01x09 - The Roundup

[bunniefuu]

ANNOUNCER: Previously on

Elkhorn MERRIFIELD: Come fall

we’ll be wrangling cattle from

across the whole range

to sell for winter.

SEWALL: Truth is a local

cattlemen’s association

may just be the thing

that mends up Medora.

MAN: Show of hands

for the new chairman

Theodore Roosevelt.

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

What game are you playing?

Do not be a sore winner.

MEDORA: The roundup

will soon be upon us.

Bad things happen all the time.

PADDOCK: You wanna take

a shot at Roosevelt?

MARQUIS: Roosevelt

is far too prominent.

His men on the other hand.

If some misfortune

were to befall them

ROOSEVELT: Come now Bill, You could

at least pretend to be enthusiastic.

The round-up is everything

we’ve worked for.

We’ll finally test our

mettle on the open range

and prove Elkhorn a

profitable venture to boot.

SEWALL: I’ll be enthusiastic once we’ve

filled our ranks, Mister Roosevelt.

With George falling off that brute

mustang, we’re a man short

we got less than

twelve hours to go.

Have faith.

[MEN CLAMORING]

Throw a rock in this town, and

you’ll hit a sturdy cowboy.

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

Well, he’s got spirit, sure.

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

BETTOR: There you go.

MURPHY: Which

one’a you is next?

Who’s got the sand on ’em?

Aw, c’mon now,

you can’t be serious, four eyes.

C’mon now.

COWBOY SPECTATOR:

Careful there, Murphy.

That’s Theodore Roosevelt.

MURPHY: Careful?

Is he a biter?

He’s an employer.

And a worthy opponent,

I assure you.

Well, I ain’t gonna

hold back on ya.

Better not.

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING] [PUNCH LANDS]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING] [PUNCH LANDS]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[PUNCHES LANDING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING]

[MEN CLAMORING] [PUNCH LANDS]

[MEN CLAMORING]

Murphy, was it?

Elkhorn Ranch could use

a cowboy like yourself.

How’s fair pay for

hard work strike you?

Strikes me just right, I’d say.

[GRUNTING]

[PANTING]

Excuse me for a moment.

[PANTING]

[PANTING]

SEWALL: Knocked the

wind out of you, did he?

No.

It’s the asthma.

I thought you’d near-bested it.

[ROOSEVELT PANTING]

You sure you’re okay to

go through with all this?

Yes,

yes.

It’s passing.

It’s just

the air. It’s-

it’s gone thick.

Aggravates my lungs, but

it’s only temporary.

Means a storm’s coming.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

[THEME MUSIC] ♪

You got a couple men

yourself, as well.

All right gentleman,

it’s time to get to business.

Each man

will draw for his pony.

No, no

Not you, Mister Roosevelt.

And why not?

Well, proprietor always

gets pick of the litter.

Nonsense!

I shall ride the whims of chance

just like the rest of you.

Suit yourself.

Ooh

Ol’ Butler.

[CHUCKLING]

The mustang that

busted up George.

MURPHY: Mister Roosevelt, you

don’t feel like pullin’ leather,

I’ll be happy to ride

that bronc for you.

Cowboy, I know that

you can ride him.

But I want to know

if I can ride him.

We’ll see.

Let’s finish up.

Okay, now, listen up.

We’ve been paired

together with some boys

from Prairie Falcon

and Chimney Butte,

but don’t worry

I’m still captain of this posse.

Now

we got ’round nine-hundred head

to account for ourselves,

they are scattered across a

couple hundred miles

of grazing land.

So, it may take us two to three

weeks to sort those brands.

Once we’re finished, we will

drive that herd on back

to market for sale.

Now, we will have

the chuck wagon

with us during the day.

But at night,

we pair up

and we ride lines

around that herd

to keep ’em together

but more importantly

to keep ’em calm.

To a triumphant round-up!

MERRIFIELD AND THE

COWBOYS: Here here!

And to think, you

said this didn’t

look like cattle country.

It still don’t look it

even if it’s

grown on me just a bit.

Where’s Dow off to?

[SEWALL SIGHS]

Can’t keep a lady waiting.

DOW: Guess I’ll be sleepin’ under

the stars for the next few weeks.

ROSIE: Well, they’re a

pretty great set of stars.

Yeah they are.

Lucky me,

I know someone

who knows them like

the back of their hand.

- Yeah?

- Gave me a proper tour of ’em.

Well, if you get tired of

stale biscuits and beans,

you know you could always

sneak back this

way some evening.

I’ll make sure to it that

you get a proper meal

at a fair price of course.

[ROSIE CHUCKLES]

I like spending time with you.

So do I.

Oh good.

Now

the leaving you part

and walking away?

I don’t like that as much.

You know,

first snow usually comes pretty

quick after the round up. And

this whole place turns

into a ghost town.

Uh

I know We ain’t much

spoke on it, but

were you thinkin’ about

heading back to

Maine for the winter?

The plan was that Uncle

and I were gonna head back,

yeah, but

I don’t know.

I see.

Well

but if I do go

I reckon that

all I’ll be thinking about

is how I can get right

back here in this spot

as fast as I can.

Well

before you go,

if you go

You should probably ask

me to the round up dance.

Because nobody has asked me yet.

And you know, I

might just have to go

find myself a proper date,

I was thinking maybe Joe Ferris

at the general store-

Rosie Maddox,

will you do me the

honor of accompanying me

to this year’s round up dance?

ROSIE: Well,

let me think on it a minute.

All right. Yes, I will.

Great.

[DOOR OPENS]

[ROSIE GASPS]

Miss Medora, I-We-

MEDORA: Rooms 3 and

4 need cleaning.

ROSIE: Yes, I’ll-

be right there.

Good night.

Night.

DOW: Evenin’, Marquise.

This is a mighty wonderful night

we’re having tonight isn’t-

[DOOR SLAMS] isn’t it?

[CATTLE LOWING]

MERRIFIELD: Dow,

take the outside.

Nice and easy boys,

nice and easy.

Hey, hey. Hey.

Hep!

There it is.

SEWALL: Dow! Bring ’em up

over this side, if you can.

Come on, come on.

[GUITAR] ♪

[GUITAR] ♪

[GUITAR] ♪

Wil?

[GUITAR] ♪

Uncle.

You alright?

Yeah, I’m alright.

Uh

Actually

there’s something I’ve

been meaning to ask you.

sh**t.

Well

with you and Aunt Mary

was there a time-

well when did you know that you

wanted to ask her to marry you?

Uh

there are men that

can put words to those things

I ain’t one of them.

I don’t know.

If it’s Maine or Dakota-

the where is starting to

matter a whole lot less

to me than the who.

Figured you were

headed this way.

Uncle,

every time I look at Rosie

I swear-

it feels like home.

After all this

at that dance

I’m gonna ask her for her hand,

and since I ain’t ever done it

I wanted to ask you.

What do you think?

You tell me straight, Uncle.

Well

I think that’s mighty fine.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

Yeah.

All right.

And you’re sure it’ll be

ready in time, Auntie?

MADDOX: Not if you don’t

stop vexin’ me, it won’t.

One more.

All right.

Go on,

give it a twirl.

Woowee! That’ll

turn some heads.

ROSIE: Oh, there’s

only one I care about.

MADDOX: So long as

that boy’s got a pulse,

this’ll do just fine.

There something wrong?

No.

You just look like

your mama is all.

Go on now, hand it over.

I still got some

cross-stitchin’ to do.

- Auntie?

- MADDOX: Uh huh.

I really think I’m

fallin’ for him.

MADDOX: That bad, huh?

- Mm hmm.

When Wilmot looks

at me, it’s like

like there ain’t no one else

in the world for him to see.

And I know it sounds strange but

when I’m with him, it’s like..

It’s like I’m home.

And he feels the same?

Yeah, I think so.

Well, you make sure he

tells you first then.

ROSIE: All right.

And just

MADDOX: Be careful.

That lousy husband of mine,

he weren’t always so lousy.

You just make sure

he’s got you in mind,

your future,

and that you ain’t

just sittin’ pretty

side-saddle to his dreams.

ROSIE: No. He’s not like that.

I know he’s not.

[MADDOX SIGHS]

I hope you’re right, child.

Aw, what do I know.

Don’t listen to this

old maid anyhow.

[CHUCKLING]

[THUNDER RUMBLES] Whoo.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

Bones swole all up.

Gale needs to break already

and be done with it.

Ain’t that how it goes?

Just when things

start lookin’ good

that’s when the storm rolls in.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

MERRIFIELD: I hope you

boys enjoyed your breakfast

but we do have a full day ahead.

Okay? Let’s go ahead

and partner up.

We’re gonna clear the small

valleys out this morning.

Digging the stragglers

out of the gullies

and ravines they’ll

be nappin’ in.

C’mon. Finish up;

let’s get moving.

Let’s get back to it then, Bill.

All ready.

[HORSE WHINNIES] Whoa. Whoa.

SEWALL: Ol’ Butler.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

How’s he riding?

A bit better.

Still a little unpredictable but

add it to the list of problems.

Here’s one more you can add.

MARQUIS: Bonjour,

my dear Roosevelt.

ROOSEVELT: Marquis,

to what do we owe the

pleasure of your company?

MARQUIS: I’ve come to

offer my assistance.

Men, horses

whatever you may require.

Do not be too flattered, now.

I’m offering the

same to every party.

In the spirit of

prosperity.

An efficient round-up

benefits the entire community.

ROOSEVELT: Well your

generosity is appreciated.

But, as you can see, we’re

quite efficient on our own.

There’s much work

left to be done.

So, my dear Marquis- MARQUIS:

Let us ride together, then.

We’ve not spoken since the-

regrettable events

a few weeks back.

I would love the opportunity

to clear the air.

SEWALL: Tell me you’re

not considering this.

If there’s a chance to settle

the bad blood between us,

I very well have

to try, don’t I?

SEWALL: Well

he’ll have you in the open,

helpless and alone.

I’m not helpless, Bill-

I didn’t mean you were helpless-

Plus MARQUIS: Merci.

I don’t think he’s

brazen enough to try

anything in broad daylight.

SEWALL: Tell that to the rancher

he gunned down a year back.

MARQUIS: Come Roosevelt!

While we are still young.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[HORSE WHINNIES]

Woah there! Stubborn thing.

[MARQUIS CHUCKLES]

[DEEP INHALE AND EXHALE]

MARQUIS: Unpleasant air, this.

It’ll be crisp once

the storm passes.

But then the winter

always comes quick.

You have yet to see

a Dakota winter.

They can be

most brutal.

ROOSEVELT: So I’ve heard.

MARQUIS: Last winter, well,

that was mild.

Lost very few cattle.

But this year,

who can say?

Who can ever say, really.

Always at the mercy of

nature.

We must treat every winter

as though it were our last.

As ranchmen, I mean.

That’s why every

rancher ought to make

the best deal he can.

As if it were his last.

I had not intended

for things to escalate

as they did last month.

But I am glad you oversee

the Stockmen now

Someone must.

Is that supposed

to be an apology?

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[c*ck g*n]

Whoa. Easy.

Wound up pretty tight ain’t ya?

Find any strays?

MURPHY: Naw.

No, I’m gonna head south next.

Just stopped by

to get some grub.

You run across Mister Roosevelt?

MURPHY: Nope.

Shoulda been here by now.

You stay put!

I’m sure he’s fine.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

MARQUIS: You’ve come some

way since we first met.

[HORSE BLUSTERS]

I did not expect you would

survive a Badlands summer,

much less the fall.

But you have proven

yourself resilient,

and resilient men like us

must continue to work together.

Will you be returning to

New York in the winter?

I will. [HORSE WHINNIES]

MARQUIS: Your daughter

lives there, does she not?

[LIGHTNING STRIKE]

[HORSE WHINNIES]

Whoa!

[GASP] [GROANING]

Confound it all!

MARQUIS: Are you alright,

Monsieur Roosevelt?

[GROANING]

My shoulder

[GROANING]

MARQUIS: Come now.

You are in no condition

to be out here.

Perhaps you should return

to Elkhorn for some rest.

Don’t be absurd.

Is that your plan all along?

To remove me from the round-up?

Mon ami.

I have no plans here

but to make a profit.

But a lame cowboy has no

place riding in a round-up.

Come, now.

Let me escort you

back to camp

then onward to your ranch,

if you will allow the company.

[STRIKE WITH r*fle BUTT]

[STRIKE WITH r*fle BUTT]

[STRIKE WITH r*fle BUTT]

[DRAGGING SOUNDS]

[CATTLE LOWING]

What happened?

The horse threw me.

Seems we’re still not

seeing eye to eye.

Whole arm broke?

ROOSEVELT: No.

Just the shoulder.

If that.

Well

I’m gonna say it once,

and I mean once ever

you should have

listened to Merrifield.

Alright well,

I’ll take it from here.

We’ve only just begun

Ah, you’ve done plenty

Mister Roosevelt.

One week on the round-up,

it ain’t no small thing.

Very well.

I’ll get my things

and be on my way.

[BIRDS CAWING]

[CATTLE LOWING]

What happened?

Looks like Murphy got

himself into some trouble.

Trampled maybe.

SEWALL: My hat.

Herd could’ve got spooked,

I don’t know. ROOSEVELT: And you

think Murphy got caught up in it?

[BIRD CAWING]

SEWALL: I just left him

I told him to stay put.

It’s okay Bill,

these things happen.

Isn’t that so?

MERRIFIELD: Yes sir, they do.

And they don’t.

Makes sense,

got caught in a stampede,

but

I’ve seen my fair

share of accidents.

Good cowboys get caught

up in bad circumstances,

meeting their end under hooves,

but it don’t look like this.

SEWALL: What’re you saying?

MERRIFIELD: I dunno

what I’m sayin’.

Just

something bad happened here.

Don’t look right.

Mister Roosevelt!

What happened to your arm?

An accident.

[FOOTSTEPS]

PADDOCK: Thought I had a

shot at him, I took it.

Don’t change a thing.

MEDORA: It changes everything

He’ll be watching for us now.

PADDOCK: We’ll make our move tonight.

Storm oughta roll in by then,

give us cover.

They’ll never-

[DOOR OPENS]

MEDORA: Rosie.

ROSIE: Miss-Medora, I-The

room needs changing.

I’ll see to that.

A hard-working girl should

learn when to take a break.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

ROOSEVELT: I can manage Bill.

SEWALL: Takin’ it easy

means takin’ it easy.

ROOSEVELT: I don’t like it.

Leaving the men behind, after

what happened to Murphy

SEWALL: Well, If

Merrifield’s right-

it wasn’t no accident-

it’s better if you’re not here.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

SEWALL: What?

Nothing. You’ve just-

gotten quite good at this.

I’ve had plenty of

practice saddling

at this point.

No, I mean all of it.

Ranching.

I asked a lot of you, to

come out here from Maine.

And you and Dow

more than delivered.

I know it couldn’t

have been easy.

And it was never gonna be.

You made that clear in your

very first letter, when

you invited Dow and I

out for this venture.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Can I ask

Are you glad you came?

Now you once spoke of a

rise ahead for us out here.

A future

bright as we choose to make it.

It does seem a little brighter,

just now at least.

Ride straight to Elkhorn.

Ride hard.

Don’t look back.

See you in a few days, Bill.

We’ll talk about

that future then.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

[GUITAR] ♪

Last night as I

laid on the prairie ♪

And looked at the

stars in the sky ♪

I wondered if ever a cowboy ♪

Would drift to that

sweet by and by ♪

Roll along ♪

Roll along ♪

Roll on little

doggies, roll on ♪

MERRIFIELD: Well,

two more cowboys on the line.

SEWALL: That’s us.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Storm’ll be overhead in an hour.

Y’all gonna be okay managing

out there by yourselves?

SEWALL: Time to find out.

MERRIFIELD: Guess so. SEWALL:

Don’t worry Merrifield.

Be safe.

MEDORA: Rosie.

ROSIE: Medora, did

you need something?

I just sent all

the staff home but-

Sit a moment.

Imported from Paris.

Have you ever tasted

French chocolate?

I’ve actually never

tasted any kind.

You’ve worked exceptionally hard

these past months.

Turning this heap into a hotel

worthy of my husband’s name.

Don’t be shy.

You’ve earned it.

See?

Even here, we can

have the finer things.

ROSIE: What’s Paris like?

I hear it’s beautiful.

Would you like to see it?

Well sure I would,

someday.

Paris

started from humble

beginnings as well.

It was a Roman garrison once,

and before that, a band of Celts

who settled by the Seine river.

But from that,

a kingdom was made.

Why shouldn’t we become

the Paris of the frontier?

That’s a beautiful dream.

It’s more than that.

But

building something grand

takes patience.

It takes resolve.

And as I’ve told you many times,

it takes loyalty.

Well I

I like to think I’ve

done all I’ve been asked.

That’s true.

But allow me to ask

one thing more.

The ranch hand,

from Elkhorn.

Oh, Wilmot?

Well, he’s actually a manager-

MEDORA: You’re not

to see him again.

What?

Why?

Rosie,

I have opened a door.

But you cannot step

through it with him.

He will only hold you back.

Why not?

He’s a good man.

He’d be loyal.

Don’t cast aside

what I’ve done for you.

I love him.

You can have your small,

provincial love.

Or -

you can have Paris.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[CATTLE HOOFBEATS]

[CATTLE HOOFBEATS]

[CATTLE LOWING]

[WHISTLING] [PROMPTING CATTLE]

[LIGHTNING STRIKES]

[CATTLE MOOING]

[THUNDER AND LIGHTNING]

Uncle!

Uncle, these cattle ain’t happy.

SEWALL: Just keep ’em together.

Storm’s either

gonna break or pass.

Either way, we keep ’em

together til it’s gone.

DOW: Yes sir.

- Come on. - Hyah.

Hyah.

[LIGHTNING STRIKES]

[CATTLE MOOING]

This is getting to be a habit.

Take him down Paddock.

PADDOCK: I’m working on it.

DOW: Uncle

SEWALL: I heard it.

DOW: Maybe it was

just thunder

SEWALL: Doesn’t

sound like thunder-

[g*nsh*t]

[CATTLE MOOING]

DOW: Uncle, They’re

gonna stampede!!

MARQUIS: Must I do everything?

PADDOCK: So long neighbor.

SEWALL: What are you doing here?!

- I couldn’t rightly let you

have all the fun, now could I?

What’s got you spooked?

SEWALL: You may want to keep

riding Mister Roosevelt

I think we may be on the wrong

end of someone’s r*fle

Are you sure it’s not

just the lightning, Bill?

I ain’t sure of anything.

Which way is it coming from?

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

Come on, let’s get out of here.

Ole Rooze-velt spots us

and we’ll be hung for sure.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

I got him in my sights.

[LIGHTNING STRIKES]

[CATTLE MOOING]

[CATTLE MOOING]

SEWALL: They’re running

scared, Mister Roosevelt.

They make it to those northern

cliffs we’ll lose half the herd.

[CATTLE MOOING]

[LIGHTNING AND THUNDER]