03x24 - The Devil's Masquerade

[bunniefuu]

Heath!
Come here, Heath!

Jim.

Come on, sit down.
Have one with me.

Hey. A glass for
Mr. Barkley.

What are you doin'
all dressed up like
a San Francisco banker?

I'll bet today's
the big day.

Yep, it's the day,
all right.

You know, Nancy's stage
doesn't come in to Stockton,

so I have to pick her up
in Peshtigo at 3:00.

You're not nervous, are you?

Nervous? What have I
got to be nervous about?

-Not a thing.
-Darn right.

You know, Heath,
I must've written
Nancy Briggs 100 letters

over the past
two years.

It's just like
courtin' her in person.

You bet.

She's a genteel
Eastern woman,

but that don't
make no difference.

She and me are gonna
get along just fine.

You don't need any more
of that if you're gonna
meet that 3:00 stage.

What do you say
I do the honors?

Well, that's mighty
kind of you, Heath.

Hey, easy, Jim.

Phew! Ha ha.

I think Nancy'll
like these.

Well, you'll
soon find out.

Hey, easy, Jim.

I'm just fine.
I'm just fine, Heath.

Sure you can drive
that buggy all right?

Yes, I can drive
that buggy. Don't worry.

Are you hurt, Jim?

It's my back again.

Don't you move.
I better get the doc.

No, no. Nancy,
she's expecting me.

You can't drive
that buggy like that.

She's waiting for me.
Who's gonna pick her up, Heath?

♪ [theme]

[rustling]

You're a welcome
sight, mister.

What happened?

The outlaws.
We were held up.

WOMAN: It was awful,
just awful.

He shot the driver
and that poor girl.

She caught
a stray b*llet.

Miss Briggs here and I
were lucky to escape
with our lives.

How long ago
did they leave?

About a half an hour.

We thought it'd be
safer to stay here
by the stage.

You were right.

We'll see the sheriff
when we get into Stockton.

Do you think we could
put the suitcases
in your surrey?

-Sure.
-Thank you.

I'm supposed to meet
someone at Peshtigo.

I'm Heath Barkley,
Miss Briggs.

Jim North's friend.

Oh, hello.

I'm afraid I have
some disappointing news.

I hope he didn't
change his mind.

No, it's just
a little trouble
with his back.

Nothin' serious.

I'm glad it's
nothing to worry about.

In fact, Jim sent
these to you.

Oh, they're lovely.

Sooner we get started,
sooner you can tell
Jim in person.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Barkley.

I'll be staying
in town for a while.

I'd like to buy you
a drink sometime
if I may.

It'll be my pleasure.

Good-bye,
Miss Briggs.

Oh, good-bye,
Mr. Clayton.

I want to thank you
for all the kindness
you showed me.

Don't mention it.

I'd like to wish you
the greatest happiness
in your forthcoming marriage.

Thank you.

I must confess,
Mr. Barkley.

I'm a little bit nervous.

There's nothing
to be nervous about.

Well, I keep thinking
that Jim won't like me.

Oh, Jim will
like you.

Miss Briggs, have you
ever been to Denver?

-Denver? No.
-Carson city?

No, Mr. Barkley. Why?

You just look
familiar to me.

I don't see
how that could be.

I've never been west
of St. Louis.

Schoolteachers, see,
they can't afford
to travel very much.

Mr. Barkley, you're
a good friend of
Jim's, aren't you?

I've known him
a long time.

Well, tell me about him.

I wouldn't know
where to begin.

What's his favorite
kind of food?

I hope you're good
with chili peppers.

Chili peppers?

He acquired
quite a taste for 'em
in Mexico last year.

Oh.

Didn't he write you
about that?

Oh, no, he didn't.

I guess he wouldn't.

Why? What happened?

There was a flood in
some small Mexican border town.

He and Maria went down
to see what he could do.

Stayed about three months.

Three months.

He's quite a man,

and his wife must've
been quite a woman

to stay down there
with him.

Maria's his housekeeper.

His wife Rachel
died eight years ago.

Oh, of course.
His housekeeper.
How could I forget?

He's mentioned her
so often in his letters.

How much further
do we have to go?

About 20 minutes.

Oh. I'm much more tired
than I thought.

Do you mind if I rest
a little bit?

Maria, are you sure
everything is all right?

Si, señor Jim.

Good. Her room.

Oh, her room
is beautiful.

Fresh flowers,
like you say.

Good, good.
That's good.

Oh, Maria,
the supper.

Oh, the supper
will be fine.

Everything
will be fine.

Everything
will be fine.
Of course.

Everything's
going to be fine.

[horses approaching]

Here they come.

Maria, here, hide this.

Quick. No, Maria.

How do I look?

Oh, you look handsome,
señor Jim.

Good. Come, Maria.

Maria, I will stand here.
You open the door.

Yes.

There she is,
Jim, safe and sound.

Please.
I take.

I'm so glad
you're here.

Did you have
a nice trip?

Oh, yes,
it was fine...

Wonderful. I'm glad
you had a nice trip.

I'd better be
goin', Jim.

Oh, no, Heath. Stay.

Have some coffee
or something.

Come in, come in.

You must be tired, Nancy.

The coffee
will pick you up.

And we'll have
something to eat.

Come on, sit down,
right here.

Sit down.

Nancy, you and me,
we got a lot to talk about.

I suppose we do.

Now you can understand why
I didn't ask for your picture.

It means I'd have to
send you one of mine.

I didn't want you to see
what I looked like,
my age and all.

Jim, you don't have to...

Well, now you've seen me.

You can turn around and walk out
right now, Nancy.

I wouldn't blame you
one bit. Not one bit.

Just ask Heath and he'll
take you back to town.

I want to stay.

You sure, Nancy?

I'm sure.

I promise you,
you're gonna be happy here.

I'm gonna make you happy.

I'll love you,
everybody will.

Jim, I'm happy already.

I'll make you a good wife.

The best I know how.

You know, Nancy, my friends
told me to take an ad out

in a magazine,
advertise for a wife.

I thought it was foolish.

That's the best thing
I ever did in my life.

Well, Jim,
I better be goin'.

Thank you, Heath.
Thank you.

Everything's working out
fine, isn't it?

It sure is.

Good-bye, Miss Briggs.

We're neighbors now.
Call her Nancy.

I'll remember that.

Good-bye, Nancy.

Good-bye, Heath,
and thank you.

Good-bye, Jim.

Good-Bye, Heath.

Nick, we're gonna need
some new brushes, ya know?

Brushes.

Gettin' somethin'
out of you is like
pullin' up stumps.

What's the matter?

The girl.
What's she like?

She's fine.
Just fine.

Is she pretty?

Yeah, she's pretty.

Is that all,
just pretty?

Well, she's more than that.

She's... I'd say
she's beautiful.

Well, what else about her?
You think she's right for Jim?

I suppose so.

Sure.

But what?

Nothing. She's fine.

Well, whatever
she's like,

we're sure gonna find out
tomorrow night, now aren't we?

Excuse me. Dinner will be ready
in a few minutes.

Nancy, I don't want you
spending all that time
in the kitchen from now on.

Wait'll you see
the dinner she's
prepared for us.

She's thought
of everything.

As a matter of fact,
she put in just the
right amount of chili pepper.

With a little help
from Maria.

Jim is fortunate
to have found you, Nancy.

And we're all
very glad he did.

Thank you, Mrs. Barkley.

Tell me, what can I do
to help you with your wedding?

As a matter of fact, Victoria,
I was gonna talk to you
about that.

Nancy would like to go into town
to buy a few things.

Well, I'd love to take her.

I know just the seamstress
to make your wedding dress.

Heath can drive us in,

and I'm sure there'll be
enough time for me
to show you our school.

Your school?

I hope you like it.

We can use a good
elementary grade teacher.

The children are lovely,
and with your experience,

they'll be no
problem at all.

Mrs. Barkley, I don't intend
to teach school.

Nancy, in your letters...

I thought you said
you'd like to

maybe teach
school.

Jim, I've changed my mind.
I don't want to
teach school.

I mean, you understand,
don't you?

I have a more
important job here--

Learning to be
a rancher's wife.

I want to devote
all my time to that.

Of course, Nancy.
I understand.

I'm sure you do,
too, Victoria.

Of course. We'll find
somebody else.

Dinner is served.

Jim, would you mind too much
if I escorted the next
Mrs. North to dinner?

Not at all. Victoria?

We'll be a couple of hours
picking out laces and material.

Heath, would you like
to help us make a few decisions?

Yeah, well, I think I just made
one, to be back in two hours.

Mr. Barkley.
Would you care
to take a hand?

Well, why not?

Quite a town you've got
here, Stockton.

Much bigger than I thought.

HEATH: It's growin'
every day.

Place for expansion.

Might be a likely spot
for investments.

You're in investments?

Yes, with my father.
You may have heard of him.

Everett Clayton.

Owns half of San Francisco.

Anybody gonna open?

I will for one dollar.

Yes, Stockton needs
a lot of looking into.

Can we play poker?
I want one card.

Mr. Barkley?

Three.

The dealer will
try his luck with these.

And bet five dollars.

I'll raise ya five.

It's Mr. Barkley's bet.

I'm out.

I said I'll raise ya five.

I'll just call you.

I pulled a flush.

Not good enough.

I have a full house,
all royal.

You didn't have
to draw any.

I'd say you're
a pretty slick dealer.

There wasn't any
slick dealing.

You're just a very bad
poker player.

You never bet your last dollar
into a man who's standing
with a pat hand.

Don't you know that?

Don't tell me
how to play poker.

Take it easy, mister.

Get your hand off.

Call your dog off
right now.

Down, Charlie. Down.

Now you take yourself
and that animal of yours

out of here right now
until you cool off, both of you.

Come on, Charlie.

I think I've had
enough poker for
today, Mr. Barkley.

It's a very bad habit of mine,
playing poker with strangers.

I must get over it.

May I buy you
that drink now?

Whiskey.

Bartender,
two whiskeys, please.

How is...
How is Miss Briggs?

Just fine. She should be
gettin' married pretty soon.

That's splendid,
splendid.

Too bad about that other girl
on the stage.

What was her name?

Miss Morrison.
Sheila Morrison.

It's a terrible shame
about her.

Was she from out here
or just visiting?

Well, I really don't know.
She never said much of anything.

You're lucky.

Usually a man rides with
a woman more than an hour,

he gets her life history.

Yes, of course.

Would you like
a cigar, Mr. Barkley?

No, thanks.

That's unfortunate.
Very good, you know.

Jack's Saloon.
Copper Creek.

You've been there, huh?

Couple of years back.

It's a terrible mud hole.

I personally, am very glad
to be out of there.

Well, I must be goin'.

Thanks for the drink,
Mr. Clayton.
See ya around.

I'll look forward to it.

This is the suitcase, Heath.

Nobody's
called for it.

We ain't found
no kin to notify.

Anything in it might
help identify her?

Just clothes.

Like these.

Some sort of
dance hall girl,
wouldn't you say?

Thanks, Phil.

It's nice of you to
ferry me back and forth
like this, Heath.

Just tryin' to
thank you, that's all.

Your mother, she's a
wonderful person, you know?

I've never met
anyone like her.

In fact, everyone's been
very kind to me.

Jim's friends.

Everyone except you, Heath.

You don't like me, do you?

I have no reason
not to like you.

Do I?

No, you have no reason
at all, Heath.

I've been waiting
for you.

Here, Nancy, let me
take those.

What did you do?
Come on in, Heath.

Did you buy
the whole store?

Well, what's
in this one?

Let me warn you, Nancy,
before I open it up.

I'm not one
for fancy hats.

I hope it's
not too fancy.

No. It's beautiful.
It's just beautiful.
Put it on.

She's gonna make
a fine wife,
ain't she, Heath?

She sure is.

Well, I better be
gettin' on, Jim.

You gonna stay
for supper?

Well, I'd like to,

but it's brandin' time,
and you know how that is.

You have to eat.
You might as well
eat with us, right, Nancy?

Yes, please stay, Heath.

I'd like to, but if
I don't get back,
Nick's liable to fire me.

If Nick fires you,
you come to work for me
at twice the pay.

Thanks, Jim.
Good-bye, Nancy.

Good-bye, Heath.

Good-bye, Heath.

Well, I guess we'll get some
of this merchandise upstairs.

Nancy.

What's wrong, Nancy?

Heath doesn't like me.

Doesn't like you?
That's the craziest
thing I ever heard.

Well, it's true.

Heath's a friend.
He's a good friend.
What reason would he have?

Anybody can see
how beautiful you are,

and how happy
you're making me.

Any man'd be a fool
not liking you, loving...

Maybe he likes you
too much.

He likes you too much,
and he's afraid to admit it.

Young fellas are
like that sometimes.

No, Jim, it's
nothing like that.

You're the prettiest girl
ever to come to Stockton.

Prettiest girl ever
most likely to show up here.

That's it, all right.

If I'd known you were
half as beautiful as you are,

I'd have sent Shorty,
my foreman, to pick you up.

He's about as tall
as he is wide and
handsome as a mud fence.

Jim, I want you to promise me
to never be jealous of Heath.

Of Shorty, anyone.

Promise me that.

I promise.

You're what I want, Jim.

Just what I want.

Nancy.

But, Jarrod, you're going
to San Francisco anyway.

Couldn't you at least
stop by Black and Foster's

and see if you can
find something?

Yes, I will be
in San Francisco,

yes, I could stop by
Black and Foster's.

However, much as I like
Jim and his bride-to-be,

and wish them
every happiness...

It's not a question
of their happiness.

It's just a question
of a wedding gift.

Ah, that's
important, true.

So is this extremely
complicated case I'm trying.

Well, I suppose I can find
something here in Stockton.

As a matter of fact,
I saw two beautiful
silver candelabras

in Hammond's.

-Candelabras?
-Mm-hmm.

Well...

What do you think
about that, Heath?

Hmm? Oh, fine.

Oh, fine.

You haven't heard
a word we've said.

Sure. You wanted Jarrod
to shop at Black and Foster's

for a gift; he's too busy
tryin' a case.

But he felt that
the candelabras
would be just fine.

I think that Jim would like
that sorrel colt of ours
he's been admirin'.

NICK: Heath!

Heath, you know we got
a whole army of
our cattle out there

waitin' to be branded?

I'm leavin' town
for a few days, Nick.

-After Friday.
-Can't wait till then.

I can't spare ya. I need you
to finish that brandin'.

Hire some extra men.

We've hired all
the extra men we can.

What I need out there
is a man to take charge

and give orders like he owned
as much of this ranch as I do.

Well, gentlemen, lovely lady.

I bid you
good morning.

And please, do not fail
to let me know how
all this comes out.

What do you have to do
that's so all-fired important?

Never mind. It'll wait
till Friday.

After Friday, you can take off
for a week if you like.

You can go to China
for all I care.

Heath, something is wrong,
isn't it?

I'm not ready to talk about it
just yet, mother.

There. He can put
his feet up.

What do you think?

Oh, I think it
looks very nice.

Maria, when we started this
about an hour ago,

the lamp was
right where it is,

the side table
right where it is.

We're right back
where we started.

But the chair,
we have moved the chair.

Yes. We moved it
about two feet.

Oh, Maria, I'm hopeless.

I'll just have to face up
to the fact that

Jim's wife, Rachel,

she knew where to put a piece
of furniture and make it stick.

Maria, what kind
of woman was she?

Oh, she was a nice woman.

A good woman.

Come sit beside me.

Come on, sit down.

All right.

Tell me about her.

Was she beautiful?

Yes.

Not so much in the face or...

But to me, for me,
she was beautiful.

And to Mr. North?

Well...

I know. I know, Maria,
it must be difficult
for you to talk about her,

but if you could,
it's very important to me.

Very important.

You love him very much,
don't you?

Yes.

I do. I love him.

You are good for him.

Better in a way
than she could ever be.

There is a lightness
in him. Laughter.

It was never
there before. Never.

Well, then, you think
if I can't cook as well
as she could,

or sew or move furniture,

you think we'll
be all right together?

Oh, you'll be much better
than all right together.

Oh, thank you, Maria.

Well, what are you two
cooking up?

And Maria, talking
about cooking.

I will have lunch ready
in just a few minutes.

Good.

Well, Nancy, what have
you been up to?

Well, how about that?

After 25 years, I can
finally put my feet up.

Thank you, Nancy.

[knocking on door]

I'm looking for
Mr. Jim North.

You're looking at him.
Come on in.

What can I
do for you?

The chairman at the bank
told me I should look
you up, sir.

I'm Reed Clayton.
I understand you have
some acreage for sale.

I have lots of acreage,
Mr. Clayton.

But I don't know where
you got the idea

that any of it
was for sale.

Hello, Miss Briggs.
Nice to see you again.

Hello, Mr. Clayton.

You two
know each other?

Yes. He was the gentleman

that was so kind to me
on the stagecoach.

Oh, Mr. Clayton, pleasure
to thank you for that.

Don't thank me, sir.

Now if I could
talk to you about
that acreage.

I think I should tell you
I represent Clayton Industries.

You've heard of us,
of course.

Yes, I have.

Are you planning
to put in an operation here?

Yes, sir,
a packing plant.

It would employ
about 300 people.

I know that might not
mean much to you, sir,

but to the people of Stockton,
it might mean a great deal.

Yes, it would.

I'll tell you what,
Mr. Clayton.

I'll saddle up a horse
and we'll go for a ride.

Maybe we can
talk business.

Nancy, would you get
Mr. Clayton a drink?

I'll skip that drink.

Maria, she's
in the kitchen.

She's liable to
come in here.

You shouldn't
have come here.

It's been three days
and three nights.

It's dangerous.
You said yourself
we shouldn't be together.

What I said
and what I feel
are two different things.

I feel that if I didn't
see you, if I didn't
touch you again,

-just for a moment...
-Reed, you mustn't.
Not here.

If I don't...

Then you'll die inside
just like I will.

Now how about
a progress report.

Everything's going fine.

Good. I'll bet the old man
is madly in love with you
by now, huh?

I think he cares for me.

And what about
Mr. Heath Barkley?

I have a feeling
he doesn't like me.

You're gonna have to
try a little harder.

You can be very persuasive
with men when you
wanna be, can't you?

Is that why you
came here today?

I thought I showed you
why I came here today.

-Morning, Heath.
-Mornin'.

Your mother said she and I
might take a ride around
the ranch one morning.

Mother's gone into town.

Could I impose on you?

Well, I got a lot
of work to do.

Oh, please, Heath.
Just for a little while.

All right.
Be glad to show you around.

NANCY:
Let's stop here.

Oh, Heath,
what a lovely ranch.

What a perfect spot
for a picnic.

-Are there fish
in that stream?
-Some.

Sit down.
Talk to me.

We'd better
be gettin' back.
It's gettin' late.

Yes, of course.

Heath, you know Jim
loves me very much, don't you?

I love him.

I want to make him happy.

I can make him happy.

You want him to be happy,
too, Heath, I know that.

That's really
why I came here today.

Jim knows you don't like me.

He doesn't know why
any more than I do,

but he's...

it's just
eating him up.

I love
this country.

When I came here,
I had no idea

you could fall
in love with a place.

A way of life.

I never knew I could
fall in love the way I have.

Heath, what are you trying
to do to me and to Jim,

unless you really
want to hurt him?

I don't want
to hurt anyone.

Least of all Jim.

Well, then, remember this.

If you do anything to hurt me,
you'll hurt Jim much more.

[knocking on door]

What happened?

Reed, it's not gonna work.

You told me yesterday
everything was fine.

With Jim.
But Heath Barkley...

You're not marrying
Heath Barkley.

You're marrying
Jim North.

Not if Heath Barkley
has his way.

What's he done?

-Done? He's done nothing.
-Well, then calm down.

I just can't reach him.
I can't get through to him.

He's not the kind
you can buy off.

He has a feeling
there's something wrong.

All right,
he has a feeling. So?

I know his kind,
and I know he's
not gonna stop.

I told you
to calm down.

I don't wanna be around,
Reed, when he starts
shaking things up.

When he finds out.

If he finds out,
you'll be long married.

You'll be
Mrs. Jim North.

The lady of the manor.

Copper Creek isn't
that far away, Reed.

Don't worry about it.
Everything's going
beautifully, beautifully.

You act as if
you were made for this.

Reed, I'll...
I'll slip.

I'll say something,
I'll do something,

and Jim, he'll
find out the truth.

No, he won't.

Because he's so
madly in love with you,

he wouldn't see the truth
if it was lit up with fire
on the mountain.

That's the truth.

I just can't hurt him.

He's a good man,
he's a decent man.

He's an old man.

He's a rich old man.

He's buying more beauty
and more love with his money

than he deserves.

And we're taking far less
than we could get.

Should get.

Reed, this was a mistake.

It was a mistake
right from the beginning.

Do you remember when
you told me that I'd
given you hope?

That I'd shown you
a way of life you
didn't even know existed?

You can have
that way of life
right now.

No, not like this.

Just like this.

For you and I,
that's the way
it's gotta be.

You knew that
when it started.

Do you remember
Copper Creek?

The saloon
at Copper Creek?

Do you remember
how I hated you
in those garish clothes,

showing yourself
to everybody?

Do you remember how
you hated yourself?

Can you go back
to that now?

So now, you just
think about the two of us.

In a couple of months,

after you leave him,

I'll take you
back home with me.

And you can be
Mrs. Reed Clayton.

Back home?

I thought your father
disowned you.

Well, I can prove myself.

It's no more of
the black sheep for me.

I've got the brains to make it
big in the business world.

But I need a stake.

And you're gonna
get it for me.

I don't wanna
hurt Jim.

I want you to forget
about that old man
and think about me.

About me.

'Cause I can't make it
anymore, driftin' around
from town to town,

winnin' a dollar
here and there
in a cheap poker game.

I need your help.

So I want you to go
back to Jim North,

and forget all about
Heath Barkley.

Hey, Clayton.

I didn't hear
you knock, Keefer.

Thank you.

Thank you very much
for coming.

I'm sure that everything
will be just fine.

Everything.

I don't like your timing
very much, Keefer,

but thanks for coming.

Bartender said
you wanted to see me.

Now what have I got
that's worth ten
of your dollars?

If we can come to
an agreement,

we'll call that a down payment
on services rendered.

What do you got in mind?

I understand you ran
with the Hope g*ng in Sonora.

That you're quite a hand
with that g*n.

Some kind of
lawman or something?

No, I'm no kind
of a lawman.

I'm just inquiring into
your qualifications.

I might wanna hire you
for a job.

What kind of money
you talkin' about?

A hundred dollars now, a hundred
dollars when you finish.

You interested?

I'm interested.

You remember the gentleman

we played poker with
the other day?

Mr...
Mr. Heath Barkley?

[door opens]

Nancy?

I'm in here, Jim.

Did you have
a good day?

And you?

I've been spending
my time with Jarrod.

Aren't you gonna ask me
what we were doing?

It's mighty
important business.

All right.
What were you doing?

Nancy, you're not
really interested, are you?

Yes, I'm really
interested.

Well, I made out
my new will.

Them lawyers,
they sure know how
to take something simple

and make it
complicated.

But it's all done
and signed now.

I guess you know
what it says.

You're gonna be
looked after from now on.

When I'm not around
to do it myself,

this ranch and everything on it,
it's yours, Nancy.

Oh, Jim.

My whole life went into
building up this place.

Sure, I had
a few rough years,

but now I got something
I'm really proud of.

Nancy, something I'm
proud to give you.

It's too soon.

We've only known each other
less than a week.

How do you know
things are gonna work out?

From the moment
I first saw you,

I knew things
were gonna work out.

This ranch, everything,
it's too much.

Too much? It's not enough.

Nancy, I don't know
how to say it,

but in a way,
this ranch,
well, it's me.

That's what I
wanna give you.

Jim, excuse me.
I have to go upstairs.

[knocking on door]

Nancy?

Nancy, can I come in?

Come in.

Nancy, why are
you packing?

I'm leaving.

Why?

Because it's all wrong,
that's why.

Please don't ask me
any more.

But I have a right to ask.

I love you, Nancy.

You mean more to me
than anything else in the world.

That's why I wanna
know why. Why?

Maybe we were wrong to think

these things could work out
by letters.

But the letters
are over now.

It's the time
we've been together
that's important.

That's when we really
began to fall in love.

Jim, I'll make
a mess of things.

I'll make everyone
unhappy.

Heath, your friend...

What about him?

I saw him today and...

Jim, you must let me go.

It won't work.

You saw Heath today.

Oh, yes. Victoria was
going to show me
around the ranch,

but she was gone.

Instead Heath did.
Here it is, the height
of branding season,

he doesn't like you,
yet he spends time
running you around the ranch.

Jim, it's
nothing like that.

I got somethin'
to straighten out.

Jim, I know where
you're going, but you're wrong.

Nancy, you're in my way.

Heath had
nothing to do with it.

I'm afraid
he does.

Jim. Please.

So you're leavin'.

That's right.

You promised to wait
till after Friday.

I know I did, Nick,
but what I gotta do,
it can't wait any longer.

Whatever you have to do
must be pretty important.

Well, don't worry about it.

Get done whatever
you have to get done.

I'll take care
of the brandin'.

Heath. Heath!

Heath, I wanna
talk to you.

Jim, I gotta
catch a train.

I wanna talk to you now.

When I get back.

It'll be too late.

Get down
off that horse.

All right, Jim.
What's botherin' you?

Where you goin'
in such a hurry?

I'm afraid
that's personal.

Personal and coincidental.

What are you
talkin' about?

You and Nancy
leaving town at
the same time.

Nancy leavin'?

You don't know anything
about that, do you?

Heath, when Nancy came to me,

she brought me
more happiness

than I thought
I'd ever know.

I haven't got the words
to explain to you
what she means to me.

But if I lose her,
I'm finished.

I'm a proud man, Heath.

But I'm askin' you
to leave her be.

You're a young fella.

There'll be lots
of girls for you.

Jim, it's nothing
like that.

Don't play innocent
with me.

I know what you
been up to.

Takin' her for rides.

Askin' her to come up
to the ranch to see you.

Jim, if Nancy said
anything like that...

Said anything?!

She's too much of a lady
to say anything.

I'm saying!

Jim, you're wrong.

I'm not gonna
argue with you now.
Not now.

You're not gonna take her
away from me without a fight!

Jim, I'm not
gonna fight with ya.

You're wrong in what
you're thinkin', Jim.

One of these days,
you're gonna see that.

You missed the direct train
to Copper Creek,
left an hour ago.

When's the next one?

The next one...
is in exactly 17 minutes.

It'll get you there,
but you gotta make
two connections.

-I'll take it.
-Okay.

There you are.

-Have a good trip.
-Thanks, Herb.

[Charlie growling]

Call of your dog, mister.

What's the matter?

Pup's just havin'
a little fun is all.

He's had his fun.
Call him off.

Charlie, you leave
that poor man alone, ya hear?

I guess he just
don't like your smell.

Mister, you just
hit my dog.

That's like hittin' me.

Now you gonna
have to draw.

I'm a witness, Heath.
I saw the whole thing.

The man was drawin' on you.
I'll testify to that.

Thanks, Herb.

[dog whimpering]

You know who he was?

No idea.

Well, you're in the clear.

I better get
the sheriff.

Yes, sir.

I'd like a ticket
to Copper Creek.

Copper Creek.

Just about
closin', mister.

You're gonna have
to drink it fast.

I don't want a drink,
just some information.

What kind of
information?

MAN: Now come on.

You like that,
don't you?
Sure, you do.

Excuse me, mister.

Come on, cowboy.

The lady's had enough
of your attention.

Let's go.
We're closin'

Well, you found what
you were lookin' for, Heath.

Might as well sit down
and have a drink.

Now what was
that question, mister?

Never mind.

Last drink I had
in this saloon was,
oh, three years ago.

Three years? Whoo,
that's a lotta drinks ago.

That girl on the stage.

You changed places
with her, didn't you?

I knew sooner or later,
you'd find out.

Is that why you left?

One thing Reed taught me

is when to throw in
a bad hand.

If you feel like hitting me,
you can go ahead.

I've been hit before.

Doesn't really matter
what I feel.

Is it Jim
you're worried about?

Let me tell you something.

How would he feel
after two months,

if his wife told him that
she didn't love him anymore,

and she leaves?

Naturally, a nice
financial settlement

would be in order.

You know, you had me
fooled a couple of times.

Did I?

At the stream
that day.

The way you talked.

I thought maybe,
for a minute there,
I was wrong.

Maybe you really
did love Jim.

Not a chance.

Can you picture me
goin' through life

holdin' those big,
calloused hands of his,

livin' on a ranch
with nothin' but stupid horses

to keep me company?

His money, that's all
he was good for.

I'm sorry if I made him
think different.

But that's the way
it goes, huh?

That's the way
it goes.

I know he had
a different kind
of picture of me,

but I want you
to do me a favor.

When you see Jim,
you give him this.

That's really
how I look.

And when he feels sad,
this'll cheer him up.

All he has to do

is look at it,

and he will feel very lucky
that I left him.

Now why don't
you leave, Heath?

He loves you.
You know that, don't you?

That's not my fault.

I think it is.

Whatever Jim is,
he's not a fool.

You gave him back something.

But not love.

Maybe kindness
to an old man,

but not love.

Anyway, it's over.
It's all over.

You said he loved me.

Well, he didn't.

He loved a girl
called Nancy Briggs.

But in Jim's eyes,
you were Nancy Briggs.

I'm tired, Heath.
I'm goin' home. Good night.

Mind if I walk with you?

Suit yourself.

There's a g*n pointed at you
right across the street.

I swear I didn't know
he was here.

Heath, ready?

Cup of coffee
before we ride out?

We'll catch some
on the range.

What are you
so worried about?

You did all you could.
You brought her back.

The rest of it's
up to Jim.

That's right.

If she has the guts
to tell him the truth.

She'll tell him.

-Then Jim should take it.
-Good morning.

Aren't you going to have
any coffee before you leave?

No, Mother. Heath here
is just itchin' to catch up
with some branding he owes me,

so we gotta get goin'.

HEATH: We'll see you
later, Mother.

If there's any news
from Nancy and Jim,

would you send
one of the hands out?

No, I think I'll
ride over myself.

-[knocking on door]
-I'll get it.

Oh, Nancy, Jim.

-Come on in.
-Thank you.

Thank you, Heath.

Next time you kiss Nancy,
you'll be kissing the bride.

-Well...
-Congratulations, Jim.

Oh, I'm so happy
for both of you.

Best wishes
to you, Jim.

Thanks.

Victoria, I'd appreciate it

if you'd handle all
the wedding arrangements.

Heath, I'd like you
to be best man.

We'dlike it.

How do you like that?
She's arguin' with me already.

I'd like it...
I mean, we'd like you
as best man.

♪ [theme]