04x18 - Alias Nellie Handley

[bunniefuu]

[saloon piano playing]

Hold it!

Hold it there!

I said hold it!

Stay back, all of you!

It's a woman.

[crowd murmuring]

-She's just nicked.
-Do you know her, Sheriff?

Nope, but I think I've got
a flyer on her.

Unless I'm wrong,

she's a petty thief
named Nellie Handly.

♪♪ [theme]

Well,
this should convict me.

Yeah.

[groans]

Are you sure you're
all right, Victoria?

I'm fine.

Thought I'd aimed
too close,

hit you.

Here, use this.
That printer's ink stains.

Thank you.

Do you think we convinced
the people in the street?

No worry there.

They'll all be witnesses.

What's wrong, Dan?

Victoria, I can't let you
go through with it.

But everything's arranged.

My family thinks I'm visiting
relatives in Sacramento.

That's where you should be.

Not on your way
to the state prison.

If your family did
know about this,

they'd be down here
like a shot.

They'd never let you go.

That's just why they're not
going to know.

Nobody's going to know.
Just the two of us.

You realize what a place
like that's going to be?

Especially for a woman
like you,

used to a big house,
beautiful things.

Well, I know it's not going
to be any picnic.

I know it's a pest hole.

The men's section
is a pest hole.

The women's compound is--

Well, I've heard
that Chinatown sl*ve girls
live better.

You'll be sharing a space
with prostit*tes,

murderers, even lunatics,
Victoria.

But, Dan, to get
those things changed,

the prison reform board

is going to need
a first-hand report.

-But you--
-Dan, please don't try
to stop me.

I've been thinking about this
ever since the day

Maud Elliot got
out of that prison.

I know Maud means a lot
to your family, Victoria,

but you don't owe her
your life,

and it could come to that
in state prison.

Believe me.

A few years ago, Dan,

Audra and I were on
our way to Benicia.

Suddenly we both
came down with diphtheria.

They quarantined us
right there in the stagecoach,

and nobody-- Nobody
would come near us

except a young girl
by the name of Maud Elliot.

She brought food
and medicine

and she nursed us both
until we were completely well,

so, you see,

I do owe her my life.

VICTORIA:
Nellie's me name,
Nellie Handly.

Yes, Nellie Handly,

I was just going
over your papers here.

Attempted robbery.
Is that correct?

Speak when
you're spoken to!

Aye.

You will address me
as Warden Garreck.

According to the report here,

you've only been
in America two weeks.

Is that right?

Me home is in Dublin...

Warden.

Dublin?

And were you
a thief there, too?

Thief indeed.

Twas in the service, I was,

in a fine house.

Lord Brawley himself--

Personal maid to his lady,
I was.

Liar.

It says here you were
a pickpocket in a Dublin
flea market,

two convictions.

Well, no, I've--

I've had me share of bad luck.

I'll admit to that.

Bad luck, eh, Nellie?

I'd say more like bad blood.

You know, Nellie,
when I was practicing law,

I used to see hundreds
of people like you--

Different faces,
different crimes,

but all born rotten.

Let's just get
one thing clear.

You can't fool me,

and I warn you,

I deal severely-

severely...

with anybody that tries.

So if we have
any Irish rebellion here...

you'll wish you were dead.

Out. Come on.

Keep moving, now.

This is the woman's yard.

Men's compound
is at the other side.

Don't let that bother you.

The only men you'll see here
is us guards.

Move.

What's the matter, Handly?

Don't our clientele
appeal to you?

Huh?
[laughs]

We've got
some famous people in here.

Take Big Mary, for instance.

Her and her two sons
was road agents,

held up over a hundred coaches
before they got caught.

Why be she chained?

She's an incorrigible.

She's been that way
since her two boys was hung.

[spits]

That's a prisoner
that can't be handled.

Go on.

[panting]

Get away from her.

'Tis sick, she is.
She's burning with a fever.

-That ain't your lookout!
-No!

Jake! Cool her off.

Get up.

You hear?

You hear me?
Quit faking!

'Tis a doctor she needs,
not kicking!

You shut up.

Put her in a cell.

Start scrubbing, Handly.

You might as well learn
some discipline right now.

Scrub!

New roommate for you, Kate,

keep you from getting
lonesome.

Thanks.

[locks door]

'Tis an ugly sound.

Not if you don't listen.

The name
is Nellie Handly.

Up the rebels, eh?

Aye, Dublin.

Kate Wilson, 'Frisco.

[groans]

Thought the Irish
was used to wash tubs.

Talk travels quick here.

Whatcha in fer?

Theivin' jewelry.

A year?

Unless the warden sees fit
to make it less.

Garreck gets paid
for the prisoners.

It'll be more, not less.

Be that legal?

Maybe not outside,
but Garreck's
the only law here.

You already added
at least a month today.

Today?

Buttin' in
over Meely like that,

the girl what fainted.

Ah, yes, did the doctor
see to her?

Doctor won't be here
for two weeks,

comes just once a month.

But 'tis dead,
she could be.

Well, it's one way
of getting out.

Poor lass.

Is there nothing
we could do for her?

Do? Ain't you made
enough trouble?

You already got Clute
down on you.

Down on me?

For trying to help a poor,
sick lass?

Listen. In here nobody
helps nobody,

living or dying.

I don't want no link with you.
Understand?

Just stay to your own side
of the coop.

I've got enough troubles.

KATE:
Ain't you hungry?

Achin' bones
and moldy beans--

No appetite.

Well, at least
they got meat in them.

It's the first time
this week.

[door lock rattles]

Garreck wants to see you,
Kate.

I ain't finished eating.

Now, what kind of attitude
is that

for a gal with a fine gentleman
hankerin' after her?

Hah! Gentleman.

What else
would you call a man

who practiced at the bar?

Only bar he ever practiced in
was a saloon.

Did he ever tell you
the story about his being
a lawyer?

The closest he got to it was
selling them legal books.

Well, how about
that high-society gal

he met last time
he was in 'Frisco, huh?

She believes him.

That Francine something
or other?

I seen her
mincing around today

with a parasol.

You'd think it was hot out.

That's because
she's a lady, Kate.

Ladies always carry parasols.

Look who's talking
about ladies.

You know, her family's
real big in politics.

Now, if Garreck
was to marry her,

more than likely
they'd pull some strings

and get him in the legislature

like he's always saying
he wants.

Then--

Then I might get to be
warden, Kate.

[laughs]

It takes a fox to be warden.

Pig's too dumb.

You want to keep
that feathered mattress
and them clean clothes,

you start prettying up.

I'm giving you five minutes.

Kate, the warden--

Do you care for him?

Care for him?
I hate him.

Then why do you not refuse
to see him?

You seen Meely, ain't you?

When she come here,
she was pretty as paint.

Now she's sick all over
and may be dying.

And ain't you be the same?

I told you I didn't want
no link.

I'm in here for five years,

and the only way to live
through it

is to not make trouble
about anything.

'Tis sorry I am for you, Kate.

Thanks,

but I'd as soon have
powder and perfume

as wash tubs.

Clute, I'm ready.

How'd you like
your first night
at state prison, Handly?

You sleep good?
[chuckles]

That's right.
You keep working.

With Meely gone,
you've got a lot to do.

Gone?
How do you mean?

Ain't you heard?

Meely died last night.

Oh. Did you not tell
the warden she was ailin'?

We're running a prison,
not a hospital.

Does a human being
mean nothing to you?

Prisoners ain't
human beings, Handly.

They're scum...

like this here wash.

I'll break you for that,
Handly.

I'll break you good.

Jake!

Bring them shackles!

Put them on her.

Now...

you fill up that tub

and get back to work.

Told you not to make
no trouble.

[Victoria coughing]

[coughing continues]

You heading for
the warden's office, Kate?

Wait a minute.
I'll carry you.

I'd rather walk.

[coughing continues]

She's been coughing like that
ever since last night.

Looks to me
like she's got a fever.

Yep, sure does.

You really are a pig,
Clute,

a real pig.

So are you.
[laughs]

[continues coughing]

Beans will warm you better
than that watered down coffee.

Oh, no. No, me throat.

Oh, me throat's as raw
as a March wind.

[groans]

[groaning]

[coughing]

Thank you.

Cough all night,
neither one of us
will get no sleep.

[coughing continuing]

Maud-- Maud Elliot.

Oh...

[coughs]

Oh, poor Maud.

What have they done
to you?

What have they done to you?

What have they done to you?

Oh, poor, poor...

No. No, she's innocent.
I tell you.

Maud--
Maud is innocent.

[groans, coughs]

Come home, Maud.

Come home with us.

Oh, Jarrod--
Jarrod, we can't.

Oh, Maud!

Maud, it's so good to see you.

We missed you.

Oh, Maud, you're going
to stay with us

until you're completely
well and strong.

You're not to think of going
back to the millinery store

until you are--

Well, Maudy!

Say, it's good to see you.
Welcome home.

Hey, you've lost
a little weight.
Haven't you?

I wouldn't worry about that.

In a few days we'll have some
nice, thick steaks for you.

Fix you up in no time.

It's all right, Maud.
It's all right, now.

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

Come on.
You come with me.

Come on...

right over here
and sit down.

Just relax.

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

That's a girl.

Jarrod, what is it?

Don't worry, Mother.
It's nothing.

Sheriff Bannock warned me
this might happen.

She's still
in a state of shock.

Shock?

That prison she was in

is a hell hole.

Now, listen to me, Maud.

There's nothing
to be afraid of.

You've got a full pardon.

You're free.

Jarrod.

Maud, now, listen.

You have been proven innocent
of that k*lling.

You never have to go back
to that prison again,

not ever.

Do you understand?

Audra, would you
take her upstairs?

What the devil did they do
to her in that place?

Treated her like less
than an animal.

[sighs]

Jarrod, this can't go on.

It simply can't go on.

We have to talk
to the prison reform board.

It can't--

It can't go on.

The prison...

[coughing]
Talk... reform...

re-- Oh...

board...

Clute. Hey, Clute.

What's going on?

I've got to see Garreck
right away.

It's important.

[keys, lock
rattling]

Shh.

Board...

Reform...

Jarrod, we've got to...

And she's no more Irish
than I am.

She talks just like us,

better even,

like she's somebody,

a lady maybe.

If she's not Irish,

then her name probably
isn't Nellie Handly.

If her name
isn't Nellie Handly,

what is it?

No trouble getting
that answer out of her,
Warden.

-We just beat it out of her.
-Mm-mm.

None of that.

She has enough proof
as it is.

You mean, you really think

she's a reform board
investigator?

A woman?

Why not?

They've tried every other way
to prove

we've been mistreating
these prisoners.

Those fools--
If they had their way,

they'd make this prison
a vacation land.

Yeah. What are we going to do?

Who brought her
in here anyway?

Sheriff Bannock.

I'll just take a ride
over to Bowstring...

have a talk with him.

Warden, about that
porcelain bathtub...

What?

So's I won't have to wash

in the trough no more
with the others.

You said I could have it

next time I got
some important information.

Sure, Kate.
Sure, it's yours.

Come on, Kate.

Come on.

You get me out of bed just
to talk about a sick prisoner?

Oh, I thought you might be
interested, Sheriff.

Her name is Nellie Handly.

Nellie?

Yeah, I guess
the rigors of prison life
didn't agree with her.

She developed a fever,
became delirious,

and made some very
interesting revelations.

Get to the point.
Will you, Garreck?

In the first place,
she isn't Irish.

Second place, her name
isn't Nellie Handly.

Her immigration papers
are all in order.

I've got a copy right here.

That won't be necessary,
Sheriff.

I just happen to bring
my copy along.

It says here
that she's from Dublin,

and she supposedly arrived
in San Francisco

a week before her arrest,

supposedly
on a brig called
"The Gull."

what do you mean,
"supposedly"?

I stopped off
at the newspaper office

before I came over here,
Sheriff.

Thought I'd look
over the files.

You've been waking up
a lot of people tonight,

haven't you, Garreck?

You must be trying
to cover something.

I'd say it was
the other way around.

Wouldn't you, Sheriff?

Any case...

"The Gull's" casualty lists
were quite explicit.

Here's a copy of it.

Nellie Handly died of smallpox

before the ship docked
in San Francisco.

Now, look, Garreck.

I don't know
what you're up to,

but whoever that woman is,

I saw her rob a pawn shop,

and I've got eye witnesses
to prove it.

I'm not questioning
your arrest, Sheriff.

I think you managed that
very cleverly.

What I am interested in is
who is Nellie Handly,

and what is her connection
with Maud Elliot?

All right.

She's Victoria Barkley.

Her son Jarrod
is Maud Elliot's lawyer.

Barkley, Barkley...

Stockton Barkleys?

She's on
the prison reform board.

How bad is she?

Sick enough to have
a distorted view
of prison conditions,

I'm afraid.

I doubt it.

I want her released
right away.

I'll go on back
to the prison with you.

Sure, Sheriff.
Sure.

You know, you've always
had it in for me.

Why?

We're in the same business.

We deal with scum.

You have to keep them
in line.

Sure, I keep them in line,

but I don't live off them,

drain out their insides

to fill up my pockets.

Prison is a place
for punishment, Sheriff.

A lot of people
feel different.

Like the prison reform board?

Those meddlers.

Sheriff,
what I don't understand
is your interest in this...

or maybe it's you that's
filling your pockets.

What?

Maybe the reform board
is paying you.

The reform board doesn't even
know about this.

Nobody does.

You trying to tell me

that only you and Victoria
Barkley are in on this?

That's right.

She wanted to make sure
there wasn't a leak

like there was before.

And her family doesn't know
anything about it?

She didn't want
to worry them none.

Well, I'll be darned.

Sheriff, you have renewed
my faith in human nature.

Let's go.

Let's get it done with.

Yeah, Sheriff,
let's get it done with.

Are you sure Bannock
is the only one that knew
about Handly?

I'm sure.

There's no chance
you only wounded him.

I told you he's dead.

Take that coat over to Kate
and have her clean it.

By the way, how is Handly?
She better or worse?

Well, Kate says her fever's
going down.

Oh, that's unfortunate.

Afraid we're going to have
to arrange a little accident
for her,

preferably at the hands
of one of the prisoners.

Well, I don't know.

Them Barkleys is
mighty important people.

If something should go wrong,
and they found out...

You know, Clute,
with luck in six months

I'll be
in the state legislature.

Think I could guarantee you
the appointment

as warden here.

This time tomorrow,
Nellie Handly will be
dead again.

Go get some supper.

I'll take over here a while.

Thanks, Clute.

Like a little wild turkey,
Mary?

Go on.
I had plenty.

Go on.
It's delicious.

[laughs]
Ain't that good?
Huh?

You know,

I think they've been

a little too hard on you,
Mary,

keeping you out here alone

at night

when everybody's inside.

Staked to the ground like
you was some kind of animal.

A little kindness
goes a lot farther.

We do you a good turn,
you do us one.

Ain't that how it works?
Huh?

I think so.

I think, for example,

if I promised you

them chains
would come off of you

and you'd be out of this here
prison in six months...

you might do me a favor.

I want you to do something
for me, Mary,

nothing you ain't done before.

I want you to k*ll somebody...

one of your prison mates.

You say no, you'll rot here
another 10 years,

staked just like
you are here now.

You'll never see
the other side of that fence

except in your coffin.

[chuckles]

I'm making you the best deal
you'll ever get.

You think about it.

Who is she?

I'll send her out in a minute.

Get these chains off.

Get dressed.
The warden wants
to see you.

What for?

You just get dressed,
Miss Nellie Handly.

How'd you get loose?

They ain't gonna like it,

they find out you busted free.

What is it, Mary?

I ain't done you no harm.

I'm doing somebody a favor.

You ought to know
about favors.

Open up!
Open up, please, somebody!

[women grunting]

[muffled yelling]

[groans]

That could've been
the end of me.

Aye, the both of us.

You didn't have to help me.

Why did you do it?

Well, now,

I couldn't leave a body
to be m*rder*d.

I'd have left you.

Nellie, I've got something
to tell you.

Mm.

When you hear it,
you're going to wish
you hadn't helped me today.

Oh, Kate, you owe me nothing.

I've never been much
on paying back before.

Mostly I took.

You know why I'm
in here?

I worked for a crimp
on the Barbary coast.

A crimp?

That's a saloon
where they shanghai sailors,

and before that I was a shill
for a travelling gambler,

and before that--

I started everything early.

Kate, what is it
you're trying to tell me?

The other night,

during your fever,

you did a lot of talking...

and I found out
you ain't Irish.

You've got something to do
with the prison reform board.

I don't know what,
but that's why you're in here,

not because of no crime.

Well, sharing the same cell,
you couldn't help hearing.

Don't you understand?

You know why I have perfume
and fancy pillows?

Oh, Nellie.

I ratted on you.

Clute and the warden
know all about you.

So that's why big Mary
was loosed...

Oh, I didn't think
that was an accident.

Of course it wasn't.

No more than Sheriff Bannock's
getting shot last night.

Shot? Are you sure?

Warden got the news
this morning

just after he got back.

You shouldn't have told them.

The Sheriff was trying
to help you, all of you.

We were all trying to help.

I ain't worth it, Nellie.

Maybe not,

but I need you to help me
get out of here.

Will you do it?

Do you trust me even after I...

Yes. Yes, I do.

Yeah, Nellie, I'll help you.

Good.

Now, my name
is Victoria Barkley.

Ready, Kate?

Hey.

What are you doing in bed?

I told you at supper that
Garreck be wantin' to see you.

[muttering]

What's the matter with you?

[panting, moaning]

You sick?

Get the keys.

Bet Clute never smelled
like lilacs before.

[laughs]

Let's go.

Hello, Bates.

Kate, what are you doing here?

Just thought I'd keep you
a little company.

But you're supposed to be
inside.

Well, you know
that the warden gives me
the run of this place,

and I've been meaning
for so long

to get better acquainted
with you.

But I'm on duty.

Well, then you'll just work
a little harder tomorrow.

Hm?

Stop!

Break out!
Clute!

There. Get in here.

There.

Let me look at it.

Well, there's lots of--

Lots of bleeding,

but I think it just nicked.

-[footsteps approaching]
-Oh, get down.

Get down.

You wait here.

Where you going?

There must be
a farmhouse or something
where I can--

Maybe I'll find a wagon
and some horses.

They'll spot you.

No, no, I'll be careful,
but if they do,

I'll tell them
we got separated.

I don't know
which way you went.

Aah!

You didn't really think
you'd get away,

did you, Handly?

Still no sign of Kate.

You ready to tell me
which direction she went?

I told you, I don't know.

When we get you back
to prison,

you will.

Jarrod, I'm glad you're home.

I was so lonesome I was
beginning to talk to myself.

Oh, that's the first sign,
you know.

Everyone deserted me.

Did mother go
with Nick and Heath
to the cattle auction?

No, she went up to Sacramento
to visit Aunt Ruth.

Why didn't you go with her?

Too much tea and cake.

[knock on door]

Mr. Barkley?

Yes, what is it?

[panting]
Your mother...
in prison.

Hurry. Hurry.

Audra, get a doctor.

But Kate Wilson
is a notorious liar,

as her record
of convictions will show.

She escaped
four nights ago, alone.

We've been looking
for her ever since.

Well, you can stop looking
for her.

She's under the protective
custody of the reform board,

pending investigation
of this prison.

Here's the court order.

Well, very formidable,
Mr. Barkley.

My congratulations.

But this preposterous story.

Now, you get this clear--

Kate travelled miles
with a b*llet in her leg

and gave herself up to tell me

this preposterous story.

Now, are you going to take me
to the women's section or not?

So, Mr. Barkley,
do you see your mother

amongst these women?

I'd like to see the cells.

You are authorized to see
the prisoners, nothing more.

That means all the prisoners.

I told you, you have.

You're lying, of course.

Either you let me see
those cells,

or my next authorization

comes from
the governor himself.

Fine. Until then

these cells will remain
off limits to the public.

All right, Mr. Garreck,

but I'll be back.

You can count on that.

You prisoners
get back to work!

Well, Clute,

I'm afraid Nellie Handly

will have to disappear
tonight.

Hold it, Barkley.

Whoa.

Wait till you get out
to the middle of the lake

before you dump her.

I don't want her
washing ashore.

Yes, sir.

VICTORIA:
No.

No! No! No!

Come on, now.
We're just going
in that rowboat.

No!

Sit still.

Hold it right there!

[grunts]

I'm ready, Jarrod.

I'll take that case.

Oh, Kate, we owe you so much.

How can we ever thank you?

It's me what owes
just for being here.

Sure wish
I didn't have to leave.

Well, Kate, you'll be going
back to the same prison,

but it won't be the same way.

The prison reform board
has appointed a new warden

and replaced all the guards.

Ain't like being free,
though.

JARROD:
Don't you worry, Kate.
You'll be free.

You just remember that parole
system I told you about

that's being set up
right now.

Yours is going to be
one of the first hearings.

You think
all them important men

are going to listen to me?

The reform board listened
to you, didn't they?

Guess you're right.

Guess I don't have
too much to worry about.

You know I've got
a way with men.

Always have had...

Oh, Kate.

♪♪ [theme]