03x09 - Luke

[bunniefuu]

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[Luke chopping wood]

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Like holdin' a deuce free hole card, ain't it?

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That g*n belt you keep itchin' to get your hands on..

...why don't you just step on over there and do just that?

Yeah.

Me bein' found dead with a g*n in my hand

makes you a bigger man, that it?

I ain't long on talk, Luke, you can be dyin'

with that axe in your hand, if that's the way you want.

You've given me no reason to what's behind this, mister.

I want you to hide, boy.

I want it tied and snugged off and delivered for cash

on the barrelhead.

Wait a minute, if you're a bounty hunter

don't make sense for you to g*n me down

for a couple of hundred dollars.

Oh, you forgettin' about that $5000 in gold on your head

in that bank back in Las Mesas.

Yeah, that money, that money was put up by a man named Stillman

who wanted to hurt me no matter what it'd cost him.

- But Stillman's dead. - Yeah, he's dead alright.

But his $5000 sure ain't.

It's just been sittin' in that bank in Las Mesas.

Nobody paying much attention to it 'til now.

You don't expect a bank to--

I don't expect it, I know it.

Five thousand dollars in gold

to be paid on one Luke Macahan

dead or alive.

'And it don't matter what Luke done, it could be'

for spittin' on a sidewalk.

But the money was put up and the money's collectible

as they say.

[g*nshots]

[dramatic music]

You're even better than they said.

Who's they?

The ones that will be comin' after you.

You mean, other bounty hunters?

I don't know who they'd be.

The word's out, boy.

Luke Macahan is a walking gold mine.

[instrumental music]

Luke.

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I heard the shootin', Luke.

What happened?

Bounty hunter.

Tried to k*ll me.

Bounty hunter?

Josh, let's-let's put his body in the wagon.

And do me a favor, will ya?

Take him into town for me.

Tell the sheriff, I'll, I'll be in later

to answer any questions.

What are you gonna do?

I'll head back to the ranch.

I gotta do some thinkin' on how this..

...this feller came after me.

I'll get the wagon.

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It's funny, it's...like a ghost

comin' out of your past.

This reward money comin' to light now.

It's not fair, Luke.

A man that hated you put that price on your head.

Except, Jessie, I do have a legal poster hangin' over me

for $200 in connection

with jail breakin'.

And if somebody wants to make an addition to that reward

they can do it?

Afraid they can.

I talked to Sheriff Burke

said he'll be needing a statement from ya.

I better go in to town.

I'll fix you a plate, Josh.

Sheriff said somethin' else, Luke.

Sheriff Burke thinks you ought to turn yourself in.

Turn himself in?

Well, the sheriff never bothered you before.

And he knew your name was on a wanted poster.

The way Mr. Brooke put it, there'll be a lot of g*ns

oiled up for a shot at that reward money.

Just thinks you'll be safer in jail.

Nonsense, I think of much safer places

for Luke to hide out.

- What about right here at home? - No.

It's not what I wanna have happening, Aunt Molly.

Other people comin' out here to the Macahan Ranch

ready to use a g*n.

Somebody in this family might get hurt.

[instrumental music]

Maybe that is the answer.

- Turn myself in. - Luke!

I gotta see to things.

[instrumental music]

Easy, my boy.

Luke, let's just step down

that alley to our room.

We'll buy you a drink, have a little chat.

Let's go.

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Well, it's not exactly furnished

for entertainin', Luke.

But the powers at be have been

questionin' our budget lately.

- Budget? - All in good time. Sit down.

Make you feel better?

And who the devil are ya?

Our names aren't important.

But the proposition we're gonna offer you is.

We want you to work for us.

Work for ya?

There's a $5000 reward on your head, Luke

it's only a matter of time before someone

buries you to get it.

But you work for us..

...week, month or two maybe..

...that bounty's gonna be lifted off your head.

We'll hand you the proof

who k*lled Judge Renson down

in New Mexico.

Poster's off your head, you sleep nice, right?

You know who k*lled Renson?

Yeah, we have this contact in Las Mesas.

Knows all the stories and is willin' to meet with us.

And we'll set up that meeting.

But only if we get 100%

cooperation from you.

We're federal lawmen if that's what's botherin' you.

But beyond that, my boy, don't ask any questions

because you won't be getting any answers.

Now, let me get this straight..

...you're lawmen.

You have a way of finding out who k*lled Renson

but you won't do it unless I work for ya?

We're somewhat lacking in ethics

but the job's a thing, my boy.

Us gettin' it done.

Look, I'm not your boy.

Now, maybe you ought to tell me what I'm supposed to do

for you, so we can shorten this meeting.

Luke..

...I don't think that we have

to be friends just to engage

in a little horse tradin' here.

Now, simply put..

...your name has suddenly become well known in the south-west..

...because of that large reward on your head.

So, you'd be accepted by the criminal element.

Specially along the Mexican border.

Where they move back and forth, just a whole lot easier

than we'd like.

Gotten to be where there are several hundred square miles

along that Texas-New Mexico border where it ain't worth

a lawman's life to show his face.

You want me to go down to the border

and pose as an outlaw?

Oh, you won't be posing.

You are an outlaw.

At least in the New Mexico territory.

Now, you're between the devil and the deep blue.

You don't cooperate with us, why, the lawman don't get you

the bounty hunter will.

Yeah, you're in the proverbial corner, Luke.

'But it's not without it's dividends.'

When this job is over, you'll be a free man.

No bounty on your head. No posters.

And your family, think about your family.

Not just you free but the Macahan name cleared.

'At least you won't have bounty hunters on your back.'

Wait!

[crickets chirping]

I-I gotta think these things over.

I don't know if I can trust the likes of you two.

We don't trust each other, why should you?

Now, if you do leave town tonight

don't tell your family it's anything more than just

scooting out before the bounty hunters arrive.

Play the game, Luke.

You're a loser.

Start acting like one.

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We'll be in touch.

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Luke.

How'd it go with the sheriff?

Uh, I didn't see the sheriff.

I don't think I'm goin' to either.

At least not until I..

...I can get off by myself and think things over.

Any idea where you may be headin'?

I don't know.

Just drift, I guess.

But you be sure to tell Aunt Molly and the girls

not to worry, alright?

I'll do that.

Just wish there was some way I could help ya.

Well, just knowin' that..

...you're back there looking out for our women folks

is big enough help.

You take care, huh?

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[band music]

[Agnes] 'But surely that would be considered slightly'

on the dishonest side.

If you'll forgive me.

On the dishonest side?

Ma'am in the horse trading business, it's often as not as

who skins who first.

Now, in my time I bought my share of doctored horses.

With the cowlick and lame

showin' up on the second or third day.

So, I will not apologize

'for pursuin' that old policy'

'of "Caveat emptor"'

let the "Buyer beware."

[laughing]

Eh, uh, wouldn't you say so, mister, uh..

- Guthrie. - 'Guthrie.'

No, I don't think you being cheated gives you the right

to turn around and cheat the next man.

Bravo.

That's a young man with noble thoughts.

[chuckling] I'm not noble, believe me.

But I've been sittin' for the last hour listenin' to you

talk about you gettin' rich in the horse trading business

by getting the best of other people.

So, I guess that gives me the right, like the lady here

to disagree with you.

From experience, I could assure you that a daily doctrine

of "Honesty is the best policy" lead you straight

to the poor house.

That's also a lot of nonsense.

I agree with our handsome young man here.

Although, I must confess to always agreeing

with handsome young men.

We're slowin' down. Why are we slowin' down?

Oh, there's people on the road.

'It looks so strange, like they got something over their faces.'

There's nothing strange about road bandits.

- Bandits? - Road bandits?

- Forget it. - Now, your armed.

There's only two of them.

Yeah, and there may be more

up in them trees up there.

You wanna see this stage get riddled by b*ll*ts

with these ladies inside?

[male #1] 'Hold up.'

'Hold it.'

No one's gonna get hurt.

Alright, that's it, folks.

Just keep it quiet and nobody's

gonna get put out too much.

[birds chirping]

Now, let's get one thing straight, you hear?

I want you to put everything you got in this here hat.

Now, if I got to search anyone and I found out

he's holdin' out on me, why, the buzzards

will be peckin' on your eyeballs.

That's a disgusting thing to say.

What?

I can see someone's need

for money driving him into

a criminal activity.

But there's no excuse for vulgarity.

None whatsoever.

You first.

Now, ma'am, it's your turn to contribute.

No.

What?

I'm not going to hand

my money over to you.

Neither should you hand yours over.

- Now, listen, old lady. - Old lady?

My students address me as Ms. Agnes.

And you may do the same, if there's any reason

for you to address me at all.

Alright, you!

You're quite right, Ms. Agnes

I'm not gonna hand my money over either.

Mister, I'm gettin' in the mood

to sh**t somebody's head off

that give me any more mouth.

I-I forgot about the pouch. I forgot.

What do you aim to forget about?

Forty dollars. Right front pocket.

That's all you got?

I got four bits change.

Oh, come on, the watch ain't worth nothin' to me.

'It's just a gift from a friend of mine.'

"Luke Ma.."

[dramatic music]

Alright, you keep the stage here, ten minutes.

Then you folks can move on your way.

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Now, y'all enjoy your trip, you hear?

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'Look, now, that horse is lame.'

Somehow, I don't see those road bandits

as being very efficient.

Well, they're efficient enough

to find the $500 in gold

that I carried, that's a total

total profit of my whole trip.

- From selling sick animals? - Now, listen, ma'am, I don't--

The sooner we get started, sooner we get the law

on the trail of those two buckos.

Now, grab your g*n so we can get on.

[dramatic music]

[male #2] 'Yeah, I'm tellin' you the truth, I've 30 years'

'dealing with horses and I don't make no mistakes'

'about telling one horse from another.'

'That horse had a white stripe down his head'

and he was lame in the left forelock and I knew that.

I've seen that as soon as that road bandit

rode away from the stage.

Sheriff, you mean, this is the only horse

in this whole county with a lame left leg?

I just don't accept that kinda coincidence, mister.

Sheriff, I demand that this man be searched.

[Alan] 'Hold on, sheriff.'

Common sense says that no road bandit

comes into the same town the stage is headin' for.

Why, he goes in a different direction.

Except, if that horse was as lame as it was.

And then you'd have to come in town to get yourself

another one, just like you're doin'.

Where are you from, son?

I don't know what that has to do with anything, sheriff.

Let's take a look at what you got in your pockets.

Yeah, yeah, thi-this man.

He had, he had a watch taken away from him.

You might find that on him too.

Just a minute now.

I-I think is all silly.

Brother Alan and me came in by way of Rock Creek, east of here.

Not to the north where the stage was held up.

Now, sheriff..

...I still charge this man with bein' that road bandit.

Young fella, are you objectin' to our searchin' ya?

Sheriff, I only object as any honest man

would object to being humiliated.

I think I can settle this, sheriff.

Them two bandits, the one that was about the same size

this man, here, well, I was staring him

right square in the eye when he was taking my money.

You mean, this fellow looks like the same man?

Well, I was hopin' he was so as I could get

my money and watch back except, well..

The bandit, he, he was about this close.

And he had blue eyes.

Not brown like this man here.

Seems to me that I-I can say that this isn't

the same man myself.

Why, the stage holder man, he had

a, a southern way of talkin'.

Are you satisfied, you're wrong now?

Why, I still don't see the harm in you turnin' out your pockets.

Mister, you say one more word accusing me a thief

and I'm callin' you out. And I got the right, ain't I, sheriff?

We're havin' no gunplay in my town.

Hold your temper, Alan. The man made a mistake, is all.

[instrumental music]

Tie your horse to the back of the coach, mister?

Uh, no, I think I'll be stayin' around here

for a day or two.

Son?

I'm not sure I understand why you're lying.

But I'm going to trust my instincts and wish you luck.

Lyin'?

I looked into that bandit's eyes too.

Brown, like yours.

Although, not nearly as charming, I might add.

[both laughing]

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There you go, Ms. Agnes.

- Thank you. - Take care.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

Total cash, a bit over 700, Florrie.

I'm not too sure, we should stay in this town overnight.

[knocking on door]

- Who is it? - 'It's not the law.'

What can we do for you?

Well, you wanna hear what I have to say with this door wide open?

No. Come on in.

Kinda had a hunch we'd be seein' you again, mister.

[Alan] 'I ask, what can we do for you?'

Well, you can start by giving me back my money and my watch.

What kind of proof do you have?

Don't be stupid, Alan.

Forty dollars.

Come on, the watch.

"To Luke Macahan."

Interestin' name.

Worth, last time I heard, $5000?

Yeah, I guess I should've left this back at the ranch.

Why did you lie for us, Macahan?

I could just see myself gettin' thrown in jail with you two.

The sheriff comin' up with this here watch

and seein' my name on it.

That's right, your own scheme was at stake too

now, weren't it?

I never thought of that.

I'm Florrie. My brother, Alan.

No hard feelings. I guess we still kind of owe you, Luke.

Now, I don't know your plans but, uh, if I were you two

I wouldn't stick around this town much longer.

In case that sheriff might wanna come back

and ask some more questions.

Yeah, we were talking about leaving tonight. Heading south.

Where are you headin', Luke?

South too, I guess.

[chuckles] Doesn't much matter.

Well..

Ooh, uh, if I were you.

I'd steer away from stage hold-ups

until I learned to act a lot tougher.

Specially to old ladies.

[instrumental music]

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You sure you don't wanna go home, Florrie?

Be nobody lookin' for you there.

Just give my love to ma and tell her that..

...I think of home a lot.

[instrumental music]

Go!

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[dramatic music]

Move, you're dead.

Uh, yeah, except I gotta hot coffee pot in my hand.

So, put it down, you darn fool.

Oh, yeah.

Why, Florrie!

How come that money on your head

wasn't collected a long time ago, Macahan?

Smell your cookin' fire, two miles in every direction.

Even a two-bit horse thief has sense enough not to advertise.

You want some coffee?

Well, I'll be.

You saw us down there on those flats?

Al and me?

Saw him leave. Figured me headin' this way.

Smellin' your cookin'.

- Guilty as charged. - Why?

Ooh, goin' south too. Same direction as you.

Gets lonesome.

Bringin' my horse in.

Keep that coffee hot.

[crickets chirping]

[water flowing]

[Florrie] Yup, you two are same alright.

My brother Alan and you.

Got everything goin' for you.

Good looks, some skill

passable common sense.

- Thanks for the compliment. - It wasn't a compliment.

You're a jackass, same as that brother of mine.

Why does any man hanker to be outside the law

when he can have more than he'll ever need inside of it?

What about yourself?

You're a good lookin' woman.

Smart as a whip from what I've seen so far.

You could've stopped after the word woman.

Oh, I said somethin' wrong along in there?

A woman, anywhere west of Missouri

from the time she's weaned

she sees men herdin' cattle

openin' stores in town, ownin' banks.

Men runnin' the world!

Jobs for women only in farms or, or in kitchens.

Havin' a baby once a year.

Or workin' in brothels.

[chuckles]

[snorts] The funny part is that..

Not the funny part.

The sad part of it all is

a half of all the children growin' up..

...no one to turn to except your husband.

I don't see the harm in that

the husband doin' the providin'.

I called you a jackass before, Macahan.

It doesn't half describe what you are.

You weren't even listenin' to me.

You expect men to apologize for actin' like men?

Now from the time a girl's eight years old

she's makin' eyes at the boys.

Makin' him think that the most wonderful thing on Earth

is anybody runnin' around in a dress.

You don't agree with that?

Agree with what?

Most wonderful thing on Earth..

...isn't maybe somebody wearin' a dress?

Look, I grew up with two sisters.

I ain't exactly hornswoggled by no gal runnin' around

in bloomers and petticoats.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

[thunder rumbling]

Well, I hope that storm blows over.

I don't think it will.

Brings us back to the fact

of men not being exactly

the brainiest creatures on Earth.

There's a way station about an hour's ride to the south of here

where we could be sleepin' under a dry roof tonight

instead on soggy ground.

[Luke smirks]

You won't get an argument from me on that.

[instrumental music]

[thunder rumbling]

[cow mooing]

Well, there's the best I got.

Two bits for the night.

Two bits a piece, that is.

Ain't you got nothin' up in the station house?

Not unless you want my wife put out.

Have to charge you a whole dollar if you want her bed.

She gets kind of riled when she has to sleep with me.

Yeah, well, we don't wanna rile your missus.

Well, I guess we'll have to take it.

Oh...I find my cow milked for breakfast

have to charge ya.

Happens more often than not.

[thunder rumbling]

[rain splattering]

We'll have to remember not to milk the cow.

[instrumental music]

Florrie..

...how did you ever end up outside the law?

Not exactly the kind of business most women get into.

Didn't choose it for myself.

Might say that my...husband did.

You're married?

Was. A while back.

'Sixteen, seemed a good idea.'

Find a husband real early.

Get away from farmin'.

Ben...was his name.

Always had money.

Nice clothes.

Way about him in treatin' a girl, you know?

Month or two and I found out that good old Ben

was pretty good at holdin' up freight officers.

Sometimes even banks.

Got down to a point of me either leavin' him

or bein' a part of what he was doin'.

You actually had a hand at holdin' up a bank?

Not even 17.

Just a dumb farm girl holdin' the horses.

Anyway..

...he was k*lled less than a year after we married.

Shot down the Hay City Street.

And you?

Hmm.

Put out posters on..

...Mrs. Florrie Thomson.

Needed money and..

...found us stayin' outside the law.

Florrie, do you, do you ever think of..

[thunder rumbling]

...travellin' to other parts

startin' new all over again?

Mr. Macahan, you got real bad ears.

You didn't hear me spillin' out

the ways a woman can make a livin'?

Besides, I need a lot more money to get by on now.

I need money for, well..

[instrumental music]

[smirks] Yeah.

I guess nobody outside the law

ever finds much peace.

[thunder rumbling]

[sighs] Goodnight, Florrie.

[sighs]

Goodnight.

[horse neighing]

[horses galloping]

[male #3] 'Whoa! Whoa, whoa.'

Where is she? In the station house?

Who is she?

Yeah. Yeah, she's inside havin' breakfast.

How'd you know?

We haven't got long to talk, Luke. What's her name?

Ah, Ruth, uh.. I don't know her last name.

She's Florrie Thomson.

That's the last time you play any games with us.

Now, you just listen to me, mister.

I didn't like you when I met you

and I don't like you a damn bit better now.

So stop leanin' on me, alright?

Easy, Luke.

You're doin' just fine.

That was a nice move you made back in that town.

Gettin' Florrie's brother off the hotspot.

You figure it as a way to work up a friendship

with the road bandits?

Yeah.

Somethin' like that, I guess.

Now, Florrie owin' you is a good start.

Talkin' about starts..

What's the end here?

What am I supposed to be doin' for you?

You headin' down to Adobe Town with her?

I don't know where she's headin'.

We're goin' south together.

Adobe Town's a good bet, I think.

Alright.

We'll be in a little place west of the Adobe Town

called El Meson.

You need an excuse to ride over that way.

Just say there's some friend you wanna visit.

And incidentally, Luke

I hope you're not triflin' with Florrie's affections.

Way we hear it, she's not only got a humdinger of a temper

but she's one hell of a r*fle shot too.

[sighs]

Well..

...I got me a load of questions to ask you two.

'Save the questions for El Meson, Luke.'

You can pay us a visit when you get down that way.

[clearing throat]

Friends of yours?

No, uh, we were just talkin' about the storm last night.

Station attendant's wife have very strong ideas about you.

Such as?

Want to know if you're gonna make a honest woman out of me.

What'd you say?

I said, you didn't snore, fidget or throw your feet around so..

...might just work out.

[instrumental music]

I'd say fair odds.

That boy won't ever be ridin' back this way.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[Florrie] Never said who she was.

[Luke] Who you talkin' about?

Inscription on the watch.

"With love from Hillary."

Oh, yeah, Hillary.

She was just a friend of mine.

How friendly a friend?

You know, for a recent acquaintance you sure ask

a lot of questions.

An acquaintance? Me?

After sharin' the same bed all night?

[dramatic music]

Miss Florrie, glad to see you back.

Just saw a man hangin' from a tree.

What's goin' on, Slim?

Tomas rode in last night.

Recognized him as the feller out of Kansas prison.

Got time off for dealin' with the law.

Couldn't you have just voted to send him on his way?

Can't hold no talkers myself.

[birds chirping]

[chickens clucking]

Been a long time, Florrie.

[Jose] Florrie, it's good to see you.

Oh, you're as beautiful as ever.

[laughing]

Luke Macahan here.

'Jose.'

Tomas.

'Uh, just.. I'll leave the rest till you get to know him.'

All in all, it was dusty comin' in

I guess Luke will have a beer.

Just make mine a soda pop you got.

Of course.

The Luke Macahan?

If you want to put it that way.

I'm talkin' about the back-sh**ting Luke Macahan.

'The one who k*lled the judge over in Las Mesas.'

Except I didn't k*ll that judge.

You say.

Mister, before you open up that loose mouth again

you better figure I'm not in the habit

of lettin' people call me a liar.

I thought I knew all your friends, Florrie.

Might just say it was an overnight thing, Tomas.

See, we had to share a way station bed

in last night's storm.

Well, easier travellin' as man and wife

when the law might be snoopin' around.

I still say, I thought I knew all your friends.

Why don't you get to what's on your mind?

I better introduce you two all over again.

Luke, Tomas is a good g*n hand.

Only thing he rightly brags about.

'Tomas, Luke here is no slouch at handlin' a g*n either.'

Point bein', it might pay you two to get along.

[dramatic music]

[birds chirping]

Luke.

Let me be the first to welcome you.

Batlin.

[music continues]

That one..

I'd be glad to bury him in Anthill.

They're wanted below the border

for buyin' Mexican children

and sellin' 'em to the Apaches as sl*ves.

Yeah, I figured they weren't too welcome here.

Hmm.

So many smilin' faces.

What you doin' around here, Batlin?

My boys is thirsty.

Maybe a little hospitality first.

Stay in them horses!

Someday..

...you and me, hmm, Tomas?

Anytime.

Here and now?

Someday.

We come in here to see if anybody's interested

in 10,000 in gold.

I can use two or three more hands.

Be an even split.

More or less.

The Apaches' paying in gold now?

The gold's in the bank.

And we're gonna be in the bank, Sunday mornin'.

While the whole town's in church.

What town are you talkin' about?

Serena.

Now, this is business, you don't have to love me.

Quick money.

Anybody around here want in on this?

No takers.

[dramatic music]

Everybody here that fussy about who they ride with?

It's 10,000 in gold.

Might say we got friends in Serena.

[instrumental music]

Hey, Macahan.

Where you headed?

Well, the El Meson to see a friend of mine.

[laughing]

[men laughing]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Excuse me, miss, uh--

[speaking in foreign language]

Why you take so long to come see Luisa?

[speaking in foreign language]

He's an old friend, you have to understand.

Come on. Don't be shy with me, come on.

Whoa.

Why're you being so shy, come on?

[speaking in foreign language]

Hey, you listen, miss--

[speaking in foreign language]

Oh.

Florrie tell you why she went down to Adobe Town?

No, she didn't.

Why don't you try tellin' us the truth, my boy?

Look, I'm gonna tell you again, mister

I'm not your boy.

She never even hinted to me why she came down here.

Anybody suspicious on why you were ridin' in with her?

Well, Florrie vouched for me and that seemed to settle it.

Well, that's good.

Now, Luke..

...your job really begins at this point.

We know very little about these parts.

Very little except that the outlaws

that operate along the border are damned efficient.

They seem to know exactly when gold shipments are bein' moved

'and what stagecoaches are worth hittin'.'

Seems to be some guidin' hand in this parts.

We're interested in findin' out

who's settin' up these robberies.

Oh..

Oh, yeah, and I'm supposed to be the one who finds out

about this guidin' hand, huh?

We'll just settle for eyes and ears open.

And nobody questions romantic interests.

So I want you to drop by this way

at least once a week and talk to Luisa.

Then we'll chat.

You know, I'm gonna tell you guys somethin'.

I'm gettin' to like this job less and less as I go along.

You ain't supposed to like it.

Now, we hear Florrie makes a lot of trips

back and forth across the border when she's down here.

Maybe she's sellin' stolen goods.

We're interested in findin' out who her contact is in Mexico.

So why don't you just follow her, huh?

No, we're whiskey drummers along this border.

Wouldn't do for us to get caught

puttin' our nose in where it's not wanted.

Luisa.

Don't press it, Luke.

Just let it flow to ya.

You're a man with poster problems..

...just interested in stayin' alive from one day to the next.

[dramatic music]

Take care of yourself, Luke.

What're you doin', sneakin' around, followin' me?

I ain't sneakin' around followin' you.

I'm ahead of ya.

You know what I mean.

Saw you were headin' towards the Rio

and I thought you'd be interested in knowin'

that somebody is followin' ya.

Tomas.

- You knew? - Well, I can guess.

He didn't believe that you went to over to El Meson.

Not after I rode out an hour after you did.

Thinks I'm meetin' with ya.

Looks like he was right.

You and your..

...friend..

...have a pleasant time of it over there?

[sighs]

Would you believe me if I told you

that I have a strictly friendly relationship

with somebody over there?

No.

Oh.

Alright.

So what are you gonna do about him followin' you, huh?

Start backtrackin' at the Rio, I guess.

Well, there is..

[g*n c*ck]

...an easy way.

Hey, Tomas is a friend of mine.

A really good friend.

I wouldn't wanna see him hurt.

I've no intention of hurtin' him.

Except maybe his feelings a little.

Go on, I'll catch up to ya.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t echoing]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[horse galloping]

[sighs]

It's an old trick my Uncle Zeb taught me.

You see, you drive your tracker to cover

and you make sure he doesn't hear you ride off.

Now, it'll be an hour or two before he figures

he can show his face

and a couple more before he gets his horse.

If he gets it at all.

Now, Tomas might have the idea it was me doin' the shootin'.

Well, then, uh, you just tell him

that a bushwhacker was throwin' ledge your way

and you just managed to ride off.

Where ya headin' right now, Luke?

Eh, Adobe Town, I guess.

I got some things to take care of to the south.

Keep me company.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chattering]

Gracias, Paulo.

Somebody I got to meet here for an hour or two.

Uh, if you wanna wait, there's a cantina down the street.

Alright.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[sighs]

She's yours.

Doesn't even know I'm her mother.

Just thinks I'm some nice lady who comes to the orphanage

and plays with her.

[music continues]

Why is that, Florrie?

Why did you let me come along and find out

that you had a child?

Why trust me that much?

I'm not sure.

Oh, maybe I'm tired of always bein' alone.

Not willin' to trust anybody.

Or maybe I see you as, uh..

...somebody I can talk to.

I think that's important to all of us, Luke.

To have somebody we can talk to.

I don't..

...really think you should trust anybody that much.

Somehow I don't find you just..

...anybody.

You really don't know me.

Maybe you remind me of somebody I used to know

a long, long time ago.

I was never really in love with my husband, Luke.

Oh, sure, I was taken with him. I mean..

He was handsome as all get out.

But the first time..

...and the only, that I-I really fell in love

I was about...nine years old.

Boy lived on a nearby farm.

I can't describe the feelin' I used to have just..

...just layin' eyes on that boy.

Watchin' the road where he come walkin' home from school.

Books under his arms and kickin' the stones.

Funny how you get drawn to a person.

Find somethin' missing when he isn't around.

I guess, I sound like I'm nine years old

talkin' at you like this.

[Luke] 'No.'

Sound like a real grown up lady.

[instrumental music]

A very nice lady.

I'm glad we met, Luke.

Real glad.

By the way..

...Sheriff Gruner in Serena..

...likes to meet all new faces down this way.

You can say you're Luke Macahan.

We got a meet in the mind so to speak

about all these levelin' with each other.

Well, now, wait a minute.

You sayin' I have to tell the sheriff..

...who I really am?

Just make it a private talk, is all.

There's an old wagon trail to the east.

Follow it through the canyons.

Oughta be gettin' into Serena by about dark.

You said you had friends in Serena.

Friends like the sheriff?

That's why you turned Batlin down

in robbin' the Serena bank.

Luke Macahan, you sure do ask enough questions..

...for a recent acquaintance.

[instrumental music]

Got a set of rules.

Live by 'em, you and me, and we'll both be happy.

Are we at one mind there, boy?

Both of us bein' happy suits me.

Well, I have a badge that covers about 200 square miles

along the border.

If anything happens, that I don't like

on that pad of dirt..

...it has the tendency to make me very, very unhappy.

And you can damn well bet the man makin' it happen..

...is gonna be a sorry sight when the day of reckonin' comes.

Ah, where did you meet up with Florrie?

I managed to do her a good turn up north ways and..

...well, I was just driftin' and

we come down here together.

You look like a boy who'd be content

not to rub the cat's fur the wrong way.

Where're you stayin' tonight?

Hotel, I figure.

Leaving for Adobe Town first light.

Well, that's wrong.

No, come first light you're gonna be

on a hotel balcony with me.

You know a man named Batlin?

Yeah..

We.. We met in a way.

Well, you're not tellin' tales out of school.

See, I happen to know that he's been lookin'

at our bank for some time now.

Come tomorrow morning, he gonna come ridin' in here.

And we're gonna be waitin' for him.

Be a turkey sh**t.

- Turkey sh**t? - 'Yeah.'

If you know he's gonna come ridin' in here

why should there be any shootin' at all?

Be simple enough to capture him, wouldn't it?

Well, naturally, we're gonna try to avoid

any unnecessary gunplay.

That trouble over in Las Mesas..

Why did you g*n that judge down?

I don't think I like your line of questionin' here.

Well, I'll, ah..

I'll see you in the mornin', early.

Gonna make you part of our welcoming committee.

Why include me?

[Gruner] Why not?

Why should you object bein' on the side of law enforcement?

Might pay a dividend someday.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Looks like there's only three of 'em.

No problem.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[door thuds]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

What's goin' on?

What's the matter, boy?

That's plain m*rder.

[Gruner] Is it now?

I call it a pleasurable morning's work.

A little while ago I was feelin' bad.

But now I feel fine.

Just fine.

[instrumental music]

[Gruner] We knew they were comin'.

I knew they was comin', they comin' in the mornin'

this morning and, and I was, out there on that porch there.

Don't you move, mister.

Don't even twitch.

I'm not gonna do either.

Sheriff!

- Excuse me, gentlemen. - Got him, sheriff.

I'm capturin' Luke Macahan.

Claimin' the bounty on his head.

Hey, I got me $5000 reward here.

That's what about Las Mesas's payin' for this fella.

It's where I seen him, recognized his face from Mesas.

Is that your name, young fella? Luke Macahan?

Yeah, that's it.

Don't forget it's me, sheriff, what captured him.

Did it all by myself too.

Jake Pollard.

Now, mind that name, sheriff.

So you can tell them just where to send that check to.

I'll be waitin' right here for it too.

Come on. Come on.

Sheriff..

...you mind if I ask you a question?

Well, I'd rather not.

Because I suspect it might've somethin'

to do with my integrity.

Why, whatever would make you think that?

What's the next move?

Well, I'm gonna send a wire over to Las Mesas

and tell 'em to come and get you.

And bring that $5,000 reward.

You're gonna get a cut of that money, aren't you?

You got to have more faith in your fellow man, Luke.

Which reminds me this is Sunday.

Now, you entitled to go to evenin' services.

If you have a mind to.

If you're preachin'..

...I might consider it.

[instrumental music]

That, uh, that paper there is over a week old.

You can see there's not much there.

Except the..

Kid of yours gettin' himself arrested for that bounty on him.

Now, in the Serena jail.

Zeb, you mind me askin'..

...is there any truth to it he was mixed up

in the k*lling of that judge?

No truth in it at all, Charlie.

Seems like somebody's out to get the boy though

no matter what he does.

Appreciate you pointin' that out to me though.

I'm gonna be headin' down that way.

Well, drop by again, we'll have some coffee, Zeb.

Maybe we'll put a little sweetener in it.

Be lookin' forward to it.

[instrumental music]

Well, sir, it gives me pleasure to hand over that bounty money.

- What's this? - That's a bank draft.

Is it good?

[Gruner] 'It's good.'

Buy you a drink?

No, thanks.

Buy everybody a drink.

Yeah, as soon as the bank pays out real money for this here..

...bank draft.

I'll see you back in Las Mesas, Luke.

[chuckles]

Come on, come on.

Thanks, for the hospitality, sheriff.

No, don't be bitter, son.

Now, we'll all be prayin'

that the judge shows you Christian mercy

and don't hang ya.

[whistles] Let's go!

Come on.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Hey.

Old man, get that cart out of the road.

The wheel, senor.

She's off.

I can see that.

Give that bull a lick.

Drag it out of the road so we can get by.

Chihuahua.

This is a stubborn one.

The wheel must turn.

Or he sleeps.

[instrumental music]

[speaking in foreign language]

Come on, get up here, give em' a hand.

- Alright, let's, ah.. - Senores..

...it would be better if you help put the wheel on, no?

Then the carrito will move easily.

Alright, you two lift up the cart.

I'll slip the wheel on.

Give me a hand with this wheel first. Let's go.

That's it, get the cart.

I got the wheel.

Alright.

[instrumental music]

[g*nsh*t]

Keep, headin' north.

Get.

I won't be expectin' any favors in return.

You still got one comin' from me.

Tomas had a horse shot away from the canyon.

'Thinks you might have had something to do with it.'

[Jake] Now look at this.

That's the easiest money I ever earned, Luke.

Luke, Jake Pollard.

We sent for a strange face to pull this off.

Even voted you a share in your own reward, partner.

I bet it feels good, Luke.

No more $5,000 bounty on your head.

[Luke] Yeah, not sure what size reward that

marshal at Las Mesas

and his deputies are puttin' on me considering..

...they'd be ridin' into Las Mesas..

...in their own prison van.

Does it set well with you..

...gettin' that big reward off your head?

It's another charge against me.

My g*ng showin' up and breaking me free of the law.

Except for the law.

You could be doin' a lot less lookin' over your shoulder.

No?

[instrumental music]

Yeah, it's a way to look at it, I guess.

[horses galloping]

[instrumental music]

[knocking on door]

[music continues]

Florrie.

Got word about my brother Alan a while ago.

He's dead.

'They shot him.'

He was running from a freight officer

with $8 in his hand.

Florrie.

Luke, they k*lled him for $8.

Come here.

[sighs]

Hold me, Luke.

Hold me tight, please.

[instrumental music]

- You want some advice? - Mm.

Your daughter..

Take her and head out of here.

[music continues]

There's nothing more important in this whole world, Florrie

but you and her.

Come with me, Luke.

Will you?

The two of us and my little girl.

Life, together.

Sweet, sweet, life.

[music continues]

I can't.

[music continues]

[music continues]

They voted the shares and the reward money.

I have ours in my saddle bag.

Doesn't seem very important now, does it?

[music continues]

[music continues]

I'm sorry, Florrie..

...about what happened to your brother.

Florrie.

I don't want you to feel you're, uh..

...you're, you're ever alone.

I-I mean, uh..

I would do anything for you, Florrie.

Anything.

Yes, I know that.

[sighs]

Did you hear from Las Mesas yet?

Well, it wasn't the towns people

that put up the reward money for Macahan.

So ain't nobody gonna lose any sleep over it.

Still maybe Las Mesas would feel better if they, uh..

...knew where to find Luke Macahan.

I take it you and that boy weren't exactly friends.

More than me and him not hittin' it off.

He don't fit. Somethin' about him.

Yeah, I know what you're sayin'.

Yeah, I felt it too, but I can't put my finger on it.

Even the first night he came here, he went over to El Meson.

I mean, even with him and Florrie bein', uh..

...maybe more than friends.

That don't figure, does it?

What girl is he seeing at El Meson?

I don't know.

Well, let's ride over and find out.

[screams]

They sell whiskey is all I know.

No, that is wrong, lady.

That's all we know.

'Now, what did those men and Luke Macahan talk about?'

They closed the door, I could not hear anything.

You didn't say why you were supposed to act so friendly

to Luke Macahan when he came over here.

They only pay me.

Now, they closed the door

but you were in the other room, weren't ya?

And you didn't put your little ear next to the door

and listen just a little bit?

Now, you know you did, Luisa.

Now, let's take it back to the first time

you met these whisky drummers.

And anytime your story don't sound quite right..

...I'm gonna let ya know.

[instrumental music]

I had to tell them that you were government policemen

and that Luke Macahan comes here to see only you.

Well, that does it.

Win some, lose some.

It's all that rooster at Adobe town needed.

You'll be able to hold Sunday school there tonight.

When Gruner left here, he was headed south.

Do you know where to?

He goes into Mexico

to disappear for a long while.

He said this to Tomas.

Well, what do you know?

'Maybe you pulled this off after all.'

Pulled what off?

Now you haven't told us a damn thing yet.

But you obviously scared Gruner into high-tailin' it.

'He probably thinks that you've been givin' us'

'facts and figures by the hour.'

Well, I can give you one fact.

He's a butcher.

[Luke] 'In my opinion, that's the guidin' hand'

'you were lookin' for.'

You think Gruner is scared enough to do a little talkin'

to save his own hide?

He'll talk. Let's go.

Oh, uh..

By the way, about that Judge Renson business..

...we actually thought we had a good contact.

What?

He disappeared on us, my boy.

Sorry.

Now, wait a minute.

You got me to do this job on the promise

that you could prove who k*lled Renson.

And that I'd be free.

I'll bet you two never even had a contact in Las Mesas.

Did ya?

We're a pinch above being that dishonest.

[dramatic music]

We meant well, Luke.

Besides, you don't have that $5000 reward

on your head anymore.

Always best to look on the bright side.

[music continues]

What about you?

'You're gonna be alright if'

'Gruner and Tomas come back here?

They will not come to harm me.

They understand..

...that one does

certain things for money.

[instrumental music]

There is something that you should know.

The one called Tomas.

I heard him say that he will be waiting for you

on the north trail.

And he will k*ll you.

[dramatic music]

[g*nshots]

[g*nf*re continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[whispers] Florrie.

[screams] You miserable--

Florrie, give me a chance to talk, will ya?

Rear end of a turned up desert toad, that's you Luke--

Now, listen to me!

I got caught in the middle of things.

You got caught?

Last night, I'm in your arms offerin' myself

and you got caught?

I never took advantage of the situation.

I trusted you.

We all trusted you.

Florrie, I never told those lawmen anything

they didn't already know.

In fact, that's why I went to El Meson

to tell 'em I couldn't work for 'em anymore.

You're full of lies, Luke.

No, I'm not.

Maybe that's my trouble too.

Lyin' just doesn't come easy to me.

[scoffs] I don't believe what I'm hearin'.

Luke Macahan doesn't lie, huh?

Look, it's the way I got to feel about you.

That's what made up my mind not to go on with it anymore.

[instrumental music]

Oh, leave me alone.

Florrie..

Luke.

No!

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

Looks like our old friend, Tomas.

Luke.

[grunts]

Florrie.

[groans]

Florrie, what is it?

What is it?

Oh, no, Florrie.

Come on, there's a doc in Serena.

No, they'll jail you.

- Come on, I don't care. - Oh, no.

You'll just be bringing a body in.

Please just, just hold me.

[instrumental music]

[panting]

[groans]

Just hold me.

In my, in my..

...in my saddlebags..

[breathing heavily]

...our share, our share

of the reward money.

[groans]

Honest money.

Reward for you.

You see my little girl gets my share.

She'll have all of it.

All.. All..

I never tried, I never tried to k*ll you.

I really never tried, Luke.

I cared.

I cared for you too much.

[instrumental music]

Like that little boy I was tellin' you about..

When you have that close warm feeling..

...you get drawn to a person you know.

Well..

I got to feelin', I got to feelin' the same way about you.

Somethin' missin'

from that day when, day when you weren't in it.

[groans]

Oh, Luke.

It's not fair..

...leavin'..

It's not, it's not fair

leaving you like..

[groans]

Oh, Florrie.

[rocks pounding]

[sighs]

You've never even had any feelings for her, Luke.

You used her.

'That's all you did, use her.'

I know it was my g*n..

...but you k*lled her.

Florrie is dead. Neither of us wanted that.

Let it end here.

No, it can't end here.

There's nobody left in Adobe town.

Even Gruner had to turn in his badge, headin' to Mexico.

I had nothin' to do with that.

Except in a way you did

just by bein' here.

I'm gonna say it again.

Let it end here with nobody to blame.

Then again..

[instrumental music]

...it's gonna be up to you, isn't it?

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

Father, I'm hoping there's enough to see

that Florrie's little girl could be raised

by the mission orphanage.

I can't accept this money, my son.

You can't?

Well, uh..

...I must know where it came from.

[indistinct chatter]

Father, I can tell you this.

That money was to be used to take a life.

Mine.

Now it can be used to give life..

...to Florrie's child.

[instrumental music]

We'll see that it is used in her behalf.

Thank you, father.

Uncle Zeb.

Gracias.

What are you doin' here?

Luke, I might ask you the same thing, boy.

From what I hear, I expected to see you runnin' for your life

but, uh, this doesn't look--

It's a long story, Uncle Zeb.

I'll tell it to ya on the way back.

Alright, one thing I'd like to find out before we start though.

I went through a town back here a ways called, uh, Serena.

'And they were talkin' about you bringin' a man in there.'

A Tomas, had a b*llet in his shoulder.

b*llet you put there.

Well, that's nothin' that I wanted to happen.

See, this Tomas had his mind made up

that one of us was gonna get buried.

I'm glad he was wrong.

[music continues]

I understand.

I've had that happened a time or two myself.

Let's get home.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]