03x01 - Ryker

[bunniefuu]

All right, Sam,
let's go.

[ Horses Whinny ]

[ Coughing ][ Laughing ]

[ Chuckles ]
Why are you laughing?

What a waste of energy--
runnin' away from
some soldier boys.

- We should have
made a stand.
- Oh, no, no.

- Between the two of us,
we could have taken them all.
- What, 50/50?

Uh-uh. Three for me.

[ Laughs ]

You'll never believe it,
will you-- how good I am.

Sam, everybody in the land
from here to Texas knows
you're the best.

[ Clears Throat ]
Or almost.

You mean the best
except you.

[ Chuckles ]
Well, you can't have
everything, Sam.

The soldier boys ran plenty
besides us out of the country.

They were only doin' their job.

Sure, but when the job's
bustin' up a range w*r, they're
takin' money outta my pocket.

- What's that supposed
to mean?
- Whatever you like.

I sell my g*n where
they'll buy it, same as you.

No, not the same.
There's a difference.

You tryin' to tell me
something, Emmett?

Only what we've both known
for some time, Sam.

We're heading different ways.

Well, I'm sorry to hear it.
It was good for a while.

Well, no more.

I'm not sure
I like you, Sam.

Let's not wait till
it turns real sour.

Anything you say.

Crater City for me, I guess.
I'll gamble a little.

Medicine Bow.
A man there
wants to talk to me.

[ Chattering ]

Yes, sir?Two beers.

Uh, where's your friend?Right here.

I can't stand to drink alone,
so I drink with myself.

Three 10s?

[ Clears Throat ]

In this game, friend,
you only watch
when you play.

So you want to sit in?

Why don't I just
give you the money?

It would be easier
that way...
for both of us.

What's the matter, mister?
You think you saw somethin'?

I didn't say
I saw anything.

I didn't even say
I heard anything.

All right.
Then no hard feelings.

No.

Deal me out.

Where'd you learn
to draw like that?

In the cradle.

I'm Jack Karns,
Sheriff Abbott's deputy.

- Mark Abbott?
- You know him?

Yeah, I met him somewhere.

Well, we've been havin'
a lot of trouble round here.

I just wanted to say
we don't need
any more.

That's reasonable.

You here on business?

- [ Clears Throat ]
Well, I came to see a man.
- Your name Ryker?

And I rode in to see
a man named John Hagen.

Maybe you know
where I could find him.

Yeah.

Well, then where
could I find him?

I'll take you to him.

Where is he?

Well, right now he's...
over in the pool hall.

Thanks.

[ Billiard ba*ls
Clattering ]

John Hagen?

Yeah, that's right.

I'm Ryker.

Sit down.

Good to see you, Ryker.
Uh, you play?

Yeah, a little.

[ Snapping Fingers ]

It's your shot.

[ Door Opens ]

[ Door Closes ]

Not bad.

I'll get right down
to business, Ryker.

I hold a mortgage
on a ranch
north of here,

and, if I foreclose on it,
I expect some trouble.

Now, uh,
I want to be fair.

But I want that ranch.

So I may need some help,
if you know what I mean.

How would I?

The owner is a man
named Hale.

He's old and he's mean...

and he's tough.

And he still has
some time left.

[ Blows ]

Time for what?

Well, he's got cattle,
and he's bunchin' 'em
for a drive.

Now, if he can make
that drive and sell them,

then he can pay me.

I don't want him
to make that drive.

I don't care how he fails.

And I'm willing
to pay you $2,500
to see that he does.

You, uh, think
I'm a hired k*ller,

that I'd bushwhack
an old man?

That why you sent for me?

Well, I sent for you because
I heard about your reputation.

- What'd you hear?
- What is it, Ryker?
More money?

What'd you hear?

You're another Sam Lake,
only better.
That's what I heard.

Well, you heard wrong.

I'm not another Sam Lake.

Just a minute.

You owe me.

You just lost.

How much were
we playing for?

A dollar.

How'd it go?

He's not interested.

More money?

Then what is it?

Maybe he wants
to think about it.

But I haven't got time
for him to think or nose around
or jack up his price.

I can't wait.

Maybe you won't have to.

He's got a bad reputation.
We could use it.Go on.

Well, we could always
have handled Hale ourself,
except it was too dangerous.

We handle it,
and they look his way.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

Ooh!

[ Randy ]
Looks like I got you.I don't know.

Looks like a tie
from here.

I'd say Randy by a hair.

Now, hold on. [ Horseshoes Clatter ]

And that's one point and game.
Pay me, thank you.

- Betsy?
- I'd say Randy.

[ Chuckles ][ Clears Throat ]
Well, I tell you what.

Since it isn't
a unanimous decision,
we'll try her again.

Well, of course it's unanimous.
The Virginian and I both agreed.

- But I didn't.
- [ Chuckles ]

Pay me.

[ Hoofbeats Clopping ]

Hmm.
Another game?I don't see why not.

I do.

Must be comin'
to see you, Trampas.Why me?

Well, if I had a daughter,
and you'd been hangin'
around my place...

like you have
old man Hale's,

I think I'd be over
to talk to you.

[ Clears Throat ]

Hey, what about
our game?

Whoa. Good morning, Mr. Hale.
Janet.

Morning, Trampas.Hi.

Janet, you look prettier
every time I see you.

Why, thank you, Trampas.

[ Hale ]
Did you speak
to the judge?

No, sir. I thought
it'd be a good idea
if we both talked to him.

- Maybe you better
come in with me.
- Yes, sir.

Hello, Janet.

You look prettier
every time I see you.Thank you.

Come and say hello
to Randy and Betsy.

A trail boss.

That's what I need,
Henry.

I've got most of
the cattle bunched.

I can start the drive
anytime next week.

What about your foreman?He's never taken a herd on
a drive across open country.

We've always shipped
from Medicine Bow by rail.

But I can get double the price
per head by taking that herd
overland to Moose Jaw.

And I need every
extra cent I can get.I see.

I have to get those cattle
to market, Henry.

If not,
I lose the ranch.

And I'm not
about to do that
without a fight.

I wish you'd come
to me sooner.

For money?
Borrow from Peter
to pay Paul?

You certainly don't
put me in the same class
as John Hagen.

Of course not.
You wouldn't foreclose.

But then
it wouldn't be a loan.
It would be a gift.

I'd rather do it
my way, Henry.

Trail boss.
[ Sighs ]

Someone who knows
the trail well.

Anyone particular in mind?

[ Hale ]
I thought I'd leave
that up to you.

Can't be my foreman.
He's going to Cheyenne
in the morning.

- Who else is there?
- [ Clears Throat ]

Well, uh--
Well, sir, I, uh--

Yeah?

Well, I--

- You?
- Yeah.

Well, why not?
I've been over that trail
plenty of times.

I can handle the cattle
and his men. I can give
Mr. Hale all the help he needs.

[ Laughing ]

All right, Trampas.
I can spare you.

I hope he pays as much
attention to your herd
as he does to your daughter.

Thanks, Henry.
I appreciate this.

I might as well tell you
that I expect trouble.

From Hagen?

Take care of yourselves.

You get your stuff ready
tonight. You can go over
to Ed's place in the morning.

[ Trampas ]
Right.

One trail boss
reporting for duty, ma'am.

Nice to have you
with us, Sergeant.

Make that "lieutenant."
Sounds better.
Your dad around?

He's up with the men.
He'll be back
in a few minutes.

Why don't you come
into the house, and I'll
make you some coffee.

Now, that's the best offer
I've had in hours.Oh?

Jealous?Of who?

The bunkhouse cook
at Shiloh?

[ Chuckles ]
Better get out of here
before he eats your apples.

[ Cattle Lowing ]

Mr. Hale,

come down here and look
at this steer's eye.

There's something wrong
with it.

[ Horse Blusters ]Yeah. He's got
a foxtail in it.

Take him back
to the corral.

[ Lowing Continues ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ Trampas ]
So I took the $25,

paid the fine and--

and got out of town.

Tell me more
about yourself.

Well, no, I--
I don't think
that'd be safe.

Safe?Mm-hmm. For you.

You know what the boys
at the bunkhouse say--

to know me is to love me.

Hey, I wonder
what's keeping Dad.

Well, when you're bunchin'
a lot of cattle for a drive,

there's always something
to be done after you thought
you were finished.

Mmm. But he told me
you were coming out
this morning.

Um, where are they, uh,
bunchin' the cattle?

- Oh, Forsythe Canyon.
- Mmm.

[ Snaps Fingers ]Doggone.

- What's the matter?
- Randy.

I forgot to collect
that three dollars he owes me.

I tell you what.
I'll, uh--

I'll ride out there,
collect the three dollars
from Randy.

On the way back, I'll stop
at Forsythe Canyon and tell
your pa you're expecting him.

Oh, but that's--I know it seems foolish,

but if I don't collect
that money now--
Well, uh,

I'm sure Randy's gonna
lose three dollars...

to some other cowboy
at horseshoes just as sure
as we're both standin' here.

I'll be right back.

Curly! Bob!

[ Exhales ]

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Take him inside.

Janet.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Sobs ]
No, no.

[ Sobbing ]

Hagen?

Or somebody he hired.

There's some talk
in town about a man.

[ Sighs ]
That old man
was really somethin'.

He could ride anything
or fight anybody.

[ Sighs ]
What you gonna do now?

Are you going
to leave now?

Well, ma'am, uh--

I'm not.
I'm not leaving.

Ma'am, you can't take care of
this whole ranch by yourself.

My father never left
because he built this place...

and he buried my mother here.

And now I'm going to bury him,
and I'm going to stay here.

Now, if you want to stay here
with me, you can.

I need you.

Go and talk about it.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Man ]
I don't know, Curly.

I don't think I want
to work for a woman.

Do you want to work
for Hagen?Heck, no.

- I don't want to work
for him neither.
- What about me?

What about you, Trampas?

I got a bunch
of cattle to move.

Nothing's really
any different
than it was before.

But if that's not
good enough for you--

- Nobody said it wasn't.
- All right then.

Let's see some action.
Go out there and round up
those strays.

Yes, sir.

Well, Ryker.
Been a long time.Yeah.

You know my deputy,
Karns?Yeah, we met.

Sit down.

Corpus Christi,
wasn't it?That's right.

- You delivered me a prisoner.
- What's that mean?

This man is two men,
Karns.

When he's broke,
he's a peace officer.

When he's got himself a stake,
he trades in his badge
for a deck of cards.

Or a g*n?

He didn't say that.

You were pretty handy
with that g*n at the poker game.

He drew on a man.

Why?He was fumbling around
with his g*n belt.

You think
he was gonna draw? I thought he might.

I just changed his mind.

Did you think old man Hale
was gonna draw too?

Here he comes into town,
a driftin' gunfighter.

He sticks his nose
into a peaceful card game,
just seems to find trouble.

Next thing you know,
old man Hale is shot and k*lled.

Do I have to listen
to him?

All those people out there
breaking those laws,

like spitting on sidewalks,
and I have to listen to this?

I wouldn't be too high
on myself if I were you, Ryker.

Oh, yes, you would...
if you were me.

All right, Karns.
I'll take care of this.

Miss Janet, I am--

Well, we're all so sorry
to hear about your father.

I know.
Thank you.

But you shouldn't
have to come into town
by yourself so soon after--

Oh, I don't have to--

unless I want to lose my sanity
and my father's ranch as well.

He's dead, Mr. Frankel,
and we're burying him tomorrow,

and there isn't anything
I can do about it--

except try as hard as I can
not to get a p*stol...

and sh**t John Hagen
and his hired gunmen.

Meanwhile, I have a ranch
to run, and I'm going to run it.

Yes, ma'am.
And I believe you are.

Hale-- this old man--
he got shot in the back,
didn't he?

I didn't accuse you.
I just want to know
what you're doing in town.

Oh, I could have come here
looking... for a place to stay.

Settle down,
like they say.Doin' what?

Well, like
a little ranch maybe.

But I hear that's no good.

I hear one man
wants all the spreads,
and nobody tries to stop him,

including that loudmouth
that just left us.

Old man Hale tried.

An old man.

Worse than that, I hear
his daughter's gonna try
the same thing.

I just don't want
any more trouble than I got.

Okay, you wanna settle down?
You wanna gamble? All right.

You want a badge, I--
I think maybe I can use you.

Let me think about it.

All right, go get broke.

I always have.

Oh. Thank you.

[ Clears Throat ]
Ryker's the name.

I, uh--
I just wanted to--

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

She should have
had those in a g*n.

That was Janet Hale?

Yeah, that's who it was,
Ryker.

This is the first town I was
ever in where I got famous
just by having two beers.

And one k*lling maybe?

You don't mean mine,
do you?

No, no. I mean Hale.

I'd like to know about him.
You knew him.

I fought beside him, mister.
We fought Indians together.

I helped him build a shack
before he made it into a house,

and that land before he turned
it into a cattle ranch.

Nothing ever stopped
ol' Hale--

Indians, cold, heat, hunger--
nothing.

Until you did.

Oh. Or somebody.

Or somebody.

- Where is he?
- What's the difference?

You mean now that
old man Hale's dead, I don't
make a difference anymore?

What makes you think
you ever did?

You're saying I'll have
to find him myself unless
he sends someone for me.

Some local tough maybe.
Some kinda hero.

Some fella like you.

I don't want trouble with you.

Then don't ask for it.

You just go on,
tell Hagen something.

[ Ball Clattering ]

Tell him yourself.

We don't need him.

All right. [ Billiard ba*ls Clatter ]

- Play?
- Why not?

For a rancher, you spend
a lot of time in town.

Yeah, I have
other interests.

Yeah, that's what I hear.

Don't sweat.
It's just a game.

You're lucky.

I'm good.

Wasn't a bad idea.

You couldn't afford
to hit Hale.

You're too big
and important a man.

You needed a fall guy.

You thought you'd throw me
a handful of change...

and, uh, let me
solve your problem.

- Well, what do you mean?
- I mean this town
liked that old man.

And they'd hate anybody
who k*lled him.

They'd hate him
enough to hang him.

They know you're a pig
for anybody's land.

But they know
nothing happened
till I showed up.

So--

You're smart
like a pig too.

When I wouldn't
bushwhack that old man,

you had someone else do it,

figuring I'll either get hung
or I'll run out of town.

How much will it cost?

- To leave town?
- How much?

It's no good, Hagen.

And don't
start anything with me
for that Stackler to finish.

Because I'll
nail you first.

And maybe him too.

Oh, uh--
[ Chuckles ]
You just lost.

You owe me.

[ People Chattering ]

How about another
drink, mister?

[ Clears Throat ]
Later.

How about buyin' one
for me?Some other time.

Where is he?

Over there.

[ Sighs ]

Did you k*ll Hale?

Take it easy.

- All you gotta do is say it.
- You think I'd be afraid
to say that?

Come on, come on.
You're not some old woman...

running up and down the street
with a bag full of gossip.

You know who I am.
You answered your own question.

Sit down.

Sit down.
Talk to me.

You can k*ll me later.

No, I didn't.

You work for Hagen?No.

He bring you here?

I never answered so many
questions before.

Try the last one.

How about a drink?

Well, then I can't
talk to you.

I can't talk to a man
in a saloon, uh,
he doesn't drink.

I've been that way
all my life--
since the cradle.

Two beers.

I'm unemployed.

Everybody in this town
knows who I am and why
and what I'm doing.

Everybody but me.

Even that sheriff asked me.

You know something?

There isn't one place
west of the Missouri...

or north the Rio
except here...

where it could happen to me.

Where what could happen?

Where some old man
could be shot in the back
and anyone would point at me.

I don't know why,
but I believe you.

That's better.

Now, everybody needs help
in their business.

And they pay what they can.
What can you pay?

Forty a month and board.

That'll be 50 cents.

Try one.

That's $10.Keep it.

Forty a month?

At those prices, how long
would it take a man...

to save enough money
to go around the world?

Sixty years.

I like you.
You understand money.

That's all Janet Hale
can afford to pay.

I guess you could get
a better offer. So could I.

That's the difference
between you and me.

Forty a month.

[ Mug Slams On Table ]And board.

What do you want,
Ryker?

I wanted to tell
Miss Hale something.What could you tell me?

I had nothing to do with that.

Trampas said that.
Is that all?

It was important to me.

Anything else you want
to talk about? Business?

- Maybe some other time.
- We might not have
much time left.

Why don't you come
into the house, Mr. Ryker?

Trampas said that
he offered you work.

Yes, ma'am, he did.

But the money
wasn't enough?

Well, uh, ma'am, I've, uh,
worked for more
and played higher.

How high?

Well, all I own, ma'am.

Well, that's
what I'll play for.What do you mean by that?

I'll lose everything
I own, Trampas.

I'll lose it in a fight,
but I'll lose it--
unless I get help.

And it has to be
a certain kind of help.

What kind?

The kind you sell.
And it seems
I can't pay the price.

All right.

Trampas said you were
a gambler also.

That's right.

Well, if I can't
buy your services,
maybe I can win them.

Uh, I don't ordinarily
gamble with ladies.

Well, this isn't ordinary.

And I can't afford
to be a lady anymore.

I'll cut that deck
with you.For what?

I win, you work for me
for nothing.

You win,
you get half my ranch.

Janet, this may not be
any of my business,

but I'm not gonna let you
gamble half of your ranch
against a 40-a-month job.

Oh, he'll be betting
more than that.

He'll be betting his life.

Is that high enough for you?

[ Exhales ]
After you, ma'am.

Just a minute.

Since I can't talk you
out of this, the least
I can do is shuffle for you.

That's not bad.

Take your best shot, ma'am.

High card?

Hmm. You're gonna meet
a handsome man.

[ Sighs ]

The deed.

Ryker.

What are you gonna do?See about my mortgage.

You're gonna still
need a trail boss.

And I'm still interested
in savin' her half.

You know something, mister?
You got class.

Forty a month.

And board.

He was out there
at the Hale place today.

The funeral?No.

Just showed.
Lookin' around
with that dumb grin.

Just smellin' around.
I don't like it.

Or him.Or him.

Tell him about it.

Sheriff, I want to give you
a little information
and, uh, get some.

Fair enough.This is the deed
to the Hale ranch.

I'm half owner now.
And a copy of, uh,
Hagen's mortgage.

You buy in?No. No, not exactly,
but, uh, it's on the level.

I'll bet.How much?

I don't know
why you pick on him.

Why do you pick on
a rattlesnake?
They have to live too.

But not with us.

I just wanted him
to know about it.

- Why?
- I'm not sure.

All right.
You told me something.
Now, what can I tell you?

- The name of a good lawyer.
- I don't know how good he is,

but his name's Cruikshank,
and he's up over
the general store.

And the b*llet
that k*lled Hale--

What-- Did you get
anything from that?

We never found it.
It went clean through him. Why?

Oh, just curious.
Used to be a lawman,
remember?

- Yeah, and a good one.
- Thanks.

Ryker,

I hope you know
what you're doing.

I hope you keep hoping.

[ Knocking ]Come in.

How are you?

My name's Ryker.

I'm the new half owner.

Record the deed
and make a will for me.A will?

That's right. In case
I come to an unexpected end,

[ Clears Throat ]
You're the doctor?

Yes, I'm Dr. Spaulding.
What can I do for you?

Can you, uh,
check me over, Doc?

Sure.

It's too bad about
old man Hale.

A grand old man.Yeah.

He was never sick
a day in his life.Except one.

Hmm. They send for you?I was too late.

Ah. p*stol wounds, huh?

No, a r*fle.How do you know?

From the b*llet in him.

Oh, you took the b*llet out?

Yes, I did,
not that it mattered--

any more than
this examination does.

What'd you come here for?For that b*llet.

- Well, I don't have it.
- Who does?

The sheriff.You gave it to him?

No. Deputy Karns.

Oh.

Well. Huh.

All right.

Oh, uh--
[ Clears Throat ]
How's my health, Doc?

Like a mountain cat's.
You got the body of a man 27.

[ Chuckles ]
Why not? I'm 26.

Evening, Deputy.

Yeah, I guess it is.

You're a lawman, Karns.
What kind of a g*n
you think k*lled Hale?

I figured you'd know
about that.

Well, I might
if there'd been a b*llet.
At least there'd be a clue.

But, uh, clues have a way of
turning up missing in this town.

He didn't finish his beer.He don't have to.
He never pays.

[ Sighs ]

[ Crickets Chirping ]

[ Hammer c*ck ]Move along, Ryker.

Why not here?

Somebody wants to see you.
You want to go?

Sure.
I'm a sociable man.

Open the door.

You better get
somebody better than that
when you send for me.

Yeah, I better had.

Go and find your g*n.

Sit down.

Why didn't you just
come to me at the bar?

We can always talk,
you and me. Or did you
want to do more than that?

You were makin' a big thing
around town about that deed.

You wanted me
to know about it.

Why not?
You hold the mortgage.

And you own
half the place?

You know, that Cruikshank's
your lawyer.

You think you're gonna be
able to take that herd
up north all by yourself?

You think that one man--
even you-- will be able
to swing it?

All I know, Hagen, is that
I own half that spread.

And I wanna round up
those cows...

and sell 'em somewhere
and pay that mortgage.

It's all nice and honest,

and the way I like it.

And the way
it's going to be--

with one
difference.Yeah?

I'm not an old man...

or a pretty girl,

and I know what I know.

You try to stop me,

you find a way
to do that against me,

and I won't try
to prove it was you.

I'll just k*ll ya, Hagen.

That's how simple it is.

Like you cut a deck of cards.

I guess I sent
for the wrong man.

That's right.

Now, you get somebody
to take care of me.

Make it someone better than that
little snake you sent tonight.

I might do that.

You have to.

Tell me.

How good is, uh,
Sam Lake?

One of the best.

Probably been losing
his money in Crater City.

[ Door Slams ]

h*![ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Mooing Continues ]h*!

[ Men Whistling ]

[ Man Whistles ]

h*!

[ Shouting, Whistling
Continue In Distance ]

No hard feelings?

For what-- about
losing half to you?

None. Nothing.

Why?

'Cause I hope
you beat Hagen.
I couldn't.

I hope for my dad
and myself, I guess.

I'll beat him.

You believe anything I say?

I don't know.

Hmm. Well,
I'll say it anyway.

Look out there.
You see?

Hills and plains
and deserts.

They sit there forever.
They keep their secrets.

And they stay
just that way--

cool and beautiful...

and forever--

no matter what people come,
no matter what they do
to each other.

You know,

I don't feel so bad
that you beat me.

I didn't beat you.
I just needed to beat him.

Why?

I never knew my mother.

And my daddy--

My daddy lost a fight
and died.

And all I learned was don't lose
that fight, don't die.

Is that all?

No.

Let's get back to work.

h*!
[ Whistling ][ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Mooing Continues ]

Well--
[ Coughs ]

Trampas, you wanna
try the drive?

You got about a week.
You can make it.
Just bring the money back.

- What about you?
- I'm riding into town.

But you can't. Just don't argue
with me.

I don't like to be argued with,
especially by a lady.

Now, look, I, uh--

I couldn't win this thing
without both of you, and you
couldn't win it without me.

Is that right?
Or is that wrong?

I guess you're right.

I'll tell you why.

I'm riding into town.
And as long as I'm there,
Hagen won't make a move.

He'll be too busy
watching me to see you.

So you get on the road.
You know a shortcut?

I know one, but it's rough.

Ah, well, you take it.
You lose some cattle,
you win some time.

- And what about you?
- I win some time too.

Or lose your life?

[ Lake ]
Emmett Ryker.

He's good. Fast.

- Are you afraid
to take him on?
- No.

Well, what's wrong
with the deal? 2,500.

He used to be
a friend of mine.

Well, what about that, Lake?

I'll tell ya.

It costs a little more
to k*ll a friend.

Five hundred more
as a bonus.

All right.

All right, Stackler.
Get the boys and meet Karns
out by the herd.

And don't sh**t anybody.
I just want
the drive stopped.

He'll tell you what to do.

Where you goin'?

Where Ryker will end up--
in the saloon.

Oh, I'll join you.
I don't want to miss that.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

He's goin' the hard way.

We spook that herd now,
and you'll be
workin' for him.

I know that.You'll just drive 'em up
that pass where he wants 'em.

There's dry grass up there,
and that's the only way
he can come.

You fire it, block it,

and we'll have
a stampede, all right?

And the biggest
beef barbecue in history.

I like that.
I like that a lot.

Hyah!
[ Whistling ]

Hyah! Hyah!

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Men Shouting ]

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Abbott ]
Ryker?

Step in here a minute,
will ya?

Sit down.

I understand
Karns lied to me.Oh, yeah?

About the b*llet
that k*lled Hale.Who told you?

Doc Spaulding.
He came to see me
after he saw you.

I'll take care
of Karns.

Now, there's
one other thing.

A man came into town today.
Maybe you know him.

Name of Sam Lake.

You know him.

Well, that's what you're
on your way to being,
Ryker-- a Sam Lake.

- Maybe I already am.
- No, not yet. But you
can't go on the way you have.

You can't wear a badge
for a couple of months
and stand for the law,

then turn it in
and hire your g*n out
in cattle wars.

There's a lot of money
to be made in cattle wars.

And not much
in being a deputy.

But deputies don't
become Sam Lakes.

Lake fights a man where
he knows he has the best of him.
That's not much to be proud of.

A man shouldn't fight anything
except rattlesnakes
and ugly women.

There's a job as deputy
open.

- You want me to wear this
when I see Lake?
- Yep.

It wouldn't be fair to Sam.

He might get hung
for sh**ting a deputy.

Without this badge,
it'd just be a fair fight.

I'd like working
for you, Mark.

But not now.

Ryker.

Where you goin'?Where he'll be--
at the saloon.

And, Mark,
do me just one favor?

Stay out of it.

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Chattering ]

Yes, sir? What'll it be?A little whiskey
and that deck of cards.

Get him into a beef--
cards or something.

"Or something."

How'd you do up north?

They busted me.With what?

Cards.[ Chuckles ]
You never could play.

Sit down.

How much is he payin' you
for me?

- 2,500. 500 bonus.
- That much?

You're worth it.

You wouldn't sh**t a friend,
would you?

Why not?

I'm a nice,
respectable rancher.

I, uh, can't stand firearms.

I heard about that.

I turned down this pig's money
because I won half of a ranch.

I pulled a queen
over a heart jack.

I always wondered
what it would be like,
Sam, to settle down sometime,

roust cattle,
find a pretty woman
who could cook.

That wasn't the way you
used to talk in your sleep.

And I did it
just by cutting a deck.

How would you like
a break like that?

How do I get one?

Just cut.

- Hey, what is this?
- Shut up.

Cut for what?

Half my action.

[ Lake ]
That's worth more
than 3,000.

He just sent his boys
out there.

[ Sighs ]
And you don't want to cut?

You first.

You go ahead, Sam.

You won.

Turn that card.

Turn that card, Ryker.

Don't.

He's a friend of mine.

[ Hammer Releases ]

[ Hammer Releases ]

All right,
now you can show it.

Oh, I don't
have to that, Sam.
It loses.

Partner?

Right. Let's go see
about our property.

Keep this away from him.

He could hurt himself.

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Man Whistles ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Men Shouting ]

[ Bellowing ]

Hyah! Hyah!

[ g*nshots ]

[ g*nshots Continue ]

Hyah! Hyah! [ Men Shouting ]

Try and turn 'em! [ Man Whistles ]
Hyah!

h*!

[ Man Whistles ]
Hyah! Pull out!

[ g*nshots ]

[ Men Shouting ]

I'm gonna tell you men
what to do.

I tell them that.

All right.
I'll tell you.

Did you cut him in?

I cut myself in.

Well, you've had
some fun.

You've burned some grass.
You've stampeded some cows.

Now you can get
back to work.

You can
round 'em up again.We don't work for you, mister.

Then you don't work for anybody,
because Hagen's out of it.

We've put him out.

You're six-to-one.Two.

Those are the best odds
you'll have
in your lives.

All I can do is k*ll
the first man who moves.

You can do as he says...

or whatever you think
you're good enough to do.

You too.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

I told you I was better.

[ Groans ]

[ Horses Approaching ]

Hang on.

I'll get you to town,
to a doctor.

You wanna bet?

Let me see that card.

- Listen, Sam, I--
- Let me see it.

[ Laughs ]

He-- He cut himself in
with you,

then he cut me in.

But seein' you, I--
I can't blame him much.

How-- How dumb
do you think I was?

Sam, I--

You want to know some law?

In this territory,
you can't win property
in a gamblin' game.

He knew it.

You understand what I mean?

He's a lawman...

sometimes.

They--
They had you, buddy.

Almost.

Why, Sam?

If you knew it
all the time, why?

Ah, they--

they use us.

Men like Hagen, they--
they use us.

Hold their noses while
we're doin' their work.

It was good, for once,

to be-- to be
workin' for myself.

You bring him in
for me?Yeah.

[ Janet ]
What are you
going to do?

I'm going with him.

You want
to wait for me?No.

You want to follow me
till I k*ll him?

Not as long
as I think I can stop you.
He's not worth hanging for.

I don't want to see someone
like you k*ll him.

Sheriff Abbott arrested him.

So, when I heard about
your run-in at the saloon,

I locked him up
for his own protection.I don't need protection.

You just tell me what charges
you're prepared to hold me on,
Sheriff.

Well, I could try m*rder.

Ryker will testify
you offered him $2,500
to k*ll Janet's father.

That's a lie.
You put him in court
with his word against mine.

- Wh-What's gonna happen?
- They'll let you off, I guess.

Yes. [ Ryker ]
That's right.

I'm a g*nman
and a gambler.

And a dr*fter.

The only word they'll take
about Hale's death--

or Sam Lake's--
will be Mr. Hagen's word.

What do you mean?I mean,
when he admits it.

[ Abbott ]
What do you want me
to do about Hagen?

Well, let him go.

What else can you do?

What, do you want him
to k*ll me?

Is that what you want, huh?

Oh, that's the way
it's gonna be, is it?

I got nothin'
to hold you on.I want my day in court.

You talked about protection.
You know what he is--
a card cheat and a hired k*ller.

He's already threatened
to k*ll me once. You wanna file a complaint?

Here's your g*n.
Well, take it!Oh, no!

Go on, get out!

All right! All right!
I had Karns k*ll the old man.

I brought Lake in
and left him
at Doc Spaulding's.

Thanks. [ Cell Door Closes ]

Hagen?Confessed.
It's all over.

Oh.

Curly, uh, rounded up
most of the cows.

You want a job,
Ryker?

He's got a job.

You want it?

I have to.
I just went busted.

Well, I got
some cows to move.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

Howdy.How are you?

Fine, fine.

You?

Oh, fine, fine.
Yeah.

Well, uh, how's the lawman
business these days?

Just great, just great.
I, uh--

[ Clears Throat ]
I like it. I like it a lot.

You, uh--
You here on business?

No, no. I, uh-- There's a dance
in town tonight, and I--

Yeah, yeah, I know--
the one I'm taking Janet to.

Ah. You're taking her?

Yeah.

Uh, when did you
ask her to go?

Uh, well, I asked her
the day before.

You just got back
from the railhead this morning.

All right. I didn't, uh--

I didn't-- I didn't exactly
ask her, but it was understood.

I'm sorry, friend, but,
uh, she's going with me.

You asked her
while I was gone?

Maybe next time,
but I doubt it.

[ Door Opens ]

Hello, Emmett,
Trampas.

Hi, fellas.Howdy.

Sorry we can't stay
and visit, fellas.
We'll be late for the dance.

Oh, why don't you two
meet us there?

I hear it's going to be
a marvelous evening.

Right.See you there.

I'm surprised at you,
lyin' to me like that.

Why, you hadn't
asked her either.

Well--
[ Clears Throat ]

We can always cut in
at the dance.

Mm-hmm.Come on.

[ Announcer ]