01x08 - General Delivery

[bunniefuu]

You think it's right?

Do you call it fair?

Working day in and day out!

Fifteen years I've been
riding for Joe Murdoch.

What thanks
do I get for it?

"You are fired."

And you know why I'm fired?

Because some stranger rides
into town to pick up his mail,

accuses me of rustling,

rustling my own boss' cattle.

Ain't that what you said
I'd done, Caulder?

Yeah, that's what
I said you did.

Well, Caulder,
you're a liar.

Would you look at that?

What does it take
to get under
your skin, Caulder?

He's been eggin'
Ben on all week.

Cold-blooded m*rder,
that's what it is.

You're the law,
go get him.

No grounds.
Self-defense.

Get him out of here.

Is it all over?

Balance.

Much obliged,
Mr. Murdoch.

Which is the quickest way
to Laramie?

Straight down that road.

That's Ed Caulder,
all right.

He sure don't look like
what you'd expect.

You think after that sh**ting
in Sheridan the other day,

he'd want to get out
of this territory,

unless he's hired out
for another job around here.

Just drop back
and cover me.

Hold it.

Something I can do
for you, sheriff?

You are not wanted here.

Keep riding.

I don't think we've met.
My name is Ed--

I know what your name is.

I meant
what I said, keep riding.

Maybe I'm wrong,

figuring this is still
a free country.

Not for your kind,
it isn't.

You're not gunning
anybody here in Laramie.

Who said I was?

Take care of him.

Hold it.

Get back on that horse.

I've got nothing
against you, sheriff.

I'd just as soon
keep it that way,
wouldn't you?

My name is Caulder,
Ed Caulder.

I'm expecting
a general delivery letter.

Sorry, don't see
anything for you.

When is the next
mail due?

Stagecoach should be
pulling in about 4:00.

I'll be back.

Hi there, Jess.

Thought you'd put
that iron away for good.

I changed my mind.

Who you mad at, boy?

Nobody.

I think maybe somebody
is mad at me though.

I'm gonna find out.

Anybody I might know?

I doubt it.

A man named Caulder,
he's in Laramie.

Ed Caulder?

You're not thinking on
mixing with him, are you?

Done a lot of riding, Jonesy.

Sometimes
in the wrong places.

Sooner or later
it's bound to catch up.

You figure somebody
sent Caulder after you?

More or less.
Only one way to find out.

Maybe you're going out of
your way to look for trouble.

As long as
that gunslinger's in town,

I don't have to look.

I know him.

Seen the way he works.

Baits and needles a man
till there's nothing
left to do but draw on him.

Then let the law handle him.

A lot of sheriffs
have tried.

Jess, listen to me.

What do you want me to do?
Wait here till he comes
after me?

No. If it's gotta be that way,
you get him first.

He doesn't need
any advice from you.

Jess, I'm going
with you.

Oh, that'll be
just fine.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Andy.

Don't let him
follow me, Jonesy.

Refill?

No, thanks.

Something stronger?

Never use it.

It's been
a long time, Jess.

Yeah.

But not long enough.

I often wondered
how you were making out.

No complaints.

Keeping out of trouble?

Some.

Drink?

I'll buy my own.

Bartender.

Give me a whiskey.

Ain't you got
something to do?

You're not as steady
as you used to be, Jess.

What are you doing
in Laramie, Caulder?

Being such old friends,
I didn't think

you'd have to ask me
that question.

I figured I might be
the reason.

Well, you might.

But you won't know until
you pick up your mail, will you?

That's right.

I always told you it was easy
doing business that way,

not knowing in advance.

You know how it is, you get
thinking too hard about
what has to be done,

you're liable to make
a mess of things.

It was good
to see you, Jess.

How about having a drink
on me, for all old times' sake?

MAN: Stagecoach pulling in.

Still time to have
that drink

while the postmaster's
sorting the mail.

Let's get it
over with.

Yeah!

h*!

You think
it's young Jess Harper?

We'll find out
soon enough.

Make sure nobody
gets any closer.

[ dogs barking ]

Ed Caulder,
care of general delivery.

It's not you.

Sort of glad it isn't, too.

Is it anybody else in Laramie?

No.

But I'll see you again.
So long.

Lucky for Jess,
Caulder is in a good mood.

The Sherman ranch
might have been short-handed.

Luck doesn't
enter into it,

not where
Caulder is concerned.

Which way
to the Sherman ranch, Pop?

Much obliged.

Jonesy, you should
have known better

than to let Jess go
into Laramie by himself.

I couldn't stop him.

He's as bull-headed
as you are

when he wants to do
something.

Andy, get my horse.

Hold it.

Here comes the bad penny.

I was just
coming after you.

Thanks, Slim.
There's no need for it.

Now look, I'm not
paying you to traipse

into Laramie
every chance you get.

I suppose you think
I'd just get in the way.

Now you know
I don't think that.

It just wasn't your problem,
that's all.

A g*nman like Ed Caulder
is everybody's problem.

Jess, what happened?

I bet you got him,
didn't you? First shot.

No, there was
no sh**ting, Andy.

Caulder wasn't after me
or anybody else in Laramie,

I'm glad to say.

You almost sound like
you're scared of him.

Maybe I am.

And so should anybody else be
with any sense.

I don't know
how much sense I've got,

but you can include me in.

That's the trouble
with this country.

As long as nobody
will stand up

against K*llers like Caulder,
they just run around loose.

You know,
if we're not careful,

that boy is gonna grow up
to be a philosopher,

and not a very
good one at that.

Hey, Andy, as long as
you're itching for action,

you can spend
the rest of the day

helping me set some
cougar traps.

Get 'em out
of the barn, will you?

All right, Slim.

Guess I'll put this back
in storage where it belongs.

Good. Say, Jess...

Why don't you get away
for a few days?

You haven't taken
any time off for a long while.

If you're trying to put me
out of Caulder's reach,

it can't be done.

If he wanted me,
he'd know where to find me.

You said
he wasn't after you.

I wasn't thinking
about him anyway.

I was looking at you,
you look a little green
around the gills.

I feel it, too.

That's what happens
when you get out of practice.

A little while
in different surroundings
will do you good.

Say, one of us have to take
a look at that breeding stock

they're selling in Cheyenne.

Why don't you do that?

Well, can you spare me?

Just stay out
of trouble.

You bet.

That was a shot, Andy.

Come from up there.

You think
he's dead, Slim?

No, he's not dead, Andy.

Andy, get his foot.

Now take it
real easy, Andy.

It's cut through to the bone,
but there's no break.

This ought
to bring him to.

We're gonna have to keep
changing compresses.

Andy, get some towels,
will you?

He sure lost
a lot of blood.

Yeah.

You can try getting
some of that into him now.

Here you go.

Come on.
He's coming to.

Don't try moving yet.

- Take some more.
- Oh.

He doesn't want
any more, Jonesy.

Well, thanks
for bringing me in.

It's the least
we could do.

I'm only glad
we got back when we did.

- You better
let him sleep now.
- Yeah.

Keep changing
those compresses, Jonesy.

I will, Slim.

Slim, we really
saved his life, didn't we?

Yeah, I guess
we probably did.

That trail up there is
wide and easy to follow.

I wonder why he left it
to come down the hill.

Take a shortcut, maybe.

Maybe.

I bet you a silver dollar
he won't do it again.

No bet.
Stakes are too high.

Well, you want
some more medicine?

Medicine?

No, thanks, Jonesy.

How did you know
my name?

By listening.

Just lying here,
there isn't much else to do.

Yeah. But you got to start
getting your strength back.

How about some soup?

That sounds fine.
I'd like that.

Good.

Sit down, Andy,
and keep the man company.

Hope
you're feeling better.

Yeah, I am.
Thanks.

Your name is Sherman,
isn't it?

Andy Sherman.

Your dad own this ranch?

Pa's dead, he left it to me
and my brother.

It's a nice place.

Must be a lot of work
for you to do.

Yeah, there's lots
of work, all right.

But with Jonesy
and Jess helping,

we can handle it.

Jess?

Jess Harper.

Don't think
I've seen him around.

Oh, he's away right now.

I see.
Help me sit up,
will you, kid?

Sure.

Here you are.

Be careful.

It smells good, Jonesy.

- Thanks.
- Ah, evening.

Howdy.
How's the leg?

It's there, that's about
all I can say for it.

Well, you're welcome
to stay on until

you're strong enough
to be up and around.

Oh, that's very generous
of you, Mr. Sherman.

It's Mr. Sherman, isn't it?

That's right.

They call me Slim.

By the way,
you haven't told us yours.

My name is Caulder,
Ed Caulder.

Slim, up there,
riders coming in.

[ horses galloping ]

Take this inside, Andy.

You know
who they are?

It looks like old man Morgan
and his boys from town.

I'll see what they want.

You get inside.

Howdy, Sherman.

You're a little off
the beaten track,

aren't you, Morgan?

Well, that depends.

There's word going around you
let Ed Caulder hole up here.

Word travels fast.

Not as fast
as a stagecoach.

One of the passengers
saw him.

Didn't expect to keep a thing
like that quiet, did you?

Nobody was trying to.

Caulder was hurt bad,
he needed help.

I only did what anyone else
would have done.

You speak for yourself.

If you'd done what anybody
else would have done,

that gunslinger wouldn't be
alive right now.

Is that any of your business?

If you get in my way,
you're liable of find out.

Go easy, Virg.

No call not to do
this peaceable.

Now you just turn
Caulder over to us,

and we'll be on our way.

Does the sheriff know
about this?

He will as soon as
we get Caulder into Laramie.

In that case,
you better start riding.

He pulled out of here
nearly 2 hours ago.

You're lying!

Don't you double
deck me, Sherman.

You start protecting a k*ller,

you're liable to wind up
on a rope yourself.

He's really got you sweating,
hasn't he?

It couldn't be
that you're afraid

he's after you, could it?

Look, we're through talking.

Caulder's in the house,
let's take him.

I wouldn't do
that if I were you.

I told you
Caulder wasn't here.

Well, then there's no reason

you should mind us
looking around, is there?

Only one.

And you're looking at it.

You put a lot of faith
in that scattergun, don't you?

And I'd advise you
to do the same.

Now if you want to bring
the sheriff out here

with a warrant,
that's another story.

Otherwise,
you better start riding.

There'll be another time.

Weren't you taking
a mighty big chance

stretching the truth
the way you did?

Huh?

About Caulder not being here.

Well, I figured I had
the edge on my side.

Well, they wanted
to k*ll Caulder, all right,

but not bad enough
to g*n me.

But you lied to 'em, Slim.

You told me once there was
never a good reason to lie.

There isn't, Andy.

Well then, why did you do it?

Especially for someone
like Caulder.

Because there is something
worse than what he is.

And that's a bunch of no-goods
running together

in a wolf pack, making up
the laws as they go along.

Maybe so, but turning Caulder
over to that bunch

could have saved us
a lot of trouble.

Do you really think he'd have
reached Laramie alive?

You got a point.

That's why I did what I did.

The way I look at it, no one
deserves to be lynched,

no matter what he's done.

You've got
another point.

But I don't know why it is
we're always getting caught

between a rock
and a hard place.

He's eating pretty good
this morning.

Good. The sooner
he's out of here, the better.

You know it's a strange thing
going in there

and feeling
his eyes on you.

Sort of creepy like.

He's the same man
he was yesterday,

but today we know his name,

and it makes
all the difference in the world.

If I would have known
who he was when I found him,

I would have taken him
right into Laramie.

He would've bled to death.

I sure would like to know
why he was heading this way
in the first place.

You can ask him.

He'd probably lie.

Didn't lie about his name.

Well, as soon as he can,
he's riding out of here.

Slim, do you think he changed
his mind about Jess

and came out here to get him?

Well, Jess ought to be
in Cheyenne by now.

So it doesn't make
any difference.

I made it for him.

I figured the sooner
we can get him on his feet,

the sooner he'll leave.

Makes good sense.

Here.

Ah, who made this?

I did.

It's a crutch.

Yeah, it's a good one, too.

Thanks a lot.

I'll try it out
in a little while.

How old are you?

Twelve.

Twelve.

I was your age
when I bought my first g*n.

It's a muzzleloader.

First time I used it,
I put too much powder in it.

Knocked me
clear off my feet.

How old were you
when you shot-- I mean...

You mean, when I k*lled
my first man?

I was 18.

It was him or me.

You understand things
like that, don't you?

Yeah.

But not for money.

That stage is right on time.

Jonesy, I hate to leave you
here with Caulder inside,

but I got to go out
and check those traps.

I won't be too long.

But see that Andy doesn't spend
too much time with him, huh?

I'll fox him.

Andy. Fresh teams.

Thought you said
he'd be dead by now.

He's the healthiest
looking corpse I've ever seen.

It was a great idea
of yours, Shaw,

trying to set this up by mail.

Yeah, and paying for it
in advance is even better.

Look, don't worry about it.

We waited 5 years
to get him k*lled.

Another couple of days
won't hurt us.

What makes
you think this Ed Caulder

wouldn't take the money
and ride?

Because I know him.

There's Caulder now.

That's Ed Caulder?

Yeah.

Some funny-looking
gunhand.

He can't even walk
much less--

Don't be too sure
about that.

He's here, ain't he,
right where he's supposed to be.

What's he been waiting for?

Five'll get you eight
he finishes the job
before the week's out.

All right, let her roll.

Works pretty good, kid.
Thanks.

Got another chore for you,
Andy, in the barn.

It's as good a day as any
to do some replenishing.

- Huh?
- I said replenishing.

- Replenishing of what?
- [ clanging ]

Oh, you should
have picked that up.

Replenishing some liniment.

We're getting low on it.

But we got a whole half
gallon out in the kitchen.

Oh, you never can
have too much on hand.

Best insurance
in the world.

- Jonesy?
- Mm.

You're just trying
to keep me busy, aren't you,

so I won't be spending
too much time with him.

You're getting to be
a pretty smart young fella.

Smart enough to stay away
from a man like Ed Caulder,

even though I don't invent
some chores for you.

I don't want
to talk to him, Jonesy.

You know, it's kind of scary
even being around him.

I know.

Jonesy,

what makes a man
do the things he does?

Beats me.

I don't know.

I guess nobody really knows.

But maybe someday
they'll come up
with some answers

as to why people
turn out like him.

And when that day comes,
it'll certainly be
a better world.

I thought so,
something missing.

Forgot to put
the juniper berries in.

Smells the same to me.

Every bit as bad
as it always has.

But you keep your eye on it
while I get the berries.

Working hard, eh,
Jonesy?

Always a lot of work
to do on a ranch.

Sure.

If I didn't know better,

I'd think you were
trying to avoid me.

The boy, too.

You must be used to things
like this, Caulder.

[ horses neighing ]

Jonesy! Jonesy!

Kid?

Kid, you in there?

Kid!

Kid!

I left Andy in there!

[ coughing and gagging ]

Andy, you all right?

Yeah.

Oh, Mr. Caulder,
I didn't see you.

Are you feeling
better, kid?

Yes, thanks.
I'm hungry.

Well,
that's a good sign.

Mr. Caulder...

Well, look who's up
and around,

all bright-eyed
and bushy-tailed.

How's the noggin?

It's got a pretty
good lump on it.

But it's just tender,
that's all.

You'll just have a little
trouble getting your hat
on and off for a while.

Slim, I'm sorry
about the barn.

So am I.
But we can fix it.

You're still here,
that's what counts.

I'm indebted to you,
Caulder.

I'm glad I could help.

I guess that makes us
about even, doesn't it?

[ knocking on door ]

Come in.

I owe you thanks
for what you did.

It's all right.
I was glad to help.

I guess I'm not old enough
yet to understand

all the things I should.

I mean about people.

Nobody ever gets
old enough to do that.

Just what people
were you thinking of?

You.

I'm gonna tell you
something, kid.

Before you can understand
other people,

you've got to learn
about yourself.

And that generally
takes a lifetime.

So you see it doesn't pay,
not really,

trying to figure out
other people.

It's all a man can do
to handle his own problems.

You understand
all about yourself?

I guess I do.

Don't you ever ask
yourself any questions?

No.

Not anymore.

Kind of tired,
I want to get some sleep.

If it weren't for you,
I'd be dead.

I know that.

But I wish
you hadn't had done it.

I wish we had both
been burned up.

Kid...

Look, don't ever wish
for death.

Comes soon enough
to all of us.

Comes a lot sooner
to some people
on account of you.

You're talking foolishness.

You say the same thing
about soldiers.

They k*ll, and
for money, too.

But they don't enjoy it.

Do you think I do?

Why else would you
keep on doing it?

Want some more coffee?

Yeah.

I might join you,
if you don't mind.

Leg better this morning?

Some.

I'm glad to hear that.

Yeah, I bet you are.

Funny thing,
sometimes an injury

like you've got does
a man more good than harm.

Why don't you go
pester somebody else?

If I were
a g*n-slingin' man,

maybe you'd frighten me,
Mr. Caulder.

But since I'm not,
you don't.

Some people just
don't have sense

enough to be frightened.

Now what else
is on your mind?

Just this,
I'm sorry for you.

I'm sorry for any man
that has to make a living
by k*lling.

You save your sorrow
for the guys

that wind up
on Boot Hill.

Oh, no.

They're out of it.

Everybody knows
that they're dead.

But nobody knows
that you're dead.

Nobody except yourself.

You know, for a while
there I thought maybe

Andy had brought something
back to life in you.

I'm truly sorry
for you.

He's finished
his dinner.

Good.

I saddled your horse for you,
Mr. Caulder.

[ wind howling ]

I didn't ask you to.

No trouble.

Well, maybe
I'm not ready to ride yet.

Then we'll hitch up
the buckboard.

One of us will drive you
into town.

Hospitality is getting
kind of low around here,
seems to me.

That's far enough, Jones.

Shall I hitch up
the buckboard?

No.

I don't like the looks
of this dust storm.

I don't like your looks either,
but I like the place.

I think I'll stay around
for a while.

For how long?

A day or two, I guess.

Shouldn't take
much more than that.

Andy, stay out of the way.

Mr. Caulder?

Shut up, kid.

I'm telling you to leave.

Slim?

And I'm telling you no.

Next move is yours.

You could have k*lled me.

Why didn't you?

I don't know.

Then again maybe I do.

Take care of yourself, kid.

Well now,
aren't you a smart--

Here comes Jess.

Do you know
who that was?

Yeah.

Well, what did he want?

Slim, did he try to make you
draw on him?

Yeah, he tried and succeeded.

Fastest draw I've ever seen.

He was gonna sh**t,
but then he didn't.

Put his g*n back
in his holster and rode off.

He seemed to steel
on the trigger.

It seemed like he wanted
to k*ll me, all right,

but not badly enough.

I guess he didn't have
a good enough reason.

He had his
usual reason, money.

What are you talking about?

You remember testifying
against three rustlers

a few years ago named
Don and Lou Delkins
and Sam Shaw?

Yeah, I put them away
for about 10 years.

Well, they're out.
They're in Laramie right now,

probably waiting to pay
Caulder for k*lling you.

Well, that's just a guess on
your part, isn't it?

Yeah, it's a pretty good
one though.

He won't be collecting
any money from those people.

But he might be
collecting something else.

Well,
he's the fastest--

There's only one of him,
Andy, and three of them.

I'm going into Laramie.

What?
Why?

I don't have
time to explain.

Well, I hope you know
what you're doing,
'cause I don't.

Come back here!

Ah, you're just
as stubborn as your pa.

Well, if you two
don't quit going out,

trying to get
yourselves k*lled,

I'm gonna put castor oil
in your coffee!

Slim, look, I'm with you,
no matter what, you know that.

But I want to know why.
Why help a man like Caulder?

He spent some time here,
Jess, while you were gone.

I could be wrong,
but I think it changed him.

A man like
that will never change.

He saved Andy's life.

Well, that's hard to believe.

It happened right
where you're standing.

Barn caught fight
and he dragged Andy out.

Not more than 5 minutes ago,

he could have cut me
down without half trying.

I don't know
how much it changed him,

but I don't think
he'll do any more k*lling,
not for money anyway.

And you figure those are
enough reasons
for you to help him.

Enough for me.

Slim, you're sticking
your neck out again

just like you did
when you testified
against those rustlers.

I guess so.

It's a bad habit of mine.

It's too late to change.

What happened?

Not a thing.
Deal's off, that's all.

- I don't understand.
- Don't try.

It took me 15 years
to figure it out.

I thought you were
supposed to be the best
in the business.

Well, I was.

I'm not in the business
anymore.

Nerves, Caulder?

Good question, Mr. Shaw.

The answer satisfy you?

Well,
that's just dandy.

All he has to do is
open his mouth,

we go back to prison
for the rest of our life.

I say, let's get out of here
as fast as we can

and as far away as we can.

No.

I think we ought to perform
a little public service first.

- Huh?
- What's that?

When he gets his horse saddled
and comes out of the stable,

why couldn't three
high-minded citizens

cut him down?

Say, I like that.

I always wanted to be
a high-minded citizen.

Me too.

[ wind howling ]

There goes Caulder now.
Wonder what that means.

Watch out.

[ horse whinnies ]

[ g*nshots ]

Let's go.
One at a time.

[ g*nshots ]

I'd like to help you
if you don't mind.

Help yourself.

Shaw, keep your eye on me.

Coming after you.

I wonder
who he is really after.

Maybe he's still
got the letter.

See how this fits.

Oh, that's a perfect fit.

Hey, you're pretty good
at this, aren't you?

Yeah, I learned it
from my uncle Bert.

I just don't know
how he does it.

Oh, this is gonna be neat.

Kind of wish Mr. Caulder
was still alive to see it.

We did our best
for him, Andy.

Yeah, I know.

Andy, he did see something
through your eyes

that he's never seen
before... himself.

But it was too late.

That kind of man
would never die in bed,

he had to die
the way he lived,

with a g*n in his hand.

Of course, I could stand here
and hold this all day.

Suppose I'm gonna
have to build this thing

all by myself.

Just cut it off there.