
back there.

Tried to make me
tell him about you.

We ran across that fella,
straightened him out some.

Well, now, my boy here seems to
feel like he owes you something.

Suppose I turn you loose.

You're gonna come back here
and try to pick up

what that bounty hunter
lost out on?

I ain't interested in you,
but I'll be back for the boy.

Uh-huh.

Now why would you do that?

To see he gets a fairer shake
than the one you gave Annie.

It seems to me like
that's up to the boy.

He's just a kid.

When he comes of age,

he can come back on his own
if he wants.

I want to stay now, Pa.

That's where I was headed when
he stopped me, for your place.

You're forgetting what your ma
told you before she died?

He's no good for you
and she knows it.

Wait, Pa!
No, you can't sh**t him.

He's been a good friend.

I wouldn't be here
if it wasn't for Jess.

Well, maybe we can
work something out.

We'll take him back
to the ranch.

Go get the horses.

We'll bed down here
for the night.

See he don't wander off.

Come on, son, there's a few
years you got to catch me up on.

It's time we got
to know each other.

What are you, a born hero?

You could have lied
your way out.

Out of what?

You know he ain't gonna
let me walk out of this alive,

if he can help it.

He can help it.
Move.

Tuck, you know
where to put him.

Move.

Well, what do you think
of it, boy?

It's sure big.

You haven't seen
half of it.

It's just about
as big inside as it is out.

Ah, it's gonna grow
now that you're here.

I need you, boy.

I need to know
this place is gonna keep going

after I'm gone.

Come on. Come on,
I'll show you your room.

I thought I told you
to clear out of here.

I'm leaving, Leo.

I was just
fixing my hair.

I didn't expect you
back so soon.

Oh.

No, Leo,
I'm not dressed.

Leo.

Leo, don't.
You're hurting me.

Now next time
I tell you what to do,

remember how it feels now!

Nice place for a boy
to grow into manhood.

Yes, sir, just like home.

Well, there's one thing
you just learned, Skipper.

You let a woman
get out of line,

they want to
run your life.

Well, I don't want to
trouble anyone.

Where will she sleep?

Where she always did.

There's a room good enough
for her out in the barn.

You can learn everything

there is to learn
about ranching.

Roping, branding,
the works.

And wait till you see the horse
your pa's been saving for you.

Why, he wouldn't
let nobody touch it,

once he knew
you were coming.

Did you really, Pa?Sure, I did.

You're gonna have
a whole string of them.

Nothing too good for you,
boy.

We got plenty of money,
why not enjoy it?

Well, then you don't have to do
what you did before?

What's that?

You know, being wanted.

Your mother told you
about that, did she?

No. She didn't
say anything.

We never talked about you.

She never did understand.

You'd have to know
what it was like

in the west in those days,


There ain't nothing
your pa needs to be ashamed of.

You had to sh**t first
to stay alive,

you took what you needed.

Stole so we could eat,
so for our friends could eat.

Like Robin Hood?

Hmm?You know, Robin Hood.

He never stole from the poor,
only the rich.

Yeah.
Yeah, that's it.

I wasn't the only one
that was doing it either.

I mean, who could count
all the big spreads today

that were started
on stolen cattle?

I knew you couldn't be
like they said.

You had to be tough
to stay alive and I was.

You're gonna be tough, boy.

I bought
these special for you.

You know how to sh**t?

Tried to get Jess
to teach me.

He didn't seem
to want to.

Well, you know
what they say.

A man who's afraid of animals
don't keep dogs.

He's not afraid.

Maybe not,
just stubborn.

Maybe we'll work some of
that stubbornness out of him.

You're not gonna hurt him,
are you, Pa?

You said you wouldn't.

No, not if he doesn't
try to hurt me.

I'd like to take him
a plate of food.

You're all right, boy.

You got loyalty.

I'm glad to see it.

All right,
go on out in the kitchen,
they'll fix a plate.

Don't take that g*n belt
when you go out there.

Pa said he should be fed.

I brought you
something to eat.

I'm glad somebody
is thinking about me.

I figure I owe it to you.

You really
want to do me a favor,

there's something else
you could do.

And what's that?

After everybody
goes to sleep tonight,

you can saddle two horses

and stake them out
behind this shed.

There's no need to do that.

Pa told me
he wouldn't hurt you.

He has to hurt me,
Skip.

It's his way.

That's all past.

He had to do the things
he did then.

He's different now.

He's an honest rancher.

Son, I reckon
you're gonna have to grow up

sooner than your time,
like right now.

Your pa is just
like he always was, a k*ller.

All his life he's robbed,
lied and m*rder*d

for whatever he wanted and it
ain't likely he's changed.

How do you know?

Well, you saw the way
he treated that girl.

Would a decent man
act like that?

She likes him.

She was at the table
with us.

She hates him.

She's got to after the way
he kicked her around.

Why do you think
your mother left him?

All right.
All right.

I'm his son.
Maybe I'm just like him.

I got his blood in me.

Isn't the blood
that makes a man a k*ller.

It's what he wants
and what he does to get it.

Leave me alone.

I don't want to hear talk
against my father.

All right, close your eyes
and your ears.

Shut your mind to it.

A little while, you won't
be able to tell the two
of you apart.

Tucker.

You go tell the kid
it's time for him

to learn to use
that new g*n of his.

I'm sure gonna
break you of that habit.

What habit?

Worrying my boy.

You got a knack
for making him unhappy.

Just how do you figure
on doing it?

By showing him
I'm a better man than you are.

What's the matter,
vittles not good enough?

[ g*nshots ]

Care to stretch your legs?

Work up an appetite?

You got to learn to crawl
before you can walk, son.

If you get
the right kind of teaching,

you'll be able to do this.

I understand
you're against g*ns.

No, I'm not against g*ns,

just some of the people
who use them.

That including Skip?

He's young yet.
No point in rushing him.

Give me some shells.

Now how's a kid supposed to
grow up to be much of a man

if he can't handle a g*n?

Takes more than a g*n
to make a man.

You can always tell the talkers
from the shooters, huh, son?

Make sure
you stay on the target.

Tin cans
make a pretty easy target.

Why don't you try
a silver dollar?

Go ahead.

Hasn't time just about run out
for that saddle tr*mp?

Tonight.

You're loco, Tucker.
You back-sh**t Harper,

the boss will land on you
with both feet.

No, no, not the way
I've got it set up.

When I bring him his breakfast
in the morning,

I'll say he jumped me,
it's as simple as that.

What are you doing
up so late, kid?

Pa said I could bring him
some water,

then I'm heading for bed.

I heard them
trying to k*ll you.

Not my father,
some of his men.

Help! Help!
Guard, he's got me, help!

Where's the other horse?

Don't start that again.

I'm not going.

You saddle him?

No, he was
already saddled.

Somebody
must have come in late.

This horse hasn't
been rode tonight.

It's empty.

Why did you do that?

That's why.

What are you sh**ting at?

There's nobody on that horse.

Funny thing just happened,
McCall.

That horse you staked out for me
went off without a rider.

What are you talking about?

You know
what I'm talking about.

You had it set up so I'd be
picked off trying to escape.

That way he could keep his hands
clean in front of you.

You gonna take the word
of a no-good saddle tr*mp?

I guess...

I lost my temper.

See, he was trying
to come between us,

I couldn't let him
do that.

If he had have been
on that horse, he'd be dead.

Now the same thing
could happen to you

or anybody else
if you'd been on that horse.

My men have standing orders
to cut down anybody

who tries to leave here
at night.

And where would I be
if I didn't?

You said that was all past.

I've got to protect
what's mine.

It's yours and mine, boy.

Well, you saw how those bounty
hunters were tracking
you and your ma.

How long do you think
I'd last if,

if I didn't stay careful?

You promised
he wouldn't get hurt.

I-- I didn't
set that thing up, boy.

Well, then turn him loose.

You're asking me
to swap my life for his.

I turn him loose,
he goes straight for the law.

Maybe I could get his word
he wouldn't.

You want me
to take that kind of a chance?

I'll tell you what I'll do
if it means that much to you.

I don't--
I don't want you thinking

I did something underhanded.

I'll give him a 50-50 chance
to get back to Laramie,

that fair enough?

You understand that waterhole
is 15 miles due west.

Once you reach that,
you've got it made.

You're sure pulling for me,
aren't you, McCall?

You're waiting till high noon
to get me started.

And maybe this will help.

Keep that in your pocket
till you're out of range.

After that, it's up to you
what you do with it.

I wish you luck.

You think your pa
is trusting to luck?

What more can you expect?

He's being
as fair as he can.

You've got a 50-50 chance.

I hate to think it's gonna
take my death to open your eyes.

You ride out there in a day
or so, you're likely to find me.

I doubt
if you'll find a waterhole.

How do you like him,
Skipper?It's fine, Pa.

Good, well, come on
round back now,

it's about time
you had a roping lesson.

They working you hard,
kid?

I don't mind.

I've got a lot to learn.

You got nothing to worry with
your pa being head man here.

Your pa takes good care
of anything he...

he really wants
to have around.

You don't hate him.

Hate him?

Me?

Well, Jess said you did.

Hate's something
I can't afford.

Maybe I get fed up
sometimes.

But there are ways
to forget.

You know,
you get used to living good.

When wine flows like water,
why drink anything else?

I knew Jess was wrong.

Let me tell you something,
sonny.

It's gonna be nice
around here, Skipper,

you and your pa and me.

And you don't have to be
afraid

of that cowpoke friend of yours
giving us away.

You got nothing
to worry about.

What do you mean?

Why, he's never gonna make it
to town, not in a hundred years.

Well, you sound pretty sure
of yourself.

Jess knows his way
around the desert.

And if he finds
that waterhole--If he finds it...

that's what's gonna
stop him.

And he's not gonna be
the first one

to find out
that water is poisoned.

Oh.

What's the matter
with you, kid?

Where are you going?Where do you think?

Oh, come on, Skipper.

It's probably too late now,
I wouldn't have told you.

Kid, you got to get used to
this kind of thing.

Like you have?

Was that Skip?

I don't know
what happened, Leo.

I was talking to him and--

What were you talking about?

I was telling him what a nice pa
you were, Leo, honest.

Well, what did you tell him?

He asked me
about the waterhole.

I didn't think
it mattered, Leo.

You didn't think
it mattered.

Tucker!
Get some horses.

Maybe he didn't find it.

Keep looking.

Hey, Leo!

Look at that.

He's getting water
out of cactus.

[ g*nsh*t ]

All right, move up,
I'll cover you.

Harper?

Why drag it out?

You're not gonna get both of us
with one b*llet.

You might as well use it
on yourself.

Hold your fire.

Keep out of the way!

What are you doing, boy?

I'm giving him a g*n!

You come back here,
you hear?

Your pa talking.

I'm not gonna
let you do this, Pa.

Now you obey me.
I said hold up.

McCall!

You were an easy target,
Skip.

I reckon
he could do most anything,

except sh**t down
his own son.

You knew him
for what he was.

My mother knew him,
now I know him.

Let's go, boy.

Hey, Slim,
dinner's ready.

We better make tracks,
come on.

What's your hurry?

I'm just
now getting cooled off.

Yeah, well,
Daisy wouldn't mind it

if we were late
due to working.

She'll think a lot different
if it's for taking a swim.

Sure wish that Skip could have
stayed with us longer.

He learned to swim
in that school in St. Louis.

Yeah, I know he did,
tiger.

Well, he's off in Denver
going to school now.

Bounty money from McCall
is taking care of his education.

His aunt's seeing to that.

Guess his pa
took care of him after all.

Yeah, I guess he did.

Come on, Slim,
we got to go.

Oh, get out!