03x11 - The k*ller Legend

[bunniefuu]

Evenin', Freddie.If anybody gives you
trouble in there, Jess,

make them come in here
and buy a drink before you
lock them up, will you?

Sounds like business
wasn't too good.

Ain't had enough customers
to pay for the lamp oil.

You wouldn't want to
buy a drink, would you?

While I'm on duty?

I'm surprised at you,
Freddie.

Of course, now
if it was on the house...

Goodnight, Jess.

Hold it right there.

All right, tell me
what you're doing

breaking into
the sheriff's office

in the middle of night.

Start talking,
mister!

You figure
you got enough trouble

or you want
some more?

So far you're doing
just fine, mister.

Breaking and entering,
resisting arrest

and damaging
public property.

Now what's your name
and what's this all about?

All right, I'll tell you
a few things.

For one, them clothes,
they don't fit.

And don't look like
you're worried

where you got them.

And them shackle marks
on your wrist...

Just how long you been
out of prison, mister?

Been out a week, I'm broke,
nobody'll give me a job.

My belt buckle is rubbing up
against my backbone.

Yeah, well,

jail food ain't worth
breaking in to steal.

I was after a g*n.

I thought you'd gone home
for the night.

What's your name?

Wade.

Tom Wade.

I guess goes without saying
that I was sent to prison

for something
I didn't do.

Tom Wade?

About 5 years back,

I seem to remember a fellow
with that name.

Had himself a reputation
as a fast g*n.

Some folks said he was about
as fast as they come.

You figure I'm him?

I don't know.

My name's
Jess Harper.

You remember
how some folks was

always trying to get us together
in the old days?

No lying now,
you really Jess Harper?

[ chuckles ]

Well, like they say,
it really is a small world.

You were working for
the King Bartlett spread

when I was with the V Bar
outfit, right?

Yeah, that's right.

We was both working
for a couple of rough outfits.

Yeah, a man was
as good as his g*n.

And I never should have
tried to change.

I might have been
gunned down,

but I sure wouldn't have
ended up this way.

What happened?

I got married,
tried to settle down.

Went to work
for a gambler,

keeping things
quiet at his table.

Yeah, that's a nice,
quiet job.

It was...

till I got framed
for a robbery.

Yeah, sure.

Sign out front
says that

Mort Cory wears the star
in Laramie.

Is he around?

No, I'm filling in for him
while he's in Denver.

Went to see his
sick pa.

You know Mort?

We've met.

When will he be
back?

Few days I reckon.

Why?

Well, just wondered.

You're holding me
for him, aren't you?

I sure ain't
turning you loose.

Oh, let me
clean that up,

work off the damages
I did,

might help give me
a fresh start.

Fresh start
at what?

Just staying alive
mostly.

After the last 4 years,

I got a lot of
catching up to do.

How about it?

All right, Wade,

you better get yourself
a good night's sleep.

'Cause come tomorrow,

I'm gonna work
the tail feathers off you.

Jess, you better
come over.

I smell trouble.

What kind of trouble,
Freddie?

Oh, them Bartells
are at it again,

them and that dr*fter
you took in last night.

I didn't
take him in,

I lent him some money
to get cleaned up

and buy some clothes.

He worked for me
all morning.

Well, he still shouldn't be
fooling with them Bartells.

They ain't above filling
an inside straight

with a g*n or anything else
it seems.

I wish Mort would run them
Bartells out of town

like he's been
threatening to.

I'll tell you one thing,
if they've been cheating up...

Hello, Jess.

How you like
my new outfit?

I'm putting that money
you lent me to good use.

I'll pay it back
with interest.

You won all this
from them?

Yep,
all fair and square,

including this pretty little
black-eyed Susan.

[ g*n cylinder clicking ]

Something strike you
as funny, Harper?

Well, now
considering the way

you Bartells have been
winning around here,

I'd say
you had it coming.

Well, he didn't have to
take my clothes.

How did you
come by him?

Well, this two-bit gambler
here tried to

sneak a counterfeit gold piece
into the last pot.

So I traded it back to him
for his outfit.

Let it lay.

If you and your brother
got no complaint against Wade,

you better take a walk
and cool off.

Did you say Wade?

Tom Wade?

That's what
the man said.

Sheriff ain't gonna
like his deputy

taking up with a...
jailbird.

You let me
worry about Cory.

You worry about
keeping yourself out of jail.

You can pick your iron up
from the barkeep later.

Now clear out!

Jess, here.

That ought to cover the loan,
the price of the paint.

Thanks.

That's what you call
a fresh start?

Well, I don't know
much else.

Almost forgotten
how it felt to wear one these.

Feels real good.

Well, it didn't look like
you forgot how to use it.

The Bartells
run true to form.

They won't be
forgetting either.

Oh,
neither will I.

Your draw had mine
beat a mile.

Maybe it's a good thing
we didn't meet before.

They remembered you,
Tom.

In 5 minutes, it's gonna be
all over this town.

You better walk soft
and take it easy.

In that case, I better
buy me a box of shells

and start
practicing up.

Long as I'm supposed to be
a fast g*n,

I guess I better relearn
how to be one.

h*!

h*!

[ squeaking ]

Uh, yes, ma'am,
can I help you?

Well, I'm looking
for the sheriff.

Oh.

Well, he's not here
right now, ma'am.

[ gasps ]

Something wrong?

Well, you...

Oh, no,
I don't belong in there,

I was just
oiling the hinges.

Oh.

Why? Do I look like the type
that ought to be in jail?

Well, I don't...

It's all right.

I'm just acting deputy
right now.

See?

Fits, huh?

And this is mine too.

Well,
I am sorry.

I just got into town.

Right, now I'm ready
for business.

Will you
have a seat?

If you don't mind,
I'd just as soon stand.

It was a long trip.

Yeah, I know
what you mean.

Well, what can I
do for you?

Well, I'm looking for
Sheriff Cory. Is he here?

No, I'm afraid not,
he's out of town.

That's why
I'm wearing this.

Well, do you know
when he'll be back?

No, not exactly.

Is there something
I can do for you?

I'm Jess Harper.

Well, maybe
you can help me.

My name's
Julie Wade.

I'm looking for my husband
Tom Wade.

He might be
going under a diff--

You've seen him,
haven't you?

Yes, ma'am,
I have.

Is he still in town,
do you know?

As far as I know.

You know where he's been
the last 4 years

and what he was
before that?

Yes, ma'am,
more or less.

Well, do you know
why he's here in Laramie?

Figured he was just
drifting through,

trying to get started
or something.

No.

I wish to heaven
he were just drifting.

Mrs. Wade, you better tell me
what's going on.

Just why is your husband
in Laramie?

You've got to help me
stop him.

He's come here
to k*ll Sheriff Cory.

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ horse neighing ]

Tom?

You shouldn't have
come here, Julie.

I had to.

I didn't want to see you yet.
I wrote you about it.

And I hoped
you'd understand.

She understands
better than you think.

She told me why you
came to Laramie, Wade.

Did she now?

Did she also tell you
it was Mort Cory
that framed me?

You're wrong about that.
Mort's not that kind of a man.

What do you know
about it?

Cory was out to make
a name for himself,

so when the saloon
I was working in was robbed,

he found it real easy
to hang it on me.

He just did
what he had to do.

Faced
with the evidence,

what else
could he have done?

I'll tell you
what he could have done.

He could have taken that
faked-up evidence of his

and hung it around
somebody else's neck,

but he picked mine...

just because of
the reputation that I had.

Well, he's gonna have to
answer for that.

Tom,

you know the ranch
we've always wanted,

my uncle wants us
to work some land of his

out in California.

We could-- We could buy into it,
own it some day.

Yeah, I know, honey,
you wrote me all about it.

It sounds real good,
but not yet.

I've waited 4 long years
to see you,

hoping and praying that
we could make a new start.

Look, Julie, I waited those
same 4 years.

Sure, I thought
about you,

but something else
kept crowding in

and I won't be any good to you,
or to myself,

or to anybody else
until it's settled.

But, Tom...

No, there's
nothing more to say.

What I came here to do,
nobody's gonna stop.

Don't count on that,
Wade.

Are you gonna stop me,
Jess?

You try to k*ll Mort Cory
and I'll stop you.

What, me,
k*ll old Mort?

I never said that.

Maybe Julie did,
but not me.

Look, all I want to do is
clear up a couple of things.

Man's got a right to do that,
wouldn't you say?

Depends on
how he goes about it.

And that depends on
what Cory says and does.

But whatever
I meant by it,

you can't lock me up
for just saying it.

Now, can you?

Yes, sir,
Mr. Wade.

Did they fix you up
a mount at the livery?

Yeah,
they sure did.

For about twice the price
that horse and gear was worth--

What you-- What did you
tell 'em about me anyway?

Well, just that
you were the fastest--

Well, that you
used to make your living by

being good
with a g*n.

May I have my key?

Well,
certainly, sir.

There is a message for you
here too, Mr. Wade.

Oh.

[ knocking on door ]

Oh, Milt.

Tom boy,
come on in.

Say, this is
what I call lucky.

Just passing through
town

and find everybody's talking
about my old friend Tom Wade.

Well, I guess
people don't have

too much to talk about
these days.

Well, you can't blame 'em,
wasn't too long ago

that folks
considered you

just about the fastest g*n
there was.

That's why
I hired you,

best man that ever
worked for me.

How about a drink?

All right.

You know,
Tom, I...

was awful sorry about that
trumped-up charge against you.

Did my best
to k*ll it.

I know you did,
Milt.

You're the only friend
I had those days.

Well, let's forget that.
Drink to the future.

You know, I want you to
come back to work for me

at twice the salary.

Well, I'll drink
to the future,

but I'm not forgetting
the past.

Tom...

did you ever think that
you might get hurt

digging into the past?

Making Mort Cory admit that
he framed me or...

or k*lling him
if I have to,

that's gonna take the hurt
out of me.

Well, I know
how you feel, Tom,

but I still think
you're making a mistake.

Probably some dr*fter pulled
that robbery, you paid for it.

There's not much the law
can do now.

There's something
I can do to the law.

Well, think it over,

things have being going
pretty good for me.

I've got a string of saloons,
couple dozen gamblers,

and you could be
my number one man

if you came back.

Well,
thanks a lot, Milt.

It's good to know
I still have a friend, but--

Well, maybe
I can look you up later.

Dead set on going against
Cory, hmm?

I'm going to settle with him
one way or the other.

Tom...

did you ever figure
you might be going

right back to jail?

Well, maybe,

but I don't figure the jury
will be too rough on me

for uncovering
a crooked law man.

And if I
don't find out

who's guilty for that
Casper robbery,

at least they're gonna
know they sent an

innocent man
to prison.

You can count
on that.

Thanks for the drink.

So long.

I didn't figure
you could talk him out of it.

But what are you
aiming to do now?

Well, it's not
what I'm aiming to do,

it's what you two
are gonna do.

Oh, thank you,
Jess.

When you
coming home?

Oh, as soon as the sheriff
gets back, I hope.

Is everything
all right?

Sure, everything's fine,
Daisy.

There ain't nothing to this
law-keeping business.

You had any fights?

You bet, and I lost
every one of 'em.

Oh, Jess.

Can I stay in town?

I want to
sleep in jail.

Can I,
Miss Daisy?

Well, I don't know,
I think you better ask Jess.

I don't think
it's such a good idea, Mike.

Beside, you never can tell
when things are gonna cut loose.

I'm sure
you're right.

Aw.

You got to help Slim
anyway, tiger.

You see there's nothing
going on around here.

The town's so dead,

even the lizards have
stopped fighting each other.

Any message
for Slim?

Ah, no, Daisy,
just tell him I said hi.

Well, I hope Sheriff Cory
gets back soon.

We miss you.

I'll be back
before you know it.

See you, tiger.

Bye.

[ knocking on door ]

Who is it?

It's Jess Harper,
ma'am.

Is something wrong?

No, ma'am,
not yet.

I was waiting
for the stage to come in.

Mort wasn't on it.

And he had a couple of drinks
and he came over here.

I thought he was
coming to see you,

but he went to his room
instead.

If Tom doesn't want me,
there's not very much

I can do about it,
is there?

You know,
you wouldn't have to be

sleeping
in the daytime

if you didn't stay awake
all night worrying about him.

You figure
he's worth it, Julie?

Yes, I do.

Tom isn't a k*ller,
not really.

When we were
first married,

he promised to
put off his g*n.

He would have too

if he hadn't
run into this trouble.

Let me get
something straight.

Do you think Mort Cory
framed him?

No, I think he was framed
but not by Cory.

By who then?

Well,
I can't say, I--

I haven't been
able to prove it.

Believe me,
Tom is innocent.

I got nothing
against your husband, Julie.

Fact is, I know
what he's going through

better than
anybody else does.

I've been easy on him,
too easy.

Because if anything
happens to Mort Cory,

it's my fault.

Is there something
I can do?

Yeah, that's why
I wanted to see you.

I can't watch him
every second.

While he's
in the hotel,

I'm going over
to the sheriff's office.

If you wait in the lobby
and let me know

when he leaves,
I'd appreciate it.

I'd be glad to.

Jess, I want to tell you
how much I appreciate

what you're doing.

You see, I love Tom
very much.

And if he tries to
g*n down Mort Cory,

will you still feel
the same way?

You won't
change your mind, huh?

No chance.

Well, if I can't talk you
out of it,

maybe I can be
of some help.

How so?

Well, a gent got
off the stage today

and he told me that Cory was
staying over in Leadville,

picking up
a mount there

and then riding into Laramie
on the south road.

When?

This afternoon.

You know, if you were to
meet him there,

out there in the open
with no witnesses,

nobody could prove
anything.

Yeah, well, it sounds
like a good idea,

but getting out of town
without that deputy tailing me,

that's not gonna be easy.

Well, it shouldn't be too hard,
not with my mount tied

right out there
in back of the hotel.

You know, Tom,
a man shouldn't be too proud

to use the back door
once in a while.

You always did think of
all the angles.

Well, maybe I want to
have you around

when this is all over.

Thanks, Milt.

Tom.

Tom, wait,
where are you going?

Can't even go
for a little ride

without having to
explain?

If you don't want to tell me,
that's all right,

just so long as
Jess knows.

What is he,
my keeper?

Julie, you meddle
too much.

Keep it up
and we're through.

Maybe we're through
already.

Jess, it's Tom,
he's ridden out of town.

Whoa, slow down,
which way was he headed?

I don't know.
He wouldn't tell me.

He said that he and I
were through if I told you.

Where did you
see him last?

Out in back of the hotel,
he rode off from there.

You stay here,
Julie.

If Mort shows up
you tell him what's happened.

[ horse neighing ]

It's Harper,
let's get out of here.

Hold it, I've been waiting
for this chance.

You take Wade,
I'll handle Sherman's friend.

Get down!

[ g*nshots ]

Do you still want me
to back off?

We can't take them down,
let's get out of here.

Somebody must want you
out of the way awful bad.

Yeah, but from
what I hear,

the Bartells made their
reputation from back sh**ting.

Yeah, it could be.

There was two of them,
all right.

It's likely gonna be
hard to prove.

I've got my proof.

You were the one
who came out here.

Why?

I heard Mort Cory
was riding in this way.

Well?

I better look
at that arm.

[ groans ]

Take it easy.

You're lucky,
it could have been worse.

If Julie hadn't have told me
you were up to something,

you'd be breathing
road dust right now.

Yeah.

Who told you
Mort was coming this way?

A friend of mine.

You got
some fine friends.

How do you do, Miss Wade?
Like your key?

Yes, please,
Thank you.

I was wondering, the man
that just left the hotel,

is he staying here?

The tall, well-dressed,
sandy-haired gentleman?

Yes, I just saw him
on the street,

I thought
I knew him.

Yes, ma'am,
he's stopping here.

The name of Harvey Sims,
room 12.

Sure his name isn't
Milt Lane?

Milt Lane?

Well, no, I've never seen
Mr. Lane,

but ain't he the big gambler
from up north,

got all them saloons?

Yes, I believe he is.

The man looks
so much like him.

Well, I wouldn't know
about that, Miss Wade.

Come to think of it,
he knows your husband.

He left a message
for him.

Oh?

Well, I'm probably
wrong,

I'm very bad
with names.

Thank you, anyway.

Oh!

Oh,
how clumsy of me.

Now,
from what I hear,

you Wades don't think
much of ink bottles.

Beg you pardon?

Eh, nothing.
I'll get the mop.

These things...

Two straights ones.

Ain't seen you boys
in a while.

Tom Wade got you
buffaloed?

Whisky will do.

You can
keep the conversation.

We ought to clear
out of here, Roy.

Telling Milt Lane how we
slipped up ain't gonna be--

All right, Joe, tell me,
just how did you slip up?

[ footsteps approaching ]

Relax, Joe.

I figure everybody's
entitled one mistake.

We'd have nailed
Wade...

but when
Harper showed up...

Let's forget all that.

What it boils down to
is that you boys

weren't up to do the job
that I sent you to do.

There is no crime
admitting that.

With Harper
alongside Wade

most of the time,
they make a mighty rough pair.

Meantime, you boys
been having

quite a soft touch
here in Laramie, hmm?

Maybe it's time that I moved in
some of my own men.

We can handle
Wade and Harper.

Just let us bring in
some of that help

you're talking about.

All right,
if the price is right.

It's right enough.

The men I'm thinking about
won't ask any questions.

MILT: How quick can you
get 'em?

Half an hour.

They're on the run,
camped outside of town.

All right, get 'em.

But get this straight,

I'll set it up for you
and then I'm traveling.

I can't afford to get tied in
with Wade or Cory.

Sure, Milt, sure.

We'll meet
at the corral,

stable at the edge
of town, all right?

Half an hour.

Sit down.

If you're not gonna
go to a doc,

you better let me see
what I can do.

The b*llet went
right through.

It's just a flesh wound
mostly.

I don't know why I bother
to patch you up.

The way you're going,
you're going to be

full of holes
soon anyway.

You know, I figure
it's about time you told me

who said
Mort was riding in.

The only friend I've had
in the last 5 years.

The Bartells must have
tricked him into spilling it.

He's still in town?

I don't know.

We better put that arm
in a sling.

I got some cloth
in the back room.

You rest some,
then we'll look up your friend.

Just stay put, Jess.

Looks like it's time
we showed our hands.

[ door closes ]

Face up.

Move away
from that door.

And both of you
hang on real tight to

what you got in your hands
because if anything drops,

you'll be lying
beside it.

I'm sorry, Mort,
I tried my best

to make this come out
different.

It's all right,
Jess.

Wade's the man I think he is,
he won't use that g*n.

[ chuckles ]

Oh, that's a laugh,
Cory,

coming from the man
that sent me to prison.

And I've spent these 4 years
trying to get you out.

I'll bet.

Ask your wife.

I told her
not to mention it

till we had
something definite.

What are you
trying to hand me?

He's trying to bring you
to your senses,

so was Julie.

But you're too mule
stubborn to listen.

Keep out, Jess.
It's him I want.

I used to dream about seeing you
standing in front of my g*n,

right where you are now.

Then why don't you
pull the trigger, Wade?

You've given me
a few dreams too,

all about sending
an innocent man to prison.

Am I supposed to
believe that?

Like I said,
ask your wife.

She must be
a wonderful person, Wade.

She's written to me
at least 20 times

in the last few years.

And 20 times
I've checked out

some new piece of evidence
in your case,

that's why
I went to Denver.

Sorry, Jess,
that's really why I went.

I got no legal right to go
digging into this anymore,

so I couldn't tell
anybody.

Let's put it
this way, Tom.

I'd have given you
a head start in the old days,

and I'll give it to you
now.

Mort ain't exactly
slow with his iron either.

If you got any sense,
you'll try for me first.

If you get lucky,
Mort will get you for sure.

Now what do you say?

No, Jess,
that's not the way.

This is my fight.

Not anymore,
it isn't.

You ready, Tom?

First I want to know
why you went to Denver.

To see a saloon girl,
Callie Nelson.

Your wife thought
she might know

something important.

Did she?

She died of consumption
just before I got there.

Did you know her?

Callie? Yeah, she worked
in the same saloon.

She was
the boss's girlfriend.

Not for long,
she wasn't.

Milt Lane
tossed her aside,

she talked kind of
bitter about him.

Your wife and I hoped
she might tell us more.

You've been checking
on Milt Lane?

He's our
main suspect,

but he's not easy
to pin anything on.

He's a big man now
with plenty of money

to cover up his tracks.

Oh, he was
the only friend I had.

Yeah, that's what you said
about the man

that sent you riding into
the Bartells' ambush.

Well, Lane?

No, I couldn't...

If you know anything
about Milt Lane,

holding it back
could mean your life.

Well, he was the one
that told me

you were riding in
on the south road.

He's been
here in town?

Yeah, staying at the hotel
under another name.

Wouldn't you say
it's kind of strange

he shows up
in Laramie

about the same time
that you did?

Well, yeah, but...

Well, why did he?

Maybe he doesn't want you
to go digging into the past.

It was kind of flattering
for you to think

I could plant all that evidence
to convict you, Wade.

Mighty strong evidence,
took a smart man to do that,

someone close to you.

I'm sorry, Sheriff,
looks like I've spent 4 years

hating the wrong man.

I know how you feel,
Wade.

I've been hating myself
for just as long.

Maybe now we can
start putting things right.

Lane still in town?

I don't know,

but I'm sure gonna
find out.

I have to hold this all day
or can I put it on you?

I'll be much obliged,
Jess.

There they all are.

Your wife's letters
and the results of everything

I've tried to do.

Julie did all this

and I've been
treating her like...

Yeah, you sure have.

If she wasn't so much
in love with you,

she'd have walked out
long ago.

I've been seven kinds
of a fool.

I guess I don't have to
tell you that.

Tom,
what happened?

Oh, nothing too bad,
honey.

Nothing like
I deserve

for the way I've been
treating you.

Oh,
I don't understand.

Julie, this here
is Mort Cory.

Looks like things are gonna
work out.

It's a pleasure to meet you,
Mrs. Wade.

After all those letters,
I sort of feel like I know you.

Well, right now
there's something else

you've got to know.

This belongs
to Milt Lane.

It's as good
as a diary.

The money that was stolen
from the Casper saloon,

there's a record
of a deposit Lane

made it in an out-of-town bank
at the time the money was taken.

It's for the same amount.

Good work, Mrs. Wade,
this is all we've needed.

There's more
and it isn't good.

What are you
talking about, Julie?

Well, I can't take time
to explain how or why,

but I heard Lane
talking to two men,

the two that tried to
k*ll you and Jess, Tom.

Mm-hmm.

They were going to get some
more gunmen, three I think.

Lane's going
to meet them

in back
of the livery stable.

They're coming after you
and Jess, Tom.

And Milt Lane
set it up.

I used to think
I owed Milt a lot,

I guess
I really do.

You don't have to
help, Wade.

Why don't you stay here
with your wife?

I don't think that
either one of us

would like it
that way.

Lane?

Mort Cory.

Wade and Harper,

they've got the sheriff
with 'em.

Give yourselves up
and nobody gets hurt!

What's going on,
Lane?

You said there'd be
two of them.

Well, there's six of us,
we should take 'em.

Not at these prices.

Do you hear me,
Lane?

I made you an offer.

All right,
the price is doubled.

We're in,
you call it.

We'll start toward 'em
like we're giving up.

When they relax,
that's it.

Got one minute,
Lane.

Come out
with your hands up!

All right,
we're coming out.

Now!

[ g*nshots ]

[ groans ]

No, don't sh**t!

Well, there goes
one gunslinger

that might end up
better than most.

I sure hope so,
Jess.

I'm gonna
start the wheels turning

to get him
a full pardon.

Well, you'd think
Milt Lane ought to be

forced to pay him
some damages.

I think the court's gonna
arrange something like that...

before Mr. Lane is
locked up himself.

Hey, Mort,
who was that old fella

that was helping us out?

Don't you recognize him,
Jess?

That's Mort Cory, Sr.

Your pa?


rode all the way back with me.

So that's your poor old
sick daddy in Denver?

Yes, it is, Jess.

I sure hope on ailing like
he is when I'm 83,

if I ever get to be 83.

[ laughs ]