03x08 - The Disappearance

[bunniefuu]

[shouting, music playing]

Whoa!

MAN: You ladies
go right in.

I'll get someone
to take care of
your bags.

Thank you.

[shouting continues]

Now, five says you
can't drink this down
in one swallow.

You got a bet, baby.

[shouting and whooping]

Excuse us.

Yes, ma'am.

It's like being in
the middle of a cyclone.

This town is going to
have one big headache
in the morning.

Sorry, haven't even
got a closet left.

Oh, we have a reservation.
The Barkleys.

Oh. Victoria and Audra.

I never forget
a reservation.

What is all this?

Cattle,
Mrs. Barkley.

Cattle, pure and simple.

Every rancher
with more than one steer

is looking to make a sale.

Buyers all the way
from Denver

fightin' for the honor
of payin' top dollar.

Well, congratulations.

Tired?

A little.

Are these your bags,
ma'am?

Yes, that's right.

Now, if there's anything
you ladies want,
just holler.

Nobody'll hear you,
but it's good for the lungs.

What time does
the connecting stage
to Stockton leave?

First thing in the morning.

Rooms 37 and 38
for Mrs. Barkley
and her daughter.

Thank you.

Excuse me,
but, uh...

You two ladies
wouldn't happen

to be cattle buyers,
would you?

Sorry.

So am I.

Who's got 37?

I do.

I'll be out of your way
in a minute.

Well, let me know
when you want
to have dinner.

In about an hour.

I hope you'll
be comfortable,
Mrs. Barkley.

Oh, this door leads
directly to your
daughter's room.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

[shouting and whooping
continues]

[sighs]

[shouting]

[fireworks popping]

[fireworks continue]

Oh.

Audra, I'm sorry.
I fell asleep, and--

♪ [theme]

[music playing, shouting]

Audra, why didn't you
tell me you changed
your room--

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, hello again,
ma'am.

I thought
this young lady
was my daughter.

I didn't mean
to intrude.

Oh.

-Excuse me.
-Yes, Mrs. Barkley?

Could you please tell me
what room my daughter
is in now?

Who?

-My daughter Audra.
-Your daughter?

Well, she was in 37,
the one next to mine.

But I was just there,
and all her clothes
are gone.

No, ma'am.

What does that mean?

She wasn't in 37.

Well, of course she was.

That room's been empty
for two days.

Look, Mr., uh--

Gates. George Gates.

Mr. Gates.
I realize everybody's
in a playful mood,

but I'm just a little
too tired to join in.

Now, what room is she in?

Mrs. Barkley,
I'm not as fresh
as a daisy myself,

so suppose we both
stop playing.

You helped us check in
just a few hours ago.

A very pretty young girl
with long blond hair.

Mrs. Barkley,
if your daughter
was in this hotel,

she must've come in
in a suitcase.

I never forget
a reservation.

That's what you said
when we registered.

You won't find
her name in there.

Why not?

Because she never
signed it.

Where is she?

There must be
some mistake.

There is,
and you made it.

Mrs. Barkley...

Your daughter was
never in that room,

or in this hotel.

Why don't you get
a good rest?

Things will look
a lot clearer
in the morning.

There's one thing
you can't remove.

What?

Her perfume. The odor
is still in that room.

I was up in that room
myself not more than
an hour ago.

I didn't smell a thing.

I'm sure you didn't,
but I did.

Now,
I know that perfume.

I bought it for her.

Do I have to go
to the sheriff?

Only if you want
to cause trouble.

That's exactly what
I'm going to do...

Until I find
my daughter.

[neighs]

I want to see
the sheriff.

You're lookin' at him.

Oh.

I need your help.

People who come banging
through that door

this time of night
usually do.

It's my daughter--
she's missing.

Lady, half the world
is missing something.

The other half
is lookin' for it.

-Something has
happened to her.
-What?

I don't know.
That's why I came here!

Calm down and
tell me about it.

Well, we were on
our way to Stockton.
That's where we--

Would you like
some coffee?

No.

Mind if I have some?

Sheriff...

You've got the floor.

We registered at the hotel
to wait for the next stage.

I fell asleep,
and when I woke up,

-Audra's room was empty.
-That's your daughter?

Yes. Everything was gone--

her suitcase,
her clothes, everything.

I asked the desk clerk
if she had changed
her room, and he said--

He said he didn't know
who I was talking about,

that I was alone
when I checked in.

Were you?

I just told you!

Well, sometimes
a long hot stage--

Oh, for heaven's sake,
Sheriff, I'm not senile.

Well...Maybe she
found a traveling
companion

she liked better.

Is that your
professional opinion?

Lady, this town--

Victoria Barkley.

All right.
Victoria Barkley.

Right now, this town
is high on cattle

and the money
that cattle brings.

It's like--
it's like an avalanche.

It don't stop to ask
if you want to be
part of it.

It just kind of
sweeps you along.

But they're telling me
she doesn't even exist.

Now, why would
anyone want--

I don't know!

Well, I just
can't believe--

Sheriff, people--

a whole lobby
full of people--

saw us when
we checked in.

Now, why are you
sitting there?
Question them!

Make them tell you
what happened to her!

You're the sheriff!

Yeah. No gettin' away
from that, is there?

Let's go.

Satisfied?

No.

Well?

I want to look
at the room,

and I want
to talk to, uh--

The porter
and housekeeper.

Look, Sheriff,
I don't have--

Humor me, George.

Why don't you go out
and arrest some drunks?

That's more your speed,
isn't it?

After I see the room.

Up kind of late,
ain't you, Sheriff?

A man your age
ought to spend

as much time as
he can resting.

-Send up the porter
and the housekeeper.
-Why?

Because I told you to.

Something goin' on,
Sheriff?

Maybe.

This lady thinks the hotel
ought to supply a family

as well as clean sheets.

Oh. Why don't you go
back to bed, Sheriff?

I can handle it.

I'm up now, Hearn.
I'll see it through.

When you get tired,
you holler.

Bring them up
to, uh...



-Looks empty to me.
-Exactly.

A whole town is
bursting at the seams.

People are sleeping
all over.

Now, why--
why would there be

a perfectly good room
empty?

She's got a point.

This closet--
this closet--

it was empty.

This is
Mel Trevor's room.

He's been here
for the past week.

I told her that.

No.

This bureau here--

but the bureau drawers,
the clos--

It was empty.

Mrs. Barkley--

It was empty!

MAN: All right, in here.
I want you to help the lady.

You remember
my daughter, don't you?

-No, ma'am.
-Oh, yes, you do.

You brought her bag
in here,

and you put mine
in the other room.

-Yes. Yes, ma'am.
-There.

-You gave me a dollar.
-That's right.

I thought it was
a lot of money

for bringing up
one bag.

Oh, no. No, two--
two bags.

No. No, ma'am.

One. One bag--
yours.

I left it
in room 38.

Annie, did you see
the lady's daughter?

You were turning
down the bed
when we came in.

I haven't worked
this floor all day.

But you talked to her.
You smiled--

Now, you saw her.

All of you saw her.

Now you tell him!

Tell him you're lying!

Oh...

Oh...

[crying]
What are you doing to me?

What are you trying
to do to me?!

[sobbing]

[wailing]
Oh, no!

[shouting and cheering]

I'll, uh--
I'll be in the lobby.

Having a good laugh
with your friends

over the feeble-minded
lady from Stockton?

No, maybe somebody
down there has seen
your daughter.

Then--

Then you believe me.

-I didn't say that.
-Why help me?

Like you said--
I'm the sheriff.

I'll go with you.

-Get some rest.
-I can't.

You come on as strong
as you did up here,

and people are bound
to back off.

Oh, I won't.
I promise you.

Oh, please, please.
She's my daughter.

All right.
Just remember,

you dragged me
over here to ask
the questions.

[music playing, chatter]

Tired yet, pop?

I'll let you know.

Hungry?

No.

When's the last time
you ate?

That doesn't seem
very important now.

Things always look better
on a full stomach.

Take it from someone
who's put in a lot of
hungry hours.

Come on, now, Sheriff.

Don't be a hog.
Introduce us.

We've met.

Not formally, ma'am.

It seems you two
have adjoining rooms.

Well, now,
that's cozy, isn't it?

What room
would that be, Mel?

Well, I'll tell you,
Sheriff.

You ask me
to sit down,

and maybe I'll
let you force it
out of me.

My name is
Mel Trevor, ma'am.

The sheriff asked you
what room you were in.



I didn't know you were
staying in town, Mel.

And I didn't know
I had to tell you

every move I made,
Sheriff.

Just making
conversation.

How long has it been?

I tell you what--

Why don't you
give me a refill

and give the lady
what she wants,

and, uh, give us
a chance to get
acquainted.

I gotta keep askin'
until you answer, Mel.

How long
have you been here?

Oh, about a week,
on and off.

Gettin' lonesome
at the ranch?

Listen, I got 4,000
head of cattle
out there.

Bidding
starts tomorrow.

I gotta line up
the best prices
I can goin' in.

Oh, by the way,
you ought to be
at the pens by dawn.

Don't think
I can make it.

Why not?

Might have something
a little more important

than keepin' the peace
for a bunch of steers.

There is nothing more
important in this town
than steers.

If anybody ought to
know that, it's you.

Ma'am, do you have
any children?

Three sons
and a daughter.

Well, maybe you'll
understand what
I'm talking about.

Cattle are a lot like
some children.

You spend your life
taking care of them

because they don't
have enough sense

to take care
of themselves.

You worry about
their weight,
what they eat,

whether they're
warm enough
in the winter,

cool enough
in the summer.

You don't really
have much time
for anything else.

But if they grow
into what you
want them to be,

why...I guess
it was all worth it.

Where is she?

I--I beg your pardon,
ma'am?

Well, you're
obviously in on it.

Uh, Sheriff, what is
she talkin' about?

I thought I was
supposed to ask
the questions.

But you're not!
You're just chatting!

MAN: One swallow--
that's the deal.

Well, if you let me in
on this, ma'am,
maybe I can help.

Ahh!

Steady as she goes,
sailor.

Oh, he ain't
no sailor, ma'am.

He's just a plain,
everyday range bum.

Why don't you save
some of that?

You thirsty, lady?

No, but my daughter
might be.

Oh?

The pretty blond
you danced with

a few hours ago.

Frank, did I dance
with a blond girl?

Well, if you did,

you sure kept it
from your best friend.

[laughs]

You know who I mean.

No, ma'am, I don't.

Why don't you
bring her on over?

I know I'd like her.

Now, what did that
get you?

Is the whole town
in on this?

Why?

What did we do?

Why don't you
sit down?

What did we do to them?

What did we do to them?!

Now, you listen to me.

You listen to me.

My name is
Victoria Barkley.

My daughter's name
is Audra Barkley.

Now, she's missing,

and a lot of you know
what happened to her.

And I'm going to find her.

You think
because I'm a woman,

that I'll give up,
that turn and run.

Well, I won't!

So, you'd better get
used to me.

I'm staying right here
until I find my daughter.

I'm not leaving here
until I find her.

And I warn you--
I warn you--

She'd better not be hurt.

I'm a doctor,
Mrs. Barkley.

Try to calm
yourself.

Get her up
to her room.

No! No! No!

Let her be, Hearn!

She's giving
the hotel
a bad name.

It's better than
the one it's got.

Now, it's all right,
Mrs. Barkley.

Let me go!

Oh, no!

I'm gonna give you
something to
help you rest.

No, no! I don't
want to rest.

Now, listen to me,
ma'am.

Just listen.
Now, just dry your eyes...

And relax.

No!

Just let her alone.

Let her alone!

You're in on this, too!

Ohh!

It's all right, folks.
It's all right.

The lady's
a little disturbed.

The doc will
take care of her.

Go ahead with
what you're doing.

[gasps]

[knock on door]

The stage is here.
They're holding it
for you.

Let it go.
I'm not leaving.

We need the room.

The stage.

You forgot your bag.

I found somebody
who knows Audra
was with me.

I thought we had
that all settled.

The stage driver.
He drove us all the way
from Salt Springs.

-Where is he?
-There he is.

Oh, no, no.
Not him.

-Oh, you mean that tall,
burly-headed fella.
-Yes.

He's halfway
to Denver by now.

Yes, but he knows
Audra--

I, uh--I don't know
what the doctor gave you,

but it really worked.

You slept clear through,
Mrs. Parker.

You're a day behind
the rest of us.

Where's the sheriff?

Well, most folks
come to me

with their problems.

I'll take my chances
with him.

He can't do nothin'
for you.

He's a tired old man.

Well, he gets out of breath
just pullin' on his boots.

Now, let's go back
to the hotel,

pack your bags,
and make sure you're
on this stage.

Got your ticket,
Mrs. Barkley?

You'll need it
for the stage.

How many ways
do I have to say it?

I am not leav--

[sighs]

Yes, yes, yes.
I have my ticket and--

Yes, I have my ticket.

And I have Audra's.

Now, if I were
traveling alone,

why would I have
two tickets to
the same place?!

Can you answer
the lady's question, Hearn?

Neither can I.

Now do you
believe me?

Well, let's just say

I don't doubt you
so much.

All right.
Where do we start?

I guess the best place
would be where you
lost her-- The hotel.

You won't find nothin'
there... except trouble.

What kind of trouble,
Hearn?

The kind
you can't afford.

A man can afford
most anything

when he's got
nothin' to lose.

How about the lady here?

From where I'm standin',
looks like she's got
a lot to lose.

An awful lot.

Let's go.

Oh, uh...

You're goin', all right.

You just might
have company.

It's nice and quiet
for a change.

Bidding started today.

Everybody's out
at the pens.

That's where
I ought to be.

[ding]

Mr. Trevor's
looking for you.

Is that a fact?

-He wants you
out at the pens.
-Later.

He won't like that.

I'm not one of
Mel Trevor's steers.

Heh. Aren't you?

You know, George,

something is
nagging at me.

Well, the doc
is in room 7.

It's a riddle,
a real puzzler.

Not interested.

You're part of it.

Still not interested.

Now, you said that
Mrs. Barkley's daughter
didn't register,

so she was never
in this hotel.

That's right.

Everybody who
stays in this hotel
must register, right?

That's the rule,
Sheriff.

Mel Trevor's name
ain't in your book.

Does that mean he was
never in this hotel?

He didn't have to sign
the register.

It's the rule,
Mr. Gates.

Maybe in all the rush
to get his things
into the girl's room,

it just slipped
everybody's mind.

Excuse me.
I have work to do.

I hope you can do it
in my office, George.

-What?
-You're under arrest.

On what charge?

Keepin' sloppy books.

-You can't do that.
-Watch me.

Well, I'm not going,
Sheriff.

After what you've told me,
you need protection.

I didn't tell you
anything.

-Didn't you?
-No!

You're a very
nervous man, George.

-Everybody knows that.
-No--

The least little
pressure, and you
just break wide open.

But you're my possum.

I'm gonna dangle you
at the end of my rope

and see what
starts nibblin'.

I just do what I'm told.

I hand out the keys
and I sort the mail.

And I laugh when
someone tells a joke

that I've heard 100 times.

Because that's what I am--
I'm a desk clerk.

It isn't much of a life,
but it's all I've got. Please.

Please don't take it
away from me.

Then where is she?

Can't you understand?
They'll k*ll me!

If you don't scare
yourself to death first.

No. No, no.

No!

-George!
-No!

[g*nshots]

It was just in
the line of duty, Sheriff.

Can't take chances
with a man running
from the law.

Or talking to it?

Well... lucky thing
you weren't first
out the door.

Or you, little lady.

I'll do that.
I'll do it.

You know,
that was a warning.

He was telling everybody
to keep quiet,

or they'd wind up
like Gates.

And they was tellin' us
to back off,

or we'd wind up
that way.

Sheriff, if the whole
town is in on this,

why didn't they
tell you about it?

I guess maybe
they figured if I knew,

I wouldn't sound
too convincing.

Ah, that's only
part of it.

More important,
they knew I wouldn't
do nothin'

if I did believe you.

-They were wrong.
-Not by much.

Last night,
you said they thought
you'd turn and run

'cause you was a woman.

You don't have to
wear skirts to do that.

It's just what
I want to do--

Get out to those pens and
mind Mel Trevor's cattle
for him.

They don't think
very much of you,
do they--

I mean,
the deputy, Trevor,
and all the rest?

They got a right.

You see, this town,
this territory,

makes its living
off of cattle.

Prime stock
bring in prime prices.

When the bidding's over
and the money's
been collected,

everybody puts it in
the bank for safe keeping.

You don't have
to tell me.

You ought to know who
you're gettin' stuck with.

Last year, three men
made a withdrawal,

using their g*ns
for collateral.

They cut
the bank clerk down

'cause his hands
were shakin' so bad,

he couldn't load
the money fast enough.

He was about my age,
and he was an old man--

No match for
the three of them.

Lookin' down at him,
I knew I wasn't, either.

And it froze me.

For the first
time in my life,
I was scared of dyin'.

I got on my horse

and I rode the other way.

The ranchers
formed a posse,

but they waited
too long--for me--
to lead 'em.

They come up empty,
and those three fellas
ain't been found yet.

But you're still
the sheriff.

[scoffs]

When I got back,
they wanted to lynch me.

Sometimes I wish they had.

Instead, they hired Hearn
to be my deputy

and told him he'd be sheriff
when my term was up.

I got three months to go.

Then what?

I was a pretty
good sheriff once.

The town voted me
the use of 25 acres
near the river.

That totals out
about an acre a year.

It's, uh,
Trevor's land.

And he can
take it back.

Anytime he wants.

He's part of all this.

Well, now,
that's my worry.

Why don't you go
back to the hotel?

I'll be close by.

I practically know
your life story...

But I don't know
your name.

It's Kingston, ma'am.
Roy Kingston.

I'm very pleased
to know you...

Mr. Kingston.

I sure hope you say that
when this is all over.

[knock on door]

-Who is it?
-Kingston.

-Sheriff. Sheriff,
I know where Audra is.
-So do I.

Trevor--he gave me
this handkerchief
last night.

It has Audra's
perfume on it.

-I wired Stockton--
-Didn't you hear me?

-This just came--
-Trevor has Audra!

-Read it.
-Don't you--

Oh, no.
No, that's a lie.

Your son's name
is Jarrod, isn't it?

Yes, but the tele--

"Audra safe and sound.

"Tell mother
to hurry home.

We all miss her."

Signed, Jarrod Barkley.

Oh.

They finally
got to you, too,
didn't they?

What?

Nothing.

Nothing.

[sobbing]
Oh, Audra.

[sobbing]

Why? Why?

Why did you
do this to me?

Mrs. Barkley?

She's done this before.

Done what?

Run away.

Your daughter ran away?

In Salt Springs--
the last stop we made.

I refused to believe it
because I--

I didn't want
to believe it.

It's very hard
sometimes for--

for a mother to admit
the truth about
her daughter, but--

Well, it's not so bad.

After all,
she's home now.

Everything's
all right.

Yes.

Yes, she's home.

And I want
to go home, too.

What time does
the next stage leave?

A couple of hours.

I'll be on it.

You sure?

I--

I just want
to go home.

[door closes]

I'm sorry I caused
all this trouble.

Oh, we understand,
Mrs. Barkley.

It was foolish of me.

Well, we all let
our imaginations

run away from us
sometime.

Sheriff, thank you.

Thank you very much
for everything.

[stage door closes]

Hyah! Hyah!

Well, Roy,
everything's fine...

And nobody got hurt.

If you don't
count Gates.

I don't.

You might strain
your elbow,

you keep bendin' it
like that, Roy.

Mrs. Barkley's still
stuck in his craw.

We had to do it.
You know that.

Sure, I know that.

Then why fight it?
It'll be over soon.

That supposed to make it
any easier?

-Keep your voice down.
-Oh, come on, Mel.

We don't have any secrets
around here.

We're just one big,
happy family!

Now, listen to me,
you drunken bum.

In three months,
you're gonna come
crawlin' to me,

beggin' for those


I'm tryin'
to forget that.

Well, don't you
forget it...

Because I can
still say no.

Look at you.
You're an old man.

What are you
gonna do?

Where are you gonna
go without me,

without my land,
without my charity?

Think that over.

I'll be
in the office.

Sheriff.

Don't, uh...
fall apart again,

because there'll be
nobody around to
pick up the pieces.

We should've taken care
of him a long time ago.

You'll get his badge
soon enough.

[laughter]

-Is this her food?
-Yes, doctor.

Where's Mr. Trevor?

I don't know.

All right, well,
take the tray
on down to her.

I'm not going
down there.

Take it down!

Hey.
What's the hurry?

I thought you left town.

-I forgot something.
-Uh-huh. What?

Something I left
with the porter.

Excuse me.

I think we'd better
tell the sheriff.

Yeah, good idea.

[laughter]

[dog barks]

[door opens]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Audra.

Audra.

Audra?

Audra.

Aud-aud--

Audra--

Oh, what did they
do to you?

What did they--

[footsteps]

HEARN: I don't see
why we have to move her.

TREVOR: Hmm.
The doc says one more
night down here

might finish her.

But supposin'
somebody sees us?

Everybody's drunk
or tired.

All we have to do
is be careful.

She's gone.

She couldn't have
gone far.

Not in her condition.

Oh!

So, you couldn't even
buy your own lie.

Oh, please.
Please let us go.

She's very ill.

TREVOR: So are you,
Mrs. Barkley.

I don't hold out
too much hope
for your recovery.

You're not like them!

Look again.

You let go of that thing.
You'll wake up everybody.

Right. We'll take 'em
out of town.

Nobody will hear
anything out at
the Ophir Mine.

Keep them out of
circulation for
a few days.

That was the deal.

Mrs. Barkley just
canceled that deal.

She's one of the most
respected women
in the state.

When she talks,
everybody listens.

But you just can't
k*ll two people.

Well, how can we
k*ll them, Roy?

Mrs. Barkley left town
hours ago.

Her daughter
wasn't even here.
Isn't that what she told you?

-Yeah, but I--
-We don't know
where they went.

Nobody else will,
either.

Oh, you're quite
a businessman,

aren't you,
Mr. Trevor?

Tell me, how do you
buy a man's soul

for 25 acres of land
near the river?

-It's all I've got.
-But is it all you want?

Get the rig
and bring it out back.

Unlock the rear door.

Go ahead, Sheriff.
Go ahead, do it.

Pretend we never existed.
You can do that.

What do two strangers
mean to man

who doesn't even care
about himself?

-All it takes is--
-Shut up!

Ohh!

-Back off, Mel!
-Get the rig!

That's as far
as you go, Hearn!

She's tryin'
to save herself.

That's what we're all
tryin' to do, ain't it?

Roy...

The girl has anthrax.

You know what that means.

Nobody will touch
our cattle.

We'll be right back
where we were a year ago--

starvin' to death.

A full belly ain't worth
their lives.

A few more days,
and it'll all be over.

The cattle will be sold,
and nobody would know.

I'll know, Mel.

VICTORIA:
Uh-uh-uh. Stay put.

I feel fine.

You'll feel even better

when Nick and Jarrod
get here tomorrow...

if you stay put.

What am I gonna do
with her?

Listen.

Did I give
the cattle anthrax?

No, ma'am.
Humans can't give it.

No, they can only get it.

Well, then why did
they kidnap me?

If the buyers knew there
was anthrax in the area,

they wouldn't touch
those cattle.

The cattlemen around here
would go broke.

Why didn't you tell me
you were ill, Audra?

I thought I was only
tired from the trip.

And I didn't want
to worry you.

So, I asked
the desk clerk to
send up the doctor.

After he examined me,
he gave me a shot,

and I went to sleep,
and woke up in
that cellar.

Well, it's over now.

And, as long as we
have to stay here
for a couple of days,

we might as well
be comfortable.

I'll see you
before you leave.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Thank your mother.

She's got a painful
sense of right and wrong.

Are you sorry?

No.

It gave me
another chance.

You know, there are
three fellas riding
around out there

with somethin' that
don't belong to 'em.

And I got three months
to get it back.

You will, Sheriff.

I think
you're right... now.

♪ [theme]