03x15 - The Buffalo Man

[bunniefuu]

Whoa!

MAN: Afternoon.

Mrs. Barkley?

-Yes, and this is
my daughter Audra.
-Hello.

How do you do?
I'm Mr. Birch.

How do you do?

I've got three convicts
back there for you.

Only three?

Well, it's all
the warden could spare.

You want 'em to go
to work right away?

Oh. Well, no.

No, you've had
a hard journey.

Tomorrow morning will be time
enough to start work.

They'll be quartered
in the bunkhouse.

Well, the safest place
for them jackals

is where they are right now,
in the wagon.

Overnight? There's
hardly enough room
to breathe in there.

They were hired
to pick your peach crop.

They can breathe
when they're workin'.

I wouldn't quarter
an animal in that wagon,
Mr. Birch.

If that's the way
you want it.

I don't know how
your men will feel

bunkin' with
convicts, ma'am.

The men are
on a cattle drive.

The bunkhouse is empty.

Now, will you please
get those men out of
that wagon?

Yes, ma'am.

All right,
away from the door!

Come on out.

Go on, move along.
Keep your eyes
to yourself.

Come on, Damien!
What are you waiting for?

Come on!

That scum--
Worst of the lot.

You see what I mean?

Jackals like these

have to be treated
like wild animals.

Let 'em out of
their cages,

and there's no tellin'
what they're liable to do.

Don't touch me.

♪ [theme]

VICTORIA:
Come on, baby, come on.

AUDRA:
That's it, come on.

-Come on.
-Ah-ah-ah-ah.

Come on, baby.
Come on, try it.

Come on, baby.
It's good.

It's good, come on.

Come on. Now, now, now.

Looks like you've got
a little problem there.

-Jarrod.
-What are you doing home?

I thought you were
going to be in Sacramento
for another week.

Well, so did I,
but I had to come
back to Stockton

to check some records
at the courthouse.

Looks like I'll be here
a couple of days.

What's the matter
with the foal?

We're trying to
get him to eat.

-The mare won't feed him.
-Not at all?

Every time he goes near her,
she kicks at him.

Well, she'll probably
get used to him in
a couple of days.

There's some ham
in the warmer.

Have you had
your dinner?

No, and I am starved.

I'll fix you something.

Uh, by the way...

what's that
prison wagon
doing out there?

Oh.

Well, there was
a case of typhoid
on the cattle drive,

and all the men
are in quarantine
near Calistoga.

Quarantine?
Nick and Heath, too?

Yes, and they won't
be back for at least
another week,

which created a little
problem for us.

We have a peach crop
that should be picked,
and no one to pick it.

So, I decided to hire
some convicts from
the state prison.

You hired convicts?

They arrived
this afternoon.

You're for that,
aren't you, Jarrod?

Yeah, yeah,
I'm for that.

But not with
everybody gone.

Oh, Jarrod, all we've
ever heard about convicts

is they're not
to be trusted,

that they should be treated
like dangerous animals.

Now, isn't that
the reason

we joined the prison
reform association--

Because we disagreed
with that?

Mother, that's not
the point.

Isn't it?

Next month, we go
before the legislature

to try and get
a parole system started,

and when we do,
we should be able
to offer them

more than just theory.

Now, Jarrod,
you're a lawyer.

Wouldn't it make
our case much stronger

if we could tell them
that we've actually
worked with prisoners,

and that we know
from experience

they can and will
respond to trust
and fairness?

I'll fix your dinner.

You know, sometimes
I think she should've been
the lawyer in this family.

I think you're right.

Where are those men
quartered?

They're in the bunkhouse.

Hello.

I'm Jarrod Barkley.

Mr. Barkley,
Mr. Birch.

You that Barkley that was
head of the committee

investigating
the prisons a while back?

Yeah, that's right.

I gotta be honest
with you, Mr. Barkley--

I think you folks
on the outside

got a lot to learn
about convicts.

Especially this
parole business of yours.

Now, that ain't
gonna work.

What makes you say that?

Criminals can't change,
Mr. Barkley,

no more than a wildcat
can change.

I don't think I agree
with that, Mr. Birch.

Yeah.

Sit up!
Give Mr. Barkley--

There's no need
for that, Mr. Birch.

Let them stay
where they are.

It's up to you,
but they don't deserve
no favors, none of 'em.

Let me introduce you.

Jaimy Stats.

He's in for r*pe
and as*ault.

Jack Dobbs.

Knifed a rancher
in Benicia.

k*lled him.

Damien.

Hold-up.

But, for my money,
he's the worst
of the lot.

You men have been
hired to pick peaches.

But I suppose you've
already been told that.

They ain't allowed to talk
without permission,
Mr. Barkley.

Easier to keep 'em
in line that way.

That may be true
in prison, Mr. Birch,
but not here.

I don't have the authority
to change the warden's orders,
Mr. Barkley

I'm giving you
that authority.

As I understand it,
as long as you're
on this ranch,

you're under
my orders.

I'll take full
responsibility.

As long as you put it
that way, Mr. Barkley.

I want you men to
understand something.

As long as you're
on this ranch,
you can talk freely,

just like any of
the other workers.

I want you
to understand
something else.

Picking peaches
is not as easy
as you might think.

This ranch
has a reputation
for three things--

Good food, clean beds,

and fair treatment.

Any questions?

All right.

I'll probably be gone

before you leave
in the morning,
Mr. Birch,

so if there's anything
you need or want,

check with Mrs. Barkley.

I'll do that.

[plays]

What are you starin' at?

The house.

There's a light on
upstairs.

I bet it's that
yellow-haired gals' window.

She's probably sittin'
in front of her mirror...

...brushin' her hair.

Brushin', brushin'
and brushin'.

Shut up.

You know...

I was in that room...

I'd come up kind of
quiet-like behind her.

I'd place both my hands
on her shoulders.

And she'd see 'em
in the mirror.

And then I'd smell
that perfume on her neck.

I'd begin to
stroke her hair...

slowly.

I'd bring my face
down close to hers.

And then--

Then she'd scream.
I'm sure she would.

And I'd take that yellow hair,

and I'd wrap it round her neck
and pull it tight.

Oh, that would be nice.

Oh, so nice.

Look...

I don't want you
gettin' into any trouble
with that gal, you hear?

'Cause I got plans.

And I don't want you
to spoil 'em.

What do you mean?

You heard Barkley.

He's one of them reformers,
like his old lady.

They don't like chains,

whippings,
nothin' like that.

So, don't you see?

Lots of things can happen

with fools
like that around.

Especially
in a peach grove.

Psst! Damien.

Is that the way
you figure it, too?

I just figure
not to go back.

BIRCH:
All right, inside.

Good morning.

Morning, ma'am.

We're all set, ma'am.

Good.
I'll get my horse

and take you out
to the orchard.

-You?
-That's right.

Here it is,
Mrs. Barkley.

Oh, Silas.

-Put it in the wagon, please.
-Yes.

Silas makes a special
kind of stew.

All it needs
is dishing up.

Look at
the trained hound.

There's no trained hound
around here, fella...

unless that's what
you call someone who
works for a living.

All right, what are
you waiting for?

Get in the cage.

Come on, move it.

Hands down, jackals.

Anything you want
to tell 'em before
they start work?

It just
occurred to me,

I don't even know
your names.

What's the matter? You deaf?
The lady's askin' for your name.

Jack Dobbs, ma'am.

Jack Dobbs.

And you're--

My name's Jaimy Stats.

Jaimy Stats.

-And you're--
-Damien.

Damien.

That's an interesting
name--Damien.

Like the leper.

Do you know anything
about peaches, Damien?

Enough to spit out
the pits.

Watch your tongue.

Mr. Birch, when
the wagon is loaded,

drive it to
the packing shed
at the west end

-and unload it.
-Yes, ma'am.

Any one of you know
how to drive a team?

-Not me.
-I never drive a team.

No.

May I see your hands,
Damien?

Do you mind?

There's only one way

to get calluses
between the fingers
like that.

From reins.

I can't drive.

Get your trained hound
to do it.

I said, watch your tongue,
jackal!

That's all right,
Mr. Birch.

I'll drive it myself.

I'll see you later
this afternoon.

All right, you've been
loafin' long enough.

Get the basket,
start pickin' the peaches.

Move!

I want some water,
Birch.

You'll get some
when we stop for chow.

Get that loaded.

Hey, Damien,
lookie here.

Fresh mushroom.

I ain't had one
for years.

-No.
-Hey! What's the matter
with you?

It's red milk mushroom--
Like toadstool.

-Toadstool? You sure?
-Mm-hmm.

Well, it's a good
thing you noticed.

I might've
been k*lled.

No, it can't k*ll you.

It can make you
sick enough to wish
you were dead, though.

All right, you two,
quit that yappin'.

Get back to work.

Come on, hurry up, Dobbs.
I'm hungry, too.

Sit down where
I can watch you.

What are you starin' at?

What's goin' on?

You put somethin'
into the stew.

You're tryin'
to poison me.

Who did it?

You?

Answer!

I swear--

I'll find out.

Get up!

Get up, all of you!

In the wagon!

I'm warnin' you.

[g*nsh*t]

No, no, no, Birch!
Don't sh**t!

I didn't do it!
Damien--

Damien put
the toadstool
in the stew.

Inside.

Get away
from the door.

Damien!

Damien!

VICTORIA: Damien!

Uhh!

How did you get away?

Birch eats too much.

Much obliged.

Damien.

I'm not afraid
to use this.

Go ahead.

Death's better
than these chains.

Damien, a lot of people
are trying

to do away
with those chains,

help prisoners earn freedom,
real freedom.

Come back with me
and you'll have a chance
for it, too.

Pretty words.

And your kind are good
with those words,

but they don't mean nothin',
nothin' at all.

[g*nsh*t]

The next shot
goes through your leg.

Freedom.

[whip snaps]

Get out of the way.

You're not gonna
touch him again.

He tried to poison me.
He's being punished.

Not while I'm here.

Get out of
the way, girl!

What's goin' on here,
Birch?

This jackal tried
to poison me.

JARROD: Cut him loose.

-Now, Mr. Barkley--
-I said cut him loose!

All right.

But you won't
get no thanks,
I warn you.

Over here, Damien.

Audra, get some water.

I'll get some salve.

Jarrod...

What are
you starin' at?
Get to your bunks.

I don't need any help.

I don't cut that easy,
Birch.

I told you you wouldn't
get any thanks.

Jarrod, what is it?

Did you see
that tattoo?

He was a buffalo
soldier, Audra.


part of my own regiment.

"Preservation,
compassion, brotherhood."

That was our regiment motto.

Come to the aid
of a soldier,
any time, any place.

At any price.

You gonna
sit there all day?

Get the horse
inside.

There's a bad cut
on that tendon.
It ought to be cleaned out.

I thought you didn't
know anything
about horses.

Anybody can see fester.

You just haven't
learned your lesson,
have you, jackal?

Or maybe you think
the people around here

are gonna protect you.

But you just
remember this--

We're not
staying here forever.

Another week,
we'll be back in prison,

and you're gonna
find out that beating
was just the beginning.

I'm gonna get you,
jackal, you hear?

Now, get that horse
in the barn.

Does that help?

Mud poultice is always good
when nothing else is handy.

That's a good thing
to know.

Come on, boy.

DAMIEN: Whoa.

Damien?

Would you help my colt?

I can't get him to eat.

Ain't he got no ma?

Yes, but she won't
nurse him.

I've tried
everything--

Hand-feeding,
mashed grain.

He won't touch it.

What's keepin' you?

Get outside!

There's nothin'
I can do.

Come on, move it.

[playing]

What was very nice,
Jaimy. You play well.

-Thank you, ma'am.
-Lemonade?

You?

Sounds nice, ma'am.

I don't like lemonade.

Damien?

-You make it?
-Mm-hmm.

Ain't had any
in a long time.

[playing]

My son tells me
you were a buffalo
soldier.

He saw the tattoo mark
on your arm.

What's he know about
buffalo soldiers?

Oh, he commanded
a platoon of them
during the w*r.

Part of your
same regiment.

He tell you why
the Indians call us that?

It was because
we reminded them
of buffalos.

Mean-eyed buffalos.

How'd your fancy son
like leading a pack
like that?

Jarrod said they were
the finest, bravest men

he has ever known.

That tattoo
don't mean nothin'.

It was a long time ago.

It means you know
a lot about horses.

Maybe.

What difference
does it make?

Damien, you saw
Audra's foal.

Now, if he doesn't
take nourishment
pretty soon,

he's going to die.

Do you think you could
do anything to help him?

Why should I?

Because,
to a buffalo soldier,

a good horse
is the most important
thing there is.

And that foal--

That foal
is a good horse.

I ain't a buffalo soldier
no more.

Aren't you?

Then why did you pack
that horse's leg?

Don't try
and trick me, lady.

-Let me see your back.
-It's nothin'.

Let me see your back!

Those welts have
broken open again.

You shouldn't have
worked the orchard.

You're not going back
until they're healed.

You bargaining?
Is that it, lady?

My back for her colt?

No matter what you do
about that colt,

you are not going back
to the orchard

until those welts
have closed!

This is a big ranch.

And there are plenty
of horses on it.

Why does she care so much
about this one colt?

She cares because
she's loved horses
all her life.

When she was eight,
she was showing
stallions.

Now, I don't have
to tell you, Damien,

for someone like that,

there's always
one special horse.

For Audra,
it's that foal.

Please help her
keep him, Damien.

[whinnies]

Come on, fella.

Let's see if your
mother will give you
some breakfast.

[whinnying]

[whinnying]

Whoa, easy. Easy.

Easy. Come on, come on.

[whinnies]

[whinnying]

Get out of there!

Easy, easy. Easy.

Come on, baby.
Easy, baby.

Easy, come on. Come on.

Run!

[neighing]

Hah! Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah!

Hah! Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah! Hah!

Get out! Run!

[neighing]

She just won't
feed him.

A refusing mare
is dangerous.

You shouldn't be in there
when she's loose.

How else am I gonna
get her to feed him?

Build a stanchion.

Then she'll have
to feed him.

How?

I'll have to show you.

[horse whinnying]

No!

Mrs. Barkley, ever since
I've been here,

you've been ignoring
my advice.

Well, I'm telling
you this--

That lazy, no-good jackal
ain't staying here loose

when I'm in the orchard,
and that's all that's to it.

Well, he can't build
a stanchion

tied to a post.

Well, then he ain't
gonna build it--

Not without a guard.
He gets away,
it means my job,

even if it was
your orders.

All right,
I'll stand guard.

I'll keep a g*n on him
the entire time
he's working.

[hammering]

All right, you can
bring him out now.

Now she can't stop him,

and he can eat
till he busts.

All he needs
is showin'.

So, let's, uh,
get him started.

Okay, boy. Chow time.

[whinnying]

Easy, easy, girl. Easy.

Come on. Come, easy.

Easy.

Come on, easy.

Easy, come on.
Easy, easy.

Easy, easy.
That's good.

It worked.
He's eating.

He's gonna be
all right, Damien.

Yep.

He's gonna be all right.

Whoa, whoa. Whoa, there.

Get away from the door.

Come on.

That big boy's
got it sweeter than
you have, Birch.

That yellow-haired gal
beats peaches any day.

Come on.
Unhitch the horses.

Jarrod.

Isn't it wonderful?

Damien's got him
on solid food.

So I see.

Get in there.

What's that you've
got him eating?

Chicken mash and milk.

[laughs]

I think that's one
brother Nick hasn't
even heard of.

Uh, Audra, speaking
of solid food,

would you go tell
Mother I'm home

and about as
starved as that
little fella is?

I'll be along in
a couple of minutes.

All right.

That foal means
a great deal
to Audra, Damien.

I want you to know
we're grateful.

That ain't what
you came to say.

No. No, but that's
part of it.

I'm going back
to Sacramento
in the morning.

I'm gonna speak
to the prison
authorities there.

We're trying to start
a parole system.

If we do, I want
yours to be one of
the first hearings.

Just 'cause of him?

Not exactly.

What were
those words--

"Preservation,
compassion,
brotherhood"?

I think you still
believe in them.

You're wrong.

I was kicked out
of the army.

A fancy young lieutenant...

...using Indian prisoners
for target practice.

Even women.

And I stopped him.
I stopped him cold.

Ten years of my life
I give 'em.

And they give me
a dishonorable discharge.

Now, you--

You still want to...

try for that
parole hearing?

Harder than ever,
I think.

Good night, Damien.

You ain't gettin'
no parole hearing.

Not if I can help it.

All right,
get the horses hitched.

You, too. You're comin'
with us today.

Damien?
Damien, the foal!

What happened?

I don't know.
He was all right
last night.

I know.
I saw you feed him.

Toadstool.

Still using the same
thing, ain't you?

What are you
trying to say?

You're not gettin' away
with it this time, Damien.

I didn't k*ll him.
You know that.

Who else? You fed him.

You were the last one
in here.

No.

You was.

I don't know when,
but you was.

So, this is how you're
gonna break me, Birch?

k*lling this helpless
little colt?

This is what you meant
about my parole?

I'm gonna k*ll you,
Birch.

Damien, no!
That's what he
wants you to do!

-Get back, girlie!
-What's going on?

BIRCH: Your friend there
fed toadstools to the colt,
k*lled him.

AUDRA:
That's not true.

You stay back there!

You and that
yellow-haired gal!

[g*nsh*t]

Jaimy, get his keys.
Unlock these chains.

Then you and Damien
saddle up them horses.

We're gettin'
out of here.

-They comin' with us?
-You bet.

There's no need
for that.

Leave them be here.

Uh-uh.
They're good hostages.

Yeah, they're gonna
come in mighty handy.

Especially
this one here.

You leave her be.

Go on,
saddle up them horses.

Damien, Birch is dead.

And we're all convicts.

The law ain't gonna care
who did it.

VICTORIA: Damien.

Sooner or later,

you're going
to have to k*ll us.

I said saddle up
them horses!

[horse neighs]

I'm gonna k*ll you,
Damien!

Uhh!

Damien!

[g*nsh*t]

Damien!

No, it's nothin',
it's nothin'.

It's nothin'.

I'm, uh...

...a buffalo soldier,
remember?

Well, I guess
this is good-bye.

Not for long, Damien.

You've got nothin'
but trouble

to report to
the prison authorities.

Oh, no, we have you
to tell them about.

You think they'll
take stock of me?

I think they will,
Damien.

Good luck.

Mrs. Barkley...

You may not get your
parole system started.

But it's good to know
that there are people
like you outside...

who care.

I'm sorry about that foal.

I know, Damien.

When you're free,
you can help me
train another one.

Giddyap.

♪ [theme]